Three day trip Jan 2-4, no park tickets what would you do?

[TreesyB]

I just booked a last minute trip for the end of Xmas holidays. I LOVE that I can do that at a whim and I was able to book a studio at BLT for 2 nights. Amazing to have availability!

I wasn't planning to buy park tickets as I'm already spending a lot of money on holidays this year, and can't justify the cost. So if you aren't going to the parks, what do you suggest for 3 days (probably 2.5 days when it comes to ME).

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just booked a last minute trip for the end of Xmas holidays. I LOVE that I can do that at a whim and I was able to book a studio at BLT for 2 nights. Amazing to have availability!

I wasn't planning to buy park tickets as I'm already spending a lot of money on holidays this year, and can't justify the cost. So if you aren't going to the parks, what do you suggest for 3 days (probably 2.5 days when it comes to ME).

Thanks!

Why not just save your points until you can get tickets, too? You might not be able to check into your villa until after 4PM, you'll have one full day and the next day you have to be out by 11AM.

 

[TreesyB]

Why not just save your points until you can get tickets, too? You might not be able to check into your villa until after 4PM, you'll have one full day and the next day you have to be out by 11AM.

I'm flying out of Orlando because it was $40/person cheaper. And it also lets me use ME to get to the airport. Saves me $80. So using the points netted out. It's the end of my Florida vacation - I usually go to Fort Myers because my parents have a place. So this is my trip for myself and son. I love the DVC atmosphere and January is always the cheapest of all times, so... this is why I want to go even without park tickets, but we have gone so many times it's not a big deal to not do the park. But I'd love to know what people do other than the parks!

 

[patsal]

I would visit AKL and see the animals on the savannah.
I would do mini-golf.
I would check out the Christmas Decor on the monorail line.
I would go to the boardwalk in the evening to stroll and maybe see the higher Illuminations Fireworks.
I would enjoy the pool at the resort as well as the MK Fireworks.
I would Hang out one evening at DTD to people watch and maybe grab dinner.

 

[arthur06]

I would visit AKL and see the animals on the savannah.
I would do mini-golf.
I would check out the Christmas Decor on the monorail line.
I would go to the boardwalk in the evening to stroll and maybe see the higher Illuminations Fireworks.
I would enjoy the pool at the resort as well as the MK Fireworks.
I would Hang out one evening at DTD to people watch and maybe grab dinner.

That might be a little cold...

 

[Deb & Bill]

That might be a little cold...

And it might be in the 80's. One year we were at OKW for the marathon and we spent a couple of days at Blizzard Beach (Typhoon Lagoon wasn't open because of maintenance). It was very warm.

OP, I understand now that you are already in Florida and just extending your trip a few days, plus getting ME to get you to the airport. I thought you were flying down just for the two nights.

 

[Judique]

I just booked a last minute trip for the end of Xmas holidays. I LOVE that I can do that at a whim and I was able to book a studio at BLT for 2 nights. Amazing to have availability!

I wasn't planning to buy park tickets as I'm already spending a lot of money on holidays this year, and can't justify the cost. So if you aren't going to the parks, what do you suggest for 3 days (probably 2.5 days when it comes to ME).

Thanks!

This might be a big tease but you could walk over to MK and watch the opening show in the morning. Lots of characters and singing and dancing on the platform. It would be really hard not to go in after all the hype though, but you could then jump on the monorail and go to the Grand and have breakfast with Mary Poppins. Next do a workout by playing minigolf or maybe real golf somewhere.

Great time for a trip to Fort Wilderness. Visit the horses over there.

Use the watercraft.

Rent or go to a movie.

Go see Harry Potter at Universal.

Sit on your balcony or in the evening go to the top floor lounge.

We will be there a few days after you leave and right now I have no disney park plans as I'm out of regular tickets, but I've got lots of pluses and Uni tickets, so Disney will get less of my cash this time. I'm going to use up what I have before buying another 10 day hopper. We limit ourselves to usually a couple of park days now because we don't need to go to the parks that much anymore after all these years. A ten day hopper can easily last me up to five trips - used to get an annual pass, and may do so again as soon as I get my trips in the right sequence! This year is an early January trip - I need to buy when I am doing a later in the month trip - then an earlier one the next year.

 

[TreesyB]

That might be a little cold...

What's amazing about Disney is even if it's freezing and no one in their right mind would swim, the lifeguards are still there!

I do hope it's not too cold to swim but always a hit or miss in January.

Great suggestions so far!

 

[TPBChick]

I like to rent a bike and ride around Ft. Wilderness. At Christmas, many campers put up decorations. You can stop and see the animals like someone else suggested. They also have the campfire with Chip & Dale in the evening at FW.

 

[sarahk0204]

The dine-in movie at the AMC theatre in DTD sounds like fun. We might try that on our next trip.

Being from Canada, you might like at least a dip in the hot tub, because you can't do that at home right then. Coming from Ft. Meyers though, you might have had a chance to swim already. We had to visit the pool at least once last December trip, although I believe it was only in the 60's. I explained to the poor man we encountered on the elevator as, "We're from up North. It's almost a requirement."

If you or your son are into crafts, there is plenty to do at the community hall.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Second the use of Community Hall -- we really just discovered them on our past trip and DD loved it...can hang with people her own age without mom an dad (she's an only).

Some other things to consider...refresh your look at the SSR spa -- new haircut, manicure, pedicure.

Take the boats between the resorts and check them out. OKW, SSR, to DTD. Or the boats around the Board Walk and Disney Studios...dinner at the Board Walk.

Don't know about BLT....but find a perch, bring a book, and people watch. I love to watch the highs, the lows, the drama, and excitement of the World's visitors.

Enjoy!

 

[mikeweider1]

If you bring a fishing pole can you catch and release off the shore/dock at the resorts with waterfront? That sounds like it could be a fun way to relax at the resort (for some people of course...)

 

[JonJ]

There may still be Christmas decorations at the resorts. We usually go in early January and have seen them up past the 1st, but they will magically disappear overnight!

 

[TreesyB]

If you bring a fishing pole can you catch and release off the shore/dock at the resorts with waterfront? That sounds like it could be a fun way to relax at the resort (for some people of course...)

Hehehe, my son would love that. Me, not so much

 

[TreesyB]

I like to rent a bike and ride around Ft. Wilderness. At Christmas, many campers put up decorations. You can stop and see the animals like someone else suggested. They also have the campfire with Chip & Dale in the evening at FW.

Cool! See these are things I would never think of after tiring days at the park.

 

[TreesyB]

Second the use of Community Hall -- we really just discovered them on our past trip and DD loved it...can hang with people her own age without mom an dad (she's an only).


Enjoy!

You know, we always miss Community Hall - I think that's a fantastic idea!