Resort Hopping Stay

[princessophiali]

We are a family of 5 (me, dh, Mimi and 2 kids ages 13 and 8) and doing something we've never done before during our September trip. We will be staying 2 nights at the Poly, 1 night at BLT and 2 nights at AKL. We do not have park tickets, so we are looking for fun things to do outside of the parks. I have been doing some research and have found some fun things I didn't know about, but I'd like to hear from seasoned DVCr's that know how to make the most of a vacation outside the parks.

Thanks is advance!

 

[Apthorp76]

Does anyone split stays for regular resort rooms or is this just a Vacation Club phenomenon with DVC's 6 & 11 month reservation windows?

We've stayed at resorts mostly but have rented points also but always at just one rooml. If you travel lightly and the bell staff transfer your luggage I guess there's no inconvenience but we've never have considered it.

Just wondering, the previous post made me think about this and we were just talking about it yesterday morning. Thanks!

 

[Electron_si]

Does anyone split stays for regular resort rooms or is this just a Vacation Club phenomenon with DVC's 6 & 11 month reservation windows?

We've stayed at resorts mostly but have rented points also but always at just one rooml. If you travel lightly and the bell staff transfer your luggage I guess there's no inconvenience but we've never have considered it.

Just wondering, the previous post made me think about this and we were just talking about it yesterday morning. Thanks!

The very first time we visited WDW we did a split stay between Beach Club and Wilderness lodge for 9 total nights. We wanted experience as much as we could and it was a great trip.

 

[Electron_si]

Does anyone split stays for regular resort rooms or is this just a Vacation Club phenomenon with DVC's 6 & 11 month reservation windows?

We've stayed at resorts mostly but have rented points also but always at just one rooml. If you travel lightly and the bell staff transfer your luggage I guess there's no inconvenience but we've never have considered it.

Just wondering, the previous post made me think about this and we were just talking about it yesterday morning. Thanks!

The resort pools and dining are always our go to. We usually do a late start and head to poly for a later breakfast one morning for Tonga toast and to walk around and then grab some dolewhip on our way out.
We also take the kids to some of the values to check out different characters, our boys loved the Cars area at AoA when they were younger and just walking around the pool is great.
The skyliner is also fun to explore. We usually end with a stop at Riviera resort to eat at the pool bar and have a cocktail before heading back.
There is also Chip N Dale sing along at Ft Wilderness and you can get either marshmallow or smokers kits right there to roast on a couple fire pits they have set up.

 

[Apthorp76]

The very first time we visited WDW we did a split stay between Beach Club and Wilderness lodge for 9 total nights. We wanted experience as much as we could and it was a great trip.

I like your thinking about the variety of experiences!

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Does anyone split stays for regular resort rooms or is this just a Vacation Club phenomenon with DVC's 6 & 11 month reservation windows?

We've stayed at resorts mostly but have rented points also but always at just one rooml. If you travel lightly and the bell staff transfer your luggage I guess there's no inconvenience but we've never have considered it.

Just wondering, the previous post made me think about this and we were just talking about it yesterday morning. Thanks!

This is the only way we could ever afford to stay at the deluxe resorts. Half a week at a moderate and half a week at one of the low end deluxe resorts, usually AKV. Will be nice to be a dvc the next time we visit and we can kick Port Orleans out of our itinerary

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Does anyone split stays for regular resort rooms or is this just a Vacation Club phenomenon with DVC's 6 & 11 month reservation windows?

We've stayed at resorts mostly but have rented points also but always at just one rooml. If you travel lightly and the bell staff transfer your luggage I guess there's no inconvenience but we've never have considered it.

Just wondering, the previous post made me think about this and we were just talking about it yesterday morning. Thanks!

This is the only way we could ever afford to stay at the deluxe resorts. Half a week at a moderate and half a week at one of the low end deluxe resorts, usually AKV. Will be nice to be a dvc the next time we visit and we can kick Port Orleans out of our itinerary
We didn’t know about renting points until we were actually serious enough to start looking into buying but it was too late by then and years of wasted cash long gone

 

[disneydreamer781]

We are also doing a Staycation during Christmas week and something I was considering was the Ferrytale Fireworks A Sparkling Dessert cruise. I've never done it and since we not spending much if any money on tickets I just may splurge on this. If not possible, I may also consider one of DVC specialty cruises, if they are still happening.

 

[Genie+]

We are a family of 5 (me, dh, Mimi and 2 kids ages 13 and 8) and doing something we've never done before during our September trip. We will be staying 2 nights at the Poly, 1 night at BLT and 2 nights at AKL. We do not have park tickets, so we are looking for fun things to do outside of the parks. I have been doing some research and have found some fun things I didn't know about, but I'd like to hear from seasoned DVCr's that know how to make the most of a vacation outside the parks.

Thanks is advance!

Pin trading is fun for the kids at each resort’s community room. There you can also checkout the arts and crafts schedules for each resort. AKL obviously has all the animals to keep entertained. At Poly and BLT you might consider visiting Wilderness Lodge and planning some activities like horseback riding and visiting the ranch, etc. Might be nice to take a pontoon boat out on 7 seas lagoon too. I think you can alot of fun dining at the different resorts, and using the boat and monorail transportation. Maybe bus to HS and take skyliner to CBR or Riviera, etc.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Another thing I've done is Scavenger Hunts. I know they have them at some of the resorts and I have also put together my own Disney Christmas-themed resort hunts during one of our holiday trips. These are really fun! You could also spend more time at Disney Springs. Do some bowling, take a balloon ride, or take in a movie. Lots of things to do outside of the parks.

 

[Sandisw]

One thing we have done is visit each resort on the monorail loop for a drink/snack for the kids.

One year, we did a little scavenger hunt. I could some pictures of items in the lobby and printed them out. Kids had to try to find them. It was easy to do since we didn’t want them running around or anything. But as they found them, they got a sticker and of course, once all were found, they got to pick out an inexpensive little souvenir!

 

[princessophiali]

Love the idea of creating your own scavenger hunt! My kids would love that.

Thanks so much!!
Margy

 

[MyDogTink]

The DVC Show has an episode with suggestions on activities for resort-only stays. One suggestion is the surrey bikes. I would like to do afternoon tea at the new bakery at BWV.

 

[MyDogTink]

The resorts have activities throughout the day. I believe members post the activities sheets on the resort specific pages.

 

[StormalongKay]

Hit Beaches and Cream at the Boardwalk for an ice cream party early evening and then walk to the Boardwalk for night time entertainment - jugglers, etc.

 

[Artemis Fowl]

We are a family of 5 (me, dh, Mimi and 2 kids ages 13 and 8) and doing something we've never done before during our September trip. We will be staying 2 nights at the Poly, 1 night at BLT and 2 nights at AKL. We do not have park tickets, so we are looking for fun things to do outside of the parks. I have been doing some research and have found some fun things I didn't know about, but I'd like to hear from seasoned DVCr's that know how to make the most of a vacation outside the parks.

Thanks is advance!

I'm not sure if this is a budget-conscious trip since you're not doing parks, but the Hoop-de-hoo Review is a fun dinner/show but it's not super cheap, about $60/person. We had a lot of fun doing it and if you're doing it from the Poly part of of your trip it's a reason to take the boat ride from PVB to MK to Wilderness Lodge which is also nice.

 

[princessophiali]

Hit Beaches and Cream at the Boardwalk for an ice cream party early evening and then walk to the Boardwalk for night time entertainment - jugglers, etc.

Great idea! Can you order at counter or do you have to have a reservation for BnC?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Great idea! Can you order at counter or do you have to have a reservation for BnC?

They do have a to-go window, but that tends to have a subset of their overall menu - ice cream, floats, etc (sorry, I've not been back to the window post-Covid, so I'm not sure of all they offer there now). Inside is a regular menu with food and treats. Note that it's not a very big restaurant and ADRs can be challenging, depending on the size of your party. I think 5 could be a challenge - but never say never, if you decide to go that route! It's a fun experience, though.....

 

[Her Dotness]

Beaches and Cream is very popular and hard to get.

Go for that ADR early in your booking effort or try every so often if no luck initially. After 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. will be more likely if you don't mind eating later.

The window offers only ice cream treats and often has a long line, like more than a dozen waiting.

 

[MartyParty]

We are a family of 5 (me, dh, Mimi and 2 kids ages 13 and 8) and doing something we've never done before during our September trip. We will be staying 2 nights at the Poly, 1 night at BLT and 2 nights at AKL. We do not have park tickets, so we are looking for fun things to do outside of the parks. I have been doing some research and have found some fun things I didn't know about, but I'd like to hear from seasoned DVCr's that know how to make the most of a vacation outside the parks.

Thanks is advance!

Here are a few ideas:

• Disney‘s Fantasia Putt Putt Golf
• Hoop Dee Doo at Fort Wilderness
• Horse back riding
• Rent a boat around the lake
• Surrey Bikes at Boardwalk
• Fishing
• Kayak
• Port Orleans carriage ride
• DS Splitsville Bowling
• DS movies
• Movie under the stars at one of the resorts
• Offsite Disney outlet shopping (I forget the name of it)
• Visit NASA

Good luck