What is your favorite things to do with the kids besides going to the parks

[Blaze12]

We have a couple down days were we are not going to any parks, any suggestions on things to do with the kids on those days?? We have a 2.5 year old who loves Toy Story, Brother Bear, Monsters Inc and Nemo if you have any suggestions of resorts that have them there (besides the All Star resort, we are already planning a trip there). Or just anything you enjoy doing with kiddos is great.

 

[JaxCon]

Down Town Disney is nice, lego land and great toy stores.

 

[dzneelvr]

My preference would be to stay in the World and not venture out, so how about:
Making an evening PS at the Poly for Ohanas and then taking some time to explore the grounds and shops. Maybe you'll be able to see WISHES at the MK in the distance
take a monorail ride around the lagoon and get off at each of the resorts to "check them out". There are some unique items at each resort that may interest you or your little one
Go to Downtown Disney and eat at the Rainforest. then take your time to poke around all of the shops. the Christmas store will have some ornaments that are great trip momentos--I'm sure they'll have some of the specific character ornaments that your 2.5 yo is crazy about.
Sleep in; swim at the pool; order in pizza, and generally take it easy one day. then go to an early evening PS at one of the boardwalk eateries. walk along the lagoon at dusk and take in all the lights and shops. You may catch Illuminations over EPCOT.

You did well to build in this 2-day cushion in your trip. I'm sure you will figure out some great things to do while getting in some major relaxation time.
Have Fun

 

[elf]

We are going during Easter break so I planned on more out of the park activities.
I was going to do the Carraige ride at POFQ.
There is canoeing and a little petting zoo at Fort Wilderness. Depending when your going they also have a camp fire sing a long.
We are driving so I was bringing either bikes or scooter (my kids are young and still have training wheels on bikes and 3 wheel scooters) to ride along some of the pathways.
Rent one of those group bikes at Boardwalk.
Go to Boardwalk do the arcade, icecream and there are 2 carnival games as well.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We enjoyed mini-golf at Winter Summerland really well....it's next to Blizzard Beach. Also, there is Fantasia golf, I think it's close to Swan/Dolphin. Don't leave out the fountains at Downton Disney, my boys especially loved the one as you entered the marketplace....over by the World of Memories.

HTH, Steph

 

[Cass]

We play mini putt at winterland summerland, we like to check out other hotels and poke around, do a hidden mickey safari at AKL.

 

[disneyfanintn]

Hanging out at the pool and going to the Lego store at DTD is our favorites.

 

[Blaze12]

Fort Wilderness has a petting zoo??? Is it open all the time?? He would LOVE that! Where is it located in Fort Wilderness?

 

[umbluegray]

We're staying off-site (OLCC). Since we'll be driving all day and checking into our resort at 4:00, we won't do any Disney stuff until the next morning.

After getting settled in and going grocery shopping, we're going to spend the evening at Fun Spot Action Park.

Why? Because on a recent vacation in Branson I found out my 4DD absolutely LOVES riding the go-kart tracks. I thought she'd be terrified, but she loved it. We rode again and again and again. Of course she's not old enough to drive a go-kart by herself so we together in a 2-seater.

This way we've got something to do our 1st day in Orlando without using a day off our MYW ticket.

 

[magicmouse2]

We are not golfers, but we really enjoyed mini golf at winter/summer land
I also love playing in the pools with the kids and the waterslides Taking a boatride along the sassagoula is nice if you arent staying at POR/POFQ and hiring a watermouse or bicycle is good fun too.

 

[isla bonita]

What my kids remember most about our trips is the time in the pool. We usually rent pool homes with friends and the kids get to play in the pool with there friends and cousins. It is the most talked about when we get home. I have rented a home that has its own bag of pool toys that my children love and new items are added each year we go. It is the best. Just hanging out together seems to be the best funny huh.

 

[PatricenPete]

I would definitely recommmend DTD - DH and I love going there for the evening. We can't wait until we get to go with our son and play at legoland and not get funny stares

 

[RobinMarie]

My dd loved spending time at FW petting zoo - they also have a playground there - rocking chairs not too far away for tuckered out adults.

She'd also spend waaaaay too much time feeding ducks, turtles, bunnies and whatever else is hanging out at the resort.

 

[cthetulips]

The first time we went to WDW we asked our kids (ages 6 and 4 at the time) what their favorite thing was. We were at the Contemporary. They did not say the parks or the rides or anything like that...their favorite thing was.....

believe it or not...

the pool at the resort and playing in the sand at the beach.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

If they still have this (and I hope they do- my children love it!) you could also (at Fort Wilderness) go to the campfire movie with Chip & Dale. We enjoyed it- you can either bring (or buy there) supplies to sit by the fires roasting marshmallows, they do a singalong with Chip & Dale (opportunity to get pictures and signatures also) and then watch a movie on a big screen outside. Our kids love it!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I've been lurking for quite some time and haven't found this question answered. Are any of the resort pools Zero Depth. We are travelling with a 3 and 4 year old and found that they have the most fun in that type of pool. We are staying at the POR.

Also, I have been looking the the FAQ's and can't find how to add a trip counter to my signature. Can someone point me in the right direction?

ETA, Thanks for the link RobinMarie - hope I did it right

 

[RobinMarie]

I've been lurking for quite some time and haven't found this question answered. Are any of the resort pools Zero Depth. We are travelling with a 3 and 4 year old and found that they have the most fun in that type of pool. We are staying at the POR.

Also, I have been looking the the FAQ's and can't find how to add a trip counter to my signature. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Yes, some of the resorts we have stayed at with zero depth entry include: Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and AKL. I can't remember/know if there are others.


Countdown thread is here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=381216

 

[Blaze12]

Can you go swim in these resorts if you are not staying at them???

Also, does anyone know how long the Camp Fire Sing-a-long is?? I just want to make sure it does not go too far into bed time!

 

[elf]

You cannot swim at the other resort pools. Beach/Yacht club also has zero entry. I know the Holiday Inn Family Suites (now Nickolodian hotel) also has zero entry (My kids loved that pool).

About the campfire we did it a couple of years ago but I think it started around 7:00-7:30, they did the singalong, then roast, then watched the movie, you could leave before the movie. The only thing you get charged for, is if you buy the marshmellows and stuff (which you can bring if you want). They didn't start the movie until it started getting dark.

We loved it and will do it again. But it was difficult getting in and out of the campfire area. You need to take a bus to and from your car and do a little walking. At night it was very dark when leaving, we just followed some other people back to the bus.