A trip that's lighter on the Parks- First week of New Year

[nikmasteed]

Hi all! Currently planning a trip for 12/31/25 - 1/10/26 and even though that's a year from now, I know many are likely currently in the mindset of their own trips coming up around this time of year just after Christmas week. We are a family of 4 (Me, wife, 2 kids will be 17 and 13) and aside from myself, the other 3 in my family aren't huge on Theme parks, so over the course of 2 other trips as a family to WDW over the years we've decided this one will only have 4 park days out of 10 days at WDW (for reference we've decided to skip AK this time and do HS twice).

We of course know there is a ton to do outside of the Parks, but hoping to throw this out there for other specific "hidden gems" outside the Parks especially if they happen to be Christmas-related things that "linger" into the first week of the New Year typically. Thanks in advance and sorry if this is in the wrong forum (it kind of seems the opposite of Theme Park strategy haha, but wasnt sure which forum to put this)

We'll likely be "resort hopping" staying 3 nights at AS Movies, 2 nights at POFQ, 5 nights at Wilderness Lodge (WL is our #2 fav resort behind Poly). We will likely drive to Disney World so will have the convenience of using our own car. No plans to leave WDW property so only looking for on-property suggestions.

Here are some of the things I'm planning to include already that I know my family will enjoy:

• Resort pool time even though it could be on the colder side-- the kids love pool time
• Plenty of great restaurants-- this actually is a major part of what we love about WDW is table service dining together (mostly for the dining experience, we're not "adventurous" or "foodies")
• Watch the New Years Eve fireworks from the TTC ferry dock-- sounds like this may be a good spot that's "relatively easy"? How early should we plan to get there for the midnight fireworks?
• Spend an evening at Poly getting Dole Whips with MK fireworks on the Poly beach (not on new years eve). Maybe wander over to Island Tower just to scope it out
• Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life-- never been; do people enjoy it?
• Do a loop around the Monorail. I would think Christmas decorations would still be up at GF and other places at least a few days into the new year, right?
• Specific to our brief time at POFQ, will definitely get beignets and probably will try to hop over to Riverside for Boatwright's as a restaurant we've never tried and maybe watch Yeehaw Bob

Things we have done before out of the Parks but probably won't prioritize:

• Disney Springs other than our plan to see Cirque du Soleil; we're not "shoppers" and despite all the great restaurants there, I'm not really sure why but we've never really been "drawn" (no pun intended) to spending time at DS. We may get dinner at D-luxe Burger only because my mom said it was "the best burger she ever had". Still, I'd take suggestions for a different restaurant for a non-adventurous food family
• Skyliner-- we actually love the Skyliner from staying at CBR before but I dont think we'd go out of our way to experience it unless it was tied to another activity
• Trader Sam's-- mostly just because we arent likely to abandon our teens even though I know they'd be allowed in before 8pm
• Mini golf-- we've done Winter Summerland. Enjoyed it, just probably won't go out of our way to do mini golf again

Respond to this grab bag of a thread with any random thing you feel like, haha. Thanks in advance for any other suggestions!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Just something that came to mind, if you have a split stay like that, and your kids like the pools - remember that currently Disney offers free entry to their water parks on your check-in day. You'd have 3 potential days to choose from, if that's of interest. In January, likely only one park will be open - not sure which, but I'm sure it's been announced! Enjoy!

 

[nikmasteed]

Just something that came to mind, if you have a split stay like that, and your kids like the pools - remember that currently Disney offers free entry to their water parks on your check-in day. You'd have 3 potential days to choose from, if that's of interest. In January, likely only one park will be open - not sure which, but I'm sure it's been announced! Enjoy!

I did see others mention this in other threads, but looks like it's only for 2025 and only on the check-in day? Technically we are planning to arrive Dec 31 2025 but will be driving down to WDW almost that entire day. But, we likely will try to do a day at whatever water park is open even without such a promo. Thanks!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

My bad - didn't look close enough at the dates and was thinking this Jan!

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Following

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Fort Wilderness has a campfire singalong with chip and Dale followed by a movie, it’s cute and it’s free. You could spend a lot of time at Animal kingdom lodge, checking out the animals and they have a lot of free activities and tours. I know wilderness lodge has a tour and hidden mickey scavenger hunt. You could rent a pontoon boat and explore the waterways around MK and the resorts, it’s not too expensive. Tons of activities at fort wilderness (carriage ride, archery, fishing, horse riding, etc) and POFQ has a carriage ride and you could boat to DS from there for your Cirque night. There’s also bowling and movies at DS

 

[nikmasteed]

Fort Wilderness has a campfire singalong with chip and Dale followed by a movie, it’s cute and it’s free. You could spend a lot of time at Animal kingdom lodge, checking out the animals and they have a lot of free activities and tours. I know wilderness lodge has a tour and hidden mickey scavenger hunt. You could rent a pontoon boat and explore the waterways around MK and the resorts, it’s not too expensive. Tons of activities at fort wilderness (carriage ride, archery, fishing, horse riding, etc) and POFQ has a carriage ride and you could boat to DS from there for your Cirque night. There’s also bowling and movies at DS

Great suggestions! Campfire at Ft Wilderness sounds fun