Taking your grandchildren to Disney World in Orlando, Florida is on over 50% of all senior bucket lists. It’s a pricey trip and gets even more costly as the number of people in the party increase.
There are several major decisions to be made including mode of transportation, length of stay, time of the year, on property or off property, and grandma’s and grandpa’s ability to walk for several hours at a time. Motorized scooter’s can be rented for the day to make it easier to get around, and if you have difficulty in walking, the $45-50 dollar a day charge is well worth it. The scooter has a basket for other incidentals and great handle bars to attach Mickey balloons to.
Plus a great benefit. As a senior on a scooter, you get into a special line, and your whole party gets in that line with you. So you must sit in the last row of a show, but you get in a lot faster and your get VIP treatment.
Here is a list of free activities, that you and your grandchildren will enjoy and remember for a lifetime.
- At Downtown Disney, there is an interactive fountain where the kids can frolic and get wet. Lots of fun. There is also a 3000 square foot outdoor Lego park with all types of Lego play equipment.
- Visit the Boardwalk Hotel in the evening, and walk outside along the boardwalk. In addition to splendid views of the lake, the Yacht, and Beach Club, there are street performers including jugglers, comedians and fire eaters.
- Visit the All Star Movies Value Resort and take a family picture with a 35 foot statue of Buzz Lightyear. Just tell the attendant you are visiting the resort and thinking about a stay and you will receive three hours free parking.
- Ride the Monorail – my favorite. There is no charge for riding the Monorail. You get a birds eye view of the Magic Kingdom with complimentary stops at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Contemporary hotels. Visiting the hotels is a treat the whole family will remember.
- Enjoy the campfire at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Lodge. The campfire starts about 7:30pm. You can buy marshmallows to roast for a nominal charge and Chip and Dale come to visit. This is one of the few places at Disney World where you can see the characters for free.
- See the fireworks at night exploding over the Magic Kingdom. Bring a picnic dinner to the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and watch the fantastic fireworks show. The fireworks explode over Cinderella’s Castle and are not to be missed.
- Hunt for hidden Mickey’s at any hotel. Just go to the front desk and ask for a sheet with all kinds of clues.
- Go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Go through the lobby of the hotel to the Arusha Savannah. It’s a free outdoor zoo. You’ll see a giraffe, zebra, ankole cattle, kindu and a variety of birds. The best time to go is early in the morning or at dusk.
- Take a boat ride at the Downtown Disney dock to the Old Key West and back. It’s a very relaxing and enjoyable ride.
- The tenth thing is not really free, but not to be ignored. When you enter the Magic Kingdom, go to city hall on the right as you walk in. Tell the desk clerk that you have #of kids and it’s their birthday, and you brought all of them to the park to celebrate. Everywhere your kids go, as they wear their buttons, they will be wished a Happy Birthday. In addition, each child will get to ride any ride twice and not have to wait in line a second time.
All of these activities are almost as good as the paid events and you and your children will have memories of Disney World and the Mouse for a lifetime. Take lots of digital pictures and don’t forget to buy refreshments along the way. You and the kids deserve it.
One last thing, a car will be very helpful to get to many of these activities and will save time and wear and tear on your whole party. Hope you get to go and enjoy. I’ve been there with my kids more times than I can count and enjoy going back every time.
Live long, strong and well
