Best resort for a non-Disney park stay?

[tink1969]

Hi everyone.
I woud really appreciate some opinions on which resort would be best suited for a 10 and 14 year old for our next trip where we plan on NOT visiting any Disney parks.
We just want a relaxing week but still need activities to keep our kids occupied. Especially the 10 year old. Our 14 year old is content reading books by the pool and listening to her iPod. My 10 year old DD is very active and will need some activities to burn some energy.
I love OKW but don't think it's what I'm looking for in our next trip.
Any suggestions?

 

[ldo]

I might stay at AKV--here is what my DD (9) likes to do:
pools--you can use both kidani and jambo house
cookie decorating-bomas everday @1pm
animal encounter--make food items for the animals
bead activities--kids get a sheet with bead activities--and they get an african bead for each one--mini scavenger hunt, talk to counselor about africa, etc.
lots of other 30 minute-1hr long activities at AKV
night-time pool movies
ceramics (only on certain days--cost $, but you kids get something to keep).
community hall (AKV is our favorite)--lots of free little crafts, sun catchers, etc. and many for under $5 (color a tote bag, coffe mug, etc.). DD will color and do crafts for hours. There is a nice balcony that you can read/have coffee/ watch animals while she is busy. Tons of ps3 and wii games, also.

Not specific to AKV, but we also like to go over to Ft Wilderness: rent bikes for the day (or take your roller blades), go HB riding ($50 or so), Archery--sort of hard for a 10 yr old--great for the 14 yr old ($25 thur-sat), rent fishing poles/bait, chip and dale sing-a-long 365 days (we take hot dogs and roast our dinner, then Marshmellows after), they show 2 outdoor movies in the summer everynight.

 

[tink1969]

I might stay at AKV--here is what my DD (9) likes to do:
pools--you can use both kidani and jambo house
cookie decorating-bomas everday @1pm
animal encounter--make food items for the animals
bead activities--kids get a sheet with bead activities--and they get an african bead for each one--mini scavenger hunt, talk to counselor about africa, etc.
lots of other 30 minute-1hr long activities at AKV
night-time pool movies
ceramics (only on certain days--cost $, but you kids get something to keep).
community hall (AKV is our favorite)--lots of free little crafts, sun catchers, etc. and many for under $5 (color a tote bag, coffe mug, etc.). DD will color and do crafts for hours. There is a nice balcony that you can read/have coffee/ watch animals while she is busy. Tons of ps3 and wii games, also.

Not specific to AKV, but we also like to go over to Ft Wilderness: rent bikes for the day (or take your roller blades), go HB riding ($50 or so), Archery--sort of hard for a 10 yr old--great for the 14 yr old ($25 thur-sat), rent fishing poles/bait, chip and dale sing-a-long 365 days (we take hot dogs and roast our dinner, then Marshmellows after), they show 2 outdoor movies in the summer everynight.

OMG....I didn't even think of AKV. My DD10 would absolutely LOVE it! She is destined to be a zookeeper herself.....thanks!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I second the vote for AKV. It's so quiet and the animals are right there for you if you need them.

BLT would be too close and too much of a temptation to hit the parks (but you would get to watch the fireworks each night).

 

[Dean]

Agree that AKV is a great choice. One might consider BCV or BWV for the pool and other activities there or SSR for the proximity to DD and pools there.

 

[JBx3]

I also agree that the set back kind of secluded AKV is the best choice, especially becuase you can rotate everything between Kidani and Jambo.

But for a non-park resort choice, if you never tried HHI, please look into it.

We had your same thoughts last year after feeling we really killed the parks after 3 years in a row, twice a year, so we tried HHI, and bought a re-sale after our very first trip to Hilton Head. However, with kids involved i would pick peak or shoulder seasons only for HHI activities, maybe March thru October or so.

 

[TisBit]

I think some of it would depend on exactly what I was looking to do while at the resorts. There are the activities at AKV and you also have SSR. If I had a car and planned on going into town or doing some off site stuff, I would pick SSR, it is much easier to get to the Interstate area's, you have all of DTD, the community hall, pools, etc.

Also, with being so close to DTD, you can easily get resort to resort transportation straight from DTD, so you can catch a bus to AKV if you want to visit animals, or to the boardwalk, etc.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

tink, we booked AKL for our two days before our March 2012 cruise for just this reason. A simple stay within the resort with no parks. AKL in my opinion is the best choice ... Pool and Critters, plus great dining.

 

[Crystal_27]

If I wasn't planning on going to the parks, I'd opt for AKV in a heartbeat. Happy planning!

 

[DVCconvert]

You might wish to consider Vero Beach.

 

[a742246]

I would say SSR would be the best. It is close to DTD an easy walk.
You have multiple pools. Access to free boats to PO or OKW. Alot of walkways. Movie theatres. Disney Quest. Alot of free nighttime entertainment. And the best fitness room. I believe for a week long vacation with no theme parks your daughters may find this the best.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It sounds like AKV is definitely the best choice for you. The pool play area and the story hours over at Jambo are great too.

 

[dzorn]

We stayed at BC and it was nice. Great pool, movies on the beach. Could seee the higher EPCOT fireworks, go over to BW and see the activities at night. We also pool hopped to the Poly one night and watched the fireworks from there.

We could easily spend time at AKV without visiting a park.

Denise in MI

 

[tink1969]

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I'm leaning towards AKV however, we may opt to just go to Vero Beach. My girls have never been to a beach resort before!

 

[Dean]

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I'm leaning towards AKV however, we may opt to just go to Vero Beach. My girls have never been to a beach resort before!

There are no bad options but VB and OKW may be two of the lower tier if they want activity. I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless.

 

[ldo]

what time of year are you going? If it is May-Sept, hilton head is really great and there are a TON of activities. Summer is great, also, but very hard to get at 7 months--be on the phone right at opening and start a waitlist right away. We went last summer and my kids 9 and 13 loved it---tons to do for kids--full activities staff, in addition to the beach. It is very fun to rent bikes for the week and bike all around--despite having 5 bikes in the garage, HHI, OKW and Ft. Wilderness are the only places we bike all year!

 

[disneychic]

I agree with those who said AKV

 

[dizzneebabe]

I'm a BIG fan of HHI, Vero and AKV! HHI will be hard to get into during the summer months, however. We've gone 2x using the cash discount. Just stayed at Vero in March for 3 days before WDW and loved it, too! Very relaxing, nice pool and staff.

If you're set on a WDW resort, then AKV can't be beat!

 

[FireDonald2]

AKV is our home resort and my family love's it. There are so many actiities to do there, in my opion it would be the best resort to stay at if you are not visting any of the parks.

 

[Cee]

For our non-park trips, we prefer OKW and SSR because of the easy access to DTD. Enjoy!