What to do for a few hours?

[ruadisneyfan2]

We just got flights for our Thanksgiving week cruise on the Magic. We arrive at MCO at 3:25pm. Got a great rate at the Hyatt but don't mind renting a car for a few hours to have some fun. (It will probably be too cold to swim on the roof.)

I checked the park calendars and everything closes kind of early:
Universal/IOA 6pm
MK 7pm them MVMCP
EPCOT FW 7pm/ WS 9pm but EMH so will be crowded
AK 5pm
MGM/HS- 8pm

Any suggestions of what to do for a few hours? We already have old park tix so financially-speaking, theme parks would be cheapest but it's kind of a waste for just a couple hours. (We have APs to US/IOA but still only 1 hr. there max.)

I think I recall seeing a sign for magic shows or something like that?
Open to suggestions, except MVMCP. dh refuses to pay that much for a few hours in MK, even if it is a party.
TIA!

 

[dr_nigel_c]

When my wife and I have a few hours to spare like that, we usually hit Downtown Disney. Meal at Rainforest or chocolate from Ghiradelli -- and, of course, shopping.

Try one of the Mini-Golf places on property - weather should be nice even then!

 

[Traveliz]

I would probably do DTD or go resort hopping via the monorail - maybe play mini-golf.

Have fun
Liz

 

[*disgal*]

I don't know if renting a car is cheaper than a taxi, but I would find some way to get to a few of the hotels that are all decked out for Christmas. Get some hot chocolate and sit in the lobby of the WL. Or see the POLY and get dessert at Kona. See the Gingerbread house at the GF.

We also like going to DTD our first night. what night of the week is this? A few days before Thanksgiving? I don't know how crowds will be.

 

[RFrank9504]

Orlando has alot of souvenir shops-cheap-you could do some early souvenir shopping for friends/family and with the holidays that close to your trip you can do some xmas shopping . We did that last year-saved a lot of money too. have fun-hope this was helpful!

 

[spiceycat]

don't eliminiate the swimming pool - it is probably heated and Hyatt may have some of it inside.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

don't eliminiate the swimming pool - it is probably heated and Hyatt may have some of it inside.

Yes, it's heated but it's all outside. Nice if you like watching planes land/takeoff. I'm not eliminating this completely but I'm guessing it will be getting dark not long after we check in and may be getting chilly.
Then again my boys are part polar bear and as long as the water's warm, they'll swim. Would be very relaxing for me and dh.

I don't know if renting a car is cheaper than a taxi, but I would find some way to get to a few of the hotels that are all decked out for Christmas. Get some hot chocolate and sit in the lobby of the WL. Or see the POLY and get dessert at Kona. See the Gingerbread house at the GF.

We also like going to DTD our first night. what night of the week is this? A few days before Thanksgiving? I don't know how crowds will be.

It's the Friday before TG. I've never been in Orlando during any holidays/summer/peak times so I'm not sure how crowded it will be.
The car rental is only $29. It does sound nice to see Christmas decorations.

I wonder how late Disney Quest stays open. We've been meaning to go there and always end up doing something else.

Also are there any character dinners at the resorts? We've only done breakfasts or Crystal Palace for dinner.

So many choices....
Thanks everyone!!

 

[*disgal*]

Yes, it's heated but it's all outside. Nice if you like watching planes land/takeoff. I'm not eliminating this completely but I'm guessing it will be getting dark not long after we check in and may be getting chilly.
Then again my boys are part polar bear and as long as the water's warm, they'll swim. Would be very relaxing for me and dh.




It's the Friday before TG. I've never been in Orlando during any holidays/summer/peak times so I'm not sure how crowded it will be.
The car rental is only $29. It does sound nice to see Christmas decorations.

I wonder how late Disney Quest stays open. We've been meaning to go there and always end up doing something else.

Also are there any character dinners at the resorts? We've only done breakfasts or Crystal Palace for dinner.

So many choices....
Thanks everyone!!

Oh, yea, then I'd definitely rent the car.

There is a character meal at GF, Poly and Cont.(Chef Mickey's). Also, how about dinner at AKL and see that wonderful lobby and maybe some animals.

 

[Detailor]

We always enjoy visiting the BoardWalk area when we've got a few hours without anything planned. We like to look in at the BoardWalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts; plenty of restaurant choices with variety of themes; a little bit of shopping; if going in the evening there's the dance club. Pleasant place to walk, or rent one of the surrey bikes to ride, around.

Dick Taylor

 

[Dizneydaz]

We have the reverse problem as you do on the day we leave. Our plane departs at 5 p.m. so I book a late ADR for breakfast ('Ohana again this year). and then we stop off at DTD to look around and pick up a few things. Last year DD8 and I traveled around on the monorail after breakfast and grabbed some food for the plane as well as just taking our time checking out the resorts-I let DD take some pix with my camera which she really enjoyed-she got some great shots too!

I agree with seeing the holiday decorations. I wonder though when they go up? Resort hopping is a fun way to spend some time, even if the decorations aren't up yet. Also walking around Boardwalk is cool too. Added bonus you'll be able to see some of the aerial fireworks from Illuminiations at Epcot if you're there by 9.

As far as Disney Quest's hours, here they are according to allearsnet.com
Sunday - Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - Midnight

On our way to WDW we usually stop off at Super Walmart or Super Target to grab some water, snacks, and breakfast items for the trip. And we don't get in until 11 p.m. Luckily our bodies are on California time so it doesn't feel that late, but it does make getting up early in the a.m. almost impossible.

 

[loriandmatt]

off the beaten path suggestion.....

try an airboat ride. great way to kill some time and see some real Florida nature. and gators are more active at dusk and dawn, so you could get a late day tour.

there are plenty in the Kissimmee area and we found one that was even closer to MCO. (past kissimmee in the st cloud area. Wild Willies i believe it was called - you can get to it from the airport pretty easily without having to go all the way into Kissimmee then back tracking to St. Cloud.)

 

[Amirah95]

For us, it's either do a little shopping be it DTD, Wal-mart or souving on Celebration or taking a dip in the pool.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

off the beaten path suggestion.....

try an airboat ride. great way to kill some time and see some real Florida nature. and gators are more active at dusk and dawn, so you could get a late day tour.

there are plenty in the Kissimmee area and we found one that was even closer to MCO. (past kissimmee in the st cloud area. Wild Willies i believe it was called - you can get to it from the airport pretty easily without having to go all the way into Kissimmee then back tracking to St. Cloud.)

We did this a few years ago but it was mid-day when we went. Barely saw a few gators, just the tops of their eyes above the water. They disappear as the boat got closer, it's so loud. Not like we're sneaking up on them.



Thanks for all the tips everyone!

 

[KayR]

How about one of the following:

--Cirque du Soleil
--Blue Man Group
--Catch a movie (how about DTD or Citywalk) and dinner.
--a Dinner show - if you have kids something like Pirates / Medieval Times etc (I know the food isn't brilliant, but you don't go for the food!) Wonderworks have a magic show which our kids enjoyed (basic show for adults, but lots of audience participation.) Capones, Tony and Tinas, etc... Lots of choice in this area
--Hoop de Doo Review
--Head to the Boardwalk, grab dinner, soak up the atmosephere.
--Character dinner somewhere (out of the parks)
--Go to Old Town or Magical Midway
--Chill in Celebration, wander around, get dinner (I think they have a small movie theater there too, but not 100% sure).

Hope that helps...