May I hear from those onsite guests who've gone but did not do the parks??

[Winka]

Am considering WDW for a quick winter weekend getaway and would like to try NOT going to the parks. We thought we'd enjoy the warmer (to us!) weather, relax at the resort...I guess we might be tempted to try the parks, but are looking for more low-key activities.

What memorable things have you done that did not include a trip to the parks?

Thank you.

edit-if you wouldn't mind, please incl. the resort where you stayed and if that was a good choice for non-park goers. Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

While I myself have not done this, my ex-dh has. After many trips down with his dd, he and his 'other' wife decided to just do Pleasure Island. They stayed on-site but I do't recall where. There just hung out at their pool and did the clubs at night. Just pretended there were no parks to go to!! He said he loved it.

 

[montessori]

I find it very difficult not going to the parks. I didn't think I'd feel that way about it, but I do.

Nonetheless, I do think there are plenty of things to do at DW without going to the parks.

We usually stay at the Boardwalk. The main pool area is lively and fun. The quiet pool is beautiful and usually quite quiet!

You can walk to, and explore, the different resorts close by...The Swan and The Dolphin and the Beach and Yacht Clubs. On the Boardwalk, you can have lunch at ESPN Sports bar. For dinner, you can dine at Spoodles and Flying Fish, 2 fantastic restaurants!
Many people love JellyRolls, the dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk. We don't care for that, but we have seen many talented bands at Atlantic Dance Hall.
Downtown Disney doesn't seem able to take up much of a day for us. At night, there is plenty to do around there though. Westside, Pleasure Island, maybe even a movie, and CIRQUE DU SOLIEL! You must see that show, it's great.
We will at the Boardwalk for 5 nights during Christmas week. We have premium annual passes this time, so no black out dates for us!

But we are planning a drive up to Winter Park one day. I think it's about 1/2 an hour away from Disney. It's a beautiful town. The main street, Park Avenue, is gorgeous. There are many restaurants and stores, a lovely park, and a Tiffany glass museum. I really think it's worth the drive to visit Park Avenue for an afternoon.
Well, there's a few ideas for you! I might come back with some more later.

 

[Misti]

We do this alot now.

These are some things we do at the GF:

*we like to enjoy the new pool and beach. It isn't very crowded before mid-afternoon (everyone is at the parks!) so we enjoy the quieter time

* afternoon tea in the Garden View lounge

* rent a pontoon boat and grab a pre-packed sandwich from Gasparilla Grill and Games. We head over to Bay Lake and stop to enjoy our lunch.

* go for a walk over to the Polynesian and wedding pavillion

These are some things we like to do at the YC/BC or BW:

* relax by the quiet pool and enjoy a quiet lunch on the Boardwalk

* walk over to the Fantasia Gardens and play a round of mini-golf

* use the fitness center and schedule a massage

We also like to go and tour the other resorts. This is easiest with a rental car but you can also do it by bus by heading to one of the theme parks or Downtown Disney and transfering to another resort bus. It is fun to see the unique Disney theming and try out different resort restaurants/shops.

 

[montessori]

I find it very difficult not going to the parks. I didn't think I'd feel that way about it, but I do.

Nonetheless, I do think there are plenty of things to do at DW without going to the parks.

We usually stay at the Boardwalk. The main pool area is lively and fun. The quiet pool is beautiful and usually quite quiet!

You can walk to, and explore, the different resorts close by...The Swan and The Dolphin and the Beach and Yacht Clubs. On the Boardwalk, you can have lunch at ESPN Sports bar. For dinner, you can dine at Spoodles and Flying Fish, 2 fantastic restaurants!
Many people love JellyRolls, the dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk. We don't care for that, but we have seen many talented bands at Atlantic Dance Hall.
Downtown Disney doesn't seem able to take up much of a day for us. At night, there is plenty to do around there though. Westside, Pleasure Island, maybe even a movie, and CIRQUE DU SOLIEL! You must see that show, it's great.
We will at the Boardwalk for 5 nights during Christmas week. We have premium annual passes this time, so no black out dates for us!

But we are planning a drive up to Winter Park one day. I think it's about 1/2 an hour away from Disney. It's a beautiful town. The main street, Park Avenue, is gorgeous. There are many restaurants and stores, a lovely park, and a Tiffany glass museum. I really think it's worth the drive to visit Park Avenue for an afternoon.
Well, there's a few ideas for you! I might come back with some more later.

 

[thepoohbear]

We've done this at both the Boardwalk and Wilderness Lodge. We spent a few days enjoying the pools. We visited other resorts and checked out their stores and restaurants. We shopped at DTD. (Mostly window shopping. It was fun to browse through each store.) At the Boardwalk we strolled around the lake each day, stopped at the bakery, got ice cream over at the Beach Club (Beaches and Cream), watched a game at ESPN. Last winter we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and took a ride over to the boardwalk area to watch the olympics at ESPN. At the lodge, we enjoyed spending time hanging out in the lobby and exploring the hotel. We also enjoyed having a drink at night in the lounge. All of the hotels are attractions in themselves so it really is fun to visit them. Depending on where you are staying you can sometimes take "fun" transportation to other resorts. At night we always enjoyed a special dinner, usually in a place other than our hotel. We went to Pleasure Island one night. Another night we walked from the Boardwalk to the entrance of EPCOT and listened to the music of Illuminations. We also enjoy the music and entertainment on the Boardwalk at night. At Wilderness Lodge you can watch the water pageant at night from the beach or a balcony.
We're thinking about checking out Celebration next time just to explore for fun.
I would recommend trying it. These were the most relaxing vacations we've had.

 

[MJames41]

Another option is Fort Wilderness. There is a ton of things to do there as well.

 

[NHAnn]

Well, we have not done any trips that were totally park-free, but we're in the habit of not using park-hopper days on checkin or checkout days, and DH and I did a getaway without kids where we did not go in the parks one day.
We've stayed at the Dolphin our last few trips but have also stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Dixie Landings. I think any of the deluxe resorts would be wonderful for just hanging out, walking around, and pool-sitting. And if you don't mind driving you can get to lots of activities mentioned by other posters. But for convenience, I would stay in the Epcot resort area just because of the location.....so much to do within walking distance...on the Boardwalk, and the restaurants at S/D, YC/BC, and mini-golf.....

but I have a very hard time being so close to Epcot, in the middle of "the magic" and not going in

 

[CamColt]

We spent 1 day/night at the Polynesian this summer, and had a great time. I was surprised that not going to the parks didnt seem to bother me. Maybe it was because I love the Poly so much, or because we were going on a cruise the next day, or maybe just because we were there without the kids, which was a big treat in itself.
We enjoyed the pool/beach at the Poly, Kona Cafe for dinner, then we went to the Boardwalk in the evening.
If this works, heres my trip report...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230863

 

[thepoohbear]

I forgot about mini golf. We did that too!

 

[Debbart]

Originally posted by montessori
I find it very difficult not going to the parks. I didn't think I'd feel that way about it, but I do.

Nonetheless, I do think there are plenty of things to do at DW without going to the parks.

We usually stay at the Boardwalk. The main pool area is lively and fun. The quiet pool is beautiful and usually quite quiet!

You can walk to, and explore, the different resorts close by...The Swan and The Dolphin and the Beach and Yacht Clubs. On the Boardwalk, you can have lunch at ESPN Sports bar. For dinner, you can dine at Spoodles and Flying Fish, 2 fantastic restaurants!
Many people love JellyRolls, the dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk. We don't care for that, but we have seen many talented bands at Atlantic Dance Hall.
Downtown Disney doesn't seem able to take up much of a day for us. At night, there is plenty to do around there though. Westside, Pleasure Island, maybe even a movie, and CIRQUE DU SOLIEL! You must see that show, it's great.
We will at the Boardwalk for 5 nights during Christmas week. We have premium annual passes this time, so no black out dates for us!

But we are planning a drive up to Winter Park one day. I think it's about 1/2 an hour away from Disney. It's a beautiful town. The main street, Park Avenue, is gorgeous. There are many restaurants and stores, a lovely park, and a Tiffany glass museum. I really think it's worth the drive to visit Park Avenue for an afternoon.
Well, there's a few ideas for you! I might come back with some more later.

What is the difference between annual passes and premium annual passes in regards to blackout dates...are you talking about discounted resort rates or admission to the parks?

 

[CarolMN]

Blackout dates only apply to certain Florida resident passes. I would assume that in the past, montessori purchased some type of seasonal pass (available only to residents of Florida). Seasonal passholders are not allowed to use their passes to visit during peak seasons, like Christmas - New Year's. This year, montessori apparently bought a "regular PAP" (available to anyone) which does not have black out dates.

 

[Disneydenise]

I just came back from DW we stayed at the Poly. My son had a tournament at the Wide World of Sports so we were there alot. We had friends stay at the same hotel and they didn't go to the park at all during 5 days. They loved sitting at the pool enjoying the various restaurants at the resorts and the gift shops and lounges and arcades. They liked it so much they made reservations to go back again for Easter. They again won't be doing any of the parks. I wish that my DH would do that type of trip just once. I think he would enjoy it and i know I would. I love the parks but I think I could relax more if I wasn't running to one everyday.

 

[LindaBabe]

I have great difficulty forcing myself to leave the resort to go to the parks. One day last year we left only long enough to attend a showing of Hunchback of Notre Dame and have lunch.

What to do at the resort? Swim, read, explore the various mini museums, take the lobby tour, take a nap, talk to the animals, eat, sit in the hot tub, work out, talk to the cast members, shop - so much to do so little time.

We'll be there three nights in December and i've planned nothing during that time except a foray to Animal Kingdom.

In fact, now that I think about it - the Villas at Wilderness Lodge inspire the same "let's do nothing" feeling.

 

[Winka]

Thank you for your replies...I'm getting excited about NOT doing the parks.

Have been considering some of the DVC properties...The Epcot hotels are very tempting but more and more I am considering AKL if for no other reason than its distance from the parks. I may never try this resort during a visit when we do do the parks...I don't know, it seems like good and FUN choice...

Thanks again.

 

[susy]

We stayed at AKL over Labor Day Weekend . You could definitely stay there and not feel the tug to go to the parks- I think the close proximity and the higher price I would pay for an MK or Epcot resort would make me feel like I HAD to go. The resort is just breathtaking! The pool area is very nice and relaxing. the Restaurants are very good as well. You might also save some $$$ and consider Coronado Springs. Some areas might be very quiet with actual quiet pools (which AKL has none). CSR also has a spa and sit -down rest. My mom stayed there and couldn't say enough good things about it. It is also very close to AKL. AKL doesn't have water mice, etc, but it likewise close to CSR. I don't think you could go wrong with either for a relaxing get-a-way!

 

[Pam Lau]

A few years back, we booked a couple nights at WL (later in the trip we returned to do the parks) and did not purchase any park tickets. Our reasoning was, "Why pay deluxe rates, if you do not use what the resort has to offer?" It was wonderful, we rented a boat, watched the Spectro Magic on Water. basically enjoyed it like you would any other resort w/out a Theme Park. The WL is great for a stay like this.

 

[lyncruiser]

If you're not going to the parks, I think AKL would be a particularly good choice. It is a lovely resort and in our experience there is nothing else quite like a Savannah room anywhere. We spent hours (literally) watching the animals from our room balcony. Although we went to the parks, we could have been very happy just staying at the hotel.

Also, we stayed concierge. That is especially nice if you're not going to the parks since you're actually around when they serve afternoon snacks, early evening appetizers, etc.

My only complaint about AKL is that after about 10 pm or so, there are really no eating options. We had been at the parks and were somewhat off our usual meal schedule and found ourselves very hungry about midnight one night. Our only option was calling out for pizza delivery from an outside company.

Nonetheless, AKL is so special and unique that we would not have wanted to miss it. Can't wait to go back!

 

[opal]

Even though I know there are lots of things to do outside of the theme parks, I just don't think I could be that close and not go into the parks!!!!!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Downtown Disney shopping is fun during the daytime. It's not nearly as crowded and if you want a meal, there are lunchtime prices. I could blow a day just shopping at the store that has Mickey stuff for your house...

We also drove to Cocoa Beach for a view of the ocean this past summer. It's only about an hour and a high point of the trip -- I am embarassed to admit -- was alligator road kill. We live in Indiana, so we see lots of squished critters on the roads, but NEVER an alligator! Cocoa Beach has shopping and us landlocked Hoosiers appreciated a peek at the ocean.

I could sit for hours at the Polynesian. Get a pina colada and hit that beach -- heaven! There is also great shopping and eating at this wonderful place. You can walk to the Grand Floridian along the beach path, too. Then if you hang around and are extra nice, a monorail cm may let you ride up front in the monorail. My kids LOVED this!

Ride those boats! On our last night this summer, we went from the Wilderness Lodge over to Ft. Wilderness and then to the Contemporary and back. It was sunset and the trip was glorious. Just being on Bay Lake, with so many memories from so many trips, is a treat.

We always visit the parks -- but only every OTHER day or so. There are too many wonderful things to do outside in the world!

Enjoy.