• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Walt Disney World / 17 Best Things to Do Outside Disney World Parks
Outdoor fun in the picturesque Disney Springs area outside the Disney theme parks.
One of my favorite places to be: Disney Springs. Photo Credit: Sarah Gilliland, Twins TravelingMom

17 Best Things to Do Outside Disney World Parks

February 17, 2018 //  by Sarah Gilliland//  6 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Floating cars, hula lessons, sing-a-longs, classes for budding artists, and even golf with Santa. There is just as much to see and do outside of Disney World parks as there is inside. Take a break from the ride lines and discover Disney beyond the Magic Kingdom. Here are 17 of our favorite things to do outside of Disney World parks.

17 Things to Do Outside Disney World Parks

1. Ride in a Floating Car.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

While enjoying an excellent meal at the Boathouse at Disney Springs, I looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows and did a double take. Was that really a floating CAR? The answer is yes!

In addition to enjoying superb steaks, chops, and seafood for dinner, you can also book a pre-dining, guided tour aboard an Amphicar – a car that drives on land and floats on water.

Disney Springs Amphicar is one of the best things to do outside the Disney parks - TravelingMom
Check out the Disney Springs Amphicar next time you’re looking for fun outside the parks! Photo Credit: Sarah Gilliland 

2. Golf with Santa.

While Disney has some amazing 18-hole golf courses, if you need something that everyone in the family can enjoy, try the Winter Summerland mini-golf course located near Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. It’s one of the ‘coolest’ things to do outside the Disney theme parks. There are two courses. One is, you guessed it, summer, while the other is winter. In both, Santa and his elves are on vacation leaving little rhymes along the way.

Winter Summerland Mini Golf at Walt Disney World - TravelingMom
Poor snowman is melting in the heat at the Winter Summerland Mini Golf course. Photo Credit: Kuleen Lashley

TravelingMom Tip: There are enough different colors of balls that even large groups can have their own color.

3. Sing-a-long with Yehaa Bob.

If you ever find yourself singing Frozen in the shower, or Be Our Guest in the van before carpool, don’t miss Yehaa Bob Jackson at the Roost at Port Orleans Riverside on Wednesday nights. In addition to songs you know by heart, you’ll love his wacky act and superb piano playing skills.

4. Take a Carriage Ride at Port Orleans

Romance is in the air! Take a ride in an authentic horse-drawn carriage at either Port Orleans-Riverside or Fort Wilderness resort. Guests can even take “holiday” themed “sleigh” rides during the month of December. Each carriage fits up to four adults or two adults and three children.

5. Learn to Draw at the Art of Animation.

Ever dream of becoming a Disney animator? Then take one of the free learn to draw classes offered at the Art of Animation Resort. You don’t have to be a resort guest to participate and there is no pre-registration. They offer the classes several times a day, so check with the front desk for specific times.

Learn to draw for free at Art of Animation at Walt Disney World - TravelingMom
Multigenerational families learn how to draw Nemo at Disney’s Art of Animation. Photo credit Diana Rowe

Traveling Mom Tip: Although this activity is geared toward kids, “kids at heart” are welcome too.

6. Learn to Hula Dance.

Hawaii comes to you at the popular Polynesian Resort. Take complimentary hula lessons in the lobby from Auntie Kaui, a veteran hula instructor who learned the dance as a girl in Hawaii. Classes are weekdays in the afternoon and Saturday in the morning.   

7. Resort Hop (especially during the holidays).

“Resort hopping” is a common phrase known among Disney fans. It basically just means moving between resorts to see the sights. This is especially fun during the holidays.

During the Christmas season, guests will find giant gingerbread displays shaped like a house or even a carousel!

Resort hop for free and see great sights like this massive Gingerbread house!
Resort hop for free and see great sights like this massive Gingerbread house! Photo Credit: Amanda Worthington

In springtime, the Easter season sees the resorts display their famous chocolate eggs. Beautiful chocolate eggs are sculpted, painted and ornately decorated by the talented pastry teams at each resort.

If nothing else, resort hopping is a fun excuse to embark on Disney’s “highway in the sky” monorail system and give those tired feet a break!

8. Eat Everything including the Kitchen Sink.

It has 28 ingredients total. Five different kinds of ice cream. Seven different kinds of sweet sauces. Eight tablespoons of various toppings. And not one cherry, but an entire half cup of cherries on top.

Kitchen Sink dessert at Disney - TravelingMom
Perfect name for this dessert: the Kitchen Sink! Photo by Robin Hutson

It’s the legendary Kitchen Sink dessert at Beaches and Cream, the ice cream parlor at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. That is my kind of dessert.

9. Catch a Movie Under the Stars

Guests at Walt Disney World resort hotels can view complimentary movies under the stars, weather permitting. This activity is a great way to wind down from an eventful day in the parks or by the pool.

10. Swim in Your Resort Pool

Speaking of swimming, another great aspect of being a resort guest is use of the pool areas. Whether you are staying value or deluxe, there’s nothing like a dip in a cool pool to refresh your tired legs.

Additionally, some hotels like the Contemporary and Port Orleans-French Quarter now include splash pads for little ones at no extra charge!

11. Become a Pirate.

If your kids can’t get enough of pirates, Disney is a great place to go.

Stay in a pirate themed room complete with ship themed beds at the Caribbean Beach Resort or send the kids on a pirate cruise adventure “around the World.”

Pirate Adventure Cruises for kids are great activities to do outside the Disney parks.
Pirate Adventure Cruises for kids are great activities to do outside the Disney parks. Photo Credit: Sarah Gilliland

Choose from two adventures that leave either from the Caribbean Cay at Caribbean Beach Resort or the Bayside Marina at Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club resorts.

If that isn’t enough, take the whole family on the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage sailing out of the Contemporary. Pirates, dessert, & fireworks. Trifecta.

12. Watch a Light Parade.

One of my favorite parades at Disney is the Main Street Electric Light Parade in the Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, this parade is no longer at the park. However, you can see a version of it outside the parks. The Electrical Water Pageant is a floating light parade that takes place nightly on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

It is easily viewed from many of the Magic Kingdom Resort beaches.

The Electrical Water Pageant, a nightly floating light parade on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake outside Disney parks - TravelingMom
View the Electrical Water Pageant, a nightly floating light parade on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Photo Credit: Disney Parks

13. Pose for a Family Photo.

It’s not always easy to wrangle the entire crew for a photo when more exciting attractions beckon inside the parks.

Now, you can get your family photo at the new PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs. Have a professional PhotoPass photographer take your picture and include the entire family. You can choose a standard or fun virtual backdrop.

If you have purchased a Memory Maker package, the digital photos are included in your Memory Maker.

14. Dine with the Characters.

You don’t have to be in the theme parks to visit with the characters. Several Disney Resorts have character meals where you can meet and visit with your favorite pals.

In fact, the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs is a certified Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, and it also offers a character breakfast.

Dining with characters is a fun things to do outside the disney theme parks
Dining with characters is a fun things to do outside the disney theme parks Photo Credit: Sue Rodman

The Wyndham character breakfast is a good alternative to pricier character meals. They have a very extensive buffet that includes the ubiquitous Mickey waffles, as well as a pretty hefty, made-from-scratch omelet and a wide variety of fresh fruit.

15. Make S’more with Chip and Dale

Bring your own kit from home or purchase one at the Chuckwagon Snack Bar at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. After the sing-a-long with Chip and Dale, cozy up with a blanket for a movie under the stars. This free activity is perfect for all ages.

16. Build with LEGOs at Disney Springs

A perfect activity for busy little ones, the LEGO store at Disney Springs offers free play with LEGOs right out in front of their store. My girls could spend hours there if I let them!

Sit a spell and let kids entertain themselves for FREE with LEGOs at the LEGO Store in Disney Springs.
Sit a spell and let kids entertain themselves for FREE with LEGOs at the LEGO Store in Disney Springs. Photo Credit: Sarah Gilliland

17. Be Active and Adventurous

Active guests have so many incredible options to choose from. Jet skis, parasailing, and world renown golf courses are just a few of the exciting activities you can participate in outside Disney parks.

Looking for a free way to be active? Check out the New Balance running trails at almost every resort on the property. Some courses are as short at 0.6 miles, while other challenging routes can be up to 4 miles in length!Disney is more than just it's theme parks! Find out how you can enjoy your trip to Disney without ever purchasing tickets. Read our list of 17 favorite thing to do outside of Disney World parks.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of Disney World parks ? Share with us in comments below.

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a post originally written by Sue Rodman.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Walt Disney WorldTag: theme parks

You May Also Like

  • Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle lit up before the nighttime show, Ignite the Dream
    Consejos Para Tu Primera Visita a Walt Disney World
  • Early entry dining at Disney World lets you get a jump start on the action.
    The Secret to Early Entry at Disney World Parks
  • Ariel during Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom. It has to be our favorite parade at Walt Disney World!
    The Best Disney Parades and Shows at Walt Disney World
  • Getting around Disney World is easy, right? They have monorails and buses. But I almost always rent a car at Disney World. Here's why.
    7 Important Reasons to Rent a Car at Walt Disney World
  • Best Disney Pools for Kids
    What are the Best Pools at Walt Disney World for kids?
  • Disney's Pop Century resort review
    Disney's Pop Century Resort Review: Is it Right for Your Family?
Previous Post: «Dramatic Les Braves Sculpture on Omaha Beach, Normandy Visit Omaha Beach in Normandy
Next Post: Bucket List Adventure: 11 Essential Chile Travel Tips Best Chile travel advice is to explore Patagonia with a guide»

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6 Comments on “17 Best Things to Do Outside Disney World Parks”

  1. Anonymous says:
    July 19, 2018 at 5:30 am

    4

    Reply
  2. Nukki says:
    May 22, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    This was so helpful

    Reply
  3. Christine Tibbetts says:
    May 11, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Interesting concept – experiencing Disney beyond Disney. Your tips are highly usable. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    May 11, 2017 at 11:10 am

    4.5

    Reply
  5. Maureen says:
    May 10, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    I love all the activities at Fort Wilderness. They have horseback riding, boating, a nightly carriage ride (especially nice around Halloween and Christmas) and even a Segway tour. Don’t forget the nightly movies with Chip and Dale complete with a campfire for roasting marshmallows

    Reply
    1. Sue Rodman, TravelingMom with Teens says:
      May 10, 2017 at 8:14 pm

      Thanks for the ideas Maureen. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the movies with Chip and Dale – a MUCH better way to see characters than waiting in the hot sun at the theme park. I didn’t know about the carriage rides.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom ยท All Rights Reserved