Disney resort without the parks

[shananunes]

Hi!

Has anyone ever stayed at a Disney resort without going to the parks for a week. We like the safety and cleanliness of staying on property and were looking for more of a relaxing vacation. We just came back from Caribbean Beach and would consider going back there again. It was beautiful but were at the parks most days do didn't get to enjoy the resort much. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Polynesian27]

I would do one of the epcot resorts, either BC or YC because the amazing pool and ability to walk to the boardwalk for additional entertainment. Many good restaurants and resorts to walk through and enjoy!

 

[grimley1968]

Disney also has resorts at Hilton Head and Vero Beach if you want a beach vacation with the Disney resort feel, but no parks nearby.

 

[Minniesgal]

We bought DVC with the full intention of doing resort only stays once in a while once the kids leave home. We would do a split stay and visit other resorts as well probably golf, hire a boat and visit DTD. I can see us now sitting on the balcony with our books and a bottle of wine

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

This last trip in April we did a 7 night stay at AKL and only ended up going to MK and Epcot. Loved that resort for the relaxing, get away feel.
-Virginia

 

[derricksonb]

Has anyone ever stayed at a Disney resort without going to the parks for a week. We like the safety and cleanliness of staying on property and were looking for more of a relaxing vacation. We just came back from Caribbean Beach and would consider going back there again. It was beautiful but were at the parks most days do didn't get to enjoy the resort much. Thanks for the feedback!

We are in the middle of planning a non-park trip to WDW the first week of SEP 13. As suggested above we are staying at BCV to take full advantage of SAB. We have existing 10 day non-expiring park hoppers with WP&M options so we plan to take full advantage of the WP&M portion and avoid the traditional parks.


Our itinerary so far looks like this:

Sun Sept 1: Morning: 07:00 Arrival, Breakfast @ Captains Grille or other on property restaurant.
Afternoon: Pool Day at SAB @ BCV.
Dinner at Cape May. (19:00)
Evening: Movie on the Beach @ BCV (20:00), Boardwalk Street performers.
Mon Sept 2: Morning: Road Trip: Visit The Disney Wilderness Preserve (open 09:00 - 17:00 Monday-Friday).
Afternoon: Mini Golf at Fantasia Gardens, Explore Art of Animation Resort, Visit the Petting Zoo located at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Pony Rides at Tri-Circle D Ranch.
Dinner at Portabellos (although after looking at this from a logistics POV we probably should have booked a restaurant at Wilderness Lodge)
Evening: Chip 'n Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long (19:00) and free outdoor movie at Wilderness Lodge (20:30).
Tue Sept 3: Morning: ?????
Mid-morning: Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon (10:00 - 17:00)
Dinner at Kouzzina.
Evening: Night swimming at SAB?
Wed Sept 4: Morning: Visit the Animals at Kidani and Jambo house.
Mid-Morning: Golf @ Oak Trail (06:58 - 19:53)
Afternoon: Pool Day @ SAB.
Dinner @ Ohana.
Evening: Watch "Wishes" from the tiki-torch lit path that runs behind the Polynesian. Watch the Electrical Water Pageant. Dole Whips @ Captain Hooks.
Thu Sept 5: Morning: Downtown Disney
Afternoon: Disney Quest (11:30 - 22:00)
Dinner at Rain Forest Café'
Evening: Storytime located at AKL Jambo House or YeeHaw Bob (Sing-a-long) at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Fri Sept 6: Morning: Pool Day at SAB @ BCV.
Afternoon: "Kitchen Sink" @ Beaches and Cream. Back to SAB @ BCV.
Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express.
Evening: Shopping at DTD then 19:00 Departure.

 

[WDWChloe]

We've stayed at AKL for 3 days without the parks [during the sad time without AP ] It was a little torturesome for us but it's definitely doable, there is so much to do at each resort! DTD, exploring different resorts and restaurants, relaxing by the pool/beach, etc.

 

[darkwing818]

I would do one of the epcot resorts, either BC or YC because the amazing pool and ability to walk to the boardwalk for additional entertainment. Many good restaurants and resorts to walk through and enjoy!

Absolutely ....

 

[shananunes]

Thank you so much for all the tips!

 

[shananunes]

Does BC and YC have a kiddie splash pool? My boys could have spent hours at the pirate splash area at CB.

 

[vicki_c]

Does BC and YC have a kiddie splash pool? My boys could have spent hours at the pirate splash area at CB.

Yes, over by the entrance to the slide (so cross the walkway on the beach side).

 

[I Love Pluto]

Several years ago, we stayed at Pop with a family who NEVER WENT TO THE PARKS. Actually - they were quite annoying. They claimed about 4 or 5 tables every morning - then sat at them all morning, afternoon, & evening. When they went to bed - they put coolers on the tables to claim them in the morning again! We were truly annoyed with them. They acted as if they OWNED Pop!

No - we did not complain. We were far outnumbered!

 

[Desnik]

We are DVC members and go often so if we go to WDW and skip the parks, we don't feel like we are missing out on anything. Disney has so much to offer outside of the parks. Our non park trips have been some of our best WDW trips! We have 2 kids, and even they love our non park trips!

When we do a trip and skip the parks, I love to stay at AKV. There is so much to do at that resort, our days are full. We also go to DtD, and FW for the activities offered there. We resort hop, eat at a different resort each night (we usually have a car rented if we fly or our own if we drive down) go to the CR to rent a boat, and go to the Poly at night to watch Wishes and the EWP from the beach. You could visit the resorts around the BW and spend some time on the BW playing games, shopping and getting icecream, you can rent a surrey bike too! There is so much to do!

On our trip in Aug we will be at BLT (we've never been and wanted to try something different), and so far we have no plans on going to the parks

 

[DisneyWisher]

We've gone to Pop and never went to the parks. Like you we feel safe there. We know the rooms are clean and not overrun by bugs (it is Florida) we actually used it as a shopping trip. I'm from Fort Laud moved to a small town and the shopping selection is almost nil. We don't even have a Target. So we went to a lot of stores in Kissimmee and Orlando. We also enjoyed finding new offsite restaurants.

One year we did 5 nights at Poly only went to MK 2 times, it was a resort stay, for me once in a lifetime. Though I'd love to do it again with my grandkids.

 

[clapton]

I would do BC or YC just for the pool, atmosphere and location. Love the atmosphere at night and all the restaurant choices including the Swan & Dolphin which have great restaurants.