Disney on a dime!

[mickeyfan1]

Hey everybody. Working on an upcoming trip. Due to other financial obligations we are going to have to really cut back on our annual trip. We will be staying on property with dvc points for four days. However not going into the parks. We will be going to the water parks however. Was wondering if we should skip one water park for disney quest? We have never done either water parks or disney quest. If so which water park should we skip. Also wanting to know which restaurants can you view wishes from that also play the wishes soundtrack? Or does the beach at the poly play the music? When does the electrical water pageant run and where is the best viewing location? Also any ideas for free or low cost activities outside the four main parks.

 

[DVCPluto]

Not sure about the water parks or disney quest, but I can at least suggest a place for fireworks... If you're DVC members and staying on points, you can go to the Top of the World lounge... You can just watch from the balcony or get a few drinks. They pipe in all the sounds and dim the lights. Pretty nifty place, and you can spend as little as you want.

When we were there in Jan, the electrical water pageant was around 10:15 - but we were at BLT, so that might vary for the other resorts. We had a lake view room, right in the middle of the "C", and were able to see it perfectly. So I would think the dock behind BLT/CR would be a nice spot. Any beach on the other side of the lake would be great too.

 

[smk]

We have really enjoyed playing PUTT PUTT at both courses while on vacation in WDW. I liked Fantasia the best but either place is fun. I think it was 25 (for two) or so? for one round? Seems like the beach at FW has the electric light parade at about 945 PM, they also have campfire movies by the meadows trading post, take an internal bus there and then walk to the marina for the electric light parade, all free. On days we don't go to the parks I always like to go to DTD and walk around, or resort hop and see different places and stores.

 

[disney4life2008]

http://www.mousesavers.com/free-and-cheap-stuff-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[deanaandrich]

I love both water parks. You get a totally different experience at both of them. We have annual tickets and never end up spending a dime in the water parks, except for the occasional ice cream. Bring a cooler in, along with some PBJ sandwiches and snacks. Fruit is really refreshing during the day.
For other free activities, try going to Firt Wilderness for the campfire, sing a long and movie. Bring your own s'mores. A blanket or chairs is helpful but they do have bleachers you can sit at too.

 

[loriloughs]

Hey everybody. Working on an upcoming trip. Due to other financial obligations we are going to have to really cut back on our annual trip. We will be staying on property with dvc points for four days. However not going into the parks. We will be going to the water parks however. Was wondering if we should skip one water park for disney quest? We have never done either water parks or disney quest. If so which water park should we skip. Also wanting to know which restaurants can you view wishes from that also play the wishes soundtrack? Or does the beach at the poly play the music? When does the electrical water pageant run and where is the best viewing location? Also any ideas for free or low cost activities outside the four main parks.

 

[BrianV]

If you are using the waterparks and extras part of an old ticket that didn't expire, Disney Quest can be enjoyable. We have tons of extra days from an old no expiry ticket and went a few years back using that. When you buy a non-expiring ticket, the water park and more feature used to be (and may still be) a great deal because they too don't expire.

However, the admission price if you are paying just for the day is certainly not worth it. You would feel cheated paying $40 pp or whatever it is these days to enter disney quest. It is fun, but not worth $200 for your family unless they have significantly upgraded in the last few years.

 

[loriloughs]

Water Parks are lots of fun but children should be a little older-9 and up. We like Typhoon Lagoon better than Blizzard Beach. If you like steep slides BB is better for you. The family water coaster at TL is a hoot! We went to Disney Quest with 2 eight year olds and they loved it. Their favorite thing was building their own roller coaster. Water parks and Disney Quest are good options if you have free days on old no expiration passes. I wouldn't pay for them. We used to love just hanging around Downtown Disney. They have that jumping fountain near Earl of Sandwich. The kids wear bathing suits and have a blast! Hope this helps.

 

[RScottyL]

Here is my personal take on it.....

if you are going to be in that immediate area, why not go to the parks?

I don't really care about the water parks there because I live in a big city where we have some water parks here!

 

[TRONorail12]

Best free thing to do is go over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and enjoy all of the African art and architecture, and then go outside to the savannas to see some of the animals that you would normally see on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Best part is, you aren't in a moving truck, and you can get some great photos with some of the animals just a few yards away from you!

 

[CheshireCat12]

I couldn't imagine staying at a Disney resort and NOT going into the parks.
If you really can't do the price of the park tickets, then I would make the most of those water parks, DTD, and mini-golf, do some resort hopping and resort dining, movies under the stars/marshmallow roasts, ride surrey bikes, carriage rides at POR, boat rides on the waterways- I think it could be a restful trip!

 

[GrammieBee]

Don't forget Boardwalk. Park at the Boardwalk Inn in the evening and walk along the boardwalk. There are boardwalk carnival type games, bakery, pizza and ice cream stores and free street entertainment. A walk around the lake is also nice or you can rent a two or four passinger surry to pedal. You can walk or take a free boat ride to either the Disney Studios or the International gateway at EPCOT. It is also possible to see some of the higher Illuminations and Fantasmic fireworks from certain points around the lake.

 

[DManRightHere]

Hey everybody. Working on an upcoming trip. Due to other financial obligations we are going to have to really cut back on our annual trip. We will be staying on property with dvc points for four days. However not going into the parks. We will be going to the water parks however. Was wondering if we should skip one water park for disney quest? We have never done either water parks or disney quest. If so which water park should we skip. Also wanting to know which restaurants can you view wishes from that also play the wishes soundtrack? Or does the beach at the poly play the music? When does the electrical water pageant run and where is the best viewing location? Also any ideas for free or low cost activities outside the four main parks.

Both water parks are great. If anyone has a desire to swim with sharks and such definitely typhoon lagoon. Our next favorite thing among the water parks is the bob sleds at blizzard beach.

Disney quest is fun if you like old school games, but crazy crowded when we were there.

Maybe cirque du suleii or splitsville would be fun. (I've never done them).

I second putt putt, I always say every year we 're going to play putt putt and never get to it.

 

[mlw119]

I'm not not sure when the timeframe for your trip is, but if it's winter months, doesn't Disney close one of the water parks each winter for a few months of refurbishment? Like if Blizzard Beach was closed this past winter, Typhoon will be closed this upcoming year, or something of that sort. I thought it was pretty common for them to close one in the cold months due to temperatures/low crowds.

Disney Quest is alright, but incredibly dated. And considering a good portion of it is nothing but arcade games, it's quite pricy for what you get.

I think mini golf, such as Fantasia Gardens, is a great low-cost option, and it has adorable Disney-theming. Similarly, Splitsville at Downtown Disney would be a lot of fun for a family.

And for completely free, my family has always been big fans of visiting the different resorts. The deluxe resorts are so pretty and nicely decorated. You could spend literally an entire day just doing that.