Non-park activities

[IloveAKL]

We will be at Saratoga Springs for 5 days this summer and we won't be going to the parks (gasp!)
I'm looking for some non-park activities. Some things I thought of are going to a movie in DTD, carriage ride in Port Orleans, of course swimming. I'm looking for some less obvious ideas, like eating at O'Hana for dinner and then sitting on the beach at Polynesian to watch the Electric Water Pagent and then watching Wishes...
Thanks in advance

 

[GRUMPY D]

Saratoga has movies at the main pool and if your a dvc member they have welcome home Wednesdays and if you have a car thee is 2 different min golf courses or you can just go around and vist all the other resorts

 

[ToddyLu]

You can take the ferry boat from MK to WL--very fun. You don't have to enter the park. Also take the car to the Swan or Dolphin, or catch one of the buses to the resort from DTD. Get on the ferry boat and ride to all 4 ports of call, then get off. They will make you get off at Epcot International Gateway and DHS port but you do not need a ticket to ride. This takes about an hour and it is so much fun walking around the Boardwalk, too. Great places to eat and shop. Have you seen La Nouba??

 

[ToddyLu]

And how could I forget----ride the monorail several times--you can catch it at the TTC, Epcot and MK. There is also a nice ferry boat ride from POFQ to DHS I think. You may have to disembark but just get back in line to go back. If you get turned around or need to get back to Saratoga, just take any resort bus to DTD and get your ride back to Saratoga. Go to the observation deck at the Contemporary and watch Wishes at MK. THe Garden Tea at the Grand Floridian is nice, too. Check the website and see if they offer any tours that do not need park admission--you may get lucky there. Check Allearsnet.com and go to the section on "Beyond the Parks".

Hope this helps and you will have a great time. I went to a 3 day convention at the Swan a couple fo years ago and just rode the bus, monorail and went to DTD for a Blizzard at the Mc Donald's there. Called DH and told him, "guess where I am...", he was horrified that I went and he couldn't come with me. I had a wonderful time.

 

[figment814]

We've rented boats at both Downtown Disney and the Poly and taken little boat trips. I enjoyed the the Downtown Disney experience more. went past OKW, Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, and the Treehouse Villas. So much fun!

 

[*Valdez*]

You can take the boat to DTD then catch the bus to Swan/Dolphin for Mini Golf at Fantasia Gardens. We did s'mores on the beach at Swan/Dolphin one day. You can also do the campfire with Chip and Dale. Saratoga also does activities everyday that you can look into, such as ice cream making and Bingo.

 

[BradyBz12]

Some things at Fort Wilderness:
- Campfire/movie (FREE)
- Hoop de Doo Revue (a classic)
- Watch Electrical Water Pageant from beach (time it to watch Wishes before or after from there as well)
- Horseback riding
- Visit the barns where the MK horses are kept
- Wilderness Back Trail Adventures Tour (Segway)

Don't forget the Boardwalk!
Jelly Rolls
Atlantic Dance
lots of great restaurants/shops
ESPN Zone
Rent a Surrey bike and make the loop past Yacht and Beach Clubs

At DTD...
Catch the live music at Raglan Road (and the BREAD PUDDING!)

 

[chicagoshannon]

You could rent a surrey bike or paddle boat.

 

[VAN]

FREE

The entertainer, Bob Jackson - Riverroost Lounge POR. Check for times, but I think it might be 8:00 pm Wed-Sat.

Great entertainment while you have a beverage ... appropriate and fun for all ages!

 

[TheWog]

check out the animals at AKL. rent the sea racers

 

[GoofyiiFan]

The theater at DTD is really nice. I'd really just suggest overall DTD. Or you can go to Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. They have some delicious looking ice cream there. I've never been there but have wanted to go. Goodluck choosing!

 

[mbh106]

Great suggestions. Thanks

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Oh you can rent a bike at SSR and ride over to OWK. THere is a paved path to OKW. Go over there and have lunch.

SSR has carriage rides too.

Go to the Boardwalk in the evenings. There is a lot of things going on there.

Go visit the AKL and see the animals.

You can walk from Fort Wilderness to Wildrness Lodge. The paved path is 1.07 miles.