Best resort to stay at and spend the day?

[KappleB2]

It has been a month since I got home and I am looking at some dates for returning next September. I plan on doing Night of Joy again since it was such a great experience and would love to spend one of those days just relaxing at the resort. I would like to stay one night at a moderate or deluxe and just hang out there during the day before Night of Joy at night.
What resort is the best to just hang out at? Best pool? Shops? Things to see? What do you think is the best overall?

 

[Skibum1970]

I've found the Wilderness Lodge to be a great all day resort. I enjoy walking around the resort, seeing the lobby, going to the Villas to the see the trains, and then walking the path to Fort Wilderness. From FW, we take the boat launch back to the Wilderness Lodge and sit around the pool or go inside. The Lodge has several nice sitting areas overlooking the lobby on the south wall and up a couple levels. In the wintertime, the sitting areas have gas fireplaces that are perfect.

Also, for Night of Joy, you can take the boat from the Lodge directly to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[maryszhi]

yact and beach club for storm along bay, boarwalk for evening entertainment, por to walk around and see the beauty, resorts on the monorail because they are fun, and pop or aoa for value

 

[real mad hatter]

PORS. Take the boat down the Sassagoula river and back up again,hire the carriage bike or take the horse ride round the resort,do some shopping in Fultons,have lunch at boatwrights,etc.

 

[s&k'smom]

I've got to admit I love the monorail resorts for all the transportation options and so as a family we enjoy spending one free day doing a little resort hoping to them.

 

[pixargal]

I've found the Wilderness Lodge to be a great all day resort. I enjoy walking around the resort, seeing the lobby, going to the Villas to the see the trains, and then walking the path to Fort Wilderness. From FW, we take the boat launch back to the Wilderness Lodge and sit around the pool or go inside. The Lodge has several nice sitting areas overlooking the lobby on the south wall and up a couple levels. In the wintertime, the sitting areas have gas fireplaces that are perfect.

Also, for Night of Joy, you can take the boat from the Lodge directly to the Magic Kingdom.

I would agree, the WL is a great choice. I also wanted to add that there is a tour in the morning that you can sign up for and you can request a hidden mickey list and go searching for hidden Mickeys around the resort.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I've got to admit I love the monorail resorts for all the transportation options and so as a family we enjoy spending one free day doing a little resort hoping to them.

We stay at the Poly and love to do a down day each trip. We always go during food and wine, so after a relaxing day at the pool and *beach* we shower up then hit World Showcase for cocktails and snacks at night.

 

[disneygirl76]

It has been a month since I got home and I am looking at some dates for returning next September. I plan on doing Night of Joy again since it was such a great experience and would love to spend one of those days just relaxing at the resort. I would like to stay one night at a moderate or deluxe and just hang out there during the day before Night of Joy at night.
What resort is the best to just hang out at? Best pool? Shops? Things to see? What do you think is the best overall?

I love to spend the day at Grand Flordian or Yacht/Beach Club.

 

[ImagineerDude]

Value: AoA & Pop
Mod: Can't say
Deluxe: Grand Floridian (then if you get bored take the monorail to Contemp and Poly

 

[stlbobby]

It has been a month since I got home and I am looking at some dates for returning next September. I plan on doing Night of Joy again since it was such a great experience and would love to spend one of those days just relaxing at the resort. I would like to stay one night at a moderate or deluxe and just hang out there during the day before Night of Joy at night.
What resort is the best to just hang out at? Best pool? Shops? Things to see? What do you think is the best overall?

It depends what you want and enjoy. The Poly has a great beach. OKW and SSR are quiet and most of the rooms have balconies on which to relax and DTD is right down the street or you can take a boat or nature trail. The Y&B and BW have the all the excitement of the Boardwalk and great pools. PO is probably the best of the mods for relaxing and enjoying the resort and has boats to DTD. If you want something exciting and vibrant the values can be fun to explore. Wilderness lodge has a great rustic feel to explore and an awesome lobby.

 

[KappleB2]

I would agree, the WL is a great choice. I also wanted to add that there is a tour in the morning that you can sign up for and you can request a hidden mickey list and go searching for hidden Mickeys around the resort.

ooooh! A hidden Mickey search sounds fun!
I figure there are so many choices (especially since I have only ever stayed at All Star Music) that it is best to start deciding now

 

[KappleB2]

I've found the Wilderness Lodge to be a great all day resort. I enjoy walking around the resort, seeing the lobby, going to the Villas to the see the trains, and then walking the path to Fort Wilderness. From FW, we take the boat launch back to the Wilderness Lodge and sit around the pool or go inside. The Lodge has several nice sitting areas overlooking the lobby on the south wall and up a couple levels. In the wintertime, the sitting areas have gas fireplaces that are perfect.

Also, for Night of Joy, you can take the boat from the Lodge directly to the Magic Kingdom.

Wow! Wilderness Lodge is not one I have thought much about but it really sounds like I should!

 

[s&k'smom]

I have to agree as much as I LOVE the GF, WL is really wonderful.

 

[pixargal]

ooooh! A hidden Mickey search sounds fun!
I figure there are so many choices (especially since I have only ever stayed at All Star Music) that it is best to start deciding now

Yes, I would agree that there are so many choices of resorts at WDW, and they each have something wonderful to offer, IMO. We have stayed at all levels and enjoy what each has to offer as far as amenities. If money is a consideration, then you should seriously consider Port Orleans Riverside. It is our favorite moderate resort. The theming is wonderful and there is a lot to do at the resort.

 

[CinderellyKelly]

I would have to say Animal Kingdom lodge. I could relax and safari watch all day!

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

Any resort with a restaurant/food court and a pool.

 

[DisneyGirl3820]

I'm partial to the GF because you feel like you're on vacation although you're right there on the monorail line. However, I must say that the hustle-bustle of the Contemporary is fun because you have a ton of shops and dining right there as well as the boating options on the lagoon.

 

[Disneykidder]

Deluxe: WL--great pool, shop, food, grounds, activities for kids
AKL--pool, views, savannah, shop, grounds, activities for kids

Moderate: POR or POFQ-- pool, shop, pretty grounds, fishing, POR has Pirate Adventure for kids (double check on this one to see if it is still available), boat ride to DTD to shop/eat for a few hours.

 

[luv]

Depends what you want to do. Fort Wilderness has a lot to see and do and has a nice boat ride to/from the MK. But if I had to pick a place to just hang out at the pool, it would be Poly or GF.

 

[Marijil]

Its gotta be fort wilderness...its a resort unto itself