4 Cheap and leisurely days offsite - What to do?

[Aanna]

Hi all!

I've been lurking this board for a month or two now, looking for things to do along I-drive for 4 days while my DH was at a convention. Well, seems I'm going to have access to a rental car for those days, so I can broaden my horizons a bit away from just stops on the I-Trolley

My question is this: What things would you do if you had 4 days in the Orlando area? I'm going to be 7 months pregnant and dragging along my mom and 1 year old DD, so commando/all day things are not possibilities. We're also spending a lot on the Disney portion of our trip, so I'm really looking for VERY low-cost options to occupy us.

I was thinking maybe a morning or two at SeaWorld (with the second day free option) and maybe.... dunno? A museum one day? Downtown Disney has free admission...

Any and all ideas are sooooo welcome! Thanks in advance!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Definately a day or maybe two mornings at DTD. And there is a little train that your little one can ride(for a fee). Is the big store called World of Disney?..........I think it was down by there.

We stop in to Rainforest Cafe for dessert only. Split something, because they are large. It keeps the price down also.............this way my family gets to enjoy the atmosphere in there (my kids loved it) and we get a little break and don't spend a lot of money.

Someone was just talking about Goofy's candy store..........you can choose what you want your Mickey rice crispy treat dipped into.........they have all kinds of toppings along with melted chocolate. I have decide we HAVE to do this when we are there.

YOu could even catch the boat to POR or PO-FQ............go look at the resort(s) and then take the boat back. That would be very relaxing.

I LOVE to go and see the Disney resorts............have you seen them all. Do you or your Mom like a good cup of coffee?? Drive to the POly and get a cup (maybe decaf for you ) of Kona coffee..........one of the only places in all the "world" to get a great cup of jo'.

Does Fort Wilderness still have the petting zoo?? Or have you seen the WL lobby?? That is worth going over to..........that's our favorite WDW resort.

Shopping?...........one of the huge outlet malls. I want to do some shopping at one of those this next trip. And I hear go to the Walmarts down there.....I'm not sure if it is a specific one.......but they have lots of WDW stuff for cheap!

That's all I can think of for now. Have fun planning.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Sorry.......I just read you signature and see that you have been to some of the WDW resorts.

When you have your Disney part of the trip, is it all about the parks?? If it is, then you could take that time to not only enjoy stuff on I-drive, but also the things I mentioned. It always seems I never get my fill of down time. You know, just enjoying seeing the resorts, or shopping...........actually...THE FREE STUFF! Well, at least it's free until I start shopping!

Have fun whatever you decide.

 

[Ellester]

I vote for a day at DTD. We just spent a week at Westgate Vacation Villas and did not visit a single park! (that has to be some kind of record!) We were on a very budget trip. We spent a day and 1/2 at DTD. My kids loved the Lego Store and playground. My 17 month old son had a great time at the playground, looking at the toy store, and wandering around by the stage area. We also spent an afternoon at AKL wandering around, looking at the animals. My kids enjoyed the musical activity in the afternoon, the little guy got a big kick out of the shakers and drums. Just sitting at the pool can be very nice too. MIL can watch the little one while you take a nap!

 

[Samantha]

Since you have access to a car, how about driving to the coast and spending the day at the beach?

 

[Aanna]

Definately a day or maybe two mornings at DTD. And there is a little train that your little one can ride(for a fee). Is the big store called World of Disney?..........I think it was down by there.
...
YOu could even catch the boat to POR or PO-FQ............go look at the resort(s) and then take the boat back. That would be very relaxing.

I LOVE to go and see the Disney resorts............have you seen them all. Do you or your Mom like a good cup of coffee?? Drive to the POly and get a cup (maybe decaf for you ) of Kona coffee..........one of the only places in all the "world" to get a great cup of jo'.

Does Fort Wilderness still have the petting zoo?? Or have you seen the WL lobby?? That is worth going over to..........that's our favorite WDW resort.

Actually these are GREAT ideas for us! I know my mom has been hankering to try the beignets at POFQ, and I've never visited. It's especially perfect because my DH has seen enough of the resorts and won't feel left out that he can't come along Just a wonderful touch of Disney magic LOL I'm so excited now

I have a feeling that my DH would feel very left out if I took our DD to the beach for the first time without him. Funny how I suddenly realize that I need to take that into consideration! He's not terribly thrilled to be stuck in a conference all week as it is

Is the parking at the resorts free if we're using one of the restaurants? We probably wouldn't do more than share a dessert, but still....

Thanks so much! SOOOO excited!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Actually these are GREAT ideas for us! I know my mom has been hankering to try the beignets at POFQ, and I've never visited. It's especially perfect because my DH has seen enough of the resorts and won't feel left out that he can't come along Just a wonderful touch of Disney magic LOL I'm so excited now

I have a feeling that my DH would feel very left out if I took our DD to the beach for the first time without him. Funny how I suddenly realize that I need to take that into consideration! He's not terribly thrilled to be stuck in a conference all week as it is

Is the parking at the resorts free if we're using one of the restaurants? We probably wouldn't do more than share a dessert, but still....

Thanks so much! SOOOO excited!!

Sounds great!

I think the parking at the resorts is free unless you valet, which I have heard you want to do at places like GF. I'm not sure about WL.........I think it's the same, only for valet.

 

['Canes Fan]

when you get to the guards at the resort, show them you ID and tell them why you are there and they'll give you a temp parking pass. it's good for 3 hours.

 

[Aanna]

Wonderful!

 

[ttfn3]

I also like to check out the Disney Resorts. Just tell the guard that you want to take a look at the resort and they will give you a 3 hour parking pass. You can even check out a monorail resort and take a spin on the resort loop. Ask for the front of the car. Or head to Beaches and Cream for an ice cream treat. The Boardwalk is also fun to walk around. You can ride the ferry between the Beach club and the Boardwalk. I've been wanting to check out Fort Wilderness. I hear there's a petting zoo for little ones.

I second Downtown Disney. Great entertainment for little ones. Besides the Lego store, they also have fountains the kids can play in. Take your little ones swimsuit and some water shoes - and a small towel to dry off afterward. Great fun.

Sea World is fun. I'm not sure if it's actually a low cost option.

You may also want to check out some Orlando websites such as the Orlando Sentinel online to see if a local festival is happening while you are there. They may have something that would appeal to you. We LOVE the Winter Park arts festival. Great festival with kids activities.

Also, I'm a big fan of just hanging out by the pool for the day. On my vacation, I like to have time to just relax and be with my family.