Are there any DVC parties each week?

[nicksmom]

We just found out about the pool closure at VB during January and will cut our VB stay back by 4 nights and return to Disney to SSR and are looking for things to do besides parks. I thought I remembered hearing about a weekly gathering at DVC resorts on Wednesdays, but didn't pay much attention because we are always in VB by then. My kids are very upset about the VB thing, so I am looking for fun things to do. Any other suggestions of things to do that won't cost a fortune with my three small kids? Thanks for any ideas!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I don't know anything about the parties but I can suggest a few things that are fun and free/cheap.

Campfire/singalong and movie at Ft. Wilderness- FREE
there is a campfire and singalong with chip and dale- then they show a Disney movie. They sell marshmallows, smores kits... It is fun. When we went we grabbed a fried chicken dinner carry out from Trails End (about $20- 8-10 pce. chicken and 2 sides) and ate it on the bleachers.

Pool hop. Go for a swim at Luna Park, then take a stroll on the boardwalk. Visit other resorts- perfect since you are at SSR- you can grab a bus from dtd.

Mini Golf
Shopping at DTD
Go on a hidden Mickey hunt
Rent bikes or water mice
Also- DisQuest is fun for kids and it is cheaper than a park- but nearly a full day of activities (prob. 6 hours worth of stuff to do in there)

http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html

 

[nicksmom]

Thanks for all the great ideas...what is Luna Park and what are water mice?

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all the great ideas...what is Luna Park and what are water mice?

Luna Park is the pool complex at the BoardWalk. Note that the slide there is scheduled to be closed for much of January, so it might not be the best option right now. DVC members can pool hop to any other Disney resort except Stormalong Bay at the BC/YC and Uzima pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge (except during blackout dates.)

Water mice (actually they are called Sea Raycers now) are the little 2-person speed boats that you can take out on the waterways at Disney. The cost is not insignificant, so you might want to research prices ahead of time. I think it's around $20-30 per half hour. The best place to rent, IMO, is from one of the Magic Kingdom resorts. That includes the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Poly and Grand Floridian. The boats can run at top speed (I think it's around 40 mph) over on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Rentals are available at other locations like the Yacht Club and Downtown Disney, but the speed is restricted to much lower levels due to the size of the waterway and other traffic in the area.

Another thing you could do to kill time is to use the monroail to tour the resorts in the MK area.

 

[tjkraz]

Forgot to answer your question about the party!

There is a weekly DVC member meeting. It's currently being held at the Atlantic Dance Hall on the BoardWalk every Wednesday at 4pm.

I understand the meeting has a sort of game show-type presentation with questions being asked of those in attendance and door prizes handed out. Honestly I have yet to read a good review of the current meeting format, so consider yourself warned. But it is free and you will walk out of there with SOMETHING in hand (they normally pass out hats or some other trinket to people as they arrive.)

Unless you are a brand new member you probably won't learn much you didn't already know during the meeting. Many see it as a glorified sales pitch designed just to push extra points. But there's no pressure to buy.

DVC does occasionally hold actual parties (with refreshments, characters, music, etc.) but there are none scheduled for January. In recent years they have held weekly events during the summer months and in the 4-5 weeks leading up to Christmas. The final holiday party was scheduled for last week.