15+ Things To Do At Walt Disney World Without a Park Ticket

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If you're a Disney World enthusiast, you don't need a park ticket to experience a magical day! Here's a list of 15+ things you can do to make the most out of your visit to the resort without purchasing entry to the theme parks. This is a perfect guide to enjoying a rest day or your day of arrival without plans. Let’s go!

Things To Do at Walt Disney World without a park ticket

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Just a few things you can do without park tickets at Walt Disney World…

horseback riding
arcades
playgrounds
campfires & s'mores
Chip & Dale fire songs
fireworks from restaurants
boat rides
mini golf
character dining
fine dining
bar hopping
fishing
and so much more!

Table of Contents

See the video of fun things to do at Disney without going to the parks…

This video highlights all of the things to do without tickets to Disney World at just one of the resorts - Animal Kingdom Lodge…

See more tips from Jenna Loves Magic on YouTube…

1. Go horseback riding

Really! You can have so much fun at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, including visiting Tri-Circle-D Ranch.

Demonstrating Horseback Riding as one of the Things To Do at Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness Lodge without a park ticket

At this ranch there are pony rides and horses in stalls you can check out, amongst other things.

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review Activity To Do at Walt Disney World without a park ticket

Make a night out of it and book a dinner show at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review.

It is so much fun! But it books fast, so make sure to make a reservation.

2. Hang out with Chip & Dale for free!

Another one of my favorite things to do at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is to go to a sing-a-long campfire and roast s’mores while hanging out with Chip & Dale.

Roasting Marshmallows example of Things To Do at Walt Disney World at the Chip and Dale campfire — There are quite a few places to roast marshmallows at various Disney World resorts.

This activity is a complete gem at Disney World that I hope you get to experience yourself!

With so many activities available without a park ticket, you're sure to have a magical time at Disney World!

3. Ride the Disney Skyliner

Take a ride on the Skyliner to resort hop around a few favorite destinations like Pop Century Resort, Riviera Resort, and more.

At each hotel on the Skyliner, you can check out their outdoor games, and other amenities without needing to stay at the resorts - like arcades, playgrounds, and entertainment each night.

For instance, you can check out the fire s’mores roasting times at night and partake, even without staying at the hotels.

I love to take the Disney Skyliner at night because you can catch fireworks during your ride if you time it just right.

4. Catch Disney World fireworks

Yes, there are areas around Disney World, including at resorts and on the Skyliner where you can catch the impressive firework show at the Magic Kingdom and even Epcot.

There are multiple spots to see fireworks without a park ticket.

One of my favorite recommendations is to head over to the Riviera Resort. You can catch glimpses of it from outside the Skyliner entrance…

View of Riviera Resort Disney World from Topolinos Terrace at night

Or arrange to eat at the rooftop-restaurant above - Topolino’s Terrace (or check out the bar) during the fireworks time - you’ll find this fireworks view from the Riviera resort.

There are quite a few other locations where you can see fireworks outside the parks, I’ll share more soon here on Jenna Loves Magic.

5. Go swimming in one of the resort's many pools.

I’m not *exactly sure* the policy, but I’ve heard people say you can visit pools around the resorts without staying there.

Disney World Resort Pool Animal Kingdom Lodge

Tour this Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool…

Although, many resorts at Disney and the surrounding areas have great pools, so that’s always a fun way to spend the day without crashing Disney resorts!

6. Check out the free Movies Under the Stars event every night.

Check the schedule for watching movies outside at night at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Different movies including Princess and the Frog and Finding Nemo are available on different nights.

7. See animals for free at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

There are a ton of savannah overlooks and animal viewing areas to enjoy for free at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Get details on how to see free animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge…

8. Check out the themed miniature golf courses.

Choose from two miniature golf courses to check out at Walt Disney World:

Winter Summerland
Fantasia Gardens

9. Watch the Electrical Water Pageant

This is such a fun thing to do at Disney World at night without a park ticket!

You can watch the Electrical Water Pageant at a handful of hotels on the water, including the Polynesian resort.

What is it? Basically, a parade of singing and dancing boats that are lit up at night.

10. Visit the Boardwalk

Check out street performers' schedules before making arrangements, but this is a fun place to be!

You can grab an adult beverage somewhere like BoardWalk Joe's Marvelous Margaritas and enjoy the outdoor show.

11. Visit a Disney arcade

At Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can visit Safari So Good Arcade and Pumbaa's Fun and Games Arcade.

No Park Ticket Needed Disney World Arcade at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

You pick up a game ticket on site and can save it to use at other Disney hotels with arcades - like the Animal Kingdom Lodge as seen above, Ft. Wilderness, The Contemporary, Pop Century, and Coronado Springs.

12. Book a character meal

One of the best ways to enjoy time at Disney World without a park ticket is to get some one-on-one time with characters at a Disney hotel.

Character Breakfast at Topolinos Terrace with Daisy and Disney Food Blogger Jenna Passaro

Book a popular character breakfast at Ohana’s in the Polynesian Resort, or Topolino’s Terrace in the Riviera for example.

Minnie Mouse Character meet and greet at breakfast at Topolinos Terrace in the Riviera Resort — Above is at Topolinos Terrace in the Riviera. They have one of the best character brunches, in my opinion!

Usually there is singing, dancing, and family-friendly food for everyone to enjoy.

You’ll want to reserve these special character dining opportunities in advance, but I have lucked-out and gotten day-of reservations in the Disney App, so always check!

13. Tour the lobbies of the Disney World resort hotels

There’s a ton to enjoy and some surprising experiences to have - when you visit hotel lobbies at Walt Disney Resorts.

In addition to admiring breathtaking displays and architectural details at places like the Animal Kingdom Lodge…

Disney World Bloggers touring Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby — This is the beautiful lobby at the Animal Kingdom Lodge - and right outside you can view animals on the Savannah for free!

You can even stumble upon something like the lobby of Disney's Pop Century Resort where the staff literally does a dance – “DO THE HUSTLE!” – but check local times before heading over, and know that you can even join in the dancing fun yourself!

14. Enjoy a playground

One of our favorites is the Animal Kingdom Lodge playground - aka the Hakuna Matata playground…

Kids Playground at Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort in Walt Disney World

Steps away is an arcade and a flamingo viewing area, so this is a fun area to hang out in Disney World without park tickets.

15. Have a fancy Disney dining experience

Book a leisurely fine dining Disney World restaurant reservation.

Walt Disney World Food Blogger Jenna Passaro Eating Fine Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort — Above, I’m at Sanaa and this is the Butter Chicken dish. It’s so good!

Find out why the Sanaa bread service is so popular…

Upscale Dining at Sanaa Restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort — At Sanaa, if you eat during daylight hours, this might be your view!

This is a great idea for a day when you don’t have a park ticket to Disney World, because you can dress up and take your time.

Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Steakhouse 71 at The Contemporary
Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera
Yachtsman Steakhouse at The Yacht Club

16. Take a complimentary boat ride

You can take a complimentary boat ride on the Sassagoula River Cruise and explore the hotels along the way.

The “Sassagoula River Cruise” is a free service, and you don’t need Disney World tickets to hop on board.

This ferry transports guests from both Port Orleans Disney World resorts (the French Quarter and Riverside resorts) all the way down the river to Disney Springs.

17. Visit Disney Springs

At Disney Springs, you’ll find tons of shopping, dining, and entertainment.

We recently spent a rest day without Disney park tickets eating a wonderful tapas-style dinner at the flamenco restaurant, Jaleo by José Andrés…

And we got tickets to see the Cirque Du Soleil Disney show, Drawn to Life.

18. Go bar hopping

Stumble upon interesting and beautifully designed poolside bars and restaurant bars.

Riviera Resort Bar Hopping as example of Things To Do at Walt Disney World without a park ticket — Here I’m at the Riviera Resort, enjoying lawn games while trying a new cocktail from the outdoor-access bar area.

There are especially-themed cocktails, wines, and beers to enjoy at each one.

19. Roast marshmallows at night

Check out the various Disney resorts for details, but at night, one of our favorite things to do is go to roast s’mores at Pop Century Resort, Fort Wilderness Lodge (as mentioned previously) and other hotels.