Stay at DVC and not do Disney.

[Rob_b]

I will be at BWV next year for 2 weeks. This year might go to BWV for 4 nights to use up my extra points.

I was thinking about hitting both Universal parks.

Does anybody else feel like a traitor when you visit Universal?

I have never been to a Universal park.

 

[mickeyc]

You are paying to use the facilities and are free to visit any attraction in the Orlando area. I recently had the opportunity to view the Universal Vacation Video. In the promotion, it is noted that guest of their hotels are in a prime area to visit other Orlando attractions which included WDW. It was interesting to note they mentioned Disney by name. I would have thought they would not have mentioned WDW in their promotion; however, they did. It was not in a negative context either. Enjoy your vacation and visit whatever attractions appeal to you. After all this is the USA and I think we are free to go where we please. MY DVC membership was paid for with my hard earned dollars and I don't consider myself a traitor. We are not at war with anyone. I think Disney can stand up to the competition. Enjoy all the local attraction! Have fun!

 

[wdwnut]

hi: you shouldn't feel like a traitor; it's your vacation. lucky you, having to squeeze in an extra trip to use your points. i think the most points i've managed to bank is about 2 so far. we even did a 150 pt. add-on before bwv sold out, and my son is using that for his honeymoon this summer.

 

[Rash]

Just got back from 2 nights at Hard Rock Hotel and 4 nights at AKL. Definitely make time to do Universal - especially Islands of Adventure. We love Disney, but there's nothing anywhere like Spiderman - incredible. And the roller coasters are amazing!

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

Don't feel like that at all. Next time we visit WDW we are planning on visiting Universal. DH and I have only been to Universal in Hollywood. Our kids are dying to go to Nickelodeon.

Unless Disney comes up with an incentive for better park discounts or even 'free' (oh yeah, right!) passes, they will find that a lot of DVC members will venture out and visit other Orlando attractions.

 

[MaryJ]

One of the reasons we joined DVC is that there are so many things to do in the Orlando area. When we are staying on points, it frees up $$ to visit other attractions beside WDW. I am looking forward to visiting Sea World and Universal on our next trip to Orlando.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Hay, your home!! Go where you want and enjoy!! One of these trips we are going to Universal, that helped influence our purchase decision.

 

[Peggy Sue]

Enjoy what you want! It's your vacation!!

We just chopped 2 days off our OKW stay in December so we could go to Universal..we decided to stay at the Portifino Bay for the 2 nights to take advantage of the front of the line pass program for on-site guests. Didn't feel a twinge of guilt when I canceled those 2 days at OKW..just a slight smile that we reclaimed some points to use later on! LoL!!

Enjoy Universal!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We enjoy Universal, but not as much as Disney. Last two trips, and next, we've devoted 3 nights to Universal. We love the Portofino Hotel.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I don't feel like a traitor. I just feel that I have wasted my time and my money.

 

[Muushka]

Do I feel like a traitor going to non-Disney parks?? NO! I DO NOT!!! In fact, our annual passes expire this December and I look forward to not having them so that we have more freedom to go to IOA (my favorite) and other parks.
Disney needs to start giving DVC members at least the same discounts that they give Florida residents. Some may say that this is entitlement mentality. It is, however, I believe that this would be beneficial to both Disney and DVC members. When I visit non-Disney parks, that means I will buy at least 2 meals outside of Disney, plus souvenirs. Lost revenue for Disney.

 

[donald@home]

We will be staying at WDW this fall and plan on doing only non-Disney parks. This is the first time I am leaving Disney property while staying at a Disney resort, but it won't be my last. I have 40 more years of my DVC membership and I am already a little bored with the Disney parks. Unless Disney starts to offer some sort of discounted tickets to get me back into their parks, I will be spending less and less time and less and less money in them. Not only do I not feel guilty, but I am planning on sending a letter to Disney letting them know of my plans. And no, I don't think Disney owes me discounted park passes, but that is what it will take to get me spending as much time and money in their parks as I used to.

So go to Universal and have a great time, and send Disney a postcard and let them know where you are!

 

[JillU-DVC]

It's YOUR vacation, do what YOU want to do!

We actually have Annual passes to BOTH Universal and Disney, and we go both places each visit!

We've gotten 3 1/2 weeks so far out of the annual passes, and we're going back for another week and a half in Sept.

I do think it's too bad that Disney doesn't offer the Seasonal Annual pass, which is what we got at Universal - you can't go to teh parks during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or June/July/Aug, but with the way we travel, we'd never be there during those times anyway.

Go and enjoy yourself!

 

[ahoff]

There is no problem going to another park, after all, how many times can you see and do the same thing? The rides at IOA are really good, especially the coasters. We were in Orlando less than a year ago, and spent most of the time doing non Disney things, except BB. Went into IOA early one day and did the Hulk 4 times before the lines got too long. On our next down (Nov) we are wondering how to get passes the best way, as we are again not going to the parks that much. The only problem is the access to some of the restaurants require park admission.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

If you go to the new Holy Land (?) theme park, let us know what you think.

 

[Goofy's Mum]

We're planning to do Sea World and Universal on our trip in September. I have to admit, though, that we'll undoubtedly hit Epcot, since a trip to WDW is not complete for us without it!

As for feeling like a traitor, I have to admit I do feel a little guilty.....

 

[Joeblack]

As a DVCer, I see Disney differently than I used to (and than most regular Disney visitors). The thing is, I don't feel the need to go to the parks anymore. They are great fun but to keep the magic alive I feel it necessary to space my visits.

DW and I see WDW as a whole destination..it is a small dream town with hundreds of options: restaurants, pools, movie theaters, shops, etc. The parks are a great alternative, but not anymore the main reason of our visit. Next December we will be doing a lot of different stuff outside Disney: Sea World, Universal, maybe Holy Land, some water parks. And by the end of the day, thaks to DVC we will be able to return and stay in our resort, soaked in the Magic only disney offers.

 

[AnnK]

Don't feel guilty!
We have been traveling to Disney for YEARS! We bought into DVC when BW opened, and so have been going for three weeks a year, instead of the ten days that we went before purchasing DVC. We have always gone to the other parks like Sea world, and especially Universal's two parks. Our children love the rides at IOA. We hold AP's at IOA and USF,( but we no longer buy the Disney AP.) Universal gives more to it's Ap holder's than Disney and you get great offers for renewal. We sometimes stay at Hard Rock or Portofino because we go during peak times and they give you front of the line access if you stay in their hotels. We also have gotten to be in parades because we were AP holders, our kids LOVED that!
You have 40 something years left, don't feel bad about going to other parks and enjoying your vacation.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Yeah, I'd say don't miss Islands of Adventure...they have great coasters. And the other park isn't bad either. If nothing else you can imagine how great a Disney thrill ride park like Islands could be if/when they do one in FL!

Have fun. I'm sure if you mention going to Universal at your next confession, you'll still make it through the Pearly Gates!