What to do first night-No Ticket?

[BriesMomma]

Hey guys! Just booked a short trip down for next week!!! (Just got back about three weeks ago, too!! LUCKY ME!) Anyway.. our first night I am hoping to do something to make me feel like I'm "there" but I won't have a ticket to spend. I was thinking of taking a ride 'round the monorail, or finding a good spot outside the park to watch Wishes... Does anyone have any ideas? It will be just me and my 2 year old Princess. I don't really want to go to DTD- I have a SERIOUS shopping problem and this is a no-frills trip. Also, we are staying off-site and so "wandering our resort" is not really an option. Can you just drive up to AKL to look around? Or does anyone know where we can catch Wishes? Thanks for ANY and ALL ideas!

 

[khertz]

I would do the monorail loop, like you were thinking! DH and I did that on our last trip our arrival afternoon, and it was great. We had never even stepped foot inside some of the resorts. You can watch Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

I like your monorail loop idea. You could also take the small boat from the Poly or the Grand and get off at the MK and watch wishes from outside the park. If you want to watch wishes from a resort, I would watch it from the beach at the Polynesian. They have speakers there that play the music. It is always so pretty! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[KellyNY]

I agree with others, go on a monorail loop and end up at Poly or GF to watch Wishes and water parade.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

You can go to the resorts! Just not go use the pool or something.
check out the electric water pageant.

 

[twokids0204]

Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk

 

[twokids0204]

Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk

Ooops... sorry, nevermind... didn't see where you said you didn't want DTD... my bad.

Wishes Dessert Buffet...

 

[chesterpdt186]

loop is good. wishes from conteporay. go to fort wildreness for campfire. i like kicking back at the lounges. downtown disney, take the boat trip to port orleas [daytime]

sry typing is off using on-screen keyboard.

 

[danceintherain]

I would say make an ADR at a restaurant somewhere, and hang out at that resort. The only problem with the monorail idea is that if you just go to the TTC and hop on there, you'll most likely have to pay for parking. If you go to a resort for a meal or just to look around, they'll probably give you a 3 hour pass to park there.
Also, then if you do the fireworks thing, you don't have to struggle to get out of the TTC parking lot with all the other fireworks viewers.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

I love the monorail idea. Another thought is the Boardwalk. You could get a bite to eat, stroll around, watch the performers, then watch Illuminations from the dock area.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

What about mini-golfing? I love Winter/Summerland and the course isn't too hard.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[MareSINY]

I stayed at AKL two weeks ago, you should definitely check out that resort with your daughter! Here are some cool things:

1) You can go to the different overlook viewing areas and see the animals.
2) Every evening they have a parade with the kids in the lobby, they march around playing drums and then have story telling in the lobby.
3) They have a free Photopass family portrait you can take in the lobby. You don't pay to have your pic taken, just normal Photopass prices for purchasing any pics you have done, if you want them. No appointments needed, the guy (or girl) were just sitting around most of the night with nobody having pics done.
4) They have a great play area near the pool (the pool was under construction while we were there, not sure if they're done yet, but the play area was still opened).

 

[Disney Ron]

How about taking in the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review? We do this the first night of every trip.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Were doing DTD Rainforest Cafe for dinner then were going on the pirates and pals fireworks cruise.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Why not go to a park? It is only $3.20 per ticket per day to add days as long as the ticket you have is at least a four day ticket.

 

[snowhyte]

What about going to Fort Wilderness and doing the campfire/movie thing? I remember doing that as a kid and loving it. Now we just can't seem to squeeze it in ever.

 

[brittanyherndon]

Ooops... sorry, nevermind... didn't see where you said you didn't want DTD... my bad.

Wishes Dessert Buffet...

were is wishes dessert buffet located?

loop is good. wishes from conteporay. go to fort wildreness for campfire. i like kicking back at the lounges. downtown disney, take the boat trip to port orleas [daytime]

sry typing is off using on-screen keyboard.

Are there characters at the camp fire?

 

[DisGirl23]

were is wishes dessert buffet located?
Are there characters at the camp fire?

I think the Dessert Buffet is at Magic Kingdom
Chip and Dale have a sing-a-long at the camp fire

 

[brittanyherndon]

I think the Dessert Buffet is at Magic Kingdom
Chip and Dale have a sing-a-long at the camp fire

The camp fire sounds like a great idea. How much is it to attend the camp fire and the movie after.

Let me be clear how much is it with out the purchesing food at the camp fire?

 

[DisGirl23]

The camp fire sounds like a great idea. How much is it to attend the camp fire and the movie after.

Let me be clear how much is it with out the purchesing food at the camp fire?

It's free. It at the Fort Wilderness Campground Resort. You could bring your own snacks or purchase them there.