Free or very low cost things to do

[mom24girlz]

Our family will be in the area Nov. 25th - 30th. We are renting a housing in Kissimmee, but this is a very low budget trip. The family consists of me, dh, and 4 dds 20, 17, 15, 12, SIL and nephew age 8. Can you share any off the beaten path or just some fun ideas for spending an afternoon or an evening. I was thinking of checking out the Christmas decorations and the Disney resorts, but I'm thinking parking would be an issue.

 

[NinaBella]

Fort Wilderness Campground. Go a few hours before to explore, then stay for the campfire. Lots of people will have their campsites decorated for Christmas already which makes touring after dark a nice walk (or rent a golf cart if you want to splurge).

City Walk is great for the older ages. There is live music entertainment in the street. You will have to pay for parking, but I enjoy City Walk in the evening just grabbing a cup of coffee and people watching can be fun!

Exploring resorts can be fun. If you only explore monorail resorts you only have to pay to park once.

Gaylord Palms has lots of free entertainment that time of year in the atrium. Again you would have to pay to park.

 

[mom24girlz]

Are we able to visit Fort Wilderness without being Disney Resort guests? We stayed their once many years ago and I don't remember if they ever asked us if we were guests while using amenities. Gaylord Palms looks great, but I have the same question. Would they allow us to just come visit or do they offer those things just for their guests.

 

[danielleburns]

Yes,just get on the boat going to Fort Wildness or the bus .You won't have a problem

 

[sk8jdgca]

Check living social, groupon, wag jag, travel zoo for local offers. In the past I've gotten cheap passes to swamp tours, mini golf, chocolate tours, Ice there are lots of offers. The state parks around Orlando are cheap to get into and very interesting.

 

[Woodview]

Take a trip to The Boardwalk Hotel ........ Self park ....... And walk to Lakeside for entertainment ..... Take boat trips ( Free )

Get out at lighthouse Pier & watch the fireworks.

..... Tip 2.

Drive North on Hwy 27 go to Clermont & on to Mount Dora where the Christmas Lights will be on.

Stop for food at The golden Corral just on Hwy 50.

 

[NinaBella]

Yes. Gaylord Palms will have ICE going on so many people will be there and not staying at the Resort. Many people go there just to dine, explore the resort and leave. I usually am a guest when we go there, but I have heard people say their parking is like $16 (could be more now). If you eat at their restaurant I think they validate parking. There were ICE discount on Groupon but it's probably sold out by now. ICE is in the convention center area of Gaylord Palms, but over in the Atrium of the resort they have live entertainment and it's over the top decorated for the holidays. The kids will like looking at the gators and walking around. Also, if you happen to run into a rainy day or evening, Gaylord is perfect since it's all indoors.

 

[KristinU]

For parking at the Fort or Boardwalk (or any other Disney resort for that matter) let the parking guard know you're stopping in for a short while to grab a bite and look at the decorations, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[powellrj]

I have never done this, but I have always wanted to. Go to the DeLeon State park for make your own pancakes. I have the only family in america who doesn't like pancakes! I was on Groupon last night and noticed they have lots of Groupons for things like the orlando eye.

 

[mom24girlz]

Thank you all for these suggestions. I have some research to do.

 

[kathy884]

To visit Disney resorts we just got to the Polynesian and tell the parking guard that we are there to shop. They give us a three hour parking pass *free), and we look around the grounds, take a monorail to the other monorail hotels and do the same too. If the weather is nice we like to take the little boat over to Wilderness Lodge and/or Fort Wilderness. I haven't done this, but I understand that they show free movies at Fort Wilderness campground too that are open to everyone, so you could ask and find out the timing for this.