Best resort for just walking around

[MalkaR]

I know this question sounds strange, but which resort do you recommend for staying at (we'll be there two nights post cruise w/o park tickets, it will be the sabbath for us) and all we can really do is walk around? Are the All-stars the most fun to walk around and see the theming? I'm thinking we may be able to do pin-trading, my kids loved doing that last time, so a gift shop or two would be good too. My other option is renting an off-site condo but I worry that will be boring to be stuck in for 24 hours. Thank you for your opinion!

 

[lala5176]

Any of the resorts are great for just walking around in my opinion. If I had to choose, I’d probably go with port or leans resort. The atmosphere is quiet and beautiful and they have a great pin trading board in the store there. The monorail resorts are a great choice too but definitely a lot busier.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

There are plenty of beautiful resorts for “non park stays”. Not sure if you can swim during your visit.

Deluxe - Animal Kingdom Lodge, for the animals and artwork throughout the resort. Also, great pools. You can walk between Jambo and Kidani easily. Second choice would be Wilderness Lodge. Gorgeous lobby and grounds. You can walk to Fort Wilderness and see the grounds and horses there.

Moderate - Port Orleans Riverside. Beautiful sprawling grounds, great pools. You can walk between Riverside and French Quarter. You can fish at Riverside.

Value - Art of Animation has best theming of the values, and great pool.

All resorts have gift shops! Non park stays are some of our favorites. All of the resorts have plenty to do! You really can’t go wrong.

 

[MooseBucks]

SSR is pretty and big so lots of walking to be done, plus you can walk to DS for pin trading or gonsit by the water there

 

[Amanda999]

I'd go to POR or POFQ, because you can use both resorts' pools (nice walk along river between the 2 hotels), and a nice boat ride to DS. Or FW cabin, if you like a more rustic (and shaded) walk.
I do like walking around the Epcot resorts, and Poly, and CR, and you get to see the fireworks from each of those resorts, but I don't think I could stand being able to see and hear a park and not go in. YMMV.

 

[Hi Pluto]

I'd go to POR or POFQ, because you can use both resorts' pools (nice walk along river between the 2 hotels), and a nice boat ride to DS. Or FW cabin, if you like a more rustic (and shaded) walk.
I do like walking around the Epcot resorts, and Poly, and CR, and you get to see the fireworks from each of those resorts, but I don't think I could stand being able to see and hear a park and not go in. YMMV.

I was going to say the same thing. BC/YC and boardwalk are lovely to walk around, but you have the draw of Epcot that would make me feel like I'm missing out.

I agree with any of the Disney Springs resorts: POR, POFQ, OKW, or SSR. All of them are beautiful to walk around, plus close access to DS which would expand your walking experience.

 

[Madame]

Maybe WL? A quick boatride and you can wander around Fort Wilderness. Would bike rental be a possibility?

 

[mn51]

Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter. You can then walk around two resorts easily, have the choice of two resorts stores near each other and have the boat to Disney Springs.

 

[Babsy]

Best resorts to walk around /no park tickets:

I would exclude the Poly/GF and CR because I would hate to be looking at the MK from my resort and not go in. Also, the price of these resort is inflated due to proximity to the MK, which you would not be taking advantage of.
If that wouldn't bother you, the grounds at the Poly are very nice, plus you can walk to the GF. Watching the fireworks from the Poly beach is fun as well.

Epcot area: I would choose the YC. All rooms have daybeds and balconies. Not as close to Epcot IG. you have Storm along bay pool which can be fun for a relaxing day. You can walk around to the BW and check out the evening activities/buskers over there. Also able to walk to the Swan/Dolphin resorts to walk around and check out their restaurants.

Away from the parks altogether: AKL

The AKL does not have much in the way of grounds because the area around the resort houses the animals. However, dining is phenomenal, the animals are fun to watch, the pools are very nice and the resort is secluded from the parks so you don't feel the need to go to a theme park. Nice gift shop. Lots of activities.

Moderate:

Any except POFQ (small and has almost no amenities). The other moderates are all large with lots of beautiful grounds to walk around. Stay at POR and you have a boat to DS to enjoy. Plus you can walk to POFQ for a change of pace and the beignets. CSR has extra amenities and an awesome pool, if construction is all finished when you go.

Value:

For fun theming, go with AoA or Pop next door. LOTS of room to walk around the two resorts. A nice lake between them, great theming and two food courts.


Use budget and availability to reduce choices, then. look online to see which option appeals to you the most.



FWIW, with no park tickets my choices would be AoA (value), POR (moderate), or YC (deluxe).

have fun choosing!

 

[MalkaR]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I think I might be leaning towards POR. It looks so beautiful. We have five people so a family room would probably be the same price as POR anyway. Is it possible to walk to DS from POR? I asked about taking a scheduled ferry on Saturday and was told it's not allowed. I think that walking around DS would be fun.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I think I might be leaning towards POR. It looks so beautiful. We have five people so a family room would probably be the same price as POR anyway. Is it possible to walk to DS from POR? I asked about taking a scheduled ferry on Saturday and was told it's not allowed. I think that walking around DS would be fun.

No, you cannot walk from POR to DS. There should be boats to DS most of the day, starting around 10 or so. Maybe earlier, but since most of DS doesn't open until 10...

 

[Wayland10]

I think that the only resort in walking distance to DS is Saratoga Springs. Also, not sure how observant your family is, but Old Key West and Saratoga Springs have fewer floors, if elevators aren't an option.

 

[Babsy]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I think I might be leaning towards POR. It looks so beautiful. We have five people so a family room would probably be the same price as POR anyway. Is it possible to walk to DS from POR? I asked about taking a scheduled ferry on Saturday and was told it's not allowed. I think that walking around DS would be fun.

No, you cannot walk from POR to DS. Perhaps staying at CSR would be the better moderate choice if you are not allowed to take the boat. (IDK if it m makes a difference, but the boat is not large like a typical ferry, but is much smaller...) If you do choose CSR, you would not be able to reserve a regular room with 5 people - you would need to look at a suite. For a regular room, you can still opt for a room in POR or in CBR. Both of these have some rooms that sleep 5. At AoA you will need to book there suite, not the standard little Mermaid room. If value is your preferred budget range, then the All Star Music offers some suites that will accommodate 5.

Good luck!

 

[Babsy]

I think that the only resort in walking distance to DS is Saratoga Springs. Also, not sure how observant your family is, but Old Key West and Saratoga Springs have fewer floors, if elevators aren't an option.

Really good point!

I would request a ground floor room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think that the only resort in walking distance to DS is Saratoga Springs. Also, not sure how observant your family is, but Old Key West and Saratoga Springs have fewer floors, if elevators aren't an option.

You can walk to DS from OKW on the path along Trumbo Canal. But it's not lit at night so the path is only good during daylight. SSR has elevators in every building. OKW only has elevators in three buildings. OKW has some three story buildings, too.

SSR has some nice pools that kids like. The Paddock is supposed to be rather fun. As well as the main pool and the Grandstand. Plus you can walk to Disney Springs, both day and night.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I think I might be leaning towards POR. It looks so beautiful. We have five people so a family room would probably be the same price as POR anyway. Is it possible to walk to DS from POR? I asked about taking a scheduled ferry on Saturday and was told it's not allowed. I think that walking around DS would be fun.

There is no way to walk from POR to Disney Springs. You can only get there by car, boat, or bus. You can walk to Disney Springs from Saratoga Springs Resort if you get a preferred room and request congress park.

 

[Amy11401]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I think I might be leaning towards POR. It looks so beautiful. We have five people so a family room would probably be the same price as POR anyway. Is it possible to walk to DS from POR? I asked about taking a scheduled ferry on Saturday and was told it's not allowed. I think that walking around DS would be fun.

Who told you that the boat to DS is not allowed on Saturdays? I am pretty sure you can take it any day but I could be wrong.

Edit-I reread your post....sorry I thought you were saying the ferry would not be running on Saturdays.

 

[Mome Rath]

I know this question sounds strange, but which resort do you recommend for staying at (we'll be there two nights post cruise w/o park tickets, it will be the sabbath for us) and all we can really do is walk around? Are the All-stars the most fun to walk around and see the theming? I'm thinking we may be able to do pin-trading, my kids loved doing that last time, so a gift shop or two would be good too. My other option is renting an off-site condo but I worry that will be boring to be stuck in for 24 hours. Thank you for your opinion!

You can't go wrong with a stroll around POFQ/POR or AoA/Pop. I adore the Port Orleans resorts, but I have to say I enjoy walking around Pop and AoA a tad bit more if I want an all-out Disney fix. If that's what I want, I stay at Pop and walk to AoA, walk the whole lake and the grounds at AoA to see the theming. The food courts and gifts shops in both resorts are fun as well. If I want to relax, I'd do the POFQ/POR walk, and I do like their gift shops. So I'd say it depends on if you want a lot of Disney, or more Southern/Nature scenes.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I suggest you stay at any one of the hotels in Hotel Plaza Blvd and walk around Disney Springs (walking distance from any hotel on Hotel Plaza Blvd.) not only is it cheaper, but you can get suites for the price of a regular hotel room at a value resort in Disney. Your kids will like their own space. There are plenty of dining options within walking distance not only in Disney Springs, but on rte 535 there any many chain restaurants (walking distance from Hotel Plaza Blvd).

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[fhtpdw20]

Should you decide on Port Orleans, make sure you stop by the see Yehaw Bob at the River Rooster. He puts on a terrific family oriented show. There is also carriage rides in the evening around the resorts.