NONpark visit ideas/suggestions

[cheesekate2005]

We brought our own smores fixins too (food allergies) and it was completely fine!

 

[hsmamato2]

if I were you- and wanted to soak up some relaxed disney vibe, I'd stay onsite somewhere. Sounds strange,but it is the best way to just hang out and explore,all with a Disney 'feel'- staying offsite would seem so un-disney,and with no parks,you'd be missing what you're looking for.....check out the mousesavers specials section- find a discounted room, let your kid swim every day, book a couple of character meals at one of the hotels (there are quite a few) ride the monrorails,boats and buses- check out the playgrounds at every resort,go to the campfire movie,let your kid dig in the sand at Fort Wilderness beach...etc etc...but you will be missing a lot of atmosphere if you stay offsite. I love staying onsite and just hanging out- it's a gorgeous place!

 

[crisi]

If you are staying offsite, many of these things aren't open to you. You need to be staying onsite or have park hopper tickets to ride the monorail (or use any Disney transportation). Or do the movies at Ft. Wilderness. So if you are interested in a non-parks, but still Disney trip - you should really stay on site - or you'll be limited to resort touring and Downtown Disney.

DisneyQuest is fun with older kids, but not a lot for preschoolers to do.

 

[Dizneydaz]

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

Yes as to your question about FW. And from allearsnet.com re: ponies

Pony Rides: Located in front of Pioneer Hall, you'll find the Tri-Circle-D Farm, home to Cinderella's ponies and many other ponies & miniature horses. Close by are the working Blacksmith Shop and Draft Horse Barn for the all the horses who work at Walt Disney World. See the Tri-Circle D Ranch information. Pony Rides are offered daily (weather permitting) from 10am - 5pm. All pony riders must weigh under 80 lbs, be under 48" and be led by an adult guardian. No reservations are required.

mousesavers has the cost at $4 which is what we paid about 5 years ago when we did it.

There is also a playground close by to the pony ride. DD liked playing there (with another girl and her brother we met on the boat ride over) even more than she did riding the pony. The pony ride is pretty tame but little kids love it. You get to led them around a path with rails on both sides. I think we went around twice but I'm not really sure.

Playgrounds Climb, slide and play at outdoor activity areas located at Pioneer Hall, the Meadow Recreation area, Creekside Meadow and the Marina/Beach area.

While in the area you can check out the geyser at WL.-

The 120' Geyser spouts every hour on the hour from 7:00 am to 10:00 PM Walk from the lodge to the back of the pool and there is a walkway to Watch the Geyser. Be sure to look for the rainbow which sometimes joins the show.

Check this out on mousesavers.com for more ideas of free or cheap things to do.
http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html

As far as using the monorail, boats, etc. only Disney guests are allowed to use them, for free. However, if you pay to park at the TTC then you should be covered. At least for the monorail and the boats to MK.