Is there anyone here who uses the Disney resorts but doesn't visit Disney World?

[DJ Disney Kid]

I know that sounds crazy, but I was curious how many people go and stay at the resorts and don't have any interest in going to the parks. I've considered going for a weekend getaway at the AKL and just relax watching the animals from my balcony. I'd probably end up at the parks though, LOL!

 

[Boatingmom]

We booked the poly before a DCL cruise. We finally got to use the pool, sea racers and bicycles. Problem was, we were tempted to go over thto the MK though. We were busy, had lots to do, but still felt a little left out.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We used to camp at Ft. Wilderness when DD was young and because there was so much to do in the campground itself we never went to any of the parks. If we ventured out it was to go to CR and play in the arcade. That was all way before any of the value resorts, though. But it was something we really enjoyed doing without spending the money to go to the parks.

 

[septbaby]

I think you've selected one of the best resorts to just enjoy and not feel the need to head to a park. With the location, amenities, room features, savannas, culinary tours, cultural talks you'll have planty to do.

Also if you want a bit of Disney you can always book a character meal!

For me personally I don't feel I've been to Disney unless I see the castle!

 

[JTsBoys]

We do. We live locally, and every other month or so will go for a night or two and just have dinner and enjoy the resorts.

 

[livndisney]

My Dad has been known to book a resort for a week or two and set foot in a park once (I remember once he went to MK just for a character meal).

 

[goinback]

We just did three days at POP before heading to Vero for 4 days. We did not do the main parks. My DH & DS did BB and the whole family played minigolf at WinterSummerland. It was actually pretty cool to have more time to hang out and not run run run!

 

[SunKat]

On our last trip, we stayed at CBR for a few days and only went to Epcot. We then left WDW for a few days to head to Naples. The night before we had to fly home, instead of staying at a hotel near the airport, we stayed at Pop for one night, didn't do the parks or eat at any restaurants. We just swam, ate at the food court and explored the resort. On our next trip, we'll be staying at a Disney resort the night before our cruise, but not doing any parks.

 

[ldo]

we went to Poly or Ft W all the time (live 2 hours away). Now, if we are in the area, we mg ht stay a few days at a hotel and only go inti a pork for 1 day. DH and I have thought about AKL weekend getaway, as well. If so, we would not go into any parks, just enjoy AKL. If kids were with us, w would have to do 1 day in parks.

 

[Blackwolf]

There is absolutely no way I could stay in a Disney resort without doing something at WDW. The one thing I would have to do is visit Downtown Disney at night with my bride and have an ice cream at Ghirardelli's. Then after the ice cream we'd head to the other side of the store for a free Chocolate sample.

We did this every night last Oct. when we stayed at Saratoga Springs. (a 4 night stay) The resort is an easy walk to Downtown. It became our "Trademark" nightly event and will continue to be for every Disney visit to come.

 

[TyGuy]

I went to the Yacht Club a few years ago for a conference for work. I took my employees out for a round of golf but I refused to go into the parks without my family. A little different situation but it was hard being there and not going into the parks.

 

[OlderMan]

Our family has owned at DVC for just over ten years--me, DW, DD10 and DD 9.

The last time we visited any park was about 6 years ago when we had a GV at OKW for us and wife's family--it was DW's birthday.

We took our daughters to AK one day and went with BIL and his family to MK on another.

Since then, we haven't been to ANY park.

Although we live in Central Florida and stay at OKW 2-3 times per year, our daughters like the pools, game room, shuffleboard courts, etc. more than the Theme/Water Parks.

Just my family's take.....

 

[disneydeb]

we've stayed at resorts and not visited any parks. we usually say lets go shopping and i'll say where do you want to go shopping , and my daughter will say florida. so we hop a plane and go to florida to go shopping, usually at dtd, we were going to stay off site once, and when we got to the other hotel they were having some trouble with security, we just looked at each other and i said lets go. we then checked into a disney resort where at least we feel safe. disney are resorts the others are just hotels/motels. we use pools , and spas, and jazzucis, and play mini-golf, and shop and eat and shop and eat some more, we'll vistit gift shops in the other disney resorts, or go to international drive and check out some other tourist attractions

 

[ucancallmeflower]

Um.... okay, I'll do it! You're crazy!

 

[jgallant]

we went to the poly last year in january and dpent more time at our resort lying on the beach "resting" with the kids than we did at the parks.
And returning in December to the Grand Floridian just for the sole purpose of hanging out at the resort during the Christmas season...we will visit the parks maybe do our fav rides and come home. I love resort dining too, it is just so much different than park dining...don't know why or what it is but I just enjoy visiting resorts and enjoying a different atmosphere...seem to get more service for your money too? I dunno....maybe it is just me?>

 

[scanmom]

If my DD wanted to go shopping, we MIGHT go to Branson, to the outlet malls. It's a 3.5 hour drive for us... if she said Florida, I would think she was I wish I could do that.... I would be in Florida all winter!!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Our family has owned at DVC for just over ten years--me, DW, DD10 and DD 9.

The last time we visited any park was about 6 years ago

Since then, we haven't been to ANY park.

Although we live in Central Florida and stay at OKW 2-3 times per year, our daughters like the pools, game room, shuffleboard courts, etc. more than the Theme/Water Parks.

While I certainly respect your decision to just enjoy the resort, I do wonder how you can really know that your daughters like all that more than the parks if the last time they visited a park was when they were 3 and 4 years old.

 

[RedRuby]

My DH inadvertantly spent more time in the room than the parks or restaurants on our first big family trip, because of unanticipated work demands (small IT business + only one programmer = WORK!). I'm subbing to the thread now because Dh is coming on our December birthday trip even though he "hates Disney" ; TBH, he doesn't like crowds, artificial things or hot weather, so it's not out of line for him to say that.

But, he does (a) want to see his kids happy at WDW, (b) need a vacation with the family and (c) see the advantages of having an extra adult on our group trip. So, he's intending on just hanging out at the resort(s), with maybe one short visit to the parks per day, and joining the rest of the group for meals.

Knowing him, he'll end up having more fun (and more tim ein the parks) than he's anticipating.

Is there a list somewhere of the different resort tours and times? ISTR there are guided tours of AKL and WL...maybe others?

 

[NickP33]

I go usually every year sometimes 2 or 3 times a year for the past 25 years. Growing up, we went to the parks ever day of every trip. Now that I'm older and I'm taking my own vacation with my family, I can't remember the last time I've gone to a park. We like to go to PI, Downtown Disney, Braves Spring Training, Character Breakfast and nice dinners. However, this Dec. I am planning on going to the MVMCP for the first time in years (taking my 12 month old)! I can't let him grow up not going to the theme parks.

 

[OlderMan]

For CPer'sMom:

Our children have told us they have no desire to go the WDW parks, that's why.

They actually prefer Seaworld to MK, etc.

Let's face it, unless Disney does a major upgrade to an attraction, most of their theme park attractions are the same visit after visit. At least Seaworld, with live animals, is more unpredictable--no two Shamu shows are exactly alike, for example.

I'm not saying it isn't right for you and your family, but it's our preference.

FWIW.....