Affordable idea for one day in Orlando

[mommyto3girls]

If you decide to stay on property for the duration there is the Boardwalk. They have performers in the evenings and a couple of shops. Don't know about other times of the day - may be some else could chime in here.

You could do the Boardwalk for your first evening and then go to DD on Sunday. So much to do there, with movies, hot air balloon ride, Disney Quest, Cirque du Soleil and shops.

Sign up to become a CirqueClub member on their website and they will send occasional discount tix info. We went one year for half price.

I will definitely have to check out the cirque club. I love Cirque shows!

 

[mommyto3girls]

Ron Jon's! My dad's aunt and uncle lived on Merritt Island so we always stayed a night in the area and RJ is a must. It's a blast even if you aren't a surfer.

How much time do most families spend at Ron Jons? We have driven by before but did not go inside.

 

[mommyto3girls]

Character meal at a resort, even if you're staying somewhere offsite? To get a little "Disney' into it?
When we have not visted Disney we have also done a character meal, Whispering Canyon or 'Ohana. My kids also enjoying doing a DTD day and The Boardwalk. The Kitchen sink at Beaches and Cream is still talked about.

We ate at Ohana last time and it was great I am seriously considering the kitchen sink sundae after all the recommendations.
thanks

 

[ready123go]

How much time do most families spend at Ron Jons? We have driven by before but did not go inside.

FWIW - we can only shop for a couple hours tops, but both Ron Jon and Cocoa Beach Surf Company do offer surf lessons. They also rent kayaks, boogie boards, etc.

 

[mommyto3girls]

Thanks. We will have to think about the surf lessons.

 

[2TxAgs]

Do you have to stay on the WL to rent the mouseboats? Do you remember how much they were to rent and do they hold two per boat?

Nope! Our cruise was over early on a Friday, our flight didn't leave til the evening. We had rented a car because it was cheaper to do that and leave it at the cruise port than to pay for transfers for 5 of us. Since we had the car, when the ship arrived at Port Canaveral, we drove into Disney, had breakfast and checked out the Art of Animation resort, then went over to WL for the remainder of the day. Ask at the check-in desk how to get to the dock; it's just past the pool to the right.

Mouseboats can be driven by anyone 12 yrs and older; each holds 2 people. I want to say $30 for 45 minutes? Not sure. The bikes were maybe $12/hr? And there were surrey bikes, but since our kids are older teens, we went with individual bikes.

 

[mommyto3girls]

Nope! Our cruise was over early on a Friday, our flight didn't leave til the evening. We had rented a car because it was cheaper to do that and leave it at the cruise port than to pay for transfers for 5 of us. Since we had the car, when the ship arrived at Port Canaveral, we drove into Disney, had breakfast and checked out the Art of Animation resort, then went over to WL for the remainder of the day. Ask at the check-in desk how to get to the dock; it's just past the pool to the right.

Mouseboats can be driven by anyone 12 yrs and older; each holds 2 people. I want to say $30 for 45 minutes? Not sure. The bikes were maybe $12/hr? And there were surrey bikes, but since our kids are older teens, we went with individual bikes.

Thanks! That is helpful. We rented a car last time we cruised out of port canaveral too. It was just the two of that time but it was still a better deal The car rental one ways are very affordable in florida. I'm not sure if we will do a character meal this time. when we went last time we had the dining plan and had a character meal every day but one and so I am struggling to spend that much money out of pocket when they have had that experience 6 other times. We hope to go back to WDW next fall and do the dining again. We will just have to see how everything else lines up in our budget I guess.

 

[ready123go]

Right now there is a discount/rebate going on between Ebates & Universal, Disney, SeaWorld. Check it out on this thread How I Bought MY Tickets...

 

[elaine amj]

Thanks! That is helpful. We rented a car last time we cruised out of port canaveral too. It was just the two of that time but it was still a better deal The car rental one ways are very affordable in florida. I'm not sure if we will do a character meal this time. when we went last time we had the dining plan and had a character meal every day but one and so I am struggling to spend that much money out of pocket when they have had that experience 6 other times. We hope to go back to WDW next fall and do the dining again. We will just have to see how everything else lines up in our budget I guess.

When we cruised, it was cheaper to get a round trip car rental and pay to park vs renting a car each way. I was shocked when I priced it out.(our cruise was only 3 days)

 

[maggiew]

If you have a lot of Marriott points, I recommend staying at the JW Marriott. They have a great pool with a lazy river. The kids could spend all day there! Then go to DTD in the afternoon and have dinner at Rainforest Cafe or TRex??

Maggie