Suggestions for filling in "gaps" in itinerary

[MCharpie]

I would appreciate any suggestions for what to do during our unscheduled times on our upcoming December trip. There's 4 of us (myself, husband, 5 year old boy, 4 year old girl). It's our third trip, we're booked to return again in April, and our main priority is enjoying the Christmas spirit at Disney. Our plans are:

Wednesday - flight arrives at 9am, check-in at Wilderness Lodge, head to Epcot (unless room is ready, we will rest first and get to Epcot later)

Thursday - Magic Kingdom through the afternoon parade. what do we do for the evening?

Friday - MVMCP - plan to arrive around 4. What do we do in the morning?

Saturday - 8:30pm flight from MCO What do we do on this day?

We are not looking to add more park time than currently planned. What would be your suggestions for things to do outside of the parks to enjoy the holiday season at Disney? My kids' favorite parts of Disney are swimming, the monorail, and staying up late!

Thanks in advance

 

[caribbeandream]

Thursday - go to the Grand Floridian after the afternoon parade - 3:00 pm Princess Promenade, enjoy the live musicians in the lobby, get family pics taken in front of the giant tree and gingerbread house, then end your day with a character dinner at 1900 Park Fair

Friday - visit Disney Boardwalk, maybe even play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens?

Saturday - visit Disney Springs and get some last minute shopping done, including visiting the giant LEGO store

 

[only hope]

Check out all the MK area resorts. They decorate very nicely for Christmas. You can also ride the monorail to most of them- but beware you have to go through security each time you get on. There's also some nice decorations at the Epcot area resorts. You can walk between these or ride boats. There's a nice ice cream place at the beach resort. Last year they had evening entertainment at Disney Springs during the holidays. Watch out for announcements on that on the blog. I know they are doing the Christmas tree trail again. You could do that Thursday evening.

 

[MCharpie]

Thursday - go to the Grand Floridian after the afternoon parade - 3:00 pm Princess Promenade, enjoy the live musicians in the lobby, get family pics taken in front of the giant tree and gingerbread house, then end your day with a character dinner at 1900 Park Fair

Friday - visit Disney Boardwalk, maybe even play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens?

Saturday - visit Disney Springs and get some last minute shopping done, including visiting the giant LEGO store

this is EXACTLY what I needed! Thank you so much for the responses!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would appreciate any suggestions for what to do during our unscheduled times on our upcoming December trip. There's 4 of us (myself, husband, 5 year old boy, 4 year old girl). It's our third trip, we're booked to return again in April, and our main priority is enjoying the Christmas spirit at Disney. Our plans are:

Wednesday - flight arrives at 9am, check-in at Wilderness Lodge, head to Epcot (unless room is ready, we will rest first and get to Epcot later)

Thursday - Magic Kingdom through the afternoon parade. what do we do for the evening?

Friday - MVMCP - plan to arrive around 4. What do we do in the morning?

Saturday - 8:30pm flight from MCO What do we do on this day?

We are not looking to add more park time than currently planned. What would be your suggestions for things to do outside of the parks to enjoy the holiday season at Disney? My kids' favorite parts of Disney are swimming, the monorail, and staying up late!

Thanks in advance

Thursday - spend the evening at Ft. W. Depending on budget, consider doing HDDR, a holiday sleigh ride and visiting the horses at Tri-Circle D ranch (your children are probably small enough to do the pony rides). If HDDR is out of reach, have dinner at Trail's End and do the sleigh ride and ponies.

Friday - morning, hang out at the resort, swim, have lunch at Whispering Canyon (it's SO fun). Ask the front desk for the handout that tells you about all the details of the resort and take your own little tour. Rent a boat, take a walk over to Ft. W. You could also do a monorail tour prior to going to MK - take a boat to CR to see the Christmas decorations there, then monorail to Poly, GF (they have an enormous tree and a life-size gingerbread house) and then MK.

Saturday - go to Disney Springs.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thursday - go to the Grand Floridian after the afternoon parade - 3:00 pm Princess Promenade, enjoy the live musicians in the lobby, get family pics taken in front of the giant tree and gingerbread house, then end your day with a character dinner at 1900 Park Fair

Friday - visit Disney Boardwalk, maybe even play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens?

Saturday - visit Disney Springs and get some last minute shopping done, including visiting the giant LEGO store

Other than mini-golf and renting a surrey bike there is really nothing to do at the Boardwalk during the day. The magicians, jugglers and carnival games don't start until the evening.

 

[caribbeandream]

Other than mini-golf and renting a surrey bike there is really nothing to do at the Boardwalk during the day. The magicians, jugglers and carnival games don't start until the evening.

Then it sounds like they could do a pool day at their resort!

 

[MCharpie]

Then it sounds like they could do a pool day at their resort!

I think we're leaning this way - my kids may never forgive me if we don't get in the pool at some point!

 

[soniam]

I think we're leaning this way - my kids may never forgive me if we don't get in the pool at some point!

Just be sure to have a back up plan and to temper their expectations. It can get kind of cold in December and make swimming pretty chilly. I'm from Texas though.

 

[GeneralTso]

I schedule big gaps for the sole purpose of getting out of the parks and seeing other things. Pool time, Disney Springs, Resort hopping. Anything other than park time. Just relaxing in the room or lobby are wonderful.

 

[MCharpie]

Just be sure to have a back up plan and to temper their expectations. It can get kind of cold in December and make swimming pretty chilly. I'm from Texas though.

Thanks for the reminder - we've never been in December. We are from the Northeast and the kids can be a little numb to the temperature (e.g., they asked me to put the sprinkler on today - a moderate 75 degree October day!). This trip is a surprise for them and I'm not sure how I'll keep them away from the pool, regardless of the air temperature! Kids are crazy

 

[MCharpie]

have lunch at Whispering Canyon (it's SO fun).

Have you ever done breakfast there? I'm wondering if it'd be just as much fun or if it's a bit more tame. I remember going as a teenager and loving the antics - I think my kiddos would too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Have you ever done breakfast there? I'm wondering if it'd be just as much fun or if it's a bit more tame. I remember going as a teenager and loving the antics - I think my kiddos would too.

Yes, we've done breakfast and lunch there and it's just as fun. My DS9 loved it so much we ate 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch there when we stayed at WL in August. Order water and ask for ketchup!