First Day No Parks Please Help

[Shelebie]

This my first post so if I am posting in the wrong catagory I apolgize. We are going to Disney World July 4th - July 10th. There are 2 adults and 3 girls (7,10,11) Can anyone help me with what should we do on the fourth to occupy the girls with out being crowded in the park Does anyone know if the minigolf is usually busy on the 4th of July? Are there other things to do other than mini golf? Also we are staying at the Ft Wilderness cabins is this a good place to watch the MK fire works? :thewave:

 

[lovethattink]

This my first post so if I am posting in the wrong catagory I apolgize. We are going to Disney World July 4th - July 10th. There are 2 adults and 3 girls (7,10,11) Can anyone help me with what should we do on the fourth to occupy the girls with out being crowded in the park Does anyone know if the minigolf is usually busy on the 4th of July? Are there other things to do other than mini golf? Also we are staying at the Ft Wilderness cabins is this a good place to watch the MK fire works? :thewave:

You could take them swimming, or to DTD, you could explore FW, or take a boat over to the Contemporary or WL and explore over there and take the monorail for a ride, in the evening you could go to the campfire.

I have never done mini golf on the 4th, so I do not know how crowded it is, nor have I watched fireworks from FW.

 

[golfgal]

Try shopping at Downtown Disney, pick a few resorts at visit, AKL has activities for kids during the day, not sure if you have to stay there to do the activities or not. Are you doing any character meals? I would try for a advance dining reservation at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary, one maybe 1 to 1 1/2 hours before the fireworks and then watch the fireworks from there.

 

[Swimnoid]

Have fun at the cabins!! We will be there in 2 weeks! You can see the fireworks from the beach in FW but you dont get the music effects and you cant see some of the lower ones. You must see them at MK for the full effect and I would do that before I saw them from the beach.

There are a million things to do without going to the parks. We wont be going to a park the first day either since one of our party will not have an annual pass. So we will probably go to the grocery for supplies and eat out. Then later go to DTD. Depending on when you get there you can visit FW, go to the petting zoo there. DTD and/or mini golf is good too. You can go to a movie at DTD. OF course there is Disney Quest. At FW at night there will be the campfire and movie.

Have a great time!!

 

[campingcorgi]

Don't know when you are checking in but on the 4th Fort Wilderness has a golf cart/bike parade that is really fun! However, if you are coming in on the 4th the parade could interfere with traffic inside the Fort for a little while in the morning.

 

[Daxx]

Daxx's Wife here. If you'll have a car, go off campus and hit some of the Disney outlet stores! They should be open for a little while at least.

Otherwise, I'd hit the pool, do some shopping at DTD and even hit a character meal! We'll prob. be at WDW during that time and I think we'll "lay low" on the 4th.

Have a great time!

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

OK, here is what I suggest for the Fourth:

If you have a rental car and can get groceries, do a bbq on your own for the Fourth of July, and take everyone swimming in the Ft. Wilderness pool.

Or, if you can afford it and there's tickets left, call 407-WDW-DINE and make reservations for Mickey's Backyard BBQ. It's in a pavilion near the front of Ft. Wilderness and has country music, characters, and traditional picnic/bbq food like fried chicken, bbq ribs, cole slaw etc.

You *might* be able to see the Wishes fireworks show at the MK from the far end of the Ft. Wilderness beach, to the far right of the marina area. But I'm not sure. The shots for the MK go off behind the park, and that beach may have a view of the sky that's not obstructed by the Contemporary or the old Discovery Island. It would be worth asking a cm. They always know where they can duck out of their areas and catch fireworks. I was late for a show once and got a tip from a Pirates of the Caribbean cm to just stay put once, and she knew what she was talking about! It wasn't a perfect view but it was a view.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Disney likes to keep as many people occupied and out of the parks as possible, because of the crowds. The WL pool is okay, but will probably have a DJ and games for the girls to enjoy.

DTD is a good alternative and I do love the outlet shopping nearby.

Mini golf is open as is another way to spend a peaceful.

Have a great time.

 

[kendzee94]

We love to go to DTD the first day we're there and get our shopping out of the way then head back to the pool to swim. You'll love the fireworks from the beach at Fort Wilderness. (okay it's been over 15 years since I've done that) I know that people have posted the best places to see the fireworks from Fort Wilderness. Also, if you could get a PS to Ohana, you could go to the beach at the Poly afterward!

 

[LSUDis]

Maybe you could boat over to the Contemporary beach and watch the fireworks. Then, watch the Electrical Pageant (a lighted parade on the water of the lake.) We also just like riding the monorail!

Could you rent water mice at FW?

 

[mhingher]

I was at WDW last 4th of July and believe me, you don't want to be in a park... we were in MK and it was just ridiculously crowded. Anyway, I suggest a nice day at the pool, and then maybe dinner and shopping at DTD, or some resort hopping. I can't recommend a specific spot, but I'm sure you can get a good view of the fireworks from the Poly or Contemporary. Another good idea is a character meal. CHef Mickey's is my personal favorite in the Contemporary! If you want to do this I would call and make PS ASAP.

Have fun! We left on 7/5 but I heard the parks weren't that crowded the week after the 4th, so I think you're going at a good time.

Melissa

 

[Johnfish]

Although we werent there on the fouth of july, our first day was a non park day also. We did downtown disney and then Ohanas for dinner. Try to get a PS about 1.5 to 1 hr before wishes is scheduled and while your eating desert enjoy the fireworks. We did this last year and requested a window seat. It was a great way to start the magic!!!

John

 

[scarboroughmom]

You can also do the Hoop De Doo Review at 5:00 and then take the boat over to the Polynesian and watch the fireworks from the beach there.

 

[WEDWDW]

campingcorgi-When does the parade at Fort Wilderness begin and does it pass by Pioneer Hall?Thanks.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I agree with the suggestion to visit the WDW outlets. If you're lucky, you can cut you're souvenir costs in half!

You could try brunch or lunch in one of the resort restaurants. WL or AKL both have great brunch. Kona coffee and tonga toast are great in the Polynesian!

Here is a link to the website for the outlet mall where we've had good luck..

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17