BWV DVCer going on Sunday, but no Disney Parks!

[Betty X]

We leave on Sunday for Vero, staying for a week and a day. Then we will switch to OKW for the last 3 days of our visit. We have decided to not go to any Disney parks because of the horrendous exchange rate on the Canadian Dollar! We will go to US/IOA however, we got a 3 day pass for $109 CDN each. We normally buy two annual passes every 2nd year and spend about $1000 CDN doing so. We won't do it this year, too much $$$$$!

Anyone else do this?

Can I still make a PS to eat at a restaurant inside the park? I love Cinderella's and the Hollywood Brown Derby.

We plan to go to DTD as well as the Boardwalk etc.

Any tips on something else we could do without entering the parks?

 

[patsal]

Sorry, but you can't get into restaurants in the theme parks without paid park admission.

Have fun at US/IOA we DH, DD(5) and DS(9) went two summmer's ago. I didn't tell the kids Mickey was so close and we did a five day all inclusive at Portofino Bay with FOTL. We had a great time, but keep in mind that the parks are not as clean, the CM's are not as helpful and friendly as at WDW and lines get really long because resort guests all have FOTL privledges. I'm sure you will have a great time though. They have unique rides and attractions at both parks.

 

[Muushka]

I just returned from a trip to Orlando which did not include WDW. No more AP there, but snagged a great deal at USF/IOA ($99 AP). Gotta say, I found the parks clean, the CM's very helpful and pleasant and enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.

I look forward to going to USF/IOA this April. They are great parks. (And much less expensive than WDW and PLEASE don't tell me that they cannot be compared, they can, and it is my $$)

 

[friskykitten]

We are doing this this June too! We will be staying at the BWV for 2 days and then heading on to VB. If I get my resale points in time we will add on two days at the beginning of our trip at the Poly Concierge LV. If that isn't available we will try the GF or the YC. We will be visiting US/IOA for two days while staying at the Disney properties. Then the rest of the time we are just going to enjoy being DVC members without visiting the Disney Parks even once!!

 

[patsal]

IMHO It isn't that they can't be compared, they really don't need to be. Each park has its own unique venue. I didn't say we didn't enjoy ourselves, we had a great time. I'm just saying watch out for the crowds at peak park times and don't expect the park to be as clean as Disney. There is a definite benefit to staying on resort there just as there is a definite benefit to staying on resort at WDW when you do the parks. The ticket price of $99. or $109 cnd. is a great deal and the FOTL perk does put non-resort guests at a disadvantage. Heck, I'd go and spend my $$ there again, but I've been spoiled by the FOTL so I'd have to stay on resort property.
I also encountered CM's that were very friendly and went out of their way for me, just not too many!

 

[Muushka]

Actually people do compare them because they are both theme parks. I agree that as you said, Each park has its own unique venue. But when it comes to Disney, a lot of people believe that Disney is the best, period. So, to not get into that same old argument that I have gotten into many times, I just come right out and say that I enjoy USF/IOA more than Disney, and it is my opinion! The comment was not for you!

Also, you mentioned that you had not been in a while, and I just got back yesterday, so maybe the parks have improved.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Never done it, but Church Street Station has been recommended to us as something to do...by my MIL, who just doesn't understand that whole Disney thing.

Sorry Doc.

 

[RobDoc]

The DVC Board is NOT the forum for a US/IOA discussion. Please keep responses to the original question in the thread.

Thanks!

 

[Muushka]

I'm sorry too, Doc.

 

[patsal]

Sorry Doc

 

[PamOKW]

MaryAnn -- I'm not sure what state Church Street Station is in. They've had hard times recently I think most, if not all, of it has shut down.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by PamOKW
-- I'm not sure what state Church Street Station is in

It's in FL, Pam!

 

[PamOKW]

LOL! Good one, Doc.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

LOL! I had read that line about 5 times before it registered, and I'm thinking, "geez, I'm sure Pam must know what state it's in!"

 

[pharmlivin]

We are planning Vero March1-6th. We'll be stopping off at IOA/US for one day then driving on down to Vero. In Dec we'll be at VWL for 5 days and only planning a one day foray to EPCOT mainly to have a nice dinner somewhere. Rest of the time we would like to spend exploring and enjoying the Wilderness resort.

 

[Halle]

Where do you buy the US/IOA tickets in Canada?