Rufus T Firefly
Well-Known Member
When you plan a WDW vacation, do you plan for one of the days to be a non theme park day? If so, why?
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Non theme park day
- Thread starter Rufus T Firefly
- Start date
nibblesandbits
Well-Known Member
I try to plan at least one day where I don't physically visit the theme park. (Or where I don't visit in the daytime, but might visit for the night). I learned that my DH and I need a break from the non-stop paces that touring the park can do to you. And we learned it the hard way. On our first trip, we took a break in the middle to visit BB and we felt so relaxed on that vacation, however on our second trip, we didn't have a break and we were both so worn out by the time the trip was over.
We don't have to leave the resort though to enjoy our day off. We are just as happy taking our day off at BB or DTD as we would be going off site. We just need a day of relaxation.
We don't have to leave the resort though to enjoy our day off. We are just as happy taking our day off at BB or DTD as we would be going off site. We just need a day of relaxation.
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:lookarounWe used to never take a day off from the theme parks, but always finished our vacation feeling we had missed out on a lot. Now we always take at least 1 (sometimes 2 or 3) day off to enjoy the rest of WDW. In addition to the pools, resorts, Downtown Disney, and miniature golf, we like to enjoy fun stuff at Fort Wilderness Campground (where we usually stay).
Every day (sometimes 2x/day), they offer games and/or activities like dodgeball or crafts. In the evenings we love to go to the campfire sing along with Chip and Dale (they come around to every family for pics and autographs). They show a Disney movie on a big outdoor screen every night. Sometimes we sit on the beach at night with ice cream and watch the nightly light parade on the water. Don't forget all the playgrounds (if you have young kids! The best thing is it's all free!!!
Every day (sometimes 2x/day), they offer games and/or activities like dodgeball or crafts. In the evenings we love to go to the campfire sing along with Chip and Dale (they come around to every family for pics and autographs). They show a Disney movie on a big outdoor screen every night. Sometimes we sit on the beach at night with ice cream and watch the nightly light parade on the water. Don't forget all the playgrounds (if you have young kids! The best thing is it's all free!!!
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Tiggerfanatic
Well-Known Member
We don't usually take a whole day off from the parks, but we will break up a couple days - leave for a few hours in the afternoon to spend some time by the pool, to head out to DTD for an early evening. Sometimes the non-stop pace of the parks gets a little overwhelming.
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figmentmom
Well-Known Member
We always plan a day completely out of Disney, mostly so there's some contrast and our vacation seems a bit longer :lol: . Generally, we drive to the beach for the day - Cocoa Beach isn't that far away, and even Daytona Beach is a day trip from Disney.
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joelleharbert
New Member
We always take a day off, as well. With three small children it just helps to break up the non-stop pace of the parks. On our day off last month, my husband and oldest son went to the Steelers game in Jacksonville while myself and the other two went to DD and shopping at the Disney outlet. It was very relaxing to have a day off in the middle of the vacation.
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MissDiznee66
Member
When we go, we usually go for about 8-10 days, so we definitely have a NON theme park day. Although it may be to go to Universal Studios or just CityWalk. We even went to the Florida Mall. Or sometime just to do some laundry 
or go to DTD or resort hop or swim at our resort. So much to choose from!
or go to DTD or resort hop or swim at our resort. So much to choose from!
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MomofKatie
Member
When we go for a week (or more), we try to take 2 days off from the parks.
Last fall, on our first non-park day, DD did the Pirate Cruise in the AM- then we went to BB for a few hours. After heading back to the resort for a rest and freshening up, we did the Boardwalk for dinner- DD went to the SandCastle Kid's Club while we ate and had a beer at Big River Grille.
Our other non-park day was not planned- DD and DH got terrible head colds, so they didn't feel like heading to the parks. We took it really easy- went to DTD and they hung out at DisneyQuest for a while, then we just hung in the room in the afternoon. Headed only as far as the food court for dinner, then back to the room for an early bedtime.
Last fall, on our first non-park day, DD did the Pirate Cruise in the AM- then we went to BB for a few hours. After heading back to the resort for a rest and freshening up, we did the Boardwalk for dinner- DD went to the SandCastle Kid's Club while we ate and had a beer at Big River Grille.
Our other non-park day was not planned- DD and DH got terrible head colds, so they didn't feel like heading to the parks. We took it really easy- went to DTD and they hung out at DisneyQuest for a while, then we just hung in the room in the afternoon. Headed only as far as the food court for dinner, then back to the room for an early bedtime.
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abug'saunt
New Member
Both times my family and I went, we had one day where we took time from the parks. Our first trip in May '03 we went to Coco (sp?) beach and swam in the ocean and checked out the Space Center on one day and on another we spent half the day at AK and the second half at downtown disney for shopping and saw Finding Nemo at the theaters. Last year, we spent the day at downtown disney and did some Christmas shopping. I LOVE Disney at Christmas.
Our next trip, May '07, we plan on taking a day off so my father-in-law can do some metal detecting and, depending on the movie selections, probably go to a movie as well. It's his first trip and, as he helped us out on our 2 previous trips in ways we'll NEVER be able to repay, we let him have a day in which he has the choice of activities.
As we live in Idaho, we try to make our trips at least 9 - 12 days. That includes the day to fly in and the day out. With all the walking and adjusting to the time change, a day off midweek is like a mini vacation.:lol:
Our next trip, May '07, we plan on taking a day off so my father-in-law can do some metal detecting and, depending on the movie selections, probably go to a movie as well. It's his first trip and, as he helped us out on our 2 previous trips in ways we'll NEVER be able to repay, we let him have a day in which he has the choice of activities.
As we live in Idaho, we try to make our trips at least 9 - 12 days. That includes the day to fly in and the day out. With all the walking and adjusting to the time change, a day off midweek is like a mini vacation.:lol:
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