Non-Park Days at Disney: Downtime Delight or Totally Dopey?

There are a couple of topics that are sure to get Disney fans fired up. The kind of issues where everyone has a very firm stance, either for or against.

And one of those topics is non-park days on Disney vacations. Some fans say your trip is not complete until you take a day away from the hustle and bustle of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Animal Kingdom to relax and recharge. Other fans think if you spend any moment at Walt Disney World not enjoying a show, attraction, or Mickey shaped snack in one of the parks, then you’re not doing it right.

For purposes of our conversation, a non-park day is defined as a day during your Disney World vacation where you do not visit one of the main four parks.

At the risk of saying something controversial, I am pro a non-park day. In fact, for my 2021 trip, we are planning on TWO non-park days. Controversy! I was telling my boss, and blog founder, Kristin Cooper that two non-park days was our ideal situation and she simply could not believe it. While we mightily respect the go-go-go of the Rope Drop to Fireworks every day crowd, that is not the life for us.

There are countless ways to do your Walt Disney World vacation. The four theme parks, two water parks, shopping complex that is Disney Springs, hotel and resorts, and added amenities like mini golf make it easy to customize a trip that  is perfect for your party. You could stuff every hour with entertainment and attractions, or you can plan on some rest and relaxation. The choice is yours, and the best part is, there is no wrong way to do Disney!

And all those things to do and see mean that even a non-park can be enchanting! Non-park day does not equal boring. Here are just a few reasons why we here at the B Family would argue strongly for a downtime day (or two!):

Rest & Recharge

We’ve taken trips with toddlers, with pregnant mamas, and with Type 1 diabetics. If you’ve got anyone in your party who is not a marathon runner, chances are at  some point the heat and the amount of walking are going to tire them out. Schedule a non-park day in the middle of your trip to let your bodies recharge. Sleep in. Rejuvenate. Try and keep your physical exertion low by resort hopping or spending a day at the pool. Giving your party a chance to recharge will mean you can hit the last leg of your trip with gusto.

Look at this elegant and refined bed. Isn’t it just screaming “luxurious nap”? Photo snapping blogger not included with your standard Disney room. ;) 

Visit the Pool at Your Resort

Disney is known for their amazing pools. From the mini water park that is Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Clubs, to the Mayan Temple at Coronado Springs, to the Big Blue Pool at the Art of Animation, there are great pools across all resort levels. Deluxe and moderate resorts feature pools with a a water slide and value resorts feature some of the largest and most entertaining poolside on Disney property.

Oh, that’s right I said entertainment. The main attraction pool of your resort will feature entertainment starting at noon and going to the early evening, around 4 or 5.  Look for additional shenanigans, like trivia contests, dance parties, rubber ducky races, hula hooping, etc. Some days, characters are even known to show up at the pool and party with guests. You can easily spend the entire day at a Disney pool, as many also feature poolside restaurants or snack stands.

 

We love a pool day. Our Glass Slipper puts a fun pool as her highest priority, over FastPasses, over meals. It is the highlight of her vacation. So much so, that I wrote a whole post about how Pool Days are the best days!

Explore Your Resort

Have you heard the expression “you’ll never be able to do everything there is to do at Disney World”? I would argue you could also add “You’ll never be able to do everything there is to do at a Disney World resort.”

Jazz gators! Jazz crocs? Either way, a delightful surprise when exploring my resort.

Your Walt Disney World resort has at least one pool, probably several. There are activities at that pool. There are play areas for the smaller members of your party. There is definitely one food court. Possibly a restaurant. Maybe two restaurants. There is a gift shop. Most resorts will show a movie under the stars in a common area every night of the week, weather permitting. And there are other themed buildings, lakes, beach fronts, boardwalks, jogging trails, wildlife, and much. You can take a carriage ride. You can go a hidden Mickey Scavenger hunt. You can rent a bike or a boat. You can get a princess or villain makeover. Trust when I say, there is a ton to do at your resort. You could stay there all day and still have a magical time.

Look, here’s me exploring beignets!

Resort Hop

My buddy Kristen D was the first person to really turn me onto the joys of resort hopping. Each of the resorts at Walt Disney World has its own style, it’s own decor, its own beautiful theming. There is a lot to see from the lobby to the grounds, and as a guest of Walt Disney World, you can explore to your heart’s content. You can have a meal at their quick service or table service restaurants. You can grab the exclusive merch from their gift shop. You can take advantage of the special amenities offered at that resort. Not staying at Fort Wilderness? No problem. You can still get a pony ride or munch on s’mores at the Chip and Dale singalong.

A fun perk of resort hopping is trying different modes of Disney transportation. You can take buses, boats, or monorails.

Visit Disney Springs

Is it a true Disney vacation if we did not go to the World of Disney? The Lego Store? The Earl of Sandwich? My husband would say no.

Disney Springs is practically a park in itself. A park whose theme is shopping. There are 104 stores, pop-ups, and pavilions. There are 64 dine in restaurants, eateries, and lounges. And there are 23 attractions, shows, and events. You can go bowling at Splitsville or catch a film and a bite to eat at AMC Theaters. Check out the NBA Experience, take a flight in the world’s largest hand painted helium balloon, or see a world class performance by Cirque Du Soleil.

Or ignore all those things and just eat. There is some amazing food at Disney Springs. You can experience one of a kind dining from world renowned chefs as well as quick service and causal eateries so good they may as well be table service. Nothing says relaxing like a day full of delicious meals and nothing else!

Inside The Edison at Disney Springs. Where else in the world can you get bacon on a clothesline?

Do you love a day (or two) outside of the parks? What’s your favorite thing to do? Tell me what awesome non-park diversion I missed in the comments!

Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!