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

[Disney Dad Canada]

This may sound simple, but my favourite thing to do now is just sit back and people watch. When we went two years ago before DVC, I wanted to do everything. Now I like finding a bench and actually relax during my vacation, I know, what a concept.

It's amazing to see just how many people are so wound up that they can't allow themselves to enjoy a vacation. I can't count how many people I watched leave Mamma Melrose last May complaining "I guess THESE guys want a reservation TOO". It was Star Wars weekend AND the long weekend.

Also, I like to take the time to do something different each trip. This time it's Ohana's, T-Rex and Hoop-De-Doo.

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

I love this thread! Before we had kids, we did many of the "backstage" tours, and they were fantastic. Someone mentioned the Segway tour at Disneyland, and I can vouch that the Segway tour at Epcot is not to be missed. I understand that they also have an " off-road " Segway tour at the Wilderness Lodge, which I'm sure would be a blast.

Several people mentioned Fantasia Gardens, so I'llput in a plug for Winter Summerland mini golf next to Blizzard Beach, which also has two courses, only both of them are designed for people with no golfing skill.

A couple of folks have mentioned renting boats. A way to get some amazing pictures is to go to the Poly and rent a mouse boat. You have the run of both Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. We got great pix of the monorail resorts, the ferries, the BLT construction ( this was back in2007), the Wilderness Lodge, old Discovery Island, and old River Country -- which might be a very interesting place to spy right now. If your shy, you could park at the TTC and walk or take the monorail over to the Poly. We love breakfast at the Kona Cafe, so we often use that opportunity to park there and spend a few hours at the Poly, or wander in to MK just for photos.

Which is one more thing we do as DVC members - visit park in the morning just for photos! Thanks again to Rutgers1 for prompting all of us to share are "post-commando" Disney stories.

 

[ont/ohana]

Our short trip to SSR in March will be no parks. DD13 is still not sure if she can do this or not, she wants parks
Heading to FW for horse back riding, lots of time just people watching at DTD and resort hopping.

 

[Paticake]

Things we have done since joining DVC in 2003; Non park days, Surrey bikes, Blizzard Beach, lots of pool time, lots of DTD esp Ghiradelli's, Publix's, Vero beach, staying in a GV with Dh, DD, DS, DDIL, DSIl, grandkids, and parents, much more relaxed vacations, Chip and Dale campfire with grandkids, lots of vacations with grandkids, enjoying cooking meals and using the grills at DVC resorts on vacation and lots more to come. Hoping to do our 40th anniversary in 3 years on the Dream with our kids and grandkids.

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

One more good one -- Harmony Barber Shop. The girls there are very friendly, the ambience of an old-time barber shop is spot on, and the prices are still reasonable. Can't wait for this summer -I'm hoping DS1s hair grows slower so he can have his first haircut at MK.

I'm sure only fear of Walt's spirit keeps them from shutting down the competition to The BB boutique, but in case they get over that fear, you might want to stop by for a pleasant haircut while you still can

 

[dsneygirl]

Lots of pool time (my DS is part fish) Last Sept it was so hot we easily spent 2-3 hours.day at Stormalong Bay.

Rent bikes and go from VWL to Fort Wilderness

Mini Golf

Eat less TS restaurants, snack in the villa and usually a quick breakfast most days.

Shop Lots of time to scour every store.

 

[LSchrow]

One thing that I have been meaning to do is to walk through the parks with the Imagineers Guide. I haven't looked through it in a long time, but I remember how the section on Main Street USA was filled with enough info to give you a whole new appreciation for the area. It explains all of the names on the windows, etc. .

we do just about everything on this thread (firm believers in actually enjoying our vacations ) - that one is new and something i would definately like to try!
think i'll do it in may when i go with DD tho....i can see DH rolling his eyes and changing the subject if i even try it once on vaca with him (in oct)
we do love relaxing by the pool with a margarita (yes, we have one at home that we love, but vaca and margaritas that someone else made is soooo much more special), enjoying the amazing BW in the early morning as well as the street performers in the eves, strolling to DHS and EPCOT, mini-golf, community hall, club cool, dancing fountains, walking through mexico, looking for devine in AK, people watching, tours, outlet shopping..... i find it humorous when ppl say they "need a vacation from their WDW vacation" - we come back soooooooo incredibly relaxed and refreshed, with smiles that linger for weeks afterward

 

[sarahk0204]

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

ITA! Love the Community Hall.

 

[M.E.]

This past visit I persuaded my family to take our time in the parks and visit some of the shows and attractions where you sit and watch/listen. They actually enjoyed some of them, much more relaxed than rushing from ride to ride. We also do the water parks and a couple of meals in Downtown Disney. We have been able try other resorts but love out home resort Boardwalk.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

• Renting bikes at VWL and riding over to Fort Wilderness. Or walk along the path between VWL and FW.
• Renting bikes at SSR and riding over to OKW.
• Exploring other resorts.
• Before DVC we never rented sea racers, now every trip we spend time on one. Which my huband finds out of character for me since I have a big fear of water but with a lot of convincing from a CM that I would be safe out on the water because of all the lifeguard boats on the lake I am hooked!
  
  It is so nice knowing we can spend time relaxing.

 

[Castillo Mom]

What a great idea for a thread - I've enjoyed reading about what others do now that they own DVC.

Last trip was our first as owners. I incorporated more pool time into our itinerary and we had fun participating in the pool parties at SSR and Kidani. When my 17 year old son came down with a bad cold, we stayed in for a day and a half. There was plenty for me to do and see while he rested and we even checked out and watched movies together which was nice.

We also spent more time at DTD. We caught a movie at the AMC theater and on another night had dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe and saw Cirque du Soleil which was awesome.

This may sound strange but I can now do laundry with ease. I never wanted to use the laundry facilities on our previous non DVC trips as I didn't want to waste precious park time. To accomplish that we had to pack a ton of clothing! But no more, now I can throw a load in the wash before leaving for the parks and when we come back for a break, I throw it in the dryer.

Most importantly, now I can take family along and we can stay in the same villa. I'm very close to my sister, her family and my mom. Come September we'll all be staying together in a 2-bedroom savannah view at Kidani.

I love DVC!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We like to rent bikes at VWL, no matter where we're staying, and ride to and around FW. Not in summer heat, but on most of our other visits.

Bobbi

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Pool hop, once we started going in August it was a must to take a break and cool off. We leave the parks midday and hit the nearest pool, get adult drinks and let the kids swim and usually get lunch at the hotels counter service.

Our personal favorites: Polynesian, BWV Clown Pool, CSR.

 

[Disneymanic]

On our last trip, my wife hurt her back prior to going. She was a little leery about not being able to walk as much as usual. Well, we found we rode the monorails a lot and visited most of the resorts and just spent time people watching. It was a great trip. It is so great to not feel the need to do parks all the time.

 

[RCharnay]

We are still getting to know each of the resorts and we're having a great time doing it. We try to stay at a new place each year and really walk the grounds, try the pools and recreation, try all the dining options, talk with the CM's, find the hidden Mickey's, whatever each has to offer. We brought the whole family in January, stayed in a Grand villa and had a blast in the parks, but March is just the two of us for a non-park stay at Animal Kingdom Villas. No matter the weather, we just relax and find our way. We keep binoculars in the OL and we've watched wildlife out the windows of OKW and VWL. We've strolled the Boardwalk at sunrise, sang-along at the bonfire at VB and walked the nature trails at HH.
I look forward to years of taking the kids and grandkids to the parks but, for now, I think I enjoy the non-park trips the best! Like everyone says, relaxing on vacation is an amazing concept!

 

[dsneygirl]

• Before DVC we never rented sea racers, now every trip we spend time on one. Which my huband finds out of character for me since I have a big fear of water but with a lot of convincing from a CM that I would be safe out on the water because of all the lifeguard boats on the lake I am hooked!
  
  It is so nice knowing we can spend time relaxing.

Two years ago we splurged for the first time ever and got a pontoon boat from WL. We cruised around Bay Lake for an hour and it was bliss. It was so peaceful and a great way to see all the sights.

 

[rutgers1]

We have gotten into making themed photo albums. For our last trip, we actually created a little story and turned it into a book (through snapfish.com), complete with photos and speech bubbles (made with photoshop).

Here is the storyline...My older son wore a Sorcerer Mickey hat and declared that HE wanted to be the true sorcerer in Disney. He then "shrunk" the real sorcerer Mickey (We took a photo of the actual one in costume, and then we took a photo of a stuffed animal) and took off through the parks. My other son played the role of the "good guy" and chased him from park to park. We stopped every so often through the day and "posed" for the next photo. It was cute.

Three trips ago, we took jumping photos in every park. We didn't get in anyone's way or anything --- just jumped instead of stood for photos. A few of the characters saw us, came over, and asked if they could be part of the photos. Check this out:

 

[wbl2745]

renting a surrey bike

Don't forget the surrey bikes at the Boardwalk! We were there twice, once with family and then with friends. We rented the six seater and had a hoot riding around the lake by the Boardwalk! Not to be missed! You can rent them for 30 minutes (or longer) and you can get around the lake twice in that time.

 

[dbprimeaux]

I love this thread!

Our home resort is SSR. We really like walking to DTD. We shop, have an ice cream, and people watch. Our kids love DTD, too. We are staying at BLT in May, 2011, so I am looking for something different for us to do this trip.

 

[babydoll]

We've been members for 13 years but haven't stayed at OKW all that much since I didn't care for the pool. Recently went back as they have upgraded the pool area. One day we all slept in late and spent a whole afternoon at OKW community hall. I played ping pong and games with the kids all afternoon and enjoyed the pool. I think the kids had as much fun on our family day as they did in the parks! I also found out about a little secret in the base of the lighthouse that I never knew was there!!!