Favorite DVC membership perk

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I used to always just do dollars to dollars to compare. I now know how much more valuable it is. I also used to be the person who thought park hopping wasted so much time. I am now in love with park hopping.

I think this also goes back to being DVC. Park hopping likely does waste time…if it’s the only trip you’re going to have to WDW for years and years. But knowing you’ll be back regularly allows you to enjoy the entire WDW resort experience, including all the unique transportation and the amazing resorts. Having an AP on top of DVC is like having the keys to an entire city.

Was it this thread you mentioned wishing you had non-bus access to 3 parks from one resort? I know everyone here loves the ability to walk, so if you don’t mind a bit of a walk, an AP does kind of give you access to 3 parks: to and from the crescent lake resorts and seven seas resorts. An AP lets Epcot be your walkway to and from the international gateway and monorail connecting HS, Epcot and MK to all those resorts can’t say it’s most efficient lol but technically it works.

We unintentionally did this once and it’s one of my favorite memories on a trip a few years ago. We were staying at VGF and had a non-park day so we’d had the best morning sleeping in and pool time then went to the Fantasia Fairways mini golf in the afternoon (right next to swan reserve). After, we walked over to the Boardwalk to enjoy the evening over there. As we were already by Epcot we decided instead of taking an Uber back to the hotel we’d just make a park reservation for Epcot and walk through to the monorail instead. It was like 8pm so the park would be closing in an hour. It was perfect way to end a chill day and to make it even better, Guardians had some LLSP available so we got to do my favorite ride to top it all off. That’s when we decided the carefree spontaneity an AP allows is absolutely worth its cost.

 

[Brian Noble]

Park hopping likely does waste time

It consumes time. That's not the same as it wastes it.

That's because I'm not sure "time in a park" is the only (or even the most important) metric.

I've been taking annual week-long trips for a couple of decades. I always bought park hoppers. In some years, I rarely or never used it. In other years, I hopped most days. One thing that struck me: the trips that had more hopping felt "longer" than the trips that didn't. I don't know exactly why this is, but it was easier for me to get into "vacation mode" earlier in the week on the mostly-hopping trips.

Over time, I've learned that I like the trips more with more daily diversity in what I am doing. I feel the same way about time hanging around the resort---having an ample dose of it make the trips better, not worse.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I think this also goes back to being DVC. Park hopping likely does waste time…if it’s the only trip you’re going to have to WDW for years and years. But knowing you’ll be back regularly allows you to enjoy the entire WDW resort experience, including all the unique transportation and the amazing resorts. Having an AP on top of DVC is like having the keys to an entire city.

Was it this thread you mentioned wishing you had non-bus access to 3 parks from one resort? I know everyone here loves the ability to walk, so if you don’t mind a bit of a walk, an AP does kind of give you access to 3 parks: to and from the crescent lake resorts and seven seas resorts. An AP lets Epcot be your walkway to and from the international gateway and monorail connecting HS, Epcot and MK to all those resorts can’t say it’s most efficient lol but technically it works.

We unintentionally did this once and it’s one of my favorite memories on a trip a few years ago. We were staying at VGF and had a non-park day so we’d had the best morning sleeping in and pool time then went to the Fantasia Fairways mini golf in the afternoon (right next to swan reserve). After, we walked over to the Boardwalk to enjoy the evening over there. As we were already by Epcot we decided instead of taking an Uber back to the hotel we’d just make a park reservation for Epcot and walk through to the monorail instead. It was like 8pm so the park would be closing in an hour. It was perfect way to end a chill day and to make it even better, Guardians had some LLSP available so we got to do my favorite ride to top it all off. That’s when we decided the carefree spontaneity an AP allows is absolutely worth its cost.

Yes it was me. This is the info I need to learn. Ive seen various blogs that show what transport takes you where but Im wanting to know these loopholes that will get you places via Disney transport without taking a bus even if its a a little out of the way. So I could technically take boat or walk from BCV to Epcot then take monorail to BLT and access MK? I know some will say this is a hassle but honestly I thought I was going to lose my mind with the bus situation leaving MK. Going was not as bad. So on return Id have to be sure to exit MK before Epcot closes.
Edit: I am going to make a separate thread for this as to not get off topic here. https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-to-visit-the-parks-from-dvc-resorts.3966329/ Come all and tell me your ways

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

We unintentionally did this once and it’s one of my favorite memories on a trip a few years ago.

DH's favorite way of getting to DHS from the monorail loop, if we're in no hurry, is to take the monorail to EPCOT, walk across the park, with stops for snacks in World Showcase (or to say hi to the manatees at my request), then take the Skyliner from IG to HS. Works nicely in reverse as well!

This is all part of putting "vacation" back into the Vacation Kingdom of the World, the philosophy espoused by Bay Lake Society: http://www.baylakesociety.com
APs make relaxing at WDW much more possible

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Back to the original question, my favorite DVC perk is the extended evening hours followed by Moonlight Magic. Nighttime WDW with lower crowds = happiness

 

[Brian Noble]

Bay Lake Society

As a founders' club member, I endorse this.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I think this also goes back to being DVC. Park hopping likely does waste time…if it’s the only trip you’re going to have to WDW for years and years. But knowing you’ll be back regularly allows you to enjoy the entire WDW resort experience, including all the unique transportation and the amazing resorts. Having an AP on top of DVC is like having the keys to an entire city.

Was it this thread you mentioned wishing you had non-bus access to 3 parks from one resort? I know everyone here loves the ability to walk, so if you don’t mind a bit of a walk, an AP does kind of give you access to 3 parks: to and from the crescent lake resorts and seven seas resorts. An AP lets Epcot be your walkway to and from the international gateway and monorail connecting HS, Epcot and MK to all those resorts can’t say it’s most efficient lol but technically it works.

We unintentionally did this once and it’s one of my favorite memories on a trip a few years ago. We were staying at VGF and had a non-park day so we’d had the best morning sleeping in and pool time then went to the Fantasia Fairways mini golf in the afternoon (right next to swan reserve). After, we walked over to the Boardwalk to enjoy the evening over there. As we were already by Epcot we decided instead of taking an Uber back to the hotel we’d just make a park reservation for Epcot and walk through to the monorail instead. It was like 8pm so the park would be closing in an hour. It was perfect way to end a chill day and to make it even better, Guardians had some LLSP available so we got to do my favorite ride to top it all off. That’s when we decided the carefree spontaneity an AP allows is absolutely worth its cost.

I do this walk often! We go from MK to HS via the monorail to EPCOT and then stroll through to Crescent Lake and make the loop. On especially hot days we stop at Le Artisan des Glacés for cones for the road !

 

[tx911]

stroll through to Crescent Lake

That's about how I phrased it to my kids the first time we tried it. They haven't been interested in doing it since

 

[Ronaldo17]

Extended evening hours, the only way we can ever get on the popular rides

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

That's about how I phrased it to my kids the first time we tried it. They haven't been interested in doing it since

I mean, at the time my kiddo was literally IN a stroller so it was completely honest marketing on my part!! I can’t speak to your sitch…

 

[BaybeeYoda]

Dvc lounges. My kids are obsessed with hanging out at the lounges - free soda and snacks in trade for our 5 figure trip every year…..