Swan-What to do alone w/ 6&7 yr. olds

[Threehearts]

Hi DISers!
I just found out that my husband will be in L.A. for a Friday and Sat. of our trip to the Swan on Aug. 20-25th. I have never stayed in this area of WDW and we will not be using our hoppers on these days. Can we use the Epcot monorail and make our way to DTD or might you have some other ideas? Thanks.

Threehearts

 

[#1hockeymom]

You are literally steps from the boardwalk and all the restaurants, let alone night time entertainment! You have fantasia golf behind you, and the grotto pool is fantastic! My kids even had fun on the beach and in the hammocks. You can rent swan boats at the resort, or go next door to the yc/bc and rent water mice. They also have game rooms at the Swan and Dolphin. You might also want to do a character dinner at the resort, or another resort! I think this would be a great opportunity to actually use all the options near you.

I would not have a problem filling up my day with my children w/o using a pass. In retrospect, I think we would have done fine with a park hopper, minus a day, and just spent a day at our resort. Guess I'll have to go back and try this option!

Have a wonderful trip!
Debbie

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks so much for the quick reply. What is there on the Boardwalk for little kids and does it open at a certain time? Also, can I rent water mice at the YC/BC even though I'm staying at the Swan? I don't think I can do the boat rentals anyhow because one of my little guys would be alone in the boat and I don't think that they allow that. Thanks again! Threehearts

 

[Mouseteacher]

I agree with all hockeymom listed. Re: the monorail. In order to get to the monorail you must enter Epcot at the International Gateway and walk to the front of Future World to get to the monorail - therefore, you would have to use your park pass. You would take the bus to DTD.

Yes, you can rent the watermice but I believe you would have to be in the boat with them. The boat holds only 2.

There is playground equipment just beyond the grotto pool and basketball hoops, too.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Was there in May with DD7 and DS5.
The kids loved the Grotto Pool. You can spend the better part of both days there! There is also playground equipment, basketball courts, games room and of course the mini putt.
The Boardwalk is a very short walk from the Swan. They have lots of things for the kids to see and do - buskers, carnival games, bike rentals, etc. If you have a DD - you can get her hair wrapped at both boardwalk and Grotto pool.
We went to the Friday character meal at the SWAN. It's a buffet so the kids enjoyed it - Rafiki and Timon were there.
I'm sure you won't have a problem filling up the time!

 

[Miffy]

Threehearts:

Do you and your kids like animals? If so, you could go to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think the best way to get there would be to take a bus to the nearest park and switch there for a bus to AKL. There are places to view the animals all over the lodge--not just official viewing areas, but the outdoor stairwells at the ends of the hallways are fantastic places for animal-watching--and the lodge itself is fun to look at and roam around in. If you ask at the front desk, you can get a list of hidden mickeys--some of them are quite challenging to find. The list is only hints, btw.

Another idea of a non-park WDW day is to go to Fort Wilderness. You can access it by boat from the MK, so I think the best way to do this would be a bus to MK, then switch to the Fort Wilderness boat. The boat ride itself is quite nice. At Fort Wilderness, you can do any or all of the following: (1) petting zoo (with nice farm animals); (2) pony rides (for the kids); (3) visit the horse barn and watch them take care of the WDW horses; (4) rent bikes, a surrey bike, or a golf cart and explore; (5) eat at Trail's End buffet -- a great meal and not a bad deal at lunchtime; (6) see a Disney film at the campfire in the evening; and I there's more stuff to do there, I just can't think of it right now. And most of it's free and you don't have to use up a park admission doing it.

HTH --miffy--

 

[gm]

Everytime I go to Disney, I only go with my 2 kids since hubby has a business so cannot take off.

We always stay at the Swan or Dolphin. There is so much to do with the kids. Like everyone stated, The grotto pool is so much fun. There is also a sprinkler area close to the Swan where a Walrus shoots out water.

You can also walk right across from the Swan to the Fantasia Gardens which is a lot of fun.

You can rent Water Mice at the Beach club also and if you have an annual pass, you get some discount also.

Be sure to see Carlos at nighttime on the Boardwalk where you can walk easily to from the Swan. Your kids will love him!!He does fire tricks and magic shows and such.

I believe they are also having the Disney adventures blast at the Boardwalk in July but I am not sure when it ends. Your kids will have a lot of fun.

You can also take them to the several arcades around the Swan. The best one is at the Beach Club and the Boardwalk. The Dolphin has nice ones too but not a big selection.

Take them over to the Beach club to the Beaches and Cream Diner for Ice cream and desserts and the best burgers around. Lot of fun for kids.

You can also take the bus from the Swan to Downtown Disney where there is a lot for the kids to do and see.

I hope that helps