Ever gone to Disney and skipped the Parks entirely?

[BigTxEars]

Amazing how what "makes no sense" to some spells relaxation to others. We've done it, resort hopping, arcades, great food options, shopping, bowling, mini-golf, boat rides, etc. We got a crazy low rate on the resort, didn't need a car-thank you Disney transportation, and loved every minute of it. We actually laughed about the people we heard going to and coming from the parks all stressed out. Sure we missed the parks a little but we'd do it again.

But no Haunted Mansion, no Dinosaur, no Spaceship Earth, no Tower of Terror ? Aghhh that just hurts my soul to think of it!!

 

[TaoBoxer]

No.

 

[Webb]

We don't make it to a park each day we are there. Hubby can get overwhelmed by too much park time(mostly due to all the people) So we break things up. We really enjoy everything Disney has to offer and its so easy to make a day out of resort hopping/drinking/eating. Mini golf is always fun and just hanging by the pool is so relaxing. Vacation is our time to relax so too much hustle and bustle can be counter productive!

Having annual passes this year gave us the opportunity to just quickly pop in and out of any park so that was nice. Hubby wasn't overloaded! lol

 

[Pocahontas]

The parks are the primary reason we visit Disney.

 

[Tim Lohr]

My parents live in Pennsylvania and are DVC members, and have gone for 3 or 4 day weekends in the and skipped the parks, or just went to Epcot for Flower and Garden, but part of the motive was just to escape the winter cold in PA or visit friends in Florida

 

[LAKid53]

I've gone to Disney, visited all 4 parks and only rode one ride the entire trip. Sometimes it's nice to just wander (and shop).

 

[SMS55]

Blasphemy! That's like going to Paris and not going to see the Eiffel Tower. Going to Rome and not visiting the Colliseum or St Peter's Square, it's just not done. I could go and not spend the entire time in the parks. I've wanted to go with the wife and have some more adult friendly activities like drink around the world or visit House of Blues, maybe she can get a spa treatment, but my trips to Disney must involve some park time.

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

Many of times.We have a p's and use them very much, but sometimes we go for a few days and just hang out . Nothing more relaxed than sitting at the pool, having a beverage, wandering aimlessly around the resort.Believe me that there is plenty to do at the world without going to a park.Resort hopping is great, lunch and dinner at plenty of different places, I recommend everyone to try it.

This is exactly what I imagined people would do! I don't know if I could not do at least one park, but to me your story doesn't sound bad.

 

[HakunaMatata89]

when i was living locally, ive gone to downtown disney a few times to walk around/shop/eat/drink. now that i live up in new england again no way lol

 

[wtpoohntggr2]

My DH and I were in Tampa a few years ago for the Outback Bowl and being close to Orlando we decided to spend a quick couple of days at Disney. The plan was to use the days left on our non expiration tickets. After spending New Years Day on the beach and then attending the game on Jan 2 (Sundays are for the NFL), an extreme cold front came in during the game and stayed for the last 2 days of our trip. After watching the weather we made the decision to NOT go into the parks. I made the deal with my DH that we would save the days for a warmer time of the year... and made a decision to come back for the Food and Wine Festival!! It was a great
decision. (I have now convinced him that remaining in FL after the GA/Fla game is a great idea.) We will be there in a couple of weeks for our annual trip for our anniversary and back aging for the F&WF!!

 

[LAKid53]

My parents live in Pennsylvania and are DVC members, and have gone for 3 or 4 day weekends in the and skipped the parks, or just went to Epcot for Flower and Garden, but part of the motive was just to escape the winter cold in PA or visit friends in Florida

This is off topic (don't shoot me), but how do they like DVC? I just put us on the wait list for Wilderness Lodge Villas. Might as well, since we go 5-7 times a year.

 

[Jabbas]

I live in Fl and I don't drive to Orlando for any other reason than the parks.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I couldnt imagine going to Disney and not doing the parks, for our entire vacation. We do down days, but always either hit DTD or Epcot at night

 

[Killnme]

Actually earlier this month. My daughter turned 10. We let her bring her best friend with us for the weekend. We stayed at the Wyndham right by DTD. They swam, we went to Disney Quest, then left property and went to the Pirate Dinner show. And they swam some more and more and more.

It was a great relaxing time.

 

[10Magic]

I don't know about going to Disney and not going to the parks, but I have spent at least one day a week nearly every time I go to rent a watercraft, hit Downtown Disney, mini-golf, etc. Sounds like a fun day, but it's usually my least favorite day of the trip! I have been known to go to the parks and not go on many (or any) attractions. Sometimes I like to just take it all in, take photos, relax, and just enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells without rushing to the attractions and waiting on the lines. Has anyone else done that?

 

[Britt]

I mean....maybe if I lived there and was an AP holder? LOL

Otherwise, no way in heck would I be interested in doing that

 

[EOD K9]

I didn't read the whole thread but I can sorta say yes to this query. My wife and I had a DCL cruise planned for this previous March. She was just over the pregnancy limit so we went to the World instead as a babymoon. We hit the parks for one day because 1)she can't ride a whole lot and 2)my buddy is a CM and got us in for free. Had he not gotten us in, we still would have went to the property. We spent three other days playing mini golf, going to DTD, exploring the other hotels, restaurants, visiting the Swan and Dolphin, enjoying the Boardwalk area, etc. We had a very relaxing time as we weren't rushing from ride to ride. Next year, we are taking the new family (my yet to be born daughters will be just under a year old by then) on a DCL cruise. We are staying on property the day before and day after. We are substituting the parks for the cruise. We are totally fine with that. Any thoughts? or is that blasphemy?

Edit - We are DVC members as well, we still went as we didn't want to lose airfare or the chance to stay at GFV.

 

[Tim Lohr]

This is off topic (don't shoot me), but how do they like DVC? I just put us on the wait list for Wilderness Lodge Villas. Might as well, since we go 5-7 times a year.

They love it, they joined when it first started back in 1994 think, and go at least once a year since then. They especially like the Wilderness Lodge because it has the most convenient transportation to the parks, the bus stop is right outside the front door, and the boat ride to Magic Kingdom drops you off right in front of the entrance

 

[Vader2112]

Was just there for 4 days Easter weekend and only went to MK once on Easter
the other days were as follows:
Saturday check in relax by pool dinner and bed the easter bunny woke me up trying to sneak in the room at around 1:00 am and fill baskets...long day
Easter Sunday PORS had a candy drop in the morning, and meet and greet with Donald Duck. Went to GF for breakfast. Then back to our resort. Played in the pool for a while took a nap and originally planned dinner at Ohana. kids not up for it so we decided to check out the movie again it was Frozen plus they had an egg hunt for those who came early. We then decided to catch the boat to Downtown Disney. Did a little shopping and then grabbed a quick bite at Wolf Gang Pucks and ice Cream at Giradhelli's. Back to the room as it was really cold out that evening.
Monday. Used our FP for Buzz and the Festival of Fantasy parade becuase we had not seen it. Carosel of Progress and then out. Went back to the Resort hung out by the pool, took a nap and then went to Dinner. Grabbed some ice cream for the kids and went and watched the movie on the lawn at PORS. Then fisnished out playing at the arcade.
Tuesday Went home

 

[UofMGuy423]

We thought of doing that one year, but staying off-site in Orlando and then just doing DTD and Typhoon Lagoon and seeing some of the other Florida sights. Basically a really cheap Florida trip. The only way I would stay on site would be if there was some really great deal and the rate was the same price as staying off-site. Otherwise, you're paying a premium to stay on site and be near the parks. I wouldn't pay that premium if I wasn't going to visit the parks.