"Killing time" at Disney Springs with kids

[Ladyandthepuppies]

I'm debating booking a late flight home because it's so much cheaper, but wondering what would entertain my family after we check out of the hotel / before we head to the airport. There would be about 6 hours of free time so I'm thinking Disney Springs, but my concerns are that there won't be enough to entertain my kids (ages 5 and 2 by then) or that to entertain them there it would end up being almost as expensive as buying another day's worth of park tickets. I would really appreciate thoughts from anyone who's BTDT!

 

[DizneyMommy]

We’re in the same boat! Late flight out, non-ticket day. What to do?!

What’s the likelihood of getting a late checkout in late June and how late is late?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

We were in the same boat on our last trip. We spent a few hours bowling and eating lunch at Splitsville. The kids had a blast and the food was really good. There is also the Lego store, World of Disney, Goofys Candy shop, the hot air balloon ride....lots to do at DS.

 

[Pauly3]

Our DS5 and DD2 loved the Potato Head section at Once Upon a Toy last year! We spent over an hour there one evening picking out pieces and they had a blast going through all the options!

***Hint: Fill the box full of all the different eyes, glasses, arms, legs, etc. and pay separately for the actual potato head! Each piece costs the same so fill your box with small parts to maximize!

 

[Ben E N]

We were so glad that we did this after out cruise this past spring break. We hung out at the Lego store, had lunch at T Rex, and took a boat ride to and from SSR. I'm sure we could have done plenty more, but it was a good way to spend a couple of hours in the sunshine with two little ones.

 

[Bethislucy]

Sleep late and you could play in the arcade at the resort. Then go over to The springs. You could do lunch at Trex which is fun and play at once upon a toy and the lego store. You also can go to the movies to kill some time.

 

[bumbershoot]

To me it’s a mall. I hate malls. Killing time in a mall means spending money.

I would rather hang out at my resort’s pool. Or do other sightseeing.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm debating booking a late flight home because it's so much cheaper, but wondering what would entertain my family after we check out of the hotel / before we head to the airport. There would be about 6 hours of free time so I'm thinking Disney Springs, but my concerns are that there won't be enough to entertain my kids (ages 5 and 2 by then) or that to entertain them there it would end up being almost as expensive as buying another day's worth of park tickets. I would really appreciate thoughts from anyone who's BTDT!

Add a day to your park tickets and go to a park for a few hours. If you are adding to a multi day ticket thats more than 5 days, it will only cost you like $12/per person or something. You'll spend a lot more than that at Disney Springs.

 

[scrapquitler]

We’re in the same boat! Late flight out, non-ticket day. What to do?!

What’s the likelihood of getting a late checkout in late June and how late is late?

The only 'late checkout' we've ever been offered without paying for an extra day is 1PM.

 

[Texans_loyal]

Tour the resorts

 

[dreamscometrue47]

I think I am the only non fan of Disney Springs when it comes to spending time there with small children. I can bowl, see a movie, etc. at home. On departure day, we always had what we called a "leaving for home breakfast" at the Grand Floridian Cafe , spent a few hours at the resort pool, and leisurely made our way to the airport. Now, without my small children (they are now 24 and 28!), we do enjoy a good meal at DS, some shopping and just relaxing.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Our DS5 and DD2 loved the Potato Head section at Once Upon a Toy last year! We spent over an hour there one evening picking out pieces and they had a blast going through all the options!

***Hint: Fill the box full of all the different eyes, glasses, arms, legs, etc. and pay separately for the actual potato head! Each piece costs the same so fill your box with small parts to maximize!

I'm pretty sure they no longer offer this Such a bummer, my kids loved it too.
https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney...ll-box-section-open-once-upon-toy-end-354925/

 

[Cece_Kay]

Id recommend adding a day on to your ticket (I just learned its ~$15 to add an extra day to a multi-day hopper) or hang at the resort and do a pool day.

Also as previously stated, late check out is 1p if you are able to get it.

 

[I'mfarfaraway]

I'm debating booking a late flight home because it's so much cheaper, but wondering what would entertain my family after we check out of the hotel / before we head to the airport. There would be about 6 hours of free time so I'm thinking Disney Springs, but my concerns are that there won't be enough to entertain my kids (ages 5 and 2 by then) or that to entertain them there it would end up being almost as expensive as buying another day's worth of park tickets. I would really appreciate thoughts from anyone who's BTDT!

My son, who is 15 now, has always thought of Disney Springs as another park. When he was very small he really liked the water fountain near the entrance by the busses, he also really enjoys the Lego store to this day.

 

[StarSeven7]

My kids are younger as well and Disney Springs is hard for us because it's mainly just restaurants and shopping. And shopping with my kids is torture because they don't want to just look, they want me to buy them everything! We had a late flight out our last day this year and we did a character breakfast in the morning and then we returned to our resort (we had already checked out but you have privileges all day) to swim and hang out until we had to leave for the airport.

 

[lampshadehead]

Is this a flight that departs around 9pm? Well I have BTDT, but with kids older than 5 and 2. Even after shopping, eating, hanging at the hotel lobby, we were all very much ready to leave and there was still a lot of time left to wait for ME. I know that the price difference in flights can be huge, but my recommendation would be to consider an earlier flight especially with a 2 year old. If not, then go for the extra day at park. More entertainment for the kids and I feel the time goes by faster than being at an outdoor mall.

 

[Lynzer4]

I say park day or pool day. We have a later flight when we go next week --- flight leaves at 7pm. We plan to sleep in then head over to a late breakfast at Ohana around 11:30 then head back to the resort to swim until its time for MDE. While Disney Springs has alot do to I don't think you can fill that much time with a 5 and 2 year old.... if you had older girls then yes but not kids that age.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Even with a movie and the Void, I couldn't entertain a 10 year old at DS for 6 hours. It's just shopping and eating, bowling (would a 2-year old want to do that?) and movies. I would check to see how much it would cost to upgrade your park tickets.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Our DS5 and DD2 loved the Potato Head section at Once Upon a Toy last year! We spent over an hour there one evening picking out pieces and they had a blast going through all the options!

***Hint: Fill the box full of all the different eyes, glasses, arms, legs, etc. and pay separately for the actual potato head! Each piece costs the same so fill your box with small parts to maximize!

This is no logner a thing :-(

Tons to do at disney springs. You could also schedule a resort character meal brunch after you checkout, then go to the springs and shop, maybe let them make a treat at Goofy's, play at the lego store, bowl, catch a movie, etc.

 

[saraheliz]

We had a late flight out last trip and didn't get picked up from the resort until after 6. We packed up, dropped off our bags, and headed to Epcot for a few hours (we had 6 day tix and it was only like $30 to add another day for all three of us). We were there 10-2/2:30ish, came back to the resort, swam for an hour or so (we had our swimstuff in our carry-ons), then just had an early dinner and relaxed, checked out the gift shop one more time, etc. It was a great last day! If you have a full 6 hours I would definitely hit a park- with three FP you can get in a few last favorite rides (we were able to ride TT and Soarin each twice, plus a few others, it was great!).

In terms of Disney Springs, we didn't love it (we hadn't been since 2012). The huge Disney shop was half closed for renovations, other than that it just felt like an overcrowded rich person's shopping center.