Going to Disney...Not planning to go to parks

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PAACStreet

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jan 7, 2013

• Oct 6, 2015

• #1

Hello. My family and I had planned a trip to Florida for January to visit my sister. Today, we have decided we are going to add in a little mini trip to Disney. As my family is DVC members, we are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani. We are not planning on going to any parks at this time....we more so wanted to go for the atmosphere . My question is: What fun things can we do outside of the parks? We will be a group of 8 adults, a 3 year old boy and 1 year old girl. I know that we can go to Downtown Disney, but outside of that, I am at a loss. Any suggestions are welcome!

 

MunchkinSweetPea

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 9, 2015

• Oct 6, 2015

• #2

There are many activities at each resort. You're usually given an activity guide at check-in but I'm sure with all the planning sites out there someone already has it posted online for you to check out, before you check in (lol). You can also visit the other deluxe resorts to watch the fireworks or electrical water pageant from their beach. Your resort pool is always a good option. Animal kingdom resorts have animal watching. You may want to visit the outlet malls while there. There are some character meals at the resorts. Enjoy your trip!

 

EPCOTgrl1

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 27, 2001

• Oct 7, 2015

• #3

Because you are DVC you can pool hop. There is a list on the DVC site of pools you are allowed to go to. All the pools are heated year round, it would just depend on the day if it was warm enough to go to the pool.
There are 2 mini golf courses that are both fun.
You can do the monorail tour and go to all the hotels on the monorail and explore.
You can go to the Poly and watch the fireworks and MK or, again because you are DVC, you can go to The Top of the World to watch them from there.
You can go to the camp grounds and walk around. You could even go on a trail ride.

 

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PAACStreet

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jan 7, 2013

• Oct 7, 2015

• #4

Thanks, these are all great ideas!!

 

MommaoffherRocker

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 12, 2015

• Oct 12, 2015

• #5

We go to Disney all the time without going to the parks and have a blast! Check into Fort Wilderness there is so much to do there, we have done the carriage ride and loved it. After the carriage ride we walked over to see Cinderella's ponies, that was the highlight for my kids. I agree the mini golf courses are also a lot of fun our favorite is Winter Summerland. The boardwalk is a great place too, they have performers and carnival games at night and it's a nice walk.

 

MataHari22

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 8, 2013

• Oct 12, 2015

• #6

MouseSavers has a huge list of things to do outside of the parks.

http://www.mousesavers.com/free-and-cheap-stuff-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/

 

Disneyaddictz

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 4, 2013

• Oct 27, 2015

• #7

Fort wilderness for sure! I would plan an afternoon there, ride horses or just visit them, fish, archery, canoe etc. then plan a dinner at hoopty doo revue or mickeys backyard bbq, then you can head over to the chip and dale fireside singalong, Disney movie played after! There is also a few things to do at Disneys Boardwalk.. We love non Disney park trips (they are hard to commit to) they really give you a chance to stop and smell the roses around the property's.