Visiting WDW without entering the parks

Lsumatt72

Lsumatt72

Member
Hi everyone!

I wanted to get thoughts/opinions on a quick anniversary trip in November. My wife and I are wanting to get away for a few days to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. However, if we were to choose WDW, we likely wouldn't enter the parks. If we were to do this, what are some other things to do besides resort hopping and such? Has anyone ever visited WDW without entering the parks?

We live in Louisiana so we'd likely leave on a Friday and return on Monday, so just a quick 2-3 day trip.

Thanks!
 
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zeebs758

zeebs758

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
  1. Spa treatment at Saratoga Springs or Grand Floridian
  2. Movie Theatre at Disney Springs
  3. Cirque Du Soliel
  4. Parasailing at Contemporary
  5. Visit House of blues for a concert
  6. Hoop Dee Doo Revue
  7. You can watch Wishes from several Resorts. If you dine at California Grill, you can watch from the deck
Those are a few
 
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KLeigh

KLeigh

Well-Known Member
In addition to those above:
- Fantasia mini golf near the Swan/Dolphin resorts
- The Boardwalk is always a lot of fun, and we were able to watch the fireworks from IllumiNations
- Take the Sassagoula River cruise from DTD to Port Orleans Riverside where you can take a carriage ride
- Raglan Road usually has live entertainment
- Take the monorail loop through Epcot from the TTC
- Watch the animals on the savannah from AKL
 
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JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
I'd never do it that way. I'd want to spend my anniversary celebrating inside WDW. But if you must.... Theres lots to do on International Drive and surrounding areas of Orlando. Lots of dinner theaters, exhibits, and places of interest. Theres enough at DTD still that could fill a major part of your day. Cirque is a fantastic show and there are still other places at DTD that have entertainment going on in the evenings. Sure you could do it and have fun but still....
 
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W

Wisconsin

Active Member
We have thought of doing this but haven't yet. All the above choices are great, especially hanging out on the BW! Easy to get a "flavor" of Disney without entering the parks and spending admission money. I think I would break down and do one day at Epcot, though...
 
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JasonDeyoung

JasonDeyoung

Well-Known Member
I've gone for a weekend before and never visited the 4 main parks. Went golfing, DTD, resort hopping, mini golf, hoop Dee doo, watched wishes from Poly, I did go to blizzard beach though, there's a million things you guys could do. Why it's a vacation destination and not just a theme park :) Enjoy
 
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NonnaT

NonnaT

Well-Known Member
I think it's a fabulous idea! You'll get to do many of the things other folks who don't venture outside the parks ever do. These is a wealth of fun and romantic things at WDW! I like all the ideas so many others have given you! Y'all have fun. Maybe get a couples massage prior to a very romantic dinner at a signature restaurant.... Mmmmmm. Sounds devine!
 
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Dizmunk

Dizmunk

Active Member
Lsumatt72 said:
Hi everyone!

I wanted to get thoughts/opinions on a quick anniversary trip in November. My wife and I are wanting to get away for a few days to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. However, if we were to choose WDW, we likely wouldn't enter the parks. If we were to do this, what are some other things to do besides resort hopping and such? Has anyone ever visited WDW without entering the parks?

We live in Louisiana so we'd likely leave on a Friday and return on Monday, so just a quick 2-3 day trip.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Dizmunk

Dizmunk

Active Member
Lsumatt72 said:
Hi everyone!

I wanted to get thoughts/opinions on a quick anniversary trip in November. My wife and I are wanting to get away for a few days to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. However, if we were to choose WDW, we likely wouldn't enter the parks. If we were to do this, what are some other things to do besides resort hopping and such? Has anyone ever visited WDW without entering the parks?

We live in Louisiana so we'd likely leave on a Friday and return on Monday, so just a quick 2-3 day trip.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
We did this last year. The kids didn't mind since we had just gone to the parks a few months earlier. We visited every resort. Ate at different restaurants-got dole whips at poly of course. Fishing and Yee haw bob at Port Orleans. There is a free hour long tour of the Wilderness lodge that is excellent! Shopping at Dtd and pin trading.
 
Upvote 0
Dizmunk

Dizmunk

Active Member
Lsumatt72 said:
Hi everyone!

I wanted to get thoughts/opinions on a quick anniversary trip in November. My wife and I are wanting to get away for a few days to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. However, if we were to choose WDW, we likely wouldn't enter the parks. If we were to do this, what are some other things to do besides resort hopping and such? Has anyone ever visited WDW without entering the parks?

We live in Louisiana so we'd likely leave on a Friday and return on Monday, so just a quick 2-3 day trip.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
We did this last year. The kids didn't mind since we had just gone to the parks a few months earlier. We visited every resort. Ate at different restaurants-got dole whips at poly of course. Fishing and Yee haw bob at Port Orleans. There is a free hour long tour of the Wilderness lodge that is excellent! Shopping at Dtd and pin trading.
 
Upvote 0
wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
Lsumatt72 said:
Hi everyone!

I wanted to get thoughts/opinions on a quick anniversary trip in November. My wife and I are wanting to get away for a few days to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. However, if we were to choose WDW, we likely wouldn't enter the parks. If we were to do this, what are some other things to do besides resort hopping and such? Has anyone ever visited WDW without entering the parks?

We live in Louisiana so we'd likely leave on a Friday and return on Monday, so just a quick 2-3 day trip.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's a great way to go to WDW! We are going in October for 8 days and not buying park tickets. We will do a good share of the above tips that were given, plus Uni and Busch and still not pay as much as 7 day park tickets cost....
 
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DisDadWoz

DisDadWoz

Well-Known Member
We did this on the way back from a stay at Vero Beach last year and had a lot of fun. Downtown Disney (even better now with the additions), resort pool, viewing of Wishes from Grand Floridian, Illuminations from the bridge between BCV and BW and then watching the Frozen fireworks show from the walkway from HS to BW. Just to name a few.
 
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M

MissingDisney

Well-Known Member
We've done this 3 times for a week each time and loved each trip more and more. We do all the things mentioned above and then some! When we have tickets, we spend time in the parks and often don't want to give up park time to do other things. When we go without tickets we get to do all the other things we miss and actually slow down and enjoy them. Instead of rushing through mini golf to get back to the Magic Kingdom, we slow down and take it all in because our next stop is riding horses at Fort Wilderness....and so on. We focus on the environment and experience, not a schedule. I have told others about our "non-Disney-Disney" trips and now they have caught on and are doing it too and feel the same way. To each their own but don't knock it till you've tried it! :p
 
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