Help me plan a non park day

[FLkid]

hey everyone!

Well I just finalized my plans for my September trip and purchased my MNSSHP tickets!

I will be going Sun-Thurs with my significant other and unfortunately staying off site but it was the best decision for our budget and allowed us to add two extra days to our original trip!


For some reason I always choose to go up on a Sunday, I think it's because we only have weekday passes and it allows us one day out of the parks to get ready.


I've kind of been in a routine of using that day for Disney Springs and doing the usual window shopping etc, but this time around I would really love to do something different! After a few hours at DS I find myself asking "what do we do now?"


Now my budget is a little tight so fancy smancy $50 per person dinners are a little out of budget but I want to have a good time, do something out of my norm and show the girlfriend a wonderful first day at Disney.


I thought about heading out to the campgrounds and maybe eating there, then resort hopping for a bit. My only quirk is we resort hopped Polynesian, GF and contemporary on our first day last time. We've also been to the boardwalk a couple times as well but I'm definitely not against it if I can fill the evening with things to do.


So my question is,

Does anyone have any first day non park things they suggest doing for a couple that doesn't have kids (but acts like kids) that is fairly budget friendly?

 

[tsme]

You could go play miniature golf. Personally, on our first day we like to check out our resort or resort hop, the later would be good for you. Maybe go eat at a restaurant at one of the resorts, then go to ones near by. Or if the place you're staying at has a pool, just chill out & relax by the pool, save up your energy for the parks.

 

[lpizzuro123]

If you head over to Ft. Wilderness, we really loved Trails End Buffet a few months ago. It is a less expensive sit down buffet meal and the food was great. You can take a nice boat ride over there. They have 45 minute wagon rides at 6:00 and 8:30 departing from Pioneer Hall for around $8.00 each. There is also a Chip and Dale campfire sing along and toasting marshmellows followed by an outside move.

 

[kappyfamily]

Both of the above would work great! For ft. Wilderness I would start at wilderness lodge check out the resort then boat over to the campgrounds. We love walking around there. The Trails End buffet idea is great. The other option of mini golf is good. I would park at one of the boardwalk hotels walk around a bit there then walk over to mini golf. Another option is mini golf at the Christmas course then bus over to AK lodge and hang out there, which is an amazing resort and tons to look at. They also have one of the best gift shops I think. Regardless have fun!

 

[loves to dive]

Resort hop to the moderates, before I started doing split stays I would do that because I stayed in the deluxe resorts and wanted to see the moderates before I booked. You can do POR and POFQ from Disney Springs, just take the boat. Walk around both resorts, maybe grab a bite to eat at the QS locations. Or take the boat to Saratoga Springs and OKW. I'll admit these two locations, while huge resorts didn't hold as much fun in just walking around looking as the moderates did but that might be because they are huge.

 

[Klayfish]

First, don't take it as such a that you're staying off property. We always stay off property and LOVE it. I couldn't see us ever staying on property. I know it's a matter of opinion, and mine isn't the most popular one, but we love it. I presume you're going to have a car. There are so many things you can do. Beyond the things on property, such as the resorts, there are tons of gift shops along both Rt 192 and Rt 535 which are just outside of WDW. If you're adventurous, you can take a helicopter tour. We wanted to do this on our last trip, but ran out of time. If you plan to spend an entire day outside of WDW, drive over to Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach. Both are only an hour away and are a great day trip get away. Staying off property is awesome. It gives so many opportunities you wouldn't get staying on property without a car.

 

[alex9179]

If you head over to Ft. Wilderness, we really loved Trails End Buffet a few months ago. It is a less expensive sit down buffet meal and the food was great. You can take a nice boat ride over there. They have 45 minute wagon rides at 6:00 and 8:30 departing from Pioneer Hall for around $8.00 each. There is also a Chip and Dale campfire sing along and toasting marshmellows followed by an outside move.

This is what we're thinking of doing on a non-park day. Wagon rides, horseback riding trail, exploring WL and maybe a beverage at the lounge are on the table along with the stuff mentioned above.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

1. Sleep in
2. Lunch at DS
3. Mini golf
4. Pool time
5. VA, SOA, HDDR or MBBBQ