Another "No Parks" opinion needed

[Flyerfan]

Here is our background: DH, 39 and I, 40 (no kids). We live 1100 miles away and we drive to WDW. We usually go in January or Oct/Nov/Dec and have never gone without doing the parks. However, if we would venture there, say in August, I don't believe we would attempt to go near the parks because of the heat, long lines, etc. I'd like to try that one time but I can't fathom driving all that way to just spend time at the resort, DTD or something outside Disney, especially if we would only be going one time that year. I'd like to say we would just relax and enjoy the resorts, but I can't shake the feeling that there would be something we'd be missing. How do you get past that?

 

[jcodespoti]

We've tried the no park trip...didn't work, there is always something in there that will lure you in. You can try though...resistance is futile.


Joe in CT

 

[Flyerfan]

We've tried the no park trip...didn't work, there is always something in there that will lure you in. You can try though...resistance is futile.


Joe in CT

That's what I'm afraid of.

 

[pickles]

go towards the end of aug and that will get rid of lines for you, then you just have heat

 

[edk35]

We went last Aug. for 8 nights...arrived on the 15th....had a wonderful time....lines were not bad. I used TGM/fast passes as I always do and we did tons with lots of pool time/resort relaxing thrown in. We just returned from 14 nights. We arrived on July 19th and departed on the 2nd of Aug. We had another GREAT trip. We were expecting crowds to be worse than Aug. but we thought they were about the same really. Again we used TGM, fast passes and we did TONS TONS TONS. Some days we went to the parks in the morning, back by 1:00....did some pool time and then went back at nights. The nights were GREAT......the temps were fine to us. We had loads of extra time. We rented a boat, the kids took out the sea raycers....we went to DTD several times......hung out at the resort more than we thought we would. Don't worry too much about the parks and heat...you can still have an awesome trip. Sure it is hot....but if you have a plan, get in , do what you want and leave........IT IS ALL GOOD.

 

[goofypooh]

So do you want to go to the parks or not? DH & I just did a no parks trip w/o kids in July. We stayed for 4 nights & had a great time! DH played golf 3 times. I just relaxed by the pool & read, got a pedicure and a massage and just enjoyed some quiet time. We went to DTD and enjoyed eating at different resorts that we usually wouldn't visit. We did the Hoop-de-doo-Review one night. DH & I both said that we didn't even miss the parks.

But...if you do want to go to the parks, that can also be done in August. DH & I went last August w/o kids. We went at the end of August so a lot of kids were already back in school. Lines were really not that bad. As far as heat, we went to the parks early then back to our resort for a break in the middle of the day.

I do have to say, though, our trip w/o parks was very, very relaxing!

 

[Flyerfan]

So do you want to go to the parks or not? DH & I just did a no parks trip w/o kids in July. We stayed for 4 nights & had a great time! DH played golf 3 times. I just relaxed by the pool & read, got a pedicure and a massage and just enjoyed some quiet time. We went to DTD and enjoyed eating at different resorts that we usually wouldn't visit. We did the Hoop-de-doo-Review one night. DH & I both said that we didn't even miss the parks.

But...if you do want to go to the parks, that can also be done in August. DH & I went last August w/o kids. We went at the end of August so a lot of kids were already back in school. Lines were really not that bad. As far as heat, we went to the parks early then back to our resort for a break in the middle of the day.

I do have to say, though, our trip w/o parks was very, very relaxing!

We've never been down in the warmer (er, HOT) months and I'd like to try it without visiting the parks. Problem is, I just don't know about driving 1100 miles to Disney and not go to any park. Maybe if I knew we were going twice that year, I could do it. I guess I'm having trouble coming up with things to do during the day. My idea of relaxing is moving and going places. I have a hard time just sitting by the pool for a long period of time.

 

[Halle]

We have gone and not done the parks, really relaxing. We went in March and went to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, baseball game at Wide World of Sports, Kennedy Space Center for a shuttle landing and went to Winter Park and roamed the shops. Absolutely wonderful trip. Orlando has so many museums, shops and restaurants. Another fun thing to do is resort hop. We love doing that.

 

[PEANUT1]

we have no interest in a no parks trip. I'll go somewhere else for that.

Andrea

 

[goofypooh]

We've never been down in the warmer (er, HOT) months and I'd like to try it without visiting the parks. Problem is, I just don't know about driving 1100 miles to Disney and not go to any park. Maybe if I knew we were going twice that year, I could do it. I guess I'm having trouble coming up with things to do during the day. My idea of relaxing is moving and going places. I have a hard time just sitting by the pool for a long period of time.

I had started a similar thread before DH & I did our no parks trip. Someone posted a link to all the things to do at resorts and at Disney without going to parks. Sorry....I don't know the link, but maybe someone else could post it. You're right....that is a long way to travel, but just think about it as a trip to a great resort instead of to an amusement park.

 

[ccigliano]

We've done a no parks trip once just to get away for the week at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. We rented boats on Bay lake, walked to Fort Wilderness campgrounds every morning to see all the wildlife, did the Hoop De Do one evening and smores by the FW campfire another. We also made ressies at the California Grill an hour or so before the fireworks at MK so while having dessert we also enjoyed the fireworks with the soundtrack piped in. They dim the lights and everyone got up to view by the windows. We also rented surrey bikes and relaxed by the pool alot and visited downtown Disney a few evenings for dinner and shopping. We took the opportunity to do the non park things that you just never seem to have the time to do when you ar in the parks. Good Luck!

 

[tecodis]

We've tried the no park trip...didn't work, there is always something in there that will lure you in. You can try though...resistance is futile.


Joe in CT

I also have considered not doing any parks during very short vists (1 or 2 days long) just for the relaxation. Sadly, it just hasn't worked out that way yet. The MK is always calling out for me at least once!!

 

[Cee]

Once you've done a "no parks" trip you get over the urge to "park" real quick.
We do a no parks trip every other time now. It's awesome. Don't worry, there
is plenty to do. Have fun!

 

[edk35]

Once you've done a "no parks" trip you get over the urge to "park" real quick.
We do a no parks trip every other time now. It's awesome. Don't worry, there
is plenty to do. Have fun!

with or without kids? Give suggestions please. Thanks