Would you do this?

[evilmommie]

We‘ve done that a couple times. We went for 11 nights in 2020 and only did 2 park days. It was very relaxing.

I am not sure you can stay on 30A for $178 per night, but I do love 30A.

This adorable Airbnb condo in Santa Rosa Beach is open for $146.00 a night, walking distance to beach. Available in August. I'd do that over a moderate resort in WDW, for relaxation. But that's just me.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/527375..._CFV3vifnAn3bTEaf&modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE

 

[leebee]

I would, in a heartbeat, and have before. We just like being at Disney, riding the monorail, Skyliner, and boats, eating at the restaurants. Let's face it, it's probably gonna be too hot to sit out around the pool in August anyhow, so I wouldn't worry about how hectic POP might be. DD and I stayed there last August and enjoyed it more than I'd anticipated. Go, eat good things, visit DisneySprings for shopping and adult beverages, sleep in late, and just relax. (Take the Skyliner to CBR and sit at the bar and have an adult beverage and lunch at BananaCabana... we had a great time chatting with the other patrons!)

Another thought... no idea of how many points it'd take or what's available, but could you rent DVC points and stay at a deluxe for about the same cost? DH and I liked staying at SSR given the proximity to DIsneySprings. We were there for 5 nights with only one park day, and that's only because friends were in town and wanted to go to Epcot!

 

[brockash]

My husband and I desperately want to get away. We need a break away from all the drama with his mother. This is a last minute trip, thinking late August, so don’t really have much to spend so we’re trying to keep the cost down. We’re thinking 5 nights at Pop Century, which we have stayed at several times, and NO park tickets. Have never done this before but I think I’m totally ok with it. I love the idea of just being able to do whatever we want. I want to just relax, get up whenever, lots of pool time, explore all the resorts, do a lot of browsing, maybe a little shopping, really take the time to see Disney Springs, catch a couple movies, play some mini golf. Just enjoy being in the bubble. Other choice is just get 2 day park tickets and go to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot but that alone would cost us another $500.

100% would do. Sounds great!

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Op, my dh and I are doing just what you described but staying at Sports in late Sept. for 4 nights. We just got back from Europe so this is a secondary budget vacation for just relaxation. We have only stayed at value hotels in the past so we know what to expect. We got a great deal and at $129/night it is less expensive than some non-Disney hotels in Orlando. I hope to get a refurbished room but if not it won't be the end of world. We will still be inside Disney for a fraction of the cost of other rooms. We will tour the resorts, ride the monorail, Disney Springs, Boardwalk, swimming and rent a car for one day and drive to the beach/shopping. I say go for it and have a wonderful time.

 

[sam_gordon]

I can get Pop for $178 a night. I’d love to stay at a moderate but it would cost too much more.

For $178/night, no, I would not do that. While I can respect going to WDW and not going to the park, for that amount of money, I'd find a nearby hotel (or VRBO/AirBnB) and then drive into WDW to resort hop, mini golf, etc.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I love the relaxing vacation idea, but Pop Century without going to the parks would not even be on my radar. Not sure where you live, but I would look for an ABNB or something moderately priced within a few hours of driving. If Disney is close that is fine, but would find a better place to stay. There are also lots of fun cities to visit that have beaches, hiking, and plenty of free activities and places to walk.

We did SSR in September for a week one year and did one park day and one water park day with old tickets we had lying around. We were stayed on the lake and were the second closet building to Disney Springs. We had the quiet pool to ourselves several days and could walk to Wolfgang Puck's Express (RIP) to bring a pizza back for lunch. We went to the feature pools a little bit, but way too many kids for the vacation we wanted to have. We also had plenty of dinner options close. It was a great week.

POP feels like a glorified Motel 6 to me. Great if you are going to parks all day, but not where I would go to relax.

Enjoy your trip with whatever you decide.

 

[Carol_]

For $178/night, no, I would not do that. While I can respect going to WDW and not going to the park, for that amount of money, I'd find a nearby hotel (or VRBO/AirBnB) and then drive into WDW to resort hop, mini golf, etc.

Have done it. Would do it again. Might consider HotelTonight’s options, too. We got great deals at Liki Tiki Village and Mystic Dunes from them.

 

[SC Minnie]

If you want to stay onsite and are OK with Pop then do it. We like staying onsite even if not going to parks to use Disney transportation to Springs and other resorts. We have often spent the day going around the resorts on the monorail.

You can always decide to get a part tickets while you're there if you want to go to a part one day.

If Disney transportation and being in the bubble isn't important you can get a better deal with AirBnB or VRBO for a condo or house with a pool.

 

[anniemae]

There are also some great hotels right near Disney that are more budged friendly that have amazing pool areas, almost like water parks. We have debated staying there but ultimately wind up on Disney property for the transportation, but since you are not doing parks, it could be an option.

 

[bennifer]

I was thinking of doing this in Aug as well! We just had a 17-day road trip thru California and are looking for a place to relax. The only driving is to and from the airport! Plus, DH doesn't love the beach, it's not relaxing for him. I say do what makes you happy!

 

[jump00]

Many years ago we went to Orlando but didn’t stay at a Disney or Universal resort and……didn’t visit any of the parks. Never again…..wished we had gone somewhere else, like the beach. I realized if I’m in Orlando I have to visit my favourite theme parks.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

This adorable Airbnb condo in Santa Rosa Beach is open for $146.00 a night, walking distance to beach. Available in August. I'd do that over a moderate resort in WDW, for relaxation. But that's just me.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/527375..._CFV3vifnAn3bTEaf&modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE

Tempting but don’t want to rent a car. Part of being relaxed at WDW is not having to drive anywhere.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

There are also some great hotels right near Disney that are more budged friendly that have amazing pool areas, almost like water parks. We have debated staying there but ultimately wind up on Disney property for the transportation, but since you are not doing parks, it could be an option.

We like not having to drive anywhere once we get to WDW.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

If you want to stay onsite and are OK with Pop then do it. We like staying onsite even if not going to parks to use Disney transportation to Springs and other resorts. We have often spent the day going around the resorts on the monorail.

You can always decide to get a part tickets while you're there if you want to go to a part one day.

If Disney transportation and being in the bubble isn't important you can get a better deal with AirBnB or VRBO for a condo or house with a pool.

Being in the bubble is the whole thing to me.

 

[easyas123]

I would do it, but absolutely NOT at Pop Century. I'd look into the Swan and Dolphin. And maybe 4 nights instead of 5. Pop is SO not relaxing and it's just kind of a loud, chaotic place.

Agreed -
Maybe one of the Disney Springs hotels would be in the same price range and/or a lot nicer than Pop? Or, if you are interested - rent points @ one of the deluxe resorts?
Anyway, I say GO and have a great time!

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I love the relaxing vacation idea, but Pop Century without going to the parks would not even be on my radar. Not sure where you live, but I would look for an ABNB or something moderately priced within a few hours of driving. If Disney is close that is fine, but would find a better place to stay. There are also lots of fun cities to visit that have beaches, hiking, and plenty of free activities and places to walk.

We did SSR in September for a week one year and did one park day and one water park day with old tickets we had lying around. We were stayed on the lake and were the second closet building to Disney Springs. We had the quiet pool to ourselves several days and could walk to Wolfgang Puck's Express (RIP) to bring a pizza back for lunch. We went to the feature pools a little bit, but way too many kids for the vacation we wanted to have. We also had plenty of dinner options close. It was a great week.

POP feels like a glorified Motel 6 to me. Great if you are going to parks all day, but not where I would go to relax.

Enjoy your trip with whatever you decide.

I’d love to stay at a nicer resort at WDW but the issue is expense. I also want to be “in the bubble”. That means alot to me. We’re going to be spending 10 days on the beach in the Outer Banks in October so this trip needs to be at a value because we just can’t afford anything else. We just want to escape and get away from his family for a little while. We both need it and being in the bubble makes us happy.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I would, in a heartbeat, and have before. We just like being at Disney, riding the monorail, Skyliner, and boats, eating at the restaurants. Let's face it, it's probably gonna be too hot to sit out around the pool in August anyhow, so I wouldn't worry about how hectic POP might be. DD and I stayed there last August and enjoyed it more than I'd anticipated. Go, eat good things, visit DisneySprings for shopping and adult beverages, sleep in late, and just relax. (Take the Skyliner to CBR and sit at the bar and have an adult beverage and lunch at BananaCabana... we had a great time chatting with the other patrons!)

Another thought... no idea of how many points it'd take or what's available, but could you rent DVC points and stay at a deluxe for about the same cost? DH and I liked staying at SSR given the proximity to DIsneySprings. We were there for 5 nights with only one park day, and that's only because friends were in town and wanted to go to Epcot!

Tempting but with everything going on with my mother-in-law I wouldn’t want to have to cancel.

 

[kdonnel]

We often go to WDW and either don't visit the parks or only visit the water parks.

I would not hesitate to go.

 

[mumto3girls]

I would definitely do it. We just tacked on 2 nights at Disney to a hectic Orlando trip (kid sports which involved sharing 2 houses with 10 other families for 5 nights) in order to relax for a few days before heading home. We had 2 teens with us so we did do a water park and Disney Springs, but no parks. Had a great time. I can’t speak to the Pop resort as I’ve never stayed there, but I say go for it!

 

[sk!mom]

I wouldn’t go to Florida in August. The weather alone isn’t relaxing for me and DH at this point.

That being said, if you’re ok with the weather, I would do it with the 2 park days. DH only enjoys EpCot and MK so a day at each with relaxing days in between could work. If we had the two park days days, Pop would be OK.

For a total relaxation, no park days, trip, I’d want a less chaotic more relaxing hotel. So it’s a no for me at POP. Or likely any Disney or Orlando property, I just think that there are much better places to relax if I’m not doing the parks.