Have you ever stayed at villas and not done parks?

[Jillpie]

We're cruising next June on the Magic and decided to do our "pre cruise" stay at the BCV, just to get down there. We have some plus features left over, so thought we'd do Blizzard Beach and the Comedy club. And one day would be Stormalong Bay and Downtown Disney. So how strange would it be to be there, but not do the parks??

p.s., I crunched the numbers and for a two day park pass it would be 700.00 for the five of us, yikes.

 

[Daitcher]

We're cruising next June on the Magic and decided to do our "pre cruise" stay at the BCV, just to get down there. We have some plus features left over, so thought we'd do Blizzard Beach and the Comedy club. And one day would be Stormalong Bay and Downtown Disney. So how strange would it be to be there, but not do the parks??

p.s., I crunched the numbers and for a two day park pass it would be 700.00 for the five of us, yikes.

Wouldn't be weird at all for our family. The parks are secondary options for us. We enjoy the resort first and foremost. That is the beauty of WDW, you can be as active or lazy as you want. We've had many trips with no parks.

DAVE

 

[belle3]

Just got back from three nights at OKW and didn't do the parks...DD and her friend were at the extended SeaWorld/Busch Gardens summer camp, so we were there to pick them up, and of course a day on either side of the trip...absolutely perfect even without the parks, much more relaxed and more time to enjoy the space in the 1 bedroom...now if we could have just had a little more cooperation from Mother Nature ....
We went to DTD, out to eat, explored some of the resorts, shopped,used the jacuzzi, but didn't get any swim time because of the rain.... but it was still GREAT..think I will do it again!

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

We've done that for a couple of cruises. Once after a cruise we stayed at Vero for 6 days, followed by 9 at the Boardwalk. No park tickets.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Yes and I loved it. I stayed over Labor Day weekend and did exactly what you are planning to do. I used my plus options and purchased a discounted entry to Disney Quest. I also stayed at VWL so the hiking trails and using the mouseboats on bay lake were also available to me without having to transport myself from the resort.

I can't wait to do this again.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I haven't before, I'm planning to do it next trip. I couldn't resist Southwest Airlines offer to go in August, but I hate the heat! So I don't expect to go out much. I'll let you know how my first "no park" trip works out!

 

[nezy]

We just got back from a week-we went to one park-TYPHOON LAGOON. We did go to the campfire and watch "Freaky Friday". We also went to DD and fed the ducks and fish swan in the bay.

We also did alot of pool-hopping and just enjoying the resorts. That is one of the reasons we joined DVC. we get alot of Disney Magic just from being on the property. We do not always need to go to the parks and pay for tickets.

Sometimes the kids just want to do DisneyQuest, so we will go there. We will also take the ferry from OKW to DD or just ride the monorail and watch the fireworks at the GF or Poly or Contemporary. We get alot of Disney from just being there.

Enjoy. You will be back and can do the parks another time. Besides it is soo hot now-enjoy the pools.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks so much everyone. Its nice to know you don't feel strange doing this. We will be back for the parks, for sure, in the future. But for this trip, it'll just be BCV.

 

[abeyst]

My dad did this on his trip last year. He forgot his park passes at home and refused to buy new ones! I guess you could say he got forced into a relaxing vacation!

 

[spiceycat]

definitely - although staying at BCV might be a problem. I mean you can see Epcot....makes it very hard to resist.

I would stay at either OKW or SSR. SSR will allow you to walk to DD easily.

of course the downside is no SALB - but hey you are going to BB.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Last August we had free miles so we used them for plane tickets, and spent all three days at the SSR pool and spa! It was wonderful, so wonderful, in fact, that I used my miles this year for more free plane tickets, and we are spending 3 days at BW. The parks aren't that important to us anymore, the resorts are much more fun. In July we had a grand villa at OKW, and it was too wonderful to just let it sit all day, so we enjoyed swimming, hiking the trails, taking the boat ride, used the Gurgling Suitcase alot We even took the bus ride thru SSR and over to Epcot just to cool off. Everybody was willing to"share the air"!

 

[SB in KY]

I am leaving a week from today with DD's and one of their friends for a no park trip...well actually we are going to Sea world one day and we have a lot of left over "pluses" on the old park hoppers and a set of Disney Quest tickets from last year we did not use....so they can do a couple of water parks, a day at DQ and a day at Seaworld and they still have a couple of days to hang out at BW and pool hop....I thought they would be less interested in going without park tickets, but I think they are just as excited as always.... and I am looking forward to some serious reading time by the pool and a lot of naps!!

I got to figure that a bad day at Boardwalk beats the heck out of a good day at work!!!

 

[lenshanem]

Just did a non park trip and we had a great time. I did a trip report, link is at the bottom of my sig.

Have a great trip!

 

[traycie2201]

the last two times we have gone we have stayed on site and visited the non disney orlando, we had a wonderful time , airboats in titusville were a blast, kelly park was gorgeous, explored relaxed and saved money

 

[wdwstar]

we are doing just that for our dec. 31,2005 magic cruise, we also have one more night booked at the bcv after the cruise is over. with all the excitement going on with you getting ready to go on the cruise and picking up last minute things to bring with on the cruise you wont even miss the parks. with the crowds at the waterparks & sab, will break you in, for the crowds at the pool on the ship

 

[CarolA]

Did it for a few days this spring at SSR. Didn't really plan to, but enjoyed the pool so much that I decided just to hang out there. Then I only had one real night so I went to DTD for dinner.

Hmm... maybe it's time for another trip like that. It was very relaxing!

 

[jade1]

We used to and it is still great, but afraid with the great AP deal-those days may be done for us. Nothing like walking into and back from BCV for a Japan dinner and then Illuminations the day of arrival.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We spend alot of time at our resort and no longer run to the parks. With that said, it is going to be very hard to stay at the BCV and not do Epcot. Not only can you see Epcot, you can hear it! The music drifts in from The UK area and Canada. You can also see the boats going in, see people walking in. and out, see and hear the fireworks........ OK I would have to go into Epcot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I would be shaking if I was that close and didn't go in. I would stay at SSR instead. Sorry , just an advance warning.....you are going to have to be very strong to resist the tempations of Epcot especially in the evening.

 

[off to neverland]

To the OP....

I'm in the same situation, and am wondering where to stay before our Wonder Cruise next August. Am considering Vero, and just posted a question about how far it would be to get from Vero to Port Canaveral.

If that doesn't work, we'll be doing just like you , and staying at one of the WDW resorts on points and skipping the parks.

 

[Tootsietoo]

Last August I spent a week at BW with the kids and grandkids. After they left, my girlfriend flew down and we relaxed by the pool, enjoyed high tea at the GF, and shopped. It was great.