Something different...

[dwaldron]

I am looking for suggestions of new, different things to do at Disney on my upcoming 11 day trip to BCV in July. We (my wife and 5 year old daughter and 8 year old son) have gone to Disney almost every year for the past five years.

This trip I am trying to find some unique events to spice up our trip from the "normal" Disney things.

As it stands right now we will be going to the Hoop-de-doo Review, and character breakfasts at EPCOT Norway and Cinderella's Castle.

I am open for other suggestions. Does anyone know anything about chartering a boat to watch the fireworks from?

Thanks,
Don

 

[btrim]

I know you can book a cruise for the fireworks. We have never done that, but Ihave read posts from people who have. You might also think about the campfire at Fort Wilderness. I know Chip and Dale are there and they have hay rack rides and they sing and tell stories around a campfire. We made reservations at MGM for their dinner show package where you can eat at either Mama Melrose's, Brown Derby, or Hollywood and Vine and then they give you a voucher so you can get into Fantasmic and sit in a a certain area to watch the show without having to show up an hour or more ahead of time. That might be worth it since in the summer the shows are so crowded. Hope you have a great time trying new things and redoing all the old Disney things.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We enjoyed Mickey's Backyard Barbeque. We were there with 2 nieces and they had fun line dancing and getting autographs. I think it was the best watermelon that I've ever had!

Bobbi

 

[DVCconvert]

Perhaps before hand you go to Hoop-de-doo -- you can visit the Iron Spike room, and see some of the 'railroad cars' Walt used in/on his backyard railroad!

 

[mbw12]

I don't have any info on chartering a boat for fireworks .....but I want to get info on chartering a boat for my husband to go fishing in the lagoon....I think I have seen them do Catch and RElease excursions near Wilderness Lodge. I would love to Parasail there also!!!

One thing we did recently that the kids loved was the Pirate cruise out of the Grand Floridian marina....all kids, no parents allowed. Also, Tea party with Alice in Wonderland was fun for my daughter. another thing that I want to check into but haven't done is the Junior Chef Experience )or it's called something like that!)

I would love to hear what others do, that go as often as us DVC'ers!!! We try to do something different on each trip (and of course still do our "old stand bys!")

Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

Have you and your family ever indulged in a Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream? It's just a litle thing to do, but it's alot of fun, even if you don't finish it, because of the "hooplah" and clapping when you get it.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We rented the water mice from the Contempory marina during our last trip and the kids just loved it. It was very reasonable with the DVC discount. We also did the fireworks cruise and it was very pleasant but I don't think we feel the need to do it again. We also rented surrey bikes from the Boardwalk and it was fun as well (for about 10 mins.--then our legs started killing us!) Even though we prefered some things over others, they all created special memories.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

We have done both the Wishes Cruise and the Illuminations Cruises. Both are a great time and IMO, money well spent. The cruises take your for a little tour before the show starts and then "parks" (idles) for the fireworks shows in prime locations. It is great way to make the incredible shows even better. I would highly recommend the specialty cruises as they are magical. I am sending you a PM, dwaldron, with more details. If anyone else is interested, feel free to PM me.

 

[CharlesTD]

If you like fishing I would reccomend doing a bass fishing trip on bay lake it is a big favourite of our family. We do this every year.

 

[CarolMN]

How about one of the tours? There are a few that allow partcipants under 16. You can get a 15% discount on most of them with your DVC membership. Book early if you want to do this -many sell out!

Here's a link to tour descriptions:

Tour Descriptions

Best wishes -

 

[rocketriter]

Give yourselves a date and either put your kids into one of the on-site day care facilities (Cubs Den at VWL and so forth) or hire a baby-sitter. Our kids used to love the day care and beg us to give them an evening of it. Meanwhile my DW and I would have a long, luxurious dinner at the Brown Derby followed by wandering through the stores that interest us but bore the kids. Very civilized and a great change of pace halfway through a trip.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Allears.net has some good suggestions in a section called Overlooked Attractions:

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ola.htm

Have a great trip!

 

[DisFlan]

If you've never done this, your kids are a good age to have fun finding Hidden Mickeys. They're all over WDW. If you want to "nudge" them in right direction, there's a list of many HMs at www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW

DisFlan

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love the Backstage Magic tour. It is pricely, but SO worth it! We have taken it 3 times, and it has been different every time.

 

[gopherit]

Try dinner at Shula's (your kids will get a complimentary 2 hrs in Camp Dolphin while you dine!)

We like to resort-hop.Pick a place, pool-hop, coordinate it with a meal, even!

Go to DTD. Pack a lunch, even. Let the kids wear their bathing suits under some shorts and a tee and let them get reallllly wet in the fountains there!

Give everyone $5 and say, "Find the best thing you can for $5." Give everyone a bag or bow or something to "spruce up" their "choice". THen have dinner and have a "swap" and vote on who got the best deal for their dollar.

My sister did this -- it sounded like fun: go to DTD,do your shopping, whatever. Then make a pact with your party to take the NEXT RESORT BUS THAT SHOWS UP. Ride it and dine at that resort. Sometimes the "fun" is in the unexpected!

Ride the "rides" outside the park, that is -- give your kids a transportation map and see how many connections and different modes of transportation you can take! Our boys had us on a monorail, a boat, busses -- they thought that was quite fun! Wait and let your kids take the front of the monorail...

Utilize community halls.

Stop off at VWL and do the Hidden Mickey hunt.

Do an activity at the Grand Floridian. (Suggestion: while the kids do the Pirate's cruise, consider having a leisurely brunch and strolling the GF for yourselves!)

 

[gjw007]

Depending on when your trip is, isn't the space shuttle suppose to launch sometime in July? If so, you might wish to head to the coast to view the launch if you have a car.

You can always go horseback riding, kayaking, etc. on Disney property.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Regarding the "next bus" idea, I did that once from the resort I was at-took the next theme park bus that came. I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do when I got there, since I didn't know where "there" would be. It was so much fun!

 

[MagikMom]

Have you ever seen the Cirque de soliel show? If you haven't it's a must see!!

 

[Disneygrl36]

How about playing mini-golf at Fantasia Garden or at Winter/Summerland. The holes on the gardens course of FG are very cute & interactive.
Watch the electrical water pageant & Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian after having dinner at O'hana.
For adults...how about a night at Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk--great sing along fun. We did a carriage ride at POR--very romantic. Afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is wonderful & such a nice break in the middle of the day from the hubbub of the Magic Kingdom.
Whatever you decide, have a great time. There are so many things to do other than the theme parks....that's one of the reasons I love WDW so much.