1st non park trip success

[Paticake]

we returned last week from our first ever non park trip. We stayed at SSR in the first building across from Congress Park. We had requested Congress Park but this worked out fine. The weather was cool-60's during the day colder at night, so not pool weather. We did spend an afternoon at the Paddock pool relaxing and reading. We loved the new bridge at Congress Park. Easy, peasy walk to DTD. Also the boat takes you over to the WestSide, which was great for our movie night (first ever at Disney) We had a fun night at Raglan Road, good fish and chips, loved the scallop app. We ate at Earl a couple times, finally tried the Thanksgiving sandwich, yum. Big River grill at BW. We ate inside for the first time. We had a car and visited Florida's west coast for a day. It was just a very relaxing vacation. Oh we also went to the member's Poly get-together. Saw the new studio rooms, very nice- love the bathroom. Love the Grand Floridian rooms. Enjoyed the dole whip smoothies, pineapple meatballs, chicken, pita bread, hummus and veggie dumplings and sauce. Got to take pictures with Stitch. All and all it was a great trip!

 

[Disney LOVE Travel]

Great to hear! The idea of non-park trips is what sold my husband on me buying into DVC. I could go to the parks every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of them but he's not really a theme park person. One and done, but he endures it now because he loves seeing the faces on our boys. I can't wait to take him down there and show him the non-park side of Disney!

 

[Steve G]

Personally I think SSR is the best resort for non-park trips. DD, spa, multiple pools, golf, bike rentals.....that said, it's tough to be down there and not hit the parks!

 

[DreamerWDW]

I had a non park trip last summer for over a week and absolutely loved it! We had a great time and stayed at the BWV. I would do a non park trip again for sure. In fact, I'm doing a long weekend non park trip this fall!

 

[bianca]

We had a non-park trip two weeks ago, too! It was fabulous. When we planned the trip, we intended to do the parks. Then in late December, I tore the meniscus in my knee and dislocated it. That forced the slower schedule for our trip and we enjoyed it so much that we will probably do it more frequently now. We did all the same things as the OP and spent a lot of time at the resort. It truly was a vacation ..... Not the kind we usually have where we need a vacation from our vacation!

 

[Dawn68PA]

We just came back from SSR and didn't hit a park for the first 4 days. The resort was lovely and relaxing! We also appreciated the easy walk to DTD. I love reading non- trip stories. I still love the parks but the BF could do without them so we usually split the trip!

 

[AnnaS]

Glad you had a great time. Lot's to do without visiting the parks. I took my dd and her friend one year. They were more or less on their own and hit the parks. We had a few meals together but I did not do any of the parks for the 6 nights. We also stayed at SSR. It was great. DH and I do not spend that much time in the parks anyway. We enjoy (meals) all the resorts, DTD, BW area, TOWL and spending time by the pool. Thank you for sharing.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

we returned last week from our first ever non park trip. We stayed at SSR in the first building across from Congress Park. We had requested Congress Park but this worked out fine. The weather was cool-60's during the day colder at night, so not pool weather. We did spend an afternoon at the Paddock pool relaxing and reading. We loved the new bridge at Congress Park. Easy, peasy walk to DTD. Also the boat takes you over to the WestSide, which was great for our movie night (first ever at Disney) We had a fun night at Raglan Road, good fish and chips, loved the scallop app. We ate at Earl a couple times, finally tried the Thanksgiving sandwich, yum. Big River grill at BW. We ate inside for the first time. We had a car and visited Florida's west coast for a day. It was just a very relaxing vacation. Oh we also went to the member's Poly get-together. Saw the new studio rooms, very nice- love the bathroom. Love the Grand Floridian rooms. Enjoyed the dole whip smoothies, pineapple meatballs, chicken, pita bread, hummus and veggie dumplings and sauce. Got to take pictures with Stitch. All and all it was a great trip!

Can I ask more about your trip? How long did you stay? What size villa were you in? Who was with you on the trip, any kids?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Glad to hear you had a great trip!

 

[bigtony777]

I think SSR and AKV are both good resorts for non-park trips. SSR gives you the proximity of downtown Disney while AKV offers the animals and can easily seem that you are not at Disney.

 

[Paticake]

We stayed 6 nights in a studio. Just Dh and I. We had done 3 family trips in the last 18 months with our kids and grandkids- OKW, SSR and Kidani. We love park trips with the grandkids but we both really needed to relax. We very seldom rent a car when we go down but loved having it this time. I would have liked to have a 1 bdrm but with another big trip with the kids have to save the points!

 

[Cee]

LOVE non-park trips! Even when we attend the parks, we usually take a few days "off".