Tips for those long DVC stays?

[rutgers1]

We are going to Disney for two weeks in August. Considering we have gone several times over the past two years, there is very little that we haven't done in terms of major rides and attractions. Within the first few days, we'll probably hit the major things again, as well as a few restaurants and other attractions (Disney Quest) that we haven't done before.

And now I am anticipating a problem that I never had pre-DVC....the "what next?" problem. I can actually see us getting a bit bored on this trip. Even when I was mapping out my dining plans, I was drawing blanks by the 10th day. My kids - agest 8 and 10 - don't mind traveling around a bit to see things, but they probably won't be into a major amount of obscure sightseeing or shopping. As of right now, we are planning on spending more time by the pool at the end of the trip, perhaps scoot over to Fort Wilderness for their nighttime campfire. There is always the movie theater. But with another trip planned for February, I don't want to go on the rides at the parks SO many times that my kids don't want to come again a few months later.

Anyone else ever have this problem?

 

[karebear1]

I'm in the same boat, but always seem to find something to fill my time and not be bored! We explore resorts, shop DTD, take a trip to Kennedy Space Center.... Heck! you could even go to Universal if you were in the mind to! How about mini golfing or a water park day? Rent bikes, rent water mice...... there are a ton of things to do that don't have to cost a lot of money to do them. Have you thought about a backstage tour at one of the parks? All of these things and more we will be doing in our future trips. Spread out your days at the parks. Maybe have a rest day in between each park day, that way boredom won't set in so heavily- and if you're AP holders or have hoppers, think about coming back to the resort in the early afternoon, swimming, eating dinner and then going back to the park that has EMH in the evening.

Anyway you look at it, it's hard to get bored at WDW- there's just so much to do!

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

August is super hot and muggy I would spend a lot of time at the pool, spread your planned activites throughout your vaction and mix in pool days. Also head to Cocoa Beach do some body boarding and spend some time at Ron Jon's Surf Shop.

 

[rutgers1]

We'll definitely do a boating day, and I didn't think about mini golfing.

Is it difficult to rent a car for the day to go to a beach? I never even thought of that. I figured that the beach was several hours away, which isn't ideal for a day trip.

The last time we went, my son broke his collar bone in a freak hallway accident at the Beach Club, and I took him to a movie at DD one night since he couldn't go on any rides. Although the theater is nothing special, it is a nice break from the action elsewhere on Disney property.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Sleep late, and keep the fridg stocked with Sam Adams.

MG

 

[karebear1]

It's not difficult to rent a car for the day. There are 2 (I think) car rental places right at WDW. One is at the Swan & Dolphin.

 

[Disnydad]

Spend a day at Seaworld, another one or two at Universal and a day at the Kennedy Space Center (it's only a bit over an hour away).

 

[wdw1972]

Speaking as someone who's been there hundreds of times, but only a couple trips that were 2 weeks long - I can't imagine being tired of being there. Also, in my world the kids don't make the decisions. My son grew up going to WDW and never got bored. But, you have the option of seeking out grandparents if they're around - for the Feb trip. But, there's no way kids would have a say in where the vacation is or how long it is....that's for the adults who are paying for it!

I would definitely not do all the park stuff at the beginning of your trip. I think you're setting yourself up for failure that way. Considering the weather will be so incredibly hot, humid & uncomfortable - I'd head to a park in the morning, and leave by 11 or so to spend the afternoon by the pool. There's always DisneyQuest, which is air conditioned & ideal if your kids are old enough to go alone since that place drives most adults crazy Also, hopefully you'll plan for some time alone with your spouse since 2 weeks is a long time - if you're cramming into a studio, I mean.

Mini golf is going to be unbearably hot this time of year, but the water parks are alot of fun if those are included on your pass. Rather than paying today's movie ticket prices, pick up a free one at member services. The outlets are nearby - if you have a car, get started on the back-to-school shopping some day. There's so much to do, including doing absolutely nothing! It's not asking too much of the kids to chill out during the vacation. They're lucky to be going for so long, as any adult will realize!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I din't see where you're staying, but some pools can be like water parks themselves. I think that when our kids were that age, they could have spent most of their vacation at the pool at SAB, especially in August. It's like a week at the beach! If it gets cool enough, renting Surrey Bikes can be fun. Also, eating at Sci-Fi is a very cool (temperature wise and fun) way to spend a little time.

 

[Hunclemarco]

We went for 2 weeks back in March. It was day 4 before we even stepped foot in a park. We enjoyed the resort (BCV), and went to DTD. Then, we alternated between the parks and the resort each day for the rest of our trip. Made it very relaxing and enjoyable. Sometimes we went back to DTD on our off park days. We used to go to the parks daily, but learning this new style of vacationing actually allowed us to relax more. It also made it worse for us to return to reality too!

 

[PKS44]

We have had summer stays of 10 and 12 nights and never felt we were bored...We did not go to a park on arrival or departure day. We rarely do parks two days in a row...on the "off" days we have:
Done water parks, toured other resorts/pool hopped, dtd, hung out at our own resort and community hall, rented water mice, surrey bikes at other resorts, seaworld, cocoa beach, outlet shopping....we were planning to check out Celebration but never got there.

 

[gwensgoofy]

we went for 2 weeks last year, at BWV. My kids were 12 and 10. They loved it, and are bummed that we're "only" headed there for 10 days this year. We learned to slow down, plenty of mornings were resort days, out early to the pool. The kids love the community hall features-video games, ping pong, etc. We're probably skipping AK this year, which only leaves MK, Epcot and HS. They absolutely love the water parks, and would be happy to spend every day there. Its nice to sleep in a little, or have a "late night" at magic kingdom. Now, my husband isn't a fan of the two week trip-too much time away from work, too much park time makes him cranky!

 

[Greg K.]

We usually stay for two weeks every year -- one year, we actually stayed for three! -- so we're experts.

My wife likes to sleep in, so I sometimes get up early and hit the EE park of the day for the first hour or two, then come back and spend a lazy mid-day by the pool. There's also tons of shopping in the Orlando area -- outlet malls, anyone? -- and we usually spend a day at Sea World and another at Universal. We sometimes will also take a side trip to Tampa and Busch Gardens.

It's great not having to rush, and just soaking up the atmosphere, and budgeting lots of free time. And it's nice to actually NOT go into the parks for a day or two or three. I can watch all the people attacking the parks "commando style" and just sigh and smile.

 

[karebear1]

Rutgers- While I understand WDW1972's point, I must say that I disagree with it! (No offense intended, just my experiences differ)

Let the kids choose some of the places you're going to eat at and let them choose some activities they'd like to do as well. Family planning is always a good thing! While it's true you are paying for it, when kids can contribute to the planning of the trip, they are much more excited and less apt to be bored and complain because they didn't get any say. It helps to ease some of the burden off you as well.... trying to come up with 10 days worth of where to eat for example. It is their vacation too- everyone should have fun! You might be very surprised how excited they get when they realize they can plan a day, and.... it will probably lead you to do some things you never would've done otherwise. Just think of it as an adventure

Let us knwo what you have planned- I'd love to hear! Where are you staying?

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

2 weeks

There is so much to do in Orlando.

They have the outlet mall right there.

Discovery Cove/Sea world. If you go to Discovery Cove you get a day at Sea World or Aquatica. Discovery Cove has a dolphin encounter and swimming and snokerling etc. (we did a dolphin encounter on our cruise in Feb and absolutely loved it. (my kids are 8 & 11)

You can check out the AKV's. Last year we spent the night there and just loved exploring.

The BCV has movies and campfires on the beach now-- We did it in April and loved it. The GF also has the campfire & movies on the beach.

Of course there is downtown Disney---- Disney Quest, Cirque de Soliel, etc

The two Disney waterparks-- heck after a day at the water parks I can't move. Also Orlando has Wet-n-Wild and Aquatica (Sea World)

there is Universal Studios and Kennedy Space Center.

I don't know where you are staying, but if you are staying at the BLT or BW you could hop over to the closest park and catch the fireworks every night and just stroll the shops in the countries or Main Street.

The Hoop De Doo or Spirit of Aloha shows are a nice way to spend an evening.

Renting the boats, or having the kids do the pirate adventure from the GF would be cool.

You could always see if there is availability at VB and switch out your ressie for a few nights there.

Growing up we used to only go for 2-3 nights and the longest I had stayed in Disney was about 6 days until I bought DVC. Now we usually spend 5-7 days there depending on if we hit VB or not. We just relax. My girls had to perform a show in April at DTD as part of the Disney Magical Days and they needed to lay low on Sunday so we just slept in, rented a DVD from the Community Hall at the BW (High School Musical III) went to the pool and played BINGO! had a leisurely dinner at Spoodles and then we were off to the performance. Also, two nights out of 7 we spent on the beach at the BC watching the outdoor movies. Out of the 6 days we were there we only went to the parks 4 days and hit both waterparks.

Once you get into the groove of relaxing 2 weeks will fly by!!!

Have a great trip.

PS. I know a family who would spend 5-6 weeks there in the summer. she would buy annual passes, stay in Studios Sun -thurs and move to a hotel for the weekends. I asked my kids if they would like to do it and they looked at me like I had 5 heads and asked "wouldn't we be bored after 2 weeks? " --- I then looked at my DH and said, I guess I'll have to go alone!!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We travel to WDW 6-10 times annually with the average trip of 7 - 10 days.

Many, many days we never consider the parks. We swim, spa, run, watch movies, shop, and relax.

 

[rutgers1]

Several people asked where we are staying. We will be on Disney property from August 8 to August 21. From there, we will spend a few days at Universal. We are beginning with a studio at the Boardwalk from 8/8-8/15, and then from there we are switching over to a 1BR at Saratoga Springs, which is our home resort. We figured that we'd need a 1BR after all that "togetherness" for the first part of the trip. That set-up will also allow us to spread out a bit and spend more time just hanging around the villa.

Our dining is pretty much mapped out for 3/4 of the trip, with one table service meal planned a day. We had some trouble planning table service meals for the last part of the trip, as it bumped into free dining and I called a few days into my 90 day window and the restaurants we wanted were all booked up. Therefore, we will be hitting some of the DTD places, such as Dinosaur, which we just made a reservation at.

I talked to my wife about my concerns, and this is what we came up with...

NEW THINGS FOR THIS TRIP:
1) My wife surprised me today by making a Saratoga Springs massage appointment for me. That should be fun.
2) I started working out religiously in November, and this will be my first Disney trip where that is a big part of my plans. I look forward to finding running trails and using the gym at the resort. My sons and wife also run, which should be neat.
3) We will be joining another disboards.com family for a Wishes cruise. I posted a thread a while back looking for a family to join us, and someone replied. The kids are looking forward to that.
4) The kids have never been to Disney Quest. They are addicted to video games, so I anticipate spending a lot of time there.
5) We want to slow down and spend more time by the pool, as well as at the water parks. We always plan to do that, but we never do. I hope this is the time where we actually do that.
6) If they have that Kim Possible interactive hunt thing at Epcot still, the boys would like to do that.
7) Although my one son and I went to a movie at DTD, my other son and my wife never have been there. We'll do that. (Someone mentioned a free ticket - what is the story with that?).
8) I'd like to plan a night at the Fort Wilderness campfire. That brings back memories of childhood trips to Fort Wilderness in the family motorhome.
9) My one son and I are into photography. I think we might go on a photography expedition.
10) This one might sound stupid, but we love ribs and we heard that there are several restaurants that serve ribs at Disney. We might go on a hunt to find the best Disney ribs. We'll report back to you all!!!
11) Water Sprites --- that is another great memory from my youth that I want to relive.
12) Last but not least, my wife has a running list of the rides that we haven't been on yet. The list is longer than I had thought. Plus there are a few - like the Norway ride - that we haven't been on in a few years.

My #1 goal is to enjoy the water options as much as possible. Our next trip is in February, and there is a good chance that we won't be seeing any water at all. In fact, I think I can tell what my next post is going to be, lol (What can I do during a cold February trip???). I'll wait a few months to post that one!

 

[edk35]

We went to WDW last July for 2 weeks. We were never bored. Our kids were 17, 14 and 9 at the time. We did a split stay which probably helped. We stayed our first 8 nights at OKW and our last 6 nights at BCV. It was like two different vacations. When we were at OKW we had some non park days where we slept in, went to DTD, rented sea raycers at CR, a boat at CR and shopped at DTD. The boys loved the community hall at OKW too. They even took a paddle boat out one day. We truly felt like we were on a lazy refreshing vaction. Then we moved to BCV and LOVED IT. We had friends there that we met up with and just had a blast. We would go to the parks in the mornings til lunch and then hit SAB every afternoon and then would head to a park in the evening. Matter of fact we wish we were staying longer this July. We are there for 9 nights. I think we would prefer to stay at BCV a full week though. Love it there. I am sure you will have a great trip. Remember there is lots to see and do outside the parks at WDW.

 

[ParrotBill]

Head over to the Transportation board for lots of advice on car rentals. Prices have been steep this year. We are going 2 weeks in August also, and I finally found a good rate at Dollar at the Regal Sun near DTD, and they have a courtesy shuttle.


We will rent a car for a day at the start of the trip to grocery shop. Then in the midde of the trip we will rent 2 days, to restock groceries, and go to the beach.

The beach we go to is Caledesi State Park, which is accessed through Honeymoon State Park, via a water shuttle... it's one of the most beautiful beaches in America and well worth the boat fee ($9 per adult).

Google Caladesi Beach and read about it. It's warmer calmer gulf waters compared to the cooler rougher Atlantic waters.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, they still have the Kim Possible adventures at Epcot, and they are lots of fun! There are things to do in Innoventions...What's your Problem a game show in which every kid gets picked for one of the events, and TRowe Price Piggy Bank family game. There are more things, but it's a/c'd and you could spend time there while waiting for some FP times. We went on the Norway boat ride for the first time in many years just last week. We're heading for Oslo later this summer!

Bobbi