Best Free, or Cheap Activities at Resorts

[mykidssaraalex]

If you had one day NOT at the parks... and wanted to make the most of it... what would you do around the Disney Resorts? We have a family of four and are not keen to just relax by the pool... looking for something fun to experience what Disney Resorts have to offer that won't break the bank.

Thanks in advance for the ideas.

 

[AngiTN]

Most of the ones I know of are at night, not during the day
The marshmallow roastings
The movies by the pool (some resorts are not nightly)
The campfire and movie at Fort Wilderness
Fort Wilderness has the most activities actually.
Most of the other resorts have minimal things. What they do have are all around the Pool. Games, etc.
AoA does have a drawing class
Some have crafts but again, most are around the pool (tye dye t-shirts, necklace crafts, etc)

 

[Sue M]

What resort are you staying at? When you check in you can look at the activity sheet of what’s going on at your resort.
As AngiTN says most of the day activities will be at your pool. If your going during warm months the pool is where it’s at! Florida is so hot in summer. And Disney pools are so fun.
Other than pool time there are 2 mini golf courses. Disney Springs has a bowling alley and movie theatre. You can take a boat from MK to Ft Wilderness and walk around to the barn area. That’s where the horses are kept. You are allowed to walk thru a portion of the stables. CMs are there and happy to answer any questions. If you have little children they have pony rides.

If you add the ages of your children you may get more specific suggestions, activities for toddlers or teens will be quite different.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Pool activities are really fun. At least they are at POR.

 

[AngiTN]

Pool activities are really fun. At least they are at POR.

Yep. Honestly, from what I've experienced, from Value to Deluxe, pool activities/games are the same, no matter what level you stay, or where you stay. Games are pretty much the same, or extremely similar. Crafts too. There's little differences. And they are all fun.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

If you had one day NOT at the parks... and wanted to make the most of it... what would you do around the Disney Resorts? We have a family of four and are not keen to just relax by the pool... looking for something fun to experience what Disney Resorts have to offer that won't break the bank.

Thanks in advance for the ideas.

All the resorts have a list of things going on. Ask at the front desk and they will give it to you. AKL and Kidani have the most varied I think. Everything from crafts. Watching them feed the animals, my daughter likes the flamingos, to tours. There is one there where you will get an overview of the resterants and get a few samples. Years ago there was a flora and fauna tour at the Poly, but that really was a long time ago. You can watch someone doing pastels at the GF. There is a nice ferry ride from OKW to DS. There are other things that require some money. Like renting a bike or surrey. They have them at OKW and the BW. Maybe rent a watersprite at Poly or Contemporary. Maybe some miniput.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We really enjoy spending time at Fort Wilderness. It is a short boat ride away from MK or the CR, and has a nice big playground for younger kids, pony rides, and barns that you can walk through to learn about Disney horses. Sometimes you can watch the Farrier fit the horses' shoes. There are also boat rentals from there, and you can explore Bay Lake and cross the water bridge to the Seven Seas Lagoon. There are bike rentals as well, and you can ride or just walk through FW or even over to the Wilderness Lodge. For older kids and adults there are trail rides that leave from stables at the other end of Fort Wilderness (about a mile away) but the internal buses will take you there. At night there are movies and marshmallow roasting with Chip and Dale in the park in the middle of FW.
We also enjoy touring the monorail loop to stop by and visit each resort and get a mug refill or snack from each. There are plenty of interesting public areas to see at each resort along the way.

 

[robinb]

Animal Kingdom Lodge has a special thing they call the "String of Memories". Your kids can participate in animal and cultural activities throughout the day and each time they complete one they receive a bead to add to a string bracelet. I believe all the activities are free.

http://meandthemouse.com/animal-kingdom-lodge-resort-day-activities/