Help with July Plans

[FreeTime]

There is no availability at HH or VB and we wanted to try a beach vacation this year. So we are discussing just staying at WDW and not going to the parks. I am trying to decide if it is worth the drive. So what do you do when not going to the parks? Where should we stay? There is avail at OKW, SSR, AKL - JH and VWL in a 2 br the week we want to go. I am leaning toward OKW so that we can spread out or to try and get a THV (I am sure it won't be avail).

Here is what we are thinking or doing. Anything to add?

Blizzard Beach
Disney Quest
Holyland Experience
Hang out at the pool
Drive to Cocoa or Daytona for a day to get a beach fix

Thanks

 

[5forDiz]

We've been to VB; and HHI several times. We really liked both resorts & you can't go wrong with either but I think HHI for us has the advantage .

HHI is like best of both worlds - beach and quiet intracoastal main resort area; beach house & pool are a short walk, bike ride or shuttle ride, back at the resort the pool area is very nice as well, many planned activities for both kids & all folks of all ages, hammocks, fishing pier and there are some good restaurants within easy walk right at Shelter Cove (which resort is adjacent to). HHI has an abundance of shops, restaurants & activities within an easy drive of the resort and Savannah is an easy day trip to make.

VB is absolutely beautiful too and has great pool, activities too but it is more 'remote' or maybe I should say secluded in its location....some restaurants nearby & outlet shopping but that is on mainland before crossing over to island. Our kids enjoyed our trip there but started to get a bit bored by the second day. If you're travelling with kids HHI may be better choice because it does have more within quick drive.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We take many trips to WDW without going to a single park! Your list looks good. We love hanging at the resort pool relaxing with our frozen cocktails. We enjoy the boardwalk and DTD in the evenings. You can miniature golf. Cirque de Soliel. A day trip to the space center. I think I would stay at VWL so we could utilize the water activities. The Sea Racers are much faster there than at SSR, OKW and DTD. They have parasailing also. And lastly, July in Orlando is very hot. Just thinking about the theming of the VWL authomatically cools me down at least 5 degrees!

 

[LIFERBABE]

We love the Community Hall at SSR. Lots of parties and scheduled activities.
Visit the spa. Catch a movie by the pool.

We sleep in, hang out in the Villa, at the pool. Just being away and doing what we want is worth the 18 hour drive I think of it as Summer Camp for the whole family. Love the waterparks. Typhoon Lagoon is really tropical and relaxing. We get a WP/DQ AP and can go for a few hours whenever we want. Dh and the boys close DQ everynight and then walk home to SSR.

One year we took a weekend trip down to Fort Desoto Beach. Stayed 2 nights at a Marriott in Tampa.

And my favorite park is the Premium Outlets. I always do school shopping there. (we drive so luggage not a problem)

 

[mickeymom629]

If you decide to go to miniature golf, I recommend going toward the evening when the sun goes down! Then walk to the Boardwalk and get an icecream or go to Jelly Rolls.

Go to the campfire at FW and watch the light parade on the water (can't think of the name right now).

Go on a Segway.

If you stay at OKW or SSR, ferry to DTD.