Ideas for after cruise, non park, activities

[dis3family]

Hi. We are going on our first Disney cruise in June. We have been to WDW several times but have always spent our time in the parks. For the cruise, we are coming in the day before and then spending the two days after on property so that we can enjoy a few extra days of our vacation. We have no plans to go into the parks. What are some suggestions of things we can do that do not require us going into a park. We are staying at Art of Animation. Any suggestions would help!!

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

Chip and Dale Campfire at Ft. Wilderness. Disney Springs....visit the Coca Cola Bear, and get a 10 cup tray of coke floats in various flavors for $10!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi. We are going on our first Disney cruise in June. We have been to WDW several times but have always spent our time in the parks. For the cruise, we are coming in the day before and then spending the two days after on property so that we can enjoy a few extra days of our vacation. We have no plans to go into the parks. What are some suggestions of things we can do that do not require us going into a park. We are staying at Art of Animation. Any suggestions would help!!

Do you mean the parks proper? There are plenty of other things to do at WDW that don't involve going to the parks themselves. There's miniature golf, Disney Springs (formerly DownTown Disney), water parks. And each resort often has activities going on.

 

[dis3family]

Chip and Dale Campfire at Ft. Wilderness. Disney Springs....visit the Coca Cola Bear, and get a 10 cup tray of coke floats in various flavors for $10!

What a great idea! I hadn't thought about the campfire at all! We've wanted to do that but haven't been able to squeeze it in on prior visits...this might be the perfect time!

 

[KalamityJane]

We are doing a week before the cruise, resort stay only and 2 nights after. I plan on going to Whispering Canyon for dinner, and then out to the beach and watch the Electrical Water Pageant

Last resort stay, we rode the monorails and did a progressive meal

Animal Kingdom Lodge has some seriously cool offerings for free at the resort! I googled Animal Kingdom Lodge activities and there was a recent pdf to give you ideas.

 

[RedSox68]

Even just taking the monorail or buses and visiting the resorts is fun -- have a snack or an ice cream at some of them.

 

[Quellman]

I really think this belongs in the WDW forum, resort maybe too. At least to generate discussion on non-park activities, of which there are many.

 

[Owl X]

The Kenny Space Center may be a good option if you are driving since it is near Cape Canaveral.
It is a short drive from Port Canaveral.
It may not be convenient if you are using paid transportation (taxi, shuttle) as it is about an hour from the resorts.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise from the Contemporary is fun.

 

[bbn1122]

My sons are older but we have done non park resort stay prior to our cruise 2 times. We enjoy Disney Springs, bowling, movies, shopping, and eating!!,
We also, enjoyed water parks when they were younger. We have also done the monorail resort visit. Stopped at different arcades, got ice cream etc. Take the boat cross to WL. Rent the Mouseboats (as we still call them).
Pool Hopping!
They love just hanging out at the resorts chilling, swimming, basketball and arcades.
My DH and I enjoy having a special dinner just the two of us. Last time it was California Grill.

So much to do! We have no problem just enjoying our resort stay. Love OKW and SSR for access to DS.

 

[Savikins]

I love visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge and viewing the animals. I always stop by their quick service place, The Mara, and pick up some yummy zebra domes.

Riding the resort monorail and visiting the monorail resorts is also a very fun activity.

 

[Shanti]

Hi. We are going on our first Disney cruise in June. We have been to WDW several times but have always spent our time in the parks. For the cruise, we are coming in the day before and then spending the two days after on property so that we can enjoy a few extra days of our vacation. We have no plans to go into the parks. What are some suggestions of things we can do that do not require us going into a park. We are staying at Art of Animation. Any suggestions would help!!

• Miniature golf- the Fantasia course is especially nice on summer evenings- we could see & hear the HS fireworks from the course
• Hoop Dee Doo Revue dinner show at Fort Wilderness
• Horseback riding, canoeing, bicycle-riding or a carriage ride at Fort Wilderness
• Dining at T-Rex at Disney Springs
• Hot air balloon ride at Disney Springs
• Bowling at Splitsville Lanes
• Renting watercraft from one of the Bay Lake resorts and spending an hour boating on the lake
• Having dinner and ice cream at Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club, then strolling the boardwalk and taking in its evening entertainment

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

Walking around the Boardwalk, watching the entertainers, etc.

 

[travellingmom1983]

Thank you for sharing! We are spending 4 nights at AOA in May prior to setting sail on The Fantasy. We are also looking for activities with a 2 1/2 year old in tow. So far, we plan on doing a pool day and checking out resort activates, Disney springs for dinner a few nights. And I would love to check out some of the other resorts. Can you go to the pools and other amenities at the other resorts as a property staying guest?

 

[PurplePencil]

And I would love to check out some of the other resorts. Can you go to the pools and other amenities at the other resorts as a property staying guest?

You can visit anything that does not require a room at the resort ie. Arcade, lobby activities (AKL), wandering around, eating at restaurants. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but pool hopping is reserved for DVC correct?

Even just taking the monorail or buses and visiting the resorts is fun -- have a snack or an ice cream at some of them.

What are some suggestions of things we can do that do not require us going into a park. We are staying at Art of Animation. Any suggestions would help!!

My sons are older but we have done non park resort stay prior to our cruise 2 times. We enjoy Disney Springs, bowling, movies, shopping, and eating!!,
We also, enjoyed water parks when they were younger. We have also done the monorail resort visit. Stopped at different arcades, got ice cream etc. Take the boat cross to WL. Rent the Mouseboats (as we still call them).

These are great ideas. I recently spent debarkation day at Disney Springs before a late flight, and visited OKW which I had never been to. It's nice to take some leisure time window shopping and exploring Disney Springs.

Going to Disney Springs and catching the boat to Saratoga or OKW is fun, then you can explore the resort and hop on the first park bus you see. Although it seems like a waist of time, traveling to a park and then visiting nearby resorts is fun to do. Some activities could be how many different modes of transportation in one day ie. Bus, then Water taxi, then bus to HS , then Friendship boat to Epcot, then monorail to MK and explore the monorail resorts.
Each resort has a list of activities, at some resorts (especially DVC) there is a board somewhere listing these; in addition to every resort having a unique lobby and theming.

AKL is really fun to explore all the African Art, in addition to watching animals. WL has a lot to do too, including some of Walt's very own train memorabilia. Some resorts (including the two I mentioned) offer free resort tours at certain times just ask the front desk. Many resorts also have scavenger hunts you can pick up to do, also ask at the front desk.

If your really bored and don't mind sitting through a buy-in presentation you can schedule a DVC Open House Tour. You'll be picked up at your resort, taken to Saratoga Springs, given a 60-90 minute presentation then given ice cream at the end; plus free childcare if needed.

Sorry for the long reply, happy planning!

 

[Geomom]

Check out some of the activities at your resort: Art of Animation.
http://kennythepirate.com/wp-content/uploads/aoa_recreation.pdf
This is the March activity schedule, but it will give you some ideas of the type of things offered.

It looks like they have free animation drawing classes offered 3x a day. (It's under 'character artist'.)