100 Things to Do on a Non-Park Day at Disney World

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No ticket? No problem! There are tons of things to do on a non-park day at Disney World. These are the top all-ages tips for an Orlando "rest day".

What to Do on a Non-Park Day at Disney World

Scheduling a non-park day during your Walt Disney World vacation is a wise choice. Firstly, you may want to have a day with imposed downtime. This could include sleeping in, napping, and getting to bed early.

An off-day could allow you to explore and appreciate your chosen hotel, the Disney Springs area, the water parks, or dining at other resort hotels.

These ideas for a non-park day at Disney World will show you exactly what you can do with the family without having to purchase a Park ticket.

Why is a Day Off Important?

You may think that having a day off in the middle of a busy theme-park packed week is unnecessary. But when you're body is achy and you're running on fumes with little rest, you'll grow to appreciate that off-day!

Not to mention, that young children seem to appreciate a less stimulating day in between the "go-go-go" vibe that is a theme park schedule.

I'm sharing my tips of things to do with your kids at Disney that don't require a park ticket. This includes the free (yes, FREE!) stuff to do around the Walt Disney World resort!

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What is There to Do on an Off-Day at Disney World?

At the Walt Disney World resort, there are so many amazing things to do at Disney without parks. Lots of these ideas are totally free!

Coming from California, my family always pads our Florida vacation with several non-park days. Having the long travel day across the country and losing 3 hours means we never start our theme park days until the following morning.

Working in additional non-park days in between theme park days allow us plenty of free time to explore some of the entertainment options outside of the Parks. Once, I took my one-year old toddler and my 5-year old preschooler to Walt Disney World and we had three non-park days on our visit.

Our days off always permit us to sleep in and catch up on lost sleep. We schedule either a water park day or an afternoon at the hotel pool. Booking an advance dining reservation for a coveted meal at one of the resort hotels is another family favorite. We end the night early so we're well rested for the next theme park day.

Keep reading for my ideas of things to do at Disney World without going into the parks.

Transportation at Disney World is a Ride

For kids, hopping aboard transportation is a Disney ride. And you won't need a Park ticket or even need to be a resort guest to ride them.

Walt Disney World transportation is completely free. Use the Monorail, Skyliner, buses, and boats to visit other Disney World resort hotels.

Power Boats

Walt Disney World hotels with a marina offer pontoon boats for rent. Up to 10 people can cruise the Seven Seas Lagoon, at around $50 per half hour rental fee. Reservations aren't required but the boats are first come, first served.

Canoes and Kayaks

Disney's Fort Wilderness offers visitors a chance to get out onto the water. Choose a canoe or kayak, with the cost around $15 per person, per hour.

Disney World Resort Hopping

Exploring the different hotels during a Walt Disney World vacation can be an enjoyable way to spend an off day. During one trip, my family was able to visit a total of six different resorts.

You do not have to be a guest of the hotel to visit or make dining reservations. Just keep in mind, that using the hotel swimming pools is off-limits.

Take the Monorail Loop

Jumped aboard the Monorail, which makes stops at the trio of resorts on the loop. You can visit Disney's Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort and Grand Floridian along the Monorail loop.

Pass the time walking through the lobby and wandering the grounds. Grabbing a snack inside one of the quick service restaurants and peruse the gift shops.

Explore the Grounds

The beautiful savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the beach front at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and the Magic Kingdom view from the Grand Floridian are just a few of the lovely places to visit at Disney World hotels.

Anyone can walk, wander, and explore the lobby and grounds. Kids can also use playgrounds, many of which are themed to that hotel. Most locations have arcades, with traditional pay-to-play games.

Book a Disney World Resort "Split Stay"

My friend Leslie at Trips With Tykes shares some clever Disney World split stay hacks. One of her tricks includes changing hotels during your visit to take advantage of the free Disney World water park admission on the first day of a hotel stay.

Participate in Disney World Hotel Activities

Different resorts have activities scheduled throughout the day, including tours and crafts. Seasonally, there are also various events that visitors can enjoy including the decorated Easter eggs on display in the lobby of the Grand Floridian.

After dark, Movies Under the Stars and campfires are highly enjoyable nighttime events at many of the Disney World resort hotels. There are more details about each under the "Nighttime" section in this article.

Walt Disney World Resort Playgrounds

Playgrounds at many of the Disney World resort hotels let little ones burn off steam. These play areas are intended for kids aged 2-12

My preschooler loved the waterside play area called Caribbean Cay at Caribbean Beach. The rustic playground in the woods at Fort Wilderness is another favorite. Read more with these tips for Walt Disney World playgrounds.

Making a Splash at the Resort Pool

Take advantage of the amenities right there at your own Walt Disney World Resort hotel. A day at the pool is one of the best ways for families to enjoy a non-park day at Disney.

While parents can grab a drink from the poolside bar, children can swim and splash to their heart's delight.

What to Expect at Disney World Swimming Pools

Each of the pools at Disney World hotels are different. While the actual swimming area may vary, there are some similarities. Here's what to expect:

Value Resort Hotels (ex: Art of Animation) will have swimming pools but no waterslides or whirlpool hot tubs. There may be splash pads for younger kids.

Moderate Resort Hotels (ex: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort) offer up themed swimming pools with waterslides, whirlpool hot tubs, and water play areas.

Deluxe Resort Hotels (ex: Animal Kingdom) will have extraordinary themed pools with waterslides, whirlpool hot tubs, and water play areas.

These are the things you'll find at each WDW pool, no matter the location:

• Each resort offers multiple swim areas, including themed pools and basic swimming pools.
• Poolside activities are often offered by cast members, including games and trivia.
• There are complimentary life jackets available for new swimmers.
• Seating around the pool, including chairs, cabanas, and loungers.
• Pool lifts and access options are available for guests with limited mobility.

Choose a WDW Hotel with the Best Pool for Your Family

If you plan on spending a good amount of time enjoying the swimming pool at your Resort Hotel, these are some of the best.

The Big Blue Pool at Disney's Art of Animation Resort is the best of the Value Resorts. The humongous swimming area features a zero-entry pool, spray-ground, and nearby dry play area.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Springs pool area has a smaller footprint, making it easier to keep track of kids. The waterslide that wraps around a rock formation is a highlight.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is another family favorite. Fuentes del Morro is designed to look like a large colonial Spanish fortress with multiple waterslides. The nearby pirate-themed water play area is only for kids under 48".

Nothing beats Stormalong Bay at Disney's Beach Club Resort. It's the ultimate pool experience! My kids loved the sand-bottomed zero entry pool, along with beach buckets and shovels to build sandcastles.

For brave kiddos, the dramatic water slide that shoots swimmers through a pirate ship will be the talk of the trip!

Swimming at the Disney Water Parks

Afternoon swimming at the resort pool is great. But what if you want to cool down and still enjoy theme park rides at the same time?

Splashing and swimming at either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water park is so much fun for families!

We took my kids on the last trip and wished we'd be able to spend more than just a half-day at each. You can definitely spend an entire non-park day at each of these Disney-themed water parks.

From mini-slides, splash pads and water play activities, there's plenty for families to do together. There's even a lazy river with overhead water falls and big wave pools.

There are complimentary life jackets in a variety of sizes available for young kids, pre-swimmers or those who don't feel comfortable in the water yet.

Read More: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach - What to Know About Disney World Water Parks with Kids

Rent a Poolside Cabana

Maximize your time at the Resort pool or at one of the water parks with a personal cabana. Depending upon the hotel, these shaded areas may have cushioned lounge chairs, mini fridge stocked with soft drinks, food service, and a safe.

Dining at Disney World Resort Hotels

One of our favorite things on our non-park days is dining at the resort hotels. There's lot to choose, from the unique snack spots, quick service, full service restaurants, and character dining.

I'll outline some of the best family restaurants to enjoy at the hotels of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Naturally, there are lot more than my list, but I've only highlighted locations where I've personally dined.

Table Service Hotel Restaurants

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop | Beach Club Resort

This charming location has such a fun vibe! From the kid-friendly food and of course, the sweet treats, this beach-themed diner is a joy.

My son loved that his hot dog lunch came with a sweet ending. The Mickey Mouse ice cream sundae is one of the options to choose from with a kid's meal.

Consider dining here just for dessert, if only so you can order the Kitchen Sink!

Whispering Canyon Cafe | Wilderness Lodge

This is THE place for big eaters, so consider this one with teens. The signature skillets are all-you-care-to-eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The atmosphere here is raucous, loud, and great for extroverts. And of course, the food is hearty and delicious!

Boma - Flavors of Africa | Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you visit Animal Kingdom Lodge to view the savannah, consider booking a reservation for this all-you-care-to-eat buffet. The spice combinations are incredible and there's something here for everyone, including macaroni and cheese.

Get the coconut rice and African spiced beef striploin, it's so good. Plus, there are all the Zebra Domes you can eat at the dessert bar!

Dinner and a Show

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue | Fort Wilderness

Dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is definitely one of our favorite places to eat at Walt Disney World (we've done it 3 times!).

This long-standing dinner show is a true Disney gem. From the plentiful and delicious food to the top-notch entertainment, Hoop-Dee-Doo is perfectly tailored for everyone in the family.

My kids loved the loud atmosphere, the pork ribs, strawberry shortcake, and catchy songs. Being handed a washboard to make loud music was also too much fun. There's also unlimited draft beer, wine and sangria for the grown ups (that sangria is my favorite!).

To get to Pioneer Hall, take the boat from Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness. Consider doing other things at Fort Wilderness before dinner, including horseback riding or archery lessons.

Read my thorough review of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

Quick Service and Snacks

Capt. Cook's | Polynesian Village Resort

Grab a fast meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, all served with a tropical spin. The pulled pork nachos are my go-to. There's even a late night menu for those coming back to the resort after an evening at the theme parks!

Pineapple Lanai | Polynesian Village Resort

No need to venture into Magic Kingdom if you're looking for a Dole Whip fix. This popular walk-up window swirls up the soft serve, along with pineapple juice floats or a coconut rum floater.

Disney World Hotel Character Dining

There are lots of character dining experiences across the Disney World resort. It's a great way to greet Disney favorites in a casual setting, with the bonus of air conditioning and no line queues!

Character dining can be a lengthy process, as each character stops at your table for interaction, photos, and souvenirs. This experience is best saved for a non-park day at Disney World when you don't feel rushed to get back to the theme park schedule.

1900 Park Fare | Grand Floridian (breakfast/dinner) - Featuring characters that "made a wish", including Tiana, Aladdin, and Cinderella. Arguably the best food of all the character meals on a buffet.

Minnie's Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe | Beach Club (breakfast) - Minnie Mouse and friends appear here in the morning hours, with traditional breakfast buffet items.

Chef Mickey's | Contemporary Resort (breakfast/dinner) - Mickey Mouse and others in their cooking outfits, with a rotation of eats that will please everyone.

Best Friends Breakfast at 'Ohana | Polynesian Village (breakfast) - Lilo and Stitch are on hand to greet families during this all-you-care-to-eat breakfast, served to your table "family style".

Storybook Dining at Artist's Point | Wilderness Lodge (dinner) - Meet with Snow White, Evil Queen, Dopey and Grumpy during this upscale prix fixe meal.

Breakfast a' la Art at Topollino's Terrace | Riviera Resort (breakfast) - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy are dressed in their artistic best for this elevated experience. Guests choose entrees from a menu.

Indoor Fun at the Disney World Resort

If it's too hot or too rainy to be outdoors, it's important to have a few inside activities up your sleeve! These are a few great indoor things to do on a non-park day at Disney World.

Caricatures and Portraiture

Inside many of the resort hotel lobbies are artists waiting to draw your child's portrait. My son had never had a caricature drawn before. It was a great souvenir to bring home, so I had him sit for one.

Watch Television

We don't usually watch television when we're on vacation, but sometimes it's a good way to wind down. All the TVs at the Walt Disney World resort offer family programming, including (of course), Disney shows and movies!

Disney World has an entire channel devoted to safety called "Wild About Safety". This very fun and informative cartoon series features Timon & Pumba from The Lion King. It was the only thing that my preschooler wanted to watch!

Play With "Hey Disney"

"Hey Disney" is a voice assistant experience inside each of the Walt Disney World resort hotels.

Guests can do productive things, like assist with requesting towels from housekeeping, character wake-up calls, or checking theme park hours. In addition, you can play games or trivia. "Hey Disney" will even read a story!

Take a Hotel Tour

Deluxe resort hotels have lots to explore, with the lobby being an ideal starting point. Guests can take a self-guided tour or check in at guest services for a guided tour.

The Jambo House Lobby Art Tour at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge highlights the largest African art collection outside of Africa. Or choose the Wonders of the Lodge Art & Architecture Tour at Wilderness Lodge.

Special Activities with Guest Services

Be sure to check the resort guide or with guest services for other activities they offer to guests. Many have organized things to do indoors including scavenger hunts, tie-dye shirts, crafts, and more.

Look for Hidden Mickeys

Go on a hunt for Hidden Mickeys. Kids (and adults) love spotting Hidden Mickeys everywhere from the flower arrangements to the carpet design. 

Outdoor Adventures

Bicycle Ride

Rent individual bikes or a bike surrey. Everyone can pedal while enjoying the resort.

Fishing Excursion

This catch & release large mouth bass from a pontoon or tournament style boat. There are several options on multiple lakes and lagoons, including 2-hr or 4-hr trips. These excursions include an experienced guide, tackle, rod and reel, bait, and non-alcoholic beverages. Advance booking is required.

Dockside Fishing

If your kids love the great outdoors, take 'em to the fishing hole and see if they can catch the big one! Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Fort Wilderness resorts offer tackle rental for catch & release. No reservations required.

Family Golf Games

While there are more official golfing locations, there are also places the entire family can golf together. For mini golf at the Walt Disney World Resort, try either Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course or Winter Summerland Miniature Golf.

Soccer-fans will enjoy kicking around at FootGolf at the Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. Call ahead to make reservations before you go to any of these locations.

Starlight Safari

Take a twilight safari ride across the open savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge. You'll get a peek at African animals up-close in a way you never have before. This hour-long activity is for guests aged 8+.

Fort Wilderness Experiences

The expansive Fort Wilderness offers a wide variety of outdoor adventures for many ages! Getting to the Fort Wilderness activities can be tricky, as the resort is spread out. Allow lots of time for travel to Fort Wilderness.

Check-in locations are usually at the Bike Barn, Tri Circle D Ranch, or Fort Wilderness Marina.

Getting to the Bike Barn or Tri Circle D Ranch - Guests with a vehicle can park at the resort entrance, then take the Yellow or Orange Line buses.

Getting to the Fort Wilderness Marina - Take a water taxi from the Magic Kingdom area.

I've already shared several of the Fort Wilderness activities, including Movies Under the Stars, Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long, canoes and kayaks. Here are a few more to explore:

Archery

Guests aged 7+ can participate in an archery lesson from an expert guide. These 75-minute lessons include use of a compound bow.

Horseback Riding and Pony Rides

Children aged 9 and up can take a 45-minute horseback trail ride. Kids aged 3-9 can take a pony ride.

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure

This is no ordinary trail hike! Guests 16+ can hop aboard an all-terrain Segway for a 2-hour nature tour.

Horse Drawn Carriage and Wagon Rides

Get a scenic view of the trails from either a carriage or wagon. Elegant horse drawn carriages and rustic wagons take you for a tour through the pine and cypress forests.

Collect Disney World Pressed Pennies

If you plan on resort hopping, one fun activity that my son enjoys is collecting pressed pennies. Resort hotels and Downtown Disney have themed pennies that you can only collect in that location.

You can, of course, also find pressed pennies in the theme parks to round out your collection! Store your Disney pressed penny collection safely in a Pressed Penny Album.

Nighttime Experiences for a Non-Park Day at Disney

These evening activities are ideal when the weather is warm. Rest and swim during the heat of the afternoon, then come out to explore after dark.

Movies Under the Stars

Anyone is welcome to visit Walt Disney World resort hotels and watch a popular movie outside. Guests usually bring a beach towel and lay on the lawn.

The movie schedule and show night varies at each hotel throughout the year. Check the Disney World website, recreation calendar at the hotel, or ask at Guest Services to find out location.

Campfires

Many of the Disney World resort hotels offer a campfire event on the grounds. Guests may bring their own marshmallows and sticks, or purchase a s'mores kit on site.

The campfire at Fort Wilderness Resort is especially fun. Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long includes character interaction and singing.

Electrical Water Pageant

The waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon light up with this charming parade of floats. Pick a spot along the beaches of one of the following hotels to view this 15-minute musical show.

See the Electrical Water Pageant from the Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and Contemporary Resorts.

Fireworks Cruise

View the nightly fireworks at either EPCOT or Magic Kingdom in a completely different way! Fireworks Cruises are chartered boats with you're own captain/tour guide, along with snacks and soft drinks.

This is definitely one of the cooler experiences I've had at Walt Disney World! The fireworks cruise is a splurge, starting at around $450 for up to 10 guests per boat. Advance reservations are required.

Celebration at the Top: Sip, Savor & Sparkle

Older kids and adults will appreciate this sophisticated cocktail party at the Contemporary Resort. Guests can view the Magic Kingdom fireworks with appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Upscale dress code required, so this fancy (and pricey) activities is aimed at grown-ups.

Spa Day

Give your tired body a restful afternoon of spa services, including massages, manicures and facials.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Mandara Spa (at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel) are the two available locations. Be sure to check the spa menu for tips on visiting with kids.

Spa Services are for adults, but teenagers (ages 14-17) may enjoy treatments when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Some salon & nail services are available for children (ages 5 and up) (when accompanied by a parent).

Get into Character

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is only currently open at Magic Kingdom (the Disney Springs and Grand Floridian locations are shuttered at this time). However, there are still places to get a magical makeover.

Face Painting Kiosk by Enjoy Your Face is located in Disney Springs. Resort spas may also offer decorative hair extensions like fairy floss or braiding.

Disney Springs Exploration

Withing a few minutes of travel time, you can be at Disney Springs, a lively outdoor shopping and dining spot. There's a full day of entertainment here. It's also a great location to knock out souvenir shopping.

How to Get to Disney Springs

• Disney Springs can be reached via bus from all resort hotels.
• Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter offer a Sassagoula River Cruise ride to Disney Springs.
• Complimentary garage parking for guests with a vehicle.

Best Stores in Disney Springs to Visit with Kids

The best time for souvenir is during a non-park day at Disney World. You'll be able to leisurely shop for goodies to take home, without using up valuable theme park time.

Disney Springs is your best bet for finding ideal gifts, with a plethora of stores geared towards children. These are a few of the top shops for kids in Disney Springs.

Toy Stores

The LEGO Store is an eye-popping shop of colorful bricks, including Disney boxed sets to take home and build. For a small souvenir that won't break the bank, you can also create your own LEGO minifigure.

For unique collectibles, games, puzzles, and plush, Once Upon a Toy is a child's dream shop.

If you don't find what you're looking for at the other stores, you're almost guaranteed to find it in the massive World of Disney. This one-stop-shop will have toys, apparel, accessories, and souvenir items.

Favorite Brands

The Coca-Cola Store features all things Coke, including take-home souvenirs. There's also a meet 'n greet with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and a rooftop beverage bar to sip favorite Coke flavors.

More than just a candy store, the M&Ms shop offers colorful merchandise to take home.

Stuffie-lovers will enjoy Build-A-Dino by Build-A-Bear Workshop at T-REX. Choose your own "Friendosaur" to stuff and accessorize. For more dinosaur themed gifts, shop in the Dino-Store.

Fashionable Souvenirs

Super-cool apparel, including Disney styles, the UNIQLO store is especially appealing to tweens and teens.

Swing into DisneyStyle for trendy mix & match apparel and accessories.

Another hot spot, the Disney Ever After shop offers character-driven souvenirs in an Instagram-worthy location.

Take Home Treats

Disney's Pin Traders offers hundreds of unique collectable pins to trade or covet.

Star Wars Galactic Outpost serves up gifts from around the galaxy. This is a must-stop if you have a Star Wars fan in your group!

Kids can satisfy a sweet tooth at either Disney's Candy Cauldron or Goofy's Candy Company. There are plenty of pre-packaged desserts to take home, including popcorn, fudge, lollipops, and bagged candies.

Outdoor Entertainment at Disney Springs

Disney Springs Kid's Club

At select times on every Saturday, the Waterview Park area becomes a jubilant celebration that's geared for children. Interactive entertainment including a drum circle, acrobats, and hula hooping are just a small part of the fun.

Amphicar Tour

Up to four can enjoy a 20-minute tour in this vintage land/water vehicle.

Aerophile Helium Balloon

Brave kids can take a high ride in the basket of the Aerophile Helium Balloon. It's an 8-minute ride with panoramic views.

Splash Pad

During one trip, my preschool was enthralled by the splash pad near Earl of Sandwich. It was quite late at night. But being Florida, the weather was still pretty warm. I happily let him run through the water and it totally made his entire vacation!

Marketplace Attractions

If little kids just can't wait for their first ride, the Marketplace area has a basic train and carousel for a small fee.

Indoor Fun at Disney Springs

When it's hot or rainy, these indoor locations at Disney Springs are ideal for an escape.

AMC Disney Springs Dine-In Theater

With 24 theaters at this AMC, there's sure to be something showing that will please the entire family! Several of the theaters offer in-seat food and cocktail delivery, to plus-up your experience.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

This large bowling alley offers hours of indoor entertainment. The dining menu is also delicious (don't sleep on the sushi!).

Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney

The amazing Cirque du Soleil acrobats combine the artistry of movement with Disney animation. Tickets must be purchased ahead through Cirque du Soleil (link on Disney website).

Amorette's Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience

This 90-minute experience teaches how to create a signature character themed dome cake. Guests must be 5 years or older to participate. The cost is around $200 and the reservation covers two "decorators" to make one cake.

Disney PhotoPass Studio

Disney PhotoPass photographers are on hand to capture memories with charming props and backdrops in the studio.

Purchase Memory Maker during your trip for unlimited downloads. No reservations are required for this activity so you can stop in at your leisure.

Family Dining at Disney Springs

There are so many incredible places to eat in Disney Springs. You may want to add more than one non-park day at Disney World just to dine at this shopping district.

From quick service grab & go to upscale restaurants, there's plenty to choose from. These are some of the best selections for dining at Disney Springs with kids.

Meals with a Side of Entertainment

T-REX is a dinosaur-themed restaurant that is the perfect fit for dino-lovers. Likewise, the Rainforest Cafe offers a similar feel, with a jungle atmosphere.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes offers bowling and dining in a fun combination. The House of Blues serves up music and hearty bites, with a great weekend brunch.

One of our favorite places to eat in Disney Springs is Raglan Road. Live entertainment includes Celtic music and Irish dancing, along with family-friendly food. The weekend Rollicking Raglan Brunch is ideal with young kids. Don't miss on Ger's Bread & Butter Pudding!

READ MORE: Rollicking Raglan Brunch at Raglan Road Disney Springs

Quick Meals with Kids

We ate dinner at Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza, the perfect VERY quick meal for hungry kids who don't want to wait. The pizzas cook in just 180 seconds!

Blaze had some deliciously unique pizza combinations available, but we settled for simple pepperoni for my guy. It was a decent size for the two of us to share along with a green salad.

Other good choices for a quick meal are Earl of Sandwich, D-Luxe Burger, and Chicken Guy!.

Top Dessert Spots in Disney Springs

Ice cream is my dessert of choice, so I love the oversized treats at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain.

Looking for a location that everyone in the family can enjoy? Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC sells doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies, and muffins that are vegan, kosher and gluten-free.

Other options include Sprinkles for cupcakes and Swirls on the Water with Dole Whip treats.

Gideon's Bakehouse half-pound cookies are big enough to share! Be prepared to wait in line, this place is popular.

Seasonal Events for a Non-Park Day at Disney World

Depending upon the time of year that you visit, there are often special events happening just for that season. Consider doing one of more of these during your vacation time.

Fall

The hottest ticket during the fall months is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney Springs restaurants will serve up theme treats, along with musical performers in the outdoor shopping area.

Winter

Consider booking a theme park special event for the holidays. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom or Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios are after-hours events accessed with a separate ticket.

Disney Springs has holiday events, including a Santa Claus greeting. Visit the Deluxe Resorts to view elaborately themed Christmas decorations. Take a Holiday Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness.

Spring

Easter brings several springtime events, including the annual decorated egg display in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. Disney Springs will offer spring dining specials and a variety of chocolate bunnies!

Summer

Poolside resort parties are all the rage in the summer months, but the heat can be exhausting. Purchase After Hours Tickets to get out of the sun at these special nighttime events. Try the Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon for a fun after dark swim session!

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This article originally published May 10, 2017 and has been updated and republished with a new date.