Why You Should SKIP The Parks on Your Next Disney Vacation

Alright, we’re going to need you to trust us on this. We think you should skip the parks on your next Disney World vacation.

No, we aren’t talking about skipping the parks entirely — the theme parks are what Disney World is all about! That said, there are tons of activities that you may be missing out on if you cram your week with just the parks from open to close.

If you’re thinking of planning an upcoming Disney vacation, we challenge you to pick one day where you don’t go into the theme parks! What do you do instead? We have some recommendations!

Recreational activities

Space Mountain and Spaceship Earth aren’t the only popular attractions around Disney World. There are plenty of fun recreational activities in other parts of the World, too!

These include fishing, horseback riding, boat rentals, golf, mini golf, and more! Certain resorts have more to offer than others, like Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Keep in mind that these recreational activities will have an additional fee, but  in many instances it’ll cost less than the price of an extra day in the theme parks!

Disney Springs

Of course, there’s also Disney Springs! The shopping and dining district has a variety of options and could easily take up an entire day on your vacation.

In addition to the restaurants and stores to explore, Disney Springs has its own assortment of recreational activities, including the Aerophile Tethered Balloon and the amphicars by the BOATHOUSE.

Disney Springs is home to some of the best dining destinations in Disney World. Even if you don’t have a full day to devote to activities outside of the theme parks, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been! Set aside one of your evenings, and grab a dinner reservation!

Resort hopping

A tried-and-true activity to take part in on your day off from the parks is resort hopping! All guests are welcome to visit resorts at which they are not overnight guests, which means you can check out some of the incredible dining, shopping, and sightseeing around Disney World.

Keep in mind that as of this writing, guests don’t need a dining reservation in order to visit a resort they are not staying at overnight. However, if you want to drive to the resort and park your car, you will need a dining reservation. So plan your lunch or dinner plans around visiting other resorts!

Spend a day at your own resort

Finally, you can have an entire day’s worth (and maybe more!) of activities without even leaving your resort. Every Disney World resort hotel has at least one pool to lounge by or swim in, and there are also dining and shopping options!

Depending on where you’re staying, your resort may also host additional activities like outdoor movie nights, fitness classes, poolside games, and more. Several deluxe resorts also have full-service spas!

If you have a longer vacation in the books, spending a day at your resort can make a huge difference in your family’s energy level, especially if you take that “break” right in the middle of your vacation!

If your next Disney World vacation is a short one, then you may not have enough time to set aside for an entire day away from the parks. However, if you have time to spare, a day off from waiting in those long lines and navigating those crowds could be the perfect break your travel party needs!

Not sure where to stay on your next Disney World vacation? Here’s what your money will get you at Disney’s most and least expensive hotels!

What is your favorite non-park activity to do in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

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