Hi Michelle,
Welcome to planDisney! It's so wonderful to chat with a seasoned Disney Vacation Club Member, thanks for bringing your question here today! I'm so glad to hear you have made excellent use of your Disney Vacation Club Membership, I am certain you've made so many core memories on your vacations over the years. My family often begins our DVC planning with the idea of a resort-only trip but we usually end up with a mix of things. Let's take a peek at things you can do around the Walt Disney World Resort.
It's easy to focus on the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks but there truly is so much to experience onsite. I always like to check the Disney Vacation Club website's benefits section to see what discounts are currently available. With a large family, I'm always looking for ways to save. You can use the filters and sort by location so it's easier to see what is available beyond the theme parks.
Disney Springs offers several unique experiences such as cake decorating at Amorette's Patisserie (you'll
create an edible work of art you can bring home with you),
learning how to taste wine at Wine Bar George, watching Cirque du Soleil's impressive "
Drawn to Life", testing your bowling skills at
Splittsville Luxury Lanes, or my favorite: making a splash aboard a vintage
Amphicar!
If you're looking for experiences that are offered at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, there is plenty to consider. I've got my eye on creating
Spanish Mosaic art Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, setting out on a Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village and seeing the animals with the help of a night vision device, and
riding horseback through wooded trails at The Cabins and Campsites of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort.
There are plenty of fun complimentary activities around Walt Disney World Resort for Guests to experience such as checking out the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, viewing the holiday decorations at the resorts (I love seeing how each resort decorates true to its theme), visiting Santa at Disney Springs, taking in the scenery while riding various forms of Walt Disney World Transportation, enjoying a campfire (with s'mores!) at a DVC resort, or even watching a movie on the lawn at your resort - there are so many activities to choose from!
Michelle, I highly recommend checking out the "
Events and Tours" and "
Enchanting Extras Collection" areas of the Walt Disney World Resort's official website. While not all resort activities will be listed here (be sure to ask for the Resort Activity guide upon check-in), it certainly will give you a headstart on things you may enjoy!
I hope this information is helpful to your planning, Michelle. I hope you have a magical holiday season visit to Walt Disney World Resort! If you have any additional DVC or planning questions, please revisit planDisney!
Welcome Home,
Candace