Advice for No Park Day

[Daxx]

Daxx, DS8 and I (Daxx's Wife) are headed to WDW in July. I booked our flight and then, due to a fare decrease (and savings of $216), Daxx cancelled and rebooked the flight. Daxx booked our departing Orlando flight a day and a half after our AP's expire . We don't want to renew our AP's when they expire b/c our next vaca. to WDW won't be until Oct. Even w/the % savings to renew, Daxx feels it's not worth it to renew immediately b/c we won't be using them for another 2 1/2 months.

With that said, I am sitting here, a bit nauseous b/c I keep thinking of how much fun it is, on the last day, to leave right from MK. It's what we've done for the past few trips and, in all honesty, it has been easier doing that than sitting poolside knowing the parks are there waiting for you to come and enjoy when you can't.

Please reassure me that it'll be ok and that I'll survive w/o leaving straight from MK! And, while you're at it ... throw in some good suggestions of what to do (besides DTD) to keep the magic!

Thanks for the love ! Daxx's Wife

 

[disneydreamer98]

Daxx, DS8 and I (Daxx's Wife) are headed to WDW in July. I booked our flight and then, due to a fare decrease (and savings of $216), Daxx cancelled and rebooked the flight. Daxx booked our departing Orlando flight a day and a half after our AP's expire . We don't want to renew our AP's when they expire b/c our next vaca. to WDW won't be until Oct. Even w/the % savings to renew, Daxx feels it's not worth it to renew immediately b/c we won't be using them for another 2 1/2 months.

With that said, I am sitting here, a bit nauseous b/c I keep thinking of how much fun it is, on the last day, to leave right from MK. It's what we've done for the past few trips and, in all honesty, it has been easier doing that than sitting poolside knowing the parks are there waiting for you to come and enjoy when you can't.

Please reassure me that it'll be ok and that I'll survive w/o leaving straight from MK! And, while you're at it ... throw in some good suggestions of what to do (besides DTD) to keep the magic!

Thanks for the love ! Daxx's Wife

Go to DTD, there are lots of fun things to do down there other than just shop. My DS could play for HOURS in the water fountains! Or...if you do not have a premium AP, just purchase a one day water park ticket. You can also do a character meal at one of the resorts so you do not have to pay admission to the park. I feel for you...I like leaving right from the MK too! Have you renewed your AP's before? We are first time AP holders and it was my understanding that you have to renew them right away to secure the discounted rate? Is this true?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well depending on what resort you are staying at you could take advantage of some of the nice activities they offer, boat or bike rental, swimming etc. You could do a really special meal at one of the resorts. You could go to Universal or Sea World. You could do miniature golf. Or you could do the dumb thing I would do and just say, "oh to **** with it", and renew the AP! I know myself well enough to know that if I didn't go to the park because I didn't have a ticket I would be miserable! Funny since our last trip due to crowds and just enjoying our resort we didn't even go to the parks one day (a first for us!) but I knew I could if I wanted to!

 

[Daxx]

Or you could do the dumb thing I would do and just say, "oh to **** with it", and renew the AP! I know myself well enough to know that if I didn't go to the park because I didn't have a ticket I would be miserable!

See, this is exactly what I so feel like doing! To me, it's worth it ... to Daxx, it's a "waste of money". I'm thinking "This is Disney -- I'm supposed to waste money" (haha!). If I knew Daxx wouldn't blow a cork, I'd do it! Thanks for the advice - maybe we'll check out the other hotels for fun or do mouse runners!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

You could hang around and explore your resort or go and visit another resort that you've always wondered about.

We also like to go over to the Boardwalk area and stroll around.

 

[Daxx]

Have you renewed your AP's before? We are first time AP holders and it was my understanding that you have to renew them right away to secure the discounted rate? Is this true?

We haven't renewed our passes, but from what I've read on these boards it is my understanding that they need to be renewed immediately to receive the discounted renewal rate. No waiting for 2 months to make up your mind.

If I'm wrong, someone please jump in and correct me.

And, thanks for the advice!

 

[bigbabyblues]

Break the bank and buy a 1-day 1-park ticket?????

 

[NCombs]

There's plenty to do without going into a park. I'm sure you can have a great time. We had a great day hanging out at the BC. The pool was great. It was nice just to relax.

How about touring other resorts?

Chef Mickeys?

The Boardwalk?

Maybe have your son do the Pirates Cruise at the GF while you and your husband take a nice walk together. Maybe then do the afternoon tea at the GF. I've heard kids love the Pirates Cruise and that the tea is yummy.

You could really make it a special day.

Have a great time no matter what you do.

 

[tiberius]

We have always planned one no-park day for our stays, and do things like:

1. We always feel comfortable about sleeping in since we are not missing park time.
2. We get a good breakfast at some place we might not otherwise go. Last trip this was breakfast at Chef Mickey's, even though we stayed at Coronado Springs; the stay before that it was lunch at Rainforest Cafe.
3. Tour the other resorts you would like to see. We made up our own monorail resort tour last time.
4. Feel free to spend extra time in the resort pool.
5. Rent a bike or boat at a resort that has them.
6. Spend time shopping or just strolling at Doentown Disney or the Boardwalk.
7. If you will have a car, then consider leaving WDW for a while. (OK, we don't do this.)
8. Go to the Mini Golf Course at WDW. We've never done this either, but maybe this next time...

 

[leighmidd]

I totally agree with the idea of touring different resorts. DH and I love to do this and the monorail tour is fantastic! Of course, I would stay on the monorail all day just so we can go around the corner of the Contemporary and see Cinderella Castle! And so that we can annoy everyone in the car with us by constantly quoting "por favor montega ce allegandro de las puertas"....LOL I have no idea if that's how you spell that!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Something I want to do on my next trip is rent a bike and ride from WL to FW and see everything over at FW. Other than that I think a day of sleeping in, having breakfast in bed, swimming, then a light snack, heading to DTD, to a monorail hotel for dinner, and then to the Poly to watch the EWP.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Do something you normally would not take the time for, like parasailing behind the Cont.
I heard there is bass fishing there too.
Or eat a leisurely breakfast or lunch at Fort Wilderness and walk around and look at the peacocks. I always find this to be a relaxing area.
Rent water mice or a boat.
Ride a surrey bike on the Boardwalk.
Play minature golf at one of the WDW courses.
There is DTD of course.
LOTS to do! That's why we all love Disney so.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Maybe head to Sea World or Universal on the full day? What about thewater parks if you don't normally go?

On the half day I would sleep in, go to a nice breakfast and play mini golf. A relaxing day before going home is always nice for my family.

I agree on the annual passes. Mine expired yesterday but we aren't going until July. It isn't worth the little bit of savings to lose a month on this end that we can use on the other end!

Have fun!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Daxx, DS8 and I (Daxx's Wife) are headed to WDW in July. I booked our flight and then, due to a fare decrease (and savings of $216), Daxx cancelled and rebooked the flight. Daxx booked our departing Orlando flight a day and a half after our AP's expire . We don't want to renew our AP's when they expire b/c our next vaca. to WDW won't be until Oct. Even w/the % savings to renew, Daxx feels it's not worth it to renew immediately b/c we won't be using them for another 2 1/2 months.

With that said, I am sitting here, a bit nauseous b/c I keep thinking of how much fun it is, on the last day, to leave right from MK. It's what we've done for the past few trips and, in all honesty, it has been easier doing that than sitting poolside knowing the parks are there waiting for you to come and enjoy when you can't.

Please reassure me that it'll be ok and that I'll survive w/o leaving straight from MK! And, while you're at it ... throw in some good suggestions of what to do (besides DTD) to keep the magic!

Thanks for the love ! Daxx's Wife

It sounds like you go to WDW often enough to consider my evil plan. (You have AP's and your next trip is 2 1/2 months after this one) This is what we have done in the past. We purchased APs AND multiday passes that never expire for the odd day on a trip. We get into the park for a cheaper rate on the multiday pass than a singleday pass, and we can exchange it in the future for our next AP. If we can't exchange it for one reason or another we hold on to them. With the prices always goinging up, they hold their value. If leaving from the MK is becoming like a tradition you started you should try to keep it up. Traditions become important to kids too. I remember for years the first day we got to the MK we would go to Tony's. To me, it meant that we were there! The first trip we didn't go, I was kind of sad, and I asked my parents why we didn't go there, because it was a tradition. They were kind of shocked. To them it was the first restaurant in the park, and they decided to try a new one.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

I really like the way you think, Duckfan!!!! I told my DH I was going to file your evil plan in my head for the time this issue comes up for us I just love that idea. Do you get good value for it? I have two days left on some parkhoppers from Oct, but they have three pluses each on them. Not sure its worth giving up all those pluses

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I really like the way you think, Duckfan!!!! I told my DH I was going to file your evil plan in my head for the time this issue comes up for us I just love that idea. Do you get good value for it? I have two days left on some parkhoppers from Oct, but they have three pluses each on them. Not sure its worth giving up all those pluses

I'm pretty sure that the pluses never expire too, just like the theme park days on a park hopper. You should be able to keep the pluses even if you use the theme days.

 

[Samsma]

That is exactly right! Problem solved. All you have to do is use your old hoppers and then don't buy the premium AP next time. Savings on both sides! We are using the plusses only from hoppers I've had for two years. No park tickets left on them at all, but two plusses. Have fun!

Oh, sorry, I didn't notice OP. This doesn't help Daxx's wife unless she also has old hoppers.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Actually, I was referring to upgrading the two days left to an AP next time we need them, but not wanting to give up the three pluses that are left on them