The official STUFF DVC MEMBERS DO THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS TIME FOR thread

[blizzard]

Barbeque steaks on the grills near the pool. We make side dishes in the room, and then bring everything down to the picnic tables and have a poolside BBQ.

 

[rutgers1]

I'm glad I started this thread. I am going to print it. Even though I have thought of many of these ideas in the past, many of them escape my mind as my trip approaches.

One thing that I have been meaning to do is to walk through the parks with the Imagineers Guide. I haven't looked through it in a long time, but I remember how the section on Main Street USA was filled with enough info to give you a whole new appreciation for the area. It explains all of the names on the windows, etc.

Another thing I recommend doing is reading a biography about Walt before going. Before our two week trip, I read a great biography that gave me some unique insight as I was walking around. I can't remember the name of that, though.

Another great book I read was Realityland. Once again, it gives you a great appreciation for what you see around you as you go through the parks.

Finally, I think one of Disney's best kept secrets is the Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios, where you can learn how to draw Disney characters under the instruction of a Disney animator. Most people pass by and don't realize what is behind the door.

I'll second the person who mentioned the movie/campfire at Fort Wilderness Campground. Even if you are an adult and have no interest in the movie, it is just great to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

 

[DisWitt]

I'm with WBL as we are DLR regulars (AP's) and have a number of lazy things to do here, too:

- On a cold or rainy day, grab hot chocolate in front of the fireplace at VGC (or get some privacy at the outdoor one on the back-side of the lobby one and cuddle up with your DH/DW

- Ride the monorail and wait for the front so that you can chat with the driver (they have great stories)

- Swing dance at the Carnation band stand (usually on Friday and Saturday nights)

- Ride the train around and just chat -- or ask at the Main Street station to ride on the engine with the engineer and fireman (BIG FUN, but takes 30+ min)

- Put on crazy accents, pretend that you're from WAY out of town and it's your first time to DLR, make up names for yourselves, and have fun talking to other guests. Ask them for tips, hints, etc and see how WAY WRONG many of them are! (a long time fave for me and DGF's)

 

[DisneyHotDog]

Wow what a great thread!
I always enjoyed getting up at about six am and taking a walk on the board walk. its like watching a magic land waking. the sunrise is beautiful and the air is so fresh and clean. You are just so alone and everything can be looked at in a different way.
Buying fresh baked goods and coffee that early is a great way to start the day.
at EPCOT I alway take time to just sit and watch people for an hour somewhere and pretend I am really there.

 

[Mickey527]

This coming up trip we're singing up the kids for Disney's Pirate Adventure ( a Pirate themed boat tour)

Wow. let us know how that goes, the only singing I know is Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me.

 

[locodemickey]

- Ride the monorail and wait for the front so that you can chat with the driver (they have great stories)
)[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, they don't allow this anymore

 

[rcchello]

1) Backstage tours - loved the one that takes you back to where the monorails and trains are maintained.
2) Disney transportations day - ride the boats and monorails all over the place.
3) Check out all the great walk on Disney property - Wilderness lodge boat to magic kingdom, catch the boat to the campgrounds, eat lunch at the Trails End, follow the footpath back to the Wilderness Lodge.
4) If you don't have a car visit all the monorail resorts or Epcot resorts.
5) If you have a car visit all the moderates or buget resorts.

There are some unique food treats at each of the resorts. It just takes some time finding them.

 

[living20057]

My kids really enjoyed the pirate cruise. I used that time to get some snacks and walk around the Grand Floridan.

When we get to do an adults only trip we want to do the Keys to The World Tour.

This coming up trip we're singing up the kids for Disney's Pirate Adventure ( a Pirate themed boat tour)

Like you we enjoy hanging around the pool as much as going to the parks. We haven't ever done the welcome home Wednesday at the Boardwalk but that isn't too high on the list.

 

[living20057]

I like taking one of the boats out on the lake. We sailed from Grand Floridian to the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[kikiq]

- Ride the monorail and wait for the front so that you can chat with the driver (they have great stories)

Unfortunately, they don't allow this anymore

Yes, at WDW, they do not allow any riders up front.
At DL, you can wait and ride with the drivers up front in the new monorail. I think the PP was referring to DL's monorail.

 

[tinkerfan1]

DS and I did lunch with an Imagineer on our last visit. We really enjoyed that. It took a few hours and was certainly a bit out of the norm. We also like to do a lot of people watching, pool sitting, balcony resting, resort visiting, park strolling, etc. as the others have mentioned. We want to visit the campgrounds at Christmas this year to see all of the decorations and do some of the other things that we have never done as well. We also go to Downtown Disney at least once. Raglan Road is, oh, so yummy.... And, my DH and DS would argue that Earl of Sandwich is worth a trip as well. Cirque du Soleil is tons of fun as well. We've only done that once but would love to go back. Our DS and DGS used the Community Hall quite a bit in the evenings last time we went as well. There is just so much to do and so many places to go.

 

[rutgers1]

Two summers ago, we rented a boat (You get a boat and driver) for a cruise during the fireworks. We split the price with another family we met on Disboards. It was definitely worth it.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Two summers ago, we rented a boat (You get a boat and driver) for a cruise during the fireworks. We split the price with another family we met on Disboards. It was definitely worth it.

We're doing this in May when we go down to celebrate college graduations. I've ordered the Disney Iron Horse champagne, cheese and fruit plates, and a specialty cake to be served on the boat during the fireworks. You can also prearrange to have the boat decorated for a special occasion.

 

[d-r]

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Thanks for sharing all those photos! We don't have grandchildren yet, but I CAN'T WAIT!!! It looks like your family knows how to have a wonderful, family-filled time while at Disney.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love this thread! On Feb 26 we leave for our 15 day trip and I'm really looking forward to doing some of these non-park things. I have the Chip & Dale Campfire, Community Hall, lots of pool time (weather permitting), DTD, resort hopping, monorail riding, mini golf, renting a surrey bike, exploring Ft. Wilderness, the Yeehaw Bob Show at POR, and one off-site excursion to Kennedy Space Center, on the list. Nothing is solid except the adventure to KSC. We will just see what strikes our fancy in the moment.

We might grill out too. We have done that in the past and really enjoy it--especially since we live in NYC and don't have a space to grill!

I am looking forward to a trip with very little plans. We have a few days mapped out, but are basically going to wake-up, look at the projected crowd levels on TouringPlans and then go from there on what we feel like doing! In the parks I want to hit the things we haven't ever done--like the Animation Academy and the Liberty Belle!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Is that CBR?

Wonderful pictures!!!! The ones in the villa making the gingerbread house and the cookies made me laugh out loud....whooooooo what a mess! (did you fork over the extra $$ for a full mousekeeping cleaning? )

 

[d-r]

it's Vero Beach - and that flour cleans up easier than it probably looks

 

[rutgers1]

My kids did the pirate excursion. They enjoyed that. I would recommend that for sure.

I am going to add one that isn't quite as "family friendly" as most in this thread --- Drinking Around Epcot. I did it with some friends who live in Florida. They came out to meet me at Epcot, and I left my family just long enough to have a drink in about 5 different countries. Considering I am normally jumping around from one spot to the next in Epcot with the kids, being forced to stay in one country long enough to have a drink and a few laughs really helped me relax and appreciate the place more.

While I am on the "drinks" angle, we also spent some time by the fire at Animal Kingdom with drinks in-hand. That was nice.

 

[bookwormde]

I just like being able to enjoy the resorts and for us OKW and now Kidani really feel like "home" and we do special things (doing dining with an imagineer with my oldest son this time, AP with a DVC discount and goint 2 or 3 times in a year (then taking some time off) works well for us, it ends up being a bout $10-15 per day PP so we never feel pushed to stay at the parks "just to get our $ worth.

NOt feeling "stuck" with WDW food, makes the times we do go out more enjoyable (and selective)

Being able to bring extended family with us and to be together

bookwormde