Have you ever... [stayed at Disney and not gone to the parks?] About This Page:

[Cindrelly]

So we have an opportunity to stay DVC in January 2013. We were just at the World in May and are not the type that needs to go every year.

Well...with this new opportunity came to us and I am thinking of staying at BCV. Since we will have a car, instead of touring the parks, I want to show our daughter there is more to FL than Naples and WDW.

I know, "why would you ever want to do that!?!?!?" I am trying to save costs some and, besides the room, the ticket is the next most expensive part. We usually have 2 meals in our room and dinner in a park (usually counter service, we are not much for table meals or buffets.) so food costs are kinda low for us.

Any input would be great. I need to let my friends know by Thur (8/9) if we are able to use their points.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

I think it's a great idea. It would be hard for me not to go to WDW, but that is just me. However, there is more to Florida, though my own kids don't think so. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[MsPeggySue911]

I think it would be very hard for myself and for my kids to stay so close to the parks and not go to the parks.

Of course there is more to Florida than WDW but nobody really cares a lot about the rest of it!! Not Disney addicts anyway.

But you said you don't feel the need to go every year. I do. I feel the need to go every 3 months but I understand how expensive it is.

For the 5 of us for 2 day Disney tickets it is a GRAND. For 2 days!!

Is your friend GIVING you her points for free? Or just at a discount? Usually points go for anywhere between $10 and $13 per point.

If she is letting you use her points for free I would definitely jump all over that.

ALso something to think about...doing the Universal parks instead of Disney. You can get a 3 day park to park ticket for around $135 per person through Undercover Tourist.

If your family has never been to those parks, Island of Adventure, where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is, or Universal...that might be a different experience for you all to try. Those parks are awesome and so much more affordable than Disney tickets.

The first day of a Universal ticket is the same price as the first day of a Disney ticket, but to add days to a Universal tickets is just a few dollars.

Also another option, if you buy them online, you can get tickets to Sea World for 71.99 and they are good for 2 days admission. You buy the ticket online and print them off then when you are in the park you go to the guest services and get the ticket stamped for your second day admission.

I know you can kill one whole day at Sea World just seeing the shows, then there are all the animal exhibits and rides too. It's a great park.

Just a few ideas for parks besides Disney if the kids really want to do parks.

[chezp]

We've explored more of Florida over the years, as it seems a shame not to. Sure, it's tough to tear yourself away from Disney, but if you do, there are some amazing places to visit.

[EddieCVS]

I personally couldn't stay that close to the park without going.

[pickle]

My husband and I are going in October to celebrate our anniversary and we are not going to any parks either. We also got a good deal on DVC by renting points and are just looking at it as a relaxing trip and look forward to all the dining out. We are going back in March 2013 with our kids and will do the parks then.

[saibot0001]

I say do it! We were given an opportunity to stay for free using a friends points one year. They could not use them, and knew we loved Disney. We turned it down b/c we had just been a few months prior and could not afford to do the parks again. However, hubby and I kick ourselves everytime we think of it. There is still a lot to do, as was mentioned above. I still think...we could have explored the Disney resorts, swam in the resort pool, bought a pass to the water parks, we could have gone to DTD to get a little Disney fix, gone to Sea World, we could have even eaten at some of the resorts, explored Orlano, driven to one of the beaches one day. We always said if given another chance, we would not pass it up. Good luck on your decision!

[My2suns]

I think it would be hard with my kids but definitely easier if it was just us adults. Yes, they would love to go to SW or Universal but being on property that close to the parks would drive them crazy. then again, any kid is happy for a travel opportunity. You need to go with your gut on this one. You know yourself and your child best! Enjoy that extra trip!

[MichaelF]

We haven't not gone to the parks yet but that is the plan for our next trip. Still a lot to do and we might hit a water park for a day but that will be it.

[Sue M.]

I couldn't go and not go to the parks! It would kill me. If you're getting the dvc free, you could buy tickets from undercover tourist, using mousesavers link and save some $ on. Tickets! You could go to the parks for half the time, and do other stuff for the other half.

We've explored some of Florida, Atlantic and gulf coast, keys, Everglades, Miami and Ft Lauderdale, but we do this pre arriving at WDW! We've also done a couple of trips non WDW going to universal, SeaWorld, and Busch gardens. Stayed in universal or SeaWorld hotels.

[tinker_me_happy]

The hardest part for me would be staying at BCV and not going to Epcot. I could probably do it if it were another DVC Villa like OKW or SS, but with BC being right there... Epcot is my favorite park and I love being able to go in the International Gateway and just roam around. That being said, I say go for it. You will have a car, and there is so much to do!! There are a lot of beautiful state parks within an hours drive, Old Town, Shopping Outlets, Kennedy Space Center, etc. Just because you are in the "bubble", doesn't mean you can't go exploring outside of it!

[007hollie]

I think its an awesome idea..!! i could definatly do that..!! i just love being in Florida and i love Down Town Disney and the hotel pools!!