Non Park Trip suggestions

[DeeCee735]

Hi everyone

I was originally going for my 3 day trip in a few weeks with a co-worker who was totally geared to park touring (which after 13 years, I still can't get enough of ). But, since we lost the February school break due to Sandy, she cannot join me, so a friend from VA is meeting me there. She's not so much the park type, like not at all the park type .

So, now I'm trying to figure out what we can do together other than sit by the pool (weather permitting, and which is totally cool by me, but not for three days). I booked the tea at the Grand Floridan for lunch on the second day we are there, but that's it.

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Villa's Kidani. She is saving for her daughter's wedding, so I already threw out the idea of the safari tour at the Lodge or a spa treatment at one of the onsite spas. Any ideas?

TIA

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We're Floridian's so the parks we've done to death so we often do non-park things!

Favorites:

Easier if staying at OKW/SSR but...

We love movies so we go to DTD and hit the AMC theater but now there's an even better option, the dine in Theater. They show the current movies, plus the menu is extensive. We've been 4 times now and the food is really good, as is the full bar!

Take the boat to DTD and walk around the shops, have dinner or even an after dinner coffee w/ Bailey's or Kahlua, or Girardelli's ice cream. They put on shows/bands there nightly, some can be quite entertaining!

Take some time for the Spa, maybe a mani/pedi or a facial!

We like to go to Bluezoo at the Dolphin, sometimes for dinner or just for drinks and appetizers and then walk around the boardwalk!

With the kids we sometimes rent bicycles, but I don't know if this is possible at Kidani!

Make sure you try Sanaa at Kidani it's really good!

If you have a car, we always like to go to the outlet malls, they are close by!

and also by car, there are several local Orlando eateries that we enjoy!

 

[sleepydog25]

In addition to the excellent suggestions above, have you considered resort hopping? Admittedly, it would be a bit problematic from AKL, but still quite doable and would give you a peek at the other resorts where you could enjoy drinks there and check out their theming. Head over to WL, for example, and sit at the Trout Pass Bar, watch the geyser, sit on the beach, then if you want a little exercise, you can take the paved trail over to FW (or perhaps the unpaved nature trail that starts beside the bike rental shop). None of that would cost very much, and it would be a way to further introduce your friend to Disney without all the hype of the parks.

 

[disney314]

Do you think she would consider one day at Magic Kingdom? I am not someone who wants to go to the parks every day, but I would hate to go without one visit to Magic Kingdom.

But if she is totally against going to MK, then maybe try to go one night to BLT and watch wishes from the top of the resort where they pipe in the music.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi everyone

I was originally going for my 3 day trip in a few weeks with a co-worker who was totally geared to park touring (which after 13 years, I still can't get enough of ). But, since we lost the February school break due to Sandy, she cannot join me, so a friend from VA is meeting me there. She's not so much the park type, like not at all the park type .

So, now I'm trying to figure out what we can do together other than sit by the pool (weather permitting, and which is totally cool by me, but not for three days). I booked the tea at the Grand Floridan for lunch on the second day we are there, but that's it.

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Villa's Kidani. She is saving for her daughter's wedding, so I already threw out the idea of the safari tour at the Lodge or a spa treatment at one of the onsite spas. Any ideas?

TIA

AKV is a great place for a non-park trip. There are so many wonderful activities right there at the resort. There's a cultural tour of Sanaa, and when I took it, they brought out the appetizer of 3 types of breads and 3 types of dips at the end of the tour. Well, since i'd been the only one on the tour, I ordered a drink and had a cheap dinner. There are lots of fun activities at community hall, and I highly recommend the jewelry-making over at Jambo. The animal viewing at night, with night-vision goggles is fun as is the movies by the pool (you can go to both Kidani and Jambo). I loved the lunch with the animal keeper at Sanaa-great lunch, very interesting discussion, and for about $50/each, a bargain.

 

[DeeCee735]

Do you think she would consider one day at Magic Kingdom? I am not someone who wants to go to the parks every day, but I would hate to go without one visit to Magic Kingdom.

But if she is totally against going to MK, then maybe try to go one night to BLT and watch wishes from the top of the resort where they pipe in the music.

OMG! I completely forgot about TOW at BLT! I'm doing this! Not giving my buddy a choice

Do we just go over or do we need a reserved time? Please let me know.
And THANK YOU for a GREAT suggestion!

Thank you to above poster for the AMC dine in suggestion, I'm totally into this, she's not much of a movie person, but it's def an option. If not, perhaps the bar at Raglan Road

I appreciate you guys taking the time to respond with great suggestions!

 

[com_op_2000]

How about a trip over to the Gaylord Palms Resort. It is only about 4 miles from Kidani with three acres of three different Fla enviroments under a glass roof. They have a very nice buffet breakfast or lunch, the dinner we consider to much $$$.

 

[thepops]

Jelly Rolls for an evening of entertainment. AKV does have a lot to do as well. Maybe the demo rooms for the Grand Floridian will be open by then

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

OMG! I completely forgot about TOW at BLT! I'm doing this! Not giving my buddy a choice

Do we just go over or do we need a reserved time? Please let me know.
And THANK YOU for a GREAT suggestion!

Thank you to above poster for the AMC dine in suggestion, I'm totally into this, she's not much of a movie person, but it's def an option. If not, perhaps the bar at Raglan Road

I appreciate you guys taking the time to respond with great suggestions!

If you are heading to BLT for fireworks, why not go a little earlier and tour the POLY and Grand Floridian by monorail. You can also ride the boat loop around Bay Lake and even take the Ferry across Seven Seas Lagoon (do a round trip). If it is warm and sunny, it is actually quite enjoyable. The Wave at BLT is a very good restaurant at a reasonable cost.

If your friend likes the Monorail, ride it over to Epcot (it does a little tour around the park before it stops) and ride back to the Magic Kingdom resorts. You can see quite a bit without spending a dime.

 

[disneynutz]

Does you friend really know about Disney Parks? Most of our non WDW friends and family assume that there are nothing but rides based on the commercials that they see on TV.

Epcot is a great park geared to just walking around and checking things out.

Bill

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

She's not so much the park type, like not at all the park type .

Is she "not at all the park type" because she's been to the Disney parks and did not care for the experience?

Or is she "not at all the park type" because she thinks the Disney parks are just like regional thrill ride parks?

What does she enjoy? The Orlando area has much to offer beyond major theme parks.

Will the two of you have a car?

 

[eandesmom]

Pool hop! With your membership you can hit quite a few. While hopping you can check out the lounges or recreation at those resorts (paddleboat at OKW, Surrey bikes at BWV, bikes at VWL). Or do a monorail pub crawl with stop for a swim and shopping at each place. Yee Haw Bob at POR is a blast, and free! The Mandara Spa at the Swolphin is an absolute piece of Nirvana though it sounds like that wouldn't be in her budget.

 

[DeeCee735]

Is she "not at all the park type" because she's been to the Disney parks and did not care for the experience?

Or is she "not at all the park type" because she thinks the Disney parks are just like regional thrill ride parks?

What does she enjoy? The Orlando area has much to offer beyond major theme parks.

Will the two of you have a car?

She's been to Disney Parks, she is just very not into crowds, lines, rides, and park ticket prices. We don't see each other much since she lives in a different state than I do, so we really look forward to hanging out, laughing, cocktails and girl talk. I, on the other hand, can do all that while I'm on line, in a crowd, watching a show or touring a park in any capacity But...that's just me!

I love the idea of dinner at the Wave followed by TOW lounge and will see if I can make that happen.

I also like the tour around Animal Kingdom Villas, followed by a taste of the breads and dips. Is there a cost for that?

I already booked Grand Floridian for the tea service and hopefully will be able to see model rooms. Are they located there or at SSR, like the last models were?

Jellyrolls has already crossed my mind. We may get that in on the last night.

I luv you guys! You are awesome in taking the time and really coming up with great ideas.

Oh, and no, no car this trip

 

[dvcterry]

If it's been previously posted forgive me, but I have to get a dole whip every trip. Head over to the Poly for a dole whip! Hang out there a bit. Enjoy the poly beach too. Watch wishes from there.

If you do want to try a tour, maybe the wilderness segway tour?
Wilderness lodge has great biking and jogging trails!

And this is just me talking, but I'd love to sign up for the exotic driving experience, ferrari, of course

Have a great time!

 

[a742246]

I would do the broadwalk at sunset, maybe have pizza and sit outside. The street performers are in the evening. Then checkout Atlantic Dance Hall. Watch the epcot fireworks from the BC lighthouse.

You can do DTD have lunch you can get a DVC discount at many on the rest.
Have an ice cream at Ghirardelli's. House of Blue's offers free live music in the evenings at its front porch. Raglan Road has free live music in the bar.

You can visit the town of Celebration.

Rent a boat and ride the bay lake area.
Rent a bike.
Watch the electrical water pageant, MK fireworks from the GF or POLY.

 

[wbl2745]

I don't think these have been mentioned:

At the Boardwalk rent a surrey (they have them for two) and ride around the lake to the Beach and Yacht Clubs.

Have ice cream or a meal at Beaches and Cream.

Do they still show movies in the evening on the beach at the Beach Club Resort?

Go to Fort Wilderness for the evening program there.

I agree with a previous poster that Epcot, particularly World Showcase is not your standard "amusement park." There's lots to do in the countries without the attractions. Look at the entertainment schedule in Epcot and target some that sound good. I particularly like Off Kilter.

Good luck!

 

[Brian Noble]

I too would consider springing for a one-day ticket to Epcot for her, and spending it in World Showcase, flitting between entertainment, the occasional cocktail, and a nice meal somewhere. Take a cab to BCV and enter through the International Gateway rather than taking the bus, so that you don't start out on the wrong foot.

 

[amypetecar]

I would cast another vote for yeehaw bob jackson at port orleans riverside.