FROM: Practical Pointers from the Pink Ear Pixie Published Every Other Wednesday
Free Fun at Disney World
You know the mantra: bring a mint when you visit the Mouse. A Disney World vacation does cost quite a bit of money, but once you're there, you can take advantage of quite a few fun activities that cost nothing. Amanda Sykora spills the beans.
Did you know there's a lot to do at Disney World without ever stepping foot into one of the parks? I've put together some free Disney ideas for you to consider during your next visit to the Orlando area.
- Downtown Disney. I'll admit that my first visit to Downtown Disney was not until 8 or 9 years ago. This unique shopping area boasts one-of-a-kind stores and restaurants. Take a stroll throughout the entire East and West sides of Downtown Disney and you've got a full day of free browsing ahead of you. During most warmer months there's even a water fountain area where kids can get their feet wet. And don't forget to take pictures with the Lego Store characters!
- The Monorail. This is a fun experience for all ages, and you don't even need to be a Disney Resort guest to ride. You can board the monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Contemporary Resort, or the Polynesian Resort. Currently, you can't sit up front with the monorail driver, but it never hurts to ask in case Disney decides to make that cool experience available again.
- The Animal Kingdom Lodge. Inside the grand entrance of this gorgeous resort, you'll find African style decor and a massive window overlooking one of the savannas. Take a step outside the 'back' door and walk down the path to find any animals that may be hiding in the savanna. Back inside the building you'll find a great gift shop and access to the pool. I always enjoy checking out the pools at the Disney Resorts - each one is unique! Stroll around the pool and you'll also find another savanna that may have animals nearby. And even a hidden playground.
- The Polynesian Resort Beach. Looking for a great place to watch Wishes (the nightly fireworks display over Cinderella's Castle)? This is the perfect spot to sit or stand or even lounge in a hammock with a cold, fruity drink and watch the fireworks. While Wishes has great music piped into the Magic Kingdom, if you've seen the show from Main Street, U.S.A., then you may be able to sacrifice the music in exchange for the lovely, far more relaxed experience of viewing it from the beach.
- Pin Trading. One of the best ways to 'meet' new people and chat with Cast Members is to ask them to trade pins with you. It costs nothing, though you will need to invest in a few pins and possibly a lanyard, all of which you can buy at most Disney gift shops. Then keep your eyes open for rare, discontinued, or exclusive pins on Cast Member lanyards. They must trade any pin on their lanyard for any pin on yours they don't already have. If you know your pins, you can quickly and enjoyably build a valuable collection over the course of a single trip.
These ideas are only a drop in the bucket of what you can do at Disney World without money in your pocket! Disney has a lot more to offer than just theme parks.
As always - think outside the box!
Need more pointers? Come back next week, or get in touch with Amanda herself at her travel agency, Pixie and Pirate Destinations, where she'll answer all your questions, book your next trip, and possibly sprinkle a bit of (pink) pixie dust on your tickets!
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