Recommendations for fun at wdw outside the parks please?

[aes74]

Hello all! We have three children, and my oldest daughter is turning 13 next weekend (ignore my siggie below, I am too lazy to update it). We are staying at SSR for two nights. We have a French foreign exchange student w us, and want her to have fun as well. We are Florida residents, and live an hour and a half south. We have passes, but not during the summer, so we won't be going into the parks (well, technically I have an AP for free parking reasons). Do you have some suggestions of things we can do that won't kill our small budget? I really wanted to go to Cirque du Soleil, but I don't think I can swing the $500 for tickets. I am up for anything we can get good discounts to w our Florida resident/passholder/DVC/AAA memberships!! Any ideas? I know we want to ride monorails and maybe go by Ft Wilderness. Was also thinking of taking the girls to the afternoon tea at GF. Anything cool at Boardwalk or Downtown Disney? Our foreign exchange student gets to go to Magic Kingdom as part of her experience this weekend, so I am glad she gets to do that.

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[aes74]

I should have added we are celebrating her birthday there. Not exactly sure how yet!

 

[Sandisw]

We enjoyed the Characters in Flight balloon at DTD. It wasn't that much and it was cool to just see things from there...the bikes at the Boardwalk were also fun and not too expensive.

 

[Pattiwig]

Mini golf, dinner at chef Mickey to celebrate birthdays. Bowling at Splitsville.

 

[aes74]

We enjoyed the Characters in Flight balloon at DTD. It wasn't that much and it was cool to just see things from there...the bikes at the Boardwalk were also fun and not too expensive.

Ah! Good idea -- and I believe there is a passholder discount also. They would love that!

 

[aes74]

Mini golf, dinner at chef Mickey to celebrate birthdays. Bowling at Splitsville.

I love the Splitsville idea. I forgot about that place! I wonder how hard it is to get in on a weekend? I don't have any experience with it.

 

[edk35]

Walk around the Boardwalk at night, get pizza at the pizza window and eat by the water there, dessert at the bakery on the BW, rent a surrey bike...mini golf....swim at the resort....manicures or pedicures at SSR Spa.....shopping at DTD.....dinner at Planet Hollywood.....see the animals at AK resorts..... pool hop to another resort pool....rent a sea racer at DTD....take the boat from SSR to DTD at night...movies by the pool.....

HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[brertoad]

You would get 1/2 price mini-golf, so $6 a round instead of $12.
We like the Summerland-Winterland golf the best.

You might want to consider taking in a movie at the AMC, if you go to the earliest movies, before 12 noon, you get the cheapest pricing, I don't know if they combine that with AP discount.

Check out the pools, as a DVC member you can pool hop if you are staying on points, if you can find a DVC Portable Perks newsletter it tells you all the rules about that. You can not pool hop at Stormalong Bay, AKL, or BLT ever, these are excluded. They usually have trivia and games by the pool. The also usually have movies at dusk, the schedule will be in your check-in packet. SSR has horse-buggy rides.

Fort Wilderness has a wagon ride, $8 for adults, $6 for kids, you get a 10% DVC discount I believe. There is also Trails to Go, you can get picnic lunches, play checkers, check out the Chip and Dale singalong and campfire movie.

Afternoon Tea is nice, but it can be pricey.

There are various Pearl stores around that have "pick a pearl", there is one in DTD Marketplace area, which is kind of cool. Something I'd only do for a special occasion. Might be fun. My parents used to do this a lot for us, we have done that at Sea World and Busch Gardens when we were younger.

Lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and mini-shopping spree for birthday girl? 10% AP discount in the stores. Check out Goofy's Candy Company for sweet treats, make your own dessert, candy apples, etc. Also, Ghirardelli for ice cream.


Outside of Disney:

Outlet malls...

There is also Old Town (we used to go here a lot, but it's gotten so crowded over the years, can't find parking last couple times we tried to go) and Celebration, which might be nice, we've only been down there to eat at the Columbia and one time at a Sushi place.

 

[bbn1122]

We did Spiltsville for lunch last month and loved it....good food too.....

There is also dinner and movie...

 

[ABCanada]

There are all sorts of things to do at AKV. We love Sanaa Restaurant. Then going out and watching the animals. Most observation points have someone from Africa who will discuss the different animals you can see.

There are a number of tours and a nightly presentation on a specific African country. I am not certain if these are limited to AKL/V guest.

We did the Dine with an Animal Expert. I do not know if it is still offered but I thought it was good value.

Love the Boats. In addition to the mono rail take the boat to Ft Wilderness. There used to be wagon rides in the evening for $2 each. Not certain if they still operate.

Rent a Surrey Bike on the boardwalk. Watch the Epcot fireworks from the boardwalk.

Watch the water light parade and the MK fireworks from the beach at Wilderness lodge or other area hotel.

Have breakfast or lunch at the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

 

[aes74]

Oh you guys! I am so grateful for these tips!! They sound fantastic.

Anyone familiar w the wait at splitsville?
I have not been to AKV before. You can go and just see the animals?

 

[com_op_2000]

It depends on what you are into:
sports: golf, fishing, RPDE, marathon, bowling, ESPN Club, WWS/ESPN Zone, etc
shopping: DTD, area outlet malls, large scale malls
drinking: Jellyrolls, Raglan Road, monorail tour of resorts, walking tour of resorts in the Boardwalk area
movies: DTD 24 screen theater some with meals served by waiters
night clubbing: Jellyrolls, Atlantic Dance, Raglan Road, Citywalk
resort tours: monorail tour of resorts, Boardwalk around the lake tour of resorts, AKL/AKV
offsite: Gaylord Palms Resort, Citywalk, swamp tour

 

[Devilsangel7681]

Downtown Disney is always a great option. Lots to see and do for relatively little cost. I haven't been yet but Splitsville looks like a great time for kids of all ages and adults. The Boardwalk is a great way to enjoy fireworks at Epcot for no cost, too!

In my opinion the CityWalk is an awesome alternative if you want to venture offsite. I love the CityWalk! Lots of great food and fun for everyone. Don't forget there is a theater there, too.

 

[edk35]

Oh you guys! I am so grateful for these tips!! They sound fantastic.

Anyone familiar w the wait at splitsville?
I have not been to AKV before. You can go and just see the animals?

Yes they have viewing areas..... both resorts are nice to walk around

 

[dsneygirl]

We love renting a pontoon boat on Bay Lake, or bikes at Fort Wilderness.

 

[Desnik]

We love our no park trips!
You have gotten great suggestions so I'll just add what I haven't seen mentioned.

Carriage ride at POR

Resort hopping & trying a small snack at each resort (the most popular). For example, a Zebra dome at AKL, Dole Whip at the Poly...

 

[Barbydoll8]

Go to POR (via DTD you can take a water taxi) in the evening and see Yeeha Bob in the piano bar. It's free, goofy and fun. He performs in the Riverside location almost every evening (Except Sun & Mon I think).

AKL is my home resort and there is a ton to do there. They have story telling at about 5/6 pm every night at the fire pit. (again a bit silly but fun). There is a DVC mixer there on Wed nights to meet other DVC members (free) and I think they serve some snacks.
Night viewing of the animals is free (Do this at Jambo house as the night viewing is better).
Take a tour of Boma and Jiko at 4 pm daily. This includes some freebie food so it's way fun.

Go to Wilderness lodge in the evening and watch the "old faithful" blow. Stay to see the electric water parade at night (you can do this from the beach at the Poly too).
At the camp ground you can also rent canoes fairly cheap (I think there is a DVC discount on this too) and you can canoe the lake/river around the pool and the back side of the resort.
Go to the camp fire and a movie in the camp ground. They also toast smores for a small fee.

Go to Top of The World Lounge at night and watch Wishes from MK. It's fantastic.

Do a hidden Mickey tour in AKL (I think most resorts have this) ask at the front desk for a map.

 

[jekjones1558]

You said that you are going to Fort Wilderness. You might check out the Segway rides, horseback riding or archery there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I should have added we are celebrating her birthday there. Not exactly sure how yet!

One year, for a birthday celebration we went to Beaches and Cream and ordered a Kitchen Sink. When they flashed the lights and made the big announcement with the kitchen sink it was so fun!