So far, we’ve talked about mini golf, water parks, and Cirque du Soleil, but what if you really don’t want to leave your resort on your down day? I have ideas for that, too!
Fuentes del Morro Pool at Caribbean Beach Resort
The most obvious answer: POOL DAY!
Every Walt Disney World Resort Hotel has a pool. Each resort has more than one, so go find your pools! One is always designated as the main feature pool, but there are smaller (and often quieter) pools throughout each resort.
At the Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and Moderate Resorts, you’ll find even more water fun like water slides, splash pads, and whirlpools. While the Value Resorts don’t have those amenities, they do have huge main feature pools!
Besides swimming, each resort also hosts pool or poolside games throughout the afternoon. Each pool has Recreation Hosts, Cast Members who run recreation and fun, so you may have Disney trivia, water relays, and more! Often there are ping pong tables, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, giant chess, and other games nearby.
Movies Under the Stars: This is offered at every Walt Disney World resort! These are complimentary outdoor screenings of popular Disney films. Bring a blanket or a pool towel, find a spot, and settle in for some fun.
Campfires: Located at all Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and Moderate Resorts, stop by for the complimentary campfire and a roaring good time! Bring or buy s’mores kits or marshmallows for extra fun!
Character Meal: This is such a great option for a down day, and there are many offered outside of the parks! For breakfast, you can visit Riviera Resort for Topolino’s, Contemporary Resort for Chef Mickey’s, Polynesian Village Resort for ‘Ohana, Grand Floridian Resort for 1900 Park Fare, or Beach Club Resort for Cape May Café. For character meal dinner, head over to Contemporary Resort for Chef Mickey’s, Grand Floridian for 1900 Park Fare, or Wilderness Lodge for Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. (Not wanting a character meal? Great regular dining options available at all Deluxe Resorts, Villas, and most of the Moderate Resorts.)
Electrical Water Pageant: This water parade has been in continuous operation since Walt Disney World opened in 1971! It can be viewed in Seven Seas Lagoon from Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Grand Floridian.
Arcade: An arcade is found at every resort! This could be a great option when the weather is hot and muggy (hello, Florida summer!) or rainy (also, hello, Florida summer!).
Recreation: Check your resort for other recreation opportunities like bike rentals, surrey bike rentals, tennis and volleyball courts, and fishing expeditions!
Playgrounds: While not offered at all resorts, these can be found at all of the Value Resorts and Moderate Resorts and a few Deluxe properties including Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Village, Boardwalk Inn & Villas, Beach Club, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs.
Other Unique Opportunities:
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Book a Starlight Safari or just enjoy watching the animals! Cast Members are available to discuss the animals, and they often have unique African games and crafts available for anyone. You can also take a painting class here.
Boardwalk Inn & Villas: Take a yoga class or learn to play pickleball! Do the Crescent Lake Wellness Challenge (register at Community Hall or Screen Door General Store) or Skyliner Rally Scavenger Hunt or just enjoy the Boardwalk Buskers Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings on the pier! You never know who might be there—juggler, magician, a magical hula-hooper, and more!
Coronado Springs: Book Sangria University! Offered on Saturdays and Sundays, this is such a fun class and books up quickly! Colors of Coronado Painting Experience and Spanish Mosaic Art classes are also available.
Fort Wilderness: Take an archery class, book a horse drawn carriage ride or a wagon ride, rent a canoe or a kayak, or book the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure on Segways. You can also do some crafts or book the gem mining experience! For more adventure, book a pony ride or a trail ride. End your day with Chip ‘n Dale’s Campfire Singalong with songs and smores and maybe some special furry friends. My absolute favorite thing to do here is to visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch where you can see the Dragon Calliope and meet the horses! The stable is open 10am-5pm daily, and you can just walk through. You might see the horses preparing for a wagon ride, a trail ride, or maybe even see Cinderella’s white horses!
Grand Floridian: Take advantage of your Memory Maker and pose with some Disney-themed props or do some Magic Shots! 9am-8pm daily. Hop on the monorail and make a full loop.
Port Orleans Riverside & Port Orleans French Quarter: Book a horsedrawn carriage ride or ride the boats over to Disney Springs.
Ethan learning magic tricks at Boardwalk Inn.
