The official STUFF DVC MEMBERS DO THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS TIME FOR thread

[rutgers1]

This thread is totally self-serving, as I am hitting saturation with the main rides and am looking forward to digging beneath the surface a bit next trip a bit more.

So, for those of you who have been to Disney a zillion times, what are the things that you do - and places that you visit - that a first time Disney guest probably would bypass? How do you keep it fresh?

I'll kick if off:
1) Now that we are DVC, we spend much more time at the pools. If we don't make it to the park, we don't care.

2) We also go to the water park more. Before DVC, I used to think: "I can go to a water park anywhere -- why go to one in Disney when I can go to the parks?" Now I enjoy it much more.

3) I go jogging and use the fitness facilities. Before DVC, I would be too worried about missing a ride at the parks and wouldn't stop to smell the roses.

4) I went to the sports complex twice over the past year, once to see a baseball game and once to see a basketball tournament.

5) I actually LEFT the property and went to Sea World. I didn't care for it too much, but my kids liked it (change of pace).

 

[KPOP]

Played mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens (behind the swan/dolphin) last time out, and loved it.

This thread is totally self-serving, as I am hitting saturation with the main rides and am looking forward to digging beneath the surface a bit next trip a bit more.

So, for those of you who have been to Disney a zillion times, what are the things that you do - and places that you visit - that a first time Disney guest probably would bypass? How do you keep it fresh?

I'll kick if off:
1) Now that we are DVC, we spend much more time at the pools. If we don't make it to the park, we don't care.

2) We also go to the water park more. Before DVC, I used to think: "I can go to a water park anywhere -- why go to one in Disney when I can go to the parks?" Now I enjoy it much more.

3) I go jogging and use the fitness facilities. Before DVC, I would be too worried about missing a ride at the parks and wouldn't stop to smell the roses.

4) I went to the sports complex twice over the past year, once to see a baseball game and once to see a basketball tournament.

5) I actually LEFT the property and went to Sea World. I didn't care for it too much, but my kids liked it (change of pace).

 

[nolanboys]

Played mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens (behind the swan/dolphin) last time out, and loved it.

We plan on doing that in March for the first time.

Our favorite thing to do is explore other resorts. Whether going there for a lunch, or even a cocktail, it's so relaxing to walk around and enjoy the beautiful theming at the different resorts.

 

[toocherie]

Whether going there for a lunch, or even a cocktail, it's so relaxing to walk around and enjoy the beautiful thumbing at the different resorts.

WOW! The CM's at those other resorts must be really rude!

LOL--I know you meant "theming"!

 

[kikiq]

Great thread idea, we want to attempt a non park trip in the near future.

Our last trip we decided to spend the afternoon at AKL and see all the activities they have there. Spent time talking to the cast members, checking out areas for looking at the animals, did the Boma/Jiko tour which was just the right amount of snack to hold us until we had a late dinner back at the villa.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

When we get to do an adults only trip we want to do the Keys to The World Tour.

This coming up trip we're singing up the kids for Disney's Pirate Adventure ( a Pirate themed boat tour)

Like you we enjoy hanging around the pool as much as going to the parks. We haven't ever done the welcome home Wednesday at the Boardwalk but that isn't too high on the list.

 

[stopher1]

DW and I spent our anniversary there last year while the kids stayed behind and enjoyed Grandma & Grandpa. We enjoyed going to a movie at DTD - during the daytime! As well as enjoying the resort, reading books, sitting by the fire, enjoying the hot tub/pool, etc.

Other things we've done include more boating on Seven Seas Lagoon / Bay Lake than we ever did before DVC. Also the surrey bikes at the Boardwalk, and just hanging out enjoying the various activities at AKV.

We're doing a family non-park trip in early April, and are looking at of course the pools, but also the fishing excursions, horseback riding, and yeah, checking out any of the sports schedues at WWOS.

 

[kaelarad]

What a great thread! DH and I are at the same point in our Disney travels!

We usually have a car so we spend time off property. We love going into Celebration for lunch, coffee or a movie, Mall of Mellenia or the outlets. We have a day planned at universal during our June trip.

 

[WDWLVR]

This thread is totally self-serving, as I am hitting saturation with the main rides and am looking forward to digging beneath the surface a bit next trip a bit more.

So, for those of you who have been to Disney a zillion times, what are the things that you do - and places that you visit - that a first time Disney guest probably would bypass? How do you keep it fresh?

We try to do one new thing each trip. Be it a backstage tour, a new ride, or a new place to eat.

Being DVC and knowing we'll be back lets us enjoy an afternoon back at the Villa. Whether it is reading a book, taking a nap, or just enjoying a cool drink out on the balcony while people watching. We're rested and head back to a park in the evening.

 

[disprincessatheart]

We usually spend an afternoon or evening hanging out in the gf lobby enjoying the atmosphere and music.

 

[nolanboys]

WOW! The CM's at those other resorts must be really rude!

LOL--I know you meant "theming"!

Just caught that mistake -sometimes I hate the auto correct on the iPad.

 

[HotdogDncrs]

Now that we are DVC members we love going back to our villa for a nap. Nothing beats letting our little one have a nice un-interupted sleep before heading back out to the parks later.

Before becoming DVC members we never would have "wasted" precious park time!

We also enjoy visiting the other resorts, it helps us decide where we might like to stay in the future.

Oh, and how can I forget, we also have a tendency to go to the DVC sales pitches, or the sales centre itself, as we haven't yet been on a trip where we haven't added on

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

We meander and people watch a lot more these days. We watch the whole water ballet at the fountains (or whatever else catches our attention). We explore more of the cozy spots and pay more attention to details. We try new restaurants at all the parks and resorts. We spend more time at Downtown Disney.

Honestly, the water parks and pools haven't held much interest for us, but maybe that will change when we have grandchildren with us. Until now, we've always had a large well-run water park close to home as well as a swimming pool in the back yard. But, even in a state full of water, the possibility of water skiing without having to avoid Louisiana cypress knees is VERY inviting! We plan to fish, water ski and parasail at Bay Lake during our next few summer visits.

 

[eljefe45]

When I'm at DVC I use the free internet access in the room and look at the resale market.

and Golf.

 

[DizDays]

I echo all of the above. My DH and I love taking time at Fantasia Gardens. We find creative ways to get to and from the parks to make it more scenic (boating from the resort, strolling to a park, etc.). We always make a point to try at least one new restaurant and one new attraction or activity per trip.

The latest thing for us is bringing friends or family who have never been to Disney before. We love seeing the parks through fresh eyes and sharing our good fortune of DVC. And we can still go at our pace because they won't know if they're missing out on something.

 

[Rest&Relax]

Just sitting in our villa on the balcony enjoying the morning.

Going to the pool while everyone else is at the parks.

Eating at restaurants or sipping on a cockatail at the different resorts.

Just relaxing, knowing that we don't have to rush around seeing everything at the parks.

Strolling a park and looking at all the fine details that you would not notice otherwise.

We broke a record last trip stayed 5 nights and we only rode Kilimanjaro Safari, saw the Lion King, and Finding Nemo show while visiting all the parks!!
I was kind of surprised when I looked back and realized that's all we did.

 

[hoffmann2828]

I can't believe no one mentioned all the cheap/free DVC Community Hall stuff. Last Sept we spent a bit of time there. Checked out a couple movies to watch in the room.

We actually had FUN on a rainy day. It almost has me wishing for another rainy day our next trip so we can chill.

Jenny

 

[wbl2745]

When we get to do an adults only trip we want to do the Keys to The World Tour.

We did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at our last visit and really enjoyed it! Go for it!

On our last day rather than charging back to the parks I sat on our balcony at the AKV watching the animals.

 

[wbl2745]

I know this thread implicitly focused on WDW, but there are some great things to do at the DLR.

The Art of the Grand Californian Tour (or something like that) is a lot of fun. They take you into the presidential suite at the Grand Californian, which is nicer than the DVC units, but not as big! I was surprised.

Another thing to do at DLR is the Cruisin' California tour on Seqways. They may not be doing that now due to all of the construction at DCA, but when it is available it is a lot of fun (Did the one at Epcot too. Really enjoyable.)

In the parks I like to slow down and smell the roses. Again at DL, there is a porch about half way up Main Street with some chairs. It's a nice place to sit for a while and watch people. The canoes in Critter Country are a nice way to see the Rivers of America. Watch the street shows, Laughing Stock in Frontierland is great. For that matter, most of the street shows at any of the parks are fun to watch.

My favorite place to chill out at DL is underneath the balcony at the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country. Just keep walking. No, don't stop, just keep going until the chairs stop and you're on a little path. No one is ever there and you can interact with Disneyland's rodent patrol, the feral cats they keep around.

Sitting on the porch underneath Silly Symphony in DCA. Again, a place to chill out and watch people.

Look for the four leaf clover in Bug's Land in DCA.

I like taking it slow and owning DVC means I'll be back and don't need to do everything every time.

 

[rentayenta]

Our next trip will be our 3rd to WDW. We are planning a 13 day trip with an 8 day park hopper leaving plenty of time for golf, SSR spa, and some pool time. My kids would also like to do the Chip n Dale movie night at Fort Wilderness.