What to do on your non-park Days?

[Ted in Halifax]

Okay, I have 12 nights at POP with a 10 Day pass, so basically we will be immersed in the parks for that part of the trip. After this we have 6 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge, without park access (unless I go AP).

I realize that DTD will occupy some of the time and lazing around the resort some more .... but I'm looking for other no-cost activity options. I've looked at doing a trip to keep the kids busy on these days, in the morning. Here's an example of what I mean AKL (Bus) to Epcot- EPCOT (monorail) to MK - MK (boat to TTC) - TTC to POR - POR (Boat) to DTD - DTD (Bus) to AKL.

Any other ideas ... we are a rather hyper family ... so sitting by the pool doesn't last long.

 

[iluveeyore]

We love visiting other resorts, browsing in their gift shops and wandering around - I think there is a tour of the WL you can go to in the early part of the day you can book through their front desk. DH and I went to the WDW speedway one morning and watched the Exotic Car Experience for a bit - he loved watching expensive cars zip around the track. We also enjoy going to the Polynesian beach in the evening to lounge in a beach chair or swing and enjoy the Electric Water parade and then Wishes from across the lake. There will be daily activities at the AKL as well that you can check on while you're there - some of those are free.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Thanks. That's a few things that I didnt think of. Excellent

 

[vacation_junkie]

Okay, I have 12 nights at POP with a 10 Day pass, so basically we will be immersed in the parks for that part of the trip. After this we have 6 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge, without park access (unless I go AP).

I realize that DTD will occupy some of the time and lazing around the resort some more .... but I'm looking for other no-cost activity options. I've looked at doing a trip to keep the kids busy on these days, in the morning. Here's an example of what I mean AKL (Bus) to Epcot- EPCOT (monorail) to MK - MK (boat to TTC) - TTC to POR - POR (Boat) to DTD - DTD (Bus) to AKL.

Any other ideas ... we are a rather hyper family ... so sitting by the pool doesn't last long.

We always rent a car so we can do stuff on our off park days! We hit the flea markets..outlet malls. 45 min drive to Cocoa beach. and so forth...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Yehaa Bob Jackson at Port Orleans Riverside is well worth seeing. He's there Tuesday through Saturday nights from 8:30 pm to Midnight.

http://www.squidoo.com/YeHaa-Bob-Jackson-At-Walt-Disney-World

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Great suggestions ... keep them Coming! Gina, I saw Bob a few times now and he is great. He has actually travelled in Nova Scotia (which surprised me)!

 

[Tinkershelly]

We had this sort of challenge last month, more days than covered by the park hopper. We added on the waterpark fun and more option, not too expensive when you consider what you can get. With that we did a few part days at the waterparks and a few hours at a time at Disneyquest. We had supper one of those nights at the Hoop de Doo. There is also mini golf if that amuses you.

If you add on the waterparks option it would cost $57 each and will add 10 visits to the waterparks, Disneyquest and one minigolf game. These options will remain valid for 14 days after first activating your park passes, so that gives you four more days of activities!

 

[Sue M]

I would either as suggested add the water park & more option or get AP.
water parks and DQ will keep you busy for a few days.
We stayed at AKL in Aug. and there are lots of resort activities there. We really enjoyed the Cultural Safari in the evenings, Culinary tour, evening night viewing of savanna. There are kids activities and you can wander over to Kidani to check out their activities. Then there is Mini Golf, DTD, renting Sea Raycers at one of the MK resorts, rent bikes at Ft W, and while not cheap if your kids are old enough the Ft W Segway tour sure is fun.

Not sure if you are on the DDP for AKL portion of trip, but if you're not, I was really impressed with the dinner specials at The. Mara it's a lot cheaper then table service restaurants and their nightly specials are every bit as good. We weren't on DDP and ate there several evenings.

 

[CKCruising]

Some great ideas already. I would recommend some of the activities at AKL, as well. You could spend a day or two with the bead activities alone (They each take 15-30 minutes).

The waterparks are a good idea except I think that all the tickets expire after 14 days, so in 14 days you would have 10 days in the parks and 10 waterparks/fun options. This also means you don't need to use all your 10 days when you are at POP (Just within 14 days of the first use), you can plan it to use a couple when you are at AKL and take a couple of break days when you are at POP.

 

[Northstar]

Hidden Mickeys photo scavenger hunt around the resorts!

You could work from a book or a list of known Hidden Mickeys. Or you could see how many you can find and photograph, then see if you can add any to Steve Barrett's online collection! http://hiddenmickeysguide.com/hidden-mickeys-guide-hidden-mickey-hunter

Oh, and you probably know this one, but go to the Poly and stake out a spot on the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant and the Magic Kingdom fireworks one night.

 

[hockey mom]

The lego store in downtown disney is a great place. We all built cars and then raced them.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Great Ideas! You guys are the best!

 

[Boomer1]

I see that you have stayed at FW before. Although it is not a morning activity the campfire sing-a-long and movie can be fun. An added perk, Chip and Dale are there to meet and greet guests. This is free of charge to Disney Resort guests.

 

[fredgirls]

Maybe there's some geocaching to be done?

I was surprised to hear of the one on Castaway Cay so I bet there's some on resort property somewhere.

 

[CKCruising]

Maybe there's some geocaching to be done?

I was surprised to hear of the one on Castaway Cay so I bet there's some on resort property somewhere.

There really aren't any caches on WDW property. There are some "in the area", but I don't think there are any you could find without a car. There are a few areas that are a short cab ride away and you could walk around for the entire day.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

What about spending an evening at the boardwalk and checking out the entertainment? I haven't been, but from what I read there's usually lots of stuff going on down there.

Are you renting points from a DVC member to stay at AKL? If so, I think you may be able to pool hop, as DVC members are allowed to pool hop to certain resorts (Not SAB). If you are renting, check with the renter and ask. I've read a few things online that say you can, so it must be true!

 

[Dimples1973ca]

We are going to take advantage of some of these great ideas next August for sure! Thanks!!