sneaking Disney magic into my Universal vacation

[MagicalMom]

I'm a bit saddened to be so close to Disney this summer, without having a full disney vacation. Don't get me wrong, I love Universal, but I am a Disney girl at heart! We plan on going to the Magic Kingdom for one day. On that day I have ressies for CRT breakfast & crystal palace dinner. I have also had a touring plan made by touringplans.com. The evening that we arrive in orlando we will be having a 7pm dinner at Chef Mickey's & hopefully will go to DTD before dinner that day. Does anyone have any other ideas how I can sneak some more magic into my Universal Vacation?
Thanks!
Lisa

 

[JC Butterfly]

How long are you going for and what are your options for "sneaking"?

For example instead of going to DTD before enjoying a meal at the Contemporary. You could go to the contemporary and rent one of the water mice or pontoon boats and have a great view of the MK area.

You could do a little shopping at the resors in the MK area and then after dinner could go to DTD.

I don't know how full your days are at Universal but could you come back and enjoy the Boardwalk at night? maybe rent a surrey bike and take a tour around?

Any time you have free time, all of the Disney resorts are so well themed you can enjoy a meal, shopping, just a dessert.

You could go to the campfire program at Fort Wilderness and enjoy the characters and a movie.

You could play a round of mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens.

I hope you can get your Disney fix!

Brenda

 

[MagicalMom]

Thanks for your reply! Those all sound like good ideas. Our Universal days are pretty full. We have the day that we arrive in Orlando (7/8) & will be in the Magic Kingdom on 7/10.

Do you have to be a guest to go to the campfire?

What can you do at the boardwalk?

I read some where that we may be allowed to watch Wishes from the Comtemporary. We are going to ask about that while we are there.

I have been to Disney many times, but never stayed onsite.

To be honest, this is the first trip that I have really planned for. Usually we just pick a date, pick a hotel & go! Never even made a PS before this vacation! The dis has taught me soooo much.

 

[funcinderella]

Just had to comment here....
We went on a Universal vacation last year with Dh, DS, DD, and Grandma. WE weren't supposed to go to Disney, because we are plannign a big first trip with our kids for next year with the the whole extended family. At the last minute we "snuck" in a day at MK. It happened to be a late evening day, and we got to see Spectromagic. That day was the highlight of our trip. I would have been happier staying at Disney and sneaking in the Universal trip. I also love Universal, but boy, Disney has something special; it has the power to bring tears to your eyes, and smiles to your kids' faces!

 

[petula]

Wear your painfully bright yellow Mickey Mouse poncho when it rains.

 

[JC Butterfly]

Magical Mom-

I have never actually attended the campfire program my self at Fort Wilderness but am looking forward to trying it at the end of this month. It was my understanding that it was open to anyone but I guess I can't confirm this. You could post the question on the resort board if you wanted to know for sure. There is no actual "cost" per se but they do sells sticks, marshmellows, etc for making s'mores.

The Boardwalk is the entertainment area behind the World Showcase at Epcot. Meaning that if you were there around the time of Illuminations happening, you would be able to see part of the spectacular show. The Boardwalk has a few shops, restaurants, and a "dance hall" with live entertainment. It is themed to look like the 1920s and it's a really unique experience. there is a boat that travels from Epcot to the Boardwalk to the Swan/Dolphin (which are just behind it, within walking distance) and over to MGM too. This is a free way to enjoy the sites.

The Boardwalk really comes alive in the summer when there are carnival type booths set up, jugglers, mimes, unicyclists etc to enjoy as "street entertainment". A surrey bike is a bike for either 2 or 4 people that get to sit side by side. It's a bit of a workout but if it isn't too crowded you can pick up some speed going down the hills.

My personal opinion is that the BEST place to see WISHES is right from the Magic Kingdom itself because you get the full audio presentation. But yes, if you were to go to the Contemporary up on the 10th floor you would get quite a view. It would also be nice to sit on the beach at the Poly or the Grand to catch some of the higher fireworks. The electric Water Pagent makes its way around the lagoon each night too.

Brenda

 

[MagicalMom]

Brenda, Thank you so much for all of that wonderful information. I think we will enjoy a stroll on the boardwalk. It sounds like a great place to take pictures too.