How many DVC folks actually stay DVC but venture outside the world for their trip?

[Halle]

DH and I have gone several times without setting foot in a park. We've gone during Spring training and gone to a game, done art festivals in the area, and always go to the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Bay Hill is about 8 miles from Disney and the tickets are very affordable. If you are a golf nut or fan it is worth doing. This past year we saw all the golf greats (not Phil Mickelson though) as well as Arnold Palmer and Tom Ridge. Movies are always fun and I almost forgot a trip to Celebration (Disney's planned community) is a lot of fun too. We go to Celebration every trip for lunch.

 

[edk35]

In the end, "is traveling outside of Disney for you" depends on your family's needs and wants. My family enjoys Disney, we have been numerous times but we also enjoy other things. We come to the WDW resorts 3 to 4 times a year but we only go to the parks 2 of those times. When will you be so close to Cape Canaveral again, it's worth a day trip IMO. Part of my vacation is taking the car out to the outlet malls, I don't get in much shopping while I work and schlep my kids around for their activities during my every day life. The term vacation means different things to peole but it should be about what every one enjoys in your family. DVC put an end to those hectic commando days, so we can fill in with some delicious dinners at Timpano's Chop House and all of the other wonderful restaurants "in" the area and we can visit Universal/Islands of Adventure. (DS13) loves roller coasters. If you come to Disney once every 3 years then probably your perspective is different than mine and you want the 100% Disney Experience.

Contrary to some of the opinions on this post about traffic jams and getting lost in Orlando, I've travelled here to Disney/Orlando/WDW area for over 30 years and I recall only one bad traffic jam, 15 years ago. I bet that the car and traffic is often faster than waiting for those darn WDW buses.

If people are happy and content with ME, DDP and Disney monopolizing your pocket 100% that's fine, if that's what your family enjoys and wants. As for me, Disney only gets a portion of my bucks because that's what suit my family!

Ie: Some people like to take the Europe in 7 days tour and never get off the bus, but I prefer to rent the car and drive around to see it all, even if I may get lost a little.

P.S. My son enjoyed Wonder Works when he was little, at 13 now he has no interest in it! It's worth a trip!

Well we are slowly starting to branch out. We have been to Disney as a family (both me and dh have been before we were ever married a few times) about 16 times so we DO LOVE IT however we do realize there is a lot to see and do around the area. Last Jan. we did visit Universal two days.....and we have been to Sea World two times but years a part. My older son is NOT even coming in Jan. because he is DISNEY DONE for now. My younger son is almost 11 and LOVES IT. Our dd is 19 and in college and STILL LOVES IT however she will not be able to make this trip. I think we are going to venture off a day or two this trip and this thread has sure given me SOME GREAT IDEAS. Thanks everyone.

 

[JimC]

Nice site for those who might like to see what else is available in central Florida. Orlando Visitors Bureau

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My older son is NOT even coming in Jan. because he is DISNEY DONE for now.

I'm 47 and I'm still not Disney done! When is is going to happen? It's costing me a fortune!
DS(13) still enjoys it but I think I enjoy it more!

 

[famgel]

Yes, we did last Jan '09 we rented car locally (can't remeber but they picked my DH up at SSR) just for 3 days. We went to Kenneday Space Center for day and Seaworld for another day and initially went food shopping. So it can be done we only used 3 days on our unexpiring ticket, so we have days left for this Jan. Still want to try and just do RESORT ONLY and just chill but no one else in family wants to.

 

[edk35]

I'm 47 and I'm still not Disney done! When is is going to happen? It's costing me a fortune!
DS(13) still enjoys it but I think I enjoy it more!

Well he is 16.....that is the problem. Our daughter 19 still loves it.

 

[edk35]

Yes, we did last Jan '09 we rented car locally (can't remeber but they picked my DH up at SSR) just for 3 days. We went to Kenneday Space Center for day and Seaworld for another day and initially went food shopping. So it can be done we only used 3 days on our unexpiring ticket, so we have days left for this Jan. Still want to try and just do RESORT ONLY and just chill but no one else in family wants to.

I think in Jan. it would be hard to pull off a resort only trip. At least in the summer you can spend hours at the pool, even go to the water parks.

 

[mikron]

We venture out a lot, we don't have the kids now 43 & 41 with us so we use Disney as a home base and take day trips in the area. We own at OKW & SSR but stay at BW with a BWView. It is wonderfull to come back and enjoy the lake view and all the going on at the board walk.