What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Any suggestions on things to do when we are not in the theme parks?

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

On Disney property:

mini golf
downtown Disney (there's movie theater, shops, restaurants, etc.)
the Boardwalk - again restaurants, shops, bars, a "dance hall" thats 21+ only and a dueling pianos bar
boat rentals/parsailing, etc.
the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness
Dinner shows (Hoop deDoo, Luau, etc.)
spa
fishing excursions

Just about anything you can think of! Disney has it all.

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Try the Chip & Dale Campfire at the Ft. Wilderness Resort. It's free, they do a singalong, Chip & Dale make an appearance, and you can roast marshmallows and make smores. The smores kits are pricey, around $9 if I remember correctly, so I would bring your own stuff if you can. The sticks are .50. They show a movie after the singalong. It's a lot of fun!

We have also rented Mouseboats, so fun! We rented at the Poly resort and had a blast crusing around the lake.

Not sure how old your kids are, but there are other activites that you can pay to do at the resorts that are for kids only. The Grand Floridian has a Wonderland Tea Party and a couple of other events including a Pirate Cruise for just kids. www.allearsnet.com is a good resource, as is www.disneyfan.com

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Dinner shows (luau, hoop dee doo review)
Cirque de Soleil show at DTD
Drinks at various hotels gives you a chance to have drinks in some of the lounges and walk around and check out various hotels like Polynesian, AKL, etc.
Walk around DTD
Walk around and go to places like dueling piano bar at Boardwalk hotel
You can watch the fireworks and the water parade from the beach of the polynesian (you can go have dinner - they light the tiki torches and you can see that - have dinner than go and have drinks on the beach - where they pipe in the narration to the fireworks and there is electrical water parade (before the fireworks)
there are several more adult places to have dinner outside of the parks at places like GF, WL, Contemporary, AKL, Yacht/beach Club, etc

Boat rentals at Poly (and some other hotels), they also have those bikes for 2 or more that you can rent

There are firework cruises wishes cruises.

There are mini golf places

Movies and shopping and drinks at DTD area

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

You can also hang out at the pool at your resort.

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Thank you! Definitely some options We may not have theme park tickets the day we arrive and was hoping to find some alternatives. These are great suggestions!!

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Where are you staying? I would say for your 1st night - fun to explore you hotel, take a swim, have a relaxing dinner.

If you are staying on property - you could consider touring your hotel, taking a swim, then heading over to the Polynesian for dinner (Ohana) or to a character dinner (Cinderella/prince/stepmother and step sisters at the GF- 1900 Park Fare or Mickey Mouse at Chef Mickey's) then go and watch the water parade and the fire works. They pipe in the MK narration to the fireworks thru rock speakers on the beach. There is also a nice walk between the Poly and the GF. Easy to get there if you just take any bus to either the MK and the monorail OR a bus to the TTC if you aren't on a monorail hotel. The TTC is next to the poly and you can just walk.

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Downtown disney (cirque du soleil show is great!)

city walk (universal/islands of adventure) - blue man group show is awesome!

shopping at downtown disney

hang out at your hotel's pool/spa

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Posted by Nik09

Thank you! Definitely some options We may not have theme park tickets the day we arrive and was hoping to find some alternatives. These are great suggestions!!

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Posted by kmeyer29

Posted by Nik09

Thank you! Definitely some options We may not have theme park tickets the day we arrive and was hoping to find some alternatives. These are great suggestions!!

if that's the only day you won't have park tickets, I'd totally just lay out by the pool and then hit up downtown disney afterwards

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

Posted by Nik09

Posted by kmeyer29

Posted by Nik09

Thank you! Definitely some options We may not have theme park tickets the day we arrive and was hoping to find some alternatives. These are great suggestions!!

if that's the only day you won't have park tickets, I'd totally just lay out by the pool and then hit up downtown disney afterwards

I know because it's our first day there that I'm going to want to do something disney - its going to kill me not to be at that park! lol

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?

FYI...it's pretty inexpensive to add an extra day to your park ticket if you want to hit the parks when you arrive. It varies depending on how many days are on the ticket you have but after I think 4 days, it drops off considerably.

Otherwise, DTD would be the way to go to get that disney feel or maybe go visit the monorail resorts. RIding the monorail is very disney :)

Re: What to do at Disneyworld that's non-theme park related?