Favorite thing to do on a "skip the parks" day?

[StephStanley]

On our off days, I dont think my kids will just want to hang out in the rooms. we will go stir crazy.
Other than swimming what are your favorite things to do on off days?

Offsite is fine, we are driving down. Any hidden gems in the area? either activities or restaurants (with directions if ya have them!)

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I scheduled an off day in the middle of the week. My parents are going to drive down to Ocala to visit my grandparent's gravesite, so my dd and I will be on our own. I'm planning on taking her to DTD for a little while. I do know that there's a great mall which I *think* is on International Drive. It's set up courtyard-style and there's an outdoor area that has a cafe and live music. I went there the last time I visited FL. I wasn't driving, so I'm not sure exactly where it is. Sorry!

 

[Desnik]

We like to go resort hopping and eat at one of the restaurants at one of them. We also love spending time at DtD. At night we like to go to the BW(we stood there the last 2 times)

 

[Kim&Chris]

On our 'skip the parks' day, we like to lounge by the pool, drinking tall strawberry daiquiri's

If it's rainy, we like to go to the Disney outlet near Hotel Boulevard or go to the Marketplace to do souvenier shopping!

Other than that, we really don't stray from Disney property.

 

[GarrettJD]

Last year my GF and I went during the opening weekend of Finding Nemo. We slept in on that Sunday and went to the AMC theater at Downtown Disney in the afternoon to see it. After the movie, we went back to our rooms, then later had dinner at Chef Mickey's. It was quite fun to see the newest Disney movie while at WDW!

 

[liznboys]

Last year we had two days not in the parks. We went resort hopping one day, it was a lot of fun to see other resorts where we haven't stayed. The other day we went shopping at Downtown Disney. It was our last day at WDW and we did all of our souvenir shopping there.

 

[StephStanley]

I could hang at the pools the whole time. Dh would hate it. I'm worried about it being too chilly in DEC for the kids.
I will swim, I got in the ocean in Va beach in 36 degree weather! lol.

Isn't there some kind of offsite souvenier huge place somewhere close? anyone know?
resort hopping will be fun. the kids will love to explore the playgrounds! it will be as exciting as a day in the parks for them!

 

[karylrocks]

Resort hopping is great. At least ride the monorail around to the three that are on it. We did the character breakfast at Ohana last time and I loved it. Kids will love the arcade at the Contemporary and breakfast at Chef Mickey's and I love the shops there. I have always wanted to try the miniature golf but have never taken the time. Downtown Disney is great, too; don't miss the Lego store! If you have older kids (or if you are one) they will love Disneyquest, but plan to spend several hours there.

 

[Buzz2001]

Disney Quest

 

[StephStanley]

Is DQuest ok for younger kids? Mine will be 6,6, and 4? I'm wondering if its worth the admission for all of us ? How much is there to do for younger kids?

I've read several comments about older kidsloving it?

 

[KaityBsMom]

Probably just echoing what everyone else has said, but- some ideas for a non-park day:

Our favorite thing to do is sleep in late and have fun at the pool.
But we have also gone to DTD, played mini golf (which you can do onsite or off--the Pirates Cove mini golf in the Lake Buena Vista area is great), spent time driving around Disney property (paramedic DH just had to see the fire/EMS stations ), and made an 'event' out of going to the cool McDonald's near the AllStar resorts.

One thing we will probaby do next time is a character meal at one of the resorts, then some resort hopping.

Have a great trip!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

ok so it's another park but it's not Disney - I say Seaworld, or if you can afford it Discovery Cove (which is far more restful!). They just give me something Disney doesn't. Other than that, every couple of years we have to go to Gatorland - it just amuses us to see endless alligators everywhere, it only takes a few hours and I like to give them the cash - as much as I love them, I'd hate to see the mouse (and the whales) eat every smaller attraction in Orlando!

 

[Duckfan]

we have two off days planned for our next trip and here are some of our ideas

day at the beach
miniature golf
visit Fort Wilderness and see walking/jogging trail, petting zoo, etc (maybe spring for horse ride)

search for pressed pennies at other resorts
sleep in
laundry
disneyquest
downtown disney


maybe these will help you.

 

[Halle]

We love going to Celebration and having lunch there.

 

[StephStanley]

Thanks y'all. Some good ideas! We'll probably just wing it. I dont think we'll be up for Seaworld, we will be wiped! Gatorland may be an option though! the kids would love the gators!

I've got a bit of time to plan, i'm sure we'll figure it out! lol

 

[Ms. WDW]

But would you believe I've never had an "off day" from the parks! We've gone to "off-site" parks (US/IOA) but there hasn't been a day where we didn't go somewhere. We'd usually hit the pools in the afternoons and hang there for a few hours.

But this year there is a "no park day". A first for me! I think I'd like to go resort hopping or check out the entire DTD. I know DS would just love to hit DQ. Hummmm.....so many possibilities. Maybe I should plan on 2 no park days!!

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Wekiwa Springs State Park at the north end of the Orlando area – has a clear natural spring that you can swim in, trails, supposedly a habitat for black bear. About 45 mins. From WDW

Head to Titusville and across the Max Brewer Memorial Parkway to Canaveral National Seashore – miles of beach with no hotels in sight. Also drive off the paved road onto the backroads to go alligator spotting. Follow the paved road (County Hwy 3?) north to a manatee viewing area by the bridge. About and hour and 15 from WDW.

Head to Cocoa Beach – the famous Ron Jon's, also a county beach 1 block east. About and hour and 15 from WDW.

In the other direction, at the tip of St. Pete is Fort DeSoto, a county park that has uncrowded white sand beaches, remains of an old fort, and some nature trails. About an hour and 45 from WDW.

 

[P'colaFla]

I can tell you one thing....going to downtown disney for a "Ghirardelli's" sundae. I always bring back some of there menus (they're cool) so I can stare at the pictures and decide which one I will have next trip. They are unbelievable!! I am looking at one right now!

 

[capnho]

We love renting a boat either at DTD or our resort marina. It's one of my favorite things to do at WDW.

 

[JVL1018]

We've gone to Ft Wilderness, saw the big horses in the stables, took the kids on pony rides, did the petting zoo, ate at Trails End.
We've resort hopped, played miniature golf, rented boats, went to the outlets by Mary Queen of the Universe, and of course DTD!