To park or not to park

[jasmine31523]

We go to Disney at least three times a year. We are going for my son's 8th birthday its a surprise and will only be there sat to mon mlk weekend. What r some fun things we could do if we decide to skip the parks. Staying in the tree house clay saratoga springs

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Don't you think your son would be crushed if you said "Surprise we're going to Disney World, but you can't ride any of the rides!!! " I know at 8 I would have been crushed, no matter how cool the hotel room was.

As for non park things, for an 8 year old on his birthday I would either take him on a Pirate and Pals cruise, or take him to the Lego store and let him pick out whatever he wanted.

Are water parks out too? Mini golf?

 

[amym2]

We did a non-parks trip in October of 2012 and had a great time, and the kids (almost 11 and 8 at the time) didn't miss Disney at all. We stayed at OKW and the THV and enjoyed the pools at OKW and SSR. We did do Legoland (have you been there? 8 is a great age) and Typhoon Lagoon.

We loved Winter-Summerland mini-golf and also spent some time wandering around resorts we don't normally visit (AoA, CBR). We rode surrey bikes at POR. We got our Disney fix with dinner at the Cali Grill and breakfast at Boma.

 

[powellrj]

We have done non park trips. Disney Quest, a water park, mini golf, a movie at DTD, charater meal at a resort or a meal at DTD.

 

[Rose23]

We go to Disney at least three times a year. We are going for my son's 8th birthday its a surprise and will only be there sat to mon mlk weekend. What r some fun things we could do if we decide to skip the parks. Staying in the tree house clay saratoga springs

Nothing like celebrating a birthday at the Magic Kingdom and being treated speciall all day at the park. That is what I did in October for my birthday and I will never forget it. Fun to wear the "Happy Birthday" pin too!

 

[jasmine31523]

Thanks awesome ideas. Will it be to cold for water parks? But the pirate cruise sounds fun he loves pirates

 

[Sunnyday3]

Ditto to the Pirates and Pals cruise. My two boys LOVED it. There are great snacks/refreshments beforehand, and the boat captains make it so much fun. If they know it's his birthday (and they do ask!) it'll be that much more exciting for him.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree that being surprised with a trip to WDW without doing the parks would be a huge let down. I would do at least one day in one park, or choose another location. We find that sometimes, doing other things that cost money, but do not take a whole day in and of them-self ends up costing us more than just doing a park day. If you find yourself with a non park day or two, Going to DTD to DQ as well as a trip to the lego store would be fun, but maybe cost close to as much as a park day. Fort Wilderness in fun to explore too. If its not TOOO cold, pool time (pools are heated) might be ok.

 

[DisneyBliss7]

Pirates and Pals would be a great idea for him How about the Trex Café in DTD? We celebrated my boys bday there this past October(they turned 7) and they have a volcano cake they bring out and sing happy birthday. Then we did Build-a-Dino, they had a blast there. Adding in Disney Quest maybe or a waterpark....Or scratch all those things and go to his favorite park for the day with a character meal. If you do MK maybe do the dessret party or Pirates league...I don't think there's anything wrong with doing a trip with no parks, especially since you go 3x's a year There is so much to do at Disney besides the parks plus at age 8 the Lego area in DTD is a big hit I'm sure your son would have a blast with or without the parks.

 

[jasmine31523]

Thanks