How to spend our "rest" not park day in December, mother/daughter trip?

[JenniferFolsomCa]

I am planning a short trip with my daughter, likely 2-3 park days and 2 rest days Fly Dec 14th and there Dec 15-20. She is 21 years old, we will not have a car. What are your favorite things to do in Disney Springs or possibly hopping around the Disney resorts? Any super fun places to go? I know there will be Xmas decor, but where are some of the best spots? Seeing fireworks from outside the parks? Our plan is to have a super long park day, then sleep in and have a day off and repeat. Any super cool bars?

Jenn

 

[RickNJane]

A favorite thing for us is to go resort hopping and look at all the decorations in the lobbies. We take pictures of the Grandkids in front of all the lobby Christmas trees. All lobbies have Gingerbread houses. The Grand Floridian usually has a great one. You can watch the fireworks from there as well. There is an observation deck at the Contemporary with a great view of the fireworks. May get a bit crowded It is at the same level as the shops and monorail station. It is easy to get around just hop a resort bus or do the monorail. Disney Springs is also very well decorated.

We tend not to do ADR as that really ties us down to a schedule. However YMMV.

Sorry can't speak to what bars as that is not our thing anymore.

Have a great trip!

 

[OKW Lover]

What are your favorite things to do in Disney Springs

How about going to see a movie at the AMC24 dine-in theater? You eat right at your seat while watching the movie. Or maybe Splitsville for some bowling and surprisingly good food while you do it.

 

[focusondisney]

Do you like mini golf? Winter Summerland mini golf is Christmas/ Santa themed & would be really fun at holiday time. But other than that, touring the deluxe resorts as already suggested. There maybe carolers at some of the resorts too. Disney Springs has themed Christmas trees as well.

As for which resorts are best..pretty subjective lol. Many people think Wilderness Lodge is the best. It has an outdoorsy type theme. I don’t prefer that type of decor so it’s not my favorite.

Beach Club has a gingerbread carousel with Disney characters riding it.

Yacht Club has a mini train that goes thru a winter wonderland display. There are Disney character miniatures & resort themed spots throughout. Last year, they also had a gingerbread lighthouse, designed off the blueprints for the lighthouse outside.

Boardwalk has had a gingerbread boardwalk, I didn’t get there last year so don’t know if anything has changed with that. Their decor is much more traditional, with evergreen swags & blown glass ornaments. Those are my favorite types of ornaments so I love the displays there.

Contemporary’s gingerbread display has mimicked their building facade. And of course, Grand Floridian has the huge gingerbread house that’s actually a shop selling holiday treats & a massive tree.

I’ve never gone to animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas, so not sure what their display is like.

Swan & Dolphin also have Christmas trees & the lights between the 2 resorts are times to music in the evening.

 

[jeneric997]

You could monorail bar hop and see the decorations. I think if you get to Cali Grill at opening you can try to go up and get a drink in the lounge. Otherwise you can go to Steakhouse 71 or Outer Rim. Travel to Poly and put your name in at Trader Sam's or go to the Tambu Lounge. Then go over to GF and go to Enchanted Rose. You can also hit Wilderness Lodge and go to Geyser Point. A lot of these places have a secret menu you can ask for. If you time it right you can watch the fireworks from GF at the dock, or over by Gasparilla Grill.

At Disney Springs we love Wine Bar George. We are wine people, so if you don't like that, probably not the place. I have never been, but Enzo's Hideaway looks cool. We used to go to Edison, but we haven't been impressed the last couple of times.

 

[MamaMermaid]

We love Trader Sams and the magic themed bar on the Boardwalk if you're looking for fun bars. Jellyrolls is also a good time! I'd highly recommend a monorail hop/crawl for drinks and decor viewing.

 

[Mtraynom]

My mom and I did this same thing last year. We visited all the deluxe resorts to look at their decorations. Not to miss for me would be Animal Kingdom, we stayed there, and the tree is amazing. Also, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. We resort hopped during the day, and headed to Disney Springs at night. The themed trees there are pretty cool.

 

[erinch]

where are you staying?
If it were me with my DD (now turning 29!) at 21, she would have wanted to sleep in on the rest days --
so we would have chilled at the resort on one day, then done a monorail crawl with a "progressive dinner" feel -- apps and drinks at various places, starting with ropedropping Trader Sams, since my DH won't go there. And also on that day taking the boat to see Wilderness lodge. Then back to Poly for fireworks. Or drinks at Trader Sams, monorail loop but not a lot of food, then dinner at Cali Grill to see fireworks from the top of the contemporary.

The other day, I would have advocated to have a late breakfast at Boma at AKL, then going to Disney Springs to explore, a drink at Jock Lindsey's, then dinner at Toppolinos to see the Epcot fireworks from the roof.

 

[AussieFan8]

I would go to Disney Springs for shopping and lunchtime appetizers/drinks at Jock Lindsey, then go see the Christmas decorations at Poly and Grand Floridian. Take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge for a late dinner at Geyser Point and maybe a drink at Territory Lounge. I would stay at WL for the electrical water pageant and the fireworks, although not as good a view as you would get at other resorts. It would be fun to watch the fireworks from Poly depending on what day you are doing this; I am guessing it will be busier than usual at Poly on December 17 and several days after with the new tower opening.

 

[MemoryMakers]

If you are looking for a great bar (in my opinion), Dahlia Lounge at Coronado Springs is worth the trip. Has an awesome view and the drinks are excellent. Food (just appetizer stuff) is just ok.

We also like Scat Cat's at Port Orleans French Quarter because...beignets!!! Bonus for this one is you can take the boat to/from Disney Springs...which...weather permitting...is always a nice relaxing ride.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I am planning a short trip with my daughter, likely 2-3 park days and 2 rest days Fly Dec 14th and there Dec 15-20. She is 21 years old, we will not have a car. What are your favorite things to do in Disney Springs or possibly hopping around the Disney resorts? Any super fun places to go? I know there will be Xmas decor, but where are some of the best spots? Seeing fireworks from outside the parks? Our plan is to have a super long park day, then sleep in and have a day off and repeat. Any super cool bars?

Jenn

I think that is a perfect plan!

I agree with others' tips about touring the monorail resorts to see the lobby decorations / gingerbread houses.

I also liked the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs. DS did a Star Wars virtual reality thing there that he said was awesome too! (I think it's called "The Void".) And we did the hot air balloon just before closing time. - It was cool to see the lights from up high.

I've always meant to go out to Fort Wilderness and see the ranch: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/tri-circle-d-ranch/ - That might be something relaxing for a rest day, or the boat between Port Orleans and Disney Springs.

I’ve never gone to animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas, so not sure what their display is like.

Gorgeous!! We stayed there at Christmastime in 2018, and the lobby tree was huge and amazing!


You could also go there to see the animals on your rest day. There are viewing paths that can be accessed from the lobby area, so you don't have to be staying there to get great views. (If I remember correctly, feeding time was around 4:00pm-ish??)

I don't have a lot of advice as far as the bars go for your rest day. (Our best "hidden gem" is actually in a park.) But I've heard that YeHaa Bob at Port Orleans is really fun, and I would definitely do Trader Sam's at the Poly on your resort tour.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness? May be able to check out some of the decorations around.
There’s also horse drawn carriage rides available at some resorts.

Or have a relaxing spa day at the Grand Floridian, followed by some yummy drinks and food nearby. I like Enchanted Rose and Steakhouse 71 (Contemporary).

 

[Mommb]

I second the idea of the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs, if it's offered again. You just pick up a free map from one of the places that have one, and then you match 19 or so tree to the pictures on the map (placing the picture at the tree's location). When you have placed all of the pictures, you can get a small prize (a pin). It's a low-stakes activity that will give you an opportunity to walk around and stop at whatever places look interesting.

You can get some view of the Epcot fireworks from the bridge between Beach Club and Boardwalk. The Abracadabar on the Boardwalk is cute, if you need/want a drink before or after.

 

[Mousetopia]

I stayed at the resort and enjoyed the pool and hot. tub and resirt itself. (AKL) then went to Hoop Dee Doo!

 

[kwdw]

I am planning a short trip with my daughter, likely 2-3 park days and 2 rest days Fly Dec 14th and there Dec 15-20. She is 21 years old, we will not have a car. What are your favorite things to do in Disney Springs or possibly hopping around the Disney resorts? Any super fun places to go? I know there will be Xmas decor, but where are some of the best spots? Seeing fireworks from outside the parks? Our plan is to have a super long park day, then sleep in and have a day off and repeat. Any super cool bars?

Jenn

I’d really suggest looking at park hours and understanding which days you can have super long hours. Are you park hopping? If no, is she okay skipping a park? Are you going attend Jollywood Nights or MVMCP? Staying deluxe or not impacts potential extended evening hours.

Anyway, I don’t know how much you go or your experience level, but I couldn’t handle 2 rest days in a trip that length, maybe one would be okay.

I do think seeing the gingerbread displays is fun and I like the idea of pairing that with a pub crawl or progressive meal or just a nice TS meal.

 

[Minnie1222]

How about having cake and champagne at the new restaurant called Cake Bake at Boardwalk?

 

[Best Aunt]

How about having cake and champagne at the new restaurant called Cake Bake at Boardwalk?

I was going to suggest checking out the Cake Bake Shop thread. Lots of pre-opening opinions in there.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/cake-bake-shop-at-the-boardwalk-opening-in-2024.3901783/

 

[Miffy]

Another fun place to go at Christmastime is Fort Wilderness after dark. The campers there really go all out decorating their campsites.

You could have an enjoyable evening going to Hoop de Doo then touring the campsites.

 

[JenniferFolsomCa]

I’d really suggest looking at park hours and understanding which days you can have super long hours. Are you park hopping? If no, is she okay skipping a park? Are you going attend Jollywood Nights or MVMCP? Staying deluxe or not impacts potential extended evening hours.

Anyway, I don’t know how much you go or your experience level, but I couldn’t handle 2 rest days in a trip that length, maybe one would be okay.

I do think seeing the gingerbread displays is fun and I like the idea of pairing that with a pub crawl or progressive meal or just a nice TS meal.

We are not going to the Holiday parties. We figure if we go for the 30 minutes early entry to MK and then hop to EP, mostly for decor/food/ candelight processional.

The other day start at HS same thing start 30 minutes early and then hop to EP or possibly MK. Planning to skip AK. We don't want to overdo it, we are doing this short trip before a cruise so need the last day to do some laundry, and want to make sure we don't get sick. Plan to sleep in a lot on the non park days! She will have just finished finals and graduating college so it's not a full Disney trip. My other child is still in school (isn't coming) so trying to do things that he wouldn't enjoy. Normally we go all together and this trip is about her.