What else can we do if we don't go into the parks?

[kkmcan]

We are going to be on WDW property for one day and one night before our cruise. I'm not sure I want to spend the money for a ticket since we might be doing Disney parks after the cruise.

But, I do want to have something for us to do for the day. The kids will be so excited to be there and I don't want it to seem like a total bummer that we aren't going into the parks that day. So I need ideas!!!!

I was thinking water park or just visiting a couple of resorts and swimming. What about Downtown Disney? Is there enough there to do/look at without spending a fortune in the gift shops? Are the resorts worth spending time seeing them? Anything cool we shouldn't miss at any particular resort?

We are going Nov. 10th so I"m not sure what decorations will be up. I do hope we get to see the Giant gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian.

Appreciate any ideas.
Thanks!
Kelly

P.S. This is our first trip to the World!

 

[Temair]

Depending on the ages of your kids you could do DisneyQuest at DTD. Or maybe do a character meal that evening.

Temair

 

[Skroops]

Well if you are from a more northern climate, the water parks in November are awesome! If you haven't been to a WDW waterpark, they are amazing and huge. Definately a full day of fun!
The WDW resorts are really fun too, and they each have activities for kids. You won't be out of ideas of what to do, if you decide not to do a park before your cruise.
You could even go to Chef Mickeys for a character meal. That'll put you in the mood for your WDW cruise!

Have an awesome vacation!

 

[lorilori]

I don't think they allow swimming at resorts unless you're staying there. On our non-park days we like to drive to the transportation/ticket center and take a ride on the monorail loop down to Epcot and back up to Magic Kingdom. My kids like the aerial view of the parks and just riding the monorail. Sometimes we get off and walk through the monorail resorts; not sure the gingerbread house will be up that early in November though. Last year we were down for Thanksgiving week and saw them putting it up (~I think~). Downtown Disney is fun to see. Depending on the ages of your children they can build legos in the little play area outside the Lego store. There's also big lego creations to look at. And if they like McDonalds, that's right near the Lego store.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

It sounds like you already have enough great ideas to keep you busy for the day!
Heres a few thoughts...
Downtown Disney has the Lego store. If you have a child who likes legos, its fun!!! I stood there with my son and we built a lego racer to race on the track (its all free). I made a very nice black showtruck very similiar to the one I have at home, and used a little of my engineering experience to make it REALLY fast! There were kids swarming around wanting to see how I made it! When it was finished, we raced it several times with other children & their parents, where it was undefeated by a LONG SHOT. Nothing could come close. My secret "engineering" trick... WEIGHT! I made it solid as a rock and "cheated" by enclosing rocks in it! Then, when we had our fun, I passed it along to a boy who was tickled pink to get it, who was there without any dad and couldnt make something like that. It was really fun, and great dad/son time! followed by a "feel good" fun of sharing.
All the resorts can be toured, and thats pretty cool too.
All the resorts have a playground, and some of our best pictures are of the children on the POP or AS playgrounds the morning before we leave to go home.
theres of plenty of icons at POP Century for pictures.
Then theres my personal favorite thing to do outside of the park.... DISNEY TRANSPORTATION!!! No, not the buses, the BOATS & the monorail! I could ride the boats for hours and be happy. I live near a lake, and can throw a rock to the river, but we never get to get out on it anymore. I grew up on the lake and miss the boating.
I wont mention shopping, because I DESPISE shopping, but everyone else will mention it of course.
Enjoy!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Thats funny, we posted at almost the same time and had the same ideas.

 

[lorilori]

...and we're both in NC! I'm down here in Race City, USA.

 

[Allison]

There are a lot of things:

Downtown Disney
Touring other resorts (but you aren't allowed to use the pools)
Riding the monorail
Renting watercraft at various resorts
Pirate Adventure Cruises for the kids depending on their age
Rent a Surrey Bike
Visit Fort Wilderness for a horse or hayrack ride
various character meals at the resorts

 

[kkmcan]

Thanks! All great ideas! I didn't know we could ride the monorail without a ticket. We are staying at All Star Sports. Not my favorite but Pop was full, All Star Movies the pool with be closed and we definitely just want a value for one night.

OOOOO, I just thought of what I really want to do!! I want to see Animal Kingdom Lodge! Does the monorail make a stop there? We'll walk around Downtown Disney, see a few resorts, ride the monorail, swim.

I'm so excited now!! We'll keep plenty busy!

Thanks again for the ideas.

 

[cjnix29]

There have been a lot of good ideas given...but also consider taking a walk along the Boardwalk. There are street performers, shops, carnival games. We did this for the first time this past week and had a great time!!!

 

[i<3Disney]

How about mini golf at the Disney mini golf courses? Fantasia Gardens is my favorite of the 2.

 

[Kristina]

Sounds like the Op needs a few more nights for all these activities ! Regarding the Monorail, nope it doesn't go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge but you can take the one that makes a swoop through part of Epcot ! Very cool indeed!

 

[tkd lisa]

The AKL is a neat place to visit. There are always CM's out near the savannah who will talk about the animals with you. They also have storytelling near the firepit at certain times (call the front desk for specifics).

My family loves touring the resorts, although it's the most fun at Christmas time to see the different decorations.

I know one of the lodges has a hidden mickey hunt. It sticks in my head that it's the Wilderness Lodge. Anyone know for sure?

 

[rlovew]

If you plan on going to the parks after the cruise you could get longer tickets and use one day and visit a park before the cruise. Even with the no expiration option they are good for 14 days so if you were going down for a night (using 1 day) then going on a cruise (up to 7 days) and then going back for up to 6 days you could use the same tickets without purchasing no expirations. The difference in price between a four day ticket and a 6 day ticket is fairly minimal compared to the price of tickets.

If you aren't doing it this way then i would suggest Mini Golfing which is lots of fun. Another really neat resort is the Wilderness Lodge- which has a train room with actual cars that Walt had on his first train setand the geyser that goes off every hour.