Family Day Out Ideas near me in Lake Buena Vista, FL
Looking for the family day out ideas near you in Lake Buena Vista? Here are 21 family outings worth the trip, starting with Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, with what each one does best and how to get there.
21 picks · Updated October 2026
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- 1
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.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- Free
- 2
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Disney park mixing rides with live animal habitats, including a savanna safari and walking trails, plus the Pandora land based on Avatar. Lands include Africa, Asia and Discovery Island around the Tree of Life.
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
- Outdoor
- 3
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
Ski-resort-themed Disney water park with steep speed slides, family raft rides, a lazy river and a wave pool. A chairlift carries riders up the central mountain, and there are separate splash areas for small children.
- Family
- Kids
- Outdoor
- Water
- 4
Disney's Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf
Entertainment spot in EPCOT Resort Area, $$
Two 18-hole mini golf courses next to the Walt Disney World Swan hotel.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- Outdoor
- 5
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Movie- and TV-themed Disney park home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land plus thrill rides like Tower of Terror. Live stage shows and the Fantasmic! evening spectacular round out the day.
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
- Near Disney
- 6
Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Entertainment spot in Animal Kingdom Resort Area, $$
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.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- Outdoor
- 7
Magic Kingdom Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Walt Disney World's original theme park, centered on Cinderella Castle and organized into classic lands like Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland. Days end with a nighttime parade and castle fireworks.
- Family
- Kids
- Visitor favorite
- Outdoor
- 8
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Event, $$$$
A separately ticketed evening party at Magic Kingdom where guests of all ages can come in costume and trick-or-treat around the park.
- Family
- Kids
- Halloween
- Theme park
- 9
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Event, $$$$
A separately ticketed holiday night at Magic Kingdom with a Christmas parade, a holiday fireworks show and falling 'snow' on Main Street.
- Family
- Kids
- Christmas
- Theme park
- 10
Disney's BoardWalk
Attraction in EPCOT Resort Area
A quarter-mile waterfront promenade of restaurants, shops and nightlife in Disney's EPCOT resort area.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- Outdoor
- 11
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$
Disney's shipwreck-themed water park, built around a huge wave pool that Disney bills as the largest in North America.
- Family
- Kids
- Water park
- Theme park
- 12
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.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- Toddlers
- 13
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Event, $$$
Each spring EPCOT fills with themed gardens and topiaries shaped like Disney characters, along with festival food kiosks and a nightly concert series.
- Family
- Kids
- Festival
- Food festival
- 14
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Entertainment spot in Fort Wilderness, $$$
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.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- 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.
- Family
- Kids
- Near Disney
- Toddlers
- 16
Disney Jollywood Nights
Event, $$$$
A separately ticketed holiday evening at Disney's Hollywood Studios with a Hollywood-glamour theme, character meetups, holiday shows and an ice-skating performance. No day ticket is needed, and kids 3 to 9 get a small discount.
- Family
- Christmas
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- 17
EPCOT
Attraction in Walt Disney World, $$$$
Disney theme park split between future- and science-themed rides and the World Showcase, a lakeside loop of 11 country pavilions with themed dining and shops. It closes with a fireworks show over the lagoon.
- Family
- Visitor favorite
- Date idea
- Adults
- 18
Disney Springs
Attraction in Walt Disney World
Disney's shopping, dining and entertainment district, with a Cirque du Soleil show, a helium balloon ride and live music on several outdoor stages. It is a common evening outing for tourists and locals alike.
- Family
- Date idea
- Nightlife
- Visitor favorite
- 19
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Event, $$$
EPCOT's winter festival centers on visual, culinary and performing arts, from Broadway-style concerts to live chalk artists and a mural guests help paint. It is included with EPCOT admission.
- Family
- Festival
- Art festival
- Food festival
- 20
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Event, $$$
EPCOT dresses World Showcase for the season with holiday food kiosks and storytellers who share traditions from each country.
- Family
- Christmas
- Festival
- Theme park
- 21
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Event, $$$
EPCOT's biggest festival sets up dozens of small-plate marketplace booths around World Showcase, each serving dishes and drinks inspired by different cuisines.
- Family
- Food festival
- Festival
- Fall
Year-round family outings
For a dependable day out in any season, start with the Orlando Science Center, Gatorland or the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. The Science Center is indoors and works for all ages, with KidsTown for younger children. Gatorland is open daily 10am to 5pm, rain or shine, and has gator shows, a petting area and add-ons like a zip line for older kids. The Audubon Center takes about an hour and is closed Mondays. Fort Christmas Historical Park is free and pairs history with a playground. For toddlers, Abracadabra Play & Café in Winter Garden is indoors, air-conditioned and accepts walk-ins.
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 21 family outings 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 can families do in Lake Buena Vista besides theme parks?
The Orlando Science Center, Gatorland, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey and Nona Adventure Park are popular non-theme-park outings. Free county parks such as Barber Park and Dr. P. Phillips Community Park have splash pads, and Fort Christmas Historical Park offers free history programs.
Where are free splash pads in Lake Buena Vista?
Barber Park, Capehart Park, Barnett Park and Dr. P. Phillips Community Park all have free splash pads run by Orange County. Barber and Capehart run timed sessions from 10am to 6:45pm with a break from 2 to 3pm, and hours at Dr. P. Phillips change with the season.
What is a good rainy day activity for kids in Lake Buena Vista?
The Orlando Science Center is the top rainy-day pick, with four floors of hands-on exhibits and a dome theater. For toddlers, Abracadabra Play & Café in Winter Garden is an indoor play cafe for ages 0 to 7. Gatorland stays open rain or shine if your family does not mind getting a little wet.
Are there free family events in Lake Buena Vista?
Yes. Winter on the Avenue, the Winter Park 4th of July Celebration and the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival are free. Fort Christmas Historical Park offers free history programs, and Orange County parks with splash pads are free to visit.
Is there u-pick fruit near Lake Buena Vista?
Tom West Blueberries in Ocoee is one of the few u-pick farms inside Orange County. It is closed for 2026 and expects to reopen in March 2027. Season dates depend on the crop, so call ahead before you go.
More lists for Lake Buena Vista
Best Things to Do 15 places Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
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
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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