Best resort for adults/race weekend

[Boardwalk_bride]

DH and I are planning on doing the runDisney April 2024 events. It will also be our first trip without our daughter (6) - she has been to WDW and last month DLR, so she isn't missing out too much!

We've stayed at a lot of WDW resorts, but am trying to remember which one might be the quietest. We have done mostly DVC rentals (AKV mostly) and have never had an issue. I want to keep this trip low cost, as we will probably go again in 2025 (we got married in Epcot in 2010, so 15 years!). Is Pop relatively quiet? We stayed there on our first trip together, and I remember having noise a couple nights (this was in like 2008). I totally understand families will be there - and I have a child - I'm mostly concerned about noise interrupting sleep prior to the race which has a 3am wake up call.

We can also do a DVC and rent points, I just don't like the lack of cancellation options. TIA!

 

[elvispursley]

I know not necessarily budget-friendly, but when DH and I ran the WDW marathon a few times, we loved staying at the Contemporary. Easy to hop on and take the Epcot monorail from the TTC to the start. Afterwards, it had that HUGE tub for soaking sore muscles after the race.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I know not necessarily budget-friendly, but when DH and I ran the WDW marathon a few times, we loved staying at the Contemporary. Easy to hop on and take the Epcot monorail from the TTC to the start. Afterwards, it had that HUGE tub for soaking sore muscles after the race.

Oh good call on the hot tub! I think the longest race that weekend is 10 miles, so we won’t likely be in sore muscle territory.

I just got an email from one of my Disney blog subscriptions and saw they were ranking value resorts - and Pop did come #1, and noted it is good for adults on their own. So I think we will do that or try and get BWV or BLT with points.

 

[elvispursley]

I definitely think Pop is a good choice (we've never stayed there but it is on my list to try if we decide to go that route, ie take my "frugal" DH )! But alas, I think my race days are long over, as I'm sitting here with a knee with both menisci torn! Good luck on the race (and resort hunting)!

 

[Simba's Mom]

When DH ran the Dopey a few years ago, we stayed at Beach Club Villas and he said that it was the best decision we made. Going to the races, it was a short trip. Then coming back, it was again a short ride, and he got off at the stop before BCV and walked over (good stretch). Plus we had the big jacuzzi tub in the room, and the hot tub outside.

 

[gottalovepluto]

By quiet do you mean like from neighbors? Because those are some thin walls at pop. From neighboring toilets flushing to people walking along any hallway that isn’t ground floor you’re gonna hear it.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

When DH ran the Dopey a few years ago, we stayed at Beach Club Villas and he said that it was the best decision we made. Going to the races, it was a short trip. Then coming back, it was again a short ride, and he got off at the stop before BCV and walked over (good stretch). Plus we had the big jacuzzi tub in the room, and the hot tub outside.

We stayed there when we got married - there was something about it we didn’t live I’m trying to remember/ I think we felt the resort was really big and the main pool was crowded. But it is nice to walk to Epcot.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

By quiet do you mean like from neighbors? Because those are some thin walls at pop. From neighboring toilets flushing to people walking along any hallway that isn’t ground floor you’re gonna hear it.

Are value resorts less sound proof, do you think? I’ve only stayed in pop once, forever a go, and all star something just for one night. We just came back from DLR and stayed at a Hampton inn with thin walls - don’t want that again!

 

[sponica]

Are value resorts less sound proof, do you think? I’ve only stayed in pop once, forever a go, and all star something just for one night. We just came back from DLR and stayed at a Hampton inn with thin walls - don’t want that again!

I don't remember it being super noisy? I do remember the music in the 70s driving me bonkers every time i walked outside.

But I haven't stayed there in over a decade.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I don't remember it being super noisy? I do remember the music in the 70s driving me bonkers every time i walked outside.

But I haven't stayed there in over a decade.

Haha! I think I was 22 when me and my now DH stayed there, so I slept a lot better than now in my late 30s/mom life. I have amazing memories from that trip - but I do recall hearing a lot of noise a couple nights. I don’t remember waking up to any, but again, I slept a lot better those days.
We stayed at WL, BCV, and AKV numerous times, and noise was never an issue. I think buses were an issue at BCV and WL, because they shared, but that was awhile ago now.

I’m thinking I might just book Pop when it opens and try and get a dvc through point rentals at the 6-8 month mark.

I’m assuming AoA isn’t much different?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Are value resorts less sound proof, do you think? I’ve only stayed in pop once, forever a go, and all star something just for one night. We just came back from DLR and stayed at a Hampton inn with thin walls - don’t want that again!

Certainly seemed like it to me. Not that disney has great soundproofing even at deluxes but I would not book a value if I wanted a quiet room.

Swolphin is another option, make sure to add the resort fee if not shown and parking if you’ll have a car to the quote.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Certainly seemed like it to me. Not that disney has great soundproofing even at deluxes but I would not book a value if I wanted a quiet room.

Swolphin is another option, make sure to add the resort fee if not shown and parking if you’ll have a car to the quote.

I’ll look into it. We won’t have a car - flying from Toronto airport.
Do they let you use the airport shuttle? Or is that just the actual Disney hotels?

Looking at food options and other amenities, I’m thinking BWV. Have always wanted to stay there and it’s one that might make more sense without the kiddo.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’ll look into it. We won’t have a car - flying from Toronto airport.
Do they let you use the airport shuttle? Or is that just the actual Disney hotels?

Looking at food options and other amenities, I’m thinking BWV. Have always wanted to stay there and it’s one that might make more sense without the kiddo.

The Disney airport shuttle no longer exists. You will have to pay for transport to WDW no matter where you stay. The cheapest option is Sunshine Flyer or Mears which run buses and operate like Disney’s Magical Express used to except now you pay per person. However if you have a family a XL rideshare might be a similar cost to the shared bus, or you may lean toward a private transport option. Check out the Transportation board here for more info.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

The Disney airport shuttle no longer exists. You will have to pay for transport to WDW no matter where you stay. The cheapest option is Sunshine Flyer or Mears which run buses and operate like Disney’s Magical Express used to except now you pay per person. However if you have a family a XL rideshare might be a similar cost to the shared bus, or you may lean toward a private transport option. Check out the Transportation board here for more info.

What?!?!?!? I didn’t know this. That makes me
So sad. I love arriving in the airport, grabbing a coffee and walking to the Disney shuttle

 

[gottalovepluto]

What?!?!?!? I didn’t know this. That makes me
So sad. I love arriving in the airport, grabbing a coffee and walking to the Disney shuttle

I’m sorry to be the bearer of that bad news. Disney/Mears terminated their partnership and closed Disney’s Magical Express in Jan 2021 and no replacement has been announced or is expected.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I’m sorry to be the bearer of that bad news. Disney/Mears terminated their partnership and closed Disney’s Magical Express in Jan 2021 and no replacement has been announced or is expected.

I haven't been since Feb 2020 and was consumed with planning DLR afterward. At least it is pretty cheap - our LAX to DLR roundtrip was terrifyingly costly.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I haven't been since Feb 2020 and was consumed with planning DLR afterward. At least it is pretty cheap - our LAX to DLR roundtrip was terrifyingly costly.

Oh yeah, that can get straight up nasty. Rideshares are a lot cheaper in FL lol