What to do after the parks close?

[mom2rose&john]

We will be there next week for 6 nights. We are going to Discovery Cove, SW, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. The parks all close by 6pm. We are trying to figure out what to do after they close for three of those nights. The other nights we plan on doing activities at our resort. We did purchase mini golf from groupon. Blue Man group had groupons but it is a little pricey. Has anyone seen them and is it worth the money? The mall is an idea but I don't want the kids to purchase a lot so close to christmas.

Is there much to do at Celebrations after 6pm? Do you recommend the Orlando Eye, Aquarium and Madame Tussauds package? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[TwoMisfits]

We will be there next week for 6 nights. We are going to Discovery Cove, SW, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. The parks all close by 6pm. We are trying to figure out what to do after they close for three of those nights. The other nights we plan on doing activities at our resort. We did purchase mini golf from groupon. Blue Man group had groupons but it is a little pricey. Has anyone seen them and is it worth the money? The mall is an idea but I don't want the kids to purchase a lot so close to christmas.

Is there much to do at Celebrations after 6pm? Do you recommend the Orlando Eye, Aquarium and Madame Tussauds package? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

How old are the kids - littles, tweens, teens? Changes my advice...

 

[Jennasis]

Disney Springs is always an option. We are doing the same park itinerary next year in September (but will be staying DVC and not visiting any Disney parks). We are hoping to hit a few Orlando restaurants like 4 Rivers and maybe Fogo de Chao. Will also spend a lot of time in Disney Springs...maybe head over to Port Orleans Riverside to watch Yee ha Bob too.

 

[HopperFan]

- LOVE Discovery Cove, we stay all day and chill at night with early PJ and bed, as it's very tiring.
- Love the Orlando Eye, Aquairum and Tussauds. We did package and also got Groupon for Skeletons in the same complex (there is one now).
- Disney Springs has lots of live music, some entertainment, movie theater, Splitsville for dining and bowling, or even just a Volcano dessert at Rainforest is a treat.
- Celebration, the actual town will have nothing next week
- Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Restaurant at CityWalk

 

[Woodview]

I take it that you are staying way offsite from Disney area.

Forget Celebration ..... nothing happens there yet .

Go to The Boardwalk watch the free entertainment & then do a few trips on the ferry boats

End up at the Lighthouse Pier & watch the fireworks

Other than that .. after 6pm ..... have a good evening meal .... chill out .. have your mini golf.

 

[disneysteve]

Depending on the ages of the kids, I like to offer a somewhat out-of-the-box suggestion. Go visit the Gaylord Palms hotel. There is a parking fee but you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the atrium. It is huge and has several different areas. There is a spot or two to grab a little snack if you'd like. They also have several full service restaurants if you want to plan dinner there. But just walking around the place is a sight worth seeing. They also have the Ice show/experience for the holidays. Not sure if that started yet but you might want to look into doing that while you're there.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/

 

[mom2rose&john]

Thanks for the suggestions. Kids are 11 & 13. We are staying ar Marriott Cypress Harbour Villas.

 

[TwoMisfits]

That's a good age for a lot of things. I'd base my choices on what good coupon deals come up this week, but I could see the kids liking...
- An Escape Room (there's a good deal on Groupon)
- The 360 Triple with or without Skeletons (don't pay more than 1/2 price for this, though)
- Mini Golf
- Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
- Blue Man Group (I'd say 8-9 is the age they will start to enjoy it) - pair with dinner at the Chocolate Emporium and you have a perfect night
- Trampoline Park (if you aren't worn out already) - good deals for this
- The Wonderworks Comedy and Magic Dinner Show (there's a Groupon for $16 a ticket - perfect price for this - simple and amusing night.
- Possibly even a Dave and Busters evening if your kids are into gaming

 

[Woodview]

Depending on the ages of the kids, I like to offer a somewhat out-of-the-box suggestion. Go visit the Gaylord Palms hotel. There is a parking fee but you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the atrium. It is huge and has several different areas. There is a spot or two to grab a little snack if you'd like. They also have several full service restaurants if you want to plan dinner there. But just walking around the place is a sight worth seeing. They also have the Ice show/experience for the holidays. Not sure if that started yet but you might want to look into doing that while you're there.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/

While a trip to the Gaylord Palms Hotel is worth a visit , well worth the time to go there, an hour or so would be enough time .... unless you have some food ( Watch the price )

Parking ....... you Self Park ...... Take your Parking Ticket with you

AND have it " Stamped " at one of the eating places ( you might have to buy something )

and then present the stamped ticket at Kiosk on way out ...... NO Charge.

 

[bearzabout]

These are our favorites.
1. Disney Springs for one night
2. Park at Disney Springs and take the bus to the Polynesian. Eat at Captain Cooks and get a pineapple float from Pineapple Lanai. Walk over to the Grand Floridian. Enjoy the orchestra then watch the fireworks from the boat dock.
3. Park at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Have dinner at Mara and enjoy the animal viewing from the various viewpoints. Sit around the firepit or walk around the hotel and see the art collection.
4. Park in the free lot at the Boardwalk. Grab dinner (there are many options) then take a boat or walk to the studios to see the star wars fireworks (starts November 14). There is great viewing near a plant bed not far from the boat docks. Sometimes we can hear the music, sometimes not.
5. Park at Disney Springs. Take the bus to Wilderness Lodge. Have dinner at Artist point or grab a bite from the lounge next door that is seldom full but serves some of the same food. Enjoy the fireplace, see the geyser go off on the hour and ride the boat round trip to the Magic Kingdom or Contemporary.
5. Stop by an outlet mall and grab a bite and walk around. We like the Premium Outlets on Vineland.
6. There is currently a groupon for Skeletons: animals unveiled. It sounds fun and is affordable at 44% off.
7. Eat dinner at Benihana on International drive to get both dinner and a bit of a show.
8. After Busch Gardens, head to Ybor City for dinner at the Columbia or try your luck at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino if you don't have kids.
9. We head to Winter Park on Friday night to see the Morse Museum for free and have a wonderful BBQ dinner at 4Rivers BBQ.

 

[Judique]

I know it is too late now, but maybe for a future visit: several people said Celebration will have nothing next week.

Fact is, Celebration had Founders Day for their 20th anniversary on Friday the 11th and it was a lot of free fun! There was a zip line, a bounce thing for the kids, Joe Magic the DJ and 2 bands - The Cruisers - a local group, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the swing group that played the following 3 nights at Epcot. Seats lined up in the streets and dancing in the streets as well

There was a lot of street food to buy. Columbia Restaurant had a tent or several tents up with their excellent food. There was one with roasted corn and a pizza tent and much more. Also, the regular restaurants were available to sit and eat, and if you got the right seat to watch the concerts. This started around 4 and ended with fireworks after the 8pm concert. I didn't stay for the fireworks but they were after 9ish.