Oh, Shelia. Where do I start?
There is SO much to do at Disney outside the parks. In fact, our family has been on so many trips and NOT visited the parks, I've lost count!
My first recommendation is to spend a day at your resort. You didn't mention at which resort you'd be staying but all of them provide much to do from their pools to surrounding amenities. Make sure to click on the Recreation or Amenities tab under your resort at the Disney website www.disneyworld.com.
Just to give you a few examples of all a resort can offer, the Boardwalk resorts allow you to enjoy magicians along the
Boardwalk as well as other entertainers, not to mention old-fashioned Surrey Bikes for up to 6 people. Fort Wilderness sports the opportunity to canoe, bike, relish a pony ride, or even take archery lessons. Many resorts offer campfires and movies at night. My favorite is Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long at Fort Wilderness, and you don't have to stay at the resort to attend.
Another more obvious choice is
Downtown Disney. Let the grandparents take the kids to the Lego store and make something together at their large Lego table or just enjoy all of the statues around the sidewalks. Take its boat down to Port Orleans for its campfire or carriage rides and then return to DTD for window shopping and ice cream at Ghirardelli. Here, you'll also find the new upscale bowling alley, Splitsville and the AMC movie theater.
End the evenings with fireworks. You don't have to be in the parks. Head to the Boardwalk and catch Illuminations at Epcot near the bridge to the Dolphin or visit the Polynesian's beach or the ferry entrance at the Ticket & Transportation Center to see Wishes at the Magic Kingdom.
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney