Spur of the moment trip. Advice needed.

[JoJo'sLion]

My husband just found out that he can attend a conference that is being held in Disney. We will be going April 22 - April 25. The resort will be paid for by his office. The only thing we would have to pay for is tickets into Disney if we wanted to go to the parks. The problem is, we can't afford tickets for all four of us to go into the parks because of the short notice, so do you guys have any tips or advice on things to do outside of the parks? I have kids ages 4 and 6.

Thanks so much!

 

[JoJo'sLion]

Universal has a 7-day ticket for $86, which makes it cheaper than 2 days at Disney.

Usually conferences at Disney have specially-priced tickets available to conference attendees. Not sure how much of a discount they are, but something is better than nothing.

Also the Caribbean Beach has it's own lake and I think you can rent watercraft there too.

Cool! Here's to wishing it is a big discount or enough that we can get in.

 

[JoJo'sLion]

With all of these tips I think the girls and I can stay pretty busy. I think that I am upset more than the kids are about not being able to go into the parks.:animwink:

Thanks so much, and keep 'em coming. These are great.

 

[Philo]

Try and get to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a bit to see the animals too.

 

[coltow]

Definately spend some time at Downtown Disney. I agree with doing some resort exploring AKL Poly and WL especially and from WL you can rent bikes and go into FW. You could also spend some time one evening around Boardwalk & Yacht & Beach Club. If the weather permits you could always go to a water park too.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Theres minature golf, that's pretty fun and also the water parks with sections for little ones!

I vote for the Mini golf as well. We did the Fantasia course with two of my friend's kids and it was a blast. My sides hurt from laughing so much!!! Belle

 

[goofntink]

Well,you could do one day at the parks since you have a 3 year old:lookaroun hint hint,you would only have to pay for yourself and your 6 year old.Remember a childs ticket is cheaper than the adult ticket. And you can get a 1 day park hopper.

 

[AndyJo0930]

We stayed at the carribean on our honeymoon, and they have pools in each section, but they have the main pool up by the food court and it had slides and stuff for the kids, they will enjoy it.

 

[DisneyMarg]

Eat at Chef Mickey's (or 'Ohana) then ride the monorail around to all the monorail resorts for a little shopping and maybe a late snack. You can also ride around Epcot and actually see into the park. This is fun for adults. I don't know ..... if you think it will upset your 6yo to see the park and not be able to enter, then maybe not.

I second the vote for a trip to AKL to view the animals.

Plus, my experience with my kids was that they liked the pool best of all, anyway! My kids would have loved it: "We're going to Disney and you can spend as much time in the pool as you want!!!" At this age, I think they will pick up on your attitude as much as anything. If you convey that missing the parks is a big deal then they will think it's a big deal. If you don't mention it, they won't care as much. You may have to have a heart to heart talk to the 6yo but the 3yo won't care.

 

[JoJo'sLion]

Well,you could do one day at the parks since you have a 3 year old:lookaroun hint hint,you would only have to pay for yourself and your 6 year old.Remember a childs ticket is cheaper than the adult ticket. And you can get a 1 day park hopper.

My youngest is 4, and I think that to get her in for free she would have to be 2. Besides I would be way too nervous trying to get away with it. I would be so paranoid that the Disney police would be out to get me at every corner. :lookaroun And if they ask her how old she is she would immediately and adamantly say she was 4, but believe me we have discussed trying this out.

 

[JoJo'sLion]

Plus, my experience with my kids was that they liked the pool best of all, anyway! My kids would have loved it: "We're going to Disney and you can spend as much time in the pool as you want!!!" At this age, I think they will pick up on your attitude as much as anything. If you convey that missing the parks is a big deal then they will think it's a big deal. If you don't mention it, they won't care as much. You may have to have a heart to heart talk to the 6yo but the 3yo won't care.

I have already had a talk with my 6 year old. I asked her what she would like to do on our trip, and she said she wanted to see the characters. I then informed her that we may not be able to do that on this trip, and the little angel told me, "Oh momma, that's okay. We will have a pool won't we? We will have plenty to do." I just though how sweet and grown up to look at the silver lining. Although, when we get there she may be singing a different tune.

 

[wannabeBelle]

What about a character meal in one of the resorts on property??? Chef Mickey's Cape May etc? That should take care of seeing the characters pretty well and you will get some close up time with them as well. Belle

 

[goofntink]

What conference is your husband attending by chance? I have some contacts at WDW that we work with,and I would be more than happy to find out if there are discount tickets available for the attendees. There usually are offered.

 

[JoJo'sLion]

What conference is your husband attending by chance? I have some contacts at WDW that we work with,and I would be more than happy to find out if there are discount tickets available for the attendees. There usually are offered.

OMG! Thank you so much. You are so sweet to find out for me. The conference he is attending is by Hyperion. I think the name is Solutions 2007 April 22-25.

 

[DisneyMarg]

I have already had a talk with my 6 year old. I asked her what she would like to do on our trip, and she said she wanted to see the characters. I then informed her that we may not be able to do that on this trip, and the little angel told me, "Oh momma, that's okay. We will have a pool won't we? We will have plenty to do." I just though how sweet and grown up to look at the silver lining. Although, when we get there she may be singing a different tune.

Awwwww that is just the sweetest thing. Don't you just love em to death??? I think you'll be fine not visiting the parks. I bet you'll look back on this as a great trip. You'll have to let us know!

 

[JoJo'sLion]

I do think that this will be an awesome trip parks or no parks. I will definately let you guys know how everything went.

Thanks so much.

 

[Kman101]

There are probably hundreds of things to do that don't involve theme parks.

I'm also a bit surprised the company isn't offering a discount on tickets :/

Have fun regardless! Again ... hundreds of things to do and hey ... at least it's a vacation

 

[2gether]

Lots of good ideas

I would recommend getting a meal at the Grand Floridian or Polynesian late in the evening and then watching Wishes from the beach. At the Grand Floridian they even pipe through the music....and there are a number of Character experiences on the monorail. You could do Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary or Park Fare at the GF....followed by fireworks. It would be great for the kids. I STRONGLY recommend this idea....Wishes is ubercool and your 6 year old will love it.:sohappy:

I also wouldn't be surprised if you wind up with discounted park tickets.:shrug:

I like the Boardwalk idea, and the minigolf. I definitely think you should go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and check out the Savanna...and hop the other resorts also. We always spend a day resort hopping....and my kids love the animals at AKL.

 

[JoJo'sLion]

I would recommend getting a meal at the Grand Floridian or Polynesian late in the evening and then watching Wishes from the beach. At the Grand Floridian they even pipe through the music....and there are a number of Character experiences on the monorail. You could do Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary or Park Fare at the GF....followed by fireworks. It would be great for the kids. I STRONGLY recommend this idea....Wishes is ubercool and your 6 year old will love it.:sohappy:

I also wouldn't be surprised if you wind up with discounted park tickets.:shrug:

I like the Boardwalk idea, and the minigolf. I definitely think you should go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and check out the Savanna...and hop the other resorts also. We always spend a day resort hopping....and my kids love the animals at AKL.

Thanks for the great tips. I will absolutely try to get over to the GF to catch Wishes.

When they offer discounted tickets for a conference don't they usually tell you about them before you get there? I would assume that they do, but you know what happens when we assume.

Thanks again.

 

[Eyekimore]

When we stayed at the Poly- the characters visited the pool area on certain afternoons. You could always stop at the concierge desk to find out if they still do this. (Only at the deluxe resorts.....) You can always pool hop to visit.

You could walk through the Beach Club while they're having the breakfast at Cape May Cafe. You can clearly see the characters.

Also- the WL does stuff like pool games in the afternoon. They never check to see if you're really staying there. Also- they did things like "Duck Races" in the stream leading to the pool with little yellow rubber duckies.

There's a nature walk between FW and the WL.

We always do the monorail tour. (and try to get a turn in the front seat.)

You could always do a pin trading day. Buy the each kid a pin and everywhere you visit- let them trade with the cast members. They would have great fun looking for new pins.

Some of the hotels also have great arcades. (Contemporary and GF)

There's a boatride to DTD from POR and POFQ. (approx. a 20 minute ride) (some days it doesn't start till 4:00pm)

BTW- you can see EPCOT's fireworks from the bridge between the Boardwalk and Beach Club. It's a great view!

Have fun!

 

[1DisneyDad]

Go to Wilderness Lodge for a fun meal at Whispering Canyon!