Ideas, Please - What to do instead of parks

[KelNottAt]

For Labor Day weekend, we'll be making our first trip to WDW since 2001. This is an "impulse" "just the 4 of us" vacation we're squeezing so myself, DH, DS12 and DD10 can get away without extended family. (Don't get me wrong, I LOVE big family vacations, but we haven't been alone together[?] since forever.)

Anyway, we want to keep our expenses to a minimum because we've already blown our vacation budget for the year. So, we're staying on DVC points (BWV), eating (almost) every meal in the villa, flying inconveniently, and (gasp) skipping the parks.

If we were buying park tickets, it would cost about $900 - $950: 4 x PHP or 4 x UPH. So, if I could come up with some cheap alternatives to the parks that only cost $300 - $400, we really come out ahead.

Please give me your suggestions for things to do as alternatives to the parks. We can spend some money, but $400 is the max for 4 days: Friday - Monday. I'd like a portion of that to go toward one nice, entertaining meal. (Not Hoop Dee Doo or Luau - been there, done that.)

So far I've thought of:
Disney Quest with the DVC discount
Bike and Boat plan
lounging around the pools/pool hopping
browsing DTD

What else????

Thanks for all your suggestions.
Kelley

 

[oogieboogie]

How bout mini golfing? There are 2 mini golf courses.

Since you're staying at BCV, hanging around the boardwalk and spending time at SAB would be perfect.

Nice entertaining meal: Whispering Canyon or Ohanas

What about driving instead of flying? It would be cheaper and you could put the money towards doing other stuff in WDW.

What's always fun for my family is resort hopping. AKL is beautiful and you can see the animals there.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness, Campfire at Fort wilderness, viewing wishes from the Polynesian Beach, tying this into pool hopping. Checking out other resort game rooms like food and fun center at the contemporary etc.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

what about a hidden Mickey search at all the resorts? That should take up some time.

We love to just laze around the pool and relax when we're not doing the parks.

Have you been to Celebration? They have some great restaurants including a diner that has the best pies for dessert.

What about the premium outlet mall?

Have you cone cirque du soliel? You'd probably blow your whole budget there, but it's fun.

Disney Quest can easily eat up an entire day - and the Cheesecakse Factory is in there - great for late afternoon dessert.

 

[CajunDixie]

Labor Day Weekend? There's plenty of time to Ebay and earn a lil more money. Then you could pick one park to visit.
Will you have a car? If so you could check out the outlets or local state parks. When "boating" don't forget the pontoon ride from DTD to PO. For an inexpensive meal you could try the buffet at Fort Wilderness. Then go to one of the monorail resorts to watch the MK fireworks and/or the electrical water parade.

 

[CheapMom]

http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html
the above article is great-

 

[oogieboogie]

I forgot... how bout the petting farm at FW?

 

[robsmom]

5 day pass is less than 100 per person so you could go for all 4 days within your 400 budget. (if you have a car)

one day at disney quest could fit

will you have a car - drive to the kennedy space center.

 

[stauncie]

if you have a car....
Old Towne on 192. They have a 'cruise in' every Friday and Saturday night. pick up a "Orlando area' coupon book available just about anywhere, and look for a coupon b1g1 sandwiches at Checkers and share a large order of fries. Then stop by the General Store in Old Towne for a $0.25 bottle of Pepsi and enjoy your low budget meal while watching the cars drive by.
$3.37 for 2 people)

 

[karebear1]

Don't forget the free movie at Ft. Wilderness. You can bring your own stuff for smores or buy it there.

 

[jgates]

eBay, baby!!!!

You didn't indicate if you had a car or not. There are mini-golf courses off-site too (besides the 2 at Disney), Pirates Cove, etc.

Are there any tennis facilities, etc where you are staying?

A movie at the theaters at Downtown Disney. (check to see if they give matinee discounts - I don't know if they do or not).

 

[LuvTigger]

I personally love just checking out all the resorts! At WL, you can ask for a Hidden Mickey clue list.

Also, I like to collect pressed pennies. (You could just limit yourself to a certain amount and just bring the amount of pennies and quarters needed that fits your budget.)

There are some great places to go walking and exploring. I like the walk between PO RS and FQ, and I also like walking on the paths outside MK towards GF.

 

[HeatherC]

Not sure if this is the place to mention it, but have you done Universal? They are currently offering tickets for 5 consecutive days at less than the cost of 2 days. I think it is around $80 or 90 a person...and if you use Mastercard they will give you one free for every 4 you order.

Just an idea. I found it over on the USOINFO board.

Heather C