Must See/Do at Disney World NOT in Theme parks?

[keneka]

Sounds like you had a great time, I love the different resorts & what they have to offer. We always stay at Port Orleans Riverside - they have carriage rides, surrey bikes (and normal bikes), movies outside playing at night, campfires (just a short walk to French Quarter) as well as ferry boats going to Downtown - I think more people should resort-hop rather than just park-hop - they have so much to offer.

[Monakie78]

Sounds like you had a great time, I love the different resorts & what they have to offer. We always stay at Port Orleans Riverside - they have carriage rides, surrey bikes (and normal bikes), movies outside playing at night, campfires (just a short walk to French Quarter) as well as ferry boats going to Downtown - I think more people should resort-hop rather than just park-hop - they have so much to offer.

I thought about packing smore fixins for the campfire, but we had enough to pack. Then a couple families showed up with their own smore fixins and my kids cried. Ahhh! Lesson learned.

[kelpseaweedkelp]

Wow ~ sounds like you had a great time without hitting the parks. I remember when I was a kid, the best part about vacation was swimming in the pool too! Knowing that you have a trip planned in just a few months probably made it a bit easier for you too didn't it?

Yes, Amy. Knowing I'd be back in October did make it easier. Before we got there, I was confident that we would not go to a theme park. Once we got there, it was so hard to not want to go to at least one. If I could have broke my husband, we would have gone to EPCOT. He was determined to not let me cave. I got a new Mickey purse out of the deal for not caving in....but my husband is making me wait until my Birthday in a couple of weeks. He's such a bully

-Monica

That is QUITE some willpower y'all had. Holy cow. I don't think I would of been able to

[dwellsbct]

My favorite non park place to visit is the Animal Kingdom Lodge during the day and night the animals and restaurants and all the details of the place... so much to explore... then second would be the Fort Wilderness Campground to see a movie for FREE under the stars hosted by Chip and Dale!

[Wizzard419]

I would think the free movie under the stars and on the beach at the beach club resort would be even better.

[Monakie78]

My favorite non park place to visit is the Animal Kingdom Lodge during the day and night the animals and restaurants and all the details of the place... so much to explore... then second would be the Fort Wilderness Campground to see a movie for FREE under the stars hosted by Chip and Dale!

We've stayed at the Animal Kingdom lodge before & pool hopped there on a couple other trips. Recently, DVC came up with a new rule that you can NOT pool hop to Animal Kingdom at all anytime of the year. Pffff!!! So that's the main reason why we didn't visit it this time. Years ago I know that you had to show a specific pool wristband at the Beach Club during certain times of the year. I wonder if they are doing that all the time at the Animal Kingdom pool. Because we could stop in & say we just came to see the Animals & eat there, then go swim.

Would anyone happen to know, if they are requiring wristbands at some of the resorts' pools?

We did want to see the movie with Chip & Dale. That will be saved for another trip. We swam at the campground instead & did canoeing. Then went to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. Then waddled our way over to the gift shop while trying to keep our all-you-can eat ribs down Good thing we canoed before that otherwise, we may have tipped the boats.

[Amy]

I would guess with the Magic Bands, that would be how you would open the gate to the pool area...unless it isn't a gated area, but then how would they know who is using the pool?

[Wizzard419]

I thought they used your room key to allow entry, so I would imagine magic bands would be how it's done now since they hold your credentials, are waterproof, etc.

[Monakie78]

I thought they used your room key to allow entry, so I would imagine magic bands would be how it's done now since they hold your credentials, are waterproof, etc.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! The new rule is so bogus. It applies to the best resort pools. Must find a way in!

[Amy]

I thought they used your room key to allow entry, so I would imagine magic bands would be how it's done now since they hold your credentials, are waterproof, etc.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! The new rule is so bogus. It applies to the best resort pools. Must find a way in!

Make friends with the CMs working at the pool?

[Sharonofwindham]

Pricey, but Cirque du Soleil La Nouba is definitely a must see!!

[Sleepy90]

I thought they used your room key to allow entry, so I would imagine magic bands would be how it's done now since they hold your credentials, are waterproof, etc.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! The new rule is so bogus. It applies to the best resort pools. Must find a way in!

Your room key does let you into the pools but only at your own resort. It will not work at the gate entry of any other resort either that is through the electronic entry but allows access to other resorts through scan by the guards.

[Wizzard419]

Makes sense since the pool is for the resort guests and Disney transport would probably not want every bus smelling of chlorine.

[Amy]

Makes sense since the pool is for the resort guests and Disney transport would probably not want every bus smelling of chlorine.

Not sure if that is the biggest concern, otherwise wouldn't they have a dedicated bus for the water parks?

[Wizzard419]

Hence why I said "every", since you would likely be using the transit to another park/DTD, then hop onto another bus back to your hotel to get changed.