What to do when not visiting theme parks

[bound4wdw]

So every time we go to Disney we pretty much stay at the theme parks from open to close and don't do much else. But we find ourselves considering(strongly) going to Disney world and not getting tickets to try other things. Our annual passes have expired and we are waiting to buy new ones for when our dvc is final. So it's off to the Orlando area to try new things, budget friendly preferably. Curious what would be some good ideas to do without theme parks.
A few things we have tried in the past but not sure if it's still available:
Chip and dale campfire at wilderness campsites (fishing while there)
Making cookies at the animal kingdom lodge
Watching wishes from poly
Downtown Disney

Thanks in advance for all the great ideas everyone always seem to have here on these posts.

 

[Minnie-Maniac]

We love to check out the other resorts, go shopping or even go to a movie(if it is raining) at DTD and of course just hang at your resorts pool.

 

[Cando86]

I've heard wonderful things about YeeHaw Bob at POR!

Monorail crawl (visit all the lounges at each of the monorail resorts and have a drink at each one).

Chip and Dale Sing-a-Long is definitely still going on.

Movies by your resort pool.

Mini-golf.

Explore the Boardwalk area.

Waterparks.

Rent Searacers.

There's so much you can do outside of the parks - part of why I love Disney so much !

 

[rwdavis2]

Personally, if I was not going to visit parks then I would stay over at Universal. You will pay less for a much nicer hotel, you can walk to Citywalk, and you can still do everything at WDW, assuming you have a car. Although, I can't imagine finding enough to do at WDW without going to the parks.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

That's kind of a personal question...isn't it.

 

[SABeasley98]

Thanks for posting-I had the same question! We have a few days during our stay without tickets so I was looking for activities for my 2 DDs. I've heard good things about the Chip n Dale sing along & horseback riding there. We are going to do Ohana &/or Chef Mickey's. It looks like Animal Kingdom Lodge has lots of fun activities throughout the day. Several of the resorts have a Community Hall that also have activities throughout the day. I found info for each resort's activities on themouseforless.com. Looking forward to hearing all the other ideas that people have!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Yee Haw Bob at Port Orleans Riverside is alot of fun in the evening. My trips are so short I usually don't have a chance to do alot of non park things but I try to catch his show.

 

[Kevin355]

DTD, visit GF or the Boardwalk, golf, fish, watch my wife spend money on Vera Bradley, golf (I know, said it twice), sit by the quiet pools in our resort, sleep, spend more money. It is all good.

 

[magicaldisney]

Something not mentioned yet, horseback riding at Fort Wilderness. There are usually night time acts at the Boardwalk. Also, if your DVC membership card comes before your trip, you can go to the TOTW lounge at BLT to watch the fireworks at MK. If not, you can still watch the fireworks from the resorts around MK.

 

[DG24]

A carriage ride at wilderness or POR. Disney quest, mini golf. Movie under the stars at any resort. Activities at resort, pole fishing at POR, a boat ride from POR to DTD. Watch the little princess parade at dtd, every hour the girls who where made up as princesses parade around dtd, they are so cute. Depending on the year, visit all the hotel lobbies, Christmas is the best. Walk the board walk. Horseback ride. Visit the farm animals at wildreness. Have a few special dinners where you would never go, but since your not buying tickets you may afford to go. Visit a water park if you have never been to one. Sit and people watch at places like the board walk, bus stops, hotel lobbies. Go to poly and watch wishes from the beach. Rent a boat for wishes or illuminations. Watch the electrical parade from CR or WL. Do activities at a resort, join the pool parties at the resort. Ok I think I named en

 

[CMNJ]

Thanks for posting-I had the same question! We have a few days during our stay without tickets so I was looking for activities for my 2 DDs. I've heard good things about the Chip n Dale sing along & horseback riding there. We are going to do Ohana &/or Chef Mickey's. It looks like Animal Kingdom Lodge has lots of fun activities throughout the day. Several of the resorts have a Community Hall that also have activities throughout the day. I found info for each resort's activities on themouseforless.com. Looking forward to hearing all the other ideas that people have!

I may be wrong but I didn't think community halls were open to everyone as they are paid for through dvc dues (and cash reservations made through disney) I thought they were only for the DVC members or cash reservations staying at that particular resort.

A carriage ride at wilderness or POR. Disney quest, mini golf. Movie under the stars at any resort. Activities at resort, pole fishing at POR, a boat ride from POR to DTD. Watch the little princess parade at dtd, every hour the girls who where made up as princesses parade around dtd, they are so cute. Depending on the year, visit all the hotel lobbies, Christmas is the best. Walk the board walk. Horseback ride. Visit the farm animals at wildreness. Have a few special dinners where you would never go, but since your not buying tickets you may afford to go. Visit a water park if you have never been to one. Sit and people watch at places like the board walk, bus stops, hotel lobbies. Go to poly and watch wishes from the beach. Rent a boat for wishes or illuminations. Watch the electrical parade from CR or WL. Do activities at a resort, join the pool parties at the resort. Ok I think I named en

If your dvc member card comes in time you can pool hop (with some restrictions) as a dvc member (must check in at front desk of desired hotel)-if not "joining pool parties" (except at your specific hotel) is not allowed by disney

 

[SABeasley98]

That's disappointing if true about the Community Halls.

 

[Hopefully]

That's disappointing if true about the Community Halls.

It is definitely true about Community Halls. They are for DVC members only. They are paid for through our annual dues. It is one of the few member only perks we still get.

 

[marigurl03]

Hi all, we will be staying offsite and are looking for fun things to do at Disney that does not include purchasing park tickets. It will be me and my husband (I am 22 weeks pregnant). We are planning to explore the Animal Kingdom lodge and have dinner at Boma. What exactly is there to do or see at AK resort, keeping in mind we are staying off property? Can we participate in the Movies under the stars even if we are not resort guests? Also, can we participate in the Chip and Dale's Campfire/sing along at Camp Wilderness? The boat ride from POR to DTD seemed like a fun thing to do. Renting sea raycers or renting a jet ski from Sammy Duvall's seemed like fun as well.

 

[ProTraderColin]

Renting the Searacers around Magic Kingdom is a must. I also agree about the "monorail crawl" since it's in the same area, and taking the time to explore the grounds of resorts is always a nice thing to do.

 

[bound4wdw]

We are headed there today for a week, but our dvc won't be finalized till August.
A lot of good ideas, thanks for all replies so far we will keep checking back on here.

 

[SABeasley98]

It is definitely true about Community Halls. They are for DVC members only. They are paid for through our annual dues. It is one of the few member only perks we still get.

Ok thanks for letting me know-are the activities that require a fee (Mickey tie-dye, ceramics, etc) only for DVC as well?

 

[marigurl03]

I asked the person at Disney Dining reservations about whether the chip and dales campfire sing a long and movies under the stars were for anyone or resort guests only. She said anyone can enjoy them. I'm taking a PP's advice and bringing my own smores so I don't have to pay Disney prices.