Things to do at Disney, excluding the parks

[312BillB]

I'm heading to Disney with my family and my brother's family (each of us have a one year old child). Since I was just there in May of last year where we spent a considerable amount of time at the parks, I'm wondering what things we can do outside of the parks.

A few facts on our trip and our past experiences - leaving next Saturday for 7 nights, split between Villas at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club Villas (have not stayed at either one previously). We will not have a car. In prior vacations, we've gone and visited other Disney resorts and Downtown Disney (need my Earl of Sandwich!!). I was curious if there is something else I'm missing? All ideas are welcome!

We intended to do a lot of pool time, but of course I didn't plan that out all too well going in January . Hoping for a few warmer days.

 

[mrzrich]

WL is a boat ride away from Fort Wilderness. FW has stables where they house the Main Street horses. You can go see them, I believe they still do pony rides for the little ones too.

At night, FW has a campfire with Chip and Dale. There is a singer who does a few songs while the kids eat smores. Chip and dale come around for pictures. Then they play an outdoor movie.


Beach Club is a short walk from the Boardwalk which has evening entertainers. Eating in the Epcot resort area is as varied as ice cream and burgers to fine seafood and steaks. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is also withing walking distance right across the street from the Swan Dolphin. (An easily crossed service road type street, not a busy street.)

 

[buzz2400]

this is a list from mousesavers.com

http://www.mousesavers.com/free-and-cheap-stuff-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/

A few years back, we went to the Polynesian and saw a movie on the beach. you could see most of MK fireworks from there as well as the electric parade thing in the water.

 

[FiggieFan]

We love mini-golf at Disney. They have some great courses. The winterland/summerland courses are by Blizzard Beach and the Fantasia courses are a quick walk from the Swan and Dolphin hotels. We never have a car. Last trip we took a bus from the MK to the Swan and then walked over. We did have park hoppers so after we were done with golf, we walked from there to EPCOT via the International Gate (could have also taken a boat over to either HS or EPCOT from the Swan/Dolphin boat dock).

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Ya with today high of 50 in Orlando swimming might not be a good idea.
The Back Woods Segway tour at Fort Widerness is a cool tour to take.

You can rent a bike at Wilderness Lodge and bike over to the campgrounds and take a look at the animals and look for hidden mickeys in the barn.

The Wilderness lodge has a free tour of the lodge just ask at the front desk what time the tour is.

Go over to the Poly and ask what time the torch lighting ceremony is.

We like to rent the searacer boats a the Poly and cruise around Bay Lake.

 

[OhMari]

You can shoot bow and arrows at Fort Wilderness. I think it starts around noon and only certain days.

 

[312BillB]

Thanks for all the great tips! We just returned from our vacation and managed to make a couple of trips over to FW. The nature trail was excellent to get out for some exercise and we found it to be quite peaceful. Each time we walked it we managed to walk by a few deer that didn't seem to mind us passing through.

By the way, the roasting of marshmallows is not just for kids. I was a little embarrassed to ask for my own roasting stick but I quite enjoyed it