Disney World Water Parks, Tours & More

LAST UPDATE: 11/29/23

If you buy a multi-day ticket to the Walt Disney World theme parks and stay for a week or less, you’ll probably find that you can’t begin to explore all the entertainment options that are INCLUDED in the park passes, between the rides, parades, fireworks, and a zillion other Disney World activities.

However, the time may come when you’ll want to get out of the Disney theme parks and do something different, like riding the wild slides at Disney’s water parks, spending an evening at Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life, taking a backstage tour, getting a relaxing massage at one of the Disney spas, playing a round of golf on one of Disney’s award-winning courses, or enjoying any of the dozens of other Disney World attractions.

Naturally, Disney has plenty of ways to separate you from your money if you want to enjoy these extras. There are some discounts, deals and bargains available for almost every activity you can name, however, and we’ve gathered them in one place here! Disney World vacation packages include discounts and vouchers for some of the activities on this page as well. Check our Disney Resort Hotel vacation package details page to see the current discounts that are included with a vacation package.

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Special Events

We have an extensive MouseSavers page with information about seasonal and special events at Walt Disney World, many of which are included in the price of admission. Whether you want information about the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, that is the place to check!

If an additional cost is required to attend the event, we list any available discounts.

Water Parks

There are currently two Disney water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both are wonderfully themed and have great water slides as well as quieter areas to just float. Standard water park tickets are valid at both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, and if both are open you can visit both on the same day with one ticket.

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Tickets That Include Water Park Admission

Water Park Ticket Discounts

Other Water Park Deals

Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life

Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future. This show is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and will feature acrobatic performances, amazing costumes, live music and whimsical characters.

While it’s expensive, most people (including us) find Cirque du Soleil shows well worth the price. 

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Regular Cirque du Soleil Prices and Info

Our main comment would be that there are NO horrible seats in this theater. It’s not super-critical to be centered to the stage with a Cirque du Soleil show, because a lot of the show will take place in the air and there often a lot going on — if you miss something on one section of the stage, there’s generally plenty of other activity on another part of the stage to watch! We think the big decision is whether you want to be super close (to see the performers’ faces) or further up (so you’re not craning your neck to watch the aerial acts).

When we go to a Cirque Du Soleil show, we typically try to get seats towards the center of the auditorium, between 1/3 to 2/3 of the way back. But we have been far back on one side, and we have been all the way in the front row. Each offered a different experience, but not necessarily worse overall. The theater just isn’t that big, and you still get a good view of the stage from the very back row. So if you want to save the most money, get the cheapest tickets, usually in the back corners; the show will still be very enjoyable. If you want the most in-your-face experience where you can clearly see all the performers up close and every bead of sweat, get the closest tickets you can (and prepare to pay top dollar). For us, the best balance is somewhere in the middle.

There are 4 categories of seats – each represented by a color. If you want good seats, focus on the Blue or Pink sections. If you want to see the show but you’re on a tight budget, go ahead and book the Brown section. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Please note: All tickets have a minimum “service charge” of $9.95 per ticket and sales tax of 6.5% added prior to checkout.

Cirque du Soleil Discounts

There are sometimes discounts to to the Disney Springs Cirque du Soleil show for Disney World Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Cirque Club members (FREE to join). When those are available we will post them here.

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Family Four Pack Coupon

Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2024 includes a coupon for 4 specially priced adult tickets to select performances of Drawn to Life. Offer valid for Wednesday and Thursday performances September 6, 2023 through December 12, 2024 for seat categories C3 and C4. (Blockout dates are March 18 – April 7 and November 25 – December 1, 2024.) 

Please note: there are no performances scheduled for January 8-14, May 6-19 and September 9-15, 2024. 

Limit of 8 tickets (2 sets of 4) per customer, per coupon. Tickets must be purchased with the coupon at the Drawn to Life box office at Disney Springs. 

Coupon expires 12/12/24.

Discounted Cirque du Soleil Prix-fixe Dining Offer

If you’d like to eat in Disney Springs either before or after your Cirque du Soleil performance, you can take advantage of a discounted prix-fixe meal at one of 13 different restaurants at Disney Springs. Meals are priced at either $45 or $65 per person (plus tax and tip), depending on the restaurant. You do get a lot of food, generally either a 3-course or 4-course meal with appetizer, entrée and dessert (plus an extra salad or other appetizer with the 4-course meals). If you ordered the same items a la carte, you would almost certainly spend at least $10-$20 more.

The restaurants below offer a $45 meal (plus tax & tip):

The restaurants below offer a $65 meal (plus tax & tip):

To book, you must first buy Cirque du Soleil tickets normally, then call (407) 587-5981 between 10 am and 10 pm Eastern to reserve the restaurant. You must schedule your meal either 2.5 hours before or 2 hours after the Cirque showtime. When you arrive at the restaurant, request the “Animated Evening” menu.

Aerophile Balloon Flight

A tethered gas balloon rises 300 feet above Disney Springs. The balloon’s 19-foot diameter gondola can hold up to 29 passengers and a pilot. Participants hover for 8 to 10 minutes while enjoying a breathtaking ride and a 360-degree view of Walt Disney World.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Please note: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Magic Kingdom is open. The Grand Floridian and Disney Springs locations will reopen at a later date.

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is owned by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother herself and operated by her wand-toting Godmothers-in-Training. Children ages 3 – 12 can choose a hairstyle then add makeup, nail color and accessories, and even a Disney Princess costume. There are a variety of Princess packages as well as a Knight Package and Deluxe Knight Package.

There are three locations for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: in Disney Springs Marketplace; in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; and in the Magic Kingdom inside Cinderella Castle. Please note: if you have an appointment at the Magic Kingdom location between now and January 8, 2024, valid admission and a theme park reservation are required. Starting January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will not be required at Walt Disney World for guests with regular tickets (i.e. date-based tickets).

Boating, Water Sports & Biking

There are several types of boats available to rent at Disney World. Pontoon rentals are available daily (weather permitting) at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort and Yacht Club. Kayaks and canoes can be rented from the Bike Barn at the Fort Wilderness Campground. No reservations are needed; it’s first-come, first-served.

You can rent bicycles at At Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Helmets and child seats are provided. At Boardwalk, Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and Port Orleans, you can rent “surrey bikes” which are like small covered pedal cars for 2, 4 or 6 people. You do not need to be staying at the resort to rent bicycles or surrey bikes. All of the resorts have designated loops you are allowed to bike on (though you’re welcome to stop along the way and take a break or look at the scenery). No reservations are needed; it’s first-come, first-served.

Bowling at Splitsville

Splitsville is a luxury bowling alley with great food, located in Disney Springs. They also have live bands performing every Saturday night. There is no cover charge.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex 

The ESPN Wide World of Sports hosts over 60 sports and thousands of events for athletes of all ages and skill levels. This is actually a very nice complex to see sporting events, and they host many different amateur sports events pretty much year-round. There is an admission fee to enter the complex, but there’s not much to see or do unless there’s a game going on, and nearly any game will have its own admission tickets which include admission to the complex.

Fishing

Guided catch-and-release fishing excursions are available at Caribbean Beach, Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Polynesian Village, Port Orleans – Riverside, Wilderness Lodge and the Yacht Club. No experience is required and the fishing equipment is provided. There are 2-hour and 4-hour excursions. For reservations, call (407) WDW-FISH (939-3474).

Shoreside catch-and-release fishing is available at Walt Disney World at Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. You can rent casting-rod fishing gear at Fishin’ Hole at Ol’ Man Island at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and the Bike Barn at Fort Wilderness.

Golf

Disney operates three championship golf courses (Lake Buena Vista, Magnolia and Palm) plus a 9-hole family walking course (Oak Trail). Oak Trail can also be booked for an 18-hole game of FootGolf. Advance reservations are required. To book a round of golf or for more information about any of the special offers below, visit golfwdw.com or call (407) WDW-GOLF (939-4653). The Walt Disney World Golf Blog, written by Marc Schwartz, can now be found on the Walt Disney World Golf site.

Store Your Clubs by Owner’s Locker

Store Your Clubs by Owner's LockerIf you are a frequent golfer at Walt Disney World and the surrounding area, consider using Store Your Clubs by Owner’s Locker. It’s a new service from a very reliable company we’ve been recommending for years, Owner’s Locker.

With Store Your Clubs by Owner’s Locker, you won’t have to haul a set of golf clubs back and forth, ship them or pay extra baggage fees to the airlines. The service will pick up your clubs from your resort as you depart at the end of your vacation, keep them in a climate controlled warehouse and have them waiting for you at your resort when you return!

Miniature Golf

Disney operates two miniature golf courses: Winter Summerland, located near Blizzard Beach Water Park, and Fantasia Gardens, located near the Dolphin Hotel.

Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.

Located on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom, the old-fashioned Harmony Barber Shop offers a relatively low-cost and definitely fun experience. Haircuts start at $21 for adults, $20 for kids 9 and under, and $28 for “My First Haircut” package.

You can walk up and wait your turn, though waits can take awhile at times.

You can make an appointment in advance at on the Harmony Barber Shop page or via MyDisneyExperience.

Horseback Riding and Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

There are a number of activities for horse lovers at Walt Disney World, most of them at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness.

You can walk through the stables at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch and see Cinderella’s Ponies, the horses of Main Street, U.S.A. and the Dragon Calliope—the horse-drawn musical instrument used in the Mickey Mouse Club Circus Parade at Disneyland Park in the 1950s. The Tri-Circle-D Ranch has Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, paint horses, Percherons, quarter horses and Shetland ponies.

Pony rides are offered daily at the Trail Blaze Corral at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Riders must be at least 2 years old, under 80 pounds, no taller than 48 inches and able to hold on by themselves. A parent or guardian must lead the pony at all times. There is a fee for this activity and payment must be made in cash. No reservations are required. For more information, call (407) 824-2832.

Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans – Riverside both offer a 25-minute ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The ride at Fort Wilderness takes you through a pine and cypress forest. At Port Orleans – Riverside you ride along the banks of the Sassagoula River. The carriages fit up to 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 small children. Reservations can made up to 60 days in advance.  

Guided horseback trail rides are available at Fort Wilderness, riders must be ages 9 and up, over 48 inches tall and weigh under 250 pounds. Closed-toe shoes are required. The 45-minute ride takes you through the woods surrounding Fort Wilderness. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. 

Movies

There is an AMC 24-plex movie theater in Disney Springs.

Pool Cabanas

Pool cabanas are available at the Contemporary, Beach Club, Grand Floridian and Yacht Club Resorts. They include such amenities as a flat-panel television, DVD player, digital music docking station, locking drawer for personal items, mini fridge, fruit platter, soft drinks and bottled water. (Amenities may vary by resort: ask when booking.) You’ll also receive service from a cabana attendant. To book a cabana, call (407) WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

Guests staying at any Disney Resort Hotel can book a cabana at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian Resorts, but to book a cabana at the Beach Club or Yacht Club Resort, you must be currently staying at one of those two Resorts.

Spa & Salon Treatments

Disney’s Spas

There is one full-service spa currently open at Walt Disney World: The Grand Floridian Spa. Grand Floridian Spa appointments can be made online, if you have questions you can call (407) 824-3039. The Senses Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is closed and there is no information about a reopening date. 

Most of Disney’s Deluxe hotels also offer limited massage services, fitness rooms and/or salons. Reservations are required. Please note: currently, Resort spa and salon services are available only at the Grand Floridian Spa. 

The Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin is another full-service spa option on Disney World property.

Curious about how the spas differ? Kris Borchardt compares the Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin with the Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.

Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, a non-Disney-operated hotel located on Disney property right next to several Disney resorts, has a fabulous Mandara Spa.

Magnolia Spa at Shades of Green

If you qualify to stay at the military-only Shades of Green on the Walt Disney World property, you can visit Magnolia Spa at the resort. Their prices are substantially lower than the other spas on Disney property and nearby.

Tours and Special Backstage Programs

Disney offers many interesting tours in the theme parks. Advance reservations are recommended and can be made online or via the MyDisneyExperience app. Theme park admission and a theme park reservation may be required for some tours. 

Private VIP Tours are private tours just for your group. You’ll be led around by a Host or Hostess who will tailor the tour to your interests. They can usually assist you in experiencing the attractions with minimal waits (you don’t always skip the lines, but they know which rides will have the shortest lines at which times and in many cases they are allowed to use the Lightning Lane entrance). When you set up a Private VIP Tour, you can also request restaurant reservations, special viewing areas for certain shows and parades, etc. The cost is $425-$850 per hour for up to 10 guests (varies seasonally and higher rate applies if booked less than 48 hours in advance). Private VIP tours have limited availability; it is recommended that you book 90 days in advance. There is a 7-hour minimum for this tour. Park admission is required.

To arrange a Private VIP Tour call 407-560-4033.