We booked our Disney Fantasy cruise 1.5 years in advance for this summer, and our intention was to take a year off from parks, and do resort stuff so we booked AKV Savannah view. Also thought we could save some money from not buying APs.
After a bit of thought, we realized that for 6 days, that would be diffcult, as we like to stay busy. So, we contemplated Sea World, Universal, Lego Land, Disney Quest and Water Parks.
Thought we had it figured out for Water Parks and Disney Quest, but it never felt right.
So after a great family discussion, we realized that we bought DVC for the parks, and we are happiest when we are in the parks.
As well as sitting on the balcony at OKW eating dinner!
Figured out that the cost of the AP portion of this trip is just a little bit more or the same cost as any of those ideas we contemplated above.
We feel really good about our decision, and the kids are relieved. I don't think our little guy actually understood that we weren't going to actually walk under the ball or sit in front of the castle!
I know there are others out there who feel like us, as I've read the threads on here, so I wanted to give moral support for those who may feel like they need to take a break from parks for various reasons...listen to your gut, and your family of course, and plan the trip that is best for your group even if it means going to the parks often!
Happy summer travels to all, Tiger
After a bit of thought, we realized that for 6 days, that would be diffcult, as we like to stay busy. So, we contemplated Sea World, Universal, Lego Land, Disney Quest and Water Parks.
Thought we had it figured out for Water Parks and Disney Quest, but it never felt right.
So after a great family discussion, we realized that we bought DVC for the parks, and we are happiest when we are in the parks.
As well as sitting on the balcony at OKW eating dinner!Figured out that the cost of the AP portion of this trip is just a little bit more or the same cost as any of those ideas we contemplated above.
We feel really good about our decision, and the kids are relieved. I don't think our little guy actually understood that we weren't going to actually walk under the ball or sit in front of the castle!
I know there are others out there who feel like us, as I've read the threads on here, so I wanted to give moral support for those who may feel like they need to take a break from parks for various reasons...listen to your gut, and your family of course, and plan the trip that is best for your group even if it means going to the parks often!
Happy summer travels to all, Tiger
"
). Anyway, the thinking was, no parks - hey, we weren't even supposed to be using those points and we weren't planning on buying our APs until January 2013 (our next trip). But, well, I got lucky and cobbled together 6 nights in a BWV preferred view studio and, how the heck can we stay at BWV and not go into Epcot?! 
Funny, though - I do all the vacation planning and when I told my DH that I had decided to order the APs for the July trip, he asked me why I wouldn't have ordered them. I told him about the "no park" idea and he said "What?! Are you crazy?" - so that's what he thinks about non-park trips 
Hope you have a fab trip. We have stayed at almost all Disney resorts on property, both Disney and DVC, and OKW is our absolute fav. It truly feels like home, and we are already missing not staying there this summer, but we miss Animal Kingdom, and are very excited to finally stay at Kidani! OKW is a special place. Enjoy!
