Non park activities at night

[tjknitz]

On our first night we will arrive around 3pm checkin. After dinner I'm trying to give the kids options of things to do....(not park related). This is what I've come up with so far:

1. Take a ride on the monorail and visit resorts/watch Wishes from Poly beach
2. Drive over to AKL and explore (we've never been there and I hear it's a beautiful resort). My kids are 4 and 7...something they would enjoy?
3. Drive to Epcot or HS and take the ferry to the boardwalk area (never been there before either). Are there fun things to see at night on the boardwalk?
4. Drive to POR and take the ferry to DTD (we've been to DTD before but never rode the ferry there and we've never seen POR)

Suggestions?

 

[ejdmomma]

I think those are all great ideas! My kids love boat rides and really enjoyed the ferry to DTD. The only issue is the line for the ferry in the evening can be long. AKL is really neat and in the evening they have a fire and the kids can roast marshmallows (at least they did a couple years ago).

Number 1 is on my bucket list

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If you go over to the Boardwalk area, you can also go over to the BC where they have a nightly campfire/marshmallow roast and movie in the beach. Boardwalk usually has entertainers like juggler and magicians. Have fun!

 

[yulilin3]

You can park directly at Boardwalk and walk around without taking the boat, they don't really have a lot of entertainment some magicians, sometimes around but it's beautiful to walk around, maybe grab a snack from the bakery.
I love AKL they also have night vision googles to see the animals at night. They have a small playground next to the pool that is fun for little ones.
DTD has a lot of entertainment at night, the boat from POR is a fun ride but it can be a long line to get back

 

[DisneyFive]

I vote for the Boardwalk area if you haven't been there. It may be my very favorite area in all of WDW. It just has such an awesome feel and look to it, with the lagoon surrounded by beautiful resorts, restaurants, the lighthouse, white sand beach, etc...

Dan

 

[Random Ninja]

With kids 4 and 7, I'd recommend taking them to Fort Wilderness. They have a nightly campfire complete with sing-a-long, a meet & greet with Chip and Dale, and a movie. There's also the Electric Water Pageant that floats by the beach and they pipe in the music for Wishes. Trails End is a good and decently priced buffet or you could grab something from the grab & go station to take to the campfire or eat by the beach. There's also pony rides and wagon rides for a small fee.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Definitely AKL! I'm 25 and could have stared at the animals all day while staying there.

 

[winthropf]

If you want to take in the boardwalk, do not drive to Epcot to take the boat. The boat is in the "back" entrance (international gateway) to Epcot and is not accessible from the front of Epcot without going through the park.

 

[tjknitz]

If you want to take in the boardwalk, do not drive to Epcot to take the boat. The boat is in the "back" entrance (international gateway) to Epcot and is not accessible from the front of Epcot without going through the park.

Good to know - thank you so much! I think our best bet would be to drive directly to BW.

 

[RustManFan]

Don't count on watching the fireworks from the Poly. The beach is only for resort guests

 

[tjknitz]

Don't count on watching the fireworks from the Poly. The beach is only for resort guests

When did this change? I have done this every year I've visiting Disney....is this something new?

 

[RustManFan]

guess so, but I have read this on many threads

 

[Jadyreen1282]

If you're going through POR stop off and see Yeehaa Bob while you're there.

 

[Spoiledraf]

If you go to the Boardwalk, I have read you can walk over the path to Hollywood Studios and see the Frozen fireworks show from the walkway. Haven't done it, just read it.
And I don't think there is anybody checking IDs at the Poly. Never did when I was there. You can also go to the boat dock of the GF and watch the fireworks from there.