Non-park trip?

[Shannon G]

Maybe I'm crazy for thinking about this, but has anyone ever done a trip to WDW and NOT gone to any of the 4 theme parks? I'd like to plan a long-weekend trip with DD, who is 4 1/2, and am considering WDW among my options. She's been 3 times already, and is not much of a ride person. It always seems like we talk about doing activities outside of the parks, but then never have enough time - so would I being able to easily fill say, 3 full days, without going into any of the 4 theme parks, while staying on property?

I'm thinking 1 day at a water park, maybe La Nouba one night, maybe the campfire & movie at Ft. Wilderness, and just hanging out at the hotel pool. What do you think?

 

[tnkr mom]

My DH would love that kind of trip, and from what I've been reading on these boards there is a ton to do outside the parks! I've often thought to kick back would be nice, but thats not our style at the World, yet...maybe one day! At Christmas one year my daughter and I went for breakfast and we did ride the monorail to resort loops to see each ones holiday decorations! I'm sure anytime of year would be neat to tour each hotel and its scenery. (I guess you can do that??) Enjoy!!!!!!!!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

We have not done this personally (we love those rides!!!) but I think you could totally do a trip like this and have a great time. You would have time to enjoy your resort and loung around. You should book at the BC, I think a 4 1/2 year old would really love the pool. I know this 26 year old does!!! Walt Disney World has so much to offer other than the parks from amazing resorts, the whole Downtown Disney area, water parks, and more. Do a trip like this. You'll probably really enjoy it.

 

[ransom]

Maybe I'm crazy for thinking about this, but has anyone ever done a trip to WDW and NOT gone to any of the 4 theme parks? I'd like to plan a long-weekend trip with DD, who is 4 1/2, and am considering WDW among my options. She's been 3 times already, and is not much of a ride person. It always seems like we talk about doing activities outside of the parks, but then never have enough time - so would I being able to easily fill say, 3 full days, without going into any of the 4 theme parks, while staying on property?

I'm thinking 1 day at a water park, maybe La Nouba one night, maybe the campfire & movie at Ft. Wilderness, and just hanging out at the hotel pool. What do you think?

Sounds like a great vacation to me (and I love the parks)!

 

[Shannon G]

Thanks for the input. I decided to go for it, and, as it turns out, a friend and her daughter are going to join us. I had gotten an email with a discount code, so I called and was able to get a cabin at Ft. Wilderness for $199 / night, and got pretty good airfare on SW, so we're now booked for May 3 - May 7.

Also, yesterday, my mom was babysitting my kids, and casually asked DD, if she could pick any trip, where would she go? She, of course, said WDW, then proceeded to talk about the things she wanted to do - swim at the pool, eat at Chef Mickey's...nothing to do with the parks themselves! I'm thinking of keeping the trip a surprise, if I can manage to.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

My Mom DD and I did that in May 2005. We got a great rate at AKL savanah view! It was a wonderful relaxing trip.

We enjoyed the resort and the pool. We went to Downtown Disney one evening. Ate at Ohana at the Poly and watch wishes from the beach. Rode the monorail.

Ate at Bomas and DD got to do the scavenger hunts at AKL. It was a really fun little getaway.

We did rent a car one day from the on site car rental and went to SeaWorld since we had free tickets.

I thought it would be really hard to not do the parks at Disney, But it wasn't? We really enjoyed taking it easy and checking out other things to do on this trip.

I say go for it!!

We planned a short Disney trip this past December and a 3 night cruise and we did not tell DD till we picked her up from school and headed to the airport. She was in shock!!! It was hilarious to see how excited she was. Even her Teacher was in on it helping me keep it a secret!! It was fun!!

 

[Desnik]

One of our favorite trips was when we spent 3 days at WDW and did not step foot in a park. We didn't even do a water park! My kids had a ball. We swam at the resort pool, had nice dinners at the resorts, went to DtD, rented boats at the marinas. It was so relaxing and so much fun. How about adding one of the activities they have at the GF for your DD and her friend? My DD loved the Tea party with Alice and the Grand Adventures in cooking. She even liked the pirate cruise!
We also enjoyed the campfire/sing a long at FW and the movie after. Don't forget resort hopping! We love to check out all the resorts and eat at a few. How about a mommy and daughter manicure at the Spa at SSR or GF? I hope you have a wonderful trip! I wish DD and I can go to WDW alone! DH and DS would never let us, it seems I've created a bunch of Disney fans!!! They all can't get enough!

 

[disnut8]

I haven't done a full weekend like that but two non consecutive nights. The first night we ate at the Kona Cafe and then took a nice monorail tour of all the resorts. The second night, my niece and I headed off for what was then E Ride Nights. My in-laws stayed at the Swan and enjoyed the pool and a very leasurerly walk around Crescent Lake. They thought about doing the Fantasia miniature golf too.

Since you are staying at Fort Wilderness, there's so many things to do right there. Even things as simple as having your daughter play in the sand on the beach while you soak up the rays and read a book.