The World without Parks and on a budget....

[cjemscott]

Three families are going to Clearwater for July 4th week.....they want to take one day to drive to WDW and enjoy things outside of the park on a budget with one table meal (dinner) at a resort and be around MK to watch the fireworks....suggestions for the day, meal, activities.....

Meal doesn't necessarily have to have a tight budget - this is our one splurge probably.

 

[pooh4evr]

Eat at the Polynesian luau, or Mickeys BBQ at Wilderness Lodge, Chef Mickey at Contemporary. The could do mini golf. maybe bowling at splitsville. or a water park (but I bet they would be pretty crowded)

 

[garnetandblack]

We spent a week in Orlando without going in the parks (we did go to LEGOLAND for 1 day). We were in a condo in Kissimmee with a great pool.

A day at Disney Springs is always fun. DS5 will spend hours at the Lego store. You could do an early lunch at a fun restaurant like T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe. If you sign up for Landry's Select Club you get priority seating (skip ahead of everyone with a reservation) and earn $25 the month of your birthday and every time you spend $250. It cost $25 to join but you get that as a credit for your first visit. You can also buy a $100 McCormick & Schmick's gift card at Costco for $79.99 and use that at any Landry's location. This adds a nice, fun break during your day at Disney Springs and it doesn't have to be all that expensive because they have many affordable options (DH and I split the stuffed chicken at T-Rex and it's only $20).

I would go to the Polynesian for dinner at Ohana - it's not cheap but it's not super expensive. It doesn't have characters at dinner though. If it's not super crowded a ride on the monorail can be magical (DS loves to ride the monorail at night). I would watch the movie they play on the beach and it's a wonderful spot to view Wishes.

If you want to see characters there is a free Chip and Dale campfire sing a long at Fort Wilderness and it's so much fun. They have fire pits for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. We did that one night and it was a blast (and free ).

 

[garnetandblack]

We watched the 4th of July fireworks from The Polynesian and while the beach was packed with people it was AMAZING!

 

[Crystal824]

I would do Hoop-de-Doo Review dinner show. You can go early and walk around Fort Wilderness and then go to the campfire and a movie after the show. You could do dinner at Ohana and watch the fireworks from the Poly beach after dinner. If you want a character meal, Chef Mickey's is an option. Not the best food, but the characters are great.