What to do besides going to the parks?

[Blubarchetta]

For our past trips to Disney World, we spend a lot of time researching, and planning to make the most of our days there. We end up having a lot of fun at the parks, but I have this feeling that there is so much more to see and do on Disney property, that doesn’t require a ticket. In the past I would sometimes feel guilty when we spent time away from the parks. Since we paid so much $$$, we need to be at the parks for the whole day. This year, we will be staying at the Dolphin for 5 days, and I was thinking since we've seen most everthing in the parks, that we would just do 2 days at our favorite parks, and the other 3 days would be spent at the pool, Downtown Disney, and exploring other areas of the property that we haven't had time in the past to enjoy.

So, with that said, what are your favorite things to do at Disney World, that doesn't involve going to a park.

 

[tms295psu]

Ride the monorail and explore the deluxe resorts. Grab a snack along the way. Boardwalk at night. Ride the boat to the resorts from dtd.

 

[minnie4me]

there's mini golf. Spas at several resorts. Are there kids involved? There is an AMC movie theater, bowling, and DisneyQuest. All involve spending more money !! But, what's a Disney vaca without spending?

 

[rapunzelmom]

So glad to see this! We are taking a last minute trip to get out of the cold! This will be our 3 trip in 3 years. We will be there 7 days and I am thinking 3 park days. Allears has a great post on non-prk activities. here is what I am thinking

Sunday: morning at the pool, then brunch at Raglan (12:15), see Irish dancers, hangout in DTD, take boat to OKW and POFQ, do resort stuff, fishing, surrey bike ride etc, then either dinner at one of the resorts or boat back to DTD and dinner at the Earl of sandwich.
Monday: Animal Kingdom
Tues, character "bruch" at O'hana (10:25) then the monorail to GF explore, then to Contemporay to explore. Take boat to Ft Wilderness... look at horses, archery, wagnon ride (DD 7, so too young for trail ride) then nature trail to WL for dinner. Then depending on time, watch electric light parade at WL or take boat to Contemporary see parade then monorail to Poly and watch fireworks on the Poly beach.
Wed: Magic Kingdom RD to Fireworks
Thursday: morning resort/ pool then off to AKL to see animals explore resort and early dinner at Boma, then a taxi to POFQ to see the piano guy.
Friday: EPCOT (Grandma coming so we have to go to EPCOT this day even though it is a "not recommended" park.
would love comments or suggestions

 

[epsmith921]

Rent the small or large boats from BC/YC or contemporary. We did it once and it was awesome.

The boardwalk has a free walking tour that sounded cool.

Exploring fort wilderness definitely sounds like a great idea.

 

[arielmomma]

I agree with wandering around fort wilderness. Hands down, it is our family's favorite resort. So even when we aren't camping there, we love to wander around there, play tether ball, play giant Jenga on Trail's End porch, see the RV decorations, and stay for the campfire sing along.

 

[Minnesota!]

Great ideas!

We are doing a resort only vacation in March. So far we have plans to do the AMC dinner/movie, hit Splitzville, and mini golf. Plus lots of swimming.

WE have a meal at FW, so we will spend time putzing around there. DtD a few times.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[decembergirl71]

Some things we are doing is going to the luau at the Polynesian, smores and a movie with Chip and Dale, surrey bike ride, spending some down time at the Boardwalk, a boat trip to Port New Orleans, and definitely going to see the animals at AK Lodge. We rented a car so we are also planning to drive to Clearwater Beach.

 

[Pitchke]

Are the Contemporary and the Poly the best combo to watch the electrical parade then wishes? Can you see both at just one resort?

 

[rdsx28]

Most of the resorts also show some type of movie on the beach or by the pool. It's fun. If your going to do the bowling I would suggest going during the day it is cheaper than the evening.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you have a car go to the Showcase or Citrus which is 20 minutes from Disney and pick oranges or see the crocodile.

Rent a bike at the Wilderness lodge and ride over to the campgrounds via the paved bicycle path. Go into the barn and see the animals.

Go over to the Poly at 6:00 p.m and watch them lite the torches.

At the Wilderness lodge ask at the check in desk for a resort fact sheet. It has a lot of interesting fact about the resort. such as the totem poles in that lobby are bad luck because the face one another. Therefore once a year a priest comes in to bless the resort.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Don't forget about the electrical water pageant that goes around the seven seas lagoon. It's very cute. And you can still go to the observation lounge at the top of the Contemporary Hotel. It's really nice at night and you can see the fireworks from there. Fort Wilderness has campfire and movies, and lots of hotels have kids activities.

One caveat re: the Contemporary. We had actual reservations for the restaurant up there, and we had made it that day from our hotel. We were running late, and when we tried to get through the gate, the parking guard gave us a HUGE hassle. It was around fireworks time. We told her we were going in for dinner, and she tried finding our on the reservations list. Couldn't find it, because we made the reservations that day. We argued for 5 minutes before she gave up and of course, we wound up late.

Dress decently if you want to go up there (not sweaty tourist or in your swimsuit) because they have started screening out people. The best time to go up there is during the day, or if you can snag a table, in their lounge area at night.). But it's a great free view anytime of day!