If you’ve made it as far as Orlando, you’re probably itching to score a park ticket and get into Walt Disney World. However, soaring ticket prices can make it difficult to spend every single day in the parks. If you want a taste of Disney magic free of that ticket price, consider trying these pixie-dusted experiences that are outside the parks. This is a great way to add some Disney magic to your trip if you have a day without a theme park ticket.
Exploring Disney Springs
Disney Springs is the new shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World. If you haven’t been to the resort since this area transitioned from Downtown Disney to its new incarnation, you’ll find Disney Springs overflowing with exciting possibilities.
You can easily spend a day or two just exploring the shopping options. Stores like The Art of Disney, Disney’s Days of Christmas, D-Living, the Marketplace Co-Op, Mickey’s Pantry, Once Upon a Toy, and the Star Wars Galactic Outpost offer Disney-themed merchandise that you can’t find elsewhere. If your favorite part of your Disney vacation is finding home décor, apparel, and gifts with distinct Disney flair, Disney Springs is a must on your vacation. Don’t pay for a park ticket just to check out the stores when you can find it all for free.
If you’re looking for a more upscale shopping experience with fewer mouse ears on your merch, you’ll still find plenty of picks to satisfy your tastes at Disney Springs. Check out stores like UGG, Under Armour Brand House, Sound Lion, Savannah Bee Company, Lilly Pulitzer, Kipling, the Coca-Cola Store, and more.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, you can stop at one of the area’s numerous fine dining locations. Enjoy waterfront dining at The Boathouse, enjoy American-Irish fare at Cookes of Dublin, get gourmet fare at the Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, or grab a drink and appetizers at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. For something quick and casual, you can hit the Disney food trucks or grab a bite from Earl of Sandwich. Kids will enjoy the exciting dining experience available at Rainforest Café or T-REX. There’s something suitable for any taste.
Monorail hop
The monorails are regularly hyped as a great way to enjoy Disney without buying a ticket, but simply hopping on and off this sleek transportation option can leave things feeling a bit anti-climactic. If you want to fill a long afternoon with fun on the monorail, plan out a themed monorail hop.
One of the most popular picks is a monorail bar hop. Stop and grab a drink or two at each hotel along the monorail – just make sure you have a bus, taxi, or designated driver to get you back to your hotel when you’re done. There are several options at each hotel, whether you want to take a pool bar hop, or relax in table service lounges like the Citricos Lounge at the Grand Floridian, California Grill Lounge at the Contemporary, and Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a particularly popular pick if you can brave the crowds.
If you’re not interested in drinking your way along the monorail line, there are other fun options as well. Stop for a Dole Whip at the Polynesian, sample soaps in Basin at the Grand Floridian, and browse the Fantasia Market at the Contemporary. All three resorts also have beaches you can stroll along and water sports rentals.
Character dining
Chef Mickey
Image: Ashley, Flickr (license)
You don’t have to have a park ticket to enjoy the thrill of character dining. There are several restaurants that offer character dining experiences outside the parks, so you can grab a meal with Mickey during your stay in Orlando, even if you’re not visiting a theme park. Character dining is available at:
- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian
- Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary
- Garden Grove at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian
- Mickey’s Backyard BBQ at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Tratoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
Make your reservations early to ensure a spot at these delicious meals complete with special character appearances.
Pin trading
Pin trading is a guest favorite in the theme parks, but you can get an equally satisfying experience at Disney Springs and any of the Walt Disney World resorts. Take a resort hop around several nearby locations like the Swan and Dolphin, Boardwalk Inn, and Yacht and Beach Club along the Boardwalk, or Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts.
Take your pin lanyard and ask to see the pins of any Cast Member sporting a lanyard of their own. Take your time perusing each resort. You’ll typically find CMs with pins in gift shops and at the front desk. You can also enjoy a great experience at Disney’s Pin Traders at Disney Springs. You don’t have to get into the parks for a helping of this type of magic.
If you’re looking for a way to trim your vacation expenses without skimping on the magic, try incorporating these activities into your stay.
