Looking for something new to do at Disney World

[bledsoedoc]

My kids 13th trip is coming up in April for 8 days and his 14th will be November-December for 16 days. We have participated in a scavenger hunt in Epcot that I set up for my dh's birthday and our 14th anniversary. ( It ended in him getting tickets from me for a Disney cruise.) I had worked with Gifts of a Lifetime for this wonderful event. We have been at every character meal. Through Disney we have done Behind the Seeds, Candlelight Processional, Family Magic Tour, The Not so scary Halloween Party, many many Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties, Pirate Adventure Cruises, the Pirate League, Pirates and Pals Firework voyages, Richard Petty Driving Experience ( though offsite in Atlanta) and several in room celebrations through Disney Florist.
The trip in April is for our nephew's wedding so will be very full with family events. Our nephew works at Disney, as does his fiance. So what I am looking for is something new for our Winter trip. Our son is 8 years old. We always try at least 1 new restraunt and 1 new event...but I have ran out of ideas. Any suggestions? Maybe the YES program if they offer something while we are there...

 

[dprincessmom]

WOW!!! you all have done a lot. Maybe make the November trip a more simple trip. Mini golf, Disney Quest, Animator's class, maybe even bowling at Splitsville.

We are doing all of these things, plus Hidden Mickey hunts, water parks and having a more relaxed trip this time.

Good luck but whatever you end up doing, I am certain your child will have a great time. I think sometimes we as parents make it harder than it needs to be with wanting everything to be new and exciting, when the kiddos would rather just do their favorites and have a little more time at the pool. I know that I am GUILTY of doing this and that's why we are going more relaxed this time because that's what our party has requested this time.

 

[bledsoedoc]

Because we go for 16 days each winter and go so frequently, we are actually very relaxed during our trips. We don't rush around and try to cram too much in. We do play mini golf while we are there most trips. Loved Splitsville last trip. We did some of the hidden Mickey's at wilderness lodge last winter. We sip hot coco by the fire at night in the WL lobby while reading christmas stories. We have 2 purple boxes that stay in Florida, that we keep games to play during down time. And when warm enough we swim. But we do enjoy something new each trip. April we are trying Yak and Yeti and Biergarten for the first time. Plus we will have family with us and the wedding. So noy worried about April. But still looking for something for Winter. DS loves the surprise of trying something new. And so does my dh. I do all the planning, with their input. But always keep a secret nugget until it is time for the reveal. It is just tradition.

 

[bledsoedoc]

I do like the idea of doing the animators class at hs. This might bethe new thing. I also found silhouettes in MK that could be a fun idea. Thanks!

 

[dprincessmom]

When we went for DD birthday trip we took 2 classes but she would have loved to do more. We did Dopey and one of the elves from Prep and Landing.

Envious that your trips are typically relaxed - ours not so much. We are determined to make this one different. Have you ever gone offsite for something new? There are helicopter tours of Orlando, indoor sky diving etc? Can't remember from your original post if you had done the carriage rides - those look fun.

 

[SWofDisorder]

Can you coordinate with some other members and do a scavenger hunt? We like to watch the ELP at night from the beach while having cocktails. Or a soda for the little ones.

Beach time is always nice. Have you gone to the Poly just to walk in the sand?

 

[bledsoedoc]

We love the Poly and have stayed there a few times. Plan on buying into dvc there when it opens up. Absolutely our favorite resort. Walking into the lobby on the first day always makes me teary eyed because I am so happy.
Love some of the off site ideas. Will put them on my list. Especially indoor skydiving. How cool is that? I think that might make me the coolest mom in the world in my ds eyes. Lol.
Last winter we went to the Kennedy space center. OMG it was wonderful. Could have spent 2 more days so it is a must do repeat. I highly suggest this for anyone who has an extra day. It was marvelous. My 7 yo loved it and all 3 of learned so much. Tons of hands on activities. Great great space shuttle encounter. Loved the trip out to the apollo building. We only were able to do about 1/3 in a day trip. We are very hands on and read everything.
We do sea world 1 day every 3-4 years. We usually do 2 days at US and IoA but skipped it last trip.
Thanks for the ideas. Logging them in my android so I wont forget any.
And by the way, relaxed is the way to do it. Dont get me wrong, we are doing something all day and into the wee hours when able, but not rushing. And if tired we leave and swim or play games or read. Little man even does school work most days since we pull him out of school. Does a lot of journalling and math. He goes to a Montessori school and they have been really good working with us. He even does projects there, especially AK.

 

[bledsoedoc]

The scavenger hunt we set up through a group called Gifts of a Lifetime. They are not Disney but did a magnificent job with it all. If you have another group you know it can be done as 1 event. I did it for my dh birthday and our anniversary. Had them buy small gifts for my son to keep him interested. Big gift for dh was last stop. Took about 2 1/2 hours. GOAL will set up almost anything for you in the parks or in your room. They love to decorate rooms. Check them out on facebook.

 

[jimandami]

What about a day at US..is he into Harry Potter at all? I took DS when he was 8 and he LOVED WWOHP! He was chosen for the wand show at Ollivander's and it was literally the highlight of our 9 day trip! The other thing I wondered about is lunch with an Imagineer? I know DS (now 10) talks about becoming an Imagineer frequently and would love to meet one!

 

[bledsoedoc]

Lunch with an image need is definitely going on my to do list. Thanks.
We do US and IoA most years and do love th WWHP. Plus Seusland.

 

[SEA333]

Some of the things we did in Orlando when my kids were 11, 7, and 6 were:

IFly Indoor Skydiving (the entire reason for the trip)
Gatorland ziplining
Cocoa Beach
Kennedy Space Center
Disney Quest
MK
Detroit Tigers/Washington Nationals spring training game in Lakeland FL

If you are going to do IFly, I would recommend having your son watch the Fetch with Ruff Ruffman episode that showcases the activity (my 6 year old had seen this and begged us to do it - at the time, there were only like two places in the US, one obviously being Orlando). I would also prepare him for what it is like in the wind tunnel by letting him sit with the car windows wide open while you are driving about 40-50 mph, because the worst thing (for me, DD7, and DS6) was the feeling like you cannot breathe because the wind is coming at you do fast. DS11 and DH had no problem with this. I would not do it again, but DS (now almost14), DS (now 8) and DH cannot WAIT for IFly to open here in Chicago so they can do it again. I *think* it is opening sometime in the next 6 months or so, but I digress....

 

[uccats97]

What about the activities at Fort Wilderness? Horse back riding or a pony ride at Tri Circle D Ranch, a wagon ride through the property, or the Archery Experience. Maybe a tour of Animal Kingdom Lodge on the Sunrise Safari or Night Safari or even the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom. At Epcot you could do the Seas Aqua Tour. How about surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon?

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Kayaking with manatees in winter?

 

[MatoMany]

Miniture golf? It can be fun,even for the adults. We did it as part of a family reunion (we had 1 child and 16 adults) and the adults had more fun than the children. A good way to spend a relaxing evening and get a few good laughs. Especially if you have a "golfer" in the family who insists they will "win it all"

 

[scottmel]

Anxious to see some more replies. I am in the same boat with DD15...She is bringing a friend this trip (friends second trip, DD's 15th!). So we too have done TONS and run out of ideas.

I echo the PP about Animation Academy. DD discovered this 2 years ago and loved it. Had to do five classes again last summer...We also rented a pontoon on the OKW path to DTD and that was really nice...What about Wishes Dessert Party - you could try that....She loved Gatorland as well! Universal is a must do for us as well - I assume you have been there.....

I always always aim for 5 new things per trip and it is getting tough to come up with 5 each year...

 

[wiigirl]

I do like the idea of doing the animators class at hs. This might bethe new thing. I also found silhouettes in MK that could be a fun idea. Thanks!

 

[ezmerelda]

If he is eight, he is now eligible to do the Wild Africa Trek. That is a unique Disney experience with adventure and real close up opportunities with the animals (like hanging over hippos and traversing over alligators). You also receive a DVD and keepsake metal water bottle. Highly recommend it.

 

[laughinplace199]

Another vote for Wild Africa Trek. DH took DS11 last year and it was the highlight of his trip!

I'm not sure if this would work for you, but DH took DS to a couple of Red Sox spring training games. I think spring training ends in March, so it may not work for you, but if it does, check out their schedule. They went to away games (can't remember which teams) which weren't as far away as Ft. Meyers.

 

[stormer]

The Wild Africa Trek and the Archery Experience at FW are on my to do list for my boys. They both sound great.

What about the Chip and Dale campfire and sing a long at FW? That was fun, especially in the winter.

 

[winthropf]

Spend an evening watching Yee Ha Bob in the lounge at Riverside.