Does anybody

[disEAR]

Ever stay on-site using their points, but not go to the parks?

We have a cruise scheduled and booked a stay at BLT three nights before. We originally intended on going to the parks those days leading up to the cruise, but with all that’s going on we’ve been contemplating a change of plans - and that includes staying onsite but not going to the parks.

Has anyone done this and if so, what are some activities you would suggest doing outside of the parks / at the resorts?

 

[Sandisw]

Yup! I am here now for 3 days and we only doing one day at Epcot.

But last year, didn’t go in at all! We visited resorts, had a drink at each. Spent time at Disney Springs. Did mini golf a few times.

We also took an Uber to CityWalk near Universal as well. It was nice abs relaxing!!

 

[AnnaS]

Have done it twice.

We don't do the parks too much anyway - wether or not we have our APs.

Since we go often, we like to relax by the pool. Meet friends that live local at our resort/pool, visit other resort for lunch/dinner/drink. Perhaps meet them where they live.

We will alternate the evening by going to DS - for dinner or ice cream, stroll and listen to the entertainment.

We will go to the Boardwalk area - walk around the lake - for same as DS.

We have dinner at a resort we are not staying in.

TOWL in the evening for a drink/fireworks.

Bowling, Movie night (DS)

There are other things to do, golf, Mini golf, spa, go outside of the bubble.

Observe, relax and enjoy!

 

[woodleygrrl]

Did it over christmas. We stayed at a Treehouse Villa for two nights and then went to Disney Springs twice and played mini golf. We never ate or drank indoors and focused only on outdoor dining. It was nice!

 

[bp2412]

We did it last May for 5 days at SSR. Hung by the pools a lot during the days, went over to Disney Springs for dinner most nights or coffee in the AM. 1 of the days walked over to DS to take a bus from there to Riviera and had dinner at Topolino's and then took the Skyliner over to the Boardwalk to get ice cream and walk around that area. Very relaxing and great trip.

 

[Isamar]

Yup! I am here now for 3 days and we only doing one day at Epcot.

But last year, didn’t go in at all! We visited resorts, had a drink at each. Spent time at Disney Springs. Did mini golf a few times.

We also took an Uber to CityWalk near Universal as well. It was nice abs relaxing!!

Just got back after 2 weeks at OKW. We did the parks some days, but I think our favourite times were 2 visits to The Boathouse at Disney Springs - just sitting on their patio by the water for a few hours, eating oysters and sampling a few small plates. The weather is absolutely perfect for it right now.

 

[DonMacGregor]

We will be spending 5 nights at SSR next month and only going into the parks for 2 days, MK and Epcot (FOA). We also have a three-night trip scheduled for early September at BRV and we'll only be hitting Epcot then as well (F&W).

 

[SleeplessInTO]

We usually enjoy the resorts and then pop into the parks 1-2 hours before they close as the crowds are smaller and the temperatures are more bearable.
In terms of what to do outside of the parks - we enjoy taking Disney transport (Skyliner, monorail, boat - especially the one from Port Orleans to Disney Springs). Lots of pool days. We also visited Wilderness Lodge to walk around, did a pony ride for DD5, and watched the birds and ate ice cream by the dock. Resort hopping is always fun, we have decided to stay at Gran Destino next time based on how much we liked the lobby and the food at Toledo. Each resort does a campfire at night, movies under the stars, poolside trivia, etc.
At some resorts you can also rent catamarans, do fishing excursions, rent bikes, or do a carriage ride.
Oh and there’s always food. We like to try new restaurants every trip.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We will be spending 5 nights at SSR next month and only going into the parks for 2 days, MK and Epcot (FOA). We also have a three-night trip scheduled for early September at BRV and we'll only be hitting Epcot then as well (F&W).

I think the OP means doing a trip that doesn’t involve going into any parks at all, not just taking some days off from the parks.

I haven’t ever done just a resort-stay, but I’ve thought about it. We have AKV booked next month for three nights and if we can’t get our Daytona 500 tickets refunded, we may go but not go into the parks. We will just hang out at different resorts and eat at some TS restaurants. We will go to DS one day and eat ice cream at Ghirardelli. We love to walk if the weather is nice, so we may walk around the Boardwalk or Port Orleans or the Treehouse Villas. We probably won’t do the pool just because it’s February.

 

[Travel60]

We often do. DH likes Florida in winter. We used to have FL condo but didn't like shared governance aspects so now just use DVC points. Last year all VB. This year at VB now, leaving tomorrow for SSR for few weeks. Finishing up at HHI which will be cooler. No park visit planned

 

[RoseGold]

If I were doing this, I'd stay somewhere that isn't Disney. There are tons of very nice, cheaper hotels in the area that aren't Disney.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If I were doing this, I'd stay somewhere that isn't Disney. There are tons of very nice, cheaper hotels in the area that aren't Disney.

I think there's still value in the "immersive" resorts. I wouldn't stay at Riviera or Beach Club (or even the Contemporary or the Grand) for a resort-only trip, but I'd absolutely do the Poly, Animal Kingdom Lodge, or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Kimly]

All the time we live locally-ish, and many times during the summer we just go down for the pools and relaxing.

 

[Donna M]

If I were doing this, I'd stay somewhere that isn't Disney. There are tons of very nice, cheaper hotels in the area that aren't Disney.

The op might want to use points and enjoy a DVC resort.

We enjoy going to Disney in the winter because it is warmer than up here. We always go for a week and go into the parks for one day, maybe two.

 

[Princess Merida]

We have done a few resort only trips. They were at AKV, BWV, VGF, and BCV. As prices for parks go up and my kids get older I could see us doing more of these. AKV has a ton of stuff to do. There are activities such as making food for the birds on property, wildlife bingo and a musical instrument class that you collect 8 different beads for completing. The savanna is beautiful of course and the Mara is our favorite resort quick service. VGF was very nice and relaxing with lots of restaurants close because of the monorail which you will also have at BLT. It was hard to look at the castle all day and not go into the park though. BWV is our home resort and we love it at the Boardwalk. We rent surrey bikes there to ride around the lake. The pizza window is great and we love Trattoria and Abracadabar. BCV is fabulous for resort only stays that aren't in the winter, but not really to visit since you can't use stormalong bay. We typically visit Disney Springs one day when we do resort only trips as well.

 

[bakerworld]

Yes. Remember that DVC is just the room. It is NOT associated with the parks at all.