You Can Visit Disney World Without Paying for Theme Park Tickets – Here’s How

Visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth is a dream come true! The first thing that likely comes to mind for many is a hug from Mickey Mouse, photos in front of Cinderella Castle, and drinking around the World Showcase at EPCOT. But have you ever spent an entire week at Walt Disney World Resort WITHOUT entering any Parks? We did… and here’s how it went.

First Things First

Here at Disney Dining, we are Disney regulars. We regularly visit Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. We’re Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, and former Disney cast members. 

If this is your first time visiting Walt Disney World Resort, or you only visit sporadically, we don’t recommend spending a week without buying tickets to the theme parks. For the newbies, we always recommend enjoying the attractions and experiences at all four Disney parks, spending an evening shopping and dining at Disney Springs, and making time to visit Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.

Stay at a Disney Resort

It’s pretty impossible to call it a Walt Disney World Resort vacation if you’re not staying at a Disney Resort AND not entering the Disney parks. Staying at one of the many Disney Resort hotels is a must-do.

If possible, we recommend splitting your stay between several Disney Resort hotels to experience the different Disney theming of each location. For Disney Dining’s week without the parks, we stayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

Pack for Family Fun

It’s still possible to visit Walt Disney World Resort without buying theme park tickets, even if your party includes children. Prepare for your no-park visit by packing some family fun essentials.

If it’s within the budget, get a Disney Resort hotel room with a small kitchen. You can have groceries delivered (or rent a car and go shopping), cook, or even bake as a family.

If you have room in your luggage, try bringing some Disney-themed board games from home, such as Disney Clue, Disney Life, Disney Apples to Apples, and Disney Trivia games. Of course, non-Disney-inspired games can make your packing list, including cards, Uno, chess, checkers, and more. Some Disney Resort hotel gift shops even sell games! 

Books, coloring books, playdough, and all the extras are also welcome! Plan to pack the items you may not enjoy as often at home during the everyday rushes of life.

Try the Extras

The best thing about staying out of the Parks is experiencing all the little extras Walt Disney World Resort has to offer. Disney guests are often so wrapped up in park planning that they miss some of the best experiences on the property.

A no-park Disney vacation allows time to go horseback riding at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground. While you’re there, enjoy a dinner show at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

Rent a boat and cruise around Crescent Lake near EPCOT or The Seven Seas Lagoon outside Magic Kingdom. Even better, splurge on a fireworks cruise for a uniquely Disney experience. Try one of Disney’s putt-putt courses: Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf or Winter Summerland Miniature Golf.

Take time to do the Disney Skyliner Crawl and Monorail Crawl to check out the many different Disney Resorts and all they have to offer, with bites and sips at each hotel. Visiting during the holidays is the best, because you can Resort Hop to see all the different Christmas trees and try festive treats. Plus, visiting the many Disney Resort gingerbread houses is a must-do.

Just Steps from Your Room

At Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney Dining enjoyed all the hotel had to offer.

Golfing, riding a surrey bike, participating in trivia by the pool, playing shuffleboard, ping pong, volleyball, and tennis, climbing around on the playground, making crafts in the Community Hall, making s’mores around the campfire, and watching the Movie Under the Stars are all just part of the no-park experience.

Still, See Characters

That’s right! Just because you’re not visiting the Disney parks doesn’t mean you can give a good squeeze to Mickey Mouse.

Make a character dining reservation at Resort Hotel restaurants such as Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, ‘Ohana’s breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Topolino’s Terrace breakfast at Disney’s Riviera Resort.

No dining reservation? No problem! Keep an eye out in your Disney Resort lobby; sometimes, Disney characters make surprise appearances throughout the day! 

Dine Around the Property

Some of the best food at Walt Disney World Resort is not in the parks. Some of Disney Dining’s favorite restaurants are located at Disney Resort hotels!

You can make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance! Disney Dining recommends trying Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West, Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort.

Visit Disney Springs

Feel the need to be among the Disney crowds? Drop by for a visit at Disney Springs to experience endless food, merchandise, and entertainment.

Check out unique experiences that you may not usually slow down for, such as the Aerophile Balloon, bowling at Splitsville, watching a movie at AMC DINE-IN Disney Springs 24, Build-A-Dino at T-Rex Restaurant, or seeing the impressive Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil.

While staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney Dining traveled by boat to and from Disney Springs. No boat transportation? Disney Resort buses take guests to and from Disney Springs with ease.

Tricky Transportation

One of the trickiest parts about Disney Resort hopping is getting from one hotel to another. Disney Resort hotels have transportation to and from Disney Resorts and theme parks, but not typically from one hotel to another.

For example, if guests are staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort but want to dine at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, they will need to take a bus from Old Key West to Magic Kingdom Park, then ride the Monorail or walk over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

There are a few tricks to accessing each Disney Resort, but it does take some bus hopping to make it work. Additionally, if you have your own vehicle, you’ll likely need a dining reservation to drive to another Disney Resort to park your car.

For example, during the holiday season, Disney Dining was not allowed to drive our car from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to park at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort without a dining reservation. Disney does this to cut out those who may be attempting to skip the Magic Kingdom parking lot hassle and to ensure there are plenty of parking spaces for guests staying at the Disney Resort hotel.

Be sure to look at transportation options before visiting any Disney Resort. Disney cast members are also readily available to help with transportation questions.

Water Park Fun

Every Disney Resort hotel reservation includes free access to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park on check-in day. Arrive early, drop off your bags at bell services, and enjoy a rare complimentary perk at Walt Disney World Resort!

If you split your stay between two Disney Resort hotels, you’ll get two days of free water park access: perfect for a week without tickets to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!

The Most Relaxing Disney Vacation

Honestly, we can’t say you won’t miss the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks! But, without thinking about waking up for rope drop, buying Lightning Lane, or navigating the crowds… this no-park vacation might be the most relaxing you’ve ever had.

Have you visited Walt Disney World Resort without visiting the four theme parks? Share your tips with Disney Dining in the comments!