Fun non-park things to do

[harrowgirl]

Hoping to spend some time this trip (May) doing some non-park stuff around the world and looking for suggestions! Kidlets are 5 (DS) and 7 (DD)

 

[Bluegrrl]

What non-park things do you mean?

Like, they have pony rides at Fort Wilderness (nice clean ponies, and you get to lead them). My son LOVED that. He still asks about Cookie ( the pony he rode). $8 per ride, and it's a walk up, no res needed.

There's the campfire at FW too.
A lot of resorts have activities, like drum circles and cookie decorating at AK. I think a main reason to stay at AK is the sheer amount of things to do there!
You can do bike rides at Boardwalk and beach/yacht club.
There are the zippy boats at the MK resorts ( I LOVED those as a kid. They have them at other resorts, but I like the MK resorts because there is more lake to explore.
For some reason, my family loves eating at Port Orleans French Quarters food court and then walking around the resort. Or you could take the monorail around the MK resorts and explore them.

Does that help?

 

[bigbabyblues]

Mini golf? Winter Summerland is our favorite.

 

[tabrizia]

My kids really enjoyed the pirate adventure cruise. Price wise it wasn't bad either, it is offered at the Grand Floridian, Caribbean Beach Resort and 2 other resorts.

 

[harrowgirl]

Awesome! Thanks everyone! The pirate adventure cruise...that's kids only right? My DS has autism so we can't do any "kids only" activities

 

[TwoMisfits]

Are you looking to stay onsite only?

 

[harrowgirl]

No we actually are staying offsite so anywhere is good

 

[Pesky]

* fishing at POR
* horseback/pony rides or carriage rides at FW
* totally agree on the mini-golf -- I'm eying that one too
* Gatorland? cheesy but a lot of folks like it
* Legoland if they are into legos

 

[Juliet25]

My kids love going to the FW stables to see the horses and ponies. You can see them being cared for and there's no crowds there ever. The pony rides used to be $5 and we called it the best bargain on Disney property. $8 isn't bad, but we could easily justify two rides at $5. The kids ride while you lead the pony through the corral.

 

[AspenLL]

We loved going fishing at POR and Fort Wilderness. So much fun!

 

[monorailsilver]

On our non park days we just stay at the pool from opening until about 10. My kids last trip they played the pool games from 1-7, my son who was 10 couldn't eat his lunch quick enough to get back to the games.

We have also did DtD aka Disney Springs but that gets old. And we do one table service meal on one of our pool days/non park days for dinner.

 

[Minnesota!]

Pool, resort hopping for the different activities there..

We used to love to go to WL, get a few adult beverages, then let the kids play on the beach.

We still do FW - beach time, tetherball, ponies, walk around, play checkers for a while, etc. It is so relaxing!!

Monorail loops or boat loops.

Boardwalk.

Mini golfing

Bowling

See a movie at DtD

 

[tabrizia]

Awesome! Thanks everyone! The pirate adventure cruise...that's kids only right? My DS has autism so we can't do any "kids only" activities

Yep it is kids only.

 

[TwoMisfits]

No we actually are staying offsite so anywhere is good

I would look at the Crayola Experience - your kids are the perfect age.
I would also look at the new Merlin attractions - the 3 or 4 pack package (if you include Legoland or not - I think you can do better with the 3 pack, which is usually buy 1 get 1 at certain times and get $35 Legoland tickets). Legoland is awesome for kids in your age range and not too much stimulation. I'll be trying the other 3 attractions (The Eye, Sealife, and Madame Tussauds) this year.
I'd also look at Aquatica if you want an awesome water park - they are so many awesome features for your kids' ages and you can normally get tickets under $30 most times of year - just watch for specials.
I'd 2nd taking a lot of time for pools and play at your resort - mini golf too if it's free there - if not, fund a Groupon and enjoy a local course.
And if you have a science museum pass, go to the Orlando Science Center. I wouldn't pay full price for it, but it's a fun museum if you already have the reciprocal agreement or can get a deal.

I think I've probably filled your week, but if you want more ideas, just ask!

 

[eastendlights]

The surrey bike ride around the Boardwalk is lots of fun. Fantasia mini golf is within walking distance too (Swan Hotel) so you could have a fun lunch at Beaches and Cream, pedal around The Boardwalk and check out the sites and then play mini golf.

 

[Julylady]

There is a pirate cruise each evening that leaves from the Contemporary. You start in a large conference room with snacks and a Captain Hook/Mr. Smee meet and greet. Then they walk you out to board a large boat and you watch the Wishes fireworks from the water. On the boat "Patches" tells corny jokes and holds a trivia contest. All the kids win a prize. Back at the dock there is another meet and greet with Peter Pan. It is for the entire family. We have done it twice and the kids loved it both times!

 

[stormer]

At that age my kids loved the Campfire Sing a long with Chip and Dale at FW. I don't know if they still do it, but it was a lot of fun. The kids made Smores while Chip and Dale came around and sand songs.