WDW without parks

[newholidayx2]

DS & I will be at VWL 8/12-17 - our APs expire on the 17th
8/17-20 we're switching to AKL and not doing the parks

on the 19th DH joins us, 20th we move over to BCV 6nights (3days WDW parks, 3 days Universal/SeaWorld)
DH has never stayed at an EpCot resort - I CANNOT see myself staying so close to EpCot and not going in those 3 days! we'll see what happens - I can always send them to Univ and go to EpCot myself

 

[sigillaria]

All the time!
We bought in 1991 and for the 1st 7-8 years we got free park passes for our length of stay (a perk of the first members)--we nearly got "parked out".
I go to WDW several times each year and have not been to a park since 2003.
I go alone now for R & R.

 

[Ms. WDW]

yes - but you need to stay at OKW or SSR - so won't be tempted......

I you can't see the parks you don't miss them....

I have to admitt the above statement is very true. We returned lastweek from SSR and for the very first time in a million years I could have cared less if I went to the parks!! Me! The Commando Queen!!! We did go into the parks but way later than usual. One day I actually stolled into the MK at noon!!! NOON!!!! We had a great time that day DH and I. I'll remember this trip for a very long time.

 

[DVCDAWG]

Sorry this took so long to report on our trip with no parks. Could not access for some reason. We just returned from a week at SSR and did not go to any parks. DW and I went to gym in mornings then swam in CP quiet pool, then back to room for a big breakfast. DS and friend { 11 yrs old} would go to DTD to pin trade. They spent a lot of time doing this and met some cool people from around the world.They also did alot of swimming. We spent our time at SSR and DTD but also went to Fantasia and ESPN one day, and to WL and AP for dinner. The kids pool-hopped during these trips which was nice for DW and myself to enjoy a great meal BY OURSELVES We would do this type of WDW trip again but only at SSR so kids could get to DTD easily.

 

[Lasrnw]

DH and I are going Labor Day weekend - BCV....only time we are entering the Parks is Epcot for dinner!

 

[anewvance]

My kids and I just spent 4 day at SSR, got back yesterday. We didn't do the parks (did Sea World one day though). We had a fantastic time, my kids loved the Community Center and the pool and we did DTD too. Relaxing and enjoyable!

 

[living la vida mickey]

We did it for 5 years. We bought in 1993 and had the passes through 2000. We were parked out but still wanted to go down. OKW is our home;we love it and that's where we stayed. My DH golfed, I swam,wen to the spa, we played miniature golf, visited the other hotels, went to spring training games, ate at DTD and the hotels, went to Pleasure Island often and had very relaxing trips. We also used points for a 7 day cruise, concierge exchanges for the Plaza in NY and over all had fun times during those years. This year we bought an AP and have been down 3 times for about 5-6 days each time and have gone back to the parks. We've loved every minute, but I wouldn't hesitate to go down again and not do the parks. Try it, you might actually like it.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Actually we're thinking about doing this for our next visit. I'm thinking we might try to stay in OKW, Sept. or Oct. of next year. This would be more of a "Florida" trip than a "Disney" trip. There seems to be alot to do in the Orlando area and I'd like to get out and do some siteseeing. I'm thinking 8 days and do Seaworld one day and perhaps Universal one day. I'd just like to drive around the Orlando area and just look around some. I can't believe that as many times as we've been, we've never even been over to Celebration. We might even drive over to Tampa one day. Plus I'd like to just relax around the resort some and maybe even get in a round of golf.

 

[twotoohappy]

There's so much to do at WDW it's not a problem.
When it's an adult only trip we might hit a park one day out of the week, but not always.
We stay at BWV and swim, shop DTD, Mini-golf, and go to JELLYROLLS!
I'm also trying Cirque in December!

 

[DisInsider]

OK, I have to say if find this subject hilarious. If you are going to go to WDW and not do the parks, then you have simply been to WDW too much. It's time to take a different vacation. I'm sorry, I just don't see the point in going there and not doing the parks. I know that there is plenty of other stuff to do, but c'mon. You are making excuses to go to WDW, just to go there. Trade your points or whatever you do to go somewhere, non-Disney, heaven forbid.

The only thing I can understand is if you hare having a lay-over after a cruise or something like that. But an entire vacation without seeing the parks. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, when there are so many other places in the world to go to, that's just stupid.

 

[Disney_Mama]

Our next trip end of November will be park free. Going to relax at the pool, do DTD and play mini golf. It's a trip for my fathers 80th birthday and he could care less about the parks. What Papa want he will get for the big 80.

 

[mbhoxsie]

Though we have never gone to one of the onsite resorts and not gone to the parks, this next trip coming up, we will only go to the parks for 1 day.. (When DW were booking the Character b'fast at the castle, the CM seemed rather suprised.. )

Our plan at OKW is to just relax by the pool, go pool hopping, and downtown for the remainder of the days...

 

[dvc_bwv]

OK, I have to say if find this subject hilarious. If you are going to go to WDW and not do the parks, then you have simply been to WDW too much. It's time to take a different vacation. I'm sorry, I just don't see the point in going there and not doing the parks. I know that there is plenty of other stuff to do, but c'mon. You are making excuses to go to WDW, just to go there. Trade your points or whatever you do to go somewhere, non-Disney, heaven forbid.

The only thing I can understand is if you hare having a lay-over after a cruise or something like that. But an entire vacation without seeing the parks. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, when there are so many other places in the world to go to, that's just stupid.

Just had to reply to this one.... First, who's to say that we haven't been to other places? Second, when we are paying for our points it's up to us how we want to use them and any use of points is not stupid!!!

We're only 5 days away and are still planning no parks. There are so many other things to do that I'm sure we can do no parks wih no problem. We plan to go to NASA for a day and see the Titanic Exhibit on Int'l Drive and then just relax and see the things outside the parks that we missed on other trips where we spent most of our time in the parks. The magic of Disney extends far beyond the parks and we're looking forward to exploring and relaxing without the hecticness that is found in the parks.

I'll report back on how it went when we get back home.

 

[Cruelladeville]

The purpose of a vacation is to relax, not to SEE STUFF. How many times have you heard people say that they had to go back to work to relax? That's dumb--we like to relax, and it's sunny at WDW, so what's not to love? Millions of people go to Florida every year in the winter, and most of them don't go to Disney, so if I'm being stupid, I am in good company. It makes me feel like I am retired, and have all the time in the world to destress.

 

[MissD]

We just enjoyed a park-free vacation at BWV--and it was one of our best.

Our family just relaxed and enjoyed the BW and each other.

 

[Figment2]

Okay, this is probably right up there. How about spending a week at WDW in a park or parks and only going on one ride/attraction. Then there was at least one trip (pin event) that I was in EPCTO for four days and didn't do any rides/attractions.

Going so often, we no longer feel the need to do ALL the rides/attractions. We like sleeping in, having a leisurely lunch/dinner, grab a fiesta margarita and wander around the WS, watch the fireworks, etc. We've been known to wander over to a park just before the fireworks start. During Halloween and Christmas, there's at least one day spent driving to all the resorts picking up a new pin series (which is a lot of fun because we are crazed pin collectors/traders).

Cyn

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

I have to speak up and say we most enjoy our trips when we can relax and enjoy the resort. No running, no commando style trips. Because of DVC we can "chill".

Again, who's to say that we don't vacation elsewhere?

I just enjoy DVC at WDW!

 

[Micmaniac]

We've been going for nearly 30 years and I don't think ever skipped the parks. Maybe it's the thousand mile trip to get there. We are looking forward to relaxing at the VWL pool and riding bikes to For Wilderness for a day.c

 

[dvc_bwv]

Hi all,

Day 7 of our non-park trip and still haven't been to a park or even thought about going to a park. We've done some local attractions - Titanic Exhibit, WonderWorks - and have been using Passporter's Treasure Hunt book to tour resorts & DTD, etc. Have had a thunderstorm every afternoon and were bummed that the space shuttle launch was scrubbed as we were planning to go over to see that. This morning we rescued a gecko (sp) from our bathroom, saw him last night, but DH scared him under a piece of furniture, caught him in a bag and set him free.... In a few hours we will be heading over to ESPN in full Steeler regalia to watch the Steeler's first game....hope they win!!! That's all for now, will update again later.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We don't exactly skip the parks--but these days our park time is minimal. One-two hours at each park seeing our favorite attractions. We see a line--we just skip that attraction.
Lots of swimming, shopping, mini golf, movies, and above all--fine dining.