How to experience the "Magic" outside the parks? ideas needed

[laurafaith]

hi all .... I have been making many posts here lately -- THANKS for all of your help

so we are planning our trip for late October....and it will be me, DH and 3 boys 12, 8 and 4...only one of them is into the "action" rides ie...roller coasters etc... also we have been to Disney several times and my older son asked it we could try some "new" stuff this time. things maybe out of the parks. one idea that I thought would be fun would be experiencing the boardwalk and beaches and cream...someone suggested going to HS for the morning and then taking the boat over there to experience that.....
that's the other thing we are more 1/2 day park people -- LOL -- we like it in the morning and then we are ready for something a little slower pace...if any one has any ideas...I would love to hear!

here are some things we have already done:
all the dinner shows
walking around animal kingdom and seeing the animals
downtown Disney

THANKS!

 

[mom2rtk]

We're sort of doing the same thing in June. Going to stop in WDW for a few days but only go into the MK one evening.

We're doing some character meals.

Maybe taking the monorail around through Epcot.

Maybe tour the monorail resorts.

We're watching Wishes from outside the park (either at TTC, Poly or Contemporary)

We're having breakfast at Cape May, then checking out the Boardwalk.

We're purposely staying in the DTD area so we don't have to fight traffic getting in and out of there.

You could try horseback riding at Ft. Wilderness.

Maybe try the campfire at Ft. Wilderness?

Archery at Ft. Wilderness?

 

[sharona]

Maybe it's time for a change. There are many great destinations outside of WDW...

 

[andrencau]

Rent a surrey bike at Boardwalk
Explore Ft. Wilderness (horseback riding/rent a cart to ride around)
Mouseboats are fun.
Waterparks
Many resorts now show Disney movies on the "lawn"
Both mini golf courses are themed well and really fun
Splitsville at DTD

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Don't forget Yeehaa Bob at POR!

 

[donnaf516]

Our kids really enjoyed mini golf & the camp fire/sing along at the Ft. Yeehaa Bob is lots and fun and you can also take a relaxing boat ride from POFQ to DTD.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Our family loves to do different things that aren't inside the parks. Our favorites are:
- Rent a Pontoon boat from one of the MK resorts and go around both Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake
- Resort hop at all the different resorts....if you have a car you could even hop to the different moderates and Value resorts
- Go miniature golfing...our favorite is the Winter/Summerland course that is outside of Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Go to a Water Park....we love Typhoon Lagoon, however during your trip you would only be able to go to Blizzard Beach because Typhoon Lagoon will be closed due to their annual refurbishment (we are going in Mid October and are very disappointed that it won't be opened).
- Spend a couple of hours at DisneyQuest
- Something our family has not personally done but have heard many great things about it is the Pirates and Pals cruise.

 

[Ress76]

-mini golf
-a water park
-take a day and drive to Daytona or Tampa area and go to the beach
-let the kids plan a day- they pick the park, FP+, maybe a meal

 

[richmo]

Onsite: mini golf, bowling, DisneyQuest, boats, Cirque du Soleil (at night)

Off: beaches, Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, Universal

 

[OhMari]

There is bow and arrow shooting at Fort Wilderness on certain days of the week in the afternoon, plus horse back riding. The campground is actually a lot of fun. There is also a hiking trail between The Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Hike there and take the boat back.

 

[MrsForeverEeyore]

You could do a resort type visit, where you visit the different hotels and try out their lounges/eateries/gift shops. You could do horse riding at Wilderness Lodge, or bike riding or archery. You could do a behind the scenes tour (but those might require park admission). You could do a carriage ride at POR or Wilderness Campground. You could do the water parks or mini golf (they have great theming and lots of hidden Mickeys, if you guys are into finding those). Whatever you decide to do, you'll have a great time.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Try movies under the stars at your resort (if they offer it).

 

[hershey2014]

how can you find out if your resort does the movie under the stars??

 

[Luvchefmic]

Several people have mentioned the horseback trail rides at the Fort, unfortunately OP two of your three boys are too young. The youngest a child can be is 9. There may be pony rides somewhere over in another area there if they're interested. All in all a great place to spend the day. I go over there a lot.

 

[mom2cse]

how can you find out if your resort does the movie under the stars??

To the best of my knowledge, all Disney Resorts have outdoor movies. There should be a schedule of resort activities available when you check-in.

 

[Jen731]

The orlando eye (Ferris wheel) just opened. I don't know what sort of budget you're on, but there Is so much to do in Orlando and the surrounding areas: science museums, Medieval Times, mini golf, water parks, etc!! Then like others have said, you could hit the beach, go to the space center, explore Tampa... If your 12 year old is the most curious to try something new, I'd give him a budget and tell him to surf around and come up with some options. Or hit the Orlando forum for some other ideas. You might think about staying off site at one of the resorts that has a lot of pools or water slides. If you're there over the weekend you could see if UCF is playing football at home. Good luck!

 

[rwdavis2]

Universal Studios?