A Perfect Day Off at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

If you’ve ever visited Walt Disney World in Florida, you know it can be a lot of fun, but it’s also an EXHAUSTING vacation. A typical day probably begins with a 6:30 a.m. wake-up call and ends with bedtime around midnight, with about 7-10 miles of walking in between! By the third or fourth day, the whole family can start feeling a bit (understandably) crabby, but I have a solution!

Add a day to your hotel stay, but don’t add a day to your park tickets, and take a Day Off in the middle of your trip!

Here’s my plan for a Perfect Day Off if you’re staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

On a Day Off, always start by sleeping in! Don’t set an alarm, and get the rest you need! You’ll wake up feeling Incredible at this resort!

Then, meet Mickey and Friends for Brunch at Chef Mickey’s. This buffet includes eggs, ham and brisket, waffles and French toast, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruits, and assorted breads. You can even have a Bellini or Mimosa to start your relaxing day! The characters will stop by your table for photos and autographs, so you’ll have some friendly Disney touches for your Day Off!

Your next stop with the kids should be The Game Station, the resort’s arcade. This is one of the largest arcades I’ve seen at Disney, and it has lots of fun games! You can use your credit card to load or recharge points onto game cards there.

Next, plan to spend some time at the pool! This pool is heated year-round, and the area features a 17-foot-high curving water slide, two whirlpool spas, and a water playground for children. Activities Staff will be on hand for games and trivia; check the activity guide in the pool area. (You may find other activities that interest you as well!) And be sure to rest your feet!

For snacks, pop over to the Sand Bar next to the pool for some burgers or (my favorite!) Mickey-shaped ice cream treats!

Or for something a little different, if pool time isn’t your thing:

  • You can rent a boat at the Contemporary Marina and cruise around the lagoon. The pontoon boats can seat up to 10 guests and cost $49 for a 30-minute rental.
  • Or book a guided catch-and-release Bass Fishing Excursion, including tackle, bait, and beverages.
  • If your feet haven’t had enough, use the Contemporary jogging trail to add some mileage to your day.
  • Ride the monorail to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts and look around. Try a snack or drink from each hotel!

When you’re finished with your pool/marina time, and everyone is feeling relaxed, do some shopping at the resort’s gift shops – they even have a store that specializes in toys!

After your relaxing afternoon, get ready for dinner! I recommend California Grill for the fantastic menu, and the spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks show! The lights in the restaurant will dim, and you’ll hear the soundtrack to accompany the show – it’s a great way to cap off your restful day!

While the people at Magic Kingdom are making their way back to the cars, buses, boats, and monorails at the end of the night, you’ll take a pleasant stroll back to your room and feel like you’ve had a REAL vacation day!

When you’re ready to start planning YOUR trip to Walt Disney World, let me help you make the perfect vacation for your family! Contact me HERE to get started!

Brenda Arnold-Richard

Brenda@TravelWithTheMagic.com