Adults resort only - wwyd

[babyruth]

Favorite resort for an adults only resort stay mid November? No WDW parks, may venture to Universal not sure yet. Where would you pick and why?

 

[glocker]

Boardwalk or Old Key West. Boardwalk has adult entertainment options (Jellyrolls, Abracadabar, and Atlantic Dance), reasonably close proximity to Disney Springs, and a bunch of "higher end" dining options nearby (Bluezoo, Yachtsman, Flying Fish, etc.). Old Key West feels most removed and "resorty" and is closer to Disney Springs.

 

[Sandisw]

With no parks at all, I give the nod to SSR. So close to DS with food and entertainment. Lots of pools to give you variety. Golf right there as well.

We have also done both VGF and RIV for adult only too. We visited all the resorts hooked up to them to have a drink.

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, I get it that you aren't going to any Disney parks during your stay. But what are you planning to do? And will you have a car?

An animal lover might want to stay at AKV and do whatever tours are offered there at that time.
A foodie might want easy access to table service restaurants.
A golfer might want easy access to golf courses.
Somebody with a car might not be concerned about easy access at all.

 

[Her Dotness]

Mid-Nov.? No question at all--The Grand. That's been our time annually for several years.

If you make it the week before Thanksgiving, resort decorations are going up; the Gingerbread House's sales counter opens, and the fun of Christmas at Disney is starting.

Plus, you can generally catch Food & Wine shortly before it ends if you decide you want to break with the plan and do an Epcot day early in the week--much less crowded for lunching around the kiosks.

Stick to your no-parks plan with a drinks-around-the-resort-loop tour or a progressive dinner. You could also mix holiday gawking with shopping around the loop.

Or say the hey with the madness and slip over to Geyser Point at WL for drinks, a light dinner and a great view of the fireworks. A relaxing end to your day with some great food.

Perfect time to go to WDW. But take warm layers. It can get beastly cold--like 40s for highs!--that time of year.

 

[sethschroeder]

Mid-Nov.? No question at all--The Grand. That's been our time annually for several years.

The downside for me is that its a hassle to get to a variety of food options. I would give BW/BC/RIV the top spot followed closely by OKW/SSR based on being a boat ride/walk away from Disney Springs.

When you look at the Crescent Lake and Barefoot Bay area combined there is a plethora of dining locations both in food style as well as price point.

With OKW/SSR while they are close to Disney Springs its still a little bit of a hike to really get anywhere and based on others accounts the food can sometimes be lacking at those resorts themselves.

 

[sethschroeder]

may venture to Universal not sure yet

If I did Universal I would stay at Universal in one of their deluxe resorts at least for one night so you get all the perks.

OP, I get it that you aren't going to any Disney parks during your stay. But what are you planning to do? And will you have a car?

An animal lover might want to stay at AKV and do whatever tours are offered there at that time.
A foodie might want easy access to table service restaurants.
A golfer might want easy access to golf courses.
Somebody with a car might not be concerned about easy access at all.

2nd this set of questions or is the plan just to walk around resorts and possibly sit by the pool?

Its like a recent post in the dining forum I read. Its to vague to really give you a good answer. Now if all you are looking for is a stacking ranking based on what I personally would do with all my own tastes.

1. I would rent out my points and do a cruise and/or Universal OR go somewhere completely else in the world
2. Beach Club (for the pool)
3. Boardwalk or Riviera (tons of food options between all those Epcot resorts)
4. Saratoga Preferred (for Disney Springs)
5. Animal Kingdom Savanna (typically rated the best non-parks stay resort in polls from what I saw in the past)
6. Monorail Resort (for MK fireworks and mono-rail crawl)
7. CCV/VWL (for the wilderness feel but if I was not doing parks I would save money and go to one of many resorts similar with a huge indoor waterpark up here in the midwest instead)

 

[Nursemanit]

Staying at a Disney park and not doing Disney is really only worth it for DVC members who want to use points. Plenty of great offsite hotels with great pools and apartment-like rooms.

 

[babyruth]

We have points to use and it makes the trip more economical for us. If we went to universal we’d be doing the Orlando informer meetup. We’d be traveling with another couple for our anniversaries and we are all foodies. Just looking for ideas of resort stays without kids which we’ve never done.

 

[bbn1122]

I love RIV. Stayed there twice. Once just DH and me, we were there for 5 days and only went to Epcot one day. RIV has so many nice perks, Bar Riva, Petite Cafe and their quiet pool is gorgeous. Plus, you can walk into CB, ride Skyliner over to Boardwalk area.

SSR for Disney Springs, but it’s so big. Congress Park is where I like to stay to be close to the Springs.

VGF for restaurants and being on monorail. But, also it’s overall grandeur. You can also take a boat ride over to Roaring Forks at WL.

 

[Nursemanit]

We have points to use and it makes the trip more economical for us. If we went to universal we’d be doing the Orlando informer meetup. We’d be traveling with another couple for our anniversaries and we are all foodies. Just looking for ideas of resort stays without kids which we’ve never done.

Then if it has to be a DVC - My recommendation would be Riveria, a calmer atmosphere than BW/BC ( especially the pools) yet you still have easy access to the Boardwalk to hit Jellyrolls at night.

RR is my least favorite of the Epcot area but with your specific needs, it is best.

 

[MonaMN]

Saratoga Springs - tons of food options at Disney Springs, lovely grounds, good point chart. Save the others closer to parks for visits when you will be in the parks.

 

[Disneykate605]

When DH and I go for an adults only trip we go to Poly ( love the resort but don't like studios when staying with our sons). We love to eat at the monorail resorts restaurants.
We also go to BWV because that area has plenty of restaurant options. We also like to enjoy the boardwalk at night.
We have also done CCV and (we love the vibe of WL) and SSR ( we enjoy Disney Springs).
I love all the DVC resorts!

 

[crisi]

Hilton Head But seriously Hilton Head. That time of year the island is almost devoid of tourist children, there are tons of great restaurants.

 

[Princess Merida]

If you guys are foodies, I would say Epcot resort area. Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Riviera are close enough that if you stay at any of them you'll have access to them all for dining. I'd pick Riviera if the room is most important, Beach Club if the pool is most important, and Boardwalk if entertainment is most important. Good luck with your decision!

 

[NVDISFamily]

Not sure if you like the nature/kid of out of Florida vibe of Wilderness Lodge, and if you have a ton of points to burn…… a cabin at CCV would be a big vote for a fun place to escape for some couple alone time. Yes its lots of points but a great getaway.

Just a quick boat trip to the monorail and you have access to all of the resorts on that loop.

 

[kristenabelle]

We have points to use and it makes the trip more economical for us. If we went to universal we’d be doing the Orlando informer meetup. We’d be traveling with another couple for our anniversaries and we are all foodies. Just looking for ideas of resort stays without kids which we’ve never done.

I've stayed at RIV (on points) and YC (on cash) during Orlando Informer meetup weekends and loved them both. I tried to strategically visit Stormalong Bay so it wasn't super crowded. I also think RIV is a great option for adult travelers - super sleek and beautiful.

 

[igrsod]

Boardwalk or Old Key West. Boardwalk has adult entertainment options (Jellyrolls, Abracadabar, and Atlantic Dance), reasonably close proximity to Disney Springs, and a bunch of "higher end" dining options nearby (Bluezoo, Yachtsman, Flying Fish, etc.). Old Key West feels most removed and "resorty" and is closer to Disney Springs.

I second this for sure. We have had a great time at these resorts without our kids. OKW feels like a little Florida town. We had a great time hanging out on the mini boardwalk at night having a drink and listening to the live music. The staff were always so friendly.
Boardwalk has so many great options for adult only fun. I would add in Animal Kingdom Lodge as well, having a savannah to watch is amazing.

 

[igrsod]

Also... not sure if you are staying with the other couple and in a studio??? If that is true, then OKW wins for sure with SSR second. Two real beds is important.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hilton Head But seriously Hilton Head. That time of year the island is almost devoid of tourist children, there are tons of great restaurants.

Since we visit Hilton Head every November, I agree!