Get To Know Disney World Resort Recreation

Most people plan a trip to Walt Disney World with the intention of visiting the theme parks. But did you know that there is also plenty to do at the Disney resort hotels?

Spending a day a your hotel, or bopping over to other WDW hotels, can be a great way to save money and to build some less structured time into your vacation. I know several people who have visited Disney World and skipped the parks entirely, opting exclusively to relax at the resorts and hang out at Disney Springs. But if you don’t want to get that drastic, building a resort day or days into a week-long Disney vacation is common way to balance the go, go, go ethos of theme park touring.

The Disney World resorts have many recreation activities that are similar at all the hotels, as well as some that are unique to specific hotels. One caveat to know in advance: While most of the items below are open to anyone visiting Walt Disney World, some activities are restricted to specific hotel guests only. For example, pool hopping is a no-no in many circumstances and the hotel gyms are restricted to resort guests, but most other recreation options are available to everyone.

Click photos to enlarge.

General Recreation Information

Every WDW hotel will have a large sign posted in their lobby, next to the pool, or both. The sign will give an overview of options available at your hotel. If you’re looking for ideas about what might be available at other hotels, stop by your resort concierge desk. Here are some examples of what kinds of information you’ll find on the recreation signage.

Pools and Poolside Games

Every Disney World hotel has a pool (or usually several pools) that obviously offer swimming. Lounging poolside reading novels, listening to the latest Taylor Swift (Florida!!!), and working on your tan is a perfectly valid way to spend your vacation. (That might even be the best way to spend your vacation.) But if you want a little more to do, or if you want your kiddos to do a little more, then Disney has you covered.

Activities vary monthly and by resort, but typical offerings include trivia games, hula-hoop contests, chalk art, dance parties, and the like. In addition to the organized activities most hotels have games such as ping pong, foosball, or giant Connect Four near the primary pool area. And a few pools have a hair braiding station nearby.

Movies Under the Stars

The Disney resorts show free outdoor movies every night, weather permitting. You may find that only one of a set of sister resorts (the All Star Resorts, for example) is showing an outdoor film during slower times of year, but you’ll always have a nearby walkable option. During inclement weather, most resorts will find an alternate indoor location.

Fire Pits

The Disney resorts have outdoor fire pits where they host a marshmallow roast on most evenings. Again, sometimes only one of a set of sister resorts will host a roast on a particular evening. During poor weather, this is typically cancelled.

At the fire pits, sticks are provided and marshmallows are free. You can usually buy a packet of graham crackers and chocolate bars at the fire site or you can pick them up at your hotel gift shop.

Arcades

Every Walt Disney World resort hotel has an arcade. The exact mix of games varies by location but you can expect to find some combination of electronic games, pinball, air hockey, photo booths, claw machines, and other typical arcade amusements. You can buy payment cards on site at each hotel.

Bike Rentals

A few resorts, (Boardwalk, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and the Port Orleans hotels) offer two and four person old-fashioned surrey bike rentals. You can also rent standard bicycles at Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, and Fort Wilderness.

Boat Rentals and Fishing

Pontoon boats are available for guest rental at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Yacht & Beach Club resorts. Guided bass fishing tours are available on pontoon boats at those resorts plus Fort Wilderness, Caribbean Beach, Old Key West, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Port Orleans Riverside hotels (call 407-939-3474 to reserve bass fishing).

There is dockside catch-and-release pole fishing available at Port Orleans Riverside and at Fort Wilderness. You can also find canoe and kayak rentals at Fort Wilderness.

Playgrounds

They’re not fancy, but there are small playgrounds at most WDW resort hotels. Check our post on playgrounds for the complete scoop.

Arts & Crafts

Many resorts, particularly those with Disney Vacation Club villas, have arts and craft projects available. These will have a modest fee.

Sports

The DVC and deluxe resorts, along with Coronado Springs, offer small gyms to their guests. The resorts with larger footprints post signage with suggested jogging trails. Tennis courts are available at the Contemporary, Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Yacht & Beach Club, and Fort Wilderness resorts. Volleyball courts are available at the Caribbean Beach, Contemporary, Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Polynesian, Fort Wilderness, and Yacht & Beach Club resorts.

Horse Activities

There are pony rides and trail rides available at Fort Wilderness, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides at Fort Wilderness and at the Port Orleans resorts.

Unique Experiences

A few resorts have unique or special experiences available. Some examples are:

• The Jellyrolls dueling pianos venue at the Boardwalk resort
• Animal viewing at Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Archery lessons at Fort Wilderness
• The Electrical Water Pageant that circles around the Magic Kingdom area resorts on most evenings, weather permitting
• Evening entertainers such as magicians at the Boardwalk
• Evening games of chance at the Boardwalk
• Viewing areas for Magic Kingdom fireworks at Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Fort Wilderness

Seasonal Special Items

In addition to everything above, the Disney resorts may also offer modified or additional activities or attractions during special events such as holidays or during severe weather situations when more guests will be at the hotels rather than the theme parks.

What’s your favorite form of Disney resort recreation? Have you ever made a visit to Walt Disney World without going into the parks?