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Exciting Disney World Activities Outside of the Theme Parks


Have you ever wondered what there is to do around The Walt Disney World Resort beside visit the Theme Parks or shop at Disney Springs? There are so many great recreational activities right on property. If your family is ready to step outside the parks and see what other fun excursions are offered, check out this list of ideas:

Golf
Tee off at one of Disney’s three award winning, Arnold Palmer designed, 18-hole courses - Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Magnolia, or Disney’s Palm Golf Course. Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course is a 9-hole course which is great for families or beginners. Golf instructional clinics are available for both adults and juniors, as well as personal lessons with a PGA qualified instructor. The use of a golf cart is included in your greens fee for the 3 large courses. Oak Trail is a walking course.

Want to get a quick game in on the back 9 before heading to the Parks? Reserve the "Sunrise 9" option, and breakfast is included! Reservations: 407-WDW-GOLF
Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest, Magnolia Golf Course is also a Wildlife Sanctuary
FootGolf is a precision sport that combines soccer with golf—and is most similar to golf. It’s fun for beginners and experienced golfers alike—both young and old. Players kick a regulation soccer ball along the course, aiming to reach 21-inch-diameter cups in as few shots as possible. The rules of the game are very similar to golf—with bunkers and hazards providing additional challenges along the way.

Play as a single or bring friends and family to join in the fun!  FootGolf should take approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Make reservations just like you would for regular golf. This is located near the Polynesian Resort, at Oak Trail.  

Basketball
Want to challenge the family to some hoops? Disney offers various sized basketball courts throughout the property. Equipment and access to basketball courts are complimentary to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels: Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village has a half court, Old Key West has a court near the Hospitality House, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa also has a court with rentals and the Campsites at Fort Wilderness offers quarter-sized courts. The Walt Disney World Dolphin also has a court near the Health Club.
Take a cruise around your resort!
Bike Rentals
Take a spin on a bicycle or surrey bike and get some exercise while touring your resort grounds. Children's bikes with training wheels are available as well! Bikes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and helmets and child seats are complimentary with bike rentals. Florida law requires bicyclists under 16 years of age to wear helmets.  Kids love the Surrey bikes too! The whole family can jump in a 2-person, 4-person or 6-person surrey. $25/person plus tax.

Resorts Offering Bike Rentals:
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge (Temporarily Unavailable due to construction in surrounding areas)
  • The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Resorts Offering Surrey Bike Rentals:
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn (Temporarily Unavailable)
  • Disney's BoardWalk Villas (Temporarily Unavailable)
  • Disney's Old Key West
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Boat Rentals
The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort offer both canoe and kayak rentals. Some Deluxe Resorts also have small motorized boat rentals available on site (These rentals are temporarily unavailable.)

Miniature Golf
Disney World has two awesome 18-hole mini golf courses: Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland. (Winter Summerland is temporarily unavailable.) Santa and his elves can be seen at Winter Summerland Miniature Golf where they built two different 18-hole experiences; a sand course named “Summer” and a snow course named “Winter.” Fantasia Gardens is themed after the movie Fantasia and also offers two courses, "Gardens" and "Fairways" to choose from. Being near Disney's Hollywood Studios, you can see the Tower of Terror while you putt. Usually only one is open during winter months. 
Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Bass Fishing
Guided fishing charters are a great way to spend a day outside the Parks. Up to 5 guests can fish off  of a pontoon boat, or 2 can take a Nitro Bass boat out along the Disney waterways. Guided catch-and-release excursions take guests out on the freshwater lakes on Disney property. Poles, equipment, on-board refreshments, and subscription to Bassmaster Magazine are included.  Two and four hour excursions are available.
Reservations: 407-WDW-BASS

Dock Fishing
Reel in some fun the old-fashioned way with a casting-rod fishing experience in the well-stocked waters. All casting-rod fishing gear can be rented from the Fishin' Hole at Ol' Man Island at Disney's Port Orleans Resort—Riverside.

Please note: Fishing at Walt Disney World Resort is catch-and-release only.
Horseback Riding
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers beginner and intermediate riders miles of trails where you can see deer, ducks, armadillos and rabbits! At Tri-Circle-D Ranch you can ride around the woods of Fort Wilderness at your own pace. Hay rides are also available at the Ranch.

Wagon and Carriage Rides
Take an old-fashioned wagon or carriage ride through the beautiful woodlands at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground or along the scenic banks of the Sassagoula River at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days in advance.
Reservations: (407) WDW-PLAY
*Temporarily unavailable
Scuba Diving (DiveQuest)
Jump into the 6,000,000 gallon aquarium at The Living Seas in Epcot. Your family and friends can view your dive on dry land through giant acrylic windows inside The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
All Guests must be SCUBA-certified and at least 10 years of age to participate. Guests ages 10 to 12 must be accompanied by a paying, participating parent or guardian.
The experience lasts 3 hours, and guests will spend about 40 minutes underwater in the huge Caribbean Coral Reef aquarium. 

Tennis
The tennis courts throughout the Walt Disney World Resort are free for use, and first come-first serve at seven different Disney resorts. Also, professional programs and clinics offered by Orlando Tennis are available. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has amazing courts! These other courts are available as well: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Hotels, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Archery
Bring out your inner Robin Hood or Merida at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground as guides lead you through a short training session on how to hold a compound bow and release an arrow into a range target. The sessions are once per day and have a limit of 10 participants. Reservations are required for this 75 minute class.
Reservations: (407) WDW-PLAY

 Adding these on-site excursions to your Disney trip will make your vacation more exciting!  My kids love mini-golf at Winter Summerland after a fun day at Blizzard Beach Water Park. 

We can help you add these adventures to your Disney itinerary! Ask your agent for help booking these exciting extras!


Summer fell in love with Disney the very first time she visited. Now, she helps clients book stress-free and affordable family vacations! Email her at Summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.

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