Things to Do at Disney Hotels on Non-Park Days
Walt Disney World officials have announced that the parks will change a bit during the pandemic. One significant alteration involves admission.
Guests must book reservations to visit the four theme parks. So, you may not get to spend every day of your vacation at a park.
Welcome to my world! I generally pick one day per vacation to relax and recuperate. Here are several suggestions I have about Disney hotel visits on non-park days.
Explore the Campus
Many people take the wrong approach at Disney hotels. They drop their stuff in the room and then head straight to the parks.
I talk to people all the time, and it’s shocking how many of them say that they spend next to none of their vacation at the hotel.
Imagineers design and theme Disney resorts! The intricacies of these places would blow your mind if you took the time to explore some.
So, a resort day doubles as an opportunity. You get to experience a part of Walt Disney World that you’ve never seen before!
I mean, we were just wandering around lost at a hotel once and stumbled on a solarium. It quickly became one of our top resting spots during vacations.
In fact, a family member who might read this has accidentally bumped into my wife and me here at least twice.
Similarly, we’ve found a couple of hidey holes at other resorts where we can savor the ambiance of the Disney Bubble while still feeling like we’re on a romantic getaway.
Disney hotels are full of surprises. How many have you found?
Go Resort Hopping
This suggestion ties into the last one, only the location changes. If you can’t go to the parks, the resorts and Disney Springs are the next-best things.
Image Credit: Disney
I presume that a Disney Springs visit is obvious, so I’m taking a different approach.
I would suggest that you take some transportation to other Disney resorts. If one hotel features plenty of entertainment, imagine how much you’ll find at four or five!
My brother and his wife tipped us off on this idea many years ago, and I’m deeply grateful.
We go resort hopping during every Walt Disney World vacation. We jump on a bus or a boat or monorail and visit wherever it’s going.
In fact, we’ve let fate decide on at least one occasion. We went to the resort of whichever bus came next.
By taking this approach, you have more opportunities to do several of the things I list here, including four of my remaining suggestions!
Every official Walt Disney World resort is impeccable. That’s why you should visit them all.
In fact, by resort hopping now, you may settle on where to stay during your next trip!
Luxuriate in the Sun
What would you do on a standard Florida vacation? Yup, you’d sit outside and bask in the sun.
Florida sometimes seems like it’s more beach than dry land, yet people forget that in Central Florida.
Disney doesn’t, though. The resorts all feature lovely sitting areas where you can luxuriate and maybe read a book.
We do this quite a bit, especially at places where we love the pool area. For example, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter has lovely seating…and a pool bar.
So, you can throw in “…and drink” if you like.
Savor the Restaurants
So, I’m a bit hesitant to suggest this right now because Disney hasn’t announced what will open and when.
I can say with total confidence that I’ve seldom regretted eating a meal at my Disney resort.
The restaurants at Disney hotels are impeccable. I mean, some of them like California Grill are world-class, while others such as Boma deliver inimitable flavors.
Seriously, when you dine at Boma, you’re eating food that’s otherwise borderline impossible to find in Central Florida.
Disney resorts feature a slew of these places, and they’re all worth your time.
Whether you pick Beaches & Cream, Contempo Café, Capt. Cook’s, or Olivia’s, you’ll feast. And that’s an intrinsic part of a vacation, right?
Sit on the Deck and Enjoy the View
Your room type may not come with a great view, and I acknowledge that in advance. However, most Disney rooms come with some sort of scenic perspective.
Even the rooms facing the parking lots usually have ample foliage in plain sight.
So, what I like to do is grab a book and a cold beverage and sit outside on the deck.
If your room doesn’t have a deck, you can do the same thing from the pool, the lobby, or other sitting areas.
The point isn’t where you do the sitting. It’s that you relax and have a wonderful time.
Photo: Disney
During a Disney trip, you rarely experience true calm. This is a rare opportunity!
Shop ‘Til You Drop
My favorite shirt right now is one I bought at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Seriously, it got me through the winter.
And here’s the surprising part. I couldn’t have purchased this marvelous garment at World of Disney or ShopDisney.
Disney resorts sell plenty of exclusive merchandise, which is why I always take time to resort-shop.
Then, there’s the other part of the equation. Many of the items available at World of Disney or Mouse Gear are also at the resorts.
The difference is that the lines are much smaller. Plus, you might even get to snack and shop at once, depending on the location.
As an example, Beach Club Marketplace sells pizza about 50 feet away from where it sells dresses. Just, you know, don’t shop for dresses while holding a pizza.
Speak with a Cast Member
On occasion, I’ve interviewed hotel cast members to ask them for advice. I ask questions about unexpected entertainment options.
Photo: Disney
These conversations are always enlightening because there’s so much to do. For example, most resorts have board games! Did you know this?
People are most likely to learn about it during hurricanes, but the items are available year-round.
Similarly, cast members know about plenty of other hobbies available onsite. Some resorts have rental bikes and jalopies, while others do morning yoga.
You won’t know about any of this unless you chat up the cast members. Plus, we could all use a bit more human contact right now.
Take a Dip
Disney pools are comically ornate and detailed. I previously ranked my favorites, although I’ll level with you.
My list changes depending on where I’ve stayed most recently.
For example, I love both the main pools at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower. But they didn’t make the list.
What I’m saying is that Disney pools are so magnificent that it’s tough narrowing down the list.
During an average vacation day, my wife and I spend an hour unwinding in and around the pool. We love the relaxation of swimming away from the chaos of the parks.
Look, I understand that not getting to visit the parks on a vacation day is frustrating. However, I mean it when I say that we love Disney hotel days so much that we schedule one per trip.
Try the things that I suggest here, and I believe you’ll agree.
