ASSp to Contemporary - how to spend (waste) 4 hours?

[Sunshine2U]

We're arriving at ASSp hoping for an early check-in with an 8:00 p.m. ADR at Chef Mickey's. We have a 4yo and 8yo on their first trip to WDW. We'll drive to Contemporary and I thought we'd ride the resort monorail around the loop before dinner. Besides letting the boys swim in the pool and perhaps riding the monorail, what could we do for about 4 hours between check-in and dinner?

 

[HopperFan]

We're arriving at ASSp hoping for an early check-in with an 8:00 p.m. ADR at Chef Mickey's. We have a 4yo and 8yo on their first trip to WDW. We'll drive to Contemporary and I thought we'd ride the resort monorail around the loop before dinner. Besides letting the boys swim in the pool and perhaps riding the monorail, what could we do for about 4 hours between check-in and dinner?

You are checking in to AllStar Sports early, then that night have an 8 pm ADR at Chef Mickey's?

So if your room is ready you can unpack all, you can swim in your pool ... you are also permitted to swim in ASMU and ASMO pools. I would for sure at least walk and visit ASMO to get some pictures in Toy Story section, the boys should love it, they can even sit in RC.

Driving to Contemporary, yes a monorail ride would be fun. If you had any interest in wandering any of the monorail resorts this is a great time.

 

[GTApex]

Rent a boat at contemporary and putter around the waterways for a while?
(Take snacks with you).

We’ve done the pontoon boats and others.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Rent a boat at contemporary and putter around the waterways for a while?
(Take snacks with you).

We’ve done the pontoon boats and others.

Oh my gosh! This sounds like just the thing!!! That's a treat for my 62yo boy. Nothing makes him happier than puttering around on a boat. Any word on how hard it is to snag a pontoon? Can you call ahead to check availability?

 

[HopperFan]

Oh my gosh! This sounds like just the thing!!! That's a treat for my 62yo boy. Nothing makes him happier than puttering around on a boat. Any word on how hard it is to snag a pontoon? Can you call ahead to check availability?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/motorized-boats/


Not sure how up to date but gives you lots of ideas
http://www.disneycontemporary.com/content/boat-rental

 

[Sunshine2U]

Links say marinas close at 5:00. So if we get early check-in and get over in time to rent a boat, that puts us back on the Contemporary dock with 3 hours before dinner. Any ideas on what to do on these three hours, or even skipping the boats? I'm really, really hoping an earlier time slot will open at Chef Mickey's.

 

[Sunshine2U]

You are checking in to AllStar Sports early, then that night have an 8 pm ADR at Chef Mickey's?

So if your room is ready you can unpack all, you can swim in your pool ... you are also permitted to swim in ASMU and ASMO pools. I would for sure at least walk and visit ASMO to get some pictures in Toy Story section, the boys should love it, they can even sit in RC.

Driving to Contemporary, yes a monorail ride would be fun. If you had any interest in wandering any of the monorail resorts this is a great time.

Thanks! We'll probably end up at the pool. My perfect plan had a 6:00 date with Mickey and Minnie at Chef's Mickey's but our group grew to 7 and I had to let go of the earlier ADR. At least we have our cars and can get back to ASSp and to bed for the boys right after dinner.

 

[jmkjr72]

Yes boats have to be returned by 5pm
Take a boat from cr over to ft wilderness and walk around ver there look at the horses and the calliope ride the. Monorail and walk around all the resorts
Don't worry about heading back right away watch the fireworks from the cr or the water pagent

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Links say marinas close at 5:00. So if we get early check-in and get over in time to rent a boat, that puts us back on the Contemporary dock with 3 hours before dinner. Any ideas on what to do on these three hours, or even skipping the boats? I'm really, really hoping an earlier time slot will open at Chef Mickey's.

If you park at CR, you can take a boat over to Ft. W to see the WDW horses at the Tri-Circle D ranch. If your 4-year old is small enough, he can do a pony ride. You could also do a private carriage ride or a wagon ride (I believe they start at 6 pm) There is also a playground and a cute gift shop there. You can then either take a boat back to CR or to MK and hop on the monorail. At Poly, before 8 pm, families can go to Trader Sam's (which is pretty fun). They serve mocktails for children and there are a lot of special effects and antics that take place. Are you going during Christmas time? If so, there is a beautiful tree and gingerbread house at GF.

I think you could definitely kill some time at your resort as well with walking around and swimming.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Yes boats have to be returned by 5pm
Take a boat from cr over to ft wilderness and walk around ver there look at the horses and the calliope ride the. Monorail and walk around all the resorts
Don't worry about heading back right away watch the fireworks from the cr or the water pagent

If you park at CR, you can take a boat over to Ft. W to see the WDW horses at the Tri-Circle D ranch. If your 4-year old is small enough, he can do a pony ride. You could also do a private carriage ride or a wagon ride (I believe they start at 6 pm) There is also a playground and a cute gift shop there. You can then either take a boat back to CR or to MK and hop on the monorail. At Poly, before 8 pm, families can go to Trader Sam's (which is pretty fun). They serve mocktails for children and there are a lot of special effects and antics that take place. Are you going during Christmas time? If so, there is a beautiful tree and gingerbread house at GF.

Thanks all! We're leaving Thursday for a long weekend. I had a little and moved the ADR at Chef Mickey's to 7pm - much better for the 4yo. We're going to try for the pontoon boat rental which will put DH over the moon. If we miss the boat we'll head over to Ft. Wilderness. Y'all are great!