I take the family to a Disney park about once a year (either DL or WDW). I'm going to be in Orlando by myself for a business trip in March. My nights will be free (including a long afternoon - evening one day).

I'd love to visit WDW in some way but I don't really want to be going on rides by myself so it would seem like a waste of time to pay for a park ticket to go alone.

Any ideas on some fun things to do there by myself? I've thought about just shopping for the kids at DTD.

I've spent plenty a bit of time in WDW solo, so I'd say just go.
If you don't want to spring for park admission to see all the things your kids never seem to want to watch (Streetmosphere/Entertainers/shopping/Countries in Epcot/whatever) -then you could do the resort tour thing.

Have dinner at one of the monorail resorts and explore around there - or AKL. Check out a resort you're thinking about trying next time. Go to the Boardwalk and explore around there (Boardwalk plus Yacht and Beach Club Resorts). Do the shopping thing in DTD.

Do you know othere people who will be in Orlando? Maybe organize a group meal/park visit? If it's for a conference, I believe SOME conferences offer a partial-day ticket at a discounted amount.

Ive done the whole "sneak a Disney trip along side a business trip" thing before and it is well worth it. I cant add much to what Drince said other than there are a lot of non-park things to do for free, and lots of good places to eat, so it should be something to take into consideration for some night life activity.

Take advantage of getting a little Disney fix... even if it is without the parks.

I know it's the price of a park ticket, but if I were you I would wander around the World Showcase to my hearts content poking around in all the bits that make the children go 'awww mum come ON'. As an alternative you could do a tour of all the hotel resorts and really explore them. Now as I'm saying this I'm thinking hard, as I am not rich enough to frequent the mono-rail resorts, but I am thinking that the mono-rail stops are outside the parks gates so you can do this without park tickets? I'd also really enjoy this but may drive my children to really stick their gib out, so won't be doing it any time soon ... ;)

This almost happened to me last year but ended up being canceled. I would have had four evenings and about 3/4 of a day to do stuff. We were to be at that new large Marriott(?) accross the freeway so it was close enough to get there in short order. It was during school so was not going to try to add on the family. My plan if it had happened was to check out all the resorts we have not yet staied at to see what they were like to help with planning future trips. Also I was planning on spending an evening in Epcot World Showcase since we never get to spend much time there with the kids. I probably would have gotten a couple day hopper ticket since I would have wanted to hit fireworks at MK or Fastasmic one night. Like everyone has said, do it if you can.

If you want to see the fireworks, I would highly suggest going to the Contemporary. What I do is I take the elevator to the 11 or 12 floor (I can't remember which one is concierge and therefore restricted) and then walk outside to the exit stairs and up to the observation deck. Here you can watch the fireworks with music along with the California Grill patrons. Then I usually walk back down the stairs to the 4th floor where you can get back in legally. (Although I know many people have either gone back through the restaurant or left the exit door ajar to get back in.) You could also watch the fireworks from the Polynesian or GF beaches, and iifc you can watch a large portion of Illuminations from the bridge between BC and Boardwalk.

Chris

One of my favorite trips to WDW was when I was working at a convention at the Boardwalk and staying at the Beach Club. We only worked till noon each day, so I had plenty of time to take off and hit the parks with my annual pass. Since you'll also be back within the next year with the family, you might want to consider getting an annual pass. The room discounts can more than make up for any price difference in tickets, and you won't feel so guilty blowing a full day ticket for just an evening.

If you're a drinker you might try hitting the Rose & Crown Pub in Epcot's England area. Have a martini or 3, watch IllumiNations, and then take a leisurely stroll around the World Showcase. Once the crush of people heading for the exits passes you by, you'll have the place to yourself under the moonlight. It's really very cool!