Favorite non-park things to do at WDW

brich

brich

New Member
Original Poster
ok, so this years trip, we are planning on enjoying the resorts more than we have in the past. Past years we seem to spend every possible minute in the parks and have little time and/or energy to enjoy the resorts. Any ideas for fun things to do around the resorts that don't involve going to the parks?? What are some of the things you like doing and at which resorts??:p
 
ditzeechick02

ditzeechick02

New Member
go Swimming :) walk around and take pictures... watch the Disney Commercials on the tv 24 hours a day lol... go to the food court or gift shop... at Port Orleans Riverside they have an arcade.. I think they had one at Pop Century as well.. so that's fun too!
 
dae_woods

dae_woods

New Member
My brother (Edwardtc) and I like to tour resorts on our off days to see where the next one we would like to stay at would be. But, as for our favorite resort, POR, there is a lot of stuff to do. First off there are a ton of pools scattered throughout the property that you can enjoy, including at least 7 quiet unattended pools and one huge attended pool with a waterfall and slide. If you enjoy boating, the Sassagoula River takes you through the swamp and all the way to Downtown Disney. You can rent a boat for however long you want and tour all the way to DD. You can also rent dual person bikes at the main building and tour the property including POFQ. There is a big arcade in the lobby for the kids to enjoy. At night in the lobby bar, a piano man serenades the crowds as you lounge around and enjoy a drink. This is just POR. There are many things to do at each resort. Enjoy! :)
 
longfamily

longfamily

New Member
Here is an incomplete list of many of the things you can do at Disney but not in the parks:

Surrey Bike riding: Bikes built for 2/4 located at Polynesian and Boardwalk

Boating: They are faster in the MK hotel area and there is more space to go. Located at Poly, GF, Cont, FW, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan

Miniature golf: Located in walking distance from Swan/Dolphin

Parasailing: Cont

Fishing Excursions: FW, release method

Hayrides: FW

Horseback riding: FW

High Tea: GF

Spa: Gf & Saratoga springs

Storytime: Poly around 7:00 in the lobby

Campfire singalong: 7:00 FW

water skiing: Cont

Fireworks Cruise: Poly, YC one is for MK the other for Epcot

Surfing: Before opening at Typhoon Lagoon

Tennis/ golf
 
barnum42

barnum42

New Member
Nose around Animal Kingdom Lodge, eat at Boma or Mara (for the African Stew), look at the animals, look at the animals at night using the night vision goggles.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
3 things I always try to do, and highly reccommend;

The horseback riding at Fort Wilderness, as mentioned above - especially late afternoon/just before dusk. A memory to last forever - in parts you could be anywhere but WDW.

A walk around other resorts; last time we spent a few hours walking around Crescent Lake looking at The Swan, Dolphin and Boardwalk and their architecture (or just enjoy the walk) and a look around the Contemporary (my bank balance can`t stretch that far for lodging :( )

Take a `slow boat` out from the Village Marketplace and explore the canals of old Lake Buena Vista (and cry at the Treehouse Villas now), and sail down to Port Orleans

Ontop of this, try some of the Minature Golf - Fantasia Gardens is great at night, with the floodlit Swan and Dolphin as a backdrop and watching Fantasmic!s finale fireworks over the road.

If you fancy it, spend some time at DisneyQuest and walk around Westside, Pleasure Island and the Marketplace during the day; if you`ve only been at night its like a whole new area.

longfamilies list gives me some ideas for our next visit too! Some of these `out of the park` experiences hold memories for me on a par with the best theme park experiences.
 
egionet

egionet

New Member
I would say shopping at Downtown Disney or playing Fantasia mini-golf. Those are definitely my two favorite non-park things to do!
 
brich

brich

New Member
Original Poster
Downtown Disney is never missed when we're there. I love some of these ideas. Some I knew, some I didn't. Great info.... :sohappy:
 
Aurora_25

Aurora_25

Well-Known Member
Go to downtown disney one day, Swim in the pool once a day, rent bikes (if you have time) Go see all the resorts- or at least the ones you are really interested in.
 
J

jesserin

New Member
Make yourself relax... sleep in, hit the pool, enjoy one of your resort restaurants, if at the Poly or Carib Beach, or even the CS - grab a hammock in the afternoon and get some sleepy sun... ;) Make ps for dinner at a different hotel and relax the evening away.

Don't rush for the buses when in the parks.

Be sure to dine in some of the cafe's at the deluxe resorts - often it's more relaxed during the afternoon and much less crowded... not to mention it's a great way to try the resort specialties without the larger price tag... Kona Cafe at Poly is excellant, GF Cafe is lots of fun, steer clear of anything other than Cali or Chef Mickey's at Contemp - their cafe is terrible.

At some point, ride the monorail to the MK and then hop aboard the ferry for a relaxing ride to the WL... this is great on campfire evenings... but lot's of fun in the afternoon's when you'll have the whole ferry to yourselves...

Go mini-golfing at least once, it's a great way to relax and enjoy more of what disney has to offer.

Hit the hot tub at night for a great way to wind down... all the mod's and deluxe's have them and they are really wonderful after a day of "relaxing" ;)
 
Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos

Well-Known Member
I like to walk about Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk. Also, Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk is very fun. If I stay back at the resort, then I must watch KRYSSA!!! LoL...
 
brich

brich

New Member
Original Poster
Sounds like Boardwalk is a fun place. Yikes, so much to do. Maybe we won't go to the parks at all..........ha, ya right. :lookaroun
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
brich said:
Sounds like Boardwalk is a fun place. Yikes, so much to do. Maybe we won't go to the parks at all..........ha, ya right. :lookaroun
Click to expand...
We have done that before. There are so many low or no cost things to do outside of the parks we have made weekends of it when our seasonal passes are in blackout.
 
SewIn2Disney

SewIn2Disney

Well-Known Member
Here's a few links to Allearsnet for articles pertaining to "overlooked attractions" outside the parks:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/ola_mk.htm

http://allearsnet.com/acc/ola_del.htm

http://allearsnet.com/ae/issue205.htm

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ola.htm

Some of the hotels offer guided tours. Inquire at the front desk for details. The Wilderness Lodge tour is wonderful and includes (sometimes) a visit to the Smokehouse. At the Yacht and Beach Club horticulture staff will give you a tour of the grounds. I understand the Grand Floridian even offers tours on a limited basis.
 
J

jesserin

New Member
Master Yoda said:
We have done that before. There are so many low or no cost things to do outside of the parks we have made weekends of it when our seasonal passes are in blackout.
Click to expand...

This past December we went for 6 days and only hit the parks for 2 of those... We needed to relax and take some time to just chill, and hey it must have worked... (see sig for details ;))
 

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