Christmas trip not doing parks

[ptmmg]

looking to take my family 2 adult children a 13 ds and 15 dd and of course DH away during Christmas break I know the parks are super crazy so don't even want to bother with them. Just want to go somewhere where kids can swim and there are activities by the pool. I looked at Islands/ Mexico, but way too much money. The flights from the northeast are high but doable to go to Orlando during that time. So my question should we look at houses that have a private pool or something like Vistana or Bonnie Creek? what has more going on that time of year because as I do not want to go to the parks. The only one I may consider is discover Cove because it has limit, Anybody else do a Orlando trip and NO PARKS LOL?

 

[greenclan67]

Yep. We do it often. We like Orange Lake lots to do and dont need too leave.

looking to take my family 2 adult children a 13 ds and 15 dd and of course DH away during Christmas break I know the parks are super crazy so don't even want to bother with them. Just want to go somewhere where kids can swim and there are activities by the pool. I looked at Islands/ Mexico, but way too much money. The flights from the northeast are high but doable to go to Orlando during that time. So my question should we look at houses that have a private pool or something like Vistana or Bonnie Creek? what has more going on that time of year because as I do not want to go to the parks. The only one I may consider is discover Cove because it has limit, Anybody else do a Orlando trip and NO PARKS LOL?

 

[BeerMe]

We usually go early in the month of December. Crowds are usually more manageable then

 

[ptmmg]

I work in the schools as does my daughter and pulling my freshman out of school for a week isn't doable.

 

[ptmmg]

Yep. We do it often. We like Orange Lake lots to do and dont need too leave.

where do you stay in Orange Lake?

 

[bearzabout]

We rented a six bedroom home at Windsor Hills over Christmas for a family trip. A good pool heater is critical and if temps get really low, the pool can still be cold. It was great to pop back and forth from the pool to the hot tub in cool weather?

They also have a big pool in the complex and offer many activities.

We had a great time visiting the resorts to see the Christmas decorations and did not miss the parks at all.

Make sure to drive to Blue Spring State Park to see the manatees.

A few years back, temps dropped to 35 degrees at night over Christmas. The weather is impossible to predict. Keep in mind that it may not be warm enough to swim in an outdoor pool.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We have been to Orlando twice over Christmas week (most recently Christmas 2015). We avoid the Disney and Universal parks completely, but SeaWorld is a Christmas must-do. Crowds are manageable and their holiday events are second to none (and included with your regular park admission).

There are a ton of other things you could do in the Orlando area instead of the big theme parks: Wild Florida is a great choice (airboat ride and animal park). The Orlando Eye complex (the Eye, Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum) is a great value at $39 for a 3-attraction pass and extra fun during the holiday season as they host their Christmas event, "Frostival". ICE! at Gaylord Palms is fantastic and very festive. Waterparks can be fun (and are usually uncrowded at that time of year) if the weather is warm enough. Celebration, Florida has their Now Snowing Nightly event going on (which is free).

And the Vistana? It's AWESOME at Christmas. They have a Breakfast with Santa and a whole slew of fun things to do (both Christmas-related and not) so you could spend a whole week at the resort and never get bored. It's beautifully decorated and such a wonderful place to be!

Feel free to check out my trip report from December 2015 in my signature for lots of pictures.

 

[greenclan67]

QUOTE="ptmmg, post: 56325302, member: 34861"]where do you stay in Orange Lake?[/QUOTE]
Holiday inn club vacations kissimme west village. We go dec 23rd to jan 2nd

 

[NH-to-FL]

Renting a house with a pool is a good option. But be prepared to pay extra, $10-20/day, to have the pool heat turned on. Renting a house will give you plenty of space to spread out when you are not outside enjoying the Florida winter.

 

[ptmmg]

was really leaning toward the house option, but seeing these resorts Vistana, Bonnet Creek, and now Holiday inn Vacation club I think my kids would love those. Do they have activities by the pool are resort pools heated? We have only been to Florida once in the winter it was right before a Disney cruise in February and my kids swam in the pool at the hotel I remember it was warm outside! I know the weather can be tricky in winter.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

was really leaning toward the house option, but seeing these resorts Vistana, Bonnet Creek, and now Holiday inn Vacation club I think my kids would love those. Do they have activities by the pool are resort pools heated? We have only been to Florida once in the winter it was right before a Disney cruise in February and my kids swam in the pool at the hotel I remember it was warm outside! I know the weather can be tricky in winter.

You may also get FABULOUS weather in December. Last Christmas week was so hot we almost melted on Christmas Eve day especially. It was high 80's and sunny, sunny, sunny.

The Vistana has a TON of activities by the pool: dive-in movies, kids games and crafts, poolside video games on the huge blow up screen, family game show sessions, a visit from Gatorland (where kids can hold a gator), karaoke, s'more cooking sessions, a Vacation Celebration once per week (music, games, treats, all poolside), family golf specials at night, mermaid swim sessions, family pool yoga, and (during the holiday season) visits from Santa & Mrs. Claus in the evening. Guest Services will give you a two-page activities calendar a check-in and it will show every activity from sun-up to sun-down for each day of your stay. Most (aside from some of the arts projects and mini golf) are free.

 

[cheerky]

I agree that Seaworld is so nice at Christmastime and not super packed. You can also consider taking a trip to Tampa and checking out Busch Gardens. We have done a self-guided hotel lobby tour at Disney during the holidays as well. There are so many beautiful trees and displays. You seriously can make an entire day of it. I definitely recommend a visit to the Wilderness Lodge for a hot chocolate or glass of wine in front of the grand fireplace...ahhhh. I'm feeling inspired to plan a trip now! Enjoy.

 

[Bete]

Go somewhere else.

Consider going to a National Park. You can pick a warmer location like in California.

Maybe, a trip to the Smokies and Dollywood. Dolly has her own resort now and it compares to Deluxe at Disney.

Stay home and go nearby to a super deluxe resort and the do all the amenities there.

It would be torture for many to go to Orlando and then skip the major parks.

 

[TwoMisfits]

We don't do no parks, but we haven't done a Disney park since 2012...

This trip, we are doing the Universal parks (2nd trip for APs), but we are also doing the I-360 3 pack (the Orlando Eye, Sealife, and Madame Tussauds), the Orlando Science Center, Blue Man Group, and the Wonderworks Comedy and Magic Dinner Show for entertainment (and hanging out in pools, doing resort activities, and playing minigolf, billiards, and video games at our resort and going to some awesome (and cheap thanks to deals) dinners at Hash Hash A Go Go, Shogun, Deep Blu, Sweet Tomatoes, and hopefully the new Chocolate Emporium - that one I'll have to pay menu price).

I could be 100% happy with the trip you are planning, but my kids would probably want a ride day or two, so I second Gina and cheerky's plan to do Sea World/Busch Gardens/Aquatica (if it's warm enough) - tickets are usually stupid cheap Blue Friday for that kinda 3 pack (or I'd get whatever stupid cheap deal they offered to make my kids' satisfied)...

 

[spiceycat]

most of the timeshares (which is what BC and Vistana are) would work fine for what you want - so go look at redweek or myresortnetwork and see if you can find any bargains.

 

[ptmmg]

we just did Universal, and SeaWorld in April . I think my kid are old enough if I explain the crowds at Disney (we usually go last week in August so virtually no crowds) they will opt out as long as there are fun things to do at the resort.

 

[shalom]

where do you stay in Orange Lake?

I personally would avoid staying in East Village and River Island, because if the wind is just right (or just wrong, I should say), they smell like a sewage plant outside. They can be downwind of the AK treatment plant, East Village in particular. I've only heard people complain about it in the winter, and plenty of people have stayed there repeatedly with no problem, but something to be aware of.

Interestingly enough, West Village does not seem to be effected (not sure about North Village), even when the other two are near unbearable. And sometimes people in the back part of River Island are suffering, while people in the pool and lazy river and doing all the cool stuff up front have no problems. Doesn't seem to be an issue very often, is often very localized even when it happens, and the resort generally gets great reviews aside from that, but my family has tender tummies, so we'd only consider West Village.

Also, if you're planning to do Sea World and International Drive kinda stuff, Orange Lake is way the other side of WDW. Can't speak as to traffic patterns during the Holidays, but Sheraton Vistana or most other resorts mentioned would be closer for sure.

 

[greenclan67]

I personally would avoid staying in East Village and River Island, because if the wind is just right (or just wrong, I should say), they smell like a sewage plant outside. They can be downwind of the AK treatment plant, East Village in particular. I've only heard people complain about it in the winter, and plenty of people have stayed there repeatedly with no problem, but something to be aware of.

Interestingly enough, West Village does not seem to be effected (not sure about North Village), even when the other two are near unbearable. And sometimes people in the back part of River Island are suffering, while people in the pool and lazy river and doing all the cool stuff up front have no problems. Doesn't seem to be an issue very often, is often very localized even when it happens, and the resort generally gets great reviews aside from that, but my family has tender tummies, so we'd only consider West Village.

Also, if you're planning to do Sea World and International Drive kinda stuff, Orange Lake is way the other side of WDW. Can't speak as to traffic patterns during the Holidays, but Sheraton Vistana or most other resorts mentioned would be closer for sure.

We stay at Orange lake tons and only once did Animal kingdom snells drift into.east village. I love West it is my favourite. It's actually not bad at Xmas for traffic. I find March/April tons worse for traffic. I love watching the Disney fireworks from the west village high rises. Take the elevator to the top and you can watch magic kingdom and Epcots at the same time

 

[ajenks22]

We stay at Orange lake tons and only once did Animal kingdom snells drift into.east village. I love West it is my favourite. It's actually not bad at Xmas for traffic. I find March/April tons worse for traffic. I love watching the Disney fireworks from the west village high rises. Take the elevator to the top and you can watch magic kingdom and Epcots at the same time

I didn't know you could see fireworks from the high rises in West Village! So cool. We are staying in WV, so I'm super excited!

 

[hearts8701]

My family is all adults we go for Christmas often sometimes we don't do the parks instead we have dinner at the resorts trying something new like animal kingdom lodge we always explore the resorts the Christmas decorations are outstanding the gingerbread houses at GF YC are outstanding we rent the boats at Polynesian we do the boardwalk at night rent bikes the night time entertainment is best we always save a day for Disney springs for all our shopping we stay at the Springs from afternoon to evening and enjoy dinner eating a sundae for desert or a balloon ride catch a movie if the weather turns ugly bowling is fun try things you never explored before you can take a boat from Disney springs to port Orleans taking in the views along the lake