What can you do near WDW for free??

[Momofmack]

We are planning a trip to WDW in Sept. We have an incredible rate on a hotel, but the tickets are soooo high. DH thinks we just shouldn't go at all. We usually go to the beach every Sept. I can't find a place to stay any cheaper than our WDW rate. ( CM discount at a WDW hotel.) So, I'm wondering if we would have fun staying there, going to the parks 1 or 2 days and then just hanging out at the pool, dtd, etc. Our dc are young- 8, 5 and 2, so I think they would be ok with that. DH just doesn't want to spend the $880 for the PHP. Would it still be a good vacation??? Any thoughts or ideas?

TIA!

 

[HeatherC]

I think you can have a wonderful trip like that! If you decide to do the parks only one or two days, just make them really long days to get the most out of it.

The tickets are expensive, but maybe try to get them at a discount broker like Ticketmania or sign up for mousesavers.com newsletter which offers special ticket rates. This can help save you some money.

Plus, Orlando has so much to do besides Disney that you would never run out of options.

You could go resort hopping one day and have lunch or ice cream at one of the resorts. We just did this last week and had a great time. We wound up at the beach club near Epcot next to Stormalong bay and had a strawberry daquiri before dinner poolside. It was beautiful.

Check out FT. WIlderness and their little petting zoo which is free.

Downtown Disney is great to walk around and the kids would probably love the Lego Store with all its toys and climbing structure outside. Also free.

Try minigolf one day.

Rent a boat on the lake.

Head to the beach one day. Daytona is about 45 minutes away to the east and Clearwater is about 1 1/2hours in the other direction on the gulf.

Check out Kennedy Space Center

So many things....so little time. So my vote is to go and have a terrific time!!!!
Hope this helps you.
HeatherC

HeatherC

 

[hegfam]

http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html


Mousesavers has a great list of things to do cheaply or free. Maybe some of those will interest you.

 

[patsal]

From your countdown I guess you are staying at AKL? If so there are plenty of things to do there. In addition, the campground has movies, campfire singalong with Chip and Dale and the kids can make smore's inexpensively (or bring your own fixin's and its free). Mini golf can be inexpensive with off site coupons or on site for a bit more. There is the pool and activities at the resort to keep you busy as well. Check out the boardwalk in the evening there are some activities there, and perhaps just checking out the other resorts, though you can not swim at them the kids might enjoy looking at all the icons at ASMo or POP. I must admit I'd not be able to not pay for the PHP especially since your youngest is free, and that willnever happen again on a Disney Trip! With single day tickets you can't park hop so you'll have to pick one or two and thats that. DTD is free to windowshop and there is the lego store where the kids have a play area to keep them busy. JMHO but I think if you went to single day tickets for 4 for two days you'd be around the $400 mark--I'd garage sale and e-bay as much as I could to find the extra $$ to put intothe PHP's. There is plenty for a 5 and 8 year old to do in the parks.

 

[fsufandis]

As others have stated, go to the resorts and visit around.

Attend the movie at FW and roast some marshmallows.

Go to Universal City Walk. Parking is free after 6:00. Even if you pay for parking, you can get a credit when presented (your parking stub) at some of the stores. There is always something going on there, especially on the weekends. My kids like going back and forth on the moving sidewalks.

 

[TINK61]

Yeah the Fort Wilderness Campfire show is a great freebie. Chip and Dale even make an appearance there. Then enjoy an outdoor movie on a full size cinema screen under the stars.

 

[mkandk]

We just stayed at AKL this Spring Break, and I LOVED it! I think you could go there just for the resort...the pool's fun, the animals are fun, just roaming the hotel is fun.

Food prices are out the wazoo, though.

You could spend a day at the hotel, half a day at DTD, half a day resort hopping, and an evening at the Wilderness Campfire. They also have planned events for kids at the resort.

And plan on going back some day.

 

[ceecee]

Tons of things to do for free...........resort hop and check out the other resorts. Pool day. Downtown Disney. Couldn't you get a cheaper room than AKL, maybe a moderate to value and off set the park hoppers?

 

[jgates]

Maybe go to the outlet mall about a mile away and window shop? There is a character prem'ear' shop there and you could let them buy a little trinket. This would be the one just above the Marriott Village @ Little Lake Bryan.

 

[ccalip]

Can someone please tell me more about the activities at Ft. Wilderness? Are they only available to WDW resort guests? We are staying at the Hotel Royal Plaza.

Thanks!

 

[Momofmack]

We are getting a CM to book our room at AKL so it is $90 a night. Could we stay cheaper somewhere else? The value hotels say we have to large of a family to stay there- there are 5 of us. Our room at AKL is a queen and 2 bunks. ( Our 5 and 2 yo dds sleep in the bottom bunk together. They even do that at home for some reason!)

Thanks!

 

[madison66]

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[ducklite]

Originally posted by Momofmack
We are getting a CM to book our room at AKL so it is $90 a night. Could we stay cheaper somewhere else? The value hotels say we have to large of a family to stay there- there are 5 of us. Our room at AKL is a queen and 2 bunks. ( Our 5 and 2 yo dds sleep in the bottom bunk together. They even do that at home for some reason!)

Thanks!

Port Orleans Riverside sleeps five in two doubles and a trundle, and will likely be $25 per night less.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

About fifteen miles from WDW is Lake Louisa State Park. There is a small entry fee of about $4. It is a beautiful park with lots of wildlife. You could stop and get sandwiches at a Sub place on thw way, pack them in a collpasible cooker with some drinks, and spend a relaxing day there.

This is their web site: http://www.floridastateparks.org/lakelouisa/default.asp

Anne

 

[undertheradar]

The marina at Kissimmee has playgrounds and free parking. The marina is right downtown.