Other than the Parks?

[wdw&sonny]

I need ideas on things to do "other than the parks".

We are frustrated with the crowds, waits, costs, G+ etc. But love WDW. We are considering a trip to WDW, but without bothering to do the parks.

I know about Disney Springs (boring!). We are familiar with the resorts and will resort hop for lunch and dinner-including riding skyliner, monorail and boats. We are ok relaxing at the pool for the afternoon.
I need ideas for the mornings.
What are some fun things to do that are available now (during this pandemic) in the mornings?
TIA

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

 

[wdw&sonny]

LOL...but I want to avoid those parks, too...and Seaworld.

 

[suse66]

We are planning on riding bikes at either Saratoga or Old Key West. As well, we are going kayaking at Fort Wilderness. We are on an adult only trip so will definitely do a monorail crawl. Also planning on checking out Jellyrolls for the first time.

 

[Miffy]

Mini golf.

AKL has numerous animal viewing areas and an amazing collection of African art all over the resort.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Miniature golf is always fun for us. Cirque du Soleil - Drawn to Life is another great option.

 

[conniehar90]

We always love a day at the beach. Closest is Cocoa but we like Clearwater better as the water is warmer. It's so relaxing

 

[TiggerBouncy]

* mini-golf is a lot of fun.
* The water parks.
* I am not sure if they are doing it again, but Amarette's was doing a cake decorating class that I took once which was a lot of fun.
* At night, the fireworks cruises are fun.
* I haven't looked if Painting with a view is back or not (also fun).
* Animal Kingdom does a morning safari.
* I think senses is still closed, but love a massage when they are open.
* Hidden Mickey's hunting in the resorts can be fun.
* We are going to see Drawn to life (but that's also afternoon / evening)
* I think they are doing the hot air balloons again

Those are just a few things off the top of my head.

 

[Shellyred8]

Check the available activities at Fort Wilderness. Horseback riding, archery, carriage ride, etc...

 

[need2travel]

Some options: bike or surrey bike rental
tennis
golf
minigolf
movies at AMC at DS
boat rental
fishing
Love all the OP's other suggestions too. Wow, once you start thinking about it there really are a lot of things to do aside from visiting the parks!

 

[wdw&sonny]

Love all the OP's other suggestions too. Wow, once you start thinking about it there really are a lot of things to do aside from visiting the parks!

And no G+ or LL to deal with.

Love all the suggestions. Keep em comin!!

 

[disney castle days]

We did 2 hotel days on our last trip, and normally do at least 1
- The hotels currently have a cookie decorating kit for the 50th
- Mini golf
- Bowling
- Doing a Puzzle
- Resort hopping (we did a monorail dessert crawl), going off this take a bus to a park, pick a random number and go to whatever hotel it takes you to
- Painting with a view when it reopens
- Look for Hidden mickeys
- Go to a movie
- Do a DVC tour, we are already members, but they usually give some type of compensation like gift cards, or fastpasses
- Just riding the skyliner/exploring the hotels on the loop
- Spa when it reopens
Also depending on the hotel, when on the monorail loop we always watch the fireworks from the room. A lot also have activities like campfires, movies, tie-dye. OKW has a live band, I believe the one at Port Orleans is back as well.

 

[kathy884]

We always love a day at the beach. Closest is Cocoa but we like Clearwater better as the water is warmer. It's so relaxing

This depending on time of year is a favorite day trip of ours too. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Clearwater Beach and usually make a midweek trip on one of our vacation days.

 

[lorenae]

One year, we had a down day and decided to go to Kissimmee for an airboat tour. I don't remember who we went with (there are MANY!) but it was awesome. We had a great time, saw lots of wildlife, and it was great. A couple of other things near Orlando, but not at WDW is going to a park with a cool spring: https://www.ocfl.net/cultureparks/parks.aspx?d=22&m=dtlvw#.YcXY4WjMK5c or a wildlife preserve (drive type): https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/

I'm an avid kayaker, and there are some nice kayak places (with rentals) not far from the WDW area.

Those would require a car for the day, or a hired car, but would be worth it.

 

[Ltfightr]

I didn’t think you could resort hop right now? Has this changed? We have a March trip planned and staying at Pop but we’re going to take a spin on the skyliner when we get settled in.

 

[CarolynFH]

I didn’t think you could resort hop right now? Has this changed? We have a March trip planned and staying at Pop but we’re going to take a spin on the skyliner when we get settled in.

You can resort hop as long as you arrive at the different resorts via Disney transportation. Disney is being pretty strict recently about people parking their own cars (and even with rideshare dropping off) at certain resorts, unless they have an ADR there or are actually staying there. As long as you don't drive there, you're fine.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I didn’t think you could resort hop right now? Has this changed? We have a March trip planned and staying at Pop but we’re going to take a spin on the skyliner when we get settled in.

There's never been any restrictions on resort hopping. You just can't drive and park at a resort without a dining reservation, which has been enforced on and off for many years.

 

[5Tulips]

Our family loved playing footgolf at Oak Trail.

 

[JZCubed]

I need ideas on things to do "other than the parks".

We are frustrated with the crowds, waits, costs, G+ etc. But love WDW. We are considering a trip to WDW, but without bothering to do the parks.

I know about Disney Springs (boring!). We are familiar with the resorts and will resort hop for lunch and dinner-including riding skyliner, monorail and boats. We are ok relaxing at the pool for the afternoon.
I need ideas for the mornings.
What are some fun things to do that are available now (during this pandemic) in the mornings?
TIA

We call most of these 'add-ons' in our family:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/enchanting-extras-collection/
And some of the 'tours' are mentioned to be coming back in 2022:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

* mini-golf is a lot of fun.
* The water parks.
* I am not sure if they are doing it again, but Amarette's was doing a cake decorating class that I took once which was a lot of fun.
* At night, the fireworks cruises are fun.
* I haven't looked if Painting with a view is back or not (also fun).
* Animal Kingdom does a morning safari.
* I think senses is still closed, but love a massage when they are open.
* Hidden Mickey's hunting in the resorts can be fun.
* We are going to see Drawn to life (but that's also afternoon / evening)
* I think they are doing the hot air balloons again

Those are just a few things off the top of my head.

So can you do the animal kingdom safari and fireworks cruise without the admission ticket to the park? Thanks for all the suggestions. We are alos planning an adults only trip probably after halloween when christmas decor is up so somewhere b/t Thanksgiving and Christmas.