NONpark visit ideas/suggestions

[pmanko]

We visited the parks last December for 5 days with our 2 yr old and loved it. This year we may go and stay a few days before heading to the beach. Last year we had a full agenda of park visits every day - except for travel days and this time we thought it would be nice to just check out the nonpark activities - like go to DD and go to Legoland or check out a few resorts and do a few character meals.
Any suggestions of fun things to do at Disney with a 3 year old in NOV- JAN months for a few days.
He would be happy just riding the monarail and Disney bus! We stayed at AKL last visit - this time we'll probably opt for a more reasonable suite style off-site resort (or condo type). Also lodging suggestions would be great - we want to stay within a mile or two of WDW.
I feel like we missed out on a lot of nonpark activities and want to be on a more relaxed schedule and see what we missed!

 

[Justsyd2]

I would suggest going to DTD, and Fort Wilderness (Pony Rides), the Boardwalk, Mini golf, and visiting the other resorts for the Holiday decorations. If you'll go to www.allears.net and www.mousesavers.com you can find a ton of information about non-park activites, and off-site hotels.

 

[hambirg]

When we went in December, one of our kids favorite things was Typhoon Lagoon! My two youngest were 2 and 4. They loved the kiddie area! That was quite a few years ago, but it has to always be a part of our plans now. I know some people might think it is too cold during the time you are going, but we're from Washington state where anything above 65 is shorts weather. . lol! We were on the bus during that stay in December in our shorts and tanks, and other people actually had coats and gloves on. We were like, huh???

 

[simonsmom]

maybe disney quest?

 

[pmanko]

bump!

we are pretty sure we going in early to mid November now....

too early for Christmas decoration/events and too late for Halloween events...

 

[mrsklamc]

Well...don't plan on legoland, as it won't be open. but there are lots of things you can do. We really liked Windsor Hills as a place to say and there are many who love Bonnet Creek resort. Mousesavers.com would be a great resource for you as far as other Orlando attractions.

 

[dthogue]

Ft Wilderness offers a campfire and free disney movie nightly - you can roast marshmallows over a campfire - my DD loves this. Check the camping board on DIS for more information on the moives offered and how to get there.

Tammy

 

[lucigo]

Because we thought we were moving to Orlando and long story short we didn't but my DD21 is now a college student down there, we have made several nonPark trips in the last year. We usually hit DTD, either Rain Forest or the Dinosaur restaurant. We have done the Disney outlet out in the middle of nowhere, as well as the traditional outlets. A fun outing for you if you are from a smaller town like we are is to hit IKEA and the mall.

Check the prices as the value resorts, even though you aren't going to the parks you might be able to get a decent price on room only, and can ride the busses, monorail etc. At 3yo my son would have much rather spent the day at Pop or All-Star Movies than go to the parks!

 

[quentina]

I would suggest going to DTD, and Fort Wilderness (Pony Rides), the Boardwalk, Mini golf, and visiting the other resorts for the Holiday decorations. If you'll go to www.allears.net and www.mousesavers.com you can find a ton of information about non-park activites, and off-site hotels.

Is there a fee for the pony rides? Is Fort wilderness where the log cabin homes are (sister to Wilderness lodge??)

 

[pmanko]

Well...don't plan on legoland, as it won't be open. but there are lots of things you can do. We really liked Windsor Hills as a place to say and there are many who love Bonnet Creek resort. Mousesavers.com would be a great resource for you as far as other Orlando attractions.

why isn't Legoland open!?!?! oh no

 

[mrsklamc]

why isn't Legoland open!?!?! oh no

Cause it's not built yet. They just announced it earlier this year; Isn't projected to open until late 2011, I believe.

 

[livndisney]

Two different things!

DTD Lego store (OP mentioned in first post as Legoland) is OPEN

Legoland that is being build off Disney property at the former site of Cypress Garden is not open.

 

[livndisney]

Is there a fee for the pony rides? Is Fort wilderness where the log cabin homes are (sister to Wilderness lodge??)

Yes, there is a fee of about 6.00 a child for the pony rides. Ft Willderness is the Campground at Disney. It has campsites as will as some "cabins" for people to rent.

 

[Dax]

Are you looking for Disney only activities? What about non-disney things to do...there are plenty...are you looking for free stuff only?

As for Legoland...nope, they are JUST now starting the heavy building..Slated to open in late 2011..

 

[pmanko]

yes, sorry, we were just interested in the store (for now - at least!)

Well, we will consider non disney offsite activities as well. But, with only a few days we will be short on time and we wanted to visit some of the places we missed last yr when we stayed on-site (AKL) and did the parks every day...
Maybe hit the sport complex? DTD... character meals, visit resorts - ride monorail....
they don't have to be free - but, we are trying to keep our spending to a minimum (saving for next WDW trip next year!)...
the campground certainly sounds like a good idea - I know they have a "free" petting "zoo".... the campfire might be nice...
what about boat rides? Can we just hope on a boat - like at POR and take a ride? just like we would the monorail?

 

[Dax]

Some of my favorite things to do on Disney property(when the weather is nicer)

-Check out the hotel holiday decorations(which it seems you may miss)
- Ride the monorail, both the hotel loop and the EPCOT loop
- Boat rides..you dont need anything special...my favorite boat ride, the one from DD to PO:R. Then I get off at Riverside, walk around a bit, then back on the boat back to DD
- Go to DD. Plenty to see and shop there!
- Waterparks are always fun
- Walk around Ft Wilderness Campground. This is especially fun on Christmas week as MANY of the RV sites are decorated.

As a local, these are the things DH and I do a lot just to get out and soak up some Disney magic.

 

[susianew]

Take the monorail to the Polynesian and watch Wishes from the beach- they play the music & it's totally free. I think you can still stop by the quick service food place there and get Dole Whip self serve- we were able to make ours tall enough for the whole family to share I second the campfire idea- we've never been to the one at Wilderness lodge, but the one at the Beach Club was nice. They sell kits to make s'mores, but I think you can bring your own fixins.

 

[livndisney]

Take the monorail to the Polynesian and watch Wishes from the beach- they play the music & it's totally free. I think you can still stop by the quick service food place there and get Dole Whip self serve- we were able to make ours tall enough for the whole family to share I second the campfire idea- we've never been to the one at Wilderness lodge, but the one at the Beach Club was nice. They sell kits to make s'mores, but I think you can bring your own fixins.

The campfire is at FT. Wilderness, not Wilderness Lodge. There is a store right near the the campfire to buy s'mores (Marshmellows, candy bars and crackers). There is also the "Chuck Wagon" that sells snack during the movie.

 

[cheesekate2005]

The campfire at Fort Wilderness is a wonderful almost free disney thing to do! We never stayed for the movie but the marshmallows are great as is the sing along! We did this one day in combination with mini golf at the Bizzard Beach/Winter Summerland mini - golf and it was really fun! The water parks are great, and I haven't done the Characters in Flight in DTD but it looks fun. T-Rex is also a great place and they have a build a dino (like build a bear) inside it. Another beautiful place to visit at WDW is the boardwalk area. The character breakfast at the the Beach Club is great! The area is just beautiful to walk around and you can take the boat across to the boardwalk and check the whole area out. The ESPN club is there, the kitchen sink at beaches and cream is over there (your child is probably too young to enjoy that!) and you can also rent surrey bikes to get around.

Have a great trip!

 

[MomofSixinSC]

I am under the impression that some Christmas decorations will already be going up the second week in Nov. The campfire at Ft. Wilderness is free if you don't buy their s-more fixin's. We plan to bring our own as it iis cheaper, plus we can use marshmallows without artificial colors or flavors, which are made from petro-chemicals.