Best Things to Do near me in Lake Buena Vista, FL
Looking for the best things to do in Lake Buena Vista? This is home to Walt Disney World, so the list covers its four theme parks, Blizzard Beach and Disney Springs. Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are the classics, Animal Kingdom adds a real safari, and Disney Springs fills an evening with no ticket needed.
15 picks · Updated October 2026
The ranked list
- 1
Magic Kingdom Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Walt Disney World's original theme park, centered on Cinderella Castle and organized into classic lands like Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland. Days end with a nighttime parade and castle fireworks.
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
- Outdoor
- 2
EPCOT
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Disney theme park split between future- and science-themed rides and the World Showcase, a lakeside loop of 11 country pavilions with themed dining and shops. It closes with a fireworks show over the lagoon.
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Date idea
- Adults
- 3
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Disney park mixing rides with live animal habitats, including a savanna safari and walking trails, plus the Pandora land based on Avatar. Lands include Africa, Asia and Discovery Island around the Tree of Life.
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
- Outdoor
- 4
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Movie- and TV-themed Disney park home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land plus thrill rides like Tower of Terror. Live stage shows and the Fantasmic! evening spectacular round out the day.
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
- Near Disney
- 5
Disney Springs
Attraction in Walt Disney World
The only stop here that needs no park ticket. Come for lakeside shopping, live music stages, the helium balloon ride and Cirque du Soleil's Drawn to Life.
- Date idea
- Family
- Nightlife
- Visitor favorite
- 6
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
A ski-resort-themed water park with the Summit Plummet speed slide, a lazy river and a separate splash area for little kids, best on a hot day off from the parks.
- Outdoor
- Water
- Family
- Kids
- 7
Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long
Entertainment spot in Fort Wilderness
A free nightly campfire gathering at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, with a sing-along led by a guitarist and an appearance by Chip 'n' Dale.
- Near Disney
- Free
- Family
- Kids
- 8
Disney's Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf
Entertainment spot in EPCOT Resort Area, $$
Two 18-hole mini golf courses next to the Walt Disney World Swan hotel.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Outdoor
- 9
Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Entertainment spot in Animal Kingdom Resort Area, $$
Holiday-themed mini golf in the Animal Kingdom resort area, with one course dressed as a snowy winter scene and another as a tropical beach Christmas. The two courses come together for the last few holes.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Outdoor
- 10
Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life
Venue in Disney Springs
A resident Cirque du Soleil production created with Disney, staged in its own theater on the West Side of Disney Springs.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Indoor
- 11
Disney's BoardWalk
Attraction in EPCOT Resort Area
A quarter-mile waterfront promenade of restaurants, shops and nightlife in Disney's EPCOT resort area.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Outdoor
- 12
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
Disney's shipwreck-themed water park, built around a huge wave pool that Disney bills as the largest in North America.
- Water park
- Theme park
- Near Disney
- Family
- 13
Electrical Water Pageant
Attraction in Magic Kingdom Resort Area
A long-running nighttime procession of lighted floats shaped like glowing sea creatures, set to music, that glides across Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Toddlers
- 14
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Entertainment spot in Fort Wilderness, $$$
A long-running Disney dinner show at Pioneer Hall in Fort Wilderness, mixing slapstick comedy, singing and audience participation with a family-style country meal.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Indoor
- 15
Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness
Outdoor activity in Fort Wilderness
The horse ranch at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Visitors can book guided trail rides or carriage rides, while young kids can hop on a walk-up pony ride or a horse-drawn wagon.
- Near Disney
- Family
- Kids
- Toddlers
How to plan your days in Lake Buena Vista
Give each theme park its own day. Magic Kingdom is the pick for young children and first-time visitors, EPCOT suits adults with its World Showcase, Hollywood Studios is the place for Star Wars and Toy Story fans, and Animal Kingdom works best early, when animals on the Kilimanjaro Safaris are most active.
Use Disney Springs for arrival nights or rest days, since entry and parking are free. Blizzard Beach is a good swap for a park day in summer, though water parks can close for weather or seasonal schedules, so check before you go.
Tips for beating crowds and heat
Arrive at opening, ride the headliners first and take a midday break at your hotel when temperatures peak. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through September. Stay late for the nighttime shows: Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom, Luminous at EPCOT and the evening spectacular at Hollywood Studios.
About this list
Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.
This page covers 15 things to do in Lake Buena Vista. You'll find them in Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness, EPCOT Resort Area and Animal Kingdom Resort Area.
Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$$$ range, with a handful at $$$.
What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Walk-up play and Advance tee times by phone.
About Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista in southwest Orange County is home to Walt Disney World's resorts and Disney Springs, along with nearby hotels and restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Disney park in Lake Buena Vista?
It depends on your group. Magic Kingdom is the classic choice for families and first-timers, with Cinderella Castle and fireworks. EPCOT appeals to adults with its 11 country pavilions. Hollywood Studios is best for Star Wars and Toy Story fans, and Animal Kingdom combines rides with live animal habitats.
What can you do in Lake Buena Vista without a park ticket?
Disney Springs is free to enter and park at. You can shop, eat lakeside, listen to live music on outdoor stages and ride the helium balloon for an extra fee. Ticketed shows like Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil and the LEVEL99 game venue are also there.
How many days do you need for Disney World?
Plan at least four days to see each of the four theme parks once, and add a day for Blizzard Beach or Disney Springs if you can. Families with young kids often benefit from a rest day in the middle. Shorter visits work if you focus on one or two parks.
More lists for Lake Buena Vista
Things to Do with Kids 14 places Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Date Ideas 8 places Disney Jollywood Nights, EPCOT and Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life
Theme Parks & Water Parks 6 places Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Family Day Out Ideas 21 places Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Festivals & Annual Events 7 places Disney Jollywood Nights, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
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