Help me with my nonDisney OKW trip

[FreeTime]

We have ressies to stay for 2 days at Vero then move to OKW for 10 days in July. We are not planning on visiting any Disney Parks, but will be getting the Universal Flex Pass. I am having Disney withdrawl already! Are we making a mistake? I picked OKW since it seems more removed and we won't think about the MK an my fave Epcot. Someone tell me how you handle your DVC trips without going to the Disney parks?

At Vero we plan on just hanging out at the beach. If we want something else to do, what goes on at the resort? Do they offer a character breakfast?

Also, does Publix have a good selection of Gluten free items? Does anyone know if there is a Whole Foods in the area?

Also, I have always been an advocate of staying over the weekends, but in July we are spending over 100 points (if I recall I am scared to go back and look) and I keep thinking that is enough points for another trip. I don't really want to move, but what would you do?

Thanks for the advice.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow! The only time we used our Orlando DVC and didn't use regular tickets, we went to TL and a MNSSHP, and this was for a long weekend. We also played mini golf for the first time there, we wanted to do some things that we hadn't done in a very long time, and it was great, but again just for a 3 night weekend. I definitely would sign up for some sort of boat/recreation package if one is available.

We don't particularly like Universal and have only gone there once, but isn't it better to stay at Universal if you're going there because of the front of the line thing?

I don't know about the Whole Foods store. Have a great time, we stay during weekends just because of working and still wanting to go to WDW using DVC as much as we can.

Bobbi

 

[FreeTime]

bobbiwoz-You are right, it is definately better to stay at US for FOTL, however, I don't want to rent points to be able to cover the cost of the room and I'd rather spread out in the villa then a little ole room onsite. I figured with tickets that are unlimited for 14 days, we should be able to see what we want in the 10 days.

I will keep looking for a Whole Foods or other organic type food store.

Thanks!

Anyone else?

 

[ccw]

I'm sure I am in the minority but I saw all I wanted to see at Universal in about four hours. Yuck. I just wasn't bowled over by anything there. Admittedly I am not a big motion simulator ride fan nor do I do the daring roller coasters so that ruled out some of Universal's best for me. I am a DVC owner at OKW and think you will enjoy staying there whether you do Disney parks or not. Very relaxing, spacious and beautiful. Have a great trip.

 

[spiceycat]

if you only want US/ioa I would go to universal site

www.universalorlando.com

and just get there you pay for 2 days and 3 days free - before the flex ticket.

now if you also want to so SW and Wet n' wild - different story.

but only US/ioa - then I would buy from them

also remember without an annual pass you will pay $9 to park your car here - so add to the bill.

 

[SueOKW]

I love free time at OKW....

I:
sit on my verandah - of course...
go to the pools.
take walks in the evening.
take the boat to DD
drive to other resorts for dinner
sit on my verandah
golf
spa (at SS!)
go to the Tiffany Museum in Orlando
swim at BB or TL? is that an option for you?
oh
and i sit on my verandah

 

[nezy]

There are so many Disney things to do without going to the parks!

Resort/pool hop
ride the monorail
go to GF to see fireworks from the dock
campfire at Wilderness campground
dinner at Ohana or any other resort resturant
walk the Boardwalk
Downtown Disney and PI
waterparks-TL and BB
electrical parade at MK resorts
hidden Mickey's tour at Wilderness Lodge
visit Animal Kingdom to see the animals in the "Savannah"

If you don't want to use alot of points for a weekend, why don't you book a Universal Hotel for weekend and go heavy on the Univ./IOA parks on those days, and then go another day later in the week.

During July you may want to be in a pool or waterpark. We went last July and di alot of non-major park Disney things. We wanted to be in a pool or water park. At night we would resort hop or check fireworks, DD, etc. We always know we will be back, so not going to the 4 major parks was ok with us. Just being at a DVC resort is very Disney for me..

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks for all of the advice. We are planning on getting the flex tickets because the 2 day + 3 will expire by July and we have been wanting to go to Sea World. Hopefully we won't hate Universal! I have considered staying at Universal on the weeken, guess I need to start shopping for the best rate I can get.

 

[FreeTime]

Scratch my Universal comment. I just checked the web site and now the 2+3 tickets are good until Dec 2006!!!

 

[ErinC]

I like the lists some other folks here have, we like to play putt putt at both fantasia gardens and Winter/Summerland (Get your DVC discount if you go). I also think that if your not going to the main parks, how about trying to do some of the shows like HoopDeDoo, Cirque, some things I usually don't like to take time out to do when we are hitting the parks. This trip we are going to do a Bass fishing trip from the WL marina. You might also check the Wide World of Sports schedule and see if anything might be going on that intrests you. Have lunch at the different Disney resorts and check them out. We did do one 10 day trip with only 2 major park days, and had a pretty good time. We still left WDW thinking that we had left some things undone that we had wanted to do. If you are going to do Universal than I would save your weekend DVC points and stay at Universal. We have never ventured over to "that other place" yet , so I can't give you my opinion on it.