DVCers experience & opinions needed

[LindaBabe]

Staying January 4 - 15 at AKL. Jan 18- 26 at OKW. Off site near GKTW in between.

My AP expires 15 days into my solo trip in January. Our next trip will be 2 days in January 2011 before the PC cruise. We're trying to be frugal this year, so I'm not planning to renew my AP or rent an ecv for the days following expiration. (the two combined = the cost of a car for the whole trip.)

Have you ever stayed in DVC without park passes?

If so, what were your favorite things to do onsite but not in a park?

If so, what did you do, if anything, off property?

Did you find it difficult to be so near the parks and yet not able to access them?

Thanks, gang!

 

[JimC]

Resort hop for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Enjoy a few hours exploring each resort, enjoying the pool, checking out the shops.

Rent boats at some of the resorts to tour the various lakes and waterways. Pack a lunch and enjoy lunch on the water.

Visit Disney's Wide World of Sports.

There are many other attractions around central Florida -- Busch Gardens, Universal, Sea World, Discovery Cove (although it probably does not fall under frugal, it is an extraordinary day), Aquatica, Kennedy Space Center (admission includes Astronaut Hall of Fame), Gatorland, and Disney Wilderness Preserve.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Staying January 4 - 15 at AKL. Jan 18- 26 at OKW. Off site near GKTW in between.

My AP expires 15 days into my solo trip in January. Our next trip will be 2 days in January 2011 before the PC cruise. We're trying to be frugal this year, so I'm not planning to renew my AP or rent an ecv for the days following expiration. (the two combined = the cost of a car for the whole trip.)

Have you ever stayed in DVC without park passes?

The family and I did 5 nights at AKV last new years without tickets. We had a great trip, though we did give in once and did the "one hour free" shopping pass at Epcot - my daughter wanted to check out the stuff at the Japan Pavilion. The "one hour free" is when you buy a ticket at the guest services window at the theme park, and return within the hour abd get the ticket reimbursed. It did feel good to be in the park for that hour, though !

If so, what were your favorite things to do onsite but not in a park?

If so, what did you do, if anything, off property?

Did you find it difficult to be so near the parks and yet not able to access them?

Thanks, gang!

Shop and eat at Downtown Disney.
Check out local restaurants that you want to try.
Mini-golf.
Check out the Disney resorts.
Sleep in and relax.
Hit the outlet stores.
Catch a movie at the AMC 24 at Downtown Disney. Screens 1 & 2 are 3 stories tall with great sound systems. Worth a visit.
Watch the MK fireworks from the beach at the Poly.
Watch Illuminations from the bridge near the Boardwalk or where the Friendship docks.
Enjoy the animals at the AKL.
Drive over to the Kennedy Space Center.
Sleep in some more.
Hit Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Pucks Express. Good food !
Read a good book.
Enjoy the hot tub.
Rent a sea racer on Bay Lake or Seven Seas Lagoon - they are faster there.
>these may be outside the frugal part<
Rent the Breathless II.
Do the Ft. Wilderness Segway tour.

Enjoy your trip !

 

[LindaBabe]

btt

 

[RobDoc]

I'll second the "Resort Hopping" suggestion. We do like to visit as many resorts as practical when we decide to have quiet, non-park days. Planning those travels around meal time also works.

Take photos at each resort visit of unique aspects of that resort - it's amazing the detail at every WDW resort, both in architecture, landscaping and theming.

We also like to use as many forms of Disney transport as possible - from the obvious busses, to boats to DD (from OKW, SSR, POR), to boats to Epcot/DHS (from BWV/BWI, S/D, BC/YC/BCV), to boats/ferries to MK (from WL/VWL. FW, GF, Poly), monorail (to TTC, MK, Epcot, CR, Poly, GF).

(Hi Linda B! )

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I was surprised at how busy we were and how much fun we had at our recent non-park trip!

Pool hop. I'd recommend the Polynesian--while you're there either have breakfast at Kona or dinner at 'Ohana (or both!) Also Wilderness lodge has a nice pool and Whispering Canyon Cafe is fun and has good food.

Do some character meals--maybe Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare. Hoop De Doo Revue or Mickey's Backyard BBQ.

Obviously...shop at DTD.

By exploring resorts, pools, shops, and restaurants you get a lot of Disney and won't miss the parks (much.)