Help from you pro's for my 5 year old and I

[Ahyeah71]

Going to be at Disney December 1 - 7. This is my 6th time and my little girls 3rd. Looking to do some different stuff this time around. Of course the parks and character mesls are on the schedule, but looking to branch out and take advantage of some lesser known activities that msy be "disney cheap". Already plan on doing the chip and dale marshmellow campfire roast at Fort Wilderness, looking for similar things to entertain her. She is 5. Any feedback is much appreciated. Also, our 1st time at Saratoga Springs. Tips to making the most at that location would be great! Thank you. Just discovered these board's. First post!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Pony rides at the Tri Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness. There is a cost, but I remember it was very inexpensive.

We love to look at all the holiday decorations, our favorite is to go to the Grand Floridan in the afternoon to see the big Gingerbread house & listen to the live holiday music.

 

[Colleen27]

My DD5 & I are heading down that same week for a "mommy & daughter" Christmas trip, and I have a few special things planned that we've never done before.

While you're at Fort Wilderness, you might want to take one of their wagon rides. The cost per person is relatively low as Disney prices go and it is supposed to be a nice way to see the decorated campsites around the holidays.

My DD5 discovered mini-golf this summer and loves it, so we're going to play a round while we're at WDW. If you have a package booked through WDW you'll get a voucher for one free round (for one person) which cuts down the cost, and they also offer AP and DVC discounts if you have either of those.

Resort-hopping is the obvious cheap entertainment that time of year. I have one evening planned just to check out the MK area resorts and another for the Epcot area. While we're looking around the Epcot resorts, I plan on stopping in for lunch and ice cream at Beaches & Cream - not cheap, but one of the less expensive sit down restaurants at WDW.

Since you're at SSR, you should take a look at the activities schedule. All of the resorts offer some activities but the DVC properties offer not only the usual poolside games but also crafts and other games in the community hall. Most are free, but some of the crafts have a materials fee. You'll get the schedule when you check in, so you can look it over to see if there's anything that appeals to you and your DD.

 

[michellejed]

Take the time to do the Santas around world showcase, they some times perform at the same time so it is impossible to just start at one end and go around and catch them all.

Also check out the gingerbread house at GF and any other resorts you can fit in.

 

[HM]

When my DD was five, one of her favorite things was getting in the hot tub with me in the morning at AK (it was early December). Not a single other person was at the pool since everyone was off to the parks or having breakfast. We had the place to ourselves. Then we got ready and went to the parks and she got to pick what attractions we did. We did a few things at MK and then she said what she really wanted to ride again was the one in Mexico, so we did the monorail to Epcot and rode Cabelleros four times in a row.

Let your DD have a day to decide what to do. She's been enough that she knows what there is and what she likes.

 

[Woth2982]

I'd go to Down town Disney and get her picture with Santa. Also the resorts have nighttime movies by the pool. Not sure how late they are and what your DDs bedtime schedule is, but it is definitely a great way to unwind before bed.

 

[Ahyeah71]

These are all great ideas! Where are the gingerbread houses located and we have never been in December before. Is it going to be too cold to go in the pool?

 

[Colleen27]

These are all great ideas! Where are the gingerbread houses located and we have never been in December before. Is it going to be too cold to go in the pool?

The big gingerbread house is in the lobby at the Grand Floridian. Some of the other resorts also have gingerbread displays in the lobby - the Beach Club has a carousel, the Boardwalk a gazebo, etc. All of the deluxe resort lobbies have their own holiday displays, in keeping with the resort theme.

As far as the weather goes, it is all over the place that time of year. We were there in Dec '09 and had near-record highs in the upper 80s. Needless to say we spent a lot of time in the pool! But the same week in '10 had near-freezing lows and a ton of threads here on the boards about having to buy hats and gloves and such to deal with the unexpected cold. That's just how Florida is from Dec through Feb or Mar (we kayaked on the Gulf Coast in <40° weather last March). So you won't really know if you'll be able to fit in some pool time until you have a 10-day forecast... And even that isn't especially reliable!

 

[Kimmumum]

Don't forget the Osbourne Family Lights at HS. Watch the parade at MK and watch it snow on main street. Stop and dance with the DJ near Space Mountain. Go on rides that you normally skip.

Play at the Lego Store in DTD. I think they give free Lego kits to the kids (under 12??) on the first Tuesday of the month.....I think at 5:30pm (my kids are too old so I didn't pay close attention to this). The kits change every month. I think August is a Flamingo and September is a Pirate.

Go to the Ghiradelli store and get free chocolate samples.

Do the Kim Possible (I think it has now changed names) scavenger hunt thing at Epcot.

 

[wiigirl]

Take the time to do the Santas around world showcase, they some times perform at the same time so it is impossible to just start at one end and go around and catch them all.

Also check out the gingerbread house at GF and any other resorts you can fit in.

x2 for the gingerbread house at GF.

 

[Kimmumum]

somehow double posted. don't know how to delete lol

 

[Ahyeah71]

Anyone on here done the balloon ride at DTD? Is it worth chrcking out and how expensive is it?

 

[mousiemom]

welcome to the disboard, you will find out all kinds of tips for your trip. I second the agent p scavenger hunt in the world showcase, my dh and I loved it just as much as dd, I still would like to go back and do it again. you are going to love this time of year @ Disney, we will also be there the same week, it's our fav. time to go. take the boat taxi over to the wilderness lodge and check out the xmas décor in the lobby, and also do the monorail crawl around all the resorts to look at all the decorations. we loved Saratoga! it is close to dtd, but we still rode the bus. I honestly wouldn't do the balloon ride, pricey and you go up and they bring you back down.
go in t-rex, my dd at that age loved to do the build a dino and digging for fossils. in hs, Osborne lights is a must, grab some hot cocoa and watch the magic. be sure and do the photopass card around all the parks and when you get home order a photocalendar and you can start it for whatever month, personalize it, and can fit up to 3 photos per month, for $25, great souvenir. HS -be sure and do the art class by little mermaid, your dd will love it and a great souvenir for free. at that age it's also fun to do the characatures. so much to do!
have a magical trip!