What other things can we do?

[mocame]

Our first and only trip as a family to Disney was in 2009. We are planning on going to Disney again in the beginning of May, 2016. This will be our last Disney trip as a family. It will be me, my dh, my dd (16), and ds (13). Two of our most favorite rides and ones that we still talk about are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Soarin. We are really bummed that BOTH of them will be under refurbishment while we are there. I'm also concerned that these refurbishments will hurt our chances of getting FP+ to see some of our other favorite rides.

Does anyone have suggestions (rides, tours, touring a resort, activity at a resort, walking through a special area of a park, special meal/event, etc.) as to something else we could do in place of those rides that has given you and your family special memories? We will be in the parks for 9 days and already planned to do the Behind the Seeds Tour and the Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour. We are on a limited budget and we are not on the dining plan.

Any ideas?

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

You will love going in the beginning of May...lower crowds, good weather and the flower/garden festival. Plus, I see you are staying at POR...beautiful resort! (I highly recommend building #14.)

I think something special you and your family can experience is the Hoop De Do Revue. The show is fully entertaining and more fun than you might expect, and the food is pretty good. All you can eat fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, etc... This show was a highlight of our last two WDW vacations for us adults and our kids (ages 15, 11 and 9).

Don't let these two attractions being down ruin your trip; there is still so much to do.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Book an ADR at Be Our Guest
Tour Art of Animation resort
Take the boat from POR to Disney Springs (DTD) and back

 

[loves to dive]

If you have PH try to hop over to Epcot every day and eat at every booth during your trip. Book a lunch or dinner at one of the MK resorts.

 

[mocame]

You will love going in the beginning of May...lower crowds, good weather and the flower/garden festival. Plus, I see you are staying at POR...beautiful resort! (I highly recommend building #14.)

I think something special you and your family can experience is the Hoop De Do Revue. The show is fully entertaining and more fun than you might expect, and the food is pretty good. All you can eat fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, etc... This show was a highlight of our last two WDW vacations for us adults and our kids (ages 15, 11 and 9).

Don't let these two attractions being down ruin your trip; there is still so much to do.

The news about the refurbishments did get us down, but I know there are other things to see and do that we haven't done before so that's why I asked!

Book an ADR at Be Our Guest
Tour Art of Animation resort
Take the boat from POR to Disney Springs (DTD) and back

I never thought about the Art of Animation Resort. Good thinking.

If you have PH try to hop over to Epcot every day and eat at every booth during your trip. Book a lunch or dinner at one of the MK resorts.

The food booths at Epcot, is that new? Is it like Food & Wine?

Thank you for your responses!

 

[hedberg1661]

I would visit some of the resorts you have never been too. Check out some of the Epcot Resorts or MK resorts.

Perhaps rent some watercraft on Bay Lake.

I also like the idea of finding a new meal experience for your kids. PP indicated Hoop De Do Revue. The show is fun and the food is good.

 

[loves to dive]

The news about the refurbishments did get us down, but I know there are other things to see and do that we haven't done before so that's why I asked!



I never thought about the Art of Animation Resort. Good thinking.



The food booths at Epcot, is that new? Is it like Food & Wine?

Thank you for your responses!

They have been there the last couple of years. Not as big as F&W but still lots of them.

 

[GillianP1301]

It's always a bit of a drag when a favourite attraction is down for refurb while you're visiting, but don't let it bother you too much. BTMRR being down will not have much of an impact on MK FP selections, since there are so many options there. EP is a different story though, with really only the 2 headliner attractions there. Although, the Frozen attraction will be open by then and I suspect it will be a huge draw that will likely take up many of the FP that would have otherwise gone to Soarin' and hopefully not having too big an impact on Test Track.

As for other things to do - you could play some mini golf, we always enjoy that. I concur with the pp suggestion of a dinner show or really any "special" dining experience that is new to you. Some time at Disney Springs, it's undergone change since you were last there.

 

[Rose7777]

I agree with Hoop Dee Doo Review. The day we went on our trip (2011), we had just come back from DTD- the buses were a mess, one of our kids had a lost a bag, everyone was grouchy, and I was totally annoyed that we had the HDDR that night. I have to say that we had the BEST time. It was campy, but fun. The food was pretty good, and it totally made the night.