Which resort for a young couple?

[Jack95]

Hi,
After extensive research, myself and my girlfriend still don't know which resort would be best for a two week trip we are planning for September this year.

I have never visited WDW before, but she has stayed at Swan and Dolphin, however we really want to stay at an onsite hotel this time.

We are in our early 20s, can budget for moderate hotels or the lower cost deluxes.
We want to stay somewhere suitable for a couple without kids, with access to a gym and with nice dining options. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[jeffk410]

We're big fans of AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge). If you rent DVC points, it can come out to a similar price as a moderate resort.

Main perks:

- A solid hotel gym
- Three restaurants: Jiko, Boma, and Saana.
- Nice pools, hot tubs, a couple solid bars.

Cons:

- Distance from the parks. More time spent on the buses, although we didn't find it particularly annoying.

 

[Magic Sean]

Animal Kingdom hands down. The only bad part about staying here is that it is not that close to other things like Downtown. So after a lot of drinks driving will be a challenge and the buses take forever. Besides that which is not a deal breaker by any means both of you will really enjoy staying there.

 

[Jack95]

We're big fans of AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge). If you rent DVC points, it can come out to a similar price as a moderate resort.

Main perks:

- A solid hotel gym
- Three restaurants: Jiko, Boma, and Saana.
- Nice pools, hot tubs, a couple solid bars.

Cons:

- Distance from the parks. More time spent on the buses, however, we never noticed it too much.

Thanks for the reply, how does the renting of DVC points work?

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

Well I was going to say French Quarter, however then I saw you said gym facilities and I can't really vouch for those (I have this policy for vacations... I try to forget I even have a fitness routine).

But French Quarter is a great moderate! Small, romantic, and short boat ride to Disney Springs!

 

[Magic Sean]

http://dvcrentalstore.com/

I have used before and can say the people that work here do a great job. Look at the calculator to get a idea of how much it might cost you. Then its a free request form and someone will get in contact with you via Email. Any questions you have at that point would be gladly answered by the employees.

 

[Jack95]

http://dvcrentalstore.com/

I have used before and can say the people that work here do a great job. Look at the calculator to get a idea of how much it might cost you. Then its a free request form and someone will get in contact with you via Email. Any questions you have at that point would be gladly answered by the employees.

This may be a stupid question, but if the price difference exists, why doesn't everyone use this service?

 

[ShookieJones]

French Quarter is your spot dude. My wife and I stayed there our first couple of years when we were in our twenties.... Wait was I EVER twenty???? Yup yeah I uh huh..I got pictures. I was thinner better looking with a bad haircut but I was there.

Wait I just saw comment about a gym. mmm....a couple of twenty year olds on vacation together can find other ways to burn calories can't they? Alright alright, if you insist on having a gym...then you're gonna need a deluxe for a gym or Coronado Springs for the one moderate with a gym.

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

French Quarter is your spot dude. My wife and I stayed there our first couple of years when we were in our twenties.... Wait was I EVER twenty???? Yup yeah I uh huh..I got pictures. I was thinner better looking with a bad haircut but I was there.

Wait I just saw comment about a gym. mmm....a couple of twenty year olds on vacation together can find other ways to burn calories can't they? Alright alright, if you insist on having a gym...then you're gonna need a deluxe for a gym or Coronado Springs for the one moderate with a gym.

Exactly!

 

[laben594]

Same age group-we stay at wilderness, port Orleans, or animal kingdom. LOTS of kids at Poly

 

[Jahona]

This may be a stupid question, but if the price difference exists, why doesn't everyone use this service?

It's not officially through Disney so it's not advertised. I wouldn't have learned you can rent DVC points if I hadn't been on these forums. The majority of guests staying on property are going to book through official channels.

As for a recommendation:

Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge. Both are nice resorts on the cheaper side of Deluxe.
For Moderates Coronado Springs is great. It offers a lot of amenities that are also offered at deluxe resorts, like a fitness center. It's a very popular conference resort and so I found the demographic to be a bit more for the adult crowd.

 

[NHMouse]

My husband and I honeymooned for 10 days at the Boardwalk , it's still one of my favs. So much to do at night right on site. You can walk to Epcot too!

 

[dreamfinder]

Hi,
After extensive research, myself and my girlfriend still don't know which resort would be best for a two week trip we are planning for September this year.

I have never visited WDW before, but she has stayed at Swan and Dolphin, however we really want to stay at an onsite hotel this time.

We are in our early 20s, can budget for moderate hotels or the lower cost deluxes.
We want to stay somewhere suitable for a couple without kids, with access to a gym and with nice dining options. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Well, the gym requirement is your real limiting factor. You can stay at Coronado Springs, or a deluxe. Any resort is ok for a couple without kids. But if you want access to anything remotely close to a nightlife, then Coronado (has Rix and lots of conventioneers) or Swan/Dolphin (also lots of conventioneers, bars, plenty of dining nearby). Personally, I'd add to the votes for AKL, it's just one of the better resorts and just is remarkably well themed.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

We travel as a young couple as well. Definitely AKL, French Quarter, or Coronado Springs.

 

[DisneyGirlNY]

DH and I just returned from Coronado Springs for 4 nights. I thought it was a great hotel and there were VERY few kids there. There is a convention center, which didn't impact us other than a few extra people at the hotel bars. They have a gym, 2 quiet pools and the main pool was also very quiet. There was an outdoor bar by the lobby, a bar in the lobby and one by the main pool. The Maya Grill is their table service restaurant and I thought the food was very good. I thought it was a great hotel for adults.

 

[harryk]

The Boardwalk Inn, (also has DVC villas)
Lots of good dining in area - your girlfriend should be familiar with it since she has stayed at the Swan and/or Dolphin, All the delux resorts have gyms and pools on site.
Wilderness Lodge is an excellent location also for the facilities you are looking for.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Hi,
After extensive research, myself and my girlfriend still don't know which resort would be best for a two week trip we are planning for September this year.

I have never visited WDW before, but she has stayed at Swan and Dolphin, however we really want to stay at an onsite hotel this time.

We are in our early 20s, can budget for moderate hotels or the lower cost deluxes.
We want to stay somewhere suitable for a couple without kids, with access to a gym and with nice dining options. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge, for sure. They're generally the two most affordable deluxe resorts, but they're also my two favorite regardless of price. Each has great dining and a wonderful theme that really gives you a great "sense of place."

(It wouldn't be an issue at either of these resorts, but if you wanted to consider a moderate I don't think you should consider the lack of a gym to be a deal breaker. You walk many many miles when at WDW, more than enough that dedicated workout time really isn't necessary. Also, just about every resort has a solid jogging trail.)

 

[Weather_Lady]

It's probably too late at this point (ideally you want to make a reservation request at least 7, or better yet more than 11 months out, for DVC rentals, although I'd still give it a shot -- check with David's DVC Rentals or a similarly-reputable company), but I'd consider renting DVC points and staying in a studio at Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge (or any other deluxe DVC resort of your choice). You'll pay significantly less than what it would cost for a standard room at these resorts, and you'll have the same (or better) access to amenities and proximity to transportation.

 

[Mr Toad]

Stay at one those quaint little Garden Rooms at Boardwalk. It looks like a very romantic place. The bedroom is in a loft looking place.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Another vote for Coronado, Great amenities and a nice atmosphere, without breaking the bank. Wilderness Lodge is a great resort and I like the overall feel slightly better than AKL. Yacht Club is still my favorite of the Deluxes I have been at for location, and the amenities you are looking for. Marie