Staying at DVC and not doing the parks

[natt]

Just wondering how many have used a DVC as lodging only, and not visited any WDW parks. Has anyone driven back and forth to Universal and/or Sea World a couple of days and how long does the trip take (factoring in traffic).

I'm thinking that by next summer (after being there this Nov.) things may seem a little routine. Would it be easier on the heartstrings to stay at OKW or SSR and not have to see park icons staring back at you? At least DTD would still be an option and I'm not against buying a one park pass if we're really 'jones'n .

If you've ever done anything like this, please share.

 

[spiceycat]

yes - I use too - now though I just use my other timeshare and don't even stay on WDW property.

LOVE SW!!!
have an annual pass for SW!

SW is around 20 minutes on IB - on I4 around 10 minutes

US is around 30 minutes on IB - on I4 around 20 minutes

 

[Timon 50]

6 days in may at ssr
dw and i never went near any park
had a great time

 

[CapeCodFam]

We did that in June and had a great time. We stayed at BWV for 5 days and had a very relaxing trip. Our kids are 8,6, and 2. They each loved spending the days at the pool. We also adventured to the other resorts around the lake for meals. We ate at the Swan/Dolphin alot due to the 20% DVC discount. We did a round of mini-golf at fantasia gardens. We also visited downtown disney for the shopping, etc. BWV has entertainment on many nights. We had saw a magician, a swordsman, clowns, and a few other fun items. We also had a pretty good view of the epcot fireworks from the boardwalk. The kids also loved community hall's games, crafts, etc.

We normally spend all of our time in the parks. But, decided to wait until our december trip to get the next round of Annual passes. We didn't miss the parks at all.

We didn't leave WDW. But, we will visit Sea World some day.

 

[lenshanem]

Just did Sea World last month. I hadn't been there since I was a small child and it was really nice! Beautifully landscaped and clean. Shows were fabulous. (The pet show was GREAT!)

There is a ticket window right inside the gate where you can turn in your ticket for a second day free. We did that, but ended up doing everything that day.

After our AP expires we're gonna take a break from the four WDW parks. We have four plus options that we're gonna use for the water parks and then ~maybe~ go to Universal. Haven't decided on that yet since my oldest gets scared easy. I think Universal might be too much for her??? Oh, and then maybe we'll do a dinner show.

 

[Pinnie]

Yep, we do DVC and can go sans parks! This year we were there in July at SSR and did Drum Corp shows at the Citrus Bowl and only did MGM one night for Fantasmic.

Going down this weekend with friends and the ONLY thing we have planned is H-D-D on Friday night and maybe grab Illuminations afterwards!

Got to love the flexiblity of DVC and APs!

pinnie

 

[Muushka]

A few years back a thread like this would be considered blasphemy to some! But, back to the original question. Yes, we have done a week at WDW and just gone into the parks one day. We would drive over to USF/IOA for 3 or 4 hours and then drive back to our beloved VWL. This past March we stayed for 4 days at OKW and did not do the parks at all. We are just sure to head out of the world when the traffic is not heavy and leave before the PM rush hour.

We also find it relaxing to not do the parks. When you have a WDW AP, the temptation is so great to just head over for a little while, but AP's at USF are a little more easy to resist running over to every day.

I agree, there is a lot to do at WDW without going into the parks.

 

[PHILCT]

Everything you guys said sounds great !

But how about going to Typhoon Lagoon or Bizzard Beach during your stay?

I always have more plusses left over on those park hoppers pluss deals. When I plan a trip to SW or US, I usually just want to add the water parks into the scenario.

My nephews always want to add golf into the scenario.

I like your ideas.

But I wish as DVC members we could get access to EPCOT at night for Dining, much like the Florida Resident's have the new annual EPCOT after 4 PM dining.
I can't lie though, I would stay after for the illuminations show, I am totally addicted to it.


Phil

 

[Muushka]

I agree Phil. For the life of me I do not know why they don't do more to get us into the parks and spend $$. An after 4 at EPCOT would be great.

Also, we have done Typhoon Lagoon on our left-over plusses when we go in the spring, and we always get in a golf game at either Winterland/Summerland and Fantasia Gardens. Yup, there is plenty to do for sure. We are also thinking about getting SW APs this year. Something new for us.

 

[kweaver]

We went to Blizzard Beach for the first time this year (the youngest was finally old enough to enjoy it and Mom didn't have to worry about him so much). LOVED IT! BB and TL will definitely be on our list of activities for non-park vacations.

 

[smjj]

we are going down for 3 days this Nov. to scope out OKW, our new home away from home. In all the trips down, we have never set foot in OKW. We plan on enjoying a relaxing 3 days and on our trip this next May, we will hit the parks..smjj

 

[natt]

Thanks for everyone's input! Right now I'm compiling Plan A and Plan B for the family's evaluation, but both are based on a 7 mo. booking window, so who knows what will happen. We've got two plusses left on our current passes (to be used this Nov.) Maybe we should plan on keeping one open!

 

[LIFERBABE]

The DVC Resorts are so nice, that we would not hesitate to visit and not go to the parks. We are new members, so we have not done it yet, but if the only thing DVC had going for it was proximity to the parks, we would not have purchased.

We love the Resort experience.

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by natt
Just wondering how many have used a DVC as lodging only, and not visited any WDW parks.

I know our use is different than most ... but we own DVC purely for 'lodging' during an annual conference. In years past, when our employer paid for our hotel stays, we enjoyed the Dolphin and Yacht Club. Now that we must pay our own "on campus" lodging ... we've become BWV fans.

 

[MDonley]

We've saved days on our passes by day trips to SW, US/IOA, and the space center. On our 1st visit to WDW, we had a drive over to Daytona because DS had never seen the Atlantic Ocean (that all changed when we began going to VB)!

 

[newholiday]

going "home" for this first time this Oct - 6nights 1B

only planning 2 Disney park days
other days will be resort, Universal & SeaWorld

 

[BAYBREEZEDISNEY]

We actually do this quite often. We own at Boardwalk and Beach Club. In November we will be at BCV not doing the parks...we love the monorail and ferry rides and eat at different restaurants each time we go. Because we are not doing the parks, we spend the money going out to eat every night!!! Where can you go that everywhere you look there are flowers and beautiful resorts each unique un-to-themselves... I will add....we are old now!!!

Nana-of-Two

 

[Pa@okw95]

This will be in our future. The change the parks have made is the reason. Our favorite attractions have been replaced with thrill rides. EPCOT was our favorite place, now it is not very attractive to us. You get to the point where enough is enough, for years we did not pay for tickets to the prks and just stayed for a couple of hours, now that we pay we still only stay for a couple of hours and only go on one or two attractions. It just is not worth it. Will be looking forward to trying other places outside of WDW in the future as we stay at OKW.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm sure after a few years that we will be doing this as well. We've already talked about just staying home (SSR) and walking to DTD when we want something to do. There's just so much to do!

 

[5wdwnutz]

We are going down for our first DVC vacation at our new home...SSR, next month. Wanted to go down relax, check out the resorts, eat at some restaurants we've never been at, etc. Plus my kids love to swim so the extra pool time will be a plus for them.

We have decided to add an extra day at POP onto our trip and will be going to the MK the day before we leave to drive down.

My nephew, 18 has never been to WDW before and I couldn't let him go home w/o going to the MK.

Missy