Why not practice basic skills in the airliner you are flying? I flew a 757 to Central America all the time. On the climb out being vectored into Havana airspace I would practice flying only by standby horizon, altimiter, airspeed and whiskey compass. South headings were easy because you get compass lead errors. I never needed this drill but thought it would be nice to have done it just in case that is all you have one day. It is free and gives you confidence in instruments you normally would never really look at.
No, I didn't disable the main instrument panel, just didn't look at it. Back then we were allowed to fly with the autopilot off.