Planning, and what to see, for only ONE day!

[d3boyz]

I am working on a plan to bring my sister and her seven children to Florida for a real vacation. She and her husband divorced several years ago and try as she may (she does work ... a lot), she and the children still live below the poverty level. Our retired parents have taken on raising a family of 8 all over again.

Rather than just think about it, I've booked a timeshare for one week in late June, I will drive them, pay for gas and food, and do my best to find everything we can do that is free-of-charge. Unfortunately, I have children of my own (another son starts college in July) and I simply cannot afford to take them to a park. However, I talked to a friend of mine and we're trying to find about 100 friends to donate a little money so I can get them tickets to the Magic Kingdom for ONE day.

That said, what would you recommend we see and do there ... and what about other things we can do around Disney (monorail rides? boat rides? etc...) to enjoy the area and get a real Disney feel?

Deb

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

If you do get into a park then to me nothing is any more Disney than Wishes!

 

[lovndisney12]

If it is not a surprise - why not let each child (depending on age) do a little research and pick the one ride that they really want to do? I'm guessing this will give them a good mix. This might depend on ages and if you would need to split up if there is a big difference in interest and ages. My tip would be to not over plan but still have some sense of a plan so that they get to still experience a lot but also get to take in the little things.

What a wonderful gift you are giving them!

Free stuff at WDW:
Downtown - Lego store downtown - just DD in general - even with the construction it is certainly worth a trip

Resort Hop:
Monorail and visiting the different resorts (depending on your budget - maybe do something where you share a few snacks unique to some of the resorts) - you could also watch the electric water parade from some of the resort beaches

From DD you could take the boat over to POFQ and POR and wander around there too - maybe try some beignets (not too hard to share as I think a basket of 6 is less than $5)

If the kids are pretty young - some of the resorts have nice playgrounds and some of the older kids might enjoy relaxing in a hammock

AMKL and WL are also fun resorts to explore

 

[Andrea1973]

Yeah Downtown Disney is good, there is lots of Disney stuff to see and do there, so you can still get the feeling of being in the Magic Kingdom (sort of)
Lego land with all the Lego sculptures to see and a big Lego pit that kids can build stuff with, the is the World of Disney. You can also go to Fort Wilderness and check out (free) the stables where the horses and ponies are ( Tri Circle D Ranch). They also have pony rides and trail rides for a fee, but sorry not sure how much. Did the trail ride, it was nice (but we like horses and I know not everyone does)

If you have the funds, one day at MK, take in the Train around the park, it will give you an over view of everything. But Frontier land has lots to do and see like the shooting gallery for kids, country bear jamboree, slash mountain, and it is a great place to watch the parades from. It is also close to Adventure land (Pirates ride and Pirate Tutorial which is great for everyone)

Hope you can make it, it would be well worth the time and give your sister a chance to unwind. Good luck with the trip and planning, and enjoy! And yes I agree with Lovndisney12...don't over plan, just let it happen.

 

[Spork24]

Deb,

You are one awesome Aunt.

I don't have that much advise for disney on that tight of a budget.

If you do get to go to the MK for a day, I highly recommend the cinnamon rolls at Gaston's tavern they are delicious, relatively inexpensive (under $5) and are so big they are great for sharing.

 

[Lucius Best]

Like a previous poster said, you could make a day out of just resort hopping monorail resorts and taking boat rides to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I personally have never been to the campfires/movies:
http://www.themouseforless.com/walt.../faq/fort-wilderness/campfire-movie-schedule/

This web site might give you some ideas of how to see MK in one day.
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/mk_cheatsheet_v3.pdf

If you are going to MK for one day, you'll need to do some planning so you're not waiting in lines all day. I would recommend picking a day when MK will be a little less busy, typically that would be Tues/Wed/Fri. Get your tickets beforehand so you can book FP+ in advance for everyone. You'll have to think about ages like someone said, in case you wanted to split the group.

With only one day in the park, would want to maximize park time by getting there at rope drop, booking FP+ late morning/mid-day, and having a general plan of what area of the park to hit first to get most popular rides done before noon. I'd probably avoid any sit-down ADRs (more expensive and more time), lots of counter service options. Park crowded and hot in the afternoon, good for indoor shows like Philharmagic, Laugh Floor, Tiki Room. Then stay for Wishes.

 

[Disney Kidd]

I agree Downtown Disney and riding the monorail are both free activites that will give you a Disney feel. If you can't make it to MK, I recommend watching Wishes from the beach area in front of the Polynesian Resort. That would be a free way to watch a Disney fireworks show. If you can't make it to MK, but want to spend a little money on something in WDW, I always have fun playing miniature golf at Winter Summerland. The prices are $12 for kids, $14 for adults. I think the kids would love to walk around the new Art of Animation resort. They have scenes from Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, and the Lion King.

 

[d3boyz]

If you do get into a park then to me nothing is any more Disney than Wishes!

You're so right about Wishes! Haven't seen it in years but of course, it's pure Disney Magic!! Thank you for the input!

 

[d3boyz]

Yeah Downtown Disney is good, there is lots of Disney stuff to see and do there, so you can still get the feeling of being in the Magic Kingdom (sort of)
Lego land with all the Lego sculptures to see and a big Lego pit that kids can build stuff with, the is the World of Disney. You can also go to Fort Wilderness and check out (free) the stables where the horses and ponies are ( Tri Circle D Ranch). They also have pony rides and trail rides for a fee, but sorry not sure how much. Did the trail ride, it was nice (but we like horses and I know not everyone does)

If you have the funds, one day at MK, take in the Train around the park, it will give you an over view of everything. But Frontier land has lots to do and see like the shooting gallery for kids, country bear jamboree, slash mountain, and it is a great place to watch the parades from. It is also close to Adventure land (Pirates ride and Pirate Tutorial which is great for everyone)

Love the Downtown Disney idea, and didn't know that we could go to Fort Wilderness to see the horses! One of my nieces is really into them ... it's been a 'therapy' for her to work with horses at home. And I LOVE the train ride around Magic Kingdom ... excellent for seeing all there is to do there!

I'm a paramedic here at home (a hobby job) and some of my fellow medics are helping raise money as well as folks at my church. I think we're going to be able to surprise my sister and her children with their first vacation EVER!

 

[d3boyz]

If it is not a surprise - why not let each child (depending on age) do a little research and pick the one ride that they really want to do? I'm guessing this will give them a good mix. This might depend on ages and if you would need to split up if there is a big difference in interest and ages. My tip would be to not over plan but still have some sense of a plan so that they get to still experience a lot but also get to take in the little things.

What a wonderful gift you are giving them!

Free stuff at WDW:
Downtown - Lego store downtown - just DD in general - even with the construction it is certainly worth a trip

Resort Hop:
Monorail and visiting the different resorts (depending on your budget - maybe do something where you share a few snacks unique to some of the resorts) - you could also watch the electric water parade from some of the resort beaches

From DD you could take the boat over to POFQ and POR and wander around there too - maybe try some beignets (not too hard to share as I think a basket of 6 is less than $5)

If the kids are pretty young - some of the resorts have nice playgrounds and some of the older kids might enjoy relaxing in a hammock

AMKL and WL are also fun resorts to explore

Hope you can make it, it would be well worth the time and give your sister a chance to unwind. Good luck with the trip and planning, and enjoy! And yes I agree with Lovndisney12...don't over plan, just let it happen.[/QUOTE]
Thank you for confirming my thoughts about Downtown Disney, monorails, and boats! I do want to wander around the resorts so the kids get a sense of the magic there ... and the beauty ... and to just live a little fantasy for a change! I love to resort-hop also. The themes there are fantastic, and two of my nieces have been studying Travel and Tourism in their Technical Center programs in high school. This would be excellent for them to see that put to work!!

 

[d3boyz]

Deb,

You are one awesome Aunt.

I don't have that much advise for disney on that tight of a budget.

If you do get to go to the MK for a day, I highly recommend the cinnamon rolls at Gaston's tavern they are delicious, relatively inexpensive (under $5) and are so big they are great for sharing.

If we get to go to Magic Kingdom, we most CERTAINLY will try Gaston's cinnamon rolls!

 

[d3boyz]

I agree Downtown Disney and riding the monorail are both free activites that will give you a Disney feel. If you can't make it to MK, I recommend watching Wishes from the beach area in front of the Polynesian Resort. That would be a free way to watch a Disney fireworks show. If you can't make it to MK, but want to spend a little money on something in WDW, I always have fun playing miniature golf at Winter Summerland. The prices are $12 for kids, $14 for adults. I think the kids would love to walk around the new Art of Animation resort. They have scenes from Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, and the Lion King.

I know my sister's kids love putt-putt, so there is a possible activity for them! I have on my list already a plan to get close to Epcot for Illuminations. I so love that fireworks show! I didn't know about the new Art of Animation resort, but I will check that out now. I plan to mount a small flat-screen TV and DVD player in the van so the kids can watch Disney movies on the way down! They should probably sleep a lot, but it is about 15 hours (with stops), so time enough to infuse a little Disney magic into the ride!

 

[d3boyz]

Like a previous poster said, you could make a day out of just resort hopping monorail resorts and taking boat rides to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I personally have never been to the campfires/movies:
http://www.themouseforless.com/walt.../faq/fort-wilderness/campfire-movie-schedule/

This web site might give you some ideas of how to see MK in one day.
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/mk_cheatsheet_v3.pdf

If you are going to MK for one day, you'll need to do some planning so you're not waiting in lines all day. I would recommend picking a day when MK will be a little less busy, typically that would be Tues/Wed/Fri. Get your tickets beforehand so you can book FP+ in advance for everyone. You'll have to think about ages like someone said, in case you wanted to split the group.

With only one day in the park, would want to maximize park time by getting there at rope drop, booking FP+ late morning/mid-day, and having a general plan of what area of the park to hit first to get most popular rides done before noon. I'd probably avoid any sit-down ADRs (more expensive and more time), lots of counter service options. Park crowded and hot in the afternoon, good for indoor shows like Philharmagic, Laugh Floor, Tiki Room. Then stay for Wishes.

Thank you so much for the links to check out! I will definitely use those for planning. It's good to know which days are less busy, and I like the 'early' approach to the adventure. I know Wednesday, 01 July has extended hours in the morning, so I think we should shoot for that day. I also love the idea of taking in an indoor show in the hot, crowded afternoon time!

 

[d3boyz]

Thanks to you ALL for the wonderful, magical ideas you supplied! My notebook has so many awesome plans in it! I'm not telling my sister or any of the children, obviously, of the big surprise, but we will do the free things that are listed and just 'trip around the edges' of the park for four days until Wednesday when we will go IN! The night before, I will likely let the cat out of the bag so we can do some group planning. I'm assuming no coolers inside the park? Hopefully water bottles are permitted still, and we can keep a cooler of food in the van for meal breaks throughout the day.

Again, I so appreciate all of your input and will certainly use your incredible insights and ideas!! Thank you (from us all!)

 

[eyehartdisney]

Make sure to check out rainforest cafe and Trex when in DTD. Don't eat there... it's overpriced for the food, even for disney, but it looks cool.

When you are waiting to get on the monorails, make sure to ask the people working there for the monorail cards... the kids will love collecting them.

You could spend an entire day at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you don't have to pay to see the animals.

If you didn't want to waste time on your one park day watching the fireworks, you can do that outside the parks, from the contemporary, or the Grand Floridian.

 

[JRennie]

I don't think I saw this listed anywhere else, forgive me if it is. There's also the electrical water pageant parade. Which is essentially a parade on water... you can see it from the beaches of grand Floridian or the Poly and it's free!

 

[subtchr]

Soft sided coolers are definitely allowed, so you can bring whatever food you like in.

One note, even getting close to Epcot, there is very little of Illuminations that can be seen outside the park. Almost all of it is on the surface of the lake. To me that wouldn't be worth the effort, although the Boardwalk area is fun to visit anyway.

You have some great suggestions, hope you can make it happen!

 

[lovndisney12]

To save money - you CAN bring in snacks and water (soft sided cooler as PP stated to). You can also get free ice water from any of the counter service restaurants.

 

[Lucius Best]

Thank you so much for the links to check out! I will definitely use those for planning. It's good to know which days are less busy, and I like the 'early' approach to the adventure. I know Wednesday, 01 July has extended hours in the morning, so I think we should shoot for that day. I also love the idea of taking in an indoor show in the hot, crowded afternoon time!

Note that when the MK is open an hour early, that's ONLY for people staying at a Disney resort! If you are staying offsite at a timeshare, you wouldn't be able to get in until 9am, but people staying at the Disney hotels will have gotten in at 8am, and the parks are typically more crowded on days when the park is open early. Tuesday June 30 would be a MUCH better choice.

Like others said, you can definitely bring in snacks/drinks. But no hard-sided coolers, no alcohol, no glass bottles.

Also, the Electric Water Pageant is a great idea, you can also see it from Wilderness Lodge.

 

[lauradis]

Note that when the MK is open an hour early, that's ONLY for people staying at a Disney resort! If you are staying offsite at a timeshare, you wouldn't be able to get in until 9am, but people staying at the Disney hotels will have gotten in at 8am, and the parks are typically more crowded on days when the park is open early. Tuesday June 30 would be a MUCH better choice.

Like others said, you can definitely bring in snacks/drinks. But no hard-sided coolers, no alcohol, no glass bottles.

Also, the Electric Water Pageant is a great idea, you can also see it from Wilderness Lodge.

True but for one low price she can rent a campground for a night for up to 10 people !!!!