5 Walt Disney World Activities for Your Day Off
Need a break from the theme parks? Here are 5 Walt Disney World activities for your “day off” that will keep your family entertained!
1. Spend a day at Disney Springs
While it won’t necessarily be a relief from walking, the new Disney Springs area is quite impressive and has a lot to keep guests entertained. Many new shops and restaurants have been added, and there is something for everyone. There are water taxis that will take you from one side to the other if you need a break from walking, so make sure to locate those stops when you arrive. A fun thing to do is to ride in one of the amphicars at the Boathouse restaurant. Another fun activity would be to take a ride in the Aerophile balloon to get a great view of Disney Springs from the sky (if you do this, my suggestion would be to do it early in the morning to avoid hot temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms). Should you travel there in the evening, you will find an abundance of live music and outdoor entertainment. From my experience, Disney Springs can be quite crowded on weekend evenings. My suggestions would be to check it out during a weekday or weeknight. It’s definitely worth a visit during your trip!
2. Take in an event at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Sports fans will find the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex exciting with the various facilities including a baseball stadium, multipurpose fields, and a tennis center among others. The complex hosts a plethora of amateur competitions each year with athletes from a multitude of countries. Some of the competitions include cheerleading, baseball, football, and soccer. The public is welcome to any of these events as spectators, and there is an admission fee. Perhaps most exciting is the Atlanta Braves Spring Training which takes place typically late February throughout March. Tickets are required for these games and are sold through Ticketmaster or the complex’s box office. Sometimes even a Disney character will appear during the games! (A tidbit for avid fans, workouts and practices take place at the complex as well, and fans can typically snag an autograph afterward.)
3. Rent a boat
The Walt Disney World Resort has many scenic waterways, and many guests do not realize that they have the option of enjoying these waterways by boat! It is actually one of my favorite things to do when I visit. I find it quite relaxing! There are marinas in many of the resorts where you can rent watercrafts such as speedboats and pontoon boats for a fee. The speedboats only hold two guests, but the pontoon boats hold up to ten guests. Life jackets are provided, but guests must be 18 or older to rent the boats. For a complete list of marinas, follow this link.
4. Go parasailing
Adventurous guests (6 years and older) can soar above the skies at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre located outside of the Contemporary Resort. Guests will get to see spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom Park and Resort area from high above Bay Lake! Parasailers can also opt for a picture package where a cast member will take a variety of pictures of your travels in the sky! There is an option to ride solo or tandem with another guest; there are minimum and maximum weight restrictions. This activity is weather dependent (it’s not as relaxing a ride in a thunderstorm after all), and there is a fee. A cast member will take guests out on a boat (non-parasailers may ride on the boat if there is room, but paid guests get priority), give instructions, and parasailers should be prepared to take off and land from the boat. Be sure to ask the cast member how to land smoothly, as I forgot to do this and landed a bit roughly! Bathing suits are not required, but sunscreen is advised.
5. Take a dip in your resort pool
Often we are so busy enjoying the parks day-in and day-out that we do not take full advantage of all that our resort has to offer. The great thing about the resorts on Disney property is that they have fantastic pools that are beautifully themed. Most have waterslides or a splash area for children, quick service dining nearby, and “quiet” pools or hot tubs for adults looking for a little rest & relaxation.
Taking a day off from the theme parks can be a saving grace for your sanity! For trips that are 5-days or more, sometimes you need a day to rest and recharge. These suggestions will allow guests to relax and have fun at the same time!
Kim Hart is a Disney travel agent with MickeyTravels. For help planning a magical vacation you & your family will remember forever, contact Kim today!
Kim Hart
MickeyTravels, LLC
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner – PLATINUM LEVEL
410-925-5966
khart@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
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