Extra Night... What to do???

[bigkid@disney]

Hello Everyone,

We have changed our plans a little bit and arriving at Disney an evening early. Our passes won't start until the next day as I added a room only night to the front of our reservations.

I'm looking for suggestions.

Last time we arrived early, I took the advice of someone and we went to the Grand Floridian, got a bite to eat and sat out on the patio and watched the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. I'm considering this again, but thought I would ask others for ideas.

I expect to get in by 6:00pm and we are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside. I also thought about taking a boat ride to Downtown Disney, but not sure if we can see the fireworks from there?

Or go somewhere and see the fireworks of Epcot?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/help!

Single digit dance is about to begin!!!!!!!

Of course, if the Cards make the World Series, I may be at the ESPN zone and watching them win the World Series!!!

GO CARDINALS!!!!!

 

[jcriket]

You could go over to FW toast marshmellows and watch a movie.
Or go over to Winter Summerland putt putt golf, near Blizzard Beach.
Boat ride to downtown Disney fun too.

 

[katebeth]

We went to the chip and dale campfire on our free night...we loved it..I would try it if you can...and it is Free

 

[bigkid@disney]

We went to the chip and dale campfire on our free night...we loved it..I would try it if you can...and it is Free

Is the chip and dale campfire at Fort Wilderness?

Where can I get information on the activities at Fort Wilderness???

Single Digit Dance...

 

[tommygirl79]

We have had a lot of people suggest a supper at Chef Mickey's to start off the vacation. So, that is what we are doing the first trip. We will then head over to MK for a couple of our gotta-do-as-soon-as-we're-in-MK rides and Spectro and Wishes. Cannot stay away from the castle for even one night at WDW.

BTW, where is southwestern IL are you? I live in Carmi (southeastern right across the state line from Evansville, IN).

Too bad about our Cardinals huh? Sad to see Busch stadium go as well even though I'm sure the new stadium will be awesome....

 

[bigkid@disney]

We have had a lot of people suggest a supper at Chef Mickey's to start off the vacation. So, that is what we are doing the first trip. We will then head over to MK for a couple of our gotta-do-as-soon-as-we're-in-MK rides and Spectro and Wishes. Cannot stay away from the castle for even one night at WDW.

BTW, where is southwestern IL are you? I live in Carmi (southeastern right across the state line from Evansville, IN).

Too bad about our Cardinals huh? Sad to see Busch stadium go as well even though I'm sure the new stadium will be awesome....

I'm across the state in Fairview Heights. About 15 minutes from Downtown St. Louis.

Yea, great year for the Cardinals, but glad to see two teams in the World Series that haven't been there in awhile.

We are thinking about taking it easy around the resort since we will have been driving the entire day. Does anyone know if the temperature would be warm enough for the kids to swim in the evening?

We went last year in January and my kids begged us to swim, so finally I gave in. My son's lips turned blue Of course, that was a memory my kids still talk about.

Thanks....

 

[Enchanted]

When my family arrives, we usually split up. The drivers (my dad and uncle) typically hang out at the resort. Either by the pool or in the room. My brothers usually hang with them. My mom, aunt, and I head out to Downtown Disney for some shopping and a dessert at Ghiradelli's. We just browse and stretch our legs after being in the car for over twelve hours. It's fun and stress-free. That's the key. Make sure you relax that night so that you'll be refreshed for the parks the next morning.

 

[jann1033]

Is the chip and dale campfire at Fort Wilderness?

Where can I get information on the activities at Fort Wilderness???

Single Digit Dance...

go to the camping thread on here. someone( can't remember the name??? allison??????) has a really good link to their fw site with all kinds of info
we love fw and the campfire and hayride are really fun!( love trail's end also)

how about cirque( definitely not free but very good)

you can't really see anyfireworks from dtd but it's fun anyway ( and ghiredelli's is ummummgood)

 

[gigi1313]

i would stick around the resort... use the time to explore, swim, take a carriage ride... maybe take the boat to dtd if you are feeling up to it... if you've had a long travel day, relaxing and getting unpacked and situated might be your best bet...

also, there's often entertainment in the lounge at POR which is family friendly and our *BEST* meal of our trip was at Boatwrights, so you might want to consider dining there...

whatever you decide, you are sure to ENJOY!

 

[huckster]

just back we did this went to down town disney and then to gf for dinner then enjoyed the pools at por

 

[Kitcat]

go to Giradelli's and have a mouth watering delicious warm carmel sundue..oh it's soo good.

 

[tommygirl79]

I'm across the state in Fairview Heights. About 15 minutes from Downtown St. Louis.

Yea, great year for the Cardinals, but glad to see two teams in the World Series that haven't been there in awhile.

We are thinking about taking it easy around the resort since we will have been driving the entire day. Does anyone know if the temperature would be warm enough for the kids to swim in the evening?

We went last year in January and my kids begged us to swim, so finally I gave in. My son's lips turned blue Of course, that was a memory my kids still talk about.

Thanks....

I know exactly where you are...My brother played football at McKendree College from 2000-2004.

Hanging around the resort is an option that I'm sure some enjoy. In fact, I wish I could make myself sit still that long at the beginning of my trip, but I just CAN'T sit still until I'm at MK....

 

[kaabost]

I know we all like to plan but maybe you should just wait and see how you feel when you get there. If you are worn out, stick around the hotel and enjoy the atmosphere (well, maybe you should make a PS). If you still have energy and are dying to explore, go for it..........go the DTD, the boardwalk, of take a monorail ride and explore the monorail resorts.

 

[firemanx]

i usually like to arrive check in hotel then onto a PS @ chef mickeys then cruise the monorail, stopping @ each hotel to browse the shops, and then either hit the arcade or pool and just relax. Also i've taken in a movie 2 DTD and grabbed some dessert @ one of the resaurants there

 

[bigkid@disney]

Thank you to everyone...

I now have some ideas and most of what we do will depend on when we arrive and how we feel. Based on when we leave, from Illinois, we could arrive anywhere from 2:00pm to 6pm.

I'll just be glad to be at Disney World, unpack and hopefully let the kids swim and check out the resort. We are staying at POR, might do a relaxing boat ride, eat, who knows.

But, I do want to thank everyone for the ideas. This helps give us options...

I'm officially starting to pack today!!!!

 

[HappyLawyer]

if u have a rental car, i say go to old town

 

[bigkid@disney]

if u have a rental car, i say go to old town

Okay, two questions...

1) Where in Illinois are you?

2) Where is old town? and what's there?

Okay, it's three questions, but who's counting!!!

 

[Rella Bella]

There's always Jellyrolls!
Have a magical trip!!

BTW
Truely sorry about the Cardinals... we were hoping someone in Missouri had a World Series team!! It was a sad loss, but you guys had a great season! In KC we'd be thrilled if the Royals would just get out of the -100 club!

 

[luvmyfam444]

we did Ohana's our first night- had a good time & went to bed @ a decent hour.