A Walt Disney World vacation is an unforgettable experience that you will never forget, but it can be tiring if you’re constantly on the go. A rest day is just what you need to recharge and prepare for more park fun. I know what you’re thinking, without the parks, what will we do all day? A day off from the parks doesn’t have to mean you’re sitting at the pool all day, there are so many great options to fill your day. The pool is my first choice to enjoy while you’re having a rest day though! The recreation team does an amazing job entertaining the kids with activities both in and out of the pool!
For recreation fans, enjoy the day on the course with traditional golf or foot golf, a mix between soccer and golf. If you don’t want to bring your clubs, they have some available to rent so you don’t have to worry about bringing them. My son was impressed with the quality of clubs so there is no need to worry about golfing with old ones. If you or your kids don’t enjoy golf (foot golf or traditional), you may want to use your free mini golf tickets that come with your vacation package! Walt Disney World offers 2 mini golf courses; you’ll find Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf located near the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf is located near Blizzard Beach. If bowling is more your game, try a game of bowling at Splitsville in Disney Springs.
Speaking of Disney Springs, you could spend your entire rest day there. They have a wide variety of shopping, restaurants, and experiences for you to enjoy. Catch the latest movie at the AMC Theater, grab a bite to eat while surrounded by dinos at T-Rex Cafe, ride the vintage amphicar at The Boathouse, or soar high above the Springs on Aerophile – a tethered hot air balloon. When you’re done exploring Disney Springs, catch the ferry boat to Port Orleans French Quarter for a beignet.
Your rest day is also a great way to enjoy all the resorts Walt Disney World has to offer. Plan a meal like Story Book Dining at Artist Point in Wilderness Lodge, or the hidden gem Sebastian’s at Caribbean Beach that you may not get to on a park day. Depending on which resort you stay at, you may not get to experience the Skyliner or the Monorail, so I recommend stopping at each hotel and trying a delicious snack or drink – it’s a great way to experience some of Disney’s culinary delights, as well as explore other resorts that you may love to stay at on your next Disney vacation.
If you haven’t been able to enjoy the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, try reserving dining at California Grill or even reserving a private specialty cruise where you can enjoy the show without the crowds!
Kelly Van Eerden - Jennison, MI
Lead Travel Advisor
Hi! I’m Kelly Van Eerden, a Lead Travel Advisor with Living With The Magic Vacations. I currently live in Jenison, Michigan with my husband, daughter, and son.
We love traveling as a family because it gives us time to spend time together without all the activities that life with older children brings. Walt Disney World will always have a special place in our hearts as one of our first family vacations, but we also love exploring new destinations! Some of our favorite places to visit have actually been new to us in the last few years. We took our first Disney cruise in early 2020 and my kids fell in love with cruising. We have also visited Universal (both Hollywood and Orlando) and Disneyland recently, and we all found something to enjoy. We love the thrills that the Universal parks offer as well as the Marvel and Cars Land at Disneyland.
