What to do

[alizesmom]

If I understand it correctly there are no characters or street entertainment right now and shows are quite limited. We don’t go for the “rides” so I’m concerned that there will be nothing to do for my kids.

 

[mamabunny]

Aside from character meet-n-greets, watching shows (both indoor and outdoor) what else does your family usually do in the Parks at WDW?

Our family does all kinds of stuff besides rides. Sone of us play "Sorcerers" (the free card game at MK, pick up your starter cards at the Fire Station on the town square), and at Epcot, we play "Agent P's World Showcase Adventure" which is so much fun, and at AK you can do the "Wilderness Explorers" activity as well. At all of the Parks there are always "hidden Mickey" hunts to do. We have been known to do photo safaris or photo scavenger hunts (where everyone tries to get a picture of each item on a list, like Mickey bar, Dole Whip, Cast Member badge, 3 different hidden Mickeys, etc) and we have always engaged in pin trading with CMs at all of the Parks as well. We are pressed penny collectors from waaaaaay back, so we carry pennies, and quarters to make sets of pressed pennies on every trip; there are TONS of the machines scattered all over Disney World!

EPCOT is a great place for not doing rides, simply because you have World Showcase to walk around, and look at everything. I don't think that KidCOT is a thing right now, but there are still the little museums in some of the pavilions (Mexico, Norway, Japan and Morocco all have exhibits about their culture tucked away in their pavilions) and it's just one of the most "strollable" Parks to me.

AK probably has the most "stuff" to do right now that isn't ride-related; I believe they are still doing the animation classes out at Rafiki's Planet Watch, and you can see some of the animals (but no touching, bc COVID-19) and of course, ride the train to and from. I think that the bird show is going on right now as well - maybe someone can confirm that? (We haven't been since January of this year).

I think that HS probably currently has the least amount of non-ride "stuff" to do, outside of Galaxy's Edge. For me, that's worth the price of admission alone, but I could just sit in Ronto's all day and people watch there very happily, so don't go by me! LOL

I'm also the kind of person who buy a Parks ticket just to make that turn from town square to Main Street, and look at the Castle... Just that moment alone is something I look forward to every trip. I love the architectural details in all of the buildings, and how the CMs costumes fit with that. I can't get enough Dole Whip ever, and left to my own devices (and hopefully, the return of the Park Hopper) I would eat at Katsura Grill at EPCOT every.Disney.day. Disney Springs has become one of my favorite places as well; we have a favorite spot (overlooking the springs, of course!) where we sit and enjoy a snack on every trip, and marvel at the Imagineering.

Outside the Parks, we love to ride all of the different boat routes between Resorts and Parks (and at Disney Springs), and during the fall and winter holidays, we will sometimes rent a golf cart and go tour the decorated campsites at Fort Wilderness. (Some of the them are *amazing*!) We also visit the stables at Fort Wilderness to see the horses, and the shops there are some of our favorites in all of WDW!

Disney Springs has tons of opportunities for fun - pin trading, hidden Mickey and/or photo scavenger hunts are all possible there too, and without Parks admission; the same can be said for every Resort hotel at WDW.

It's kind of spendy to consider Parks admission if you feel like you won't have much to do, given the current closures due to the pandemic. Would your kids be OK with a Disney trip where you visited Disney Springs and other Resort Hotels, but maybe didn't go to the Parks every day?

Or, maybe this is the year to consider exploring a theme park closer to home - is there a Six Flags, or something like Dollywood or Silver Dollar City near you? Maybe instead of a Disney vacation, you rent a cabin at the lake, and just enjoy nature walks and cookouts? I'm not nearly as much of a "ride person" as I used to be - my physical issues increasingly make getting in and out of some rides more difficult and painful - but I still enjoy just *being* at WDW enough that I would always plan at least one day in each Park, if not more.

I know it's not a lot, but I hope those suggestions help spark some other ideas for you!

 

[TamaraQT]

It's kind of spendy to consider Parks admission if you feel like you won't have much to do, given the current closures due to the pandemic. Would your kids be OK with a Disney trip where you visited Disney Springs and other Resort Hotels, but maybe didn't go to the Parks every day?

Or, maybe this is the year to consider exploring a theme park closer to home - is there a Six Flags, or something like Dollywood or Silver Dollar City near you? Maybe instead of a Disney vacation, you rent a cabin at the lake, and just enjoy nature walks and cookouts? I'm not nearly as much of a "ride person" as I used to be - my physical issues increasingly make getting in and out of some rides more difficult and painful - but I still enjoy just *being* at WDW enough that I would always plan at least one day in each Park, if not more.

I know it's not a lot, but I hope those suggestions help spark some other ideas for you!

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Why would you want to spend the money for a Disney vacation when you can't enjoy Disney? How about consider staying offsite, and do other things in Florida. Stay at a resort instead of a hotel that has things for the kids to do at the resort. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake is an ideal option. Dive-in movies at night, poolside games and lots of stuff for the kids to be entertained. Also, you get to stay in a condo style resort instead of a basic/standard hotel. You can rent from an owner on places like TUG and Redweek. Also a good discounted website to use is SkyAuction. They have a lot of Sheraton Vistana Units. Bonnet Creek is another option. Many timeshare owners rent their weeks far less than booking directly with the resort.

For the budget you pay to stay onsite at Disney with little to do, consider staying offsite, renting a car and finding other things to do. I don't know what time of year you are going, but if its during warm weather, pack a picnic lunch/cooler and drive down to one of the beaches. Clearwater is always our favorite. Go to Busch Gardens Amusement park in Tampa while you are in that area. You can also visit SeaWorld or maybe Universal Studios. Plenty of thrill rides and shows to see at SeaWorld.

Maybe use this time to discover Orlando outside of the bubble. Go online and send away for brochures from Orlando, Kissimmee. There will be plenty of ideas and suggestions. Also I send for them and keep them around the house as part of the vacation planning and countdown. The kids like looking thru them too. You will discover more entertainment and restaurant options. An Orlando vacation can be just as memorable without Disney. If you want some Disney you can also go to Disney Springs to get a touch of the magic. The point is, Orlando has so much more to offer.
Good luck with whatever you decide and have a FANTASTIC vacation.

 

[lanejudy]

You are correct that most shows and entertainment have not resumed. They are doing "character cavalcades" in each park. I think your best bet for non-ride attractions will be EPCOT.

This page has links to each park and what attractions are open or closed. You need to scroll about halfway down until you see this and click on "Read More" for each park's details.

 

[lanejudy]

Adding on to the above because I hit post by mistake...

If you don't have your own vehicle, I suggest you familiarize yourself with what transportation options are available. Some boats are not running and the Poly monorail station is closed.

Also with regards to resort-hopping, be aware that you may be turned away unless arriving at a resort by WDW transportation. Cars that enter must have a resort reservation or an ADR; there have been mixed reports about access for a Mobile Order.

If I recall, your children both have trachs. My understanding is WDW is being very strict about face masks. I realize it's useless with a trach, but I'd be prepared that they will need to wear one anyway.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[DisneyOma]

And with a trach, is there any other area that should be safely covered, to keep the area clear of COVID? If there isn't really much that would charm your kiddos open at WDW right now, maybe save the money to do a longer trip at another time, or use the extra money to do something special on the next trip?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Honestly, cavalcades and people watching are going to be most of the entertainment you will find right now. I just saw some reports of the Muppets in MK, but I think most other shows are closed. You are going to be paying a LOT of money to people watch right now.

 

[alizesmom]

Thanks everyone. We’re not going until August so hopefully more will open up. We’ve always gone for the shows, the atmosphere and loads of people watching. I know it’s a lot of money for just doing those things but never underestimate the effect the atmosphere has on relieving stress. My son can do very little but enjoys new sounds and my daughter has few interests besides people watching. It’s just mom and dad enjoy the addition of shows and street characters.

 

[mamabunny]

Then my vote is to *go* - because even though we don't know how things will be 10 months from now, I am willing to bet that we are all hoping and praying that they can't get any worse than they are now.

And as Mom & Dad, you are every bit as deserving of a Disney adventure as either of your kiddos! So go and eat Mickey Bars and Dole Whip until you are about to burst, and just soak up all the wonder and joy of being at our favorite place!

And until then, you are always welcome to hang out here with us - we're only a *little* bit crazy!

 

[DisneyOma]

Thanks everyone. We’re not going until August so hopefully more will open up. We’ve always gone for the shows, the atmosphere and loads of people watching. I know it’s a lot of money for just doing those things but never underestimate the effect the atmosphere has on relieving stress. My son can do very little but enjoys new sounds and my daughter has few interests besides people watching. It’s just mom and dad enjoy the addition of shows and street characters.

Some of the "shows" (the sit down theaters) are still open - Hall of Presidents, Philharmagic, etc. I thought all theaters were off limits right now, but I was told differently on the main board here. So there are still some "sit and watch' attractions, just not with live actors.

 

[lovethattink]

At MK -
1. The cavalcades are great!
2. The dapper dans are back and they’ve been performing on a cavalcade and in Frontierland above the passage from Adventureland to Frontierland. To view you need to be in Frontierland.
3. The muppets have made appearances in Liberty Square from the windows of the building next to Hall of Presidents.
4. On Tomorrowland stage, characters appear. I’ve only seen Buzz so far.
5. At the Crystal Palace, Pooh and friends appear.
6. The step sisters I saw once in front of the Princess m&g building.
7. The country bears appear at the same place in Frontierland that the dapper Dan’s do.
8. Philharmagic is open.
9. Hall of Presidents is open until refurbishment.
10. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

 

[lovethattink]

At DHS-
1. Frozen Sing-A-Long
2. Mickey and Minnie’s Vacation Fun (it’s a short film, theatre seats look like they are wearing Mickey’s pants.
3. Cavalcades
4. Characters appear in Galaxy’s Edge
5. One Man’s Dream
6. Muppets

I’m probably missing something, can’t think of anything else.