**New Title** Best Resort for One Day Only? No parks.

[21stamps]

I am currently booked at the Swan on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, arriving @ 2am Thanksgiving night, so 2 nights, but only one day.

I've decided to take Epcot out of the mix and just do a resort/Disney Springs day before we leave for our cruise on the 26th.

I haven't stayed at either one before. So for those that have, which is better for a "resort day"?

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[epcotisbest]

If Epcot is out and DS in, then POR. Beautiful resort, great pool and fun, scenic boat ride to DS and back. Makes for a great day and something we do just about every trip, regardless of where we stay. We will drive over to POR, explore some there, hop the boat to DS, stay there as long as we want, then hop on the boat back to POR.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

Swan. You can do DS and if you go back to the hotel you can walk around the Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club too. Lots more options than POR in my opinion.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

Also, you can watch Epcot or HS fireworks from the resort area.

 

[21stamps]

If Epcot is out and DS in, then POR. Beautiful resort, great pool and fun, scenic boat ride to DS and back. Makes for a great day and something we do just about every trip, regardless of where we stay. We will drive over to POR, explore some there, hop the boat to DS, stay there as long as we want, then hop on the boat back to POR.

Swan. You can do DS and if you go back to the hotel you can walk around the Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club too. Lots more options than POR in my opinion.

3 questions-
If I keep the Swan, can we drive to another resort to do a carriage ride, without dining reservations?

Are the campers at FW usually decorated by Black Friday?

Is parking at the swan included for entire day, or per entry?

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

My personal preference: POR if parks are not in the mix.

Swan rooms are better 2 queens vs 2 fulls.
POR has more charm and more a "Disney" feel.
Swan is walking distance to Boardwalk
POR is a short boat ride to Disney Springs
No charging privilege on MB at Swan
Charging privilege at POR

 

[tractor tipper]

My personal preference: POR if parks are not in the mix.

Swan rooms are better 2 queens vs 2 fulls.
POR has more charm and more a "Disney" feel.
Swan is walking distance to Boardwalk
POR is a short boat ride to Disney Springs
No charging privilege on MB at Swan
Charging privilege at POR

thought POR had 2 queen beds at least I thought they were last time we were there.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

thought POR had 2 queen beds at least I thought they were last time we were there.

They might. I usually stay at POFQ. The last time I was at POR I could have sworn they were full. You may be right.

 

[tractor tipper]

POR is our "home" resort. It's been a couple years, checked it is 2 queen. Will recommend POR anytime.

 

[jlsHouston]

We did the SWAN last year for Thanksgiving week because of pricing at the other deluxes. I really liked it especially since we were at HS almost nightly to take in the Osborne Lights. Also I just like the EPCOT resort area in general because you can walk or boat ride to the neighbor resorts. I've never stayed at POR so I can't really give a comparison of pros and cons.
Having stayed at SSR several times I've enjoyed boat rides to the Springs. But lately I just do the bus because it puts me in a more central area of the Springs. Plus then I'm not depending on weather to not shut the boat down where I have to take the bus anyway. So the ability to boat rather than take the bus to the Springs wouldn't be a deciding factor for my resort choice.
I like the pool area at SWAN and certainly like the lounges at any of the EPCOT area resorts to relax and have an adult beverage. Since it is Thanksgiving all the holiday decor will be up and you have 5 resorts you can walk or boat ride over to enjoy that. Someone mentioned the fireworks viewable from the bridge and that is another plus of the EPCOT resorts. I like that bottled water and starbucks coffee included in your room at the SWAN. And I think Fresh MED has one of the best breakfast buffets of all the resorts.
Pretty much if I couldn't afford YC or BWI I would do the SWAN rather than POR.

 

[21stamps]

Ok all, thanks for the comments so far!!

I just updated the title, because, well, I'm completely indecisive!!

The past couple of days I've been considering Universal, staying at Royal Pacific and doing both parks, but crowds again are freaking me out. I've now decided against that and trying to scale back to a more relaxing trip.

I looked into Ft Wilderness, I've always thought their activities looked fun, so I thought this could be the perfect opportunity. The cost to stay there is more than the Beach Club, which in itself isn't horrible, but then once I add all of the activities in- WAY more than I want to spend.

I thought about Wilderness Lodge as well, but worried that being so close to MK would just be cruel. Kiddo does not know that we are returning after the cruise, that part is a complete surprise.

Then I thought- Perfect time for AKL since my reasoning against them is always distance to parks!! Until I looked at Savanna View prices..lol.

So, out of any Disney resort (including the Swan but excluding MK area), which would be best?

Is AKL only worth it with Savanna View? If I do decide on AKL, AKV Jambo House is the same price, difference? Mostly- Is there enough to do at AKL/AKV for an entire day without leaving property?

 

[TXDisney]

Boardwalk, YC and BC area.

 

[Tuvalu]

Is AKL only worth it with Savanna View? If I do decide on AKL, AKV Jambo House is the same price, difference? Mostly- Is there enough to do at AKL/AKV for an entire day without leaving property?

I think AKL would be a perfect choice.

Many of the standard rooms actually have partial savanna views ~ there may be some some kind of obstruction or angle that people who paid for savanna view would object to, but those who pay for standard view would be delighted with!

You probably won't get into your room until after 3 p.m. anyway, which also lessens the need for a savanna view since you can sit and relax in one of the public viewing areas. As a AKL guest you have access to 2 great pools (one at Jambo and the other at Kidani) and the dining options are phenomenal ~ Sanaa, Boma, Jiko and The Mara are all unique and wonderful!

There are activities for children throughout the day (@coachwnh, can you post some pictures?) and informative CMs who share about their countries and assist with the night-vision goggles in the evening.

AKL really transports you to a different world where the parks aren't even a temptation.

 

[jlsHouston]

I would 2nd AKL and just get the standard view. There are lotsa places around both Kidani and Jambo to view the animals. I've always just gone with standard or pool view and never been disappointed. The food choices are good at this resort, the pool activities are great for the kids, slide is a little wimpy, and I love the shaded areas for lounging.
For a one day, no park, just chill, this is by far the best choice.

 

[21stamps]

I think AKL would be a perfect choice.

Many of the standard rooms actually have partial savanna views ~ there may be some some kind of obstruction or angle that people who paid for savanna view would object to, but those who pay for standard view would be delighted with!

You probably won't get into your room until after 3 p.m. anyway, which also lessens the need for a savanna view since you can sit and relax in one of the public viewing areas. As a AKL guest you have access to 2 great pools (one at Jambo and the other at Kidani) and the dining options are phenomenal ~ Sanaa, Boma, Jiko and The Mara are all unique and wonderful!

There are activities for children throughout the day (@coachwnh, can you post some pictures?) and informative CMs who share about their countries and assist with the night-vision goggles in the evening.

AKL really transports you to a different world where the parks aren't even a temptation.

Thanks! We will be arriving well after midnight on Thanksgiving, so first night will be just sleep, and then we will have all of Friday, leaving Saturday morning.
I didn't know they provided night vision goggles, that sounds neat!
If the weather is too cold to swim, do they have other activities? Also, do you know if Jambo House or the lodge is more convenient to everything or if the rooms are different? If we did Jambo it would be in a studio.

@jlsHouston same questions lol. You responded after I had already typed this.

 

[coachwnh]

I think AKL would be a perfect choice.

Many of the standard rooms actually have partial savanna views ~ there may be some some kind of obstruction or angle that people who paid for savanna view would object to, but those who pay for standard view would be delighted with!

You probably won't get into your room until after 3 p.m. anyway, which also lessens the need for a savanna view since you can sit and relax in one of the public viewing areas. As a AKL guest you have access to 2 great pools (one at Jambo and the other at Kidani) and the dining options are phenomenal ~ Sanaa, Boma, Jiko and The Mara are all unique and wonderful!

There are activities for children throughout the day (@coachwnh, can you post some pictures?) and informative CMs who share about their countries and assist with the night-vision goggles in the evening.

AKL really transports you to a different world where the parks aren't even a temptation.

I'd be happy to, but I'll have to get to it later. On our way to the Philadelphia Union game!!!!

 

[jlsHouston]

Thanks! We will be arriving well after midnight on Thanksgiving, so first night will be just sleep, and then we will have all of Friday, leaving Saturday morning.
I didn't know they provided night vision goggles, that sounds neat!
If the weather is too cold to swim, do they have other activities? Also, do you know if Jambo House or the lodge is more convenient to everything or if the rooms are different? If we did Jambo it would be in a studio.

@jlsHouston same questions lol. You responded after I had already typed this.

I have never stayed at Kidani and probably wouldn't even if I was buying DVC. Jambo is just too convenient to everything. However it is worth a visit to Kidani because they have the restaurant Saana and a great place outside for viewing animals. Probably have some activities for kids too.
At Jambo my grandkids have done the arts and crafts offered both poolside and in the lobby, done the drum march, used the night goggles, watched movies by the fire pit, and hung at the pool until they shriveled. Actually this is the one resort that my grandkids currently 11 and 9 whine if I say it's time to get ready for the park. They really enjoy themselves here, from hanging in the lobby, pool, and running around looking at the animals from the viewing spots..and yah they night vision goggles are a big hit.
Also there is a bus you can ride to Kidani to check that part of AKL out.
Since you are going to be on property at Thanksgiving it could be a bit chilly for swimming. We go that week and I've had rainy low 70' type days, to a cold snap where it dropped to freezing one night to sunny days in the 80's. Those kids want to be in the pool in all weather temps except for the freeze we encountered one year. I think the pools are heated to like 80 degrees which if it isn't above 80 you won't find me in the water, but the kids they jump in when it is 70 outside.

 

[patch553]

Def AKL, we stayed at kidani in Feb and spent a day checking the resort out and the day just flew by, it's easy to get lost checking out the animals we absolutely loved it

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

3 questions-
If I keep the Swan, can we drive to another resort to do a carriage ride, without dining reservations?

Are the campers at FW usually decorated by Black Friday?

Is parking at the swan included for entire day, or per entry?

I'm not sure about parking at another resort, but I know at Swan it will cost you $18 per day/night to park in their self parking lot.

 

[Minthorne]

Rent points and stay at SSR. Walk to DS.