planning for non park vacation

[jlieblaw]

We're going in Sept and plan on doing no parks. It will be me, dh, dd7 and ds4. This will be the first time not doing any parks but we average 3 trips a year and wanted to try things we don't normally get to do.

We decided to stay at VWL due to its better location although I really wanted BCV for the pool.

We'll be there for 6 nights. We're planning to do Hoop de Doo one night as well as the campfire and movie at FW. We want to do some bike rides/walks on the FW trails. We're also doing the Wonderland Tea Party and Pirate Adventure for the kids. I'm taking dd one day to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and then tea at the Grandview tea room followed later that night with dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare. I'm hoping for a night at the BW for dinner and just hanging out and we plan to pool hop at some of the monorail resorts.

We've heard there's a disney wilderness preserve south of Orlando but would like any info if anyone's ever gone there.

Anyone have any other suggestions for things to do outside the parks? I'm excited to have the time to do these things as I didn't even know about all of them until I started researching outside the parks.

I'd appreciate any other ideas.

Thanks

 

[WendyinNC]

You could try one of the Mini Golf places. We are planning minimum park time next week and this is on our list of things to do.

 

[Desnik]

We have done Disney with kids and no parks and they were great trips! We did similar things like what you have planned. We also spent time at DtD and visiting other resorts and enjoying the restaurants at the resorts. DH and I also let the kids stay at one of the kids clubs while we enjoyed some alone time. They love it and don't want to leave. Also, my kids are just happy playing in the pool all day. I think you have a great plan. My DD loved the pirate cruise(DS was too young at the time) and tea party. She also really enjoyed the Grand adventures in Cooking at the GF. She got to decorate and take home a chef hat(with Mickey ears) and apron and help make cookies. The campfire was really fun too. We also liked renting a surrey bike from WL and riding it to FW. Mini golf is fun too! There are so many options! Have a great time!!

 

[Cee]

La Nouba(Cirque de Soleil) at DTD Westside is stunning. Don't miss it.

 

[DVCLiz]

Oh, you should definitely rent some WaterMouse boats and go out on the lake!!!! Each of you can drive one with a child beside you - we have done it several times and my daughters (who are now old enough to drive one themselves alone!!) say it's one of their favorite things to do outside the parks!! You can rent them right at the WL marina.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Can you do waterparks? I am doing a waterpark only trip with my DD5 in June, I might borrow some of your ideas too!

 

[alldiz]

Yes I would rent a mouse on the lake....

and just CHILL by the beautiful pool.....Just enjoy all the lodge has to offer
happy planning
Kerri

 

[jlieblaw]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd forgotten about mini golf. Although I love the waterparks there, we'll probably pass since we have season passes to the one here at home. I thought about the adventures in cooking but was choosing the tea party instead. I'm wavering on hoop de doo since it's a lot of money and I'm not sure how the kids will enjoy it. We did do the watermouse last trip and I'm up for it again but dh thought they were too slow.

We want to rent bike but ds4 isn't pedaling his own bike yet so I'm not sure what to do there. Maybe by Sept he will be but I doubt it. I know the surrey is an option but I think we can go more places with a regular bike, like around the campground loops.

We do plan to spend plenty of time around the pool and watch the fireworks one night from the contemporary and another night from the boardwalk. I'm actually beginning to think I might have too much planned for our non-park, relax only vacation.

Desnik...what did you think of the kids' club? I've never had the kids with anyone other than school teacher or family. It makes me a little nervous to drop them off. I'm hoping I'll do okay with the grand adventures activities.

 

[Sheribo]

We just came back from a no-park trip and it was one of our best. We went over to the Contemporary resort late in the day to swim and then to Chef Mickey's for dinner. Then we went to the beach for the electric water parade and finished up with Wishes fireworks from their observation deck. We could even see Tinkerbell!