A few questions, if I may

[wilma-bride]

I have booked flights for a week's trip to Orlando next Feb for DH's 40th Birthday. The one thing I know we don't want to do is go to any of the WDW parks (the couple we are going with don't really 'do' Disney). However, I do like the idea of staying on WDW property, either around the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney area for the nightlife.

So, on to the questions:

1. Is it daft to consider staying on WDW property and NOT go to the parks? Is that even allowed?

2. What would be the best hotels/places to stay in either the Boardwalk or DTD areas?

3. What is the best nightlife for two couples (not really 'into' clubbing/dance music)?

We are also considering an overnight trip to St Augustine or the West coast for the weekend before we fly home. Any recommendations for which would be best and where to stay for 1 or maybe 2 nights?

And, finally, ideally, we would lie to do 5/6 nights at WDW and then 1 or 2 nights at the beach. Is this likely to be too much? Bearing in mind we only plan to do 1 trip to Universal on 1 day and the rest of the time, we really want to just chill out and do a bit of exploring Orlando. The idea is for this to be a relaxing kind of week, rather than a go commando at the parks week.

Hope all that makes sense and any advice would be welcome.

PS We haven't ruled out the idea of a villa, just like the idea of being able to go out at night and not having to drive if we're staying on-site

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Joh,

I have very limited experience of staying on-site, however we have had a look around the Boardwalk and viewed one of the rooms - we are also staying there in August.

Personally I think BWV would be a great base for a stay, irrespective of whether you do the parks or not, so I would say it is not daft at all.
On the contrary a relaxing few days in Orlando with a couple of days at the beach sounds great.

I think the key though is having entertainment on-site for your evenings, that's why I think the Boardwalk would be good, although as I say I have nothing to compare it with.

I haven't been as far north on that coast to recommend areas within St.Augustine - to be honest over the years we have preferred the other coast and have found Naples/Clearwater/St.Petes our 1st choices for a beach location.
Apart from the more lively Miami/Ft Lauderdale that is.

 

[paulh]

we have stayed onsite and not done disney many times as we have been going for 14 years its no problem.we are in dvc and SSR is a good choce to stay as its close to downtown disney try rening points from a dvc member
Paulh

 

[KayleeUK]

Joh...

Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk is fab, it is a duelling piano bar

 

[UKDEB]

I'd happily go to Orlando and not do the parks. I do think there are better hotel options, though, than those onsite, so I'd only stay onsite for the benefits that brings (i.e. being close to the parks!).

Having said all that, you could consider one of the Epcot resorts. Jellyrolls and the ESPN bar at the BoardWalk would suit your party dynamic, I reckon. And there are probably options at Downtown Disney which would be worth considering - Raglan Road and the Adventurers Club spring to mind.

The other option would be to stay onsite at Universal. I probably prefer CityWalk over Downtown Disney as an evening venue. USF - the resort, parks and CityWalk - has a much more adult feel, IMHO.

Even though you're only going for a short time, my preference would be to book a villa, with maybe one night onsite to take in some nightlife. With just two couples, you can explore during the day and then head back to the villa for some major chilling in the jacuzzi.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The other option would be to stay onsite at Universal. I probably prefer CityWalk over Downtown Disney as an evening venue. USF - the resort, parks and CityWalk - has a much more adult feel, IMHO.

I think that is also a good suggestion, CityWalk is ideal for evening entertainment.

 

[Frances999]

I think that is also a good suggestion, CityWalk is ideal for evening entertainment.

I agree as well. It's slightly more adult-orientated over at the Universal Resorts - and they are great value, too.

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Joh,
Last year DH and I went to Florida (minus offspring) for our 20th anniversary. We had a couple of nights in St.Augustine - a lovely place, full of real history!
Great for couples, and well worth the trip - its only a couple of hours away from Orlando. We went drove up to Charleston, SC ( approx 7 hours drive) - too far if you're only there 7 days.
We came back to Orlando for the last 8 nights and stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott on Palm Palkway, a walk away from DTD - still a nice hotel, but a lot cheaper than a Disney one. Though, if you're set on staying 'on site', Port Orleans might not be a bad choice, as you can get to DTD via the boat. We enjoyed staying there very much.
We also love Naples, and Fort Myers areas too - Captiva and Sanibel would be a great place for couples to visit. This area is about 3 hours south. Beautiful beaches and areas of natural beauty, and great shops!!
I'd probably try St. Augustine if you've never been - its closer and there are plenty of things to see - take the trolley bus, its a fun way to get round the historic bits!!
Have a great trip.
Tracy

 

[matty624]

The other option would be to stay onsite at Universal. I probably prefer CityWalk over Downtown Disney as an evening venue. USF - the resort, parks and CityWalk - has a much more adult feel, IMHO.

Even though you're only going for a short time, my preference would be to book a villa, with maybe one night onsite to take in some nightlife. With just two couples, you can explore during the day and then head back to the villa for some major chilling in the jacuzzi.

Plus, if you stay at universal, you still get universal express if you do visit the parks there.
We always stay in a villa for some of our stay, with a few nights at Universal and a week at Disney, best of all worlds!
Ian

 

[scojos]

we went to fort lauderdale and miami. v v beautiful, but it was that hot you couldn t walk on the sand
tracy

 

[Pootle]

Hello Joh

I've been to WDW often with DH and not set foot in a theme park (we've been going since 1988 when our son was young ). I like OKW because the grounds are beautiful and it's quiet but it's still easy to get the boat to DD, transport to parks (or Boardwalk area) etc. I also like Boardwalk Villas and agree about Jelly Rolls being great and it's got lots of atmosphere especially at night. Depends what you want really; both of those are great resorts and so is Saratoga Springs (easy access to PI) although I haven't stayed there.

As you are planning on exploring Orlando, a small point you might want to consider is that both Saratoga and OKW have parking outside the door, whereas the Boardwalk parking is a walk away - but they do have valet parking available.

If you stay Sunday-Thursday nights in studios on rented points, it would probably work out cheaper than any other Disney accommodation apart from the value resorts.

I've been to St Augustine and found it attractive and interesting, and although we stayed overnight, an afternoon would have been enough for us. At the time I remember taking a picture of an historic building and DH pointing out that our house was actually older If you are going there, I would have thought the east coast beaches around Cocoa Beach/Daytona area would be convenient since time is tight - easy journey back to the airport too. Lovely beaches on the west coast though - decisions, decisions

Sounds like you are considering lots of options. Enjoy the planning