As an Orlando local, I have spent a lot of time at the Disney parks. While I love the theme parks and all the attractions they have to offer, Disney is unique, in my opinion, because there is so much more to experience than just the four parks. Theme park passes can come with a high price tag, especially for UCF students looking to experience some of the magic Orlando has to offer. If you’re a student or want to save a few bucks, here are some alternatives that still make for a fun day out at Disney.
- The Polynesian Beach For Fireworks
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Magic Kingdom during the fireworks can be super magical, but is it worth the hour wait for a monorail afterward? The Polynesian Village Resort has a beautiful little beach that looks out on the lagoon toward Cinderella’s Castle and has a perfect view of those fireworks each night without the crowd. The resort has speakers that play the show’s soundtrack, so you are getting almost the same immersive experience on a cute little beach with fewer people. It’s perfect for those looking for an evening time activity and, usually, the show is from 9:00-9:15 pm.
- Riverside Horse and Carriage Ride
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Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort offers magical horse and carriage rides around the resort. You’ll get to enjoy the scenery of Disney’s take on the southern charm with beautiful manor-style buildings on elegant lawns from a beautiful horse-drawn carriage. The ride is about fifteen minutes long, but if you are willing to splurge a little bit on a romantic evening, then this could be a perfect date night activity for you and your partner. Not to mention this resort has a relaxing boat commute to Disney Springs, where there is a unique dining and Disney-themed nightlife.
- Fort Wildnerness Rentals
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Fort Wilderness is a great place to spend your weekend enjoying nature while being on an amusement park’s property. There are walking trails through the resort, but my personal favorite activity is to rent a bike for the day and explore the campgrounds. The rentals for canoes and bikes are significantly cheaper than a pass and accessible to anyone who wants to enjoy Disney’s charm without suffering in the long attraction and snack lines inside the park.
- Magical Miniature Golf
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This is one of my favorite activities on Disney property. Fantasia golf has whimsical scenery and interactive holes themed to one of Disney’s artistic masterpieces, Fantasia. They have a fun and relaxing beginner’s course, or for those looking for a challenge, there’s an advanced course that absolutely lives up to its name. My personal favorite is Winter Summerland in front of Blizzard Beach. With the winter side course, it’s Christmas all year round, or you can follow Santa on his vacation by challenging the summer side of the course.
- A Walk Down the Boardwalk
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The Boardwalk is more of a hidden gem on Disney property but has so much to offer, nonetheless. There are so many cute shops with a vintage feel; my favorite food is at Trattoria al Forno, a cute little Italian restaurant with some of the best pizza on the property. While the Boardwalk may appear small at first, it connects to the Yacht and Beach Club resorts giving you one of the cutest evening walks around the lake with all the bright lights of the Boardwalk. Plus, the walk will lead you to the back entrance of Epcot if you’re trying to catch a quick view of the park’s nighttime fireworks show. This is a perfect date night idea, or if you’re just looking for a place to relax with some vintage scenery.
These are only my top spots on Disney property to experience, but there are so many more places you can find that offer a slice of the magic without park admission. Whether you are a new student to UCF looking for weekend activities in Orlando or a long-time local like me looking to experience the Walt Disney World Resort differently, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I admit, I’m a huge Disney fan, but I truly believe that this resort offers so much outside of its main parks, and you can find some affordable activities to enjoy alone or with friends.