What to do on a "resort" day?

[klj27]

We are traveling to WDW this summer and will have 2 non-park "resort" days. (DH, DD 11, DS 8, DS 3)

What are things that you enjoy doing on these days? Oh, and we are not water park people. In the past our kids have done the pirate cruise and the cooking class, but we've opted out of them for this year.

This is what we are planning so far:
Swimming / pool time
Renting a boat
Mini-golf
DTD

Any ideas would be welcome!

 

[laceemouse]

We always plan one or two down days per trip. We generally make at least one visit to DTD. We have also seen Cirque there (fantastic!!!) Walking around the lake at the BC/YC over to BW to shop and sight see is fun. We also enjoy riding the monorail around and getting off to tour each resort (particularly nice at Christmas!!) Last week we stayed at FW and on our down day, after doing laundry, we had fun at the petting zoo and arcade. Then we took the boat over to the CR and saw their arcade (huge, we will try that one next time!!) and went into the gift shops, bought pressed pennies, etc. When staying at WL last year we rented a pontoon party boat and took it out around the lake. Dh let each kid "drive" the boat and it was great!!! You can also rent bikes/surrey bikes at several of the resorts. There is so much to do at Disney that most folks never take the time to do because they only do the parks. We love doing all the other stuff. We have mini-golf on our "must do" list. Have fun!!

 

[LindaR]

DD18 and I do these too! I always have a rental car and we leave the World and go explore other places (usually upscale shopping that we don't have near us!). You already mentioned the minigolf. We just sleep in, play minigolf and then take a drive (shop), find somewhere nice to eat, and then back to the resort for pool time!

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

Pool time! and downtown disney is a must!

 

[wdwnut4life]

Swim, shop, eat

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

What about a firework cruise for Wishes or Illumination?

 

[bucky1023]

DTD is always great. Boardwalk is fun in the afternoon and evening. Explore other resorts.

 

[auntread]

I could spend 2 whole days easily at DTD!!!!!

 

[soupy11]

I think you should definitely hit DTD and the Boardwalk. Also make lunch plans at a resort you have never visited before and go check it out. It is fun to see the different gift shops, arcades, pools, etc at all of the great resorts.

 

[Tinks_gang]

Other than what you mentioned, we really like to resort hop. We usually start out over at the Magic Kingdom resorts and take the monorail/boat around to each. Then we hop on a bus and head over to the Epcot resorts and eat lunch - we LOVE Beaches and Cream. We'll stroll along the Boardwalk - of course stopping at the Bakery - and then head back to the pool or DTD for dinner and nighttime fun!

 

[december]

I'm planning a day to sleep late, explore our resort (Pop), do laundry and swim if it is warm enough (Nov.), then head to Ft. Wilderness for the afternoon. I want to see the barns (Mainstreet horses) and petting zoo, then the Hoop Dee Doo, then the campfire and outdoor movie with Chip and Dale.

On another day, I plan to go to DTD for the BBBoutique, then explore some of the Deluxe resorts, dinner at 1900 Park Fare, then to Magic Kingdom for fireworks and parade.

I'm also planning a Sea World day.

10 days in Disney-can't wait!

 

[karibritt01]

Campfire and movie in FW sound like fun. I would also consider the boat ride from DTD to PO resorts. I hear that is a really beautiful trip! Orlando has some great outlets as well.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Last summer we had 3 non-park days during our trip. Let me tell you--they were heavenly. Some of the things we did:

1. Slept in!
2. Did laundry.
3. We were staying at POR, so we walked over to POFQ and used their pool.
4. Went to DTD.
5. Saw Cirque--highly recommend.
6. Had afternoon tea at Grand Floridian--highly recommend.
7. Rented a surrey bike at POR.
8. Swam at our resort.
9. Watched Bob Jackson's show at POR piano bar--highly recommend.
10. Walked around the Boardwalk and caught some of the entertainment there.
11. Shopped at other resorts--CR, Poly, GF.
12. Rode up front on the monorail.

In years past we've also done the campfire at FW--also highly recommend.
Really, there are no shortage of things to do during non-park days. We found by having 3 of them, we really got a chance to relax and kick back at WDW, which is otherwise a rarity for us!

 

[traviesojmt]

We are also planning on going to the campfire singalong and movie at Ft. Wilderness. I am really looking forward to some real smores. On our no-resort day, we also sleep-in, swim and do laundry (not fun, don't really recommend this one). We are also going to the Beach Club and FINALLY eating at Beaches and Cream. We will be there at precisely 11am in hopes of not waiting for a table. I have been dreaming of the No Way Jose for months now.

 

[klj27]

Thanks for all of the wonderful ideas! Please keep them coming!

 

[NHBelle]

I for one know that I am going to take some time to visit a couple of other resorts. Every year I agonize over where to stay so every time we go I try to have dinner at a new resort. I only have a couple more to see. Hubby and I can tell right away if the resort is one we'd like to try just by the "feel" of the place. This year we have to check out CS and POR. I think thats it.

 

[kandeebunny]

If you have a car go check out Celebration, totally worth the time

Other things:

Disney Quest
Pool Time
a Monorail Tour
Epcot resorts by boat tour
Look in to tours that do NOT require park admission (dolphins in depth and i believe there are others)
Rent bikes at Boardwalk
Go visit Wilderness Lodge and the campgrounds
Fishing at POR
Roam around Boardwalk
Check out AKL (totally worth the trip over)
Have lunch at Beaches and Cream
DTD
Do a hidden mickey hunt at the resorts