DVC only, no kids, no parks trip: How would you do it?

[mamaprincess]

DH and I will be leaving in 9 days for just the type of WDW vacation you've described. However, when we found out that we would be able to experience MVMCP, we did decide to do that (and so will be at the MK on the last evening of our trip).
Our plan includes:
- relax
- eating at restaurants we've never tried before
- seeing La Nouba
- relax some more
- a one day trip out to Clearwater
- touring the resorts we've not yet stayed at (hard to really do when you have kids whining to go to the parks)
- relax
- Illuminations cruise (no park admission required & we're sharing with others so the cost is minimal)
- watch the water parade from FW
- did I mention relax??
and any other little thing our hearts desire. I think we will probably take a few boat rides and maybe another day trip, but the point is that this will be a slow-paced vacation for us. Both of us are very excited about this different kind of Disney vacation!

Please come back here and post a little trip report! I would have a hard time not attending MVMCP if it were happening during our trip.

I definitely would love to share a cruise with other couples. I hope I can find a few willing to share around the time that we will be going.

We are considering La Nouba. I have no idea what to expect so I am not sure. The tickets are so expensive. If we could do that, then we could do epcot for one day instead and really enjoy World Showcase and a romantic dinner. I don't know if the budget will allow for either.

 

[mamaprincess]

Please forgive me if I duplicate; I haven't read all the responses super carefully, but I did read enough to learn the no park rule.

If club cover charges will fit in the budget, I can recommend Adventurer's Club and Jellyrolls highly. DH and I took a long weekend without kids a couple of summers ago and enjoyed both establishments very much. We also have had the buffet breakfast at Fresh,(Swan and Dolphin) although not in a couple of years; you might want to check newer reviews.

You could take transportation to watch Illuminations fireworks from the Boardwalk, or Wishes from the Poly beach.

Be sure to have a bodacious hot fudge sundae at Ghiradelli, too!

Don't forget to sleep in-- you probably can't do that very often.

I would really love to experience the adventurers club. We've never gone to Jellyrolls either so I will put it on the list.

We will be attempting to watch Wishes from various locations. Wishes is my favorite!

Where is the best place to watch Illuminations on the Boardwalk?

 

[westjones]

We loved the HDR dinner show at Fort Wilderness.

We did an almost no parks trip (5 day vacation but only one day at the parks). But we had kids with us and did a lot of pool hopping.

I believe I remember reading there is an entertainer at Port Orleans one night a week that everyone enjoys. I am going to try to find info on that before March because we are doing another vacation with only 1 day at the parks and want things to do also.

There is a member gather on Wednesday afternoon at the Atlantic Dance Club at BWVs that you can go to, you may win a prize, and everyone gets a hat.

There are movies at Fort Wilderness at night with Chip and Dale. We just like walking around at FW, and it might be fun to go to the movie program (or just the first part of it) even without kids.

DTD has a movie theater so you can always go to some grown up movies without the kids (we rarely make it to see movies that our kids can't see because they are always with us).

We are planning on doing a lot of walking to just enjoy the landscaping. You can look at this website for different walks around WDW:

http://www.mousesteps.com/

Then at night, go to watch fireworks at MK from the Poly or the fireworks from Epcot at the bridge by BWVs.

Just some thoughts. I am sure you will have a very relaxing vacation, but honestly, I can't imagine not going to the parks 1 day! It would be really hard for me!!!

DJ

 

[mamaprincess]

We loved the HDR dinner show at Fort Wilderness.

We did an almost no parks trip (5 day vacation but only one day at the parks). But we had kids with us and did a lot of pool hopping.

I believe I remember reading there is an entertainer at Port Orleans one night a week that everyone enjoys. I am going to try to find info on that before March because we are doing another vacation with only 1 day at the parks and want things to do also.

There is a member gather on Wednesday afternoon at the Atlantic Dance Club at BWVs that you can go to, you may win a prize, and everyone gets a hat.

There are movies at Fort Wilderness at night with Chip and Dale. We just like walking around at FW, and it might be fun to go to the movie program (or just the first part of it) even without kids.

DTD has a movie theater so you can always go to some grown up movies without the kids (we rarely make it to see movies that our kids can't see because they are always with us).

We are planning on doing a lot of walking to just enjoy the landscaping. You can look at this website for different walks around WDW:

http://www.mousesteps.com/

Then at night, go to watch fireworks at MK from the Poly or the fireworks from Epcot at the bridge by BWVs.

Just some thoughts. I am sure you will have a very relaxing vacation, but honestly, I can't imagine not going to the parks 1 day! It would be really hard for me!!!

DJ

We definitely plan on going to the movies while we are there because we almost never get to go to any grown-up ones. I also read about the guy at Port Orleans on allears.net and hope to get to see him perform.

There is so much stuff to do that I don't imagine I will hanker to do the parks. We have a trip with the kids coming up after this one, so we will get our park fix then. If we can fit it in the budget, we may just do world showcase for one day, because we always rush through it with the kiddies.

 

[Kathi OD]

Please come back here and post a little trip report! I would have a hard time not attending MVMCP if it were happening during our trip.

I definitely would love to share a cruise with other couples. I hope I can find a few willing to share around the time that we will be going.

We are considering La Nouba. I have no idea what to expect so I am not sure. The tickets are so expensive. If we could do that, then we could do epcot for one day instead and really enjoy World Showcase and a romantic dinner. I don't know if the budget will allow for either.

As a I should be assigning reports, not giving them. But I think that I can be coerced into a little one this time around.

We have been going at the same time of year for quite awhile now. This is the first time that we are able to catch MVMCP though. I read somewhere that they moved it up a bit and so we'll be able to go on the first night on our last night.

Here's a link on where to find people to share an Illuminations trip with.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=560160
There are also cruises for Wishes. I did a search, but of course couldn't find the thread.

I love Cirque. It is the most amazing, unusual show I think I have ever seen. Even DH is looking forward to going and he is not the "theater type" at all. I can't even get him to go to a movie. My DD, DDIL, DM and I are all going to the Cirque show in NYC (Wintuk) at Christmastime. The tickets are expensive, I'll agree there. My thinking is that we are keeping the budget down by not going into the parks everyday and so can splurge on that one thing. If we were going into the parks, there would be no way we could go to La Nouba too.

 

[OKW Mom]

We purposefully went to BCV to enjoy the SB pool.

I did yoga 3 of the 4 mornings on the beach at 7am-the sun rose over the lake beautifully! One morning we watched the fog burn off as we exercised. Seeing the lake quiet and still is beautiful-watching it come to life in relaxing!

We ate really well-(DDP) enjoyed dressing in our Disney gear and taking Monorail and boats to no place in particular. (Very relaxing when you see all the running people trying to get to the fireworks!).

Pin traded and People watched at DTD.

At least one Chocolate sundae at Ghirardelli's (remember your DVC discount)

Pleasure Island 1x

SSR Spa-pedicure and hopped their pool.

Midnight swims at the DVC BCV pools.

SLEPT LATE!

Cheese and crackers and wine in the room with candlelight and bubblebaths

Golf

Mini Golf

Watching the wedding pavillions and applauding as they leave for their receptions.

Photography at the "golden" hours in the am and pm.

 

[BroganMc]

*OH. I love this and it's probably a no-no....take a book to the farthest hammock on the Poly beach. I almost read an entire book one day there. And saw someone getting married on the hill behind me. Surreal. My head was turned and I suddenly heard violins playing....I thought it was heat stroke.

Now that's funny.

I usually carry an MP3 player with me (something tiny that fits on a keychain). When I'm solo, I plug in my tunes, flip on my joystick power and just go for a roll & stroll. It amazingly works anywhere, even a busy Saturday in Magic Kingdom. Gives you that Get Smart "cone of silence" feeling.

Course it only works if you are in solo mode. I never get a chance to do that when my dad's in tow behind or beside me. The 2nd wheel always has a habit of interrupting with a question or comment.

Oh mamaprincess, be warned. My sis and hubbie returned from their one day solo at Disney (that kidless day I gave them for their anniversary) and have been like lovey dovey newlyweds ever since. Quite sickening actually, the way they keep smiling, holding hands and hugging and kissing each other for no reason. Course the little glittery anniversary band my BIL gave my sis probably helped matters a bit. I can't imagine what a whole week kidless in Disney would do to them.

 

[mamaprincess]

Here's a link on where to find people to share an Illuminations trip with.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=560160

Thanks for the link! I will be looking forward to your report.

Midnight swims at the DVC BCV pools.
Cheese and crackers and wine in the room with candlelight and bubblebaths

That sounds so romantic!

My sis and hubbie returned from their one day solo at Disney (that kidless day I gave them for their anniversary) and have been like lovey dovey newlyweds ever since. Quite sickening actually, the way they keep smiling, holding hands and hugging and kissing each other for no reason. Course the little glittery anniversary band my BIL gave my sis probably helped matters a bit. I can't imagine what a whole week kidless in Disney would do to them.

I will look forward to grossing our kids out upon our return.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Honestly, in June I'd LOVE to split-up an adult-only trip with a night or two at Vero. Vero is the one place I am looking forward to being without children someday.

Nothing much more romantic than strolling on a moon-lit ocean beach

 

[hematite153]

We took a 4 night no-parks trip last year.

(Well, there was a 5th night up-front that included a single 4-park day, but, we planned, up front, to spend the remaining 4 days outside the parks.)

We spent 2 nights at BCV and then 2 nights at SSR. Changing resorts meant that we could do the leisurely resort walking tour twice.

We also swam (for 1-2 hours/outing) twice a day. At BCV we did all of our swimming in SAB, but at SSR we swam in both HRS and the quiet pool each day. We also pool hopped once and went swimming at POR. (Yes, we like water.) (We had considered going to a water park one day but decided that we had just as much fun in the smaller pools.)

We read books. We took advantage of the free DVD rentals and watched a couple of movies in the room. We played cards.

We walked around other resorts when we went there for a meal.

We walked around DTD window shopping (neither of us likes spending money so it was easy not to come home with our arms full).

Etc.

Have a great trip!

 

[eva]

These are all great ideas. We have been empty nesters for a few years and have really enjoyed our trips to WDW. Sometimes we go into the parks and others we don't. This last trip we were at BCV for 7 days and hit the parks one full day and about 2/3 of another. But it would have been tough not to go into Epcot at all, since we were there during the Food and Wine Festival. We were on a 7-day Western cruise right before the stay, so we didn't need as much relaxing. Although you really can't get enough.

If anyone is staying at BCV for a romantic trip, be sure to ask for an upper floor towards Epcot. Our 1-bedroom had a fabulous view of Illuminations. So our last night we bought a bottle of Iron Horse Brut "Fairy Tale Cuvée" Champagne from the gormet shop at DD and enjoyed the fireworks from our balcony.

We also had a great time one day by just taking the bus to DD and then walking the trails over at SS. Then we browsed the Marketplace. We had a great time building with Legos at the Lego shop. Afterwards we hit the West Side and took in a movie. Followed that by a great dinner at Raglan Road with some great music. Finished off the night with PI. We were a bit too tired for dancing. So we stuck to the Adventurers Club and the Comedy Club. What a great day! Needless to say, we spent most of the next day by the pool!

Ok, another thing we have done is just walk out the door of our resort and take the first bus or boat that shows up. If you go somehwere you like, visit a bit or keep playing the game by jumping on the next form of transportation. We may ride to a park, but we don't go in. For example, if we take the bus to MK, we then walk over to the Contemporary and have a snack. Then we hit the monorail. Then we stop at the Poly and walk around the pool with a tropical drink. Then we might take the monorail over to Epcot. The first bus to any resort might be next. Although we do not take buses to the All-Stars or waterparks. Visiting the different resorts is nice. But remember half the fun is getting there. I know it sounds crazy. But we have had a great time doing this. We usually have a light snack and/or a specialty drink each place we hit. Since you really have no place to go, this is really relaxing.

Because of cost the tours may not be an option for you. But we did the Backstage Magic Tour this last trip and it was wonderful.

 

[lisaviolet]

Ok, another thing we have done is just walk out the door of our resort and take the first bus or boat that shows up. If you go somehwere you like, visit a bit or keep playing the game by jumping on the next form of transportation. We may ride to a park, but we don't go in. For example, if we take the bus to MK, we then walk over to the Contemporary and have a snack. Then we hit the monorail. Then we stop at the Poly and walk around the pool with a tropical drink. Then we might take the monorail over to Epcot. The first bus to any resort might be next. Although we do not take buses to the All-Stars or waterparks. Visiting the different resorts is nice. But remember half the fun is getting there. I know it sounds crazy. But we have had a great time doing this. We usually have a light snack and/or a specialty drink each place we hit. Since you really have no place to go, this is really relaxing.

Oh Eva. Shhhh. Don't let out all the crazy fun.

We also love that game. Immensely.

 

[mamaprincess]

I love the idea of taking transportation from one place to another. I am especially looking forward to taking the boats at night. I am planning some dinners with the added bonus of being able to take the boats in a round about way to get to them. I am definitely going to go over to Saratoga and take the boat to downtown disney several times. I am also really looking forward to taking in the beauty of each resort. We have never been to the Poly, Boardwalk, or Wilderness Lodge and this will be our first time staying at AKV.

I am really excited about trying out the Adventurers Club and Jellyrolls. I also excited about getting in a couple of grown-up movies. I am looking forward to feet that don't hurt, not having to rush through meals or rush from the parks to a meal and all the signature dining that we could never do.

 

[BroganMc]

We have never been to the Poly, Boardwalk, or Wilderness Lodge and this will be our first time staying at AKV.

Wait, you have NEVER been to those places? Not even for a visit?

Oh good God, you are sheltered!!! Seriously, go spend time walking the Poly and Grand Floridian beaches. They are so beautiful you're tempted to dip a toe in the water (if it weren't for all the signs warning of gators).

And when you go to Poly, head out to Sunset Point just to see that sunset. Assuming no one's getting married there at the time, it's an awesome view. A solitary point out over the water, on the top of a hill overlooking everything: the Poly, GF and MK.

I can't guarantee your feet won't be tired on this trip though. There's a lot to see just letting your feet loose at Disney. All the resorts are gorgeous and welcome day visitors.

You'll have to tell me how it was staying at AKV for this trip though. Beautiful theme, but I keep thinking I'm isolated there without a car and just bus transportation. I had a hard time figuring out how to get my sis over to the Boardwalk when she was at SSR carless. (My dad and I just drive over to BCV and dine at Cape May.) We went to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary instead. Easier to get a park bus and monorail I thought, and no park admission for them.

Oh one thing about meals, give a thought to eating at Cinderella's Castle. Yeah, it's a kid character meal but the food is absolutely awesome. I went with my sis' kids one year and barely got to finish my breakfast, what with all the princesses stopping by distracting the kids. But my dad and I have been twice without kids since. Breakfast and lunch. The food is gourmet, the princesses are charming, the view is magical and you never get rushed out the door before you clean your plate.

Edited to add: oh right, no parks for you. Darn. You do realize half the fun of a kidless trip is getting to do a park as grownups? No whining about being hungry, hot, bored, scared... well unless '"papaprince" is in a mood.

One of the most decadent things my dad and I do is just park ourselves in the middle of a park, eat Frozen Mickeys and just watch all the other park commando families go at it. We don't bother with maps anymore. Better just to explore those little side paths to nowhere.

 

[mamaprincess]

Wait, you have NEVER been to those places? Not even for a visit?

Oh good God, you are sheltered!!!

So very sheltered. Every trip, it's parks, parks, parks and Character dining. It's strictly about what the kids want to do, which is fine because nothing in the world can beat the glow on their faces as one dream after another comes true. I absolutely love doing the parks with them and I just don't want to do the parks or character dining without them right now. (thank goodness cause it aint in the budget!)

I am just really looking forward to spending time with DH alone, dating, strolling, talking, and spending time wandering the resorts and DTD.

You'll have to tell me how it was staying at AKV for this trip though. Beautiful theme, but I keep thinking I'm isolated there without a car and just bus transportation. I had a hard time figuring out how to get my sis over to the Boardwalk when she was at SSR carless.

I'll tell you about AKV when we return if I don't change over to SSR. I am soooo tempted to switch over to SSR for this trip especially because of the proximity of DTD and we really adore it, but I don't know if I can justify 42 additional points. We will see. I am going to schedule a lunch at the Turf Club and we will drive over just to take the boat to and from DTD but I really want to stay there.

Your sister probably could have walked over or taken the bus to DTD and taken the Boardwalk resort bus to the Boardwalk. That's one of the cool thing about SSR, you can use the resort buses conveniently located at DTD to get to your resort ADR's instead of taking a resort bus to a park, then transfering to a resort bus, only to have to take the resort bus back to a park so that you can grab your resort bus home.

Oh one thing about meals, give a thought to eating at Cinderella's Castle. Yeah, it's a kid character meal but the food is absolutely awesome.

We have eaten in the Castle and will certainly eat there again but of course we won't be in MK for this trip. We will try to eat there on Christmas Eve for our next trip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would definitely advise you to STAY at AKV! You will be blown away by the resort, and I suspect you will not want to leave once you get there and see all there is to do in that one location! The best restaurants are there as well! I could make a trip out of just visiting AKL and Wilderness Lodge. One of our favorite things to do is resort hop in the evenings! We manage to hit most of the deluxes each trip for a meal or just a "visit". Our favs are Wilderness Lodge, Grand FLoridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Poly, and SSR and OKW (but we are usually staying there). Even when we don't stay at OKW, we like to visit!

 

[BriarRose59]

This post is very timely as we have just discovered that my DH and I will be at WDW next June without kids. Our DD16 will be doing a 4 week college session at an arts school in Sarasota. She hasn't been away from home for that length of time before so we are going to hang around for the first week just so she will know we are close by if she needs us. Of course, what a hardship to spend a week at WDW! Its only around 90 minutes away so its a good compromise to not be too close but close enough. I am hoping she goes to school there. Of course, she might not want to since she knows I'll be visiting a lot!!! My DH isn't one for the parks so all the info on other things to do is great. Thanks for starting this thread.

 

[mamaprincess]

I would definitely advise you to STAY at AKV! You will be blown away by the resort, and I suspect you will not want to leave once you get there and see all there is to do in that one location! The best restaurants are there as well! I could make a trip out of just visiting AKL and Wilderness Lodge. One of our favorite things to do is resort hop in the evenings! We manage to hit most of the deluxes each trip for a meal or just a "visit". Our favs are Wilderness Lodge, Grand FLoridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Poly, and SSR and OKW (but we are usually staying there). Even when we don't stay at OKW, we like to visit!

Hey Diane!

We are always blown away by AKL, that's why we chose to add-on their. We have dinner there every trip; twice. However, I just love SSR. I guess it has a hook in me emotionally, since it was the first resort we stayed in, perhaps some of it is nostalgia. I would love to experience it with DH alone and I just think SSR would be perfect for this kind of trip. The kids, I'm sure, will loooovvvee AKV and I see it as one to experience as a family. However, the point cheapy in me will likely not switch over to SSR because of the 42 additional points that it will take to stay at SSR. I'm sure we will enjoy it.

This post is very timely as we have just discovered that my DH and I will be at WDW next June without kids.

That is awesome news! It's so nice to hear from all of the folks who have had or are planning similar kinds of trips. I hope this thread is as helpful to you as it is to me.


Here is 2 great links that I found on Allears.net with more info about doing things outside of the parks. The first link talks about free or really cheap things to do (scroll down a little bit past the links on the top of the page) and the second has links that give information about all kinds of recreation.
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ola.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/beyond.htm

 

[3DisneyKids]

Just loving reading this thread!

 

[Kathi OD]

Our no kids trip starts in 5 days!

This is the most excited I've been about a Disney trip in quite a few years. That's not to say that I haven't been excited about our other trips; just that this time we are planning on doing things that we've always wanted to do, but didn't because the kids wanted to do other things. When you have kids, it's always about them, this time it can be (and will be) about us!!