Visit without park passes-suggestions?

[whitepicketfence]

First, I am not sure if this is the right place for this, but nothing seemed to fit, and since you all are DVC members and most have visited many times, I thought I would try here. Moderator, please feel free to move.

We have been members for 15 years and live within an hour of WDW, so most years we get FL Resident Seasonal Passes. We are now empty nesters and usually head down for a long weekend every other month. Our two children in college do not have passes and it would not make sense as they attend school too far away to make it worthwhile.

I was online last night just checking availability and found two nights over the Christmas holiday at Kidani. The "kids" have always wanted to stay there so I booked it. Now, I have to try to plan 2 nights/3 fun days without park passes!

I realize it is not much time to fill. I am just wondering if there is something we could do that I have never thought of. I think we will do one night at DTD and probably eat at Raglan Road and enjoy the show. We can do the monorail resorts to look at holiday decorations and finish with drinks and fireworks at TOTW. Another idea is dinner at a Boardwalk/Swan area restaurant and enjoy the Boardwalk and the Epcot fireworks from outside the gate. We have one under 21 so I don't think we can do Jellyrolls. Of course, I want to enjoy the resort as well as we have never stayed there though we had dinner at Boma once and loved the resort.

Sorry to be so wordy. Just looking for suggestions to make this short and much needed trip as special as possible.

 

[cvjw]

If you haven't seen La Nouba at DD, I would highly recommend it. My 2 teenage boys loved it - we have taken them twice. It would probably be expensive around a holiday period, but well worth it.

Maybe try and get a dinner reservation at California Grill and watch the fireworks from top of the Contemporary, or at BLT.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Campground carriage ride...love the decorations...dinner at artist point or Cali grill.

 

[LindaBabe]

You already have more than enough stuff on your list to fill a couple days

You'd be surprised how much time you can spend enjoying the Lodge - first of all the animals - it takes time to visit every savanna, day and evening.

Then there's drumming in the library at Kidani, restaurant tours if one of your days is Wednesday, and cultural presentations at both Kidani and Jambo house.

Oh, and there's the scavenger hunt that takes you around to all the little 'museums' at the intersections of the wings in Jambo. And the lobby tour. And brass rubbing.

Photopass! The resorts mostly have photographers stationed in the lobby near the Christmas tree for holiday photos.

I can easily spent two days at the Lodge and never leave it.

 

[com_op_2000]

It depends on what you are into:
sports: golf, fishing, RPDE, marathon, bowling, ESPN Club, WWS/ESPN Zone, etc
shopping: DTD, area outlet malls, large scale malls
drinking: Jellyrolls, Raglan Road, monorail tour of resorts, walking tour of resorts in the Boardwalk area
movies: DTD 24 screen theater some with meals served by waiters
night clubbing: Jellyrolls, Atlantic Dance, Raglan Road, Citywalk
resort tours: monorail tour of resorts, Boardwalk around the lake tour of resorts, AKL/AKV, FWC to the see the Christmas decorations put up by the campers
offsite: Gaylord Palms Resort, Citywalk, swamp tour

 

[DeeCee735]

Segway tour around Fort Wilderness, followed by lunch at Wilderness Lodge perhaps? I've got this exact thing planned for a couple of weeks from now and I'm very much looking forward to it

Just an idea.

Have a great trip! I wish I lived an hour away!!! As it is now, I've started going 4 times a year, with my DH, my cousins or DD or a friend. I can't get enough, it's just plain ol where I want to be

 

[TLPL]

How about the backstage tour, the long one, I forgot the name. It doesn't require park admission. I always want to try that.

 

[whitepicketfence]

Thanks for the suggestions! Just what I needed to get into planning mode instead of pouting about not going into the parks! Skyping with the kids this weekend to get their opinions! I know we will have a great time and get into the holiday spirit!

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks for the suggestions! Just what I needed to get into planning mode instead of pouting about not going into the parks! Skyping with the kids this weekend to get their opinions! I know we will have a great time and get into the holiday spirit!

I've done tons of trips without passes. Simply can't afford them every time. Honestly, the best days at WDW have always been no plans and things just flow.

Trust me, there are magical days without stepping into a park (I would have an AP every year if that fit my budget though).

I would list some of what I do but you already have so many ideas anyway.

Campground carriage ride...love the decorations...dinner at artist point or Cali grill.

Love Fort Wilderness and the smaller boats from CR and WL.

 

[lisaviolet]

Edit.

 

[TLPL]

Just what I needed to get into planning mode instead of pouting about not going into the parks!

I am willing to trade place with you if going to WDW but not going into the parks make you pout.

 

[SDmouse]

The animals. Do the night time viewings with night vision, really cool. The pool area at Kidani is awesome, even for older kids, as there is a bar there. Do some of the special things at the resort like sunrise safari, or the lunch with an animal trainer. Try the restaurants at the resort, all are good, specifically at Kidani Sanaa is very good.

DTD is a good choice with plenty to do, but under construction currently, so take that into consideration.

Touring all of the other resorts for Christmas decor is a good plan. You could also dine at another resort maybe a restaurant you have wanted to try, but have not yet.

The Boardwalk area is always a hit with many dining options between all the resorts, including the Swan and Dolphin, maybe try something there.

You could always pool hop, remember all of the moderates are still available for this, and some even have nice dining options also (Pepper Market at Cornodo Springs)

 

[bom_noite]

First, I am not sure if this is the right place for this, but nothing seemed to fit, and since you all are DVC members and most have visited many times, I thought I would try here. Moderator, please feel free to move.

We have been members for 15 years and live within an hour of WDW, so most years we get FL Resident Seasonal Passes. We are now empty nesters and usually head down for a long weekend every other month. Our two children in college do not have passes and it would not make sense as they attend school too far away to make it worthwhile.

I was online last night just checking availability and found two nights over the Christmas holiday at Kidani. The "kids" have always wanted to stay there so I booked it. Now, I have to try to plan 2 nights/3 fun days without park passes!

I realize it is not much time to fill. I am just wondering if there is something we could do that I have never thought of. I think we will do one night at DTD and probably eat at Raglan Road and enjoy the show. We can do the monorail resorts to look at holiday decorations and finish with drinks and fireworks at TOTW. Another idea is dinner at a Boardwalk/Swan area restaurant and enjoy the Boardwalk and the Epcot fireworks from outside the gate. We have one under 21 so I don't think we can do Jellyrolls. Of course, I want to enjoy the resort as well as we have never stayed there though we had dinner at Boma once and loved the resort.

Sorry to be so wordy. Just looking for suggestions to make this short and much needed trip as special as possible.

No worries on the wordiness - I can out-word anyone on the wordiest of days! My quick 10!

1) If you have never seen Yeehaw Bob at PORR - you have missed out. http://www.yehaabob.com/

Hidden gem of WDW! Used to be you could show up 15 minutes after the start and get a good table - now you need to be there 30 or 45 minutes before! Check the schedule before you go!


2) DisUnplugged had a fantastic suggestion! Do your typical DTD day. For lunch, escape the crowds by going to OKW via the boat, and, have a relaxing lunch at Olivia's - another Hidden Gem!


3) WDW has that Wilderness Preserve south of the Property (may 30 miles?). As I understand it - the law in FLA is that if you build on Wetlands, you must purchase an equal amount of space in Wetland property. The thought Obviously - for every inch of Wetland which is developed - we will retain one inch of native wetland.

Disney did not do this out of the goodness of their heart - but - I hear it is cool to go to and explore! A Bucket List thing for me.....

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiative...sweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml

4) Buy the Hidden Mickeys book - take a camera - head to a resort and go wild!

5) As DVC Members (with kids) we always used to exploit the Pool Hopping Privelage. Our rule was 30 minutes per resort. If they were having a great time that was extended to 2 hours.

6) There may be a resort you have not been to - group up and go explore it! If you have hit every one - why not walk up from DTD to the Resort Row - many nice resorts there with cool Bars / Restaurants.

7) Head over to the DVC Preview center at Saratoga Springs. Wait, leave your Checking Book in the room and head over to the DVC Preview Center.........

8) Go check out SOG, Swan / Dolphin or the Campgrounds - if you have never done it! If you have already been there - do it again and take a notepad and pen and explain to random folks you are with Disney Magazine and then ask them silly questions (What was Minnies Paternal Grandmothers maiden name?, If a Hidden Mickey was in a forest - would you see it?,

9) Using your car, calibrate the MPH of the Monorail from Epcot to MK.

10) Take Lawn Chairs to WDW Entrance (535 at Crossroads Shopping Center) - have the kids count idiot drivers blaring on their horns, crashes or Amatuer-Hour Driving Techniques. After they count to 100 (approximately 10 minutes) head to DTD! Take the boat to OKW and have a few beers - kids will need a double virgin Pina Colada's and therapy after this experience as well!

 

[whitepicketfence]

I am willing to trade place with you if going to WDW but not going into the parks make you pout.

Probably a poor choice of words....we are very fortunate to live so close but with both kids in college, seasonal passes are not an option. I am not pouting...so happy to get a couple of days with my kids at an awesome resort while everything is decorated for Christmas. Just a new experience for us.

Thanks again for all the great ideas. And bom_noite, I have decided not to show your ideas to my husband because he would love idea #10...too funny.
Love your sense of humor!

 

[bom_noite]

Ewwwww, ewwwww, ewwwwww - I forgot a good suggestion! The backstage Safari thing at Animal Kingdom!

I am sure it is pricey - not sure if you need AK admission? But, it is supposed to be way cool!

And, I totally dig the entire College cost thing! Killing us too!

 

[TLPL]

Ewwwww, ewwwww, ewwwwww - I forgot a good suggestion! The backstage Safari thing at Animal Kingdom!

I am sure it is pricey - not sure if you need AK admission? But, it is supposed to be way cool!

And, I totally dig the entire College cost thing! Killing us too!

That one needs park admission.

How about the AMC Fork and Screen Theater, or the Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Downtown Disney.