What to do on days with no park tickets

[frannn]

We are going for 12 nights in August, with 10 day hoppers. We've always gotten APs to go to the parks every day, but can't really afford them now for a single trip usage . So I'm considering cheaper options for the 3 days we'll need activities. If MNSSHP runs 9/1, we'll do that for one of the days. We're not really into water parks and have done DQ twice, but still considering this and the outlets for the other 2 days. Are there any other great, inexpensive options? We're not big on resort or pool hopping. I'd love to find deeply discounted tickets for Universal or some form of late night entry to any of the WDW parks. Not big on Sea World or Wet & Wild type places. It is DH, DD11, and I.

 

[RogueKnits]

Will you have a car? There are lots of things to do within a reasonable drive that aren't theme parks. You could go to the beach for the day, visit Kennedy Space Center, check out St. Augustine, or visit one of the wildlife refuges. Any of these would probably be cheaper than a theme park ticket.

 

[sporter]

Spend the money and go to USF/IOA.

Gatorland is relatively low cost and a value for the day spent there..

 

[kathy884]

What about a day at Clearwater Beach? We love it as a break from the Disney parks.

I was going to suggest Kennedy Space Center too, something suggested by another poster. You might even be able to get free tickets if you contact your congressman. And if not, it's still quite a bit less expensive than a theme park day. It's really well done and fun even for those like me who aren't big space enthusiasts. It runs about $40 a person. There is so much to do with just the general admission, so you don't need any of the extra tours / ad ons. The tour that comes with the admission and does a few stops in great and should be the first thing you do if you go.

Gatorland is more of less IMHO a three hour place that is more like an old time Florida attraction than a World Class theme park. My husband especially likes it for those very reasons, and finds it refreshing after time at world class theme parks. It's like $27 for adults and $19 for kids, and there are usually coupons to get a few dollars off.

Do you guys like mini golf. Disney and offsite have some pretty nice courses.

Haven't been, but I've heard the Orlando Science center is pretty good. If you guys like that kind of thing, that could be a fun diversion.

To do any of these economically you would need a car.

 

[The Hendies]

Kennedy Space Center is $50 a day per person. Not really all that reasonable! But not to worry, there are lots of options for just relaxing!

 

[Brian Noble]

With a trip that long, a couple "no park days" would be fine. Sleep in. Have a late brunch at e.g Boma. Take a pool afternoon. If you like, go see a movie. I'd also consider making one no-park day be your departure day. By that point in a trip, we're a little burned out. A late Kona breakfast, leisurely trip back to the airport, etc.

 

[m3retired]

Mini golf! The two courses on WDW are great. We always carve out time for mini golf--it's a lot of low-key, fun, family time.

 

[Lisa P.]

How about a day visit to a State Park? It's about 45 min to drive to one of the parks on the St. John's River, where you may see manatees - bring a picnic lunch. There are also airboat rides in this part of the state - smaller airboats seating <8 guests are more thrilling while large airboats seating >20 guests are more for spotting wildlife. Combining a morning at a state park with an afternoon airboat ride would be a fun day.

If you like science museums, the Orlando Science Center is excellent. It's got high quality exhibits, very hands-on, and has a low entry fee. If you have a membership to another nature center, zoo, aquarium, or science center, check on whether they offer reciprocal guest discount or free entry. My kids loved this place when around your DD's age. They liked the interactive "forces" and "light effects" as well as the baby alligator habitat.

I know you said you're not into resort-hopping but what about Fort Wilderness Campground? If you'll be staying at a Disney Resort, travel to MK and then take the boat across Bay Lake to the campground. You'll arrive in the back of the resort near Frontier Trading Post. Get a campground resort map showing all the wonderful shady paved paths to explore. Visit the giant draft horses (like the ones on Main Street) who pull the horse-drawn carriages and hayride wagons - they're in a huge barn behind Frontier Trading Post, near where Hoop de Doo Revue shows at night. Pick up a couple beverages at the Trading Post or have a meal at Trail's End Buffet. In the center of the resort, you'll find Meadows Trading Post and the Bike Barn with bicycle and golf cart rentals, as well as rental canoes for the canals. Past the horse barn, walk or bike the paved, shady trail over to Wilderness Lodge - it's about a mile and you're bound to see wildlife, large birds, bunnies, deer, or a Segway tour group along the way.

If it's early in the day, rent a boat on Bay Lake from either Fort Wilderness Campground or Wilderness Lodge Resort. Bay Lake is the largest, most beautiful lake to explore by boat on property. If it's evening, stay for the campfire singalong with Chip and Dale, followed by an outdoor movie near the Meadows Post. Afterward, visit the beach area to watch the Electrical Water Pageant. With so much to do at Fort Wilderness Campground, you'll see why so many families stay there for weeks with only a few days visiting the parks.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

What about a day at Clearwater Beach? We love it as a break from the Disney parks.QUOTE]

We are planning on this when we go in a couple of months. Anything specific you recommend.

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

A trip to the beach or Downtown Disney.

 

[linskypens]

Downtown Disney is a good option, maybe the splitsville bowling alley for some games and lunch?

The mini golf idea is a great one. Wintersummerland is our favorite.

 

[kmv]

Our no park days are just lazy days by the resort pool and dinner and shopping at Downtown Disney.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've been wondering the same thing as the OP and thinking a water park sounds like too much work for an off day. Is the mini golf really hot on a summer day? What is the best time to do that? Is the AKL worth a look to see any animals?

 

[AthenaBolina]

We are going for 12 nights in August, with 10 day hoppers. We've always gotten APs to go to the parks every day, but can't really afford them now for a single trip usage . So I'm considering cheaper options for the 3 days we'll need activities. If MNSSHP runs 9/1, we'll do that for one of the days. We're not really into water parks and have done DQ twice, but still considering this and the outlets for the other 2 days. Are there any other great, inexpensive options? We're not big on resort or pool hopping. I'd love to find deeply discounted tickets for Universal or some form of late night entry to any of the WDW parks. Not big on Sea World or Wet & Wild type places. It is DH, DD11, and I.

When we went a few years ago we did universal for three days, gator land, cocoa beach and nasa. We thought gator land was incredibly lame. We won't ever go back. The staff was incredibly rude. We LOVED Nasa/Kennedy space center and also the beach. Universal was just perfect too. I wish we could go back for that long this time! Lol I was there for 16 days including arrival/dept