Best Resort for Adult/Couple stay in Walt Disney World around July - limited time in the parks?

[jourknee2master]

Looking to spend July 4th weekend in Walt Disney World to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We are in our mid-late 20's and will be traveling alone. As annual pass holders, we are lax on going in to the parks, and are looking for a resort to stay in and enjoy. I was looking at the contemporary or grand Floridian since we have stayed at neither now that renovations to the rooms are done but open to recommendations.

 

[dcassetta]

I think a Theme Park View at the Contemporary would be great for a 4th of July trip. Magic Kingdom will do special fireworks on both the 3rd and 4th.

 

[bakerworld]

The Contemporary gives fireworks views. I think the sound is piped in if of the viewing area. We love the Polynesian and they play the music so you can stand by the water and watch the fireworks, enjoying the whole experience without being sardined in MK, caroled behind a rope.

 

[BlueGreen5]

Looking to spend July 4th weekend in Walt Disney World to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We are in our mid-late 20's and will be traveling alone. As annual pass holders, we are lax on going in to the parks, and are looking for a resort to stay in and enjoy. I was looking at the contemporary or grand Floridian since we have stayed at neither now that renovations to the rooms are done but open to recommendations.

For two adults, my vote would be the Riviera. You are going to get access to a lot on-resort, plus additional access to the skyliner to expand your options beyond your resort (Boardwalk area to the west, which is great for 20-somethings night life, or the Value+ resorts to the south), plus you can walk to Caribbean Beach Resort for even more options. No notable construction going on in the area except on the Boardwalk resort itself and on and around the Cake Bake Shop (formerly ESPN Club). None of that would impact a stay at the Riviera in any meaningful way.

The Boardwalk and Beach/Yacht Club are all fantastic, but probably a bit underwhelming as far as non-park options go.

The Grand Floridian would be nice. There could be significant lobby construction going on in July (WDW is issuing warnings, but no one knows any details...) plus you'll also see and hear the Polynesian tower construction (see below). You're also paying a premium for being close to Magic Kingdom and, if that's not a value to you, you may be wasting money a bit. Otherwise, pretty much all of the benefits I listed for the Riviera would be equally applicable here - lots of options (but nothing truly in walking distance -- it would be a heck of a walk to Contemporary, and that would be the closest resort within a possible walk). Cool to watch the fireworks from the north part of the resort.

The Polynesian would also be nice. Again, lots of on-resort and accessible options (but, nothing within walking distance due to construction). In July, you are going to see a lot of construction on and around the new tower going up. Fantastic pool and pool area. Cool to watch the fireworks from the beach area. Definitely top of list once construction ends.

Saratoga Springs might be an unconventional suggestion if Disney Springs is more your thing. It's nice to be able to walk on over there and not have to schlep it over on a bus. Lots of good on-resort options there too, but you are bussing/ubering anywhere other than the resort or Disney Springs. In that context, Animal Kingdom has similar benefits, just a much larger and more immersive resort but no direct walk anywhere.

This is just my (controversial) opinion: the Contemporary would be the lowest on my list. I feel like everything it does, something else does better. We never find ourselves venturing over to the Contemporary for its amenities. Perhaps Steakhouse 71 or Chef Mickey's (depending on the crowd we are with) from time to time, but neither of those are going to sell me on staying there. YMMV, though, and that's what makes the world go around!

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[kylenne]

I would go with Poly for a young adult couple that weekend. The monorail resorts will have prime viewing for the MK fireworks, which is a totally different show than normal, and Poly and GF both restrict access to the best viewing areas to guests of the resort--imo the July 4th fireworks are best viewed from outside MK, because you can't really see the giant perimeter bursts from inside the park. Typically they have special treats and activities for it at Poly and GF well. If you do want to spend a bit of time at MK or Epcot, you have easy access to both that will not be impeded by summer storms, more so at Poly since you can catch the Epcot monorail direct with a 5 minute walk next door to the TTC. Trader Sam's is much easier to get into as a guest since you can easily check to see if the list is open early, vs people who have to travel there. And you also have easy access to great dining around the monorail loop which will not be inaccessible because of weather. Poly is honestly a great resort for an adult couple all around, it's our resort of choice.

For two adults, my vote would be the Riviera. You are going to get access to a lot on-resort, plus additional access to the skyliner to expand your options beyond your resort (Boardwalk area to the west, which is great for 20-somethings night life, or the Value+ resorts to the south), plus you can walk to Caribbean Beach Resort for even more options. No notable construction going on in the area except on the Boardwalk resort itself and on and around the Cake Bake Shop (formerly ESPN Club). None of that would impact a stay at the Riviera in any meaningful way.

The Boardwalk and Beach/Yacht Club are all fantastic, but probably a bit underwhelming as far as non-park options go.

The Grand Floridian would be nice. There could be significant lobby construction going on in July (WDW is issuing warnings, but no one knows any details...) plus you'll also see and hear the Polynesian tower construction (see below). You're also paying a premium for being close to Magic Kingdom and, if that's not a value to you, you may be wasting money a bit. Otherwise, pretty much all of the benefits I listed for the Riviera would be equally applicable here - lots of options (but nothing truly in walking distance -- it would be a heck of a walk to Contemporary, and that would be the closest resort within a possible walk). Cool to watch the fireworks from the north part of the resort.

The Polynesian would also be nice. Again, lots of on-resort and accessible options (but, nothing within walking distance due to construction). In July, you are going to see a lot of construction on and around the new tower going up. Fantastic pool and pool area. Cool to watch the fireworks from the beach area. Definitely top of list once construction ends.

Poly construction impact is massively overblown on these boards from experience, the only real impact to guests is the closure of the walkway to GF, which is still very easily accessible via monorail and resort launch. Unless you're looking dead at it, you would have no idea they were building anything from the other side of the resort. Avoiding the adjacent longhouses is very easily done by booking the existing DVC studios (all 3 are on the total opposite side from the site) or water view on the cash side and requesting Samoa. We spent 8 days in a water view room in Samoa last June with significant resort time between long breaks and entire pool days, and were not at all bothered by noise. Other more recent guests have similar reports. For a summer trip, I would be much more concerned about Skyliner outages; I went down on for July 4th weekend back in 2021, to catch the return of HEA after covid, and the Skyliner was down for several hours due to weather.

 

[BlueGreen5]

For a summer trip, I would be much more concerned about Skyliner outages; I went down on for July 4th weekend back in 2021, to catch the return of HEA after covid, and the Skyliner was down for several hours due to weather.

Point well taken. If the weather is nasty, there are two other resorts you could visit from the Polynesian/Grand Floridian/Contemporary and remain completely dry. On the other hand, you're probably not leaving the Riviera if that's the case.

I have to imagine that the boat launches and skyliners operate on the exact same weather-related rules. But, to my knowledge, the only time the monorail shuts down is in a hurricane. So, advantage definitely goes to the monorail, even if it will be hot and nasty with all the soaked bodies cramming into it in a storm lol.

We've never been there for the 4th. I hear it's incredible and I hope OP has a wonderful time! Really good insight about fireworks viewing restrictions for resort guests! You've sold me on staying at the Polynesian for the 4th!

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Gran Destino Tower at Coronado!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Gran Destino Tower at Coronado!

I love GDT but would skip it for a resort stay if GF/CR are in the budget. The main pool (where the bar is) can be kid nuts when busy and there is only one hot tub.

Between GF & CR with a focus on Resort feeling vibe I’d pick GF. Pretty grounds for wandering, dining variety, 2 pool options both with bars!

 

[PurpleHaze]

Don't intend to hi-jack the thread, but my wife and I are in a very similar situation as the OP except we are looking at a later weekend in July and we are about 30 years older. What are peoples thoughts on Wilderness Lodge? We are looking for a good pool and place to get a few drinks mainly.

 

[Dave006]

What are peoples thoughts on Wilderness Lodge? We are looking for a good pool and place to get a few drinks mainly.

The WL is a great resort to just relax but still very near everything that WDW has to offer. Copper Creek Springs (feature pool with small slide) can be busy with children enjoying activities in the afternoon. When it ramps up you can move to Boulder Ridge Cove pool and Geyser Point and it's walk-up window for drinks and great food options is just steps away.

Dave

 

[BlueGreen5]

Don't intend to hi-jack the thread, but my wife and I are in a very similar situation as the OP except we are looking at a later weekend in July and we are about 30 years older. What are peoples thoughts on Wilderness Lodge? We are looking for a good pool and place to get a few drinks mainly.

We loved the Wilderness Lodge when we stayed there a few years ago. It's beautiful, open, and calming. Two or three drawbacks:

The pool and the bar are not as close in proximity as is the case at many of the other deluxes. You need to leave the pool area and walk past the spa building.

The only transport to the Magic Kingdom, other than the bus, is by boat. If you get normal July weather, there may be periods during which the boats aren't running. The busses will still run, but a major benefit of most of the deluxes is non-bus transport to one or more parks.

The feature pool is not zero-depth entry, like many of the deluxes. The quiet pool (which is relatively big for a quiet pool; it's more like a quiet pool plus) does have zero-depth entry. Maybe this matters, maybe it doesn't.

With that said, we would stay there again. The beauty of the hotel, and cost relative to other Magic Kingdom area resorts outweighs those minor drawbacks, IMO. There's not much more "magical" than getting on a boat at the end of the day and being taken past the Contemporary, through some quiet wooded areas back to your resort.

 

[JimmyBean42]

Gran Destino Tower at Coronado!

Was thinking the same thing, mainly because I just returned from a trip there this week. I thought it would be a great spot to bring back my significant other too for a quick trip but maybe not the little ones, as they like the hotels with more "Disney" to the theme.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Four seasons wdw would be my choice. And totally worth the money if its no problem for you. But, if you don't count that as propert > I would probably go with with the YC/BC or BCV. Due to resturants locations nearby weather in resort area of the 5 hotels or counting epcot since you have an AP. You could go over and eat and return without too much hassel. Also if you like to hang at bars there are several in the hotels worth checking out. Then there is SAB and the grounds are beauitful. As an adult that would be my choice.

 

[Marthasor]

Don't intend to hi-jack the thread, but my wife and I are in a very similar situation as the OP except we are looking at a later weekend in July and we are about 30 years older. What are peoples thoughts on Wilderness Lodge? We are looking for a good pool and place to get a few drinks mainly.

WL is great, but the pool isn't stellar. If you want a good pool and a place to get drinks, I would stay in the EP area - YC, BC, BWI or even Swan/Dolphin.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Don't intend to hi-jack the thread, but my wife and I are in a very similar situation as the OP except we are looking at a later weekend in July and we are about 30 years older. What are peoples thoughts on Wilderness Lodge? We are looking for a good pool and place to get a few drinks mainly.

What are your alternatives? Like do you want to be at Disney? Are you considering other Disney resorts? It’s hard to compare pools and drinks when we don’t know what we’re comparing too.

My favorite resort for simply a good pool and drinks day is actually Sapphire Falls at Orlando. I have gone there before my Disney trips literally to just detox from life, didn’t even hit UOR parks. Large pool, hot tub right by the bar, and after I’m done pooling I can take a boat to Universal City Walk and have tons of food options. Far superior to Disney’s offerings when I’m not looking to go to a Disney park.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We really like the Hyatt grand cypress for pool, restaurants and bars.