Resort Hopping on non park day?????

[edk35]

We are arriving one day early.........I have 5 day park hoppers I bought in Sept. So now we have one day we can't get into the parks..and 6 fulls days to enjoy WDW. So my plan is to do one non park day. Should I do it the first full day we are there since we get to our hotel around 8:30 the night before (staying at Shades of Green) we could sleep in a bit...eat a character breakfast at GF or CM..then head to Down Town Disney for the day....or should I build it into the middle of our stay one of the days. We could do some other fun place that is not in the park. Maybe check out a couple of other resorts. I need suggestions for a non park day.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Hey there! I hope you have a fabulous time on your trip! In the past my family has done exactly what you are planning on days when we did not have Park Hopping passes, and we usually sandwhiched it into the middle of our trip. Sometimes you might need a break from the crowds of the parks and the lines for the rides and attractions, and a mid-week break is a nice day to spend relaxing. If you choose a particularly sunny day that gives you a lot of time by your resorts pool as well.

 

[calie_j]

I like to plan my non-park day for the middle of the week or towards the end as a rest day, being flexible to change it due to weather. On my trip we're arriving early morning so we're using that day to settle in and enjoy the pool at our resort, CS. Since we're changing resorts midweek that allows us another day to explore the nearby resorts and use the pool at our new place, Poly, for our midweek break. Our kids are older so when we do park days we're there from open to close and having that free day makes my H happier about the whole trip.

Calie

 

[gigi1313]

definitely build it into the middle of your week... i cannot imagine getting to disney world and not hitting a park!! (your post did not indicate... kids? adults? ages? interests?)

maybe plan your "special" non-park event for that day/night (like hoop dee doo? kids' pirate adventure? tea at the gf?)... plus a character breakfast at a resort is perfect... maybe boat or bike rentals at a resort? hop over to trail's end for their buffet breakfast (best buy on property) and visit the petting zoo and go for a trail ride? napping and poolside lounging are great options too!

ENJOY!

 

[dpic]

Obviously, the parks are the focal point for most visitors, but there are many other great things to do. In all seriousness, you are very lucky to have a day to relax and bum around. We always plan on doing this and have never regretted it.

We always plan a special meal at the end of a non-resort day for something to look forward to. We have done O'Hana during fireworks and Cali Grill during fireworks. Day activities include kick back at the resort for swimming, putt-putt (Winter/Summer), checking out the huge Disney store at the Downtown area, and touring the monorail resorts (ice cream and treat runs). Things we haven't done but will on future trips are eating a Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream, putt-putt at Fantasia, and renting a watermouse.

Enjoy and have a great trip!

Edit: plan on the middle to later part of your trip. One, you'll need it then. Two, if you do it early all you'll be thinking about is wishing you were in one of the parks. Save it for day 4 or 5.

 

[mmounsey]

On our non-park days, we've gone to DTD and ate and shopped till we dropped.

This year, we decided to try something different, we will check in, relax a bit, then attend the Spirit of Aloha Luau, watch Wishes from the beach, and just take it easy.

You could also check out the Boardwalk in the early evening to late evening for something different.

 

[madalex]

Do it in the middle of the trip. It's a great break from the routine of rushing to the parks in the morning. Things we have done in this situation include character breakfasts at a resort, renting water mice, more time at the pool, visiting the Boardwalk shops and restaurants and taking a surrey bike ride followed by a stroll around the lagoon to see all the other Epcot resorts, and a nice dinner at a different resort to which we show up early so we can explore the resort (this works especially well at AKL, where there is so much to see).

 

[gigi1313]

my kids LOVED the boardwalk! the carnival games and sword swallower and juggler... i enjoyed the people watching, some shopping, music coming out of the clubs, etc... it was a great way to spend a leisurely evening just strolling along...

 

[tss2]

On our last trip we actually ended up with two off park days in the middle of the week. We went shopping in DTD and then it started to rain so spend the rest of the day at DIsney Quest! My kids 9 & 11 and my spouse and I loved it! We had never been there and it was well worth it!

The other off day we went to Wildnerness Lodge and biked around Fort Wilderness and went back to the hotel, swam and went mini golfing at night. I've also thought renting a boat would be fun.

Just some other ideas to try! Have a great trip!