Ever gone to Disney and skipped the Parks entirely?

[CtDisneyGuy33]

As I research and find more and more great restaurants/bars/activities outside of the main parks but still on disney property, I wonder if people have ever stayed on Disney property, skipped the parks and just enjoyed the hotels and the other things in the Disney-sphere?

Between the pools, bars, restaurants, etc - this has to happen more than I realize, right??

 

[DfromATX]

What is this crazy talk you speak of?

 

[DaddyDisneyMan]

I think my head just exploded.

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

I'm thinking there has to be someone who has done this. I have a list of like 30 restaraunts / signature drinks I'd like to try in a weeks vacation!

 

[belledream]

I mean, I would devote a day to being a non-park/relaxy day, but I could never stay away entirely!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

 

[DfromATX]

I'm sure there is someone out there who might do that, but that's where the bulk of the cost is so you may as well go to the parks or stay somewhere else. Although... I have daydreamed about living on Disney property. In that case, I wouldn't have to go to the parks, not everyday anyway... lol

 

[fosse76]

As I research and find more and more great restaurants/bars/activities outside of the main parks but still on disney property, I wonder if people have ever stayed on Disney property, skipped the parks and just enjoyed the hotels and the other things in the Disney-sphere?

Between the pools, bars, restaurants, etc - this has to happen more than I realize, right??

Personally, I wouldn't see the point. In my opinion, and ignoring the proximity to the parks and free transportation, the resort hotels on Disney property don't offer anything that makes them a destination. There are many more hotels that are more luxurious, have better amenities (and at cheaper rates), and in "real" cities where there is an actual "non-manufactured" nightlife. To me, the bars and restaurants at WDW are simply at the level of mall-type restaurants (similar to Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Fridays, etc.) as opposed to real high-end restaurants. Everything at WDW is designed for a tourist. People who go to places for a hotel experience and a destination's nightlife want the real deal, not the touristy stuff you can get at home.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think I might do it a lot if I lived closer. As it is, we spend less and less time in the parks on each visit, but we do visit at least for a few hours most days.

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

Personally, I wouldn't see the point. In my opinion, and ignoring the proximity to the parks and free transportation, the resort hotels on Disney property don't offer anything that makes them a destination. There are many more hotels that are more luxurious, have better amenities (and at cheaper rates), and in "real" cities where there is an actual "non-manufactured" nightlife. To me, the bars and restaurants at WDW are simply at the level of mall-type restaurants (similar to Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Fridays, etc.) as opposed to real high-end restaurants. Everything at WDW is designed for a tourist. People who go to places for a hotel experience and a destination's nightlife want the real deal, not the touristy stuff you can get at home.

I suppose you are right. My thinking was there have to be people who want the Disney experience but not the kids/crowds/etc. Like staying at the Grand Floridian, enjoying the pools and the restaurants, maybe take transport to Boardwalk or Downtown Disney or whatever. Yachtmans, Cali Grill, Narcoossee, Ohana are far better than Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Fridays etc in my opinion. I dont think I could go there and skip the parks (or even Univ).

Its not my thing clearly but just being on Disney property at a higher end place for a week and taking in the amentities other than the parks has to be somebody's thing.

 

[joannecasey]

I have heard of people who have done it but it certainly isn't my thing ! It kind of reminds of my honeymoon cruise where there were some people on the ship who never got off at any of the ports. I mean the ship was beautiful, but imo staying on the ship and not taking in any of the different places is a waste of a trip. But to each their own !! Magic is what you make of where you are ... wherever you may choose to be

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

As I research and find more and more great restaurants/bars/activities outside of the main parks but still on disney property, I wonder if people have ever stayed on Disney property, skipped the parks and just enjoyed the hotels and the other things in the Disney-sphere?

Between the pools, bars, restaurants, etc - this has to happen more than I realize, right??

Well err..actually...NO! Honestly, I don't think that ever happened. Skip for one day or two yes, even three perhaps. But totally? No way.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I bet there are a few people that stayed at say AKL for a few nights just to experience it and never hit a park. But we are talking a local, or someone visiting other parks and just tacking on a night or two ay AKL....which has me thinking...

 

[Wisconsin]

Well, originally WDW was supposed to be an all inclusive vacation kingdom, with the parks being just one amenity (albeit a major one). You would stay an a themed resort found nowhere else, take a monorail or themed boat to a variety of dining and activities: skiing, fishing, boating, golf, tennis, shopping, etc. There are old WDW commercials on youtube that don't even have kids in them! Now they've kind of shifted the focus to the parks. The themeing isn't as special anymore. I mean, the food court at the local mall looks like a Tuscan villa! LOL! So, to the OPs question, back in the day I could maybe see it. Now, not so much.

 

[NYwdwfan]

My mother in law just went with her niece's family to spend a week at their timeshare...on International Drive across from Downtown Disney. Now it's not staying onsite, but it's basically RIGHT THERE. They didn't go to any parks. They stayed at the timeshare and used the pool. For a week. With kids 9 and 15. I still can't wrap my head around this.

 

[KLinder7]

Two crazy threads today. No, BTMR has not been changed to a Snow White theme and who would go to Disney and not go to the parks. I can understand someone who has to be there for a night or two for business and can't make it but if you are going on vacation parks are a must!

 

[neoshinok]

During a Universal trip I took an evening to visit the campfire sing-a-long and outdoor movie at Fort Wilderness. Seriously the most overlooked free thing Disney offers.

 

[Crazy Harry]

As I research and find more and more great restaurants/bars/activities outside of the main parks but still on disney property, I wonder if people have ever stayed on Disney property, skipped the parks and just enjoyed the hotels and the other things in the Disney-sphere?

Between the pools, bars, restaurants, etc - this has to happen more than I realize, right??

No.

 

[twebber55]

As I research and find more and more great restaurants/bars/activities outside of the main parks but still on disney property, I wonder if people have ever stayed on Disney property, skipped the parks and just enjoyed the hotels and the other things in the Disney-sphere?

Between the pools, bars, restaurants, etc - this has to happen more than I realize, right??

im a dvc member and there have been years when we stayed at our dvc and went to Universal

 

[dakotafrost]

Skipping the parks to me would imply an acknowledgement before traveling that you may not go to parks during your trip. I can't see anyone skipping the parks after purchasing tickets in advance.

I've never skipped the parks during a Disney vacation. In fact, I've always spent at least some time in every Disney park on every trip as the resort has grown from having one to four parks. I went to wedding in Orlando in the 1990's and a bunch of us went to Pleasure Island one night, no parks. But I don't consider that a planned vacation.