Need some ideas for inexpensive fun at the resorts

[luvstiggertoo]

My family and I are planning our trip for mid July. We will arrive on a Wednesday (early eve) and will head back home on Sunday. We are staying at ASSports. I know most DIS'ers will say that is not enough.....but that's all we can afford!

We plan to go to two parks and just buy the one park/one day pass and we will also go to Blizzard Beach one day. I need some ideas for other fun stuff to do while not at the parks that is inexpensive (or better yet, free).
I've heard that there is a movie/campfire with Chip & Dale at Fort Wilderness. What other ideas can you all give me?

Also, is there still a lighted water parade? I remember hearing about that the last time we were there but didn't know if that left with the MSEP.

Thanks!!
Geri

 

[crusoe2]

Don't feel bad about the length of your trip - our last trip was for 4 nites at ASMo and we just did 2 parks with a day in between to rest and relax. Worked out great for us so I think you have a good plan. Something you might want to do is take time to explore all 3 of the All Star resorts and take pictures - they are all right next door to one another and you can walk from one to another. If I'm not mistaken, you would be allowed to use the pools at all 3 resorts and if you get the refillable mugs, they can be used at all 3 resorts also. We bought the mugs when we were there and felt that we definitely got our money's worth, even for just those few days. I think it's a good idea to request a room close to the food court so that it is more convenient to run over there for refills. There aren't alot of activities at the All Stars but they do have a small gameroom, a few penny press machines, and usually there is an artist who draws caricatures set up just outside the food court. As far as I know the electric water parade is still done on the lagoon in front of MK and lots of people like to watch it from the beaches of the monorail resorts. We plan to do this our next trip - we plan to do the Villains character dinner at GF and then spend the rest of the evening exploring the monorail resorts and catch the elec. water parade at about 9:00. If there are any fireworks at MK that nite we will probably stick around for those, too. That's about all I can think of for now - hope this helps!

 

[Quiet One]

You could go resort hopping if you wanted to. Take the monorail and tour the resorts that are there (Poly, GF, Contemporary). Via the monorail, you don't need to waste additional time by taking the bus or a car...OR you could tour the area around the Boardwalk and check out those resorts and shops..
Also, you could view the fireworks at the MK from the top of the Contemporary - always a nice option, esp. if you have never done that before!
Have fun no matter what you decide!

 

[manhattan]

I like to walk around Downtown Disney and window shop. Definitely go to the Poly to see the fireworks from the beach, just be prepared for a long (25-30 minute wait) for a bus back to AS resort from the MK. Also, go to the new Animal Kingdom Lodge to visit. Rent a bike- we did this twice at the WL and went to the petting farm, or walk it- nice and relaxing. Go to the Boardwalk. Or play miniature golf. See if you can do a character breakfast or dinner, and then explore that hotel. The main thing to remember is that you shouldn't feel that you have to fill every moment there with activities. We love just sitting by the pool talking or playing tic-tac-toe, spending "quality" time with each other. Hope this helps.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Looks like you are from Florida like us. Why don't you get the Play4 hopper passes for Florida residents. They are $99 4 day park hoppers and expire Sept. 30th. They offer lots of other discounts too. $10 off Disney Quest, Buy 1 waterpark get 2nd half price. Great rate for these! You could even do the last park Sunday morning. We are doing AK our last day until about 2 as we have only a 4 1/2 hour drive. Hope you got your resort with a discount!

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Yes, we are considering those.
I just found out today that for Florida Residents, Blizzard Beach tickets are buy one get one FREE! That is through Sept 30!

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Yes, even if you only used 3 of the days, the ability to hop and the other benefits make them much more cost efficient! Had not heard about Blizzard!

 

[DisneyMom]

Some ideas (some may have already been mentioned)

Ride the Monorail to the Contemporary - watch the fireworks from the observation deck, then go down to the beach and watch the Electric Water Pageant in the lagoon.

Go to Downtown Disney - there is a Lego Land area where there are lots of big lego structures that are really cool and a place where kids can make their own small structure, put a tag on it with their name and hang it up!

There is often entertainment in the lounges at the different resorts - we stayed at DxL and they had a comedian/piano player every evening - we filled our mugs, found a comfy seat and enjoyed lots of laughter!

The resorts also frequently have other events scheduled - when we went in December they had lots of holiday events - bell ringers, carolers, etc.

Tour the different resorts - tell guard at gate you're checking out hotel for future visit - it's fun to see all the theming, decorations and landscaping - each resort has its own personality!

Take the boat from DxL (PO Riverside) or PO New Orleans to Downtown Disney - nice relaxing ride with pretty scenary. (I don't think you have to be a guest at that resort to ride, but you might want to check - I don't remember anyone asking for id or saying anything about it when we rode.)

Talk to the CM's and Bus Drivers - we've learned some great "inside" information and gotten lots of tips from them - the CM's in Epcot are from the countries represented there and are fascinating to talk to!

At Fort Wilderness, there is a petting farm - they also have a barn with the horses from Main Street there (I can't remember the name of the breed - they're the really large war horses and are really neat to see). Micky Moo is there also (cow with Mickey emblem on side).

The campfire program is free to resort guests (any WDW resort) - they do sell hot dogs and marshmallows for you to cook over the fires. They also show a full length Disney Movie after the "sing-a-long." Be sure to look for the tree that grew around a lawnmower!

Have a great time!!