Disney is a magical place inside the parks. But there is so much to do outside around the resorts that every trip, I always pick one "off-day" to enjoy all of Disney World outside the parks. Here are some of my favorites.
1. Renting a boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon/ Bay Lake. There are a few options for all groups and ages. You can rent a Sea Racer; small 2 person boat about the size of a jet ski. I describe it as what a go kart is to a car, this is to a regular boat. Easy to maneuver. It is best for one adult and one kid. 2 adults can fit but you'll be squeezed. The other options are a 20 foot or so Boston whaler or pontoon boat. These are for around 3-6 people and 5-8 people respectively. You might be able to fit more but it could be crowded. Perfect for a family of 4 to cruise the lagoon at their leisure. It gives amazing views of the Polynesian, Grand Floridan, Contemporary and MK. Cruise through the water way over to Bay Lake and see Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness and Discovery Island. Rented at half our increments, they are surprisingly inexpensive (around $40 for the whaler for half hour) Boats are available at all the resorts listed above at their marinas, close to their transportation boat docks.
2. Enjoy the sights from above for FREE. Go to the top of Bay Lake Tower observation deck to see all of WDW from above. You can see down into MK and its resorts, Spaceship Earth, Swan/Dolphin, Tower or Terror, and Everest off in the distance. Looking across Bay Lake you'll even see the Orlando Eye (ferris wheel) and various tall Orlando/Universal area hotels. Day or night it is an amazing view. But the best is at night for Wishes. In my opinion, Wishes is the best nighttime spectacular of all the Disney parks. But you don't have to be in MK to experience it. At the top of Bay Lake Tower, you'll see the castle, fireworks and the music is piped in to the speakers up there. You'll feel like you're right on main street but without the crowds. Very few people know about this so you might be the only ones up there! Perfect for an off day or a day spent at a park that closed earlier. Just zip right over and enjoy the fireworks crowd free.
3. Resort hopping. What makes every WDW resort unique is theming, and their attention to detail in that theming is top notch, especially at the deluxe resorts. Hop on the monorail and you can quickly bounce from Polynesian to Grand Floridian to the Contemporary to stroll around their amazing lobbies and beautifully landscaped grounds. Even just riding the monorail around is fun. Take the Epcot monorail and a short bus ride to the Boardwalk and walk to the Yacht and Beach Club and Swan/Dolphin resorts. Resort hopping also gives the option to eat lunch or dinner at any of the resorts elegant restaurants. During Christmas time, some of the deluxe hotels have beautiful Christmas displays that are a must-see.
What is your favorite off day thing to do?
1. Renting a boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon/ Bay Lake. There are a few options for all groups and ages. You can rent a Sea Racer; small 2 person boat about the size of a jet ski. I describe it as what a go kart is to a car, this is to a regular boat. Easy to maneuver. It is best for one adult and one kid. 2 adults can fit but you'll be squeezed. The other options are a 20 foot or so Boston whaler or pontoon boat. These are for around 3-6 people and 5-8 people respectively. You might be able to fit more but it could be crowded. Perfect for a family of 4 to cruise the lagoon at their leisure. It gives amazing views of the Polynesian, Grand Floridan, Contemporary and MK. Cruise through the water way over to Bay Lake and see Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness and Discovery Island. Rented at half our increments, they are surprisingly inexpensive (around $40 for the whaler for half hour) Boats are available at all the resorts listed above at their marinas, close to their transportation boat docks.
2. Enjoy the sights from above for FREE. Go to the top of Bay Lake Tower observation deck to see all of WDW from above. You can see down into MK and its resorts, Spaceship Earth, Swan/Dolphin, Tower or Terror, and Everest off in the distance. Looking across Bay Lake you'll even see the Orlando Eye (ferris wheel) and various tall Orlando/Universal area hotels. Day or night it is an amazing view. But the best is at night for Wishes. In my opinion, Wishes is the best nighttime spectacular of all the Disney parks. But you don't have to be in MK to experience it. At the top of Bay Lake Tower, you'll see the castle, fireworks and the music is piped in to the speakers up there. You'll feel like you're right on main street but without the crowds. Very few people know about this so you might be the only ones up there! Perfect for an off day or a day spent at a park that closed earlier. Just zip right over and enjoy the fireworks crowd free.
3. Resort hopping. What makes every WDW resort unique is theming, and their attention to detail in that theming is top notch, especially at the deluxe resorts. Hop on the monorail and you can quickly bounce from Polynesian to Grand Floridian to the Contemporary to stroll around their amazing lobbies and beautifully landscaped grounds. Even just riding the monorail around is fun. Take the Epcot monorail and a short bus ride to the Boardwalk and walk to the Yacht and Beach Club and Swan/Dolphin resorts. Resort hopping also gives the option to eat lunch or dinner at any of the resorts elegant restaurants. During Christmas time, some of the deluxe hotels have beautiful Christmas displays that are a must-see.
What is your favorite off day thing to do?
