"Stuff to do without waiting in line"

[swilphil]

We leave in 2 days and my husband asks last night, "What are some things we can do without waiting in line for an hour?"

We have two young boys ages 2 and 4, and the older one is considered "high-spirited," aka hyper. Needless to say waiting in line is a challenge in itself, but we trade off, bring bubbles and toys, sing songs, etc.
Here are some questions about things I've read about but don't have a lot of details:

What's the maze like in World Showcase's England?

Where are the Epcot fountains that little kids like to watch so much? Can they play in them?

Where are the Misting machines in Epcot and MGM?

Is there really a play area by Frontierland in MK? What's it like?

I know we'll go to all the play areas, do the Kidcot stations, check out live entertainment, but what are some other non-structured things we can do?

 

[ziggystardust]

One of the fun things to do in Epcot (especially when its really hot out) is the coke station. Its this iceberg type place that snows on you when you walk in. (there are actually people shoveling it in full rain/snow gear). But after you walk through the whole thing you end up in this store that has free samples of coke from all over the world. Kids and my DBF really get a kick out of it. And its a great quick way to cool off.

I believe the fountains that the kids play in are right around that area. I don't remember exactly where it is but I'm sure it would be on one of the maps. ( I think i remember passing it on the way out of test track, but i could be wrong)

 

[Horizons16]

What's the maze like in World Showcase's England?
Got me i never heard of this



Where are the Epcot fountains that little kids like to watch so much? Can they play in them?
They are on the center strip. If you walk by Spaceship earth and keep walking down that path you will see them.


Where are the Misting machines in Epcot and MGM?
Test Track has them its like a car wash you will see them.
Singing in the rain umbrella near the old Hunchback stadium and the coke bottle ear the backlot tour


Is there really a play area by Frontierland in MK? What's it like?
Hmm there is a little itty bitty area near the exit of splash


sorry thats what i can give you. HAVE FUN!

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

Your kids might enjoy Tom Sawyer's Island. It's shady & rarely crowded...

A giant-sized playground geared to youngsters, Tom Sawyer Island is inspired by the famous works of author Mark Twain.

Guests board a motorized raft at a dock located just at the foot of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad over to the island. The raft ride takes only a few minutes. At the dock on the island, guests can sit in rocking chairs and play checkers, or begin to explore the grounds. Maps are posted periodically -- be sure to check where you want to go, as paths meander every which way.

There are dark passageways and caves to explore, an old mine, a scary, bouncy, rope bridge, a barrel bridge (below right), and the focal point, an old-fashioned fort, named Fort Langhorn (Twain's real name was Samuel Langhorn Clemens). Kids will have fun exploring all four corners of the fort, playing with the noisy air rifles and cannons, then venturing into the dark "escape tunnel."

 

[joe1946]

There's never a line for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

-- Joe

 

[Scutapipig]

The maze in England (Epcot)...

If memory serves me correctly, you follow yellow footprints through a hedge maze to find Pooh at the end of it (a cardboard cutout). It's very simple, and a perfect way to get off the beaten path for a few minutes and let your boys get some wiggles out. Their ages are perfect for something like this.

No one has ever been in the maze when we've been there.

 

[swilphil]

Thanks for the great info!!! We will do Tom Sawyer and the TTA at MK. At Epcot we will go to the Coke Station, the UK maze and the fountain. I also read about free cookie baking at The Land. I'm glad to hear there are two misting machines at MGM, although it always seems to rain when we are there!

I guess we'll decide on the Frontierland play area when we see it.

 

[buckeye]

Another way to avoid waiting in long lines is to use Fastpass and to get to the parks about 45 minutes before they open so you can walk right on rides for at least a little while. Those are my two favorite ways to avoid long lines!

Have a magical time!

 

[laurabelle]

A couple other ideas... My kids love to play around World Showcase, the Japanese garden is our family's favorite place. Now that my kids are a little older (birthday girl will be 8, and my oldest dd is 10) they like to grab the camera and take pictures of the things they see (and each other) while they play there. It's neat to see what they find interesting enough to photograph.

Another fav is to watch Off Kilter, my youngest will still dance to them!

There are places all over WS that are neat for kids that they don't have to wait in line for. I'm always amazed at the recommendations not to take kids there.
Have fun!

 

[mickeyfan0705]

We just got back from WDW and my advice would be to get to the park at least 45 minutes before it opens. If you are staying on site, and the park opens at 9:00, get to the bus stop around 7:50am.

That way you will be in line up front waiting for the gates to open. They usually let us in about 15 minutes early up to a 'rope', then they did a rope drop at 9:00. Be prepared for people that are running to their favorite rides. We walked fast, but didn't run. Go to whatever ride you absolutely want to ride first and there will be hardly any line. You can even send DH or yourself to the fastpass distribution to get fast passes for later while you get in line if you want to ride it a second time later.

Also, getting there early gets you into the park before the HOT part of the day hits. Drink plenty of water!

USE FASTPASS. Get there early, do one big ride first, get a fast pass for anohter, and then go to some of the other rides while waiting for the fast pass time to come up.

I don't know how long you are going or where you are staying, but getting a break in the middle of the day to cool off saved us. Then we would go to a park in the evening when it cooled off.

 

[Banzai]

I never knew that the UK had a maze. Five trips under my belt and there is always new stuff to learn.

 

[scakul]

I thought I knew about everything in Epcot. I'll have to check out the maze this trip.

 

[MsLeFever]

I think that Tom Sawyer Island is closed now for rehab.

There's a little playground in Toontown too!

Barbara

 

[jennymouse]

The resort swimming pool!

 

[mrsR123]

Grab a fastpass for Buzz and ride the TTA to pass the time. Ride it twice if you have to. It's breezy and cool. There's a lot to look at. My kids love it and have since the youngest was 18mos and the oldest is now ten.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I agree! We enjoy doing TTA when it is really hot or we just need a break, etc. It is relaxing and we have never had to wait in line.

 

[swilphil]

We will be staying at the Swan and taking breaks every afternoon. We leave tomorrow and I don't think Tom Sawyer is closed until the end of July, so we'll be able to take advantage of that. I'm excited because I've never been there.

We will definitely utilize Fastpass, ride TTA and visit the Japanese Garden, as well as lots of World Showcase.

FYI: I read on another thread that the UK maze often has the Pooh characters hanging out.

We are planning on going to Early Entry at MK and non-EE opening at the other parks. Do I really need to get to EE 45 min. early? Do the characters do anything during that time? I'm concerned my kids will get too antsy, and my husband will be a crab.


Has anybody done Swiss Family Treehouse? Is it even still open?

What's the Storytime with Belle by the castle like?

 

[mmccoy]

The maze is in a quiet area of England. If you are coming from France (and across the bridge over the "English Channel"), take the side street to the left once you are in England. At the end of the street, on the left, is the maze. The bushes are about waist-chest height on an 8-9 year-old, as I recall.

We toured the area around dusk. Saw a rabbit sitting in a small garden area in the middle of the square at the end of the street. He wasn't animatronic, either!

The Norway exhibit at Epcot includes a Viking boat that doubles as a play area for kids.

Our DS5 loved the trails at Animal Kingdom. Lots of cool animals.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

You can also try the Bone Yard in Animal Kingdom, I bet your little boys will love that. It's a play ground in Dino Land USA, back by Dinosaur.

But be careful, I have heard that once the kids start playing, it's very difficult to get them out of there!!

Krista

 

[swilphil]

Thanks, mmcoy, for the great directions to the maze. I've been wondering exactly where it is.

We will definitely do the play areas at the Viking Boat, Boneyard, Honey I Shrunk..., and Toontown. We may do the little play area by Frontierland at MK if I can figure out where it is.