Walt Disney World on a Tight Budget: Part 6B:
http://strk.enlnks.com/SHC9Q
Activities for guests of all ages, and Hidden Frugal Fun (To start at Disney On a Tight Budget Part 1 go here. This is part 6)
This is a rough outline of what we’re going to cover in our 7 part series (everything you need to know really)
- Deciding when to go, best months for vacation, park crowds, weather, swimming etc
- What to bring with u on your trip, rentals, Disney clothing, foods, Disney vacation club rentals
- Where to stay, free hotel breakfast or stay on Disney property with Disney free transportation, deals, how to find them
- How to save $ for your trip, coupons, rebates, cutting back, using credit cards with reward programs
- Should I drive or fly, pros and cons, costs involved
- What to do when I get to Disney, Kid friendly fun, planning out your vacation days
- Purchasing Disney World Theme park ticket, deals etc
- (possible bonus if we need o cover anything else or have more questions)
One of the things I love most about Walt Disney World is that there is truly something for everyone, no matter the age. In this installment of my Walt Disney World on a Tight Budget series, I’ll be helping you plan out some fun for all members of your family. We will also discuss some inexpensive “extra” things to make your trip memorable. So without further ado, let’s set off on our virtual tour of each of the parks…and maybe make a few other stops along the way.
Let’s start with the “original” of the Walt Disney World parks: The Magic Kingdom. This park definitely has fun for everyone, from the delight of seeing the Castle looming at the end of Main St, USA to lots of ride and attractions, including the newly-expanded Fantasyland. Disney is not a huge “thrill ride” park, but there are a couple of attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain that are sure to please family members who like the rush. For those who like to keep their stomachs more firmly settled, Dumbo is a classic Disney attraction that never fails to get grins and giggles from everyone. The Haunted Mansion is more fun than scary, and even younger guests will get a kick out of reading the funny tombstones in the outside area. Younger guests will get a thrill of their own meeting lots of Disney “royalty” from Mickey and Minnie to the Disney Princesses at Fairytale Hall. I definitely suggest at least 2 full days at the Magic Kingdom, in order to take in most of the activities there. It’s fun, it’s interactive and it’s exhiliarating!
Here are a fun couple of must-dos that aren’t well-known at the Magic Kingdom: behind Cinderella’s Castle is a small fountain. Have your little one bow to the fountain, and come up very slowly. It was designed so that from the right angle, it will appear that the statue dons a crown that is on the wall behind her. Also, take a ride on the Carousel, and be sure to look for Cinderella’s horse…it is the only one wearing golden ribbons. For the little Prince in the family, no trip to Walt Disney World is complete without trying to pull the Sword from the Stone located near the carousel.
Another two day adventure is Epcot, the dream Walt himself envisioned. In fact, you can learn about his dreams for Epcot over at Hollywood Studios. As a homeschooling family, this park is my favorite. You have lots of shows and attractions, and food from all around the world. My family jokes that I like to eat my way around World Showcase…on Epcot Park days, we don’t often have a full sit-down meal, but instead opt for snacks and treats from each country to get a better “taste” of each one. At Epcot, you can explore the past, consider the future, and take a trip…all in a single day! In World Showcase, the street performers offer a wonderful break from walking – just have a seat on the curb and take in a little show. It’s also a good time for a snack break. One of my kids could ride Spaceship Earth (otherwise known as the “golf ball”) all day long…which is great because there is so much history of our world to be learned there. Epcot is another park with lots of character encounters; my daughter has been able to meet Mary Poppins, the Aristocats, and lots of others in Epcot.
If you are looking for a hidden gem of Epcot, check out Club Cool…taste some Cocoa-Cola beverages from all over the world for free (great free treat on a hot Orlando day). Club Cool is located just before the fountain, to the right. Be sure to stop and enjoy the fountain as well, you may notice it isn’t ordinary in how it sprays 😉 If you have younger children who may not be as enthralled as you are with “the educational side” of Epcot, Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is a fun way to explore a few of the countries. You can take more than one adventure too; you will get to see hidden things and make fun stuff happen inside the park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has shorter hours than the other parks, but still lots to do. Plan to spend a full day exploring. The Bug’s Life attraction teaches about insects in a fun – and sometimes gross – way that children will enjoy. My favorite part of this park is the safari trek – you truly never see the same thing twice, because depending on the time of day, weather, etc., different animals will be out. Disney cleverly disguises the barriers to separate the animals so that you really feel as though you are on safari. This is something the entire family will enjoy. And be sure to take the train to the Outpost area, we have always enjoyed the animal and character interactions to be discovered there.
Hollywood Studios looks and feels – and sometimes IS – a real working movie lot. The parade there is among the favorites of many Disney-goers, and there are shows galore. My husband’s favorite restaurant at WDW is located there; called the 50’s Primetime Cafe, the food is great and the atmosphere unlike anywhere else. You eat in a retro kitchen with your “aunt” or “cousin” feeding you comfort foods like pot roast and milkshakes. The tv is tuned to old black and white favorites, and kids will get a kick out of parents being told to clear their plates. Just take my advice – DON’T make a mess, or your waitressing “aunt” is likely to bring everyone’s attention to it!
Many people overlook a hidden gem inside Hollywood Studios, but if you have kids younger than 10, I strongly suggest a break from the crowds inside the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” playground, where slides are giant leaves and you can crawl through enormous Legos. There is some seating inside so moms and dads can get a much-needed rest while the kids run off some pent-up energy between shows and attractions. For older thrill seekers, don’t miss the Aerosmith-themed roller coaster and the infamous Tower of Terror ride.
One frugal thing my family loves to do anywhere we are on Disney property is to look for “hidden Mickey’s” – the famous ear shape can be seen on wall paper, carpet and tile, mosaics, you name it. In fact, an entire book has been devoted to the adventure of finding hidden Mickey’s. It makes for a fun read-aloud on long trips to Disney World. Hidden Mickey’s are in all the parks, around the hotels and resorts, and even in the parking lots. It can be a fun contest to see who finds the most in a single day – let the winner choose a special activity or treat.
Make sure to take time out of your busy Disney days to enjoy your resort. In fact, many families find it fun to check out other Disney World resort hotels. You can park for short periods at other properties and walk around, enjoy the atmosphere, peruse the gift shops, and so forth. This can be a fun way to pick your next hotel for another WDW trip…because we all know you will be back! Each hotel has different theming. If you take the monorail, you can even have a birds’ eye view of Epcot! The monorail has stops at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and goes right through Disney’s Contemporary Resort! It is a nice way to relax and it down for a bit, and you can get on or off as you please. I particularly like to sit in the gorgeous lobby of the Grand Floridian, where you can often find someone playing the grand piano. If you are lucky enough to be visiting during the holidays, you must explore some of the more lavish lobbies, because the decorations, like Disney’s famous gingerbread houses, are fabulous!
There are so few truly FREE things to do at any resort or amusement park these days that finding free activities makes you feel really good about yourself! When you are at Disney, you have already paid a lot for your vacation, so the last thing you want to do is worry about activities that are costly. You need to be able to simply relax and make magical memories so we also like the FREE poolside activities by the Disney team member available at every Disney resport pool.
Enjoy your vacation! To start at Disney On a Tight Budget Part 1 go here.
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