Does anyone go to WDW & not visit the parks?

[tink1957]

I'm looking into a 2 night stay at AKV during our May trip. We do not plan on visiting the parks at all as this is a budget trip to visit Universal for the opening of Harry Potter World. We purchased the 7 day, 2 park tickets from Kroger for $89, about the cost of 1 day at WDW and are spending enough on staying at the Hard Rock Hotel. I just couldin't bring myself to go to Orlando and not at least visit the resorts and Downtown Disney, plus we have always wanted to stay at AKL.

Has anyone else done this & what did you do for fun outside of the parks?

 

[SandrA9810]

There's a ton of things just at your resort to keep you occupied for a day. At check in they'll give you an activities sheet of things they usually do around the pool.

You can still hop over to the Poly to watch Wishes, and grab a dole whip at the food court. The best thing I love about it there, is it's self serve. And I know how to pile it up to get like 3 servings out of it.

I'm sure the kids won't mind a whole day in the pool.

 

[Purseval]

When we lived in NH we had friends who went to WDW every year and never ever set foot inside a park. They liked the weather, the atmosphere and went there to play golf.

 

[QVCshopper]

I just stayed at Kidani Village and I met a lady who stayed there all week without going to the parks. The AKL is a lovely hotel with tons of things to do--many free activities for the kids and the Kidani Village pool is great (the AKL pool was under construction when I was there). I suggest the bead activities if you have kids, as well as the playground. Also, there are many African artifacts and tours--not to mention the animals. Kidani Village also has a great community room with games and crafts for the kids (probably mostly meant for DVC members, but they did have signs up for craft prices if not DVC).

 

[comax]

we kinda do this! I mean if we go for 7 nights we only go to parks for 3 days! Theres sooo much to do aside from parks!

 

[Mickey527]

There have been many times when I have gone to WDW and just spent my time at the resorts and DTD. I go to Orlando alot by myself and just spend the time at the pool reading and enjoying the quiet. the pool at AKL is fantastic and you if you enjoy pools you will have a great time here.
I also love to shop so a day at DTD is great fun for me. I make sure to grab a margarita at the little bar near the bandstand across from the DVC booth. Hopefully they will have entertainment while you are there too, I usually get to see the kids do stuff and once in a while there are school choirs or bands.
If you want to spend a day at the parks why don't you look into the Give a Day Get a Day program. There are lots of things you could do and it will get you one day at a park. If you don't want to use the voucher you can always donate it before you leave at Guest Relations. they say that Disney will give it to those who need, maybe they go to the "Give a Kid the World" program.
You might want to look into renting points from a DVC member over on the DVC Rent and Trade board. If you stay at the AKL DVC you can pool hop to all the other resort pools except Beach Club. If you pool hop you can check out each of the hotels while there, I love the different themes for each resort.

 

[SandrA9810]

Disney is donating the tickets to the Boys and Girls Club of Orlando, and I think one other, but not sure.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Yes!! We are only going to Disney one day because of our free GAD tickets. We are staying on property though! We'll be doing DTD, Sea World, Aquatica, Harry Potter at US and Busch Gardens on our next stay!

 

[tink1957]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I know I'm going to visit the Poly for Dole Whips, DD & I became addicted to them on our last trip. I've looked into the Give a Day Program and there's not much available in our area that doesn't involve driving 2 hours to get there, also my kids work on the weekends so finding something that we can all do at once is difficult.

I would still like to hear any other suggestions that you may have. We are 3 adults, no kids (I still call them kids, but they will be 24 & 20 at the time of our trip). We do plan on renting DVC points at Kidani, if possible, I'm just waiting to hear back from the DVC owner I contacted.

 

[budbeerlady]

I think it would be a great time, we love AKL and could spend a week there doing everything.

 

[hearts8701]

boardwalk is nice especially in the evening there's street entertainment..have a few drinks at ESPN they have a small gift shop.. nice restaurants everything from a bakery to greek share a pizza.. jellyrolls..you can walk to the swan..dolphin..yacht & beach or take a boat

 

[maggiew]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I know I'm going to visit the Poly for Dole Whips, DD & I became addicted to them on our last trip. I've looked into the Give a Day Program and there's not much available in our area that doesn't involve driving 2 hours to get there, also my kids work on the weekends so finding something that we can all do at once is difficult.

I would still like to hear any other suggestions that you may have. We are 3 adults, no kids (I still call them kids, but they will be 24 & 20 at the time of our trip). We do plan on renting DVC points at Kidani, if possible, I'm just waiting to hear back from the DVC owner I contacted.

You can sign up to make a blanket through the Linus project. It can be a fleece no-sew tie blanket. Then send it in. No need to drive 2 hours.

Maggie

 

[Mickey527]

Can you tell me more about the Kroger tickets? I did a search and this is the only topic that comes up.
I know I already brought Give a day up already but did you look into the Linus Project? You could make one of those no sew blankets and mail it to the group and get a disney Ticket. Lots of people are doing it. Now would be a great time since fleece is going on sale and you can find some in the clearance bin too. they only take about 2 hours total then ship them off. I have read about groups in the GA area. From what I hear they never get too many since there are so many sick kids. Some places only require one 36" X36" blanket.
Will you be driving down or renting a car? This makes a difference with suggestions.
I do recommend you go to Restaurant.com and pick up some coupons for different restaraunts to go to while in Orlando. I get them every time I go to Orlando. Most are $25 coupon good for a $35 purchase. If you buy them when they are having 80% off you wind up paying about $3 for $25.
My favorite places are:
Fridays on Sandlake Road. It is close to the Orlando Mall but not too far from Universal. You might want to leave the park around 5 and run to dinner then come back till closing.
Cricketeer's, in the Mercado shopping center, again, not far from Universal. It states it is an authentic Irish Bar. I went with my son last year and we had 2 drinks each, an appetizer, 2 meals and dessert and we just barely made the $35 total. I think our bill came to $34.89. the 3 of you could have a great meal there.
BB Kings on International Drive, again near Universal. Lots of ribs, burgers, steaks, etc... It is near Ripleys' Believe it or Not.
I would also recommend Sweet Tomatoes. It is a huge salad bar (not just salad, lots of meats) with soups, chili, and desserts. The breads and rolls are all freshly made. If you go to their website they will send you a coupon for BOGO every month.

 

[hearts8701]

where can i sign up for the linus project i have been looking for something my family can do together and its so hard to get together for something to do at the same time this would be perfect for us

 

[tink1957]

Can you tell me more about the Kroger tickets? I did a search and this is the only topic that comes up.

Unfortunately, these are no longer available Universal either isn't activating the cards or has pulled them off the racks, I got mine in January before they did this. Try looking over on the Universal forums for the latest deals on tickets.

I would like to hear more about the Linus Project, it sounds like something we could do. Thanks.

 

[DonnaL]

Yes, we have done resort stays w/o going into a park. Actually, we stayed at AKV/Jambo House for three nights and relaxed, read and lounged by the pool, rented a boat at VWL and spent a leisurely hour or so cruising Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, had nice relaxing dinners two evenings and then spent the next three days at Vero Beach Resort basically doing the same thing.........however, on that particular trip.....it was just DH and I......our adult children and our grandson were not with us.......I don't think we could visit with them and not do at least some park time.

 

[wdwfan16]

Many people do and have a great time but I am not one of them. The draw of the parks is too great for me. I may only go in for a few hours but I need to go in. For this reason we buy APs so we can go any day we are there and the lenght of time does not really matter.

 

[tink1957]

Many people do and have a great time but I am not one of them. The draw of the parks is too great for me. I may only go in for a few hours but I need to go in. For this reason we buy APs so we can go any day we are there and the lenght of time does not really matter.

I wish we had bought APs on our last trip in Sept., but we weren't plannning on visiting again so soon, I should have known better, as they say hindsight's 20-20.

 

[Promomx2]

Last summer we did this. We had a split-stay between All-star sports and AKL. We played minature golf, rented a boat at Poly, explored the GF. Had lunch at the WL. It was relaxing to know we didn't have the pressure of getting up and hitting the parks. There's soo much to do.

 

[Planogirl]

We ALMOST did this once. We spent our vacation one year in St Augustine, at Universal's Royal Pacific and then finished up with three nights at AKL. We spent our first AKL day back at Universal and then our second at MK. We just couldn't be that close without going to MK! We also enjoyed resort hopping and Downtown Disney.

I think that we will try to visit MK and Epcot during each trip if possible. I found myself missing those two the most.