What to do on your rest Day - Walt Disney World Edition

If you are going to Disney World, you are taking a vacation. People usually take vacations so they can rest and recharge from the every day hustle and bustle of their lives. Well a Disney World vacation is not what you consider a relaxing vacation. Early mornings, late nights, a lot of steps, and a lot of mental work to maximize your trip.

It doesn’t always give you the relaxing feeling you want when you take a vacation. That’s why the number one thing we recommend to all our clients is adding in a rest day for your vacation. What will you do on your rest day to relax? I’m glad you asked.

Pool Time

This is an easy one. You are down in the beautiful climate and weather of Florida. Outside of our January visits, the weather is basically always pool weather.

What says vacation more than relaxing by the pool? Oh, maybe lunch poolside? Maybe have a drink in your hand? Yes, all of this is possible, and it will really help recharge your batteries.

Resort Exploring

After you have had your fill of pool time, take a stroll around and explore your resort. Disney does a great job of theming those resorts, and you are paying a good amount for that resort, why not see everything there is to see.

Sometimes it is finding cool statues and Disney touches. Sometimes it is finding fun activities like marshmallow roasting, movie nights, or even fishing.

There is so much more to Disney resorts than just a room and their restaurants. Take the time to explore and enjoy them.

Resort Hopping

No need to just explore your own resort on your rest day. There are so many great resorts out there, and they are open for you to explore.

BE AWARE:
1) You cannot pool hop from resort to resort.
2) You cannot drive to a resort that you don’t have a reservation at (room or dining)

But don’t fret. Disney has you covered with their very own transportation, and many resorts are within walking distance of one another.

Craving the need to hop on a ride? The Monorail and Skyliner can fill that need, give you a great view, and keep you hopping from resort to resort. Want to see something cool and unique? Head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge, grab some zebra domes or a Nala brownie, and stroll to the observation areas to watch the animals roam about the savanna. There is nothing cooler than waking up, walking out on your balcony and see it from your room. However, this is a great alternative if you are staying somewhere else.

During different times of year, you might see special decorations that are season specific (Easter, Halloween, Christmas, etc.). They also are constantly changing up various snacks, especially the resort specific treats. No reason to hold back there. Calories don’t count at Disney (or is it I don’t count calories at Disney?).

But if snacks aren’t your thing…

Character Meals and Specialty Restaurants

You can always check out and visit the specialty restaurants and character meals happening outside of the parks. Our personal favorite is the character breakfast over at Topolino’s Terrace, located on the top floor of the Riviera Resort. That isn’t all though.

Chef Mickey’s - The Contemporary Resort
Cape May Cafe - Beach Club Resort
O’hana - Polynesian Village Resort
Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Wilderness Lodge
1900 Park Fare - Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (not available currently)

This doesn’t even come close to listing the number of unique dining options throughout the resorts for breakfast lunch and dinner.

For those that don’t know. Disney isn’t just hot dogs, popcorn, mickey shaped treats, and dole whips. These resorts also feature some of the best restaurants in the world. Check out this list below of signature restaurants located within the resorts.

California Grill - The Contemporary Resort
Citricos - Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Flying Fish - BoardWalk Resort
Il Mulino - Swan Resort
Jiko - Animal Kingdom Lodge
Narcoossee’s - Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Shula’s Steak House - Dolphin Resort
Yachtsman Steakhouse - Yacht Club Resort

No list of Disney’s best dining options would be complete though without a mention of Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

“Winner of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award every year since 2000 and the Forbes Travel Guide
Five-Star Award, Victoria & Albert’s is the premiere restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort. Here, you can delight in contemporary American cuisine, splendid wine and zero-proof pairings, and personalized service—
all amid a setting of uncompromised elegance.”

And that is just a taste of your resort dining options.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs is hard to describe. Many people would say, it is a place at Disney where you can go shopping. A lot of people would also say, it is a place at Disney with a ton of great restaurants. However, it is both, and so much more than that.

They may have shops and restaurants, but they also have a bowling alley, a movie theater, and a Cirque du Soleil show. This may come as a shock to you, but Disney Springs features the largest Disney store in the world, apetaly named “World of Disney.”

But wait, there’s more. Live music and performances, an art walk, and even a Christmas tree stroll. Even the kids will enjoy the marketplace train ride, the carousel, and splash pad on those hot Florida days. If that doesn’t do it, they can load up on sugar at the M&M Store, Coca-Cola Store, or any of the various sweet shops around Disney Springs.

Oh, did I forget to mention the iconic Disney Springs hot air balloon that anyone can ride?

And if you want to get back to your resort hopping while you are at Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs Resort and Old Key West Resort are right there. However, our family’s favorite thing to do, is to take the boat from Disney Springs back to Port Orleans-French Quarter Resort, and enjoy some hot, fresh Mickey beignets.

Putt-Putt, Golf, and Foot Golf

I don’t speak on this from personal experience, but I can tell you, that for anyone looking to play a little golf Disney has you covered. There are three 18-hole golf courses located at Walt Disney World. Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista. These courses vary in level of difficulty, so anyone, at any skill level can enjoy them.

18-holes too much, head over to Oak Trail Golf Course where you can enjoy a 9-hole golf course. Or, to mix it up, try out a 9-hole foot golf course.

Of course, if you are like me, and the only kind of golf you are interested in is golf with over the top theming and outrageous obstacles. You are in luck because there is not one, but two miniature golf courses. Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens each off two different 18-hole putt-putt courses, and both feature their own unique theming. Either is great for taking time to slow down on your Disney vacation.

Conclusion

There is so much to do at Walt Disney World. Honestly, if you don’t take a rest day, you are not only going to exhaust yourself when you get home, you are missing out on a ton of great stuff. So the next time you book your Walt Disney World vacation, trust us when we say, you need a rest day.