5 fun things to do outside of the parks

As much as we love park time, we also really love spending some time outside the parks, taking in some of the other fun things you can find at Walt Disney World.

Of course, your resort will have some activities available, but if you want something to do outside where you are staying, we have some fun ideas for you.

Here are some of our favorite things to do outside the Walt Disney World theme parks:

In this article

First things first

If you are traveling to any location via Disney transportation, make sure you double-check the operating hours. And don’t forget the weather. Some of the transportation options (like the Disney Skyliner) won’t be available during thunderstorms.
Guests that are driving will have more flexibility. However, in order to visit resorts right now, you need either a confirmed resort reservation or a confirmed dining reservation. That means you won’t be able to drive and park at a resort to check it out if you aren’t staying at any onsite resort or if you don’t have a dining reservation at the resort you want to visit.
Hours and availability can vary, and things are still very fluid right now. We recommend double-checking current schedules as your travel dates get closer.
And finally, if it gets stormy or if you lose track of time and get stuck somewhere because Disney transportation has stopped running, a taxi or rideshare service like Lyft will be able to pick you up from any of the locations below. They can’t drop you off without a reservation, but they can pick you up. Just keep in mind that with fewer drivers right now, it can be difficult to get one with a car seat (if you are traveling with a little one).

Visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Location: Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Campground
Cost: Free

How to get there: Drive (if staying onsite), boat from Magic Kingdom, or bus from any park. If arriving via car or bus you’ll need to transfer to the internal bus system to get to where the barn is located in the Settlement area.

Tip: Crockett’s Tavern and P&J’s Southern Takeout are located nearby if you want to grab a drink while you soak in the peaceful vibe of this resort.

Tucked away at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Campground is the lovely new home for the “Happiest Horses on Earth.”

This gorgeous barn gives guests the opportunity to (safely) get up close to some of the beautiful horses on property, along with a chance to see some of their history and the connection to Walt Disney via a small museum located there.

The crowning glory is the restored 1907 Dragon Calliope. It is absolutely stunning, and while you can’t see it in action, it is on display with an audio track that is available for you to listen to.

Additional things to check out when you’re here:

Ft. Wilderness offers lots of outdoor activities, including pony rides and archery lessons. Some things require reservations, so be sure you check into that before you go.

Visit Beaches and Cream

Location: Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Cost: Varies

How to get there: Via the Skyliner (International Gateway station), walk or Friendship (from Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or any resort in the Boardwalk Area), drive (if staying onsite), or bus from Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom.

Tip: Martha’s Vineyard is located nearby and since they don’t open until 4 PM, during the day the tables make for a fantastic indoor spot to enjoy your ice cream.

Reservations for the indoor dining area at Beaches and Cream can be hard to come by but you don’t need a reservation to enjoy their ice cream creations.

Located to the right of the entrance is a handy walk-up window that allows guests to order ice cream to go. And, with lots of outdoor seating nearby, you don’t even have to worry about your dessert melting before you get a chance to devour it.

One very important note: although there is a menu posted, you aren’t limited to the items on that. You can ask for a menu at the window for the full selection of options.

Additional things to check out when you’re here:

Depending on the time of day there’s several things within a short walk from here. You can hop on the Skyliner at the International Gateway station, take a ride on one of the Friendship boats, and even though lots of things are still closed on The Boardwalk, it is still a lovely area to explore.

Try out some of the extras at Disney Springs

Location: Disney Springs
Cost: Aerophile: $25 per person, Amphicars: $125 per boat (each boat fits 3-4)

How to get there: Drive or bus from any resort or park, walk (if staying nearby).

Tip: The views at night aboard the Aerophile are stunning!

When it comes to crowd levels, Disney Springs has been hit-or-miss lately, but we have found that even when the crowds are at the heaviest, you can still avoid pockets of congestion by staying aware of your surroundings.

Disney Springs is home to several of our favorite outdoor dining options, and of course, there are tons of places to shop, but in addition to all that, there are also a couple of fun “extras” you can do on your visit: the Aerophile balloon and the Amphicars at The BOATHOUSE.

We haven’t had a chance yet to check out the Amphicars but we have taken a ride up in the balloon and it was absolutely lovely.

Additional things to check out when you’re here:

We love the outdoor dining options available at Disney Springs so consider adding a reservation for one.

Take a relaxing ride on Disney transportation

Location: Varies
Cost: Free

How to get there: Skyliner stations are located at Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Riviera, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot (International Gateway), water taxis can be boarded via the docks at Ft. Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, and Magic Kingdom, Friendships can be boarded at the docks at Epcot (International Gateway), Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Swan/Dolphin), the monorail can be boarded at Magic Kingdom, Transportation and Ticket Center, and the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian resorts. Note: the Epcot monorail and other resort water taxis are not currently available.

Tip: Lines for all forms of transportation can back up a bit around park openings and closings, so for the shortest waits, consider riding during off times. Also, if taking a ride on one of the boats or water taxis, choose outdoor seating (if it is available) for the best view.

Lots of people (ourselves included) love the unique transportation options that Disney offers. Okay, maybe the buses aren’t that exciting, but we definitely think that the boats and monorails and the new Disney Skyliner are lots of fun.

When you are in “park touring” mode, it is so darn easy to be focused on getting to the next stop that you forget to simply enjoy the journey.

We do it ourselves—a lot.

But the truth is slowing down and checking out the view from the water or the sky is a great way to relax and spend some time while still enjoying the Disney magic.

Additional things to check out when you’re here:

Don’t be afraid to hop off and check out the stops along the way. For example, if you’re on the monorail, you can find great cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe (Contemporary Resort) and Dole Whips at Pineapple Lanai (Polynesian) and guests traveling via the Skyliner can hop off at the International Gateway and take a quick walk to Beaches and Cream (Beach Club) for some ice cream.

Try some mini-golf

Location: Fantasia Gardens (near Disney’s Swan) OR Winter Summerland (near Blizzard Beach)
***Important note: be sure to check the Disney Website to see which course is currently open. ***
Cost: Adult $14.00/Child (3-9 years) $12.00

How to get there (Fantasia Gardens near the Swan) : Via the Skyliner (International Gateway station), walk or Friendship to the Swan (from Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or any resort in the Boardwalk Area), drive (there is a parking lot right next to the course), or bus from Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom to the Swan resort.

How to get there (Winter Summerland): Bus to Blizzard Beach, and then it is just a short walk or drive (there is a parking lot right next to the course).

Tip: The Fantasia Gardens side typically appeals more to younger children while the Fantasia Fairway side is more like a “real” golf course (just shrunk down). Winter Summerland has 2 courses – one winter-themed and the other summer-themed, and both are adorable.

Kids (and adults!) love playing mini-golf! Disney has been only keeping 1 course open at a time. Since information can change frequently, we recommend you check the Disney website to see which one will be open for your trip.

Additional things to check out when you’re here:

Fantasia Gardens: The Boardwalk area is a short walk away, and although lots of the places remain closed, it is still a lovely place to explore.

Winter Summerland: Blizzard Beach is right next to this course; however, depending on when you visit, it may not be open.