What to do in DW without going to parks?

[Jaime]

We are going to be in DW for two nights in December...the first day we are going to the parks...the second day we are going to the MVMCP around 4:30. We have two children ages 3 & 5 and are staying at the Saratoga Springs resort and are not renting a car...we don't mind Disney transportation. What would you do during the second day...we prefer not to go to any of the parks including the waterparks...anyone have any ideas?

thanks for the ideas....

Here's what we are thing of doing now...what do you think?

We plan on going to the MVMCP in the night...so we have from about 8:00am until 4:00pm to do something...I am leaning towards a character meal but I guess it would have to be for breakfast...thinking about Ohana's...didn't enjoys CM last trip and my girls aren't familiar with characters at 1900 Park Fair...what's Ohana's like?...thinking 9:30...I guess we would have to take bus to MK from Saratoga...then take monorail to Poly...afterwards maybe will look at Christmas deco at GF...then get the bus to downtown Disney and get pictures with Santa??? Figure we'd go back to our hotel and relax a little before the Party...do you think this is too but running around with small children?

 

[Shannon G]

I think your kids would love a character meal, based on their ages. Chef Mickey's is a great one. Then you could take a ride on the monorail, maybe check out some other resorts. How about just spending some time at the pool at your resort? Weather in December may be a little iffy, so you may have to play it by ear, but the pools will be heated, and kids don't usually seem to care if it's a little chilly! I know that swimming at the resort is one of my kids' favorite parts of a trip to WDW!

 

[mom0299]

I think your kids would enjoy the character meal at the Grand Floridian's 1900 Park Fare. They can meet Cinderella, mice, and Prince Charming. It's a buffet at suppertime. We did that last December and really enjoyed it. The fairy godmother was even there in the waiting area.
Since you're going in December you could visit different resorts and take in the Christmas decorations. We did this on our last trip because we didn't go to the parks the first evening or the last day we were there. I don't know what the decorations will be like next year, but Contemporary had a great Pinoochio scene made entirely of chocolate. We went to see it on the first night and got to watch the MK fireworks from the hotel. You will have to see the gingerbread house at GF. We also enjoyed going out to Animal Kingdom lodge and seeing some animals. Downtown Disney is always an option when you aren't going to the parks.
Have fun!

 

[kat08]

There is sooo much to do without having to go to one of the parks. A character meal is a good idea - or any of the restaurants/dinner shows/buffets at any of the resorts. You could spend part of the day resort hopping because there is so much to see at each of the resorts, including shopping, restaurants, pools (although you can't swim in other resorts' pools.) You can go to the pool(s) at your resort. You could take the kids to Disney Quest, Downtown Disney (there's a movie theater if catching a movie is your thing,) ride the monorail, boats, busses...

 

[Minnie824]

I would do a character breakfast then head over to Downtown Disney and do some shopping!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Definitely a character meal...and swimming at your resort! If your at Saratoga, you can also take a nice walk or boat ride over to Downtown Disney for shopping and just to relax.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

How about FREE character interaction?

For Disney Resort guests, Fort Wilderness puts on a nightly campfire (they sell forks, marshmallows, etc.), have a sing-a-long, Chip and Dale visit (still, always verify with Disney World), and they play a Disney movie.

Obviously, this is weather permitting!

Hope you have a wonderful trip, and don't forget to post a trip report so I can imagine I am there when I read it!

 

[nbodyhome]

The campfire movie is my first choice too! Lots of fun, I love Fort Wilderness. You can also do the wagon ride also, though there is a fee for that (I think still $8.00 for adults, maybe $6.00 for kids - I don't have kids, I just go myself or with hubby/friends!)

I just heard also though that SS maybe have movie nights by the pool. So definitely check for that!

 

[surfer_ed]

We always like to go to Poly and watch Wishes across the lake. If you are a DVC member, you can pool-hop while you are at it.

 

[Jaime]

When we rented our points for our hotel last trip we got all the benefits of DVC members...pool hopping...restaurant discounts...will we still? I don't expect too just wondering?

thanks....

 

[belle8306]

Downtown Disney
Explore the resorts
Minature Golf
Character Meal
Resort Pool
Rent bikes or a boat at a resort that offers them.

 

[dzorn]

We really enjoyed the character breakfast at cape may. Chip & Dale, Minnie & Goofy. The kids enjoyed the boat ride.

Denise in MI