What to Do on Non-Park Days at Walt Disney World

When you think of Walt Disney World, you probably picture back-to-back park hopping, long days in line, and character meet-and-greets. But sometimes the magic happens outside the parks, too. Whether you’re taking a much-needed break mid-vacation or simply want to explore more of Disney beyond the turnstiles, non-park days can be some of the most relaxing and memorable parts of your trip.

On our recent visit, we stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which itself feels like a mini theme park with all the immersive theming. We dedicated a whole day to exploring activities beyond the parks and I’m here to share what we did plus even more ideas for your own Disney downtime.

Pool Hopping at Art of Animation

We spent the morning bouncing between all three of Art of Animation’s themed pools:

🌊 The Big Blue Pool (Finding Nemo) – The largest resort pool at Disney, with music you can hear underwater.

🚗 The Cozy Cone Pool (Cars) – Shady cone-shaped cabanas and Route 66 vibes.

🦁 The Flippin’ Fins Pool (The Little Mermaid) – Giant character statues and bright colors perfect for little ones.

If you’re staying at a Disney resort, lounging by the pool is a must-do. Order lunch poolside, grab a drink, and just soak it all in.

Resort Activities You Don’t Want to Miss

One of the biggest perks of staying at a Disney resort is all the complimentary and low-cost activities you can enjoy without leaving the property. At Art of Animation and other Disney resorts, here are a few you should definitely check out:

🎨 Mosaic Art Crafts – Create your own Disney-inspired keepsake (for a small fee).

🎮 Pixel Play Arcade – Classic and modern games perfect for a mid-day break or rainy afternoon.

🎬 Movies Under the Stars – Each night, Disney shows a different family-friendly movie outside by the pool or in the courtyard.

🏊 Poolside Games & Trivia – Cast Members host daily activities like bingo, trivia, dance parties, and water games.

🎯 Resort Scavenger Hunts – Pick up a clue sheet at the front desk and hunt for hidden Disney details.

🚶‍♂️ The Animation Hall – Browse sketches and displays celebrating the artistry behind your favorite films.

🤝 Pin Trading – Bring your lanyard! You can trade pins with Cast Members at your resort, in shops, and all over Disney Springs.

📸 Character Greetings – Depending on your resort and the season, you might catch surprise appearances from Mickey, Pluto, or other friends right in the lobby or by the pool. Always check the activity schedule when you arrive—you never know who will pop by!

Monorail Bar (and Mocktail) Crawl

In the afternoon, we set out on a Monorail Bar Crawl: one of my new favorite Disney traditions. Here’s where we stopped:

🍹 Outer Rim Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Retro-futuristic views and laid-back drinks.

🌺 Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace or Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian – Tropical cocktails and island vibes (check which is open when you visit).

🌹 Enchanted Rose Lounge at Grand Floridian – Beauty and the Beast elegance, with a menu of cocktails, mocktails, and small bites.

Tip: Even if you don’t drink alcohol, most lounges offer delicious zero-proof options so everyone can join the fun!

Disney Springs

No Disney vacation feels complete without some time at Disney Springs. We did a little shopping, grabbed dinner at D-Luxe Burger, and capped it off with cookies from Summer House on the Lake’s Cookie Bar, the perfect sweet ending.

Other great Disney Springs options:

• The Aerophile Balloon Ride for panoramic views.

• Splitsville Luxury Lanes for bowling and dining.

• AMC Dine-In Theater to catch the latest movies.

• Live entertainment in the evenings—street musicians, performers, and DJs.

• Pin Trading kiosks to expand your collection or find that rare must-have.

Even More Non-Park Fun to Consider

Beyond what we did, here are even more ways to fill your non-park days:

🎳 Mini Golf – Try Winter Summerland (near Blizzard Beach) or Fantasia Gardens (near Swan & Dolphin).

💦 Disney Water Parks – Spend a day at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach for slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools.

🏌️‍♂️ Golf & FootGolf – Hit the links at Disney’s championship golf courses.

⚽️ ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – If you’re visiting during an event, it’s worth checking out.

🎭 Resort Campfires & Evening Entertainment – Enjoy s’mores, singalongs, and activities like Yehaa Bob Jackson’s piano show at Port Orleans Riverside.

🛶 Rent Bikes or Boats – Many resorts have marinas where you can rent pontoon boats, Sea Raycers, or surrey bikes.

🐎 Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness – Pony rides and horseback riding for animal lovers.

🌅 Fireworks Viewing – Watch Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from the Polynesian beach or the Contemporary’s observation deck.

Why You Should Plan a Non-Park Day

Taking a day off from the parks can help you recharge, avoid burnout, and discover hidden Disney magic you’d otherwise miss. Whether you spend the day exploring resorts, splashing in a pool, meeting characters in the lobby, or hunting down that perfect trading pin, you’ll return to the parks refreshed and ready to make more memories.

If you’d like help planning your own Disney itinerary, including the perfect balance of park days and downtime, visit www.thepixieplanner.com/blog1 or reach out to your favorite Pixie Planner to request your free quote today!

We’re The Pixie Planner—We Know Because We Go! ✈️