27 Things To Do at Disney World Resorts

IF YOU WANT THE SCOOP ON ALL THE THINGS TO DO DURING YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD RESORT STAY, LET ME BE YOUR GUIDE!

Everyone knows that a Walt Disney World trip usually includes several days at the four theme parks. But did you know there are so many magical things to do at Disney World Resorts as well?!

My family stays at a Disney World resort several times a year and have come to really enjoy complimenting the busy park days with amenities at the resorts.

I have compiled a list of 27 Things To Do at Disney World Resorts. This list includes:

• Free Activities
• Things to Do Under $25
• Other Magical Amenities

Let’s dive into all of the fun you can have at the Disney World resorts so that you can add a few to your next Disney vacation!

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27 Things To Do at Disney World Resorts

When you choose to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort on your Disney vacation it comes with lots of perks and extras. Many of these perks relate to your time in the parks and ease of transportation. There are so many other amenities and activities that guests can enjoy right at your resort as well!

Free Things To Do at Disney World Resorts

Let’s start with FREE things to do at Disney World Resorts!

1. Ride the Water Taxi to Disney Springs

The first activity on my list of FREE things to do at Disney World Resorts is riding the water taxi to Disney Springs.

There are four Walt Disney World resorts in the Disney Springs area and all have access to Disney Springs through water taxis. The two Port Orleans resorts (Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter) share a water taxi line while Old Key West and Saratoga Springs each have their own dedicated line.

Typically a water taxi arrives at the resort dock about every 20 minutes which is great because you never have to wait long to catch a ride! Our family loves taking the water taxi instead of driving or catching the bus. It is a unique and relaxing way to get to Disney Springs while enjoying the scenery.

TRAVELISTA TIP: If you decide to check out Disney Springs via water taxi, make sure you read up on Things to Do at Disney Springs before you go!

2. Take a Jog on the Jogging Trails

The next activity on my list of things to do at Disney World resorts is to take a jog (or a walk) on some of the resort trails.

Most of the Disney World resorts have some kind of trail or path that is great for a leisurely walk or jog. The trail lengths vary between 3/4 of a mile all the way up to a full 5K distance depending on the resort. Maps of the trails can be found at each resort’s concierge desk.

3. Watch the Electrical Water Pageant

Another fantastic and FREE activity available at some of the Disney World resorts is watching the Electrical Water Pageant.

The Electrical Water Pageant is a nighttime parade on the water! The lagoon comes alive with the sights and sounds of unforgettable creatures.

The parade passes by each of the resorts on the Seven Seas Lagoon. The route begins in front of the Grand Floridian and then passes the Polynesian Resort, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary Resort before finishing in front of the Magic Kingdom.

4. Take a Dip in the Pool

Looking for another FREE thing to do at the Disney World resorts? Why not enjoy the numerous pools located throughout the property?

Each resort on Disney World property has at least one pool, but most of the larger ones have several pools for guests to enjoy! Moderate and Deluxe level resorts may also have water slides and water play areas in addition to swimming pools!

The great thing about Florida is that it rarely gets very cold. In addition, all of the pools on Disney World property are heated and open year-round! Our family has enjoyed taking a dip in the pool even in the months of January and February!

TRAVELISTA TIP: While a majority of the resort pools are only available to guests staying in that resort, certain resorts allow pool hopping! Guests at one of the All Star Resorts can hop to any of their pools, and guests at the Port Orleans resorts can also hop to the other Port Orleans pools!

5. Complete an Art Scavenger Hunt

This FREE resort activity is super unique and fun! The Riviera Resort is home to a collection of signature art. A great way to explore this collection is through the Art Scavenger Hunt offered by the resort.

Stop by the Disney Vacation Club information desk in the lobby of the hotel and pick up a map and page of stickers. Then set out and find each of the Disney-inspired pieces of art located throughout the resort.

After you have found each piece of art, you can return your map to the DVC desk for a complimentary print that makes for a fun souvenir!

6. Walk the BoardWalk

The BoardWalk Inn and Villas is a guest favorite! It is also a great place to hang out on an off-park day!

The BoardWalk is actually a part of a nearly mile-long loop around Crescent Lake. You can take a stroll and enjoy the sights and sounds. Often times there is live entertainment such as music and street performers. There are also several Quick Service restaurants, carnival-style games, and shopping venues to check out.

TRAVELISTA TIP: If you are enjoying the BoardWalk in the evening, make sure you find a spot to watch the EPCOT fireworks! You can see them from the resort!

7. Chip ‘n’ Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long

The next FREE thing to do at Disney World resorts is a favorite because it also includes getting to see Disney characters!

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long is a fun way to get a camping experience while at Disney World. Enjoy singing along to your favorite camp songs with your favorite characters.

Make sure to bring your own marshmallows and sticks for roasting or purchase a S’mores kit from the Chuckwagon Snack Bar at the Fort Wilderness Resort. After the songs are done, you can roast marshmallows for a yummy treat!

TRAVELISTA TIP: Chip ‘n’ Dale are available for photos and autographs after the Sing-A-Long so make sure to bring your autograph books! I like this one!

8. Take in a Show with Yehaa Bob

A little-known piece of FREE live entertainment happens 5 nights a week at Port Orleans Riverside. Yehaa Bob is a wacky piano-playing, singing comedian who has become a local legend!

This family-friendly show takes place at the River Roost Lounge. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase if you want, but aren’t required to enter the lounge and take in the show!

TRAVELISTA TIP: If you are looking for other fun entertainment experiences to enhance your trip, check out 15 Disney World Dinner Shows You Shouldn’t Miss

9. Watch a Disney Classic Under the Stars

When most people think of Disney, they think of all of the movies they watched growing up. Many of these movies have inspired rides in Disney parks! A fun and FREE activity available at ALL Walt Disney World resorts are their movie under the stars!

The great thing about this activity is that it is available at every Disney resort and happens every night of the week! In some of the resorts, you can even enjoy the movie from the pool! Guests can check with the front desk for specific movie schedules.

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10. View the Animals on the Savannah

The last FREE activity to do at Disney World resorts is viewing the animals on the savannah outside of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Wildlife field guides are available at the lobby concierge with over 30 species of African wildlife that can be spotted on the savannah. And if you want to take your viewing outside, animal specialists are there to help educate you on the animals you are seeing up close!

If you decide to take part in this super fun resort activity keep in mind that the best chance to see the most animals is in the morning and evening!

TRAVELISTA TIP: For an even more up-close look at the wildlife, a Starlight Safari tour is available nightly at 8:30pm and 10:00pm at a cost of $75-$90 per person.

Things To Do at Disney World Resorts for Under $25

If you have a little bit of money to spend while enjoying the amenities at the Disney World resorts, there are some great options for under $25.

11. Rent a Surrey Bike

The next thing on my list of things to do at the Disney World resorts is taking a surrey bike ride around the resort! Not only is this a great way to see the resort, but it gets your family active as well!

Each ride is 30 minutes in length and you can choose between a 2-person bike or a 4-person bike. Make sure you wear good, closed-toed shoes for pedaling. And watch out for pedestrians strolling the resort!

12. Play in the Arcade

A favorite with kids, and especially my own, is to spend some time playing video games in the arcade! Almost all of the resorts at Walt Disney World have onsite arcades.

You simply purchase a game card from the kiosk inside the arcade and can continue to add points to it with either cash or a credit card. There are a variety of games at all different skill levels to keep your family playing to their heart’s content!

13. Do a Skyliner Snack Crawl

The next low-cost activity to do at Disney World resorts is to take part in your own Skyliner Snack Crawl!

The Disney Skyliner is located in four different Walt Disney World resorts. Simply pick a resort to start with and grab a snack at that resort’s food court or Quick Service restaurant. Then board the Skyliner to the next resort, where you can get out and explore and grab another snack!

TRAVELISTA TIP: Each Disney resort has snacks that are unique only to that resort. A Skyliner Snack Crawl is a great way to sample these treats!

14. Enjoy Mickey-Shaped Beignets at Scat Cat’s Club

Speaking of snacks, the next activity on my list is to try a snack unique to Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter! The only place on Disney World property to get Mickey-shaped beignets is at the Scat Cat’s Club and they are delicious!

Each order of warm beignets comes with a choice of dipping sauces. You can also get specialty beignets or even a beignet sundae if you want an extra unique treat!

TRAVELISTA TIP: I find that the beignets are freshest in the morning. You can have them for breakfast, like my family does, and then enjoy some of the other things to do at the resort from the list!

15. Create a Custom Mickey Tie-Dye Tshirt

The next activity on my list of things to do at Disney World resorts is to make Mickey tie-dye t-shirts. My family loves this fun little craft and has done it on more than one trip!

You start by choosing your shirt. They have tank tops, short sleeve T-shirts and long sleeve shirts to choose from. Then you have a variety of colors to use to create your perfect design. Finally, a cast member will wrap your shirt up and give you care instructions for how to rinse and wash.

Tie-dying is available at all Walt Disney World resorts but usually for only an hour each day. Be sure to check the activities schedule posted in the resort lobby or ask the front desk for more information on when tie-dying is available.

16. Collect Pressed Coins

Another great activity that also makes for a fun souvenir is to use the pressed coin machines located at each resort. There is usually more than one design available in the machine. The great thing about this activity is that the pressed designs will often have the name of the resort in it!

Recently Disney has begun changing out the machines. As a result, some machines cost 50 cents to press a penny, but you must provide the penny. The newer machines cost $1 and provide the penny for you.

TRAVELISTA TIP: You can find a complete list of Coin Press machines along with an interactive map of their locations on the Walt Disney World website!

Other Magical Things To Do at Disney World Resorts

If you are willing to spend a bit of money on extras, you will find that there are quite a few unique and fun things to do at Disney World resorts!

17. Split a Kitchen Sink Sundae at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

For those with a sweet tooth, why not try the infamous Kitchen Sink Sundae at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop! This sundae boasts 8 scoops of ice cream that is topped with every topping on the menu!

I highly suggest getting a dining reservation for Beaches and Cream if you want to sit inside. However, there is a walk up window available for some of their dessert items. And if you time it just right, you can watch the EPCOT fireworks while you enjoy dessert!

18. Participate in Art Classes

The artists in the family will love this experience at the Disney World resorts! There are two different art classes only available at Coronado Springs. You can create a Spanish Mosaic Mickey or take part in the Colors of Coronado painting class.

These classes are about 2 hours long and have limited availability so it is best to reserve your spots ahead of time.

19. Enjoy Rooftop Dining at Topolino’s Terrace

Every Disney World resort has dining options, but not every Disney World resort has a rooftop restaurant with a view of two Disney parks!

Topolino’s Terrace is located at the top of the Riviera Resort. For breakfast, the restaurant serves the usual breakfast offerings and you get to see your favorite Disney characters. At night the restaurant transforms into a signature dining experience featuring French and Italian cuisine.

TRAVELISTA TIP: Because Topolino’s Terrace is considered signature/fine dining, there is a dress code for guests when dining there. Tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, baseball hats, and cut-offs are not permitted.

20. Go on a Guided Bass Fishing Excursion

If you have fishing enthusiasts in your family, then this next activity at Disney World resorts is for you! Several resorts on Disney World property offer 2 and 4-hour guided fishing excursions. Choose between two different-sized boats that can accommodate either three or five guests.

Your fishing excursion includes the cost of the guide, your rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even beverages on the boat. These excursions must be booked in advance as there is limited availability!

TRAVELISTA TIP: Rod or pole fishing off the dock is available at Port Orleans Riverside and the Wilderness Lodge for much cheaper than the guided fishing excursion.

21. Take a Scenic Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

The next fun thing to do on my list of Disney World resort activities is to take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride! Each carriage ride lasts for 25 minutes and can fit either 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children.

Carriage rides have limited availability so you must call to reserve your time in advance. When booking keep in mind that carriage rides run rain or shine so be sure to dress for the weather!

TRAVELISTA TIP: If you are traveling during the months of November and December, holiday sleigh rides are also available at Fort Wilderness Resort!

22. Splurge on a Monorail Loop Progressive Meal

Another fun way to explore the restaurants of the Disney World resorts is to take part in a progressive meal at the resorts that are situated on the monorail loop.

There are three resorts that sit on the monorail: the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. To do a progressive meal, you will simply eat appetizers at one resort, the main course at another, and dessert from the third. After each part of your meal, you hop on the monorail to take you to your next dining location!

23. Explore on a Segway Back Trail Adventure

Did you know you can rent segways for a back trail adventure?! One of the activities offered at the Ft. Wilderness Resort is a 2-hour back trail loop adventure with a cast member guide.

Because each person needs to be able to maintain control of their own segway, this excursion is only available for guests 16 years and older and riders must weigh between 100 and 250lbs to operate a segway properly.

You will need to arrive on time for your guided adventure so that you can take part in a 30-minute instruction and practice time before taking off to explore the grounds! And as a reminder, close-toed shoes must be worn on the segways! Flip flops and sandals of any kind are not permitted.

24. Dine with Your Favorite Characters

What should you do if you want to interact with Disney characters but you don’t plan to go into the parks? Well, there are several restaurants at Disney World resorts that offer character dining! In fact, this is one of our favorite ways to see characters at Walt Disney World!

Character dining experiences are very popular at Walt Disney World, so you will need to make sure you are making those dining reservations in advance! And don’t forget to have your autograph books and cameras ready to capture all the magic!

25. Tee Off for a Game of Golf

Taking in a game of golf is another fun thing to do at the resorts. Did you know that there are four Disney World golf courses?! Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course runs through both Old Key West Resort and Saratoga Springs Resort.

If you want to play a game of golf while on your Disney vacation, you must reserve your tee time in advance. Disney even has a Sunrise 9-Hole and Sunset 9-Hole game at promotional pricing that also includes a light bite to eat. That makes it easy to get in a quick game of golf before or after your time in the parks!

TRAVELISTA TIP: If you are looking for something for the entire family to enjoy, Disney has two miniature golf courses on property as well!

26. Relax at the Senses Day Spa

Why not enjoy some time at the spa during your Disney vacation?! There are a variety of spa services available including massage therapies, body therapies, facials, and nail services. Salon services are also available including beard/mustache trims and hair braiding.

And for those who are having a Disney wedding, bridal packages are available for you to pamper yourself on your special day!

TRAVELISTA TIP: Spa services are currently still unavailable at Saratoga Springs.

27. Enjoy Dinner and Fireworks at the California Grill

The last activity on my list of things to do at the Disney World resorts is to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks while dining at the California Grill.

The California Grill is located on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort. Similar to Topolino’s Terrace, the California Grill is considered a fine/signature dining experience and does have a dress code.

While you are dining on a menu of Californian cuisine, the lights will dim and the music is piped in from Magic Kingdom so that you can enjoy the fireworks with your meal!

What Are the Different Resort Levels at Disney World?

Now that you know a little more about what things you can do at Disney World resorts, let’s look at what the different resort levels are when planning your stay.

First of all, there are three different resort levels at the Walt Disney World resorts: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. When you move up in resort level category you also get more in terms of amenities and proximity to the parks.

Here is a brief breakdown of the characteristics of each level of resort option.

As you can see, Deluxe-level resorts at Walt Disney World have much more to offer in terms of amenities. They also boast larger rooms, bigger beds, and more of a kitchen option in each room. When choosing which resort to stay at, it is best to keep your vacation goals in mind!

TRAVELISTA TIP: Stuck on which Disney World resort to book for your next trip?! I would love to give you my expert opinion on your options and help you book just the right resort for you! Contact me to get started!

Perks of Staying at a Disney World Resort

No matter which Disney World resort you choose, there are some perks that all resorts share!

💠 Free Transportation to Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs.

💠 Being in the “Disney bubble“. You’ll receive the same attention to detail and Disney magic as the parks.

💠 MagicBands allow you to charge purchases back to the credit card on file at your resort.

💠 Early Entry hours allow you to enter the parks 30 minutes before outside guests.

TRAVELISTA TIP: Guests staying at Deluxe level resorts also have access to Extended Evening Hours, which allows you to stay in the parks for an extra 2 hours after closing! Be sure to check the Walt Disney World website for specific dates and times!

Can I Resort Hop to Other Disney World Resorts?

So what if you are staying at a value-level resort but you really want to check out the amenities at a deluxe-level resort? Can you resort hop at Walt Disney World?

The short answer to this question is “Yes” you can resort hop to check out their amenities. However, there are a few exceptions to this answer that you need to know about.

You can’t use another resort’s pool. When checking out another resort, keep in mind that the resort pool is for resort guests only. Some pools will even make you scan in with your MagicBand to confirm that you are a resort guest. The only exception to this rule is if you are staying at sister resorts like the All-Star resorts or the Port Orleans resorts. Other than that, if enjoying a specific pool at a Disney resort is high on your list, you will need to book your stay at that resort.

Reservations may be necessary for some experiences. If you want to sample the cuisine at the different resort restaurants or take part in other experiences, it is best to have a reservation.

Parking at another resort may not be available. If you want to do a little resort hopping, it is best to use Disney-provided transportation to do so. Often times there will not be parking available for people that are not guests of the resort unless you have a confirmed reservation. However, if you are able to take the bus, monorail, or skyliner; you should have no trouble visiting other resorts.

Book a Stay at a Disney World Resort

Now it’s time for you to explore all that the Walt Disney World resorts have to offer! Why don’t you book your vacation package today?!

As an agent with Diamond EarMarked, Magical Moments Vacations, it would be my pleasure to help you book and plan the most magical trip to Walt Disney World! I know you’ll want to spend some time exploring the resorts as well as take in the attractions in the parks.

Why Choose Me?

✨ Personal Experience: I stay in Disney World resorts several times a year and have stayed in all resort categories. I have done most of the amenities on the list that I am recommending.

✨ Professional Expertise: I’ve helped dozens of Disney enthusiasts like yourself plan their dream vacations. I’ve crafted personalized experiences at all sorts of Disney World resorts for them all.

I would love to put all of my experience and expertise to work for you! And when booking a Dinsey World vacation with me, my services are always free! 

A Disney package of tickets and resort can be booked for as little as a $200 deposit and then you are able to make payments on your trip at your own leisure up until 30 days before your check-in day.

Ready to Make Your Disney Dreams Come True? 

Click that button below to kickstart your magical journey. Let’s turn your Disney dreams into a reality that’s sprinkled with pixie dust and filled with unforgettable moments.

Final Thoughts: Things to To Do at Disney World Resorts

A trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth deserves some time enjoying all that the Disney World resorts have to offer! As you know by now, there are so many things to do and experience outside of the parks as well! Which of the things on the list will be a part of your next Disney World trip?

If your next Disney World Trip includes a few days in the parks, be sure to check out our list of Top Disney World Water Rides and my recommendations for Best Strollers for Disney World!

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