Tips for Things to Do for Non-Park Visit

[sleepy jean]

Hi,

My husband and I just joined DVC while traveling on a Disney cruise. I haven't been to WDW in almost 20 years and am very excited to start going again now that we have a 17-month old boy and another one due in February.

We have a short Saturday and Sunday visit planned for mid-December and just got off the waitlist for a studio at SSR. Since we will only be there for 2 days, I thought it may not be worth it to spend the money for the 2-day tix since we have a weeklong trip planned for next May (and not sure how much we could accomplish with me being 8 month pregnant) and maybe just go to the X'mas party one evening. What do you think?

Any recommendations for things to do for those two days if we do not visit the parks with a 17 month old? I know it's hard to predict but any chance for laying out by the pool then or will it be too cold? Also is SSR a good place to stay or should we waitlist for somewhere else?

TIA!

 

[brucerob62]

Hi,

My husband and I just joined DVC while traveling on a Disney cruise. I haven't been to WDW in almost 20 years and am very excited to start going again now that we have a 17-month old boy and another one due in February.

We have a short Saturday and Sunday visit planned for mid-December and just got off the waitlist for a studio at SSR. Since we will only be there for 2 days, I thought it may not be worth it to spend the money for the 2-day tix since we have a weeklong trip planned for next May (and not sure how much we could accomplish with me being 8 month pregnant) and maybe just go to the X'mas party one evening. What do you think?

Any recommendations for things to do for those two days if we do not visit the parks with a 17 month old? I know it's hard to predict but any chance for laying out by the pool then or will it be too cold? Also is SSR a good place to stay or should we waitlist for somewhere else?

TIA!

Well we are coming right before xmas..and plan on spending a day at Downtown disney..and then resort hopping..especially the monorail resorts..great decorations ..and things to do..and eat at a nice kid friendly place ..like chef mickeys.. or 1900 park fare....very laid back while everyone is at the parks..have a great time

 

[Rob S.]

You should consider an annual pass (AP). With the DVC discount, an AP is about $100 more than a 7-day hopper. I'm sure someone will post the exact amount. The AP would be good until December 2011 and you would be able to sneak in a few more weekends next year.

If you do skip the parks this time, you could easily spend a day visiting the other resorts just to see the incredible holiday displays. Go to the Grand Floridian to see the giant gingerbread house. Go to the Boardwalk and Beach Club - they both have excellent displays in the lobby area.

I've been there in December for the last 3 years and the temperatures have ranged from the 50s to the 80s. It could be possible to swim.

 

[tgropp]

You could buy a 10 day non expiry ticket. That would give you 2 days for this trip, seven days for your next trip and then 1 day later. For the extra few dollars, you can get a ticket for 10 visits to the water parks also. The reason that I am saying this is that at this time of year, the parks are beautiful all decorated up. Also there is the Osbone Lights, Holidays around the World and the Candlelight Processional among other things that are available at this time of year. Since you will be 8 months pregnant you will have to take it easy.....but it is just a thought.
Visiting the other resorts to see the decorations is an attraction in itself. Do not miss Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Also a visit to Downtown Disney at this time of year is so nice. You may be able to swim as long as a cold front does not happen. Have fun

 

[CarolAnnC]

Since you are 8 months pregnant and traveling with a 17 month old, I think the Christmas Party will be enough for a two day trip.

We have enjoyed the pools in December, but it can be hit or miss. Besides Downtown Disney you may also want to consider visiting Celebration. Great place and you can have a nice meal over there too.

 

[nezy]

At that time of year definitely hotel hop to see the decorations. Since you are staying at SSR go to DD via boat. I would also go to Boardwalk. For 2 days I wouldn't worry about the parks. When my children were young we would just ride the monorail and they were thrilled. It the weather is warm enough hang out by the pool and relax and enjoy what the resort has to offer. Since you are DVC members do not overwhelm yourselves with trying to do so much in a short time-you will be back! You can do the Christmas party another time.

 

[ldo]

if you are talking about the Mickey party at MK, you can actually get into MK at 4 PM. If you and son could take a nap after lunch, then you could head out at 3:30 for MK, go for a few hours and then take a break to eat dinner--I would just do a counter service (fast food type), so you can stop and eat when you feel like it.
SSR is a good option for a 1st visit. You can park not too far from your unit and no stairs, as they have elevators. Another option would be AKV, but only Kidani, as you can park underneath--at Jambo, it is a long walk from car parking and long hallways--same for BWV or BCV and VWL (but not as long hallway). At OKW, you can park at villas, but stairs. You can request 1st floor for medical and they are good about honoring that.
SSR has a nice zero entry pool for your son and a toddler version slide. There is a good kids club (Community Hall, CH), where you can go with him and color, check out WDW movies for free, get games, etc. As your kids get older, you will enjoy the CH a lot--my kids at ages 5-10 loved the CH.
I would take some time to tour the different DVC resorts, esp. the CH and pools, to pick your favorite in the future.

 

[com_op_2000]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2569576

 

[Donna M]

I would want to take it easy being pregnant and having a 17 month old. The parks are pretty but the hotels are too and taking the boats and monorail could be relaxing.

If you decide to do the parks, we get 10 day nonexpiring tickets and then only use a few days each year. That's an option if the annual pass doesn't work for you.

We are from NH and we have been in the pools in Dec and Feb. The pools are heated so they are fine; getting out of the pool may be chilly.

 

[ToddyLu]

Gaylord Palms is a huge, huge resort about one mile from WDW and they will have there annual "ICE" show. From what I understand, you purchase a ticket and get to walk through all the ice sculptures in the lobby...they even provide parkas in all sizes. Might be something fun with a little one, that is different. I think a cab ride there might be reasonable and you can buy tickets online.

 

[joandegennaro]

So much to do and see at just the hotels this time of year. Since this is your first visit home just relax and enjoy the atmosphere...you and your family have lots of years ahead of you for the parks. At Christimas time I enjoyed going and seeing all the different hotel decorations. Given that you will be 8 months along not to mention a 17 month in tow just take it easy exploring the different DVC resorts...get an idea of where you would like to stay next. Your child can get lots of character interaction if you book a character meal like Chef Mickey or even Cape May breakfast.

 

[Rest&Relax]

Enjoy the different resorts. Plan meals at different resorts so you can visit them. We usually spend our days visiting resorts and do parks at night in December. Make sure you visit. GF, WL, BC, BW, AK & the Dolphin. If you want to visit the parks at night consider a AP or non expiration ticket.

Have fun!

 

[dzorn]

Hi,

My husband and I just joined DVC while traveling on a Disney cruise. I haven't been to WDW in almost 20 years and am very excited to start going again now that we have a 17-month old boy and another one due in February.

We have a short Saturday and Sunday visit planned for mid-December and just got off the waitlist for a studio at SSR. Since we will only be there for 2 days, I thought it may not be worth it to spend the money for the 2-day tix since we have a weeklong trip planned for next May (and not sure how much we could accomplish with me being 8 month pregnant) and maybe just go to the X'mas party one evening. What do you think?

Any recommendations for things to do for those two days if we do not visit the parks with a 17 month old? I know it's hard to predict but any chance for laying out by the pool then or will it be too cold? Also is SSR a good place to stay or should we waitlist for somewhere else?

TIA!

How far do you live from the World. I know my doc would not let me travel that late.

If you own at SSR I would waitlist elsewhere, though the odds of it coming through are not good.

If it comes through great if not you get to try your home resort.

One thing we did this last trip is pool hop to the poly one evening. I hit the beach with a book and DH and the girls went swimming. Then when it was close to firework time they joined me on the beach. We watched the water pagent and fireworks then headed back to the BWV.

Denise in MI

 

[DenLo]

I say go to DTD for some last minute Christmas shopping. And then the next day drive over to the Ticket and Transportation center, board the resort monorail (it's okay you can use the elevator). And stop at each resort and see the holiday decor. Have tea at the Grand Floridian, or lunch at another resort. Your little one will love the ride on the monorail. But get some RR in while you are there.

 

[sleepy jean]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I think we will just tour the resorts and maybe go to the Mickey party at MK on Sunday night. Any favorite places to eat at Boardwalk for dinner? Or are there better places at DTD for dinner?

Where is the best place to catch the water pageant on Saturday night and where can I find more information on what this is and what time it goes on? Also, if we're touring the resorts, would it be easier to rent a car and drive from resort to resort instead of relying on the Disney transport which from what I've read here is not the most convenient going directly from one resort to another? If so, should I rent the car from the airport or at WDW (we don't get in til 11pm on Friday night and our flight leaves around 6:30am on Monday am, so maybe ME won't be the best for us?)?

Oh, and we are in NYC and my doc is fine with me flying til 36 weeks (at least for now since there are no complications so far but keeping my fingers crossed!). BLT is our home resort but we will be staying there in May. I don't mind trying different resorts, just didn't know which would be most convenient for this trip.

Thanks!

 

[DenLo]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I think we will just tour the resorts and maybe go to the Mickey party at MK on Sunday night. Any favorite places to eat at Boardwalk for dinner? Or are there better places at DTD for dinner?

Kouzzina by Cat Cora has excellent reviews. I'd eat at the Turf Club there at SSR myself. We often go to SSR just to eat at the Turf Club.

Where is the best place to catch the water pageant on Saturday night and where can I find more information on what this is and what time it goes on?

Poly's beach. Not sure of the time in December, it's usually after the parade at MK.

Also, if we're touring the resorts, would it be easier to rent a car and drive from resort to resort instead of relying on the Disney transport which from what I've read here is not the most convenient going directly from one resort to another? If so, should I rent the car from the airport or at WDW (we don't get in til 11pm on Friday night and our flight leaves around 6:30am on Monday am, so maybe ME won't be the best for us?)?

I'm sorry, I thought since you were there for only two nights you were driving. Taking the bus works fine for the monorail resorts, because you just take the bus to MK. To go to any other resort, you would need to go to DTD and take the bus from there. Since you'll be 8 months pregnant, I'm not sure how much walking you'd want to do. But you can either walk over to DTD or take the ferry. But the bus stops are either in the parking lot behind Pleasure Island or at the end of the Marketplace, so it's still a bit of walk even if you ferry over.

Oh, and we are in NYC and my doc is fine with me flying til 36 weeks (at least for now since there are no complications so far but keeping my fingers crossed!). BLT is our home resort but we will be staying there in May. I don't mind trying different resorts, just didn't know which would be most convenient for this trip.

Thanks!

Have a nice time at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

I can't help you with rental car info, sorry.

 

[dzorn]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I think we will just tour the resorts and maybe go to the Mickey party at MK on Sunday night. Any favorite places to eat at Boardwalk for dinner? Or are there better places at DTD for dinner?

Where is the best place to catch the water pageant on Saturday night and where can I find more information on what this is and what time it goes on? Also, if we're touring the resorts, would it be easier to rent a car and drive from resort to resort instead of relying on the Disney transport which from what I've read here is not the most convenient going directly from one resort to another? If so, should I rent the car from the airport or at WDW (we don't get in til 11pm on Friday night and our flight leaves around 6:30am on Monday am, so maybe ME won't be the best for us?)?

Oh, and we are in NYC and my doc is fine with me flying til 36 weeks (at least for now since there are no complications so far but keeping my fingers crossed!). BLT is our home resort but we will be staying there in May. I don't mind trying different resorts, just didn't know which would be most convenient for this trip.

Thanks!

I would rent a car, being 8 months pregnant and moving around a 17 month old it would just be easier on you, especially resort hopping.

I use to work at the hospital in the birthing center as the unit secretary. Take a copy of your prenatal records. It is much easier if you go into labor than trying to get the results from home.

The tree at WL is beautiful and the ginger bread house at GF are nice things to see.

Denise in MI

 

[JimMIA]

I'd take it easy with a 17-month old. For example, Chef Mickey's initially scared the devil out of our daughter, who was almost 3 at the time. Main Street in MK and the Christmas party is an awful lot of noise and stimulation for a little guy -- and getting out of their after the parade will be a nightmare with a Meltdown Probability of about 98%. It might take you an hour just to get OUT of MK.

Frankly, going to WDW 36 weeks pregnant with a 17 month-old sounds like a LOT more trouble than it's worth to me. You'll have years and years to enjoy WDW/DVC, and even more important -- to enjoy your kids at WDW/DVC!