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Home » What to Do Outside Disney Parks (Shopping, Recreation, Cruises & More)

What to Do Outside Disney Parks (Shopping, Recreation, Cruises & More)

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This is one of the Military Disney Tips Topic Overview Pages. These pages gather helpful posts and planning guides on one subject so you can quickly find the information you need.

This guide focuses on Disney and Universal lodging options most commonly used by military families, including Walt Disney World Resorts, Shades of Green, and Universal Orlando hotels.

Check out all of our other Topic Overview Pages:

Last updated: March 2026. This overview page is periodically reviewed to keep outside-the-parks activities and military discount information accurate for travelers.

Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Studios – What to Do Outside the Theme Parks

There is far more to a Disney or Universal vacation than just the rides. Shopping districts, restaurants, tours, golf, entertainment, and even cruises can all be part of a well-rounded trip.

This page gathers the best Military Disney Tips resources for activities outside the theme parks, including entertainment districts, recreation options, off-property activities, and Disney Cruise Line. You’ll also find links to posts that highlight military discounts whenever they are available.

Use the sections below to explore ideas for filling rest days, evening entertainment, or extra vacation days before or after your park visits.


Disney Springs Shopping

Shopping and Entertainment Areas

Each Disney destination has its own lively entertainment district filled with restaurants, shops, and live entertainment. These areas are great places to spend an evening outside the parks.

  • Disney Springs – Walt Disney World’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district
  • Downtown Disney – Disneyland Resort’s outdoor entertainment area

Disney itself does not offer military discounts on merchandise inside the parks, resorts, or shopping districts. However, several individual merchants do offer discounts.

Need a dining plan while you’re exploring? See our Disney Advance Dining Reservations Ultimate Guide.

Need Help Planning Your Disney Vacation?

Disney military discounts can save families a lot of money, but figuring out tickets, eligibility, resorts, Lightning Lane strategies, and transportation can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s why Military Disney Tips recommends The Mouse Experts Military Disney Vacation Specialists.

The Mouse Experts is a military-family owned and operated Disney-specializing travel agency that has partnered with Military Disney Tips for over 17 years. Their agents personally use the same military discounts that you do and understand the unique challenges military families face when planning Disney vacations.

  • Experienced with Disney military discounts and eligibility rules
  • Military-family owned and operated
  • Same Disney pricing as booking directly with Disney
  • Additional planning assistance available for guests wanting more personalized help
  • Can help reduce stress, save time, and avoid common planning mistakes

Over 27,000 Military Disney Tips readers have contacted The Mouse Experts over the years for help planning their Disney vacations.

Recreation

Beyond rides and attractions, both Disney and Universal offer a surprising number of recreational activities that can add variety to your trip.

Off Disney Property

If you want to explore more of the Orlando area, there are many attractions within a short drive of Walt Disney World.

Disney Cruise Line

If your Disney vacation extends beyond the parks, Disney Cruise Line often offers some of the best military travel deals available.

For additional cruise coverage visit our partner site Picture the Magic.

Back to tickets: Military Discount Theme Park Tickets

Where will you stay? Hotel & Resort Overview

Eat while you’re out: Disney Dining Overview

Getting there: Disney Transportation Overview

Tech makes it easier: Disney Technology Overview

This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.

Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.

Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook

Planning a Disney Vacation?

Military Disney discounts can save families a significant amount of money, but figuring out eligibility, tickets, resorts, transportation, and Lightning Lane strategies can get confusing quickly. These guides are a great place to start.

More Planning Resources: