sadly, looking at options beyond Disney

[rt3773]

We are coming to Orlando for a soccer tournament and are going to skip the Disney parks this year to save money. I am very sad and would love to just spend our extra time at WDW.
I am looking for some Disney stuff that is not in parks. I know of Downtown Disney. Is there a place to do a character meal without a park entrance?
I am not familiar with the Universal area at all. What can we do in that area without being a ticket holder?
Restaurants in the area? We are NOT looking for upsale, fancy places. Just unique dining experiences for families.
Does anyone have any recommendations of things to do in the area that do not require a lot of time?

 

[Straitlover]

One of the DTD hotels has a character breakfast, as does Garden Grove (at eihter the Swan or Dolphin). Several Disney hotels have them, too (Grand Floridian, Poly, Contemporary, Beach Club).

 

[deej696]

The above suggestions for character dining are good ones. Probably the best one as far as characters go is Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary. Aside from Downtown Disney, you could play miniature golf at one of Disney's courses, or rent a water sprite boat on Bay Lake. Both would be far less expensive than going to a park for the day. As far as Universal, about the only thing to do that isn't ticketed is their City Walk area, but it is not anywhere near as good as Downtown Disney, and I wouldn't really consider it as something to do, unless you need a place for dinner.

 

[disney-akj]

Hoop de doo at Fort Wilderness is a little pricey but a great show/meal. Disney Quest or a Disney water park is a lot cheaper than a park ticket if you just wanted to do one of these things for one day or evening??