Greetings, Lisa!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thanks for your great question. I just returned from a Walt Disney World Resort vacation and made so many wonderful memories on my "non-park" days, so I would LOVE to give you some ideas of how to enjoy your time on these days.
The first thing that comes to mind when we don't plan on visiting the parks is heading over to
Disney Springs. There is enough here to keep you busy for hours. It is not only a mecca for great shopping and amazing dining but there are also some fun activities here as well. I love
THE VOID virtual reality, the
Amphicars at The Boathouse, and live music that you can find nightly at various restaurants and public spaces here.
With almost 35 official
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, each with its own shopping, dining, and entertainment, I suggest stopping by at least one for a meal and to explore. We recently spent an evening having dinner at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort then took the monorail over to Disney's Contemporary Resort for dessert. Another great area to dine and enjoy the scenery is
Disney's BoardWalk. After a delectable meal at one of these restaurants you can walk along the actual boardwalk with some ice cream and take in the sights. I have also enjoyed some pampering at the spa on my non-park days at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Another option that I have always wanted to try is to
rent a boat for an afternoon. This is such a fun and unique way to experience the Walt Disney World Resort in a new way.
I think you will be amazed at just how much there is to do beyond the parks. It's no wonder this is the Vacation Kingdom of the World!
-Jennifer