Dad needs Help (Obscure Things to do in the Park)

[SCOOTER2001TX]

New to Mice Chat and catching up on posts please forgive me if this is asked 1000 times

Wife always plans the WDW trips and once again I'm the odd man out. Traveling next week 1/4-1/12 Staying at the Polynesian for a portion of the trip and the AKL the second portion.

As always my Son (9) has his must do's: Toy Story, Buzz, Space Mountain, Thunder MT, Splash Mountain (which we know is scheduled to be closed) and my daughter (4) is about as crazy about princesses as any 4 yr old can be and just to feed this we're dining with the Fairy Godmother and eating lunch @ Epcot for her.

Wife has made dinner plans, lunch plans, has her list of must doo's Nemo, soarin, rocking rollercoaster, big thunder mt, pooh ride, astro orbiters, innoventions, land, sea etc

What I would like to know. If I have 2 chances to WOW the kids with some tidbit of obscurity, something most people forget or miss what would that be?

Your suggestions are appreciated!

[SummerInFL]

Great first post! I hope you have a wonderful time.

Here are some suggestions for your trip that might help.

1. Ask the CM to ride in the front of the monorail. My daughter absolutely loves this and sometimes they give out little copilot licenses.
2. If you get to Magic Kingdom just as it opens and run to Tink's Treasure's in Fantasyland, they always pick one child to wake up Tinkerbell, even if they don't get chosen it's really a neat thing to witness.
3. For about $10 a piece you can get Passports at Epcot that the kids can get stamped and signed in the native language at each Kid Cot fun stop.
4. On certain nights, Animal Kingdom Lodge has storytime around the campfire which I've heard is fabulous for the kids, you might also try that.


That's all I can think of for now, I'll add more as I remember but I sincerely hope you have a wonderful time!

[firebolt413]

Hey scooter, I am a 16 year old kid and LOVE Disney so I should know these things..lololol. Stay at the Polynesian Resort on the concierge level. Then book tickets to their luau. And in the parks, do every single ride as many times as possible(excluding the rides that are closed). At AKL, stay in the concierge level and have a room right where the animals are since it's supposed to be like a safari/ african plains type of atmosphere thing goin' on there.

[aimster]

Stay at the Polynesian Resort on the concierge level.

Dude, not everyone can afford that. I wish I could, but I'd need about 10 pay raises first.

[SummerInFL]

^It's still not a bad suggestion though. I'm sure everyone would like to stay there, it's a great idea!

[Parisi]

New to Mice Chat and catching up on posts please forgive me if this is asked 1000 times

Wife always plans the WDW trips and once again I'm the odd man out. Traveling next week 1/4-1/12 Staying at the Polynesian for a portion of the trip and the AKL the second portion.

As always my Son (9) has his must do's: Toy Story, Buzz, Space Mountain, Thunder MT, Splash Mountain (which we know is scheduled to be closed) and my daughter (4) is about as crazy about princesses as any 4 yr old can be and just to feed this we're dining with the Fairy Godmother and eating lunch @ Epcot for her.

Wife has made dinner plans, lunch plans, has her list of must doo's Nemo, soarin, rocking rollercoaster, big thunder mt, pooh ride, astro orbiters, innoventions, land, sea etc

What I would like to know. If I have 2 chances to WOW the kids with some tidbit of obscurity, something most people forget or miss what would that be?

Your suggestions are appreciated!

If you are staying at AKL, you need to take your kids to the night-vision savanah lookout. Its over by one of the pools in the back left corner. Just ask a CM at the hotel and they will tell you where to go. Its pretty cool. They have a CM standing there with Night vision goggles and you can look out over the savanah at night and see what the animals are up to.

The other thing that I think is cool, is if you rent a boat from the Poly, you can sail around bay lake and get really close to the old River Country park. Its very sad to see it just sitting there, rotting away, never to be seen or heard from again...

[Dustysage]

Great ideas Summer! We just love WDW. Can't wait to go back.

I'd also suggest a breakfast at Whispering Canyon - at the Wilderness Lodge - Lots of fun and interaction - Don't forget to ask for Catchup.

Hoop De Doo Musical Review at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and the Luau at the Polynesian are both fantastic dinner shows.

You are very lucky that you are staying at two of the very best resorts on the property. At the Polynesian, don't miss O'Hana, a wonderful family restaurant. Make your reservation now. Try to pick a time about 45 minutes before fireworks, you should be able to see them from the restaurant during dinner if you ask for a table near the window. At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, try the buffet. They have lots of items for the kids, but plenty of more adventurous items for you and your wife.

You can call ahead to both resorts to find out what activities they offer for the kids during the day. Since you are staying at Deluxe resorts, they do offer lots of little activities.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

[Barbaraann]

It's a lot of fun planning a WDW vacation, and you should have a really fabulous time. I remember the first time that I visited WDW. My grandson was 4 at the time. The funny thing is: we always seem to be WOW'D by the things that we do not plan ahead.

I remember the first time that I saw Jiminy Cricket in the SpectroMagic parade, I felt like the child in our party.

An impromptu dinner at the Polynesian on my birthday, coicidentally coincided with fireworks, and being serenaded "Hawaii 50" music on my 50th birthday.

Having Chef Mickey's almost all to ourselves, and getting to hobnob with Pluto, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, was so much fun, that my husband still talks about it.

Having lunch at the castle, before there was scheduled characters, and descending down the stairs, to see my then 10 year old grandson dancing with Cinderella.

Coming home from a day at Epcot, while staying at the Contemporary, and turning around, and seeing the Electrical parade. It was a magically beautiful sight.

Planning things are fun, but sometimes, the magic sneaks up on you, and just takes you by surprise, and gets you hooked on WDW forever.

[firebolt413]

Anyone can afford it. its not THAT expensive. and its just night. plus the kids LOVE IT!! (i did) its a must-see for the kids' first time.

[Coastierox]

One thing that completely "WOWED" me my first time at WDW was the Illuminations Fire Work Show at EPCOT. Might not be that obscure but hey, it's a great show!

[aimster]

Anyone can afford it. its not THAT expensive. and its just night. plus the kids LOVE IT!! (i did) its a must-see for the kids' first time.

No. Not every one can. I can barely afford to stay at the value resorts. I have to scrimp and save.

[Coastierox]

No. Not every one can. I can barely afford to stay at the value resorts. I have to scrimp and save.

Least I'm not the only one in that boat! Freakin $99 for a "Value" room is a bit rough, especially when a mile away you can pay half that for about the same room. But hey, that's probably for a different thread... I think it's the dead horse thread.

Oh.. BTW, yes I am the type of person who would rather save and stay closer to the action...

[Krankenstein]

No. Not every one can. I can barely afford to stay at the value resorts. I have to scrimp and save.

Same here. If it wasn't for the AP discount, I wouldn't be able to afford to stay on property.

[SummerInFL]

No. Not every one can. I can barely afford to stay at the value resorts. I have to scrimp and save.

You can do anything you put your mind to, I used to be a person who couldn't afford to go to the parks and I worked harder, got a better job and now I have AP's and I go when I like.

Life is only as hard as you make it.

[TDLFAN]

Least I'm not the only one in that boat! Freakin $99 for a "Value" room is a bit rough, especially when a mile away you can pay half that for about the same room.

Oh well.. I guess that means you can not afford my rate either, but that is fine with me. I am just glad that you realize (unlike many here) that staying at WDW for cheaps ain't all that when you can take your money a spit throw away and get a nice room. You want a real Disney experience in lodging? then splurge in the luxury or high end options. Skip them crappy giant icon pads with ourdoor entrances into rooms... not the safest option for a hotel.