[myvacation]

My Husband , my mom , and two kids 11 and10 and myself are staying at POR. What can we do at the otherresorts? Or can't we use the other resorts.
Also what is the deal with this Hidden Mickey thing. I don't get it??:
The reason I'm asking these things is I know thAT there is no way we will be able to be in the parks all day long with out going crazy.
Thanks

[DisneyTeacher]

Welcome to MouseBuzz.

You can visit other reosrts and shop, eat at teh restaurants, and enjoy the beauty. The main thing you can't do is swim in the pool.

Hidden Mickeys are images that are hidden around WDW. They are mostly the three circle type Mickey and you really have to look for them or you'll miss it since they blend in.

[BuzzLightyear]

Many of the other resorts are worth visiting just for their beauty alone.

Hidden Mickeys are a blast! They are the outline of Mickeys head and they are "hidden" everywhere in WDW.

Here is a website with more info:

Hidden Mickeys of Disney

[Batgirl]

Originally Posted by myvacation

The reason I'm asking these things is I know thAT there is no way we will be able to be in the parks all day long with out going crazy.
Thanks

Oh, you never know!!

My experience has been that you can go to other resorts to eat at the restaurants and rent equipment (bikes, boats) but *not* to use the pool (lots of threads on pool hopping, and its demise, on MB). I am not sure whether you can access the monorail resorts through their private monorail anymore from the MK -- you used to, and it was fun to explore GF, Poly, and Contemporary. Beautiful resorts.

I would suggest going down to the Boardwalk -- it is always fun to walk around there in the evenings and see the shops, snack, etc. I would also recommend going to Downtown Disney. Very fun!

Also, I would suggest mini golf if you are in to that. The two courses they have are very nice.

And welcome to MB!

[llama]

First of all, welcome to Mouse Buzz!

Of course you can resort-hop. It's one of our favourite things to do. The only thing you can't do is pool-hop. You can only swim at your resort pool.

POR is a beautiful resort and can certainly keep you entertained too. It has a good main pool, with a waterslide, because it's a "sister" resort to Port Orleans French Quarter, you can also use that pool. It has a good, large "general mercantile". There is a games arcade. You can rent paddle boats, or bicycles. You can take the boat to Downtown Disney. Lots of hiking trails. You can even go fishing there.

A fun "resort-hop" is to take the monorail loop and visit the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary and the Polynesian Resorts. Each on is very unique and beautiful. And are full of great restaurants - you might want to think of making some ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations) for O'hana - a great family restaurant in the Poly or Chef Mickey's - a wild buffet with all the characters, in the Contemporary. If you have a car, a visit to Animal Kingdom Lodge is a real experience. There are various viewing areas where you can watch the zebras, wildebeast, giraffes, etc. on the Savanna.

Is this your first trip to WDW? If so, I recommend that you stick around here for lots of advice and invest in a good guide book - The Unofficial Guide to WDW is probably the best - but Birnbaum's Official Guide to WDW will give you lots of advice, in an easier read, with colour pictures.

[rlcarmichael]

Welcome to MouseBuzz. The parks are the main attraction of course. One of the BEST reasons to stay onsite is you can come and go. The WDW transportation system works well and you can generally get from your hotel to any park in a matter of minutes. Many people hit the parks in the morning, take a pool break in the afternoon then parks again in the evening/night.

What to do at the resorts really depends on when you go. For example, from Thanksgiving through the 1st of the year, all of the resorts are deocrated for Christmas with 60 foot trees and each resort has a gingerbread creation. (The Grand Floridian's is a house big enough that people work in it selling...you guessed it...gingerbread cookies.) We took an afternoon last year and just visited each resort.

Each place also has different themed resturants and shops. Some have boats for rent, some like the Broadwalk have a larger number of shops and places to eat. There are also some beautiful golf courses.

Pool hopping is a no-no unless you are a Disney Vacation Club member generally.

I'd suggest you pick up a copy of the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" which you would find really useful in trip planning and tips.

[Allyson]

Everyone has answered your question well...the one thing I do want to add, since you are staying at POR, be sure to see BOB in the lounge one night. He is a fabulous piano man and his show is kid friendly. I believe he's usually there Wed-Sat nights...but check his schedule when you get there to be sure. He's a "must not miss" on all our trips now!

[myvacation]

thanks everyone these are good suggestions. I think this mousebuzz thing might work out great for me.
We are going over spring break nextyear - But I am a BIGGGG planner!!!!

[hrbib21]

Definitely get the Unofficial Guide. The '07 edition just came out, actually.

[dznygrl]

Even if you can't swim in the pools, taking the time to visit other resorts is definitely worth it. (And hey, since you are staying at POR - you CAN use the pool at POFQ! )

Exploring the resorts can include taking pictures, stopping to listen to the piano player at the Grand Floridian, stopping for a bite to eat at one of the resort eateries, shopping in their gift shops for unique merchandise, etc. It's a lot of fun, and it can help you decide where you want to stay on your next trip!

Oh, Allyson mentioned BOB - YOU MUST SEE BOB!!!!!!! He really is worth every second of your time. We actually resort-hopped from All-Star Movies over to POR to enjoy his show on our last trip. He is such a blast!

[Dana]

You can check them all out, eat at their restaurants, see shows (luau at the polynesian and hoop-de-doo review at fort wilderness). Another thing you can do is head to DTD for shopping and fun. You can go to Disney quest, PI or just look in the shops at the market place. Some resorts have mouse boats for rent too. There is so many things you can do at WDW that don't even invovled the theme parks....mini golfing, water parks etc! SO much to do and never enough time. Personally, I hang at my resort at least 1/4 of the day. I am either in my room chilling out, by the pool having a cocktail or sitting at the pool bar...I love just relaxing and enjoying myself.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by Dana

Personally, I hang at my resort at least 1/4 of the day. I am either in my room chilling out, by the pool having a cocktail or sitting at the pool bar...I love just relaxing and enjoying myself.

Dana, you and I would make good travel companions. That is how I like to vacation. And it is particularly fun at WDW

[Nastory4]

Why would you go crazy if you were in the parks all day? Time flies so fast, when you're having fun! We get in the parks early, and they have to push us out to leave! We love it !!

[Soundgod]

If you ride every boat from point to point, that could kill a whole day by itself.

[Praisegirl43]

Welcome to MB, Myvacation.!! We stayed at POR last year and love it. I like taking the boat to DTD a lot. We were there in November and it did get a little chilly on the water at night. As for the Hidden Micky's..there is an excellent book that has a variety of "scavenger hunts" to look forthe hidden designs at the various parks and resorts. It is called "Hidden Mickeys:A field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets" . It is written by Steven M.Barrett. My DS gave it to me for my birthday this year!! What some kids won't do to get their folks to take them to Disney!! (Like it had to pull my arm to get me to go!!"
I also am the type that likes to shut the parks down at night!! There is so much to see and do that there is never enough time. I think the magic is even stronger at night....
Have a great trip..research and plan as much as is comforatable and be ready for the time of your life!!