The “No-Parks” Disney World Option
Or how I spent $750 without stepping foot in Disney World
Some might say that Disney World is just for kids, an artificial place in the middle of nowhere. They are correct, and they should stay away to reduce the crowds for the rest of us. But if you like to tap into your inner child, be catered to in one of the cleanest, safest places imaginable and you have the time to spend on pure enjoyment, then only one obstacle remains: it is not only the most Magical Place on Earth, it is one of the most expensive.
We are lucky to live only about two hours by car from this wonderland. In the 1970s it was carefully and discreetly carved out of Florida swampland in a place that is now an entertainment destination the size of San Francisco. The city of Orlando that blossomed around it is similarly and densely populated with other thematic parks that brazenly hopped onto the coattails of Disney’s success.
If you’re interested in the history of Disney World, the evolutionary leap made by Walt Disney following the success of California’s Disney Land, I highly recommend the six-part documentary called The Imagineers, available on the Disney+ streaming service. Strolling through these carefully conceived parks, it’s hard to imagine them once existing only as ideas sketched on paper. Entire engineering and creative disciplines emerged to support the elements necessary to bring the parks to fruition.
For some, a vacation in Disney World is a once in a lifetime occurrence. Several days at a Disney hotel within the property, with passes to several theme parks, transportation, meals and merchandise can cost many, many thousands of dollars. On a recent visit, we priced a room at the Polynesian Resort. Mind you, this is only a place to sleep and regroup after an exhausting day of activity. And this alone can set you back perhaps six hundred dollars per night. For many, this is unattainable, and if you’re bringing the kids, it is a week you definitely need to time properly. They should not be too young to remember the stay, nor old enough that they will only go along begrudgingly and fail to fully appreciate the investment.
But for those of us who live nearby, retired and with children who have made it through college, there is an option I’d like to describe that reduces the financial burden at a time when you may be on a fixed income. What I’m about to propose is that you visit Disney World without stepping foot in any of the theme parks. Gasp! What? No Space Mountain or Cinderella’s Castle? No Tower of Terror or Expedition Everest? What about Spaceship Earth and Na’vi River Journey, Star Wars and Toy Story?
No, you’ll avoid those entirely, and here’s how.
For two days in early December, a time in Florida when the weather can be perfect, cooler and drier than most of the year, and coinciding with the ever expanding Christmas season, we spent one night and two days at Disney World. It cost us nothing. I say that knowing full well that we spent a lot on food, but in usual terms, our visit cost very little. I will admit to a one-night stay at a nearby Airbnb, about $149, and whatever gas was consumed by a round trip totaling just over 300 miles. You may need to fly there.
We arrived at check-in time at our condo near Disney Springs, unloaded our bags and freshened up, then made the short drive to the “Orange” parking garage attached to the marketplace. Parking is free. We explored the expansive themed retail, dining and shopping concourse at our leisure and strolled through the Christmas Tree Trail that features dozens of Disney-decorated trees. It even “snowed” in a couple of spots. The trail is free, and decorations abound throughout the Springs from November 8th to January 5th. We later chose to have a drink outside while waiting for our table at the Steampunk style “Edison” restaurant. These were optional expenses over which we had full control.
The next morning we headed back to the free garage at Disney Springs and began our journey through all of Disney World. Our first stop was the hot air balloon ride (actually helium) that is tethered not far from the garage entrance. This short but spectacular ride cost $20 per person. Are you seeing the pattern here? Disney offers tons of free ways to get around in their World, certain that you’ll be unable to resist delicious food, that special Disney shirt or toy, or even a balloon ride.
From there we boarded a water taxi that took us on a leisurely free ride down a lovely canal surrounded by manicured lawns and stands of shady trees. The last stop was at the Port Orleans Resort - Riverside complex, a Louisiana Bayou setting with a down home appeal. Anytime we stopped at a resort we made sure to check out the fantastic Christmas decorations on display in their lobbies. At other times of the year the lobbies are still gorgeous but lacking in this seasonal splendor.
From Port Orleans we grabbed a free Disney bus. They go everywhere and have digitally displayed schedules at the stops. We never waited more than a few minutes for a ride. Next stop, Hollywood Studios to transfer onto the new Skyliner.
If you haven’t been to Disney World for a while, there is a new transportation option that’s as accessible, useful and exciting as the legendary Monorail. Like the Monorail, the Skyliner gondola lift system has specific destinations, five of them emanating from a central hub at the Caribbean Beach Resort, which we explored on foot and through lobbies.
Eventually we made our way from Epcot to the old standard, the Monorail, with its circular route through the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary resorts. Of these the Floridian had the most spectacular Christmas display, complete with a life size gingerbread house that sells a variety of seasonal treats.
As do most experienced Disney travelers, we planned a short afternoon siesta that refreshed us for another session. But now it was Saturday evening and the Springs’ garages were all filled to capacity. Fortunately we had booked reservations at a Polynesian restaurant that put us on a guest list for free parking at the resort, so we drove to dinner.
Our final destination was the Wilderness Resort, reachable by free water taxi. Our trip was in the dark, with fireworks visible in the distance. Of the resorts we visited, this was possibly the most impressive. The experience is immersive and the attention to detail is beyond compare. Through the doors, you are transported instantly to a vast lodge the likes of Yellowstone at Christmas.
We have made a subsequent trip like this that proved equally enjoyable. The variety of food options and configurable transportation choices prevent repetition. But I must admit, the theme parks are tantalizingly close, and the old Disney fan in me can’t help but want to take another spin on the Mad Hatter's Teacups or sail through the Pirates of the Caribbean again. And nothing really compares with staying at a Disney Resort.
If I’m sending mixed signals here, that’s by design. There’s no wrong choice to be made. I just feel sorry for the poor souls who may recently have had their dream trips canceled due to the unimaginable closure of Disney World for the next few weeks or months. We’re all going to need a trip to Fantasy Land when this is over, especially the kids!
😎
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