Best Resort For Resort Only Stay?

[zackiedawg]

As you can see, many resorts will be recommended but without knowing what a 'resort only' stay means to you, ie what you like to do, it's hard to winnow down the choices. If you're all about hanging by the pool, never really wanting to leave your resort, AK Lodge will get a lot of recommendations. If you like resort hopping, those with easy beat or bus or monorail connections to other resorts will get a lot of recommendations. And so on.

For me personally, if I'm not planning to hit any theme parks, I'd stay in Saratoga Springs probably 85% of the time. I'd put Boardwalk #2 for 10% of the time, and then the last 5% could be just about any other resort. My Saratoga choice is based entirely on entertainment options available within an easy walk or boat ride, and access to other resorts for resort hopping. SSR has an astounding food court and restaurant selection, because essentially all of Disney Springs is just a walk away. That also opens up a huge number of bars, live music, and other entertainment. The Disney Springs bus stop gives you access to every single resort property in Disney World. And the boats to Port Orleans give you additional resort access and entertainment like Yehaa Bob.

My home DVC resort if Boardwalk, so obviously I love it - and it has access to a large number of other resorts for food and bars (Beach, Yacht, Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve, Riverside, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century) by boat, walking, or Skyliner. But if I'm not doing parks, being so conveniently close to DHS and Epcot would be a little painful and tempting.

I could also enjoy a non-park stay at Fort Wilderness Cabins. Excellent point value, rent a golf cart to tool around the grounds, great camping/outdoorsy vibe, doing my own barbeque, and boat access to Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary providing additional restaurant options.

 

[act1980]

let us know what you land on! I always love to hear what people land on after threads like this. Happy planning!

I think we're definitely leaning toward AKL. We have AP's but my sister won't have park tickets so where we stay is mostly to benefit her

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

What's the group makeup, season of travel, and are kids or scooters involved? We just did a mostly resort-only stay at Riviera over Thanksgiving and loved it, as always. We don't have little kids in the group anymore, they're now 12, 13, and 14 in our group, but my DH uses a scooter, so transportation when we leave the reservation is a consideration -- not a deal breaker, but something to think about if there is rain and the Skyliner is shut down and we'd have to deal with buses or a Minnie Van.

Just tossing out some things we did that we loved, we had Chef Cali come cook for our group midday for a late lunch on Saturday. (We were in a 2B.) He was awesome, and it was nice having him arrive at 11 a.m. and cook until 2ish. No one had to get up early, and the moms (my sister and I) enjoyed someone cooking for us for a change! We had a great late lunch and then putzed around and watched Epcot fireworks from our balcony with a cocktail.

Most mornings my sister and I were up with the birds, so one morning we walked all around Caribbean Beach area, hit the gift shops, rode the Skyliner to AofA and Pop and checked their stuff out, enjoyed our water as we strolled around. Next day we Skyliner'd over to BW/BC and walked around there and puttered, checking out Cake Bake Shop and decorations.

One morning we bused over to MK and then walked to VGF on the path, met up with my girlfriend who was staying there with her family, window shopped, then walked to Poly and checked out the PIT since my sister hadn't seen it, and then went back to Riviera.

Another day my DH took the tween/teenager girls to DS to shop with the scooter on the bus. They had a ball, and DH was really glad to have the scooter to rest and throw their drinks/bags in. That day was when my sister and I were doing MK/VGF/Poly, and my BIL and son slept in and eventually went to hang at the pool and watch a soccer game with earbuds. BIL said it was the most relaxing day of his life! LOL. He woke up to an almost-empty room, had coffee and breakfast, went to the pool and napped in the sun listening to soccer, had a cocktail.

Our son is 13 and not into the parks right now, so he was happy to play games on his phone (I know, it's a waste, but it's his vacation, too, and I'd rather he happily come on vacation with us than be forced into nonstop togetherness and hate going.)

I will say, VGF and Poly are nice for the walking path, and we enjoy taking the boats over to Fort Wilderness and poking around there and eating at Trail's End fried chicken. We did that one night, all of us, and then did a carriage ride around to see the decorated camp sites.

You can be very busy doing resort-only stays! We did a lot of pool time in there, too, and leisurely starts to the day. My idea of a vacation is not having to RUSH like in everyday life. Even if you stay at Animal Kingdom Jambo/Kidani, for all the awesome reasons cited above, if you're okay with a bus ride to wander around checking out stuff, it's really nice there. We found the buses come CONSTANTLY, too. I think everyone complaining about how far out AKJ/AKK are has WDW freaked out about the griping, because those buses are on POINT. Plus, if you're not rushing to rope drop or make a reservation, where's the fire? You'll get where you need to go quickly.

Also, 2026 has the free water park included again. Don't sleep on that! We had Typhoon Lagoon almost to ourselves like our own private water park. That's "free," and they close so early, it's not a big time commitment.

We found OKW was wonderful, too, for a resort stay. If you have younger kids, IDK if it was just luck or what, but the kids in the pool were really great and fun. Our kids joined the gang and immediately started playing games and racing to do the slide over and over. If you have little kids, Kidani's splash pad is nice, and the CMs do Simba tie-dyed shirts for like $5, which are adorable. Those community halls have some fun souvenirs to make! I'm always bummed we're too busy to do things in there.

 

[DizDaD7]

Help please

I agree, as others have stated already. Kind of depends on your type of theming, or group sizes/ages perhaps too, But with all that being generic, I also would choose AKL/V. From the moment you step on property, it gives you somewhat a Disney feel, but you do get transported to a different place for sure. The theming is next level, the grounds are beautiful, to some of the Best CM's out of any on property. Who not only just say good morning and move on. They actually engage in conversation, and are proud to give you a piece of their culture , which is so refreshing. They also have 2 of the nicest pools as well w/ well equipped pool bars. And the best of all is that they have not just 1, but 4 GREAT restaurants. From the QS Mara to the higher end Jiko, the unique Sanaa, and the Best all around Buffet (* If you can call it that) Boma... Each different but equally Awesome. And top it off with having a Savannah right outside your balcony, or just off some common areas, if you didn't want to splurge for the extra $$$... Any how that would be my top choice.

Now for my backup plan, Perfect for a staycation indeed. SO much to do and see here honestly... Keep in mind If you do go this route, rent yourself a golf cart well in advance. That's the perfect way to get around the campground...

Either route you go, I'm sure you'll not be disappointed..

 

[Budzooka]

Aulani

 

[Girlstar30]

Team animal kingdom and boardwalk is where id want to be

 

[Cfabar1]

A few that come to mind, all for different reasons:

Grand Floridian - great dining variety, sprawling resort, and if you’re in the villas building, very relaxing. You can monorail to other resorts and walk to Poly for more dining options.

Animal Kingdom - pools, dining, uniqueness

Old Key West/SSR very relaxing true “home away from home” resorts

BRV/CCV - nice walking trail, beautiful theming

BWV/BCV - nice nightlife, lots to enjoy, great dining - BCV pool can be quite quiet

RIV - beautiful property, good dining, walkable to CBR for Sebastians. Can skyline to explore a couple value resorts, very peaceful atmosphere - very few resort walkers.

Resorts I would NOT recommend - Polynesian - too busy, BLT - trapped in a tower

 

[act1980]

Thanks again for the replies, there are so many great resorts to choose from aren't there! I think we are definitely swaying towards AKL, probably more Kidani due to the refurb.

Would like to try OKW but I'm not sure when the refurb is starting and would prefer a newer room so will wait for that.

 

[Moonspinner]

SSR

 

[DizDaD7]

SSR

Hmm, curious to why you think so? Not opposed but just wondering??? Seeing how this is our Home resort.

 

[Moonspinner]

Hmm, curious to why you think so? Not opposed but just wondering??? Seeing how this is our Home resort.

~very relaxing resort/lots of green space/golf course views
~lots of walking/jogging paths (we like to walk)
~awesome gym
~boat rides are fun
~great pools/usually not overcrowded
~great quick service (a lot of people don’t like it but we love it). Poolside quick service great too.
~ceramics at community hall (only a couple of resorts have this)
~Disney springs! Restaurants, shopping, coffee, people watching. Movie theater there too.
~love being able to park right at our room/easy to un/pack car
~room refurbs are lovely
~great point chart

 

[ShaneDJ]

RIV.