Help things to do. No parks

[wcjoey43]

Hi everone , I am taking family (3 girls 14,11,11) to Disney for 5 days in June. Since we were there in Feb. and did the parks we are looking to save a bit and not do them this time. Any suggestions for things to do?

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by wcjoey43
(3 girls 14,11,11) did the parks we are looking to save a bit and not do them this time.

We take a lot of nonpark days on our trips, but our kids are younger. We do character meals, resort hopping, and DD. Maybe you could go to Kennedy Space Center or the beach?

 

[wcjoey43]

thanks, yes i need some active things. anyone putt putt? and one else?

 

[Nanu57v]

Wow, go to Disney and not do the parks? That seems so foreign to me. My only reccomendation would be special dinners, like the Polynesian luau. That was a lot of fun.

 

[MommyBoo!]

Last year we rented a pontoon boat. The kids (ds9 & dd7) loved it! Next year, we are doing two nonpark days.

We are going to take a picnic out on the pontoon boat (the kids are really looking forward to it!), will probably play mini golf, maybe go horseback riding. We will also go resort hopping and check out the other resorts. And, of course, go swimming.

The parks can get overwhelming. It's nice to take a break.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

The Boardwalk area might be a fun place to check out. In the evening there are free entertainers that perform some really great acts right out on the Boardwalk. The surry bikes they have for rent look really fun too - think we'll rent one on our next trip. If you're there at the right time, you could watch the Epcot fireworks from the boardwalk.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is also a great place to check out. The resort is lovely & you can take a look at the animals in the Savannah areas or try a meal in one of the restaurants there.

Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge is a fun place to eat for a sit down meal ~ the waiters & waitresses put on a real show .

Hope you have lots of fun!

 

[HopperFan]

Have you thought about Disney Quest ? I have 11 and 14 year olds and they LOVE IT !

You can find discounted tickets online, we got them for $21. We go when it opens (late morning) and stay till late afternoon, eating inside - Cheesecake Factory food - because it is good food and reasonable.

Lots of fun !

 

[tcfdick]

How about the Fort Wilderness Campground? They have a free petting zoo, free nightly movies,
a hay ride, horseback riding, carriage ride, surrey bikes, mouse sprites (all of these costs $).

There are several putt-putt golf courses in the area too.

I agree with DQ. My DS (11yr) says this is his favorite part of WDW now.

If your girls love shopping, DTD is a must. There are lots of shopping outlets in the area on 195 too.

You could go to one of the waterparks too. There are several on-line places to buy discounted tickets cheaper than at the actual waterpark (I used www.mapleleaftickets.com and another is www.ticketmania.com ). It will be very hot in June and the waterparks are great for beating the heat!

Now that I've mentioned all of these options, it might be cheaper to buy tickets to the parks! LOL

 

[lc1965]

You guys have proven a point I've been trying to make for years to my friends who don't "get" WDW: you can be there for WEEKS & never set foot in the parks!

I think there's still parasailing on the lagoon.
Did someone mention resort hopping? They might get a kick out of the different pools (King Triton pool at PO & swimming hole at POR.)
Do they still do the electrical water parade (don't even know what it's actually called) that you can see from the Polynesian? We hung out after the luau & really enjoyed it it. Very simple by WDW standards, but lovely.
We love the boat ride from POR to Downtown Disney -- so peaceful.
Off-site there's Ripley's & some museums (science & natural history, I think.) Being Orlando, there are also themed restaurants along International Drive & shows like Medieval Times (I'm assuming it's still there -- haven't been in a while.)
Have a great time!

 

[Frances999]

Originally posted by lc1965
You guys have proven a point I've been trying to make for years to my friends who don't "get" WDW: you can be there for WEEKS & never set foot in the parks!

I think there's still parasailing on the lagoon.
Did someone mention resort hopping? They might get a kick out of the different pools (King Triton pool at PO & swimming hole at POR.)
Do they still do the electrical water parade (don't even know what it's actually called) that you can see from the Polynesian? We hung out after the luau & really enjoyed it it. Very simple by WDW standards, but lovely.
We love the boat ride from POR to Downtown Disney -- so peaceful.
Off-site there's Ripley's & some museums (science & natural history, I think.) Being Orlando, there are also themed restaurants along International Drive & shows like Medieval Times (I'm assuming it's still there -- haven't been in a while.)
Have a great time!

You are allowed to visit other resorts but not make use of their facilities such as beaches/pools unless you are staying there.

Yes, the electrical water pageant is still on but it is actually against Disney rules to watch it from The Polynesian beach unless you are staying at the resort - there is an area outside MK where it is viewable from if not staying in one of the MK resorts.

Have a great trip!

 

[johare]

While not officially allowed, many people do make use of the pools at different resorts when they are staying onsite (with the exception of SaB). As long as you visit the pools at non-crowded times, go ahead and let your kids try some of the pools at the other resorts if you think that's something they would enjoy doing. Just be respectful of the guests of that hotel and pick a different place/pool if the one you visit looks too crowded. You might get a handful of people here telling you how 'wrong' that is and what a bad person you are if you pool hop, but believe me, they don't represent the opinions of the people your likely to encounter while on a WDW vacation. Just enjoy yourself and show your kids a good time.

You may also watch the electrical water pageant from wherever you like, including the Poly, though there are plenty of other good viewing locations. http://allearsnet.com/tp/ewp.htm I'd probably recommend viewing from MK providing they're open late enough to enjoy it from there.

btw: Where are you staying? I think if I had to spend a week at Disney without going to the parks I'd probably choose POR or POFQ just for the variety of things to do there. Poly/CR would also be very tempting, but it would be hard to resist visiting the MK if I had to see it everyday.

Also, if you've never been there, an afternoon trip to downtown Celebration can be fun.

 

[Frances999]

Originally posted by johare
While not officially allowed, many people do make use of the pools at different resorts when they are staying onsite (with the exception of SaB). As long as you visit the pools at non-crowded times, go ahead and let your kids try some of the pools at the other resorts if you think that's something they would enjoy doing. Just be respectful of the guests of that hotel and pick a different place/pool if the one you visit looks too crowded. You might get a handful of people here telling you how 'wrong' that is and what a bad person you are if you pool hop, but believe me, they don't represent the opinions of the people your likely to encounter while on a WDW vacation. Just enjoy yourself and show your kids a good time.

You may also watch the electrical water pageant from wherever you like, including the Poly, though there are plenty of other good viewing locations. http://allearsnet.com/tp/ewp.htm I'd probably recommend viewing from MK providing they're open late enough to enjoy it from there.

btw: Where are you staying? I think if I had to spend a week at Disney without going to the parks I'd probably choose POR or POFQ just for the variety of things to do there. Poly/CR would also be very tempting, but it would be hard to resist visiting the MK if I had to see it everyday.

Also, if you've never been there, an afternoon trip to downtown Celebration can be fun.

Oh god. Not again. I think I'll just leave out of this one.

BUT... I must just say that The Poly doesn't put signs on the beaches saying that they are for the exclusive use of Polynesian Resort guests for nothing.

 

[lc1965]

...but i didn't see signage on the beach at the polynesian. although we actually weren't on the beach.

i agree w/ both sides of the debate -- on the one hand, rules are there for a reason. on the other, respectful behavior is largely what is being enforced. if there are 15 people in a huge pool, 4 more will not negatively affect the experience of the guests of that property.

 

[ukeeyorelover]

The alligator ride over the Everglades is a must.............so much fun for all ages!!!!!!!!

 

[diznee25]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but you can rent water mice at one of the resorts.

wcjoey43,

We are in the same boat as you! We went to WDW back in December and are going out in August. I could do the parks 365 days a year, my husband on the other hand isn't into Disney the way I am, so we'll need to include other activites so we're not in the parks all day. Going out for 5 days, we'll probably do parks for a half day everyday.

Other things we plan on doing:

--Mini golf at Fantaisa
--Downtown Disney: window shop, catch movie
--Resort Hop: We haven't been to all the resorts.
--Water mice

Michelle

 

[hulabird]

Because we go so often, we still do the parks when we go, but not nearly as much as we used to. Now we just enjoy our stay at the resort and check out other resorts and other Orlando attractions like US and Seaworld.

This year however, my three nieces (4 year old and 2 8 year old twins) are coming with so we will be doing the parks quite a bit, plus doing all the kiddie rides that DH and I don't usually do (like the teacups and Winnie the Pooh).

 

[VAN]

We were just there for 13 nights and only went into the parks 3 days. We stay at Ft. Wilderness and enjoy the FT. WILDERNESS pool every day. In the afternoons we would VISIT other resorts to LOOK at their pool area and to visit their restaurants and gift shops.

We also went to the water parks and Downtown Disney, as well as rented watermice at the Ft. Wilderness marina.

Offsite trips we've taken in the past include:

> Cocoa Beach ... including Ron Jon's Surf Shop
> Kennedy Space Center
> Old Fashion Airboat Rides (you'll see hundred's of aligators) in Christmas, Florida (visit their website)
> Sea World
> Outlet Malls
> Local church services

You may want to think up a theme (e.g. hidden mickey's) to make your VISITS to other resorts more fun. My DH and I (before the kids flew down) made a point of visiting some of the lounges for a beverage and to catch a bit of the NCAA tournement on the lounge TV's. Talk about relaxing!!! We rode a lot of the watercraft in between the resorts as well.

We're going again next year for 14 nights and also plan on only 3 days into the parks ... not a problem finding things to do while still following the WDW rules!!

 

[susy]

Where are you staying? If the pool has a waterslide, your kids might not want to leave!!! There was a mom at SAB having a heck of a time getting her kids out of the pool to go to the MK! I don't think they went! The character breakfast at the BC was the best one we've done. Don't forget the waterparks!!!! I would drive to the beach one day-the west coast has "calmer" waters.

 

[loo-lu]

If your vacation is going to be around June 13th, according to Kennedyspacecenter.com , there is going to be a launch of the Delta 2 rocket, so you can plan for a day at Kennedy and see this incredible sight!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

The Family boat rental package would be a good deal for you if you like that kind of thing. You can use the boats (pontoon, water mice, etc...) for the entire length of your stay.