If you’re looking to take some time off from the parks, there are plenty of free and cheap things to do at Disney World without even leaving Disney property. You may just want to chill at your home resort – sleep in, spend some time by the pool, and just rest and recover from the parks. But if you’re looking for a little more entertainment and want to do something that won’t break the bank. Here are some ideas for you:
Disney Springs
If you’ve never been to Disney Springs, you may just be thinking of it as a shopping mall. There are some really great stores there – both Disney merchandise and non-Disney, but there is so much more to do.
At multiple locations throughout you’ll find live music, ranging from solo acts to large groups, to dancers, jugglers and other performers.
Younger kids will have a blast (you may not be able to get them to leave) at the Lego Imagination Center. It’s over 3000 square feet of shop and play space with some really amazing huge Lego sculptures.
There are some great (and expensive) table service restaurants, but also a lot of really unique inexpensive options. We love to sit on the deck at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar and order half price appetizers during happy hour. And don’t forget to stop by Ghiradelli’s for your free piece of chocolate.
There are also some relatively inexpensive (compared to the cost of a park ticket, anyway) but not free things to do at Disney Springs too. Splitsville Lanes has bowling, there is an AMC Fork & Screen theater, and this summer the new NBA Experience will be opening up.
While you’re at the Springs, you can take a relaxing boat ride down the Sassagoula. Stay on board and enjoy the scenery, or get off at the various resorts and explore. One boat takes you to Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, and the other takes you to Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter.
If you find yourself near Port Orleans Riverside in the evening, make time to catch YeHaa Bob Jackson performing in the River Roost Lounge – he’s a Disney institution and the show is fun for all ages.
Art of Animation & Pop Century
Both Art of Animation and Pop Century have wonderfully themed grounds that are fun just to walk around and see. There are plenty of great photo opportunities. Each has a large food court with a good variety of reasonably priced food and unique snacks (rainbow cheesecake, anyone?). At Art of Animation, free drawing classes are taught regularly throughout the day. It’s easy to get from one resort to the other via a bridge across Hourglass Lake. Soon, you’ll also be able to take a ride on the Skyway gondolas to and from here as well.
Wilderness Lodge & Fort Wilderness
Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful resort to visit with lots to see and do. You can get a reasonable meal in a beautiful setting at the lakeside lounge, Geyser Point. Watch the geyser go off. Explore the trails between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness by foot or bike (rentals available).
At Fort Wilderness, visit the Tri-Circle D ranch to see the horses. You can also (for a fee) ride a pony or go for a carriage ride. They even have archery lessons! If you’re still there in the evening, enjoy Chip & Dale’s free campfire singalong. The Electric Water Pageant goes by each evening (also at Wilderness Lodge and the monorail resorts) and then you can take a boat ride back to Wilderness Lodge or on to Magic Kingdom.
The Monorail Resorts
A ride on the monorail can be a lot of fun, especially if anyone in your group likes trains. Anyone can use the monorail for free – you do not need to be a guest of any particular resort, but you will have to go through security before you board.
Get off and explore at each of the three monorail resorts: The Contemporary, Polynesian Village and the Grand Floridian. Have a snack or a drink, sit out on the beach. Each resort has gift shops to peruse and lovely grounds to walk around. You can rent a boat at their marinas, watch the fireworks or Electric Water Pageant from the beach. You might even catch a bride and groom leaving the wedding pavilion in Cinderella’s carriage!
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Visit Animal Kingdom Lodge and you’ll be transported to sub-Saharan Africa. You’ll want to spend some time just exploring the gorgeous lobby and public areas inside the resort before heading outside. There are several animal viewing areas on the grounds and if you’re there after dark, you can even borrow a pair of night-vision goggles. One of the neatest things at Animal Kingdom Lodge are the cultural ambassadors from multiple African nations. They lead a variety of free activities daily, just ask for a schedule at the desk.
The Boardwalk
Lining the southern shore of Cresent Lake outside of Epcot is a beautiful old-fashioned boardwalk area outside Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. Multiple eateries and a handful of shops and bars provide the main draw. I think it’s fun just to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere and watch the Friendship Boats come and go. There are often street performers in the evenings or other live entertainment and large lawn for the kids to play on. You can get free ice cream samples at Ample Hills Creamery and plenty of vendors selling inexpensive snacks and treats. If you’re there late enough, you can stroll over to the bridge to the Beach Club for a nice view of Illuminations at Epcot.
Around the Resort
All Disney resorts have daily activities scheduled for kids and families, usually taking place around the pool deck – but some inside as well.
Most of the resorts do a nightly Disney movie under the stars – either at the pool or by the beach depending on the resort. Some resorts do campfires as well – with s’mores packs available for purchase.
If you’re a scavenger hunting, collecting type of family I recommend taking a Hidden Mickey Guidebook along with you as you tour the resorts (and the parks as well for that matter). You’ll have a lot of fun trying to find all the creative ways the Imagineers have hidden Mickey’s silhouette into their design.
Along those lines, you can also collect a pressed penny at each resort, and some resorts have more than one design. It’ll cost you 50 cents (plus the penny), but it’s a fun souvenir and traveling to the resorts to find the machines is a hunt in and of itself.
Miniature Golf
If you booked a Disney package (either directly with Disney or through a travel agent), you will receive a “Magical Extras” card. Its usually tucked into the box that your Magic Bands come in. This card gives you discounts on food and merchandise at multiple locations in Disney Springs. In addition, it gives you 4 free passes to play miniature golf at Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens before 4pm!
What do you like to do on your non-park days without blowing a lot of extra money? Leave your ideas and experiences in the comments below!
