Resort Only - where would you stay and why?

[disneygirl76]

Hi All!

DH and I are going in the spring - feb or march - and we are going to the Resort Only! We are doing this on purpose. We felt like we missed so much of all the resorts have to offer so we want to stay only at a resort! And he told me one night wasn't enough - so we are doing 3 days and 2 nights! WOO HOO

Where would you stay and why?

Some particulars - we will have a car, it will be just the two of us, the idea is to rest and relax and enjoy what the resort has to order and do none park stuff that we miss each trip. The idea is to go in March ish - depending mostly on if a discount is offered. We are also planning on going to Disneyland in the fall if all things come together as planned so we will get some park time in the fall in CA.

Thank you!

 

[The Incredible Schmulk]

If I were going for a resort only vacation, I would choose the Boardwalk Villas, without hesitation. I would want to stay in the Epcot resort area, anyway, since there is so much to do in such an easy to navigate area, and since Boardwalk is my favorite resort, it kind of makes the decision a no-brainer for me.

For a few nights of non-park hopping, I could easily find more than enough to do to occupy my time without even getting on Disney transportation. And for the late night activities, it doesn't hurt to be right around the corner from the ESPN Club, the Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls.

 

[6laurac]

Boardwalk-Looks really nice on the website and I'd like to stay somewhere "fancy" one time.

 

[steviej]

polynesian, never stayed there before and I've always wanted to

 

[coachwnh]

our next three were booked with AP or winter room only discounts and we picked, poly (Nov), Yacht club (Dec), and GF (Feb)

EDIT If you mean just to stay at the resort, id pick GF. Could still watch Wishes and the water parade each night!!

 

[disneygirl76]

My friends have reported from the Poly. They said the rooms are very nice and very roomy. They typically stay at BC and said the rooms at Poly are much larger. They don't seem to think it is shabby or run down at all. They are having a wonderful time.

Thank you for the info! Great info to know!

 

[disneygirl76]

our next three were booked with AP or winter room only discounts and we picked, poly (Nov), Yacht club (Dec), and GF (Feb)

EDIT If you mean just to stay at the resort, id pick GF. Could still watch Wishes and the water parade each night!!

Yes, just to stay at the Resort. That is what we are looking to do. Thanks!

 

[acishere]

Personally I would need to stay at a resort that doesn't have a view of any of the parks. Seeing them would be too much temptation for me.

Boardwalk has so much entertainment that is the clear choice, but it also has that Epcot view trying to lure you into the WS.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Personally I would need to stay at a resort that doesn't have a view of any of the parks. Seeing them would be too much temptation for me.

Boardwalk has so much entertainment that is the clear choice, but it also has that Epcot view trying to lure you into the WS.

Agreed. I would pick Animal Kingdom Lodge for that reason.

 

[wbtc]

Beach Club concierge level for sure.

Surrey bikes, boardwalk night life, miniature golf, great pool, lots of places to eat, ping pong, boats, shopping, beautiful nighttime views of the water, fun treats in the club room, Beaches & Cream...mmmmmm

All of the suggestions are excellent...have fun choosing and have a great trip!

 

[disneygirl76]

Oh - I didn't think about doing club level again. That would be great to cut down on food costs b/c they give you so much. When we are in the parks all day...we miss it!

 

[erstwo]

I voted Beach Club as well. We've stayed at the Poly twice and I do love it, but there is just such a world of difference between the MK resorts and the Epcot resorts. The MK resorts seem so busy and we found the Beach Club to be so calming and 'grown up.' We slept in every morning (even the kids!) and walked to breakfast, lunch dinner all around the 'lake.' Really some of my best Disney memories. Plus the pool area is like a mini water park (and heavily guarded, so no pool hoppers - ha!) We were there in February.

Our only other 'resort only' vacation was at the CBR in a Pirate Room. We loved that too! I enjoy a resort only vacation. You can still see the characters - Chip and Dale for free at the Campfire Sing A Long, any number of different characters at all the resort restaurants, plus - as you said - there is just so much to do that you never get around to doing when you are in the parks. I hope you have a great trip!

I'm hoping to read your TR soon! I have been MIA from the trip report section for ages. I start reading TRs and can't seem to stop and life is so busy right now, it's better if I'm not spending hours a day reading TRs! Ha! Anyway - good luck choosing. Please write a TR about it! I think that would be so fun to read!

 

[disneygirl76]

I voted Beach Club as well. We've stayed at the Poly twice and I do love it, but there is just such a world of difference between the MK resorts and the Epcot resorts. The MK resorts seem so busy and we found the Beach Club to be so calming and 'grown up.' We slept in every morning (even the kids!) and walked to breakfast, lunch dinner all around the 'lake.' Really some of my best Disney memories. Plus the pool area is like a mini water park (and heavily guarded, so no pool hoppers - ha!) We were there in February.

Our only other 'resort only' vacation was at the CBR in a Pirate Room. We loved that too! I enjoy a resort only vacation. You can still see the characters - Chip and Dale for free at the Campfire Sing A Long, any number of different characters at all the resort restaurants, plus - as you said - there is just so much to do that you never get around to doing when you are in the parks. I hope you have a great trip!

I'm hoping to read your TR soon! I have been MIA from the trip report section for ages. I start reading TRs and can't seem to stop and life is so busy right now, it's better if I'm not spending hours a day reading TRs! Ha! Anyway - good luck choosing. Please write a TR about it! I think that would be so fun to read!

Great advice! I am torn between MK view and club level Epcot resort. I just don't know. We have time to decide but i'm torn. You make great points!!! I will of course write a trip report about it!!! Happy reading - there is a link below in my signature to my trip report. Loads of pics!

 

[maryszhi]

yacht or beach club. best pool. walk to boardwalk for that entertainment, amazing pool, amazing atmosphere, great food

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

Before our spring trip this year I would have voted for the Yacht Club without a second thought but after a pretty bad experience on our check-in day (we had to change the room three! times due to cleanliness issues, at the YACHT CLUB for god's sake!) so far the Wilderness Lodge is the ONLY Disney deluxe resort where we had a perfect stay and no disappointments like bad housekeeping, dirty rooms, inadequate maintenance etc. Actually it's the only deluxe resort at WDW where would stay again.

 

[disneygirl76]

Before our spring trip this year I would have voted for the Yacht Club without a second thought but after a pretty bad experience on our check-in day (we had to change the room three! times due to cleanliness issues, at the YACHT CLUB for god's sake!) so far the Wilderness Lodge is the ONLY Disney deluxe resort where we had a perfect stay and no disappointments like bad housekeeping, dirty rooms, inadequate maintenance etc. Actually it's the only deluxe resort at WDW where would stay again.

I'm so sorry that you had a bad experience!! We stayed at YC once and it was lovely! We do love WL too!!

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

I'm so sorry that you had a bad experience!! We stayed at YC once and it was lovely! We do love WL too!!

Oh we had a terrific, unforgettable and picture-perfect 6 day stay last fall at the YC after a truly horrible night at the AKL. That's why we returned this year and that's why were so disappointed when we realized even the YC also has rooms with a housekeeping problem. Our last trip 3, a few weeks ago, was the first trip without a deluxe resort, instead we tried out the Art of Animation and it was a beauty. We would have stayed longer but there were no more rooms vacant.
We still love the WL but the prices have become increasingly insane, they are nearly double of what we payed in 2007. If we stay again at a deluxe at WDW we decided we will stay at the Dolphin.

And I hope that the rumored major refurb of the Poly finally solves the problems they have there because this truly beautiful resort deserves better.

 

[jlsHouston]

I would pick GF if I were going in February and Boardwalk if it was going to be late March or April. I think the GF would be a great place to stay for a long weekend because of the lobby, the restaurants at the resort, the grounds, the spa will be re-opened I think in January, and I like the stores on the 2nd floor...however having stayed at the BC this past summer (first deluxe) there may be nothing better than an Epcot are resort because of all the lounges, the restaurant choices, and there is a spa at the Dolphin nearby, but it would be very difficult for me to stay at an Epcot resort and NOT go into Epcot for food...which is why if I were doing resort only and no cheating I think I would have to stay at GF. Unless you don't mind odors and like small moderate size rooms and dark decor and animals AKL would NOT be a place I would stay resort only. While the BOMA and Sanaa are great even excellent restaurants (and I'm sure Jiko is too just haven't tried yet) the food choices are limited and you will have to travel a bit unless you want to eat the same thing over and over during your 3 day stay.

 

[bord1niowa]

My choice of Fort Wilderness is also not on the list. If you want rest and relaxation, there is no better place yet still a lot to do. Cabins or Renting an RV or pop up would be very romantic, being together yet rustic. Nothing like waking up to the sound of the boat horn in the morning.

 

[disneygirl76]

My choice of Fort Wilderness is also not on the list. If you want rest and relaxation, there is no better place yet still a lot to do. Cabins or Renting an RV or pop up would be very romantic, being together yet rustic. Nothing like waking up to the sound of the boat horn in the morning.

Good suggestion but I think we will stay there if we ever have kids some day.