What do you do if the parks close early

[vicnmickey]

Everyone seems really stressed out about the early park closings. Well I want to make the best of a vacation that I have been planning for over 2 years. If the parks close early for the time we are there Apr 30th-May4th. What can we do to keep busy. Are there fun things outside of the parks to attend?
If we are guests at CBR, can we attend activities at other hotels?
I know the Campground has a campfire, story time thing I heard about.

I just want to be positive and think of other things to do, instead of dwelling on the fact that the parks are closing early.

 

[loriandmatt]

So much to do after the parks close and some of it is FREE!!!

at Fort Wilderness Campground (my FAV joint!)
- Campfire singalong and movie
- Hoop Dee Doo dinner and music show
- Electric Light Boat Parade (can be viewed from the beach at FW, but parade also stops at many other locations on the Lake)
- have a drink at Crockett's Tavern and retire to one of the rockers on the porch. Enjoy the piped in country music!
- take a stroll thru the campground in search of armidillos (i will find one yet!)


things other places
- check out other resorts (the ones accessable via boat and monorail as well as others.)
- while at the resorts (especially AKL ) look for hidden mickeys. (at AKL, they will give you a page of hints to help you find them.)
- catch a character or other dinner at a resort
- go off site if you have a car and catch a dinner show. (we want to try both Capone's and Mideval Knights some day.)
- if anyone is a sport hunter or fisher, check out Outdoor World nearby. Huge place with tons of things my DH drools over.
- check out Downtown Disney or Pleaure Island

I am sure others will have suggestion as well.

- lori

 

[jlambrig]

Downtown Disney - shop, eat, see a movie, go to DisneyQuest
Pleasure Island - shop, eat, dance, have an absolute scream at The Adventurer's Club
Ft Wilderness - roast marshmallows, see a movie/story time (if available), hay wagon ride, Hoop De Doo Revue
Tour the various DVC models and buy into it at OKW, BC, WL, BW
Go to Celebration and tour the neighborhoods, wtahc a movie, eat
Go to Beaches and Cream and order the Kitchen Sink
Do the Luau at the Poly
Relax - you're on vacation

 

[punkin]

You could go to dinner at another resort and explore the hotel. You could go to Epcot-it's open 'till 9 and the illuminations. You could do Pleasure Island or Boardwalk. If it's warm enough, you could go swimming in the resort pool. Say, jow many nights have you got down there anyway?

 

[vicnmickey]

Were is Beaches and Cream and what is the kitchen sink(LOL) that sounds funny

 

[loriandmatt]

Beaches and Cream is an icecream shop in the boardwalk area of the Boardwalk resort. (help me out here guys - i have never stayed here and don't know the real name.)

It is located behind WS of Epcot to give you a frame of reference.

The Kitchen Sink is this huge icecream sunday with every flavor icecream and topping you can imagine. Bring the group and pig out!

 

[vicnmickey]

I love icecream, but too have every flavor, WOW!!! I am writing this one down. Does the Boardwalk have shops also?

 

[BCV23]

Actually Beaches and Cream is at the Yacht and Beach Club across the lake from the boardwalk.

There are shops there but they pretty much just carry standard Disney stuff, a little resort wear and some foodstuffs. For good resort shopping hit the monorail resorts.

 

[cindyfan]

For good resort shopping hit the monorail resorts.

That's a great idea! we love the shops at the Contemprary. And enjoy the ride on the monorail.
There's also miniature golf!!
CBR has a great beach to just relax. Also, beach volleyball and they used to have music at the main pool in the evening, not sure if they still do.
Rent a boat or bicycles!!!
Hop over to Animal Kingdom Lodge and enjoy the animals!

Give me some time I will come up with more!

 

[Planogirl]

The Boardwalk does have a super Wyland Gallery that's fun to browse in.

 

[DVC Nut]

Rent a Surrey Bike at the Boardwalk resort (2, 4 and even 6 seater bikes I think). You can ride it all the way around the lagoon there. Past Yacht and Beach, Swan and Dolphin and back to Boardwalk. You rent by the half hour so see how many times you can make it around or just take a leisurely ride. Watch out! The hill between the Yacht Club toward the Swan and Dolphin resorts on your way back to Boardwalk is a killer if everyone is not participating with pedaling duties

 

[daannzzz]

Sleep!!!!!!

 

[r3ngels]

definately go to boardwalk, there is entertainment on the boardwalk. They have street venders, clowns and magicians. I am not sure if it is everynight or if they have a schudule but, I am sure if you ask when you get there they will know. They have a lot of shops and restaurants. If you get a chance go to Jellyrolls- it is a dueling piano bar. (that is one of my top 10 favorite things to do). They do have an ice cream parlor on the boardwalk with excellent ice cream-- wonderful waffles cones. I can't remember the name of it. Have a great trip!!

 

[vicnmickey]

I greatly appreciate all of your ideas and help. Maybe by the time we go, the parks hours will be back to were they are suppose to be, but if not you all have supplied with the back up list. Thanx again!

 

[pintrader]

well if you don't know anything about pin collecting and trading. This is the time to learn. That is what 40% of us do once the parks are closed. We meet at resorts, DTD, all kinds of places. Meet people from all over and share a story while we swap a pin.

Don't forget that Fort Wilderness has a Chip and Dale sing-along campfires for toasting marshmellows, hots dogs, etc and then a Disney movie on the large outdoor screen.

 

[TeamMMouse]

We always spend an evening or two at Disney quest--at DT Disney. It is a great place for lots of 3D & virtual reality games, recording songs, and so on. Our kids love it. It is usually open until 11:00 or so and is included in the Ultimate Park Hopper or you can buy tickets seprately. We highly recommend it for evening activity!

 

[currycook]

Go to downtown disney and to Disney quest. DQ is open to 11:00pm or Midnight depending on the day.

 

[TDC Nala]

Where do I go? that's probably pretty obvious. Although usually I don't wait for the parks to close.

 

[vicnmickey]

I was thinking, huh!!!!! Where do I go? I didn't remember asking that, but then I caught it. I don't think I would wait to go till the parks closed either