traveling out of Disney resort

[coolmickey]

Has anyone stayed at your Disney vacation resort and traveled to Universal,Sea World ect.. without a day in a Disney park? We are considering doing this since we have the points to use and have never been anywhere but Disney in rhe Orlando area.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We have done it often. We usually have a rental car so it's no big deal. This October we will leave the Mouse to visit a Halloween Horror Night at US. My DD considers the Millenia Mall a theme park in itself, so we have to visit there when in the vicinity.

HBC

 

[Granny]

On almost every trip we spend a day at Sea World, and often another one at Busch Gardens in Tampa. We drive to WDW so no problem.

And we have gone to Universal Studios a few times too.

All these trips while staying in our DVC villas. We find Sea World to be an excellent park, and like Busch Gardens for the change of pace. That "U" place...well, we had to go there a couple of trips just to get it out of our kids systems!

If you have a car, a day trip to Kennedy Space Center is also nice. The Orlando area has a lot of nice restaurants and amenities if you are willing to venture outside the bounds of the Happiest Place on Earth.

And agreeing with HBC, here's another vote for Millenia Mall...DW & DDs have that on the "must visit" list now.

 

[Muushka]

Hmmmm. I may have to talk the husband into the Millenia Mall. We no longer go to the Character outlet due to not so good inventory. Where is the Millenia Mall?

In answer to OP question, before DVC started offering us the discounted AP, we held APs for USF/IOA and visited at least 2 days each visit to WDW. We also drive so it is not difficult to get around. It is great fun.

 

[Granny]

Hmmmm. I may have to talk the husband into the Millenia Mall. We no longer go to the Character outlet due to not so good inventory. Where is the Millenia Mall?

The mall is east on I-4 a little past Universal Studios. Here's a link to their site: http://www.mallatmillenia.com/experience/experience.htm

Between PF Chang's and the Cheesecake Factory, it is becoming a favorite culinary destination spot for us each trip!

 

[Lady V]

We always got tu US/IOA when at Disney! We actually get season passes for there as well as for Disney so it is a must!! My daughter loves the princesses but my son loves spiderman so we do a character meal for each one at the different parks. Sometimes we add a few nights at one of the UNiversal hotels so we can have front of the line all day and it is awesome!! As far as Busch Gardens-I used to perform there in a show called AMerican Jukebox so we don't tend to go there because I feel like I know the place inside and out!! Maybe this summer though!!
On a side note-I may be moving to Orlando at the end of the summer and this Friday I check into SS for a week and plan to do a little househunting!! wish me luck!!

 

[Muushka]

Good luck Lady V! Wow, you will be living next to the mouse!

Thanks Granny!

 

[tubtruck]

A rental car can be more expensive than a round trip to Universal in a taxi, may as well let someone else do the driving

 

[spiceycat]

if you don't have a rental car - then SW is definitely easier to get too

you can take a bus to it
http://www.golynx.com/schedule.cfm?route=50

universal is alot harder to get too. you could be on a bus for a long, long time
http://www.iridetrolley.com/map.asp - then find you still have a long walk to get to it.

however that say - I would rent my points and go stay nearer the theme park of your choice. you will probably come out ahead.

Lady V - happy house hunting!

 

[aclov]

Yes, DH and I have done it. We've stayed at BWV and didn't set foot in one Disney Park. We have friends who live in Orlando so we've always had something to do, not to mention everything else Orlando has to offer.