Best Resort for Leisurely Vacation?

[LindseyLu]

Husband and I are planning a once in a life time, decently long, money doesn't matter (too much) trip to WDW for Feb/Mar 2023.
This, hopefully, won't actually be our only trip ever but it will be our first trip together and his ever trip. I haven't been since 2011 as a teen.
We're planning on staying 14-16 days and getting the 10 day tickets, we want lots of leisure and rest and resort days. We do plan on visiting other resorts, but of course it would be nice to not feel the need to leave the one we're staying in. We can't/don't swim (plus it might be cold), so pools days don't interest us. My first trip was Theme Park View in Contemporary and kinda want to recreate that magical feeling but can't decide if it's worth it or if we should create our own magical memory. We're also interested in maybe doing a split stay!

What are y'all's opinions?

 

[lorenae]

If I could afford it, I’d stay at the Polynesian. Good ambience, fireworks view from the beach, on the monorail, easy access to other restaurants and bars. I haven’t been there since the mid/late 70s, and I’d love to go back!

 

[Marthasor]

If you are staying that long, I would definitely suggest a split stay. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the MK resorts - it just really depends on what type of atmosphere you are looking for. We just did five nights at Villas at Grand Floridian and the rooms there are, IMHO, the nicest on property. At that location, you have the luxury of all of the restaurants and amenities at GF, plus it's a quick walk to Poly if you'd like to dine there. It's a beautiful, quiet resort. If a monorail resort isn't in the budget, I would consider WL for part of your stay. I would split a MK resort with an EP resort - for a couple's stay, my favorite is YC. Again, lovely, quiet resort with quick access to a ton of restaurants and two theme parks. We prefer the water view rooms at YC. If YC isn't in the budget, consider a Deluxe Resort View with Balcony room at the Swan (right next to YC, but owned by Marriott, not Disney). You will get a really comfortable room (most likely with a view of Spaceship Earth) for less than half of the cost of a room at a Disney deluxe.

 

[hhisc16]

I would recommend checking out the DVC resorts.

 

[mrsap]

If you are staying that long, I would definitely suggest a split stay. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the MK resorts - it just really depends on what type of atmosphere you are looking for. We just did five nights at Villas at Grand Floridian and the rooms there are, IMHO, the nicest on property. At that location, you have the luxury of all of the restaurants and amenities at GF, plus it's a quick walk to Poly if you'd like to dine there. It's a beautiful, quiet resort. If a monorail resort isn't in the budget, I would consider WL for part of your stay. I would split a MK resort with an EP resort - for a couple's stay, my favorite is YC. Again, lovely, quiet resort with quick access to a ton of restaurants and two theme parks. We prefer the water view rooms at YC. If YC isn't in the budget, consider a Deluxe Resort View with Balcony room at the Swan (right next to YC, but owned by Marriott, not Disney). You will get a really comfortable room (most likely with a view of Spaceship Earth) for less than half of the cost of a room at a Disney deluxe.

I completely agree with this… I’d recommend The Grand Floridan and any of the EPCOT resorts!! That’s typically what we do for our extended summer trips - you get the best of both worlds!! Enjoy it!!

 

[ucf_knight]

Husband and I are planning a once in a life time, decently long, money doesn't matter (too much) trip to WDW for Feb/Mar 2023.
This, hopefully, won't actually be our only trip ever but it will be our first trip together and his ever trip. I haven't been since 2011 as a teen.
We're planning on staying 14-16 days and getting the 10 day tickets, we want lots of leisure and rest and resort days. We do plan on visiting other resorts, but of course it would be nice to not feel the need to leave the one we're staying in. We can't/don't swim (plus it might be cold), so pools days don't interest us. My first trip was Theme Park View in Contemporary and kinda want to recreate that magical feeling but can't decide if it's worth it or if we should create our own magical memory. We're also interested in maybe doing a split stay!

What are y'all's opinions?

I would also do a split stay. I’d book an Epcot resort to take advantage of the nearby restaurants. The other part of the trip I’d book a cabin at the fort. The fort is the most relaxing resort IMO. Plenty to do and see and only a boat ride to magic and other great resorts for dining/resort hopping.

 

[LindseyLu]

Most of these replies are exactly what I was thinking!
If we do a split stay we'll probably do a monorail resort first then a EP resort for the second half.

Does anyone know how making ADRs will go with a split stay? Will I have two different windows of availability?

 

[mrsap]

Most of these replies are exactly what I was thinking!
If we do a split stay we'll probably do a monorail resort first then a EP resort for the second half.

Does anyone know how making ADRs will go with a split stay? Will I have two different windows of availability?

Yes you will, unfortunately. 60 days from the start of each reservation date.

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

Curious as to why you are going for so long so far in the future. I would rather go for a week once in 2022 and again in 2023 . Yacht club , Poly, Grand Floridian would all be magical!

 

[RanDIZ]

I would definitely do a split stay. AKV/WL. If you’re going to do multiple EP and HS days, I’d consider BWV or BCV for convenience.

 

[2letterwords]

We're doing something very similar in August. We have Yacht Club, AKL, and Poly booked so we can enjoy each park area. While I don't love the different dates for booking dining, we're excited to try different resorts during our extended stay.

 

[limegreenmonorail]

I would do a split stay between Polynesian/Animal Kingdom Lodge/Riviera. AKL is the absolute best for resort days - there's a ton to do there all day long, and the rooms were just refurbished! And the community hall and Simba's Cubhouse are so fun! Riviera is the most gorgeous resort, only a couple of years old so everything's nice and new, and having the Skyliner there is so useful and the coolest form of transportation. Poly is classic, fun, and relaxing and has brand new rooms. Plus easy access to the other monorail resorts is awesome. All 3 have a lot of great resort activities to keep you busy on resort days.

I would not do GF, those rooms have not been refurbished in awhile. Stick with the nice new rooms.

 

[LindseyLu]

Curious as to why you are going for so long so far in the future. I would rather go for a week once in 2022 and again in 2023 . Yacht club , Poly, Grand Floridian would all be magical!

I know this is a silly thought process, but we're wanting to just go all out due to cancelling a previous Dec 2020 plan and we feel it will set us up to be able to do more short/budget trips in the future. We're both very much FOMO people, lol.
And 2023 is just the most convenient for us, we'll be coming into the funds late 2022, and we figure why not for the length because our jobs are 1 week on/1 week off.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

For that long a stay I might want something with a kitchen and laundry, but that's a personal preference!

 

[snikki]

I would do a one bedroom at a dvc resort and do a split stay. One week GFV and one week BCV. Having a living area, kitchen and laundry for that long of a stay would be really nice. If DH wants to sleep in you can go into the kitchen and make some breakfast and watch some tv.

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

I would personally do a week when you are intending and a week at Christmas or Halloween.There was a study done that says your vacation isn’t any more relaxing or memorable after one week . I am always ready to plan my next trip when we leave !!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I didn’t read all the replies (sorry!) but I’d split CR and an Epcot resort (BWI, YC or BC) based on your OP. With such a long stay, resort sort of matters and it sort of doesn’t. So much time to explore! Split a monorail resort and an Epcot resort and you have a little bit of everything.

 

[TJA]

I'd probably split the 14-16 days into 3 resorts. Choose a monorail/MK resort for ease of access to that park. Also choose Epcot resort for ease of access to both Epcot and HS. Then I'd choose AKL for 3-4 nights and simply spend time at that resort and AK park.

Just something to consider is booking a Club Level room at any of those resorts. Our Disney trips always seem to be of a more relaxing vibe when we have the lounge to hang out in for food/drinks.

 

[Leight19]

I would personally do a week when you are intending and a week at Christmas or Halloween.There was a study done that says your vacation isn’t any more relaxing or memorable after one week . I am always ready to plan my next trip when we leave !!

I personally like around 13 day trip. Get 10 day parkhoooer with resort day on arrival, departure, and middle rest days. At this length, I feel I can get everything I want in parks done with time to repeat or retry things if I have to miss. At end of this trip I always feel like I can’t wait to get home so could argue it’s bit long but I’ve never felt like wanted to leave earlier just glad when I got to leave so it’s sweet spot.

Regarding resort to stay I also like idea of split stay with segments to be close to different parks. This may not be for everyone but it makes life so much more relaxing not dealing with transport. If this is not factor for you though and you have car to drive I think renting points for 1 br dvc Savana view would be the most relaxing resort stay on property.

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

A split stay would definitely be amazing ! We stayed at the Yacht club for 5 days and took the boats to HS and walked to Epcot . We drove to Disney Springs and AK. We moved to Grand Floridian for the last few days and took the boats and the monorail to Magic Kingdom for 3 days . We never got on a bus once ! It was awesome! Whatever you decide I’m sure your trip will be magical!!