Best Resort for Long Weekend w/o Park Tix at Christmas

[DixieDelights]

I'm trying to figure out what resort would be the most fun in early Dec for a long weekend (thu night - mon morn) without park tickets other than the MVMCP. I'll have 2 kids ages 12 and 9 by then. Any thoughts?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Book your home resort. Early December is the highest demand for DVC bookings and you'll want to lock in your home at 11 months.

I would say probably AKV or Saratoga, though, especially if you get Saratoga preferred and walk to Disney Springs.

 

[DixieDelights]

Book your home resort. Early December is the highest demand for DVC bookings and you'll want to lock in your home at 11 months.

I would say probably AKV or Saratoga, though, especially if you get Saratoga preferred and walk to Disney Springs.

Our homes are Saratoga and Grand Flo. I was thinking Saratoga too though!! We did AKV this year for our xmas trip but we did have park tix.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

VGF is great for Christmas, but you need to book early. I haven't stayed at Saratoga, but we do like Disney Springs.

 

[com_op_2000]

BWV or BCV then do a walking tour of all the resorts around the lake in one afternoon BWV, BC, YC, Swan and Dolphin.
You can do the monorail tour of resorts in about 2 hours if you do not linger, but at GF they have a band playing in the lobby that is a lot of fun to set and listen too.
At FWC, they have evening horse/buggy rides that give you a tour of the campsites and all the decorations that the campers put up.

 

[missycj96]

It depends on how your kids feel about no parks. If they are ok with it, the monorail resorts or epcot resorts are fantastic with lots to do. For me, i find for no park stays it is better to be at a resort where the kids aren't looking at the magic kingdom. Animal kingdom and saratoga are great no parks choices because there is lots to do without being right at a theme park.

 

[chartle]

Fort Wilderness Cabin (?)

 

[Brian Noble]

I would do Saratoga Preferred.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think when you're staying out of the parks, being in visual distance may be a taunt. Personal opinion.

Saratoga gives you really good non-park food access without any taunting.

 

[Brian Noble]

Not just food, but some live entertainment too.

 

[CarolMN]

Another vote for SSR. DS will be decorated for the Holidays and there will be some Holiday activities. Plus, it will be fun to see the new drone show from different spots.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

 

[gdrj]

I'm not a fan of SSR but with the access to Disney Springs I would think that would be a good choice. Really you could make an argument for any of the resorts. On the monorail you can watch Fireworks, enjoy Top of the World, Water parade, plus have access to 3 resorts easily. You can also visit Ft Wilderness fairly easy and WL. AKL of course. I think it really depends on what you plan on doing. Mini Golf in BWV and BCV. Movie theaters and Bowling at Disney Springs. While being at SSR gives you easy access a bus ride (when you aren't trying to get to a park) isn't the worse thing.

 

[OutNChiTown]

I tend to agree with SSR or OKW (unsure that anyone said OKW). SSR offers best reach to DS, but OKW is a simple boat ride away. On top of that, I like the two beds in OKW both being queen beds. Also, if you're at one of the buildings away from the hospitality house, the pools there say they close at 10 or 11 but if you're in the pool and not being loud, they really don't care. I've been in the pool at 2am and the staff swung by and restocked pool towels. Didn't say a word other than hello. I know others have said they experienced the same at SSR.

All in all, I would say either SSR or OKW would be a good non park resort.

 

[DenLo]

I agree with the others do your home resort first. Then at the 7 month mark, I would try to get a monorail resort, BLT, PVB or VGF. Although VGF might be hard to get at the 7 month mark. Not only do you have more dining options along the monorail, there is free entertainmeo snt at both PVB, VGF, Ft. Wilderness (a ferry boat away) and more dining options at Wilderness Lodge. Viewing all of the Christmas decor at these resorts would be a nice entertainment in of itself.

 

[raytheyounger]

I don't own DVC (yet), but we stayed at both AKL and SSR this past year. During our AKL stay, we were at the parks a lot. We took advantage of some of the activities there (mostly on our first day), but there was much we didn't do because of the time we spent at the parks. I remember thinking that it would be a good resort to stay at during a no-park trip. Plus, I've head the Christmas tree at AKL is one of the best at WDW.

Our SSR stay was similar to what you are describing. We were there in September, and we didn't do any parks other than one night for MNSSHP (which we enjoyed). We spent a fair amount of time at Disney Springs and at the SSR Community Hall doing crafts. We also toured other resorts (which was nice, but would have been better with Christmas decorations that will be up when you are there).

Other suggestions given by others sound fun also, but I can't comment from experience. Regardless of where you stay, I'm sure it will be fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm here at GF right now. No parks. My 12 year old has been fine with it. I'm the one locking up the credit card to keep myself from buying tickets lol. And we didn't even do the party.

This stay has been lovely. We want to do it again.


Oh and I booked this studio a month ago. I'd had Poly booked since our 7 month mark and then while checking for bay lake (it's where we own and DH still hasn't stayed there) I saw GF show up and I snagged it.

 

[DizDaD7]

I'm trying to figure out what resort would be the most fun in early Dec for a long weekend (thu night - mon morn) without park tickets other than the MVMCP. I'll have 2 kids ages 12 and 9 by then. Any thoughts?

Id say no brainer here...AKV

Not a worry about bus rides *( Which actually are quite good )here. but the resort here is just a real nice place to enjoy w/out parks.

 

[michelleiada]

If I were going to Disney for a long weekend with no park tickets, I think I would choose either Animal Kingdom Jambo, or Saratoga Springs for proximity to Disney Springs. Animal Kingdom Lodge has such a relaxing, warm and cozy feel to it and you have the enjoyment of watching the beautiful animals.

 

[sleepydog25]

All depends on your priorities with no park tickets. If you want to get out and explore Disney Springs, SSR is an obvious choice. If you want monorail access, then VGF or Poly. If you want to sneak some looks at MK during those few days, nothing wrong with BLT (plus, it has monorail). If your plans are to simply relax and get out occasionally, VWL is gorgeous during the holidays and by next December, most of the new construction should be over. Granted, it's one of the hardest resorts to get into at 7 months, but it's worth a shot.