Disney area trip in February

[GusGus77]

ok, not sure if this is on the right board. Feel free to move.

We have a zillion timeshare points we need to use, but unfortunately not a lot of money. We (ok, me) are thinking about staying at Bonnet Creek in February for about 6 nights and only going to MK one day since we don't have extra money for tickets (our big vacation is September to Disneyland so we will at least have had a bit of a Disney fix.) We will eat most of our meals in the timeshare. What can we do that will be fun for us with a 5 and 7 yr old? (Who have been to WDW three times and always in the parks for 10 days.) Unfortunately I think it will be too cold in February to swim (or we would have plenty to do!!!) So will we be able to find free and relatively inexpensive things to do? We would be heading to Florida as it is warmer there than at home. (We are in Illinois.) Thanks!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

You could always take the kids to the Chip & Dale sing-a-long at Ft. Wilderness one night. It's a free character meet & greet, free marshmallows for toasting, then stay for the free movie they show afterwards!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Also, Wilderness Lodge & Animal Kingdom Lodge both have free activities for children scheduled during the daytime - you don't have to be a guest to participate.

 

[GusGus77]

You could always take the kids to the Chip & Dale sing-a-long at Ft. Wilderness one night. It's a free character meet & greet, free marshmallows for toasting, then stay for the free movie they show afterwards!

I was just coming back to post that this was our only idea. lol! But I am happy to see others were thinking the same type of things I was hoping for!

 

[GusGus77]

Also, Wilderness Lodge & Animal Kingdom Lodge both have free activities for children scheduled during the daytime - you don't have to be a guest to participate.

How would I find out more about these! (Times, etc.) And I don't remember, can we just park for free at any resort we are visiting? We have never been an off-site guest before.

 

[sk8jdgca]

Been in Feb and we swam every day...don't assume it will be too cold. It was beautiful ( and rather hot) February 2014.
There are lots of stuff in groupon if you have a car. Also check living social, wag jag, travelzoo for deals. Mini golf, canoeing. Not sure how long it lasts but the Orlando eye and the attractions there have a kids ride free right now. Also check on Black Friday, sea world usually has a good deal then too.

 

[HopperFan]

WBC also has lots of activities. In December they had Gatorland come in (sounded like its weekly) and DS got to hold a small gator (4 ft). And we swam in December and also go Feb and swim. All their pools except the one with the pirate ship & slide are heated.

We enjoy it a WBC so much we said we'd be fine there a week with no Disney.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Well, its not free, but a very reasonably priced thing to do would be the Orlando Eye, Sea Life Aquarium, and Madame Tussuad's wax museum (just opened on I-Drive in the spring). There's currently a kids free promo which makes it very budget friendly: http://www.disboards.com/threads/kids-free-at-merlin-attractions.3438888/ . Last I checked, the 3-park admission for an adult was $39 advance purchase. Add in a free child for that price and wow!!

I would also keep an eye on Groupon and Livingsocial. They routinely have some super discounted things to do that you might be able to work into your budget, especially if you watch for a promo code (Groupon regularly has an additional 20% off their already discounted offers....sign up for their emails and they will send you notice of their sales).

Also not free, but last Black Friday, Seaworld offered BOGO annual passes. It was a super deal (and I'm crossing my fingers they offer it again this year!!). Might be worth keeping an eye on.

I wouldn't rule out swimming in February. We have travelled to Orlando twice in January and once in December and have still swam on every trip. Of course, we're from the north as long as there's no ice on the water its officially considered swimming weather!!

 

[HopperFan]

Here is an activity sheet for Bonnet Creek to give you an idea.

https://www.myclubwyndham.com/ffrweb/pdfs/BonnetCreek_AG.pdf

 

[Judyat]

It shouldn't be too cold to swim in February. We were there for a month in February last year and swam every day. And we were not the only ones. The water was great.

 

[HeatherC]

Bonnet Creek's pools are also heated except for one I believe. We used to go every February and with the exception of one or two days a trip, we were always able to swim in Orlando.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised...unless a Polar Vortex shows up.

 

[kathy884]

As am offsite visitor when visiting Disney resorts we just tell the guard that we are stopping in to do some shopping and they give us a three hour parking pass. One day you might want to park at the Contemporary or Polynesian and ride the monorail around, check out the resorts, etc. Costs some money, but sometimes some of us have taken the little speed boats out. Anyone on or offsite can rent them. Taking the little complementary transportation boat from the Contemporary to Fort Wilderness is fun too.

We really like SeaWorld for budget trips, as you can by stopping by the customer service desk get a second admission for $15. That gives you two theme parks days for the price of one at Disney, plus we really love SeaWorld.

Haven't stayed at WBC, but most resorts keep pools and waterpark areas at a very warm temperature in winter months and our kids have always enjoyed resort pools, etc. in December.

Check to see if your timeshare has planned activities too. Not sure about WBC, but many of the timeshares in the area have planned activities that are free or have a very nominal fee. Orlando timeshare resorts in general are a great value (great quality and amenities for minimal point or low rental price).

For a day trip you might want to check with your congressman in case you can get some freebie tickets to the Kennedy Space Center. (must improved -- entertaining and educational and a worthwhile day trip). Maybe someone else can chime in, but I believe I've heard of quite a few posters being able to get those in the past.