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View Poll Results: Where to stay
WDW Resort (CSR, AK or WL) - No Parks 24 58.54%
Downtown Disney Hotel - No Parks 1 2.44%
Port Hotel (Kennedy space Center & Cocoa Beach) 16 39.02%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 01-02-2011, 09:22 AM   #31
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I don't think I could go to Orlando and not go to a Disney Park. Could you stay off property with your rental car and swing park days?
That may be an idea........I will have to do a little looking!!! I would really, however, like the opportunity to try another WDW resort. AKL, I think, would be my choice for this trip because it wouldn't be one I would choose for a longer WDW stay because it is somewhat "removed" from the other parks. It is nice to have so many options but makes it tough to decide!!
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Old 01-02-2011, 09:47 AM   #32
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I could do it as an adult, but I think it would be harder with kids...seeing their poor little sad faces as we passed by the parks on the monorail, awww.
AKL is a really good suggestion because at least like everyone said, you can't see the parks form there, and there's so much stuff to do right at the hotel.
That's exactly what I thought but both the kids say they would rather be in the Disney bubble (staying at AKL, doing DTD, and resort touring to choose our next vacation designation) than KSC. They fully understand that we may not be able to do any Parks. If we hang on to our rental car, it may be easier to avoid riding the monorail. I guess time will tell and it is a good thing we have some time to think this through!!
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Old 01-02-2011, 10:11 AM   #33
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We've stayed on property a few times without going into a park and enjoyed it. Our kids have been fine with it too between visiting resorts and DTD. In fact, I'm headed down next weekend to stay at POR for 3 days and have no parks planned because the budget just doesn't allow it.
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Old 01-02-2011, 10:43 AM   #34
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We've stayed on property a few times without going into a park and enjoyed it. Our kids have been fine with it too between visiting resorts and DTD. In fact, I'm headed down next weekend to stay at POR for 3 days and have no parks planned because the budget just doesn't allow it.
Good to know that it is possible!! I just think there is a lot to do that never gets done at WDW if you are in the Parks. If we were planning a longer visit without the cruise, I would have to have some park time but with a quick visit of probably 2 nights (3 at the most), I believe we could do it!!
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Old 01-02-2011, 04:21 PM   #35
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I voted for #3 for two reasons. First, I really would like to see KSC. And then, I would find it very hard to be on WDW property and not go to a park.
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Old 01-03-2011, 12:34 AM   #36
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We loved AKL. I think it would be a good choice. But I don't think it's really any further from the parks then the MK resorts. We used WDW transportation while there. It's minutes from AK. And it takes the same amount of time to get from AKL to MK, as going from Poly to AK.
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Old 01-04-2011, 01:50 PM   #37
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I would stay at AKL...it is like a vacation destination all itselph...lots to do...great restaurants..and a wonderful pool
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:28 PM   #38
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If money is the main problem, I would definitely look for an inexpensive hotel/condo and get park tickets for at least a couple of days if you decide to go to WDW. Otherwise, I would find a nice hotel near the port and enjoy the beach and the Space Center.
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:34 PM   #39
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I would choose KSC because of visiting space center. We stayed one year and loved it. You can ride a simulated space shuttle. My grandson and i felt like we going in space,its a lot tamer than Disney but you might even get to meet an astronaught[?].
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:40 PM   #40
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My daughter and I are doing the 3 day cruise on the Dream, We are flying in the evening before and staying at Pop. We will just go to DTD for dinner and walk around. Then after the cruise we are staying at CBR for 4 nights. So, what I would do if I were you is stay at WDW but maybe at a less expensive hotel and use that money for park tickets. I dont think the kids would be too happy not going to the parks when you are so close(neither would I LOL).
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Old 01-04-2011, 04:36 PM   #41
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Disney Cruisers get discounts at the Swan/Dolphin hotels from time to time. We got a room for $99/night. We also had a car to get back and forth from the airport and the port. We did this Thanksgiving 2009 after our 4 night cruise. It was really nice to be on the boardwalk. We decided last minute to go to MVMCP, but originally we had not planned to visit any parks.
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Old 01-04-2011, 06:40 PM   #42
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Disney Cruisers get discounts at the Swan/Dolphin hotels from time to time. We got a room for $99/night. We also had a car to get back and forth from the airport and the port. We did this Thanksgiving 2009 after our 4 night cruise. It was really nice to be on the boardwalk. We decided last minute to go to MVMCP, but originally we had not planned to visit any parks.
We've been looking into the Swan/Dolphin hotels. At least we would have the feel of being in the WDW bubble while there.......If we could lock in the great price you got, I'd be booking tonight . We are even looking at CSR or CBR as our Mod. choices. The Park tickets are not out of the question but it will all depend on the length of stay between the cruise and flight home ..... Oh, and of course, the discount offered.

As for KSC, we may have to be at a port hotel prior the cruise so if I am lucky, we will get the best of all worlds!! I would love to tour KSC and enjoy the beach but I think we will get enought ocean/beach from the cruise and I don't seem to think there is enough there to entertain us for 3 nights. Is there????

Thanks for all the advice and keep it coming!!! At the moment, we are open to any and all suggestions!!!
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Old 01-04-2011, 10:28 PM   #43
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Ahhhhh ... we are doing the exact same thing!!

We're doing the 5N Disney Dream Cruise at the end of May. Then we will be spending a week at Wilderness Lodge Villas with the intent of doing NO PARKS.

Reason: Everytime we go to Disney, I hear/see things that I would like to do but feel the pressure of visiting parks due to the tickets purchased. This time I'd like to try some miniature gold, maybe even DisneyQuest, maybe Cique duSoleil(sp?) ... finish up the Hidden Mickey hunt at Animal Kingdom Lodge that we didn't finish ... maybe take a boat tour on the Lagoon ... maybe put the kids in a club and go out, just me and the hubby ... maybe spend the entire day at the pool ... maybe let my son create a new car ... parasailing ... I could go on and on!!!

Each time we go Disney, we do eat at our favorite restaurants but I still try to include at least 2/3 new places. So maybe this trip, every night we'll try somewhere different. Who knows??? I'm just looking forward to the complete freedom of doing 'whatever!' My hubby and son; however, will be spending the weekend going to Disney's Star Wars Weekend!!
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Old 01-04-2011, 10:40 PM   #44
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I voted for WDW resort, and more specifically from that list I would pick AKL. I don't think I could do WL because that would be a leeeetle too close to MK for me and I might be bummed to not be able to go in.
I agree 100% with the above! AKL will give you plenty to do and see and not be bored. Great food, activities and scenery. And you are not too close to a park so you won't constantly be reminded of what you are missing. Good luck!
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Old 01-04-2011, 11:06 PM   #45
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No way I could stay at a hotel anywhere near Disney and not go into the parks. i voted for the beach and KSC which is a lot of fun
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