Disney has SO much to offer in the parks. But people often overlook all the magic that awaits outside the gates! Resorts, shows, restaurants, recreation, just to name a few! Below you’ll find a list we’ve put together of our favorite options outside the parks. They are all just waiting to be explored!
FORT WILDERNESS LODGE
The moment you step onto the grounds of this enchanting resort, you feel like you’re out in the wilderness. This is a perfect place to take a nice walk and get away from the busyness of Disney. You can also park here and take a nice ferry ride over to the Magic Kingdom as an alternative to parking at the MK parking lots.
BEACHES & CREAM SODA SHOP
A wonderful gem “off the beaten path” at Disney. It’s a cute little soda shop at the Caribbean Beach Resort that has amazing desserts, but you can also get real food there if you want (lame). If you’re feelin’ bold, ask your waiter for ask for the “Kitchen Sink” ;).
FANTASIA GARDENS MINI GOLF
There are 2 different mini golf courses offered here. The “fairways” course is built to be like a scaled down real golf course, which is really unique and fun! It’s tough…so maybe not best for kids. But it’s a really fun challenge. The fantasia course takes you through Mickey’s famous dream in a way you’ve never experienced it before!
DISNEY'S BOARDWALK
Located right outside of Epcot, the Boardwalk offers just about anything you could want for a evening after the parks. It can be a nice walk enjoyed at sunset, or a fun dinner out with the whole gang! No matter what your plan is, there is white sand beach on the edge of the lake that you have to check out!
HOOP DEE DOO REVUE
Just…go. Don’t ask questions…just go. Whether you have the whole family in tow or it’s just you….go. HOOP DEE HOOP DEE HOOP DEE DOOOOO!
PORT ORLEANS RESORT
The scenery here is just gorgeous. You don’t need to have ever even visited New Orleans to appreciate the quaint and fun atmosphere you can experience from just a walk through this resort.
DISNEY GOLF
There are 4 amazing golf courses on property. They are owned by Arnold Palmer and run by Disney. Does anything more need to be said? Oak Trail is a walking course, and will by far be the cheapest. The other three require a cart and need to be booked pretty far ahead of time, so get your tee times as soon as possible.
FIREWORKS FROM POLYNESIAN RESORT BEACH
There are a number of wonderful places to watch the fireworks spectacular that Magic Kingdom does nightly. But a great hidden gem is from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. You can curl up on a lawn chair and watch the fireworks launch above the castle, reflecting off the beautiful lake in front of you. Half of the experience of the fireworks show is the music that accompanies it, and the Polynesian knows that :). So they put speakers all around the area that sync up with the show so you don’t miss out!
CHIP 'N DALE CAMPFIRE
A fun event for the whole family to gather around the campfire with Disney’s most beloved Chipmunks and roast mallows to your heart’s desire.
LA NOUBA
The arena that Cirque Du Soleil built for La Nouba at Disney Springs is the only arena built specifically for a Cirque show in the world! The performance is spectacular and the arena is breathtaking. Disney and Cirque…I mean c’mon…you can’t go wrong with that combo!
OHANA
Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian, but you can enjoy this wonderful restaurant with anyone you’d like! It’s some of the best food on property, hands down. Everything is served in family-sized portions though…so bring your appetite!
FORT WILDERNESS CAMPGROUNDS
No matter where you wander off to on the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, you are in for a unique and unforgettable treat. The sprawling resort covers a huge area that you can either explore on foot, or by bus. If you have a chance…rent a campsite for at least one of the nights during your stay! Especially if you are a frequent Disney vacationer, it’s a wonderful way to experience Disney from a whole new perspective!
GRAND FLORIDIAN SOCIETY ORCHESTRA
Click the link to visit the page and view the hours for this one-of-a-kind experience in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort. As a reminder, you don’t need a resort reservation to explore any of the resorts on property, and it’s certainly worth it to wander into this iconic location when these guys are playing their ol’ timey tunes :).
DISNEY SPRINGS
Formerly “Downtown Disney”, Disney Springs has gone through a complete transformation in the last few years. Though it’s still under a bit of construction, this amazing place offers a great free option for you to visit and experience the magic of Disney without having to pay to get into a park. There are too many stores and restaurants to go into them all, so just click the image and view the options for yourself! You can also visit their individual website at www.disneysprings.com.
YEHAA BOB JACKSON
Tucked away in a little corner of the Port Orleans Resort, at the River Roost Lounge, this one man has entertained countless families with his incredible piano skills and witty showmanship. This truly is an experience unlike any other on property. If you’re looking for a fun night time activity and enjoy exploring WDW’s various resorts…look no further!