We are finally going back to Walt Disney World this October for our wedding planning session (EXCITING!) but seeing as we will be visiting Orlando for a full vacation when we actually get married we decided to only stop in Disney for a couple of days this time around.
It just isn’t worth us buying park tickets for less than a week’s stay, so how are we planning to fit in some Disney Magic in the absence of a magic band loaded with park days?!
We’ve put together 5 things to do on Disney Property which don’t require a pass to get in the theme parks… Plus one bonus tip at the end but you will have to keep reading for that one!
Visit Disney Springs
The new and improved ‘Downtown Disney’ (For everyone who remembers Disney World from the 1990s) is quite literally amazing.
With over 100 shopping destinations and 56 dining options you could easily spend multiple days in Disney Springs and still not get bored. On top of all that Disney Springs is home to the AMC Disney Springs 24 movie theatre, Splitsville luxury bowling lanes and Aerophile balloon flight, the world’s largest tethered helium balloon.
The best part about all this is Disney Springs is completely free to enter and even has free parking available in one of its many easy access parking garages, plus it’s so well themed with Disney touches it almost feels like you are in a park.
Another hidden gem is the Disney Springs Photopass Studio located in The Marketplace. If you have the Photopass package drop in to get some professional photos on a range of cool backgrounds.
When we visit Disney Springs in October we are planning to try out the fried chicken at Chef Art Smiths Homecomin’ and return to STK Orlando to see if it can uphold its ‘Best steak we’ve ever had’ title.
Shopping wise Lilly Pulitzer better get ready because it’s been almost two years since I’ve been in a retail store!
Play Mini Golf
This will cost you a little bit of money but did you know there are two onsite mini golf courses at Walt Disney World?
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf is located just outside Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and gives you the option of 2 courses – One themed around summer and one around winter of course!
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf is located just next to The Walt Disney World Swan hotel in the EPCOT resort area. This course showcases Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasia.
Adult passes for a round of golf cost $14 with children costing $12 making it a relatively inexpensive activity to fill and afternoon staying on Disney property.
Resort Hop
Disney resorts are almost theme parks in themselves, each one is carefully designed to transport you to another time or place.
Why not take a horse drawn carriage ride along at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort or go horseback riding at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort?
You could roast marshmallows around the campfire, followed by a movie under the stars at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Take a guided fishing trip on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon leaving from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa or fit in a round of golf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, just across the road from Disney’s Polynesian Resort!
Another fun (adult!) activity is to do a ‘Monorail Bar Crawl’ – Hop on the monorail at one of the Bay Lake resorts (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Contemporary Resort) then hop on and off to visit all the bars along the way!
We love the Godiva Chocolate Martinis in Mizner’s Lounge at the Grand Floridian and I am dying to try out Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at the Polynesian for a tropical cocktail!
If you like the Monorail hopping idea you can book a Highway in the Sky Dine Around package and try out drinks AND food from each of the resorts!
Go To Celebration
The community of Celebration was originally developed by The Walt Disney Company in the 1990s. It is just outside of Walt Disney World, you can get directly to it by driving down ‘World Drive’ which begins near Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Visiting Celebration is like going back in time, the houses, shops, hotels and eateries all have a homely and friendly feel.
On Sundays there is a Farmer’s Market and in the winter they add in a pop up ice rink to the main road which is lined with unique boutiques.
You can also take a horse-drawn carriage ride, do a Segway tour or by rent bikes to explore the area
Watch The Fireworks
You don’t have to have a park ticket to get a great view of Disney’s amazing fireworks displays!
We haven’t been to Disney World since the Magic Kingdom night time show went from ‘Wishes’ to ‘Happily Ever After’ but the fireworks can still be seen from a number of ‘non park’ spots!
The Grand Floridian’s resort boat transportation pier is a great place to view the show as it is directly across the water from the Magic Kingdom with a direct view of the fireworks above the castle. You could also book a table for dinner at California Grill – at show time dinner guests are allowed to venture out onto the balcony and get an incredible birds eye view of the castle and the fireworks – the music is even played up on the balcony so it’s just as good as being in the park!
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, the fireworks show at EPCOT can be seen from the boardwalk resort area. This show does have quite a lot of elements that take place on the lake in the actual park, but you can still see the fireworks going off above you head! Wander along the boardwalk itself or sit on the sand of The Beach Club’s Shipwreck Beach for a romantic evening activity.
Bonus: Buy Party Tickets
Here’s the bonus tip!
If you are visiting Walt Disney World at a time when seasonal parties are being held they can be a great way to get into the parks for a tiny bit of a discount.
We are visiting in October for a few days – not long enough to make it worthwhile buying a park pass BUT we are still going to experience the Magic Kingdom by buying a ticket to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Tickets to the Halloween party (and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party if you are going for the holidays) start at around 75$ depending on the day you want to go which is cheaper than and one day pass to The Magic Kingdom – You do not have to have a day pass in addition to the party ticket and you get the added experience of the party theme for your money!
The party officially starts at 7pm but usually cast members at the gate start letting party ticket holders in from 4pm – This is where you can get your money’s worth and make the most of the park time.
We recommend going in at 4pm and exploring as much as you can attraction wise before the party starts. When the party attractions open (Trick or treat stands, Cookie stands at Christmas etc) visit as many as you can early on to avoid the crowds.
At the parties they usually show the parades and special event shows twice, once earlier in the evening (which most people watch) and once later on into the evening. We recommend using the first show time to go on as many rides and see as many characters/ photo op spots as you can while the lines are short, then stay at the party as long as possible to watch the later shows and maximise your time in the park!
The parties end at midnight so you can pack in 8 hours of park time if you arrive at 4pm – Plus you get the added experience of it being a party with unique attractions, shows and freebies.
If you are going during the Halloween or Holiday seasons we would highly recommend booking up a party – They are so much fun and some of our best Disney memories come from these unique events!
Who knew there was so much to do at Walt Disney World beside the parks?
