Do any of you go just for the restaurants?

[kathyg]

If I had read this question five years ago I would have thought it was crazy. But here's the story. We were in Disney for two weeks this past August. Cast was me (ultimate planner...56), DH (60..doesn't really like Disney..well, at least not the rides...but goes to please me), DD (22 (a true Disneyphobe like her mother and would go three times a year if she could), DDSO (that's DD significant other), DS (27 -loves Disney too, but not as much as his sister and I), and DSF (DS fiance 26 who loves the fun of Disney).

Anyway, DS and DSF are getting married in May, so no summer vacation for them (well, other than their two week honeymoon in Hawaii). DD has to do a summer internship for college, so no summer vacation for her or DDSO. That leaves me and DH. I would love to go back to Disney but I know DH will balk.

If I could tell him it was just for the restaurants and lounging by the pool for two weeks it might sound doable.

Am I crazy...has anyone else ever done this or even thought about doing this. Frankly, sounds like the ultimate vacation to me...no driving involved which DH would love. And no parks or rides (well, I guess I could do it!!)

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has thought of this.

 

[RumpleMom]

I am happy to go to WDW anytime, but remember Disney's Hilton Head Island and Vero Beach Resorts are great resorts too.

How about a combined 2 week vacation with one of these resorts?

 

[Pakey]

Absolutely we do this. DH and I go to WDW once a year, just the two of us. Then we also go with our 3 adult sons and their families on a separate trip each year (every other year it's to WDW. When DH and I go alone to the World, he goes golfing while I lounge around the pool area or read or something like that. Then we go and have a nice expensive dinner together every night. It's a perfect vacation for us. No stress because we don't have to drive anywhere. There's a wide variety of food. The resorts are gorgeous. We enjoy walking. We usually get up in the morning and take a long walk while DH drinks his resort mug cup of coffee.

Sorry, can't think of anywhere I've been on vacation (and I've been on plenty) that I find more relaxing than going to WDW just the two of us.

 

[OKW Lover]

While I can't say we go to WDW just for the restaurants - they are certainly a major enjoyment while we are there.

 

[Puncek]

I have read the messages on the site for years now, but this is my first post. When I saw this question I knew I had to respond! This is exactly what we do, we look forward to eating around 'the World.' With Alfredo's gone and Nine Dragons under renovation when we are going back in January 2008 two of my mainstay restaurants are out of commission. I am looking forward to trying new restaurants this trip. The meals are the real attraction for us, the rides and shows are just icing on the cake. The minute I walk on the plane to go home, I am already missing the Kona cones, Mickey waffles, and the sweet potato pancakes at Boatwrights.

 

[Pakey]

I have read the messages on the site for years now, but this is my first post. When I saw this question I knew I had to respond! This is exactly what we do, we look forward to eating around 'the World.' With Alfredo's gone and Nine Dragons under renovation when we are going back in January 2008 two of my mainstay restaurants are out of commission. I am looking forward to trying new restaurants this trip. The meals are the real attraction for us, the rides and shows are just icing on the cake. The minute I walk on the plane to go home, I am already missing the Kona cones, Mickey waffles, and the sweet potato pancakes at Boatwrights.

Welcome to the DIS. I'm laughing because of this being your first post. Nothing like the thought of great food to bring you to your knees!!!! When I think of Disney, it's always about the food too.

 

[scrump]

DH tolerates Disney for my sake as well, so I understand your situation.

We wanted to fit in one last "us" trip before our baby is born, so we decided to do WDW on a long weekend. We wanted to do a low-key, chill-out trip, so we didn't do any parks - only restaurants, pool time and hotel exploration. We stayed at the WL, so it was 3 days of perfect down time for us, and I even ordered a cake for us, which DH loved!

I never thought I could do this type of trip at WDW (I'm definitely a parks person), and I don't think I can do it all the time, but it was perfect for us for our purposes! You will enjoy yours, too!

 

[Kata]

Funny you should ask, I am trying to figure out how I am going to work in the time to go to the parks around my ADR'S. I am also thinking that when I go in December it will be more crowded than I had expected in which case I will enjoy the 3 wonderful resorts I am staying at(AKL,WL,and Poly).Sometimes when you go on a WDW vacation you do so much walking and try to do so many different things in your time there you need a vacation to recover. I think a trip to enjoy the food and truly appreciate your resort would be very relaxing vacation. Go and have fun!!!!!!!!

 

[tedisney]

In a word, yes.

While I probably wouldn't answer yes right off the bat, as I think about it more, it seems likely.

The last weeks before we go on a trip, all we talk about is the food we're looking forward to, much more than the parks and the rides. Ain't nothin' wrong with that!

 

[Buzzsgramma]

and parades and the pool and the Christmas decorations....DH and I will be at WLV & S&D....12/10-12/17.....its great to do what we want and go for quiet dinners...relax by the pool...we do go to the parks but the rides arent the main focus......we...were there in June with the kids and gr-kids and we sorta do whatever they want......

 

[whogirl'smom]

We didn't go to Disney just for the restaurants....but I realized that was the reason we got park hoppers! I just love Epcot, and 4 out of 7 meals ended up being there. I'm trying to plan a little better for next year.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I would not say that we go just for the restaurants, we go for the ultimate experience and I agree with one of the posters, most of our meals are at Epcot whether take out or sit down......or the Boardwalk area..

Where can you have it all in one place....you do not need a car unless you want to venture out shopping or to Universal...you can stay there and just have it all. Just as Disney planned..

 

[kathyg]

Thank you for all your answers....it's nice to know I'm not crazy or alone in my thinking. Actually, the more I think about it the more it sounds like a great idea.

A special thanks and welcome to Puncek. Pakey is so, so right....nothing like the thought of Disney food to get us hopping!!!

 

[Laura]

Me, no, particularly not for two weeks. A long weekend, maybe. If I'm going to do a two-week vacation like that, I want a beach to lay on, not just a pool. We'd do Hawaii or the Caribbean or the Keys like that. Or I would need better restaurants, and go to San Francisco or NYC.

But I can see how other people might want to go to WDW and not visit the parks, especially a DVC member.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We're in the "close, but not quite" camp when it comes to restaurants only. Restaurants (and visiting all the resort hotels) is the main theme of our vacations these days. Although we still visit the theme parks, it's only for a short time each and we just do our favorite rides (or maybe a behind the scenes tour). Rest of the trip is spent lounging, reading, swimming, shopping, playing golf, and perhaps an afternoon movie at DD.

 

[JD3419]

While the restaurants aren't the main attraction, they do play a big part in our park planning. There are also a few that we have to visit on every trip. We are actually in the planning stages for a trip next year. We plan on spending less time in the parks and more time just lounging around the World; trying to take in a lot of the little things we don't get to do like mini golf, water parks, etc...

 

[Ron from Michigan]

While we don't go to WDW for just the restaurants, they do play a big part in our trips. We always decide way ahead of time where we want to have dinner. Since it's just the wife and I we like to have a nice dinner at one of our favorite places each evening.

 

[rootbeerkid]

On 9/13/07 at the Biergarten, we sat with a local Orlando couple that indicated that they buy an annual pass mostly so that they can partake of the various dining opportunities in the park.

 

[Leota]

UncleRomulus summed up our approach perfectly - Not quite, but close.

We only do a couple hours in the Parks & spend the rest lounging & doing other things, including dining.