Suggestions for a day or two outside the parks

[slpeters]

So we enjoyed the our holiday time trip to Disney so much that we have decided to go back to Orlando next December. We spent the week at the World last November so dh would like to focus on things we didn't do this trip on the next one. We're planning on going back to WDW once the new Star Wars stuff is up and running.

With that in mind we're spending a week at Universal. We'll be at the Royal Pacific. We're planning on having a much more laid back trip exploring the parks at Universal. We're planning on attending a MVMCP (we didn't do one last time) and spending a day at Sea World.

I thought we might be able to do some of the Disney stuff that we didn't do last time--we only had a week at WDW so we spent pretty much all of it in the parks. We didn't really explore the resorts, we didn't do Disney Springs.

So I am looking for suggestions for stuff to do at WDW during the holidays that wouldn't require park admission. We would have probably a day or a day and a half (the half before MVMCP).

TIA

 

[AnnaS]

POR - Yeah Bob Jackson/meal
Resort hop to resorts to see all the decorations in the lobby/meal/drink
AKL - free Boma/Jiko tour (if still offered), see the animals/meal/drink here or at Kidani.
Disney Springs - Browse, shop, meal/drink/entertainment
Boardwalk - same as Disney Springs

These come to mind now.

 

[Melina Hestnes]

If youre going around christmas time, I would reccomend viewing the decorations at some of the resorts. We did that on our last trip and really enjoyed seeing the special aspects of each resort we visited. I hope this helps!

 

[slpeters]

If youre going around christmas time, I would reccomend viewing the decorations at some of the resorts. We did that on our last trip and really enjoyed seeing the special aspects of each resort we visited. I hope this helps!

I think we would like to do this. How did you get around when you did this? Do you just do monorail resorts and then maybe Epcot resorts?

 

[ThePrincess&TheJohn]

On our next trip, we are looking forward to going to Disney springs to go bowling at Splitsville, the virtual reality star wars experience The Void, and snacking our way around.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We always do a day of visiting the monorail resorts to check out their decorations.Also check out FW, the people there decorate there sites and cabins amazingly. This last trip we ended the day at the Poly, ate at Ohana and watched fireworks from the beach. It was a great day.

 

[slp87]

Get a reservation at an Epcot area resort for dinner then explore the decorations and entertainment on the boardwalk. If it's late enough you can catch the upper fireworks at Epcot. Or do the same at a monorail resort and watch HEA from the Poly beach.

 

[ttintagel]

Visit the animals and go for a horse ride at the Circle-D Ranch!

 

[mamaofsix]

Will you have a vehicle? If so, I'd recommend getting away from Disney / Universal for a day. We like to go to Cocoa Beach for a day or go shopping / mini-golfing / out to dinner at a nice restaurant in Orlando. We are surprised by how many people never see the rest of Florida on their Disney trips. It's really refreshing to get away from the craziness for a day to re-charge.

 

[Tomh]

So we enjoyed the our holiday time trip to Disney so much that we have decided to go back to Orlando next December. We spent the week at the World last November so dh would like to focus on things we didn't do this trip on the next one. We're planning on going back to WDW once the new Star Wars stuff is up and running.

With that in mind we're spending a week at Universal. We'll be at the Royal Pacific. We're planning on having a much more laid back trip exploring the parks at Universal. We're planning on attending a MVMCP (we didn't do one last time) and spending a day at Sea World.

I thought we might be able to do some of the Disney stuff that we didn't do last time--we only had a week at WDW so we spent pretty much all of it in the parks. We didn't really explore the resorts, we didn't do Disney Springs.

So I am looking for suggestions for stuff to do at WDW during the holidays that wouldn't require park admission. We would have probably a day or a day and a half (the half before MVMCP).

TIA

Indeed, there are things to do outside the parks on Disney property. There are also many things to do off Disney property. Disney Springs is a lovely shopping and dining area, and well worth at least a half day of exploration. D-Luxe burger, and the Polite Pig are amazing counter service restaurants at Disney Springs.

Miniature golf is pretty popular as well. There is entertainment and shopping along the boardwalk in the evening. Port Orleans Riverside has a horse drawn carriage ride available, as well as 4 person surrey bikes for rent which you can ride along a path around the resort. Many of the resorts have boats you can rent. There are fishing opportunities.

Outside of Disney there is plenty to do as well. There are many restaurants, both national chains, and local places along both Irlo Bronson Highway (192) and I-Drive. We really enjoyed the Macaroni Grill in Irlo Bronson Highway, and Bahama Breeze on I-Drive. There are outlets, gift shops, and more mini golf (we had a great time at Congo River Golf on I-Drive) along both roads. I've heard good things about both Wonder Works, and Ripley's. Old Town has weekly car cruises which are quite a bit of fun, as well as lots of shops, and food. Fun Spot, which is directly adjacent to Old Town has rides and games, including a pretty intense looking wooden roller coaster (a bit too intense looking for me lol). There are air boat tours, and helicopter tours. Gator Land isn't too far away. Celebration is a beautiful little town full of shops and dining, and could certainly take up a full evening.

 

[Heluvsme]

Take the monorail to the Grand Floridian to see the beautiful, GIANT gingerbread house!

 

[tlmadden73]

What I tend to do on our non-park day:

Disney Springs .. so much to do and see there .. even if you aren't a "shopper". Lots of food, fun stores in the Lego Store and World of Disney and the Virtual Reality Star Wars experience.

From Disney Springs .. take a bus to a resort and check out Christmas Decorations there and just explore the resort.

Go to Fort Wilderness and explore there and grab a meal at Trail's End, Mickey's Backyard BBQ or the Hoop De De Revue.

 

[abnihon]

They do “sleigh” rides from Fort Wilderness!

 

[abnihon]

Also free Chip & Dale campfire at FW

 

[maryj11]

They will be having a new show starting at Disney Springs to replace Cirque du Soleil. If it is anything like that show it will be awesome!