Non-Magical Trip?

[shellbelle1971]

DH, DD12, DD1 and I will be headed to Orlando in December. So I should be doing the woohoo happy dance, but...

We're out of points so we're staying (gasp) offsite at HGVC's "Tuscany." The only other time we went to Florida and stayed offsite, we all kept feeling kinda...I don't know...deflated. The place where we stayed was nice, (speaking objectively, it was actually more upscale than DVC) and it's always good to be on vacation, but it just wasn't *magical*!

I don't want to spend the whole trip longing for our usual DVC haunts...any ideas for things I can do to add some of that pixie dust feeling to our trip?

 

[drag n' fly]

You describe exactly one of the reasons we are buying. There is nothing more comforting than returning to your home resort year after year. Familiarity and knowing what to expect makes a nice calm vacation for us

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I don't want to spend the whole trip longing for our usual DVC haunts...any ideas for things I can do to add some of that pixie dust feeling to our trip?

Grab lunch at Olivia's or Artist's Palette. Go shopping at the BW. Stop for gelatto at BC Marketplace. Check out the geyser at WL.

 

[kimberh]

We used to stay off site all the time. It has only been the last 4 years that we have started staying onsite. We have ate at the hotels to see them, especially in Dec. I have been coming to Disney since 1978, so that is many trips as close to maingate as I could get. You can still park and use Disney transporation to eat and parkhop, if you have parkhoppers.

Enjoy your trip, The parks and hotels are decorated so pretty at this time of year.

 

[BevS97]

I would make a plan with lots of nice treats in it, some nicer meals, maybe do a Illuminatiosn Cruise (you might be able to find someone to share with), would your girls like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
And also plan on enjoying your nicer offsite accomodation, I bet you have a bigger apartment and probably a nice pool where you are staying, so enjoy those too.
We've stayed offsite and on, this last trip we were onsite the entire time and I actually missed the offsite experience a little. (although being from the UK, things that excite me will be normal everyday things to you, things like Perkins and IHOP )

 

[shellbelle1971]

Thanks for the ideas. I especially want to see the Christmas decorations at the Wilderness Lodge

Maybe I should cheer for this trip to be non-magical...then DH would be convinced that we *need* more points!

 

[LVSWL]

Take some Christmas lights and string them in your room to plug in when you return to brighten your surroundings Bottom line, it's a bed, you can get up and go have a character breakfast in the "world" and start your day with a rush of Disney. Plan to go to MVMCP one night while you are there to take advantage of the late hours at MK since you won't be onsite. Definitely enjoy all of the resorts during the holidays, they are very cool, especially the DVC resorts!! Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[starbox]

I think it's the perfect chance to do what Disney does not want you to do and venture outside the confines of the park/resort bubble. There's actually lots of neat stuff in Orlando - we love playing Winter Summerland golf (okay, technically still Disney), and shopping downtown Celebration (they make it snow during the holidays ). Lake Eola(?) park is in downtown Orlando and they have swan boats and often have some sort of "event"/entertainment.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DH, DD12, DD1 and I will be headed to Orlando in December. So I should be doing the woohoo happy dance, but...

We're out of points so we're staying (gasp) offsite at HGVC's "Tuscany." The only other time we went to Florida and stayed offsite, we all kept feeling kinda...I don't know...deflated. The place where we stayed was nice, (speaking objectively, it was actually more upscale than DVC) and it's always good to be on vacation, but it just wasn't *magical*!

I don't want to spend the whole trip longing for our usual DVC haunts...any ideas for things I can do to add some of that pixie dust feeling to our trip?

Is that the one near to the Premier Outlet Mall and Dolly Parton's Stampede? We saw it while they were constructing it and it looked very nice. Right across the street from the Publix if I remember correctly.

 

[Lisa P.]

Bring some favorite music CDs (Disney?) to play inside the condo while you get ready for your day and in your car as you drive around the area or to/from the parks.

Bring some special bubble bath, scented candles, Disney toiletries, Disney stuffed animals and other items that will make you feel good, to use them at the condo.

Park at the Universal Citywalk garage (free after 6pm, open until 2am) and ride the boats to see the Christmas decorations at the three themed Universal hotels.

Check out the ICE! events and decorations at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Stock your condo's fridge w/favorite Disney ice cream novelties or snacks from the grocer - at a fraction of Disney's prices at the carts.

Eat someplace new that you've considered but never gotten around to before.

Make good use of your coffee maker to brew REAL coffee - pick some up at Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks or another favorite. Get a pretty travel mug to enjoy it on your morning drive in to the parks.

Get Christmas Mickey ears or santa hats at an outlet center to wear.

Ask for ideas on the Orlando Hotels forum, where lots of people enjoy their offsite vacations and find the "magic" wherever they are!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Funny, I've had the opposite problem. We expected Nirvana - got ordinary.

DH and I were both under a lot of work related stress in late 2004. Our one release was going to the internet and looking at pictures of the Wilderness Lodge. I would go to Disney's website and just stare at that beautiful view of the resort with the cascading waterfall with the "faux" natural rocks at night. I think it helped me keep my sanity. 3 more weeks til WDW, 2 more weeks, etc.

We both visualized how wonderful it would be to look out over our courtyard from the 5th or 6th floor into Bay Lake. So of course, you guessed it. 1st floor, facing the villas, next to the bus stop. We had bad timing with transportation all week, and both got sick.

We set ourselves up for failure so my new strategy...make reservations, make ADRs, forget about it. From now on it will be...oh is it this week that we are going to Disney. Gee, I hope we have a good time.

I'm keeping a good attitude, but not expecting Disney to be complete heaven on earth. That way, any pixie dust received will be great!

 

[vettechick99]

I have conflicting opinions on this. On one hand, if DH, DD and I went down there for a week and we didn't stay on site, I'd definitely have that longing for it.

But then I think back to several years ago when I used to go with friends. I was used to staying onsite at that point, but we didn't always get that opportunity. We'd run down for a weekend and often stay at a DTD-area hotel. Which is nice enough, but not the same. But we always ended up having a **great time** regardless. We were happy to be with each other and visiting the mouse.

I guess the bottom line is your trip will be what you make it. If you go in longing for onsite magic, you will be disappointed. If you go in hoping to make memories, no matter where you stay, you'll have a great time.

And remember, a crappy day at Disney is better than a great day anywhere else.

 

[shellbelle1971]

Is that the one near to the Premier Outlet Mall and Dolly Parton's Stampede? We saw it while they were constructing it and it looked very nice. Right across the street from the Publix if I remember correctly.

Yes, I believe that's the one. It does look nice, and we loved HGVC's new Vegas property, so I'm sure it will be a pleasant stay. We don't mind doing non-mouse trips; in fact we do lots of them. It's just the idea of an offsite stay in Orlando kind of has me freaked.

 

[shellbelle1971]

Park at the Universal Citywalk garage (free after 6pm, open until 2am) and ride the boats to see the Christmas decorations at the three themed Universal hotels.

Check out the ICE! events and decorations at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

I like these ideas a lot!

 

[rie'smom]

Buy some Mickey toiletries and a hMickey hand towel or 2 for your bathroom. Play Disney music. Buy Disney themed window clings.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Take the opportunity to get to know the side of Orlando that isn't Disney! It's a bit harder to do but worthwhile because each one of the trips I do as "non" Disney becomes a unique and memorable trip.

If I'd never done a non-Disney trip I would never have gotten the chance to see Splendid China before it closed. Going in December? Why not go to Holy Land? Check and see what else is going in Orlando...there has to be something because...its Christmastime! After all the locals would probably prefer to see something besides the crowds over in WDW at Christmastime.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I am sure you will be just fine. That is a beautiful property. very comfortable we stayed last december. They have a wonderful kids center which includes. alot of holiday avtivities. we did sand art santa, snowman shaped bottles. a build a bear actvity. and you can but christmas outfits for the animals.
Lets see........a holiday necklace and bracelt making class. we made outr own sundaes and had hot chocolate with marshmallos by the pool. its a wonderful property. Make sure you take your little ones to the zero entry pool in the back of the resort. It also has a ownderful playground a little pizza hut onsite.

The lobby is decorated beautifully for christmas and smells wonderful. some kind of holiday baking scent.

 

[dvcbnd]

We are DVC owners and HGVC (Seaworld location) owners. We have gone down to Orlando and have stayed at both locations, numerous times. I do fully understand your concern about not feeling the "magic" during your stay. I have found that you do have a different vacaton experience when you are not staying on property, but that doesn't mean that it can't be just as good. The "Tuscany" is a beautiful resort and I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time. December is a great time to visit Orlando, no matter where you stay. There is so much to see and do - have fun exploring and create your own "magic"!

 

[shellbelle1971]

twinmom & dvcbnd,
Do either of you know what cost is for the various activities at the kids' center? Also, is it a childcare option (like the neverland club) or more like a community hall type thing?

Thanks!

 

[dvcbnd]

twinmom & dvcbnd,
Do either of you know what cost is for the various activities at the kids' center? Also, is it a childcare option (like the neverland club) or more like a community hall type thing?

It is a community hall. Since my kids are small I stay with them and help them do their activities/crafts. The cost is very minimal (a few $$) per activity. I'm sure since both properities are HGVC properties that they run the same way. If you have any other questions, I'm here. Have a great time!!