What can you do for free?

[leekaye]

We're can only afford a 4 day pass but will be there 6 days (the first and last are the travel days). If we get there early but don't have a pass for that day, what can we do that pm with two girls, ages 4 and 7, who've never been to Disney.

We're considering Disney Marketplace (is that the one with all the stores that's free?) and visiting the Deluxe Resorts for decorations (we're going first week of Dec.) We will not have a car though ($$$) so any suggestions on what we can do? They're not really big into swimming yet.

Thx!
Lisa

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If they ever start a swashbuckling school, I bet one of the classes is called "Laughing...Then Jumping Off Something"

[dcfromva]

leekaye,
At which resort are you staying?

-DC :ears:

[leekaye]

All-Star Movies probably. We're going to book this week.

[traveltime!]

Yes, Downtown Disney (which includes the Marketplace and West Side) is free (except for the money you inevitably spend in the stores!), and lots of fun. There are great stores (including toy stores, the Lego store, etc. for your girls), and fun things to see and play with. There are also cheap eats (McDonald's, Wolfgang Puck Express, etc...) there. You'd have no problem spending a very full evening there. There's even a movie theater if it's raining.

Visiting resorts is fun, too -- something I've never been able to devote a whole day to, but if I ever go down with just my mom, that will be our main activity, I'm sure! Options that aren't free (but are fun) are going to a character dinner in one of the resorts (like Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary), or playing Miniature Golf at one of the Disney courses (Winter Summerland or Fantasia) -- though the 4-yr-old might be a bit small for that, yet.

This is a common question, so I'm sure loads of folks will have lots to say. Have fun!

[tajainaz]

DTD is a terrific place to spend time. The holiday decorations are terrific.

Be warned, there are irresistable play fountains scattered thoughout. Be sure to bring a change of clothes for your DDs, as they are bound to get wet! :D You'll find children and adults alike in them--and it was a bit nippy to be wandering around in wet clothing one of the days last December, IMHO!

Resort hopping is another option. I think your DDs would enjoy it on a limited basis. Do the monorail resorts (CR, PR & GF) and the EPCOT resorts (BC, YC, S&D & BW) in separate spurts of about 3 hours each. That includes travel time between resorts. You can walk between BC & YC and take the Friendship launch between the other resorts. The decorations will be gorgeous--some are animated, others not. All are interesting. If the budget allows, end your EPCOT venture at Beaches & Cream at the BC as a treat!

There are decorations at all of the resorts, but they are more difficult to access without a car, a probably wouldn't be as enjoyable for your DDs with having to change buses at an intermediate point.

[Joan]

How about a trip to Celebration?
Thats all free, and if you go in the evening in December they have lots of great decorations in the town and snow in the Main Street every hour.

And a ride round the town itself to look at how people decorate there houses
is a lovely way to spend an evening

Joan :xmaswin: :gifts:

[wrtinch]

Don't know if its entirely down to Eisner but I think the answer to the original question is "Not a Lot"

[Isafari]

How about a trip to Celebration?

I think I will add this to my list - anyone know how long they do the 'snow thing' for? Hoping to see this at the end of December :shrug:

[MystikPiglit]

How about a trip to Celebration?

Is there transport from WDW to Celebration?

[Joan]

Sorry can not answer that maybe someone else will be able to !
Joan :rudolph: :snowflake

[tajainaz]

No WDW transport available to Celebration. Although Celebration was planned and built by Disney, if I remember correctly, they sold their interest last year.
It isn't far, though. I'm guessing about 5 or 6 miles, so taxi might be feasible. Hopefully, one of our Orlando area residents will be along soon with better information.

If you visit Celebration, remember that, despite its picturesque appeal, it's a real community with real people as residents! I was chatting with a couple last December who have lived there about 3 years. They really enjoy the community atmosphere, but find it disconcerting to have tourists expecting to tour their home! :eek: It doesn't happen as frequently now, but at least 2 or 3 times a year. :lol:

They do welcome visitors to visit and look around the community, and the town center (downtown) is open to the public. It's a nice place to spend an afternoon or evening, particularly during the holidays.

[traveltime!]

Also, you could always spend an hour or two wandering along the Boardwalk. Rent a surrey bike with your girls and tour the place! :)

[d_dreamer]

and u have a pass, so why dont you go to the parks. I guarentee you you wont get bored.

[JuniorMickey]

and u have a pass, so why dont you go to the parks. I guarentee you you wont get bored.
She was wondering what to do her other two days. She's there for 6 days and has a 4 day pass.

[d_dreamer]

o i c. hmm, the resorts are always fun to look at. AKL is always fun for looking at animals!

[bkadillac]

there is no Disney transportation to Celebration.The public bus runs down rt 192.To be honest with you it is nice in there but not to take away from your Disney time.Like other people mentioned the monorail loop to the resorts or Boardwalk,Downtown Disney or just hang at the hotel and swim.Sunburns in FLA are free.

[bkadillac]

i forgot, if you are at the All-Stars grab your camera and check out the All Star Sports and Music if you havent already.They are all fun to check out and you can walk to them all.just bring your mug and get a refill at each hotel.

[seavote]

check out this link it will help http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/free.html
my family and i usually end up with one partial day to spend at wdw so we always check out the newest hotel . see the pool ,architecture, shop a little.
if your looking to save money bring a backpack with some snacks and water bottles . you can refill them throughout the park. otherwise you'll end up buying drinks all day if you visit in the summer. bring rain poncho's. you'll need them if it rains and they cost more if you buy them at disney. plus if it rains late afternoon many folks leave the park . if you can hold out till it stops the crowd is much better.

[maureen4200040]

We usually go and visit the hotel we want to stay at on our next trip. Looking at all the brochures before we leave to get an idea of a couple of hotels that we are interested in staying at. Once were there we take an afternoon off to visit the hotels we saw in the brochures.

Alternatively, just going for a long walk and taking in all the views. Or jump on and off the Lynx's or I-trolley bus, you can while away a few hours and it only cost a couple of dollars.

[Josette]

Ohhhh I love the lego area, no matter how old you are, you love the lego area at the Market Place. My parents always dropped us there and we played with legos while they shopped, but of course we were equipped with radios, and were told not to go anywhere and checked on every so often.

[dnsmills]

Uh oh! You're staying at the ASMovies the first 2 weeks of December?? So are we! We'll promise to keep the noise down at nights if you'll promise to keep the kids quiet in the morning. LOL Just kidding w/ ya'. Hope to see you guys around and hope you have a great time. Then again, I hope we have a great time too! :o)

[leekaye]

We're arriving 12/1 and leaving 12/6 so we may cross paths with you one of those days. We've been to Disney once before but it was payment for a web site that I did for a travel agent. She arranged everything. We stayed offsite and rented a car. We only got two days though so we are on-site "newbies" and will have a little more time (though still not long enough!)

[tajainaz]

You'll have enough time to experience the magic and create some special memories! :)

[dcfromva]

leekaye,
I love the ideas that have been suggested--especially visiting the Monorail resorts.
My absolutely favorite Christmas resort is the Grand Floridian (GF). In the past, they have had a big gingerbread house set up in the lobby (they sell gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses from the gingerbread house :) )

http://users.erols.com/jharts/images/ginger01b.jpg

At night, there is the Electric Water Pagent in front of the resorts on the 7 seas lagoon. It starts off around 9pm in front of the Polynesian and then it moves the GF... It ends up at the Contemporary Resort at 10:05PM, so depending on your timing, you could see it twice.

You could watch "Wishes" (the fireworks show at the MK) from several places. One of these places: there is an observation place on the 4th floor of the Contemporary Resort ...

-DC :ears:

[mom2my3kids]

Hello, You can always just look around. Take a adventure of your resort. Eat lunch.. Walk, read, and enjoy the disney experience..

Tammy and Family

[dizzyknee]

Many of the resorts have free activities. AKL has a lot. THe Poly has some. FW has a petting zoo ( I think it is free). WL has hidden mickeys and a geyser. Do some research on each resort and i'm sure your days will be full.

[dizzyknee]

I know this thread is old but it's still good info.

A free activiy we love is to watch the magic performed at Magic Masters in DTD. POOF!

[candyman]

being as this thread has opened up again

is it possible that tthe original poster could tell us what they did?
steve