8 Ways to Spend the Final Few Hours of Your Walt Disney World Vacation

The end of a Disney vacation is always the worst, whether you’re a first-time Guest or a Walt Disney World Annual PassHolder. It never gets any easier leaving the Walt Disney World Resort. That being said, you want to make sure that you finish your last few hours in Lake Buena Vista in style.

Before the time comes to leave Walt Disney World, you may be looking for some inspiration to help enjoy the Disney experience one last time. Here are our top things to do before heading on the road or leaving for the airport. 

Visit a Disney Park

This may seem like the most obvious answer, particularly if you are a Disney Passholder. However, not all Guests are fortunate enough to own a Disney Annual Pass and instead visit the Disney Parks using a Park Hopper Pass. This is particularly true for a lot of international Guests.

If you have worked it out right, and are able to enter a Disney World Park to end your Disney vacation, then it’s a great option. Make sure to secure a Park Reservation for the Disney theme Park you intend to visit. We suggest prioritizing your favorite attractions during this time before you have to say, ‘see ya real soon!’

The question is, which Disney Park will you choose? Do you need that final view of Cinderella Castle and a last little bit of time in Magic Kingdom Park? Would you prefer to fill up on good food around World Showcase in EPCOT, particularly if there is a Festival taking place during your visit? Are you needing one final chance at riding Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Or will you enjoy a wild morning in Disney’s Animal Kingdom instead? It’s certainly a hard choice!

Time by the Pool

Who doesn’t love some time by the pool and cooling off in the Floridian heat? This is a great option if you are able to get a later check-out time in your Disney Resort room than the usual time of 11 a.m. Remember that the Disney Resort pools do not usually open until 10 a.m., particularly the main Resort pools. If you plan on spending your final morning by the pool, it’s best to check with Cast Members at your Resort hotel lobby towards the beginning of your vacation if this is possible. 

Asking for a late check-out earlier in your vacation will help for two reasons:

• Your request will hopefully be ahead of other Guests, providing you with more chance of a late check-out being approved
• If a late check-out is not possible, then you have time to make other plans for your final morning in Walt Disney World.

Breakfast Reservation

Breakfast is a great way to end your Disney vacation; you can fill up on good Disney food and enjoy the last bit of time together with the rest of your party. Make sure to secure an advanced dining reservation at the Disney dining location of your choice to avoid disappointment. Grand Floridian Cafe in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are two awesome places to enjoy a final breakfast.

Upgrading a breakfast reservation to a character dining experience will provide a little extra magic for your final breakfast in the Walt Disney World Resort. Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Topolino’s Terrace in Disney’s Riviera Resort would be our choice of character dining locations for our last breakfast. 

Disney Mini Golf

Just when you thought miniature golf couldn’t get any better, you discover that The Walt Disney Company has two mini golf courses! It’s a great morning activity when the courses are quiet, and the temperature is still a little cooler than later in the day. Choose between Fantasia Gardens, located close to the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts, and Winter Summerland, located at the entrance of Blizzard Beach Water Park. 

Be sure to check if your Disney Park Hopper Pass includes a complimentary round of mini golf for each Guest in your party. It’s a chance to save a few dollars while having lots of fun!

Aerophile Balloon Ride

Did you know that you can take a ride on the huge blue balloon that is famously part of the Disney Springs skyline? Previously known as Characters In Flight when Disney Springs was known as Downtown Disney, it’s your chance to float high in the sky in the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon.

Enjoy an 8-minute balloon ride experience, where you ascend to 400 feet, and experience 360-degree views of the Walt Disney World Resort and its surrounding area. Guests are treated to stunning views up to 10 miles away, depending on the visibility offered on the day of their flight. While the experience is a little pricey, the views will be worth it; tickets are $25 per adult and $20 per child.

Canoe at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

If you and your party enjoy a little adventure, then you won’t want to miss the chance to canoe ‘just around the riverbend’ at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Rentals are available from 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests lead their own excursion along the tranquil waters of the Disney Resort, at the cost of $13 per canoe, per hour. Visit the Bike Barn at the Meadow Recreation Area to take part.

Hire a Surrey Bike

Located in different spots around the Walt Disney World Resort, Surrey Bikes are available for Guests to rent, providing their feet a rest from all the walking they do when taking a Disney vacation. It’s also a great way to explore the Disney Resort hotels and enjoy some stunning views. Surrey Bikes can be hired at an initial cost of $25 and have space for between 2 and 6 Guests at a time.

Enjoy the Disney Resorts

If your Disney vacation has been jam-packed with fun, you may not have had a chance to experience all that the Disney Resort hotel you have called home has to offer. Your final morning is the perfect time to take part in the Resort’s activities, such as scavenger hunts and games. You could even join in the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge tour at 9 a.m. and learn about the unique design features of the Disney Resort. Why not grab breakfast in the quick-service restaurant and maybe a snack for the road too?

Alternatively, you may have taken time to experience all that your Disney Resort has to offer but didn’t get a chance to visit other Disney Resort hotels due to spending your time in the Disney theme parks. If so, then your final morning is an ideal time to visit one or two of the other Resorts: either those that you haven’t visited before or favorite Resorts of yours. It’s also the perfect opportunity to use the different modes of Disney transportation again before having to leave.

What is your favorite way to spend the last few hours of your Walt Disney World vacation? If you haven’t yet done one of these things, why not try it on your next visit to Lake Buena Vista?