help me plan a cheap and easy day at WDW without park admission!

[super_crunch]

One of the days of our vacation, my dh will not be with us (me, ds3 and dd6). We won't be going into the parks that day...and plan to use the day to see what else we can see at the resorts, DTD, etc.

We need to keep it fairly cheap, but I would love suggestions for places to eat...specifically dinner (probably either counter service or buffet, but I'm open to other suggestions)and things to keep us busy.

We'll be staying at CBR and this is our first time...so there isn't a thing that we've seen already

Thanks!!

 

[fun4disney]

Downtown Disney is FREE to go to. That is a nice day or night out. They have several stores that you can shop in, they even have play areas that are free (they have a merry go round and train that cost $2 I think). There is a Lego area they can play at too. At DTD there are serveral counter/quick service places to eat, even McDonalds.

I don't know if you'll need it, but they rent strollers at Guest Relations in DTD.

Have fun!

 

[livndisney]

Ride the Monorail!!! You can ride the hotel loop. Hop off at each hotel check out the playground and arcades. Hop back on and ride to the next. Or you can ride the loop to Epcot. My DD loves to ride in the front car.

Visit Pop Century. My DD LOVES the Icons (The themeing is awesome) and feeding the turtles from the bridge.

 

[brymolmom]

Go to Fort Wilderness - there are wagon rides for low price and a FREE nightly sing a long with Chip and Dale and outdoor movie. It is a GREAT way to make the day Disney-ish without going to the parks.

 

[super_crunch]

Fort Wilderness sounds like a great place to hang out for a while before the Chip and Dale event. Is there any food out there if we wanted to grab something for dinner?

And I think I read somewhere that you can make smores at the campfire...if so, do they sell the supplies?

 

[leebee]

Go to the Boardwalk. You can walk on the beach, see the street entertainers, and ride the Friendships in the lake and down to MGM. Plenty of food available too.

 

[Reflection]

Fort Wilderness sounds like a great place to hang out for a while before the Chip and Dale event. Is there any food out there if we wanted to grab something for dinner?

And I think I read somewhere that you can make smores at the campfire...if so, do they sell the supplies?

Yes, they sell supplies for the smores. I believe you can also buy popcorn and hot dogs.

 

[iluveeyore]

Take them to the Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge for dinner - they have an All-You-Care-to-Eat skillet that is to die for, and a children's menu as well. We went with our friends and their 3 year old son last month, and they said they would eat their every day if they could since he 'fit right in' with all the goings-on - they keep the kids entertained and busy while you wait (pony rides, chicken dance, and lots more) - go, they'll love it there!!!! It's fun to take the boat from outside the Magic Kingdom to get to the Lodge too. Then you can go to the Chip 'n Dale campfire sing-along, or just go down to the beach and watch the Electric Water Parade on the lake.

 

[super_crunch]

about how much is the whispering canyon cafe?

(and would I have any chance of getting a reservation?)

 

[twins4mimi]

All these ideas make me want to stay a couple more days!!!!

 

[RangerPooh]

I like touring FW in my extra time. You can rent (low cost) canoes and kayaks from the Meadow Stor in the middle of the cmapground (you take a bus to get there or walk). There is also a large play area there. Additionally you can do catch and release fishing in the vicinity. I don't know if they are still doing it or not but there are also pony rides for a fee and a small petting zoo. Before headng tot he campfire/sing along (followed by a free nightly movie) you can have a late lunch of dinner (reservations suggested) at Trails End which is a cheap buffet ~$17 per adult for dinner, kids are obviously cheaper. Plus while waiting to be sat for dinner the kids can play on the play structure or try out the "barrel of fun" for .50$

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

since you will be going to the campground you can go to trail's end
Dinner Buffet served from 4:30pm-9:30pm - Soup of the Day, chili, Salad Bar, Peel and eat shrimp, Chef's selection of veggies, Smoked Pork ribs, Fried Chicken, Pasta, Daily Chef's Special, choice of potato, Hand-carved roasted meats, Pizza slices, Fresh Catch of the Day, Home-made fruit cobbler and Bread pudding. Guests 10 and up $17.99 Guests 3 to 9 $9.99 Also available for an additional charge: Strawberry Shortcake or Brownie Alamo Sundae $3.99 Full Service Bar Available. Smoothies and Shakes available for $3.99 *

whispering canyon menu (found right her on the DIS)

Appetizers/Starter

Fried Chicken Wings - Served with sweet chili glaze. - $7.99
Western Chips and Dip - Homemade corn tortilla chips with a bowl of freshly made salsa and queso dip. - $7.99

Soups/Salads

Mixed Greens Salad - Mixed greens tossed in apple vinaigrette with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. - $5.49
Southwestern Chicken Soup - Creamy, spicy chowder with chicken, corn and potatoes. - $5.49

Entree/Main Course

12-oz Smoked Prime Rib - Served with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies. - $23.99
Meatloaf - Served with mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. - $15.99
Our Famous Canyon Skillet All-You-Care-To-Enjoy - Includes mixed greens with apple vinaigrette and fresh baked cornbread, smoked pork ribs, pulled pork, oven-roasted chicken, pork sausage, mashed potatoes, creamy coleslaw, beans, and corn on the cob. Priced per person. - $22.49
Peel-n-Eat Shrimp - Served with rice pilaf, fresh veggies, and cocktail sauce, a half pound. - $17.99
Roast Chicken - Served with seasonal veggies and mashed potatoes. - $17.49
St. Louis-style Ribs - Served with cowboy beans, mashed potatoes, and seasonal veggies, a half rack. - $19.99
Vegetable Enchilada - Made with cowboy beans and Quinoa pilaf with enchilada sauce and Tillamook cheddar cheese. - $13.99
Western Chicken Pasta - Served with fresh veggies tossed in a roasted garlic-chipotle cream sauce. - $17.99

Dessert

Apple-Caramel Pie - Crumb-topped deep-dish apple pie made with vanilla ice cream. - $5.49
Kahlua-flavored Chocolate Cake - Served with chocolate mousse filling and fudge icing. - $5.99
Smore Cheesecake - NY style cheesecake on a graham cracker crust topped with chocolate ganache and marshmallows. - $5.49

Drinks

Blue "Glow-tini" Inspired by The Year of a Million Dreams - Skyy citrus vodka, peach schnapps, blue curacao, sweet-and-sour, and pineapple juice with a sugared rim and souvenir blue glow cube. - $9.25
Bottled Beers - Budweiser, Coors Light, Heineken, Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Amstel Light, Yuengling, and Corona. Prices vary.
Draft Beer - Bud Light or Miller Lite. Prices and sizes vary.
Grand Canyon Margarita - Gran Centanario Plata Tequila, Cointreau, and sour mix. - $9.00
Margarita of the Day - Served in an 18-oz Souvenir Yard. - $9.75
Northwestern Sunset - Bacardi Coco & Bacardi Silver, Pineapple juice, and a splash of cranberry. - $7.00
Pirate's Punch - Minute Maid Light Raspberry lemonade served in a souvenir Pirate Cup with a glowing Tinker Bell or Captain Hook clip-on light. - $5.99
Sheriff's Shakes - All-You-Care-to-Enjoy strawberry, chocolate, orange, flavor of the day or vanilla. - $5.99
Smoothies - Made with low-fat yogurt and your choice of strawberry-orange or our Flavor of the day. - $4.29
Wine Selection - Choose from 11 different Sparkling, Blush, Red, and White wines. By the glass $6.50 to $11.50 and by the bottle $27.00 to $55.00

 

[super_crunch]

does the buffet at Trail's End include drinks, or do you pay for those seperately?

ETA: nevermind!
I just found that it does include drinks

I will try to get an ADR...but I won't hold my breath.

ETA again:
I just got a 4:50 ressie at Trail's End!
6:30 was available also, but I figured that was cutting it too close to the chip & dale campfire

Thanks for all the great ideas...

and I am up for more if anyone has any!

I've got 4pm and on planned, I just need to fill up the earlier hours!

 

[t-beri]

At night they have a light parade on the lake and you can see it at the beach of the poly. Shortly after (check your park schedule) you can catch the fireworks at MK- AWESOME!!! Totally free and FUN!
..t.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

How about just hanging around the POOL!!! until 3