No park holiday

[fantasy]

Hi
We can’t afford the parks this year. Tickets for 5 just to expensive. We could possibly push to DC tickets as desperate to go back and we love the rides at SW and BG.
We love shopping and eating out. Would anyone advice on this prospect?
We could have a really nice relaxing holiday I feel but also have the bonus of our DC day plus rides at other 2.

[RickT]

Originally Posted by fantasy

Hi
We can’t afford the parks this year. Tickets for 5 just to expensive. We could possibly push to DC tickets as desperate to go back and we love the rides at SW and BG.
We love shopping and eating out. Would anyone advice on this prospect?
We could have a really nice relaxing holiday I feel but also have the bonus of our DC day plus rides at other 2.

See more...

We did a non Disney trip a few years ago, BG, sw, legoland and uni, however ended up buying a 4 day disney magic your way as the kids really missed it.

[alp1972]

We did a 2 week holiday this summer staying at Cabana Bay . Had a fab time , the weather was wonderful lots of pool time . We did Kennedy which we hadnt done before , also did Monster Arcades, bike riding in Celebration , bowling , cinema , Disney Springs ,Crazy Golf (quite a few of those) , few Escape Rooms , had a great time would consider it again but next year we are doing the parks.

[duchy]

We did this earlier in the year and had a fab time. We got a great deal on a DC no swim that included BG, SW and Aquatica with free parking.
I know some people add a visit to Disney Springs for a Disney fix but we treated it as if Disney was just somewhere else. To me we were either doing Disney or we weren't.
We had two nights near BG and had a day at Clearwater doing Little Toot which was fab. We also had a day at Mount Dora.
We went on to Vero after but honestly I could have happily done two weeks in Orlando alternating parks, water park and pool.
Eating out staying on I Drive was a dream, so much choice and no shuddering when the bill arrived.
The best bit was no planning, we just did what we wanted when we wanted and barely queued for anything.
For most of the Orlando stay we didn't bother having a car , we used Lyft everywhere . No trekking across car parks was nice.
It was different but I honestly enjoyed it just as much (maybe even a bit more as no crowds and stressy people to deal with) and we will definitely do it again at some point.
If you are going to pine for Disney then it may not be for you , but we were clear from the off about not adding anything and we loved it.

[tiggers friend]

We do non park trips all the time, the last time we did any park was 2015 when we traveled with family. Loads to do and much cheaper!

[Blondie40]

We also do non park trips and spend half holiday in Orlando and the 2nd half at the beach. Best of both worlds and a lot cheaper.

[sunny1]

some ideas of places to visit
winter garden (huge farmers market on a sat)
state parks eg Deleon Springs no entry cost and just $6 to park
they have a fab restaurant here where you buy a jug of pancake batter and you cook it there and then at the table
floridastateparks/pa...ill-restaurant
Celebration also have a market on Sundays
Orlando Cat Cafe
for a disney fix you could visit disney springs or play mini golf or go have ice cream on the boardwalk, you can also view the magic kingdom fireworks from the Grand Floridians Gasparella Grill
personally we usually spend a week in the Orlando Area and then move over to the gulf coast for a beach fix

[Beth_Disney]

We’ve got two trips planned with limited park visits. Our previous trips have been very full on in the parks and I want some time to sample the various restaurants, shops and other sights that I’ve read about in trip reports. I even have a trip to the massive McDonald’s on my list as we’ve never been!

Our New Year trip is in a villa and we’re just having one day at Magic Kingdom. Our Easter Trip is split between Tampa and Rosen at Pointe and we’re going to Universal, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens (possibly Aquatica if the weather is alright). I’m looking forward to experiencing a bit more of Orlando and Florida.

[ROBBOTOO]

We’ve done a few non real park trips now and have had great holidays. We’re villa and hire car people so for us...

We get a villa with south facing pool so we get the most out of just chill days. Villa must have a covered lanai area so we have shade for sun and shelter for rain, to get the most of out where we stay.

We may do one or two parks maybe, but decide while there and otherwise do other things like airboat rides etc, wander round Celebration, Old Town on a cruise car night etc (all great fun).

You can get some great villas in the Orlando area, which are bigger and now cheaper than you can get in Europe, are far better due to their size, and with the mesh screening you don’t get eaten alive either !

If you need a Disney fix a wander around Disney Springs or a game of crazy golf at Disney is always a good fix .

Some great places to eat too.

[Moorlandman]

Originally Posted by fantasy

Hi
We can’t afford the parks this year. Tickets for 5 just to expensive. We could possibly push to DC tickets as desperate to go back and we love the rides at SW and BG.
We love shopping and eating out. Would anyone advice on this prospect?
We could have a really nice relaxing holiday I feel but also have the bonus of our DC day plus rides at other 2.

See more...

Have you thought about trying somewhere else instead. Portaventura in Salou is much cheaper and the weather is better too. There are some really good Dibb reviews on this forum if you want more information