When you think of Disney World, your mind may instantly conjure images of enchanting castles, thrilling roller coasters, and beloved characters in the theme parks. But did you know there’s so much more to experience beyond the parks? Even without a park ticket, Disney World offers a wealth of magical adventures waiting to be explored. Keep reading to find out some things to do at Disney World without a park ticket.

Here are some things to do at Disney World without a Park Ticket:

On your next visit to Disney, you might want to find some fun activities to do outside of the theme parks. Sometimes the parks can be overwhelming and breaking up your trip can be helpful for everyone, or maybe you’ve been a million times and are looking for a new experience. Hopefully, these ideas can help you create some special memories outside of the Disney parks. 

Visit Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a shopping, dining, and entertainment district located just outside of the theme parks. There are over 150 stores, restaurants, and bars to explore, as well as live entertainment, movies, and more. Disney Springs is perfect to visit on your arrival day, especially if you’re staying at a nearby resort. You can take Disney transportation from your resort or, if you have your own vehicle, there are free parking garages available. You won’t need a theme park ticket to visit Disney Springs, but some of the entertainment and activities may have a fee. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere and discover an array of unique merchandise, from Disney-themed souvenirs to high-end fashion. Don’t miss out on the impressive dining options, including celebrity chef-owned restaurants, and fun treats.

Play Mini Golf

If you are looking for something fun to do that doesn’t require a theme park ticket, mini golf is a great option. Walt Disney World has two amazing mini golf courses for all ages. Both courses are located near Disney Springs, so you can kill two birds with one stone by playing mini-golf and exploring Disney Springs!

The two mini-golf courses at Disney Springs are the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course and the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. They are both great courses that offer a unique Disney experience. Some vacation packages include mini golf tickets, so be sure to check with your travel agent to see if your booking will receive them. If your package doesn’t include these tickets, they are $14 for adults or $12 for kids ages 3-9.

Spend Time on the BoardWalk

Disney’s Boardwalk is another great place to explore without using a park ticket. It’s an enchanting promenade just steps away from Epcot. The BoardWalk is full of old-fashioned charm and lively entertainment. It’s a beautiful area that has tons of shops and restaurants. You can start your day with a delicious breakfast from the BoardWalk Bakery or have a romantic dinner at Trattoria al Forno. There are also fun activities like carnival games, Surrey bike rentals, and gorgeous views of the water. The nighttime entertainment offerings are a unique highlight; you can visit Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar, or the Atlantic Dance Hall. You can also find fun activities for kids, like a Disney movie under the stars on the lawn outside of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn on select nights.

Explore Your Resort (Or Others Nearby)

Walt Disney World resorts are more than just buildings full of rooms. Even the Value resorts have things to explore, special treats to try, great photo ops, pools, and more. You’ll find the most activities to check out at the Deluxe resorts. If you’ve never been resort hopping on your Disney vacation, I highly recommend it!

Depending on which resort you’re staying at and the available transportation, you can find the easiest resorts to explore. If you’re staying on the Monorail or Skyliner, the other resorts on the track will be super easy to stop in to visit. Animal Kingdom Lodge has a delicious buffet, Boma, that is perfect to get a great breakfast and then head outside to look for the animals out on the savannah. You could visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness to see the horses at the stables or even do some horseback riding or archery. Many resorts also have fire pits in the evenings and you can purchase supplies to make your own s’mores…yum!

There are so many fun things to do at Disney outside of the theme parks. These options are great for arrival and departure days or when you need a little break from the parks. If you feel like you have been to Disney quite a bit, these might be some great new experiences for you to check out!

Are you dreaming of a magical vacation to Walt Disney World in 2024? If so, you’re in luck! There are a number of exciting new updates coming to the theme parks next year. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect.

Walt Disney World 2024 Vacation Packages Available May 31, 2023

Bookings for Walt Disney World 2024 vacation packages will open on May 31, 2023. Be sure to book early to get the best rates and availability.

Theme Park Reservation Requirements Removed for Date-Based Tickets

Starting on January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. This means that you’ll be able to visit the parks on the days that you want, without having to worry about making a reservation in advance. This means you can be more spontaneous with your plans and make the most of your time at Walt Disney World.

This change is a welcome relief for many guests, who have found it difficult to get reservations for popular dates in the past. It also makes it easier for guests to have more flexibility on their vacations, as they don’t have to worry about making reservations months in advance.

However, non-dated tickets, like Annual Passes, will still require theme park reservations for most days.

“Good to Go” Days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members

Disney Annual Passholders and Cast Members will continue to enjoy “Good to Go” days, which are days when they can visit the parks without making a park reservation. These days will vary by park, so be sure to check the Disney website for more information as dates are released. A start date has not yet been announced.

This will also be in addition to the recent update which allows Annual Passholders the opportunity to visit the theme parks after 2:00 pm without a park pass reservation, except for Saturdays and Sundays at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Dining Plans are Coming Back

The popular dining plan, which allows guests to pre-pay for their meals and snacks at the parks, will be returning in 2024. This can be a great way to save money and time, especially if you’re planning a long trip. Beginning May 31st, you can add the Disney Dining Plan to vacation packages that include a Disney Resort hotel stay with arrivals on, or after, January 9, 2024. You will be able to choose between two options:

• Disney Quick Service Dining Plan – Everyone in your party over the age of 3 will receive 2 Quick Service meals per night, 1 Snack or Non-alcoholic Drink per night, and 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug.
• Disney Dining Plan – Everyone in your party over the age of 3 will receive 1 Table Service meal per night, 1 Quick Service meal per night, 1 Snack or Non-alcoholic Drink per night, and 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug.

The number of meals is based on the number of nights booked in your vacation package. You are able to redeem your meals at any time during your vacation.

The biggest benefit of the dining plan is that your meals (at least most) are paid for ahead of time. It helps with budgeting for your trip and you are able to make payments on your vacation package as a whole up until 30 days before check-in.

Early Theme Park Entry and Deluxe Extended Evening Hours Will Continue

Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to enjoy early theme park entry for visits through 2024. All guests staying a Disney resort hotel are able to enter any of the theme parks 30 minutes prior to opening to the general public. This is a great way to get ahead of the crowds and experience your favorite attractions with shorter lines.

Deluxe Resort hotel guests will also continue to enjoy extended evening hours at select parks on select nights. They will be able to stay in the parks late for extra fun and super short lines! The Extended Evening hours are absolutely worth it if they fall during your visit and you are staying at a qualifying resort.

Simplified Genie+ Experience

Genie+ is a paid service that allows guests to skip the lines for select attractions. The service is expected to be simplified in 2024, making it easier for guests to use. Exact details have not been released yet, but Disney has said that they hope to introduce ways to plan with Genie+ prior to arriving for your vacation which would be wonderful. You will be able to spend less time planning while in the park and more time enjoying your visit!

These are just a few of the exciting updates coming to Walt Disney World in 2024. Be sure to start planning your vacation today! If you would like my help as a travel agent, and at no cost to you, please fill out my quote form and I will be in touch.

Are you heading to Disney in the upcoming year? You may be curious about what’s coming to the Disney Parks in the future. Well, there are quite a few things happening in all of the parks this coming year! Whether you’re ready for a new ride to release or you want to do a little celebrating to honor Disney, this is the year to do it! Find out ​​what’s coming to Disney World in 2023!

Rosa Mexicano Opening at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels

Replacing the Fresh Mediterranean Market at Disney’s Dolphin Hotel, this new restaurant will feature a bar and seating area with a Mexican flair. Rosa Mexicano opens on March 19, 2023. The restaurant will feature a breakfast buffet and a la carte items for morning guests and table service for lunch and dinner. Bring on the margaritas!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant in Hollywood Studios

Something new and exciting that’s coming to Walt Disney World is the Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. This restaurant will open on March 23, 2023. This restaurant is going to be ​​a  table service restaurant and is sure to be popular. Be sure to grab your reservations early! As you enter the restaurant, you’ll be an honorary toy. The restaurant will be located right behind the large Woody statue as you enter Toy Story Land. This sit down restaurant will give families something to do while in Toy Story Land and it will be a great place to grab a bite of BBQ. The menu looks great!

Happily Ever After Fireworks Show in Magic Kingdom

One thing I am super excited for is the return of the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show in Magic Kingdom. Enchantment will end and Happily Ever After will be back starting April 3, 2023. From the immersive soundtrack to the stunning projections – this nighttime spectacular is sure to move you, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

TRON Lightcycle/ Run in Magic Kingdom

TRON Lightcycle/Run will finally open on April 4, 2023. I had the pleasure of riding it during a Passholder Preview and let me tell you, my adrenaline was pumping with every curve! While the daytime ride is thrilling, I can only imagine the beauty of cruising beneath the canopy of lights at night. Ready to experience the magic for yourself? Head over to my blog post What You Need to Know About TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom to learn all the details about how to ride this new Disney attraction. Suit up, strap in, and get ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure!

Animal Kingdom’s 25th Birthday Celebration

Animal Kingdom will be celebrating 25 years on Earth Day, April 22, 2023. There will be new ways to join in the celebration including new sweet and savory treats, specialty merchandise, and limited-time character sightings in the park. There will be more surprises on April 22, when the park officially turns 25. More details to come!

New Character Meet and Greets Coming to the Parks

Beginning on Animal Kingdom’s 25th Birthday (April 22, 2023) Moana, from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film, will greet voyagers on Discovery Island for the first time. She has only done meet and greets during the seasonal parties at Magic Kingdom previously. This will definitely be a popular character meeting!

Mirabel from Disney Animation’s Academy Award-winning film “Encanto” will greet guests in the Fairytale Garden at Magic Kingdom, which will be transformed with whimsical décor inspired by la Familia Madrigal. The Fairytale Garden is where Merida from Brave has been meeting guests to the right of Cinderella’s Castle.

Later this summer, you will have the chance to hug long-time Epcot icon, Figment, at the Imagination! pavilion.

Epcot Transformation Completed

If you’ve been to Epcot recently, you’ve likely seen all of the progress happening around World Celebration and World Nature. It will all be completed later this year!

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will debut in the fall of 2023 in World Nature. This is self-guided exploration trail that will take you through the natural water cycle.

When CommuniCore Hall opens in World Celebration later this year, it will be the center of festival programming throughout the park. You’ll also be able to meet Mickey Mouse and some of his besties in this colorful space.

Celebrate Disney100 at Walt Disney World

Epcot will host the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World to commemorate this monumental milestone later this year. As we honor the legacy of Disney storytelling and unforgettable characters that have entertained and inspired people of all ages for a century, now is the time to relive those beloved Disney memories and delight in making new memories with friends and family in the Disney theme parks. You will be able to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their gorgeous platinum attire, there will be a platinum sculpture of the one who started it all, and Spaceship Earth will be illuminated in the evenings with a special lighting design.

A new nighttime spectacular will also debut at Epcot later this year. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.

New Additions Coming to Disney Springs

A stunning new restaurant will open at Disney Springs in late 2023. Summer House on the Lake embodies a breezy, beach house vibe. Enjoy a California-inspired menu featuring simple, sustainable ingredients – from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches.

An all-new Corkcicle kiosk is coming to Disney Springs. Their obsession-worthy, high-performing insulated drinkware, coolers and accessories are available in a variety of gorgeous colors and they also have some Disney pieces in their lineup. This kiosk will be Corkcicle’s first-ever retail location and will open later this spring.

The Cake Bake Shop Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk

Slated to arrive at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023, The Cake Bake Shop will be open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. They will have a grab-and-go case of treats, afternoon tea service, and table service dining options. The Cake Bake Shop will be in the location of the former ESPN Club and I’m sure it will look like it’s straight out of a fairytale. The original Cake Bake Shop is located in Carmel, Indiana so be sure to check it out to get an idea of what is coming to Orlando.

Other Events at Walt Disney World 2023

• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2023
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2023
• Epcot International Festival of Holidays 2023
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023

What are you most excited about for what’s coming to Disney World in 2023? So many great new options, right? I really can’t wait to see a completed Epcot. It is my favorite park and I will be glad to see all of the construction finally complete!

Have you ever heard about the Hidden Mickeys inside of the Disney parks? Have you wondered what a Hidden Mickey is? Hidden Mickeys are Mickey Mouse shaped designs (a circle for the head with two smaller circles for ears) that have been intentionally or accidentally left for guests to find throughout the Disney theme parks.

What is a Hidden Mickey?

Hidden Mickeys are small images or representations of Mickey Mouse that are subtly hidden throughout Disney World attractions, resorts, and parks for guests to discover as a fun scavenger hunt. They can be found in various forms such as in paintings, sculptures, and even in the shape of objects. Many are large and obvious but there are some that are small and more difficult to spot.

Hidden Mickeys are not just inside of the Disney parks though, you can also find them in Disney movies, on the Disney cruise ships, and even at the resorts or in seasonal decorations. Some Hidden Mickeys are left intentionally by the Imagineers for others to find, and others just happen coincidentally. There are Hidden Mickeys at both Disneyland and at Walt Disney World. 

Hidden Mickeys are just another way to add to the fun of the Disney experience. There are over 1,000 hidden throughout the Most Magical Place on Earth! The number of Hidden Mickeys in any of the parks, restaurants, resorts, and attractions is always changing. This is because some of the Hidden Mickeys are part of the seasonal decorations at special times of the year. Here are some fun facts about Hidden Mickeys that you might not know about.

How did Hidden Mickeys start? 

The concept of Hidden Mickeys started as a fun game among Disney Imagineers to hide Mickey Mouse silhouettes in various locations throughout Disney parks and attractions. It later became a popular phenomenon among Disney fans and visitors who enjoy finding these subtle nods to the iconic character.

Hidden Mickeys first began with the construction of the Epcot theme park. Mickey Mouse was the prominent theme of the Magic Kingdom, but there was no plan when construction began to have characters as a part of Epcot, so the Imagineers took it upon themselves to leave hidden Mickeys throughout the park. When expansion continued in the Magic Kingdom and other parks were built, the tradition of hidden Mickeys continued. 

What are Hidden Mickey Pins? 

Hidden Mickey pins (formerly known as Cast Lanyard Pins) are pins that cast members can exchange with guests. The back stamp is silver and indicates that the pin is a Hidden Mickey Pin, and how many pins are in that particular collection i.e.. one of five. 

The front of the pin will have a small Mickey hidden in the artwork. Note that Hidden Mickey Pins are not considered limited edition pins, and besides exchanging them you can find them to purchase as part of the Hidden Mickey Mystery Pouches in the Disney gift shops.

What are some of the most popular Hidden Mickeys at Disney World?

Here are some spots to look for some of the most popular Hidden Mickeys at Disney World. No specific details, so you’ll have to hunt on your own but that’s part of the fun!

• Haunted Mansion – Magic Kingdom
• Soarin’ – Epcot
• Living with the Land – Epcot
• Morocco – Epcot
• Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico – Epcot
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Hollywood Studios
• Toy Story Midway Mania – Hollywood Studios

Hidden Mickeys are so popular that there is even a book written all about them by Steven M. Barrett. The book is called Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide and there is a version for both Disneyland and Disney World, the books are paperback so you can take them with you to the parks and see how many hidden Mickeys you can find. 

The next time you find yourself at a Disney park or resort make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Hidden Mickeys! If you are having trouble locating a specific Hidden Mickey be sure to ask a cast member, they are happy to help if they know where it is. Where is your favorite place to search for Hidden Mickeys?