Will it be worth it to go to WDW and not do theme parks?

[cgcruz]

We are planning our next trip for December. We have to get at least a one day theme park ticket each to get the dining plan. The dining plan is so worth it though! We'll just save the theme park day for another trip and maybe even add more days before we leave. Well, anyways, since we just came from a week of theme park fun, we figured we could make this trip a little more relaxing by just hanging around the resort, going to Downtown Disney, dancing it up at Pleasure Island, blah blah blah... Right now we have our room booked at the pop century, but later on might just rent points for Old Key West or Boardwalk Villas. We stayed at the BWV this past trip and it's a destination in itself!

Anyone who has done non-theme park trips have any opinions/suggestions? It would be a great help. Thanks!

 

[MelanieC]

There are so many things to do at WDW I"m sure it would be fun. You couldn't dine at any of the Park restaurants though- I'd miss the EPCOT ones for sure!

I get Annual Passes and we go for 2 weeks a year. I can't imagine going to WDW and not going to the parks.

 

[Kimberly815]

I have never done it myself, however my best friend is doing it in just a couple of weeks. They are taking the 3 day cruise and then spending three nights at the Poly after.

I have to agree that I am sure I could find plenty of stuff to do to keep myself occupied, and it definitely would be a relaxing vacation. However, it would be pretty darn tough to keep away from the parks being so close!

 

[cgcruz]

I know it would be hard to stay away from the parks, but I heard around the time i'm going, dec 18th-23rd, 2006, the parks are just too packed up and not worth doing.

 

[paoil]

Another option would be to purchase tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and simply go to MK that evening. If memory serves the MVMCP allows you entrance to the MK early in the evening (maybe around 4 pm?). So for the cost of the party tickets you'd at least get to MK, enjoy some rides, and see the Christmas parade and fireworks.

 

[cgcruz]

no theme park ticket needed?

 

[Carol1973]

I think it sounds like a great vacation. We always plan non-park days and I love them. I love to visit all the resorts. And since you will be there at Christmas time it would be great to check out all the holiday decorations.

Hmmm....wonder if I could convince my DH to take this kind of trip. He's OD'd on WDW for right now and wants to wait until we have grandkids to take. But maybe a non-park trip would entice him. Great idea!

 

[makinorlando]

Another option would be to purchase tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and simply go to MK that evening. If memory serves the MVMCP allows you entrance to the MK early in the evening (maybe around 4 pm?). So for the cost of the party tickets you'd at least get to MK, enjoy some rides, and see the Christmas parade and fireworks.

I agree this would be a great idea.

Also during the holidays, you can spend time visiting all of the resorts and seeing the decorations. My DD and I spent two days last winter break doing that - the MK resorts one day, and the EPCOT resorts and AKL another! We didn't want to go into the parks, but wanted to experience some Disney magic!

 

[MareSINY]

If you rent DVC points will you still be able to get the dining plan? I didn't think that was possible?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I could never stay on property and not go to the parks. It is so not me. I am sure you can have a good time, but if I went I would find myself drawn to the ticket booth and shortly thereafter be at a turnstyle.

 

[faeflora]

Last Spring Break my mom and I went to WDW for two days and did not do any parks. We saw a ball game and just hung out at the resort.
This Spring Break we decided we had to do at least one park during our four day stay.
Not sure I could do WDW without at least one park visit.

 

[disneymouse]

we have done non-park visits for a long weekend..once stayed at animal kingdom and once at wilderness lodge. we had a great time. we rented boats to take out, swam, downtown disney shopped, relaxed! it was great for a nice long weekend.

 

[MareQ]

If you rent DVC points will you still be able to get the dining plan? I didn't think that was possible?

The dining plan is available for DVC members I believe after April 1st .

 

[ldubberly]

We do Disney without the parks quite often. The grandparents live in Kissimmee, so sometimes we just hop over to Disney to get our fix. We may spend the evening at Boardwalk, riding the surrey bikes; hop over to Poly and watch the fireworks and electric water parade from the beach; spend time in Fort Wilderness and watch the nighttime movie; visit the Contemporary arcade; have a drink at a out of the way bar; rent water sprites or fish in the canals, etc, etc, etc.

We love to visit the theme parks, but enjoy our "anything but the themeparks" trips just as much. Hubby and I love it alone or with our 4 kids (4, 8, 12, & 14) who love it as much as we do. In fact, our tradition now is to spend a week for 4th of July camping with no themeparks. (though, we may do one of the water parks). This year we are bringing 7 kids with us for our trip and everyone knows what we will (or will not) be doing.

I guess I am trying to say, a trip without the theme parks is well worth it. I guarantee you will want to do it again.

 

[Anna114]

When I first read the original post I said I couldn't do that. However, I only go to Disney every few years so it would be difficult to do NO parks. I did, during this last planning, schedule 2 days of no Parks. We already lost one the EE at AK. I've never stayed at POP but with enough research I am sure you can find loads of things to do.

Have a magical day,
Anna

 

[ldubberly]

There are so many things to do at WDW I"m sure it would be fun. You couldn't dine at any of the Park restaurants though- I'd miss the EPCOT ones for sure!

I get Annual Passes and we go for 2 weeks a year. I can't imagine going to WDW and not going to the parks.

Don't forget all of the wonderful restaurants outside of EPCOT. We've pleasantly dined at many of the resorts, Boardwalk and Disney's Westside.

 

[doombuggy]

FYI - MVMCP is a hard ticket event. I think the OP did not understand that when MVMCP was suggested. The party starts at 7pm, but I think they let people in a little early esp for dinner ressies (many like to eat at Liberty Tree for dinner before hand).

My dad, sister & step-mom were here last month and really did not go to any parks. We did ride EE, but other than that, no parks (they had planned a day at Universal, but got in a car accident on the way there )

They stayed at their time share off property, but still enjoyed the sights & stuff of the area.