Have you taken a trip without visiting the parks?

[k_hase]

We're going for a 4 nights in August, one night at Universal and 3 at BW. The primary reason for going in the late summer was to use the waterparks (we still have 3 plus options left on a 7 day PHP from 2 years ago!) and are seriously considering not going to the theme parks at all (other than Universal). We figured we have 5 days, the first 1 1/2 at Universal and then 3 1/2 at BW, so we wouldr really only have night time and one day to do the parks.

Am I crazy, can we find enough to do? I figure some time at PI, and resort restaurants, maybe a night at California Grill to see the fireworks, pool time...I don't know. Thoughts?!

 

[eleanor]

Last year we went for 2 weeks and the second week we just did nonpark things . Lots of pool time and bike rides. You can go to FW and look at the petting zoo and sit on the beach and have lunch at the Trails End Buffet. $10.00 for everything. DD has lots to see. Resort hop etc. The BW has a great quiet pool and a fun busy pool.Sit on the boardwalk and people watch.

 

[sodaseller]

We're fortunate because we are only an hour away, but we have taken plenty of trips to DD and/or to see the Holiday decorations at resorts without going into the Parks

 

[mickeymom629]

I hope you get more responses from this question, because we plan on going next spring but DH says he doesn't want to do parks daily. We, too, have lots of plus passes leftover. If spending more money is not too much of an issue, my family did the Aqua Seas tour in Epcot (no entrance pass needed) and loved it. It started around noon I think and lasted a few hours.

Another year, two sons went fishing at the Boardwalk. Another year the family did parasailing at the Contemporary. Rent water boats.

There's miniature golf, the Wide world of Sport (my kids did the NFL experience one year), horseback riding and nightly campfires with Chip and Dale at Fort Wilderness.

Take in a movie in Downtown Disney. Visit other resorts.

There's lots to do without going to parks, I think.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I know a couple of mine are not going to be too happy not going to the parks daily unless we keep them busy. We have never not gone to the parks and even last trip, I planned on having a day or two without a park, but that was not to be.

 

[sodaseller]

Originally posted by mickeymom629
I hope you get more responses from this question, because we plan on going next spring but DH says he doesn't want to do parks daily. We, too, have lots of plus passes leftover. If spending more money is not too much of an issue, my family did the Aqua Seas tour in Epcot (no entrance pass needed) and loved it. It started around noon I think and lasted a few hours.

Another year, two sons went fishing at the Boardwalk. Another year the family did parasailing at the Contemporary. Rent water boats.

There's miniature golf, the Wide world of Sport (my kids did the NFL experience one year), horseback riding and nightly campfires with Chip and Dale at Fort Wilderness.

Take in a movie in Downtown Disney. Visit other resorts.

There's lots to do without going to parks, I think.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I know a couple of mine are not going to be too happy not going to the parks daily unless we keep them busy. We have never not gone to the parks and even last trip, I planned on having a day or two without a park, but that was not to be.

I would strongly advise a cushion day between Park days. You can enjoy the pool, some of the nature, or even other activities I learned about at this site, like the kids' cooking adventures and the Mad Hatter Tea Party at the GF. Going on consecutive days is overload and a recipe for fatigue

 

[eleanor]

There is afternoon tea at the GF and cookie decorating for kids at the AKL.Go to the Sweet shop on the boardwalk and get an ice cream cone and look at all the pictures of the former Miss America.Take a DVC tour.Take a new mouse boat out on Bay Lake.Lots of stuff to do.

 

[Blueberry]

My DH went to ORLANDO once on a business trip and only did the Marketplace without going into the parks. He said it was a nice evening..I was still...jealous!!!....