Best resort for resort-only trip?

[Aela]

My thought is that if you want a “Disney” trip without going into the parks you can accomplish that via the resorts. However if you decide to stay off-site, why pay for Orlando, when you can get general resort hotels anywhere.

also Swan/Dolphin offer late access of deluxe resorts for the Epcot/MK event that happens once a week. It is definitely worth it to schedule park days around that.

 

[Anthony1971]

AKL has the best immersive offering also a lot of activities. The pool at Jambo is great for younger kids if they become more adventurous Kidani has a much better slide as well as a really nice water play area. You can in fact see fireworks however it would only be from a small amount of rooms. DS is about a 10 minute bus ride once your on the bus so not horrible for a lot of Dining choices. if Dining is most important Saratoga is also a good choice the pools are nice you can also see some fireworks from Paddock pool. You would also be about 10 minutes from both MK and AK. If fireworks is your most important the best I can say is there is nothing better than being in the pool at the Poly it has an amazing view of the MK fireworks.

 

[lanejudy]

Do you have a deluxe budget or a value budget? One of the challenges may be with your family size. Some of the WDW resorts previously mentioned only allow 4 in a room (or 5 if 1 child is under age 3) so you would need 2 rooms and connecting is not guaranteed. There are "family suites" at a couple of value resorts (Art of Animation and All Star Music), the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or a DVC villa if that is in your price range.

But I agree with others that with your size group and ages, I would go offsite or even a different destination for a resort-only vacation.

 

[Bostonjetset]

Part of the reason Disney hotels charge a premium is proximity to the parks. However, none of their hotels is closest to every park. Orlando is such a large tourist destination due to both Universal & Disney that you will be able to find a number of excellent places to stay for far less then Disney charges.

If OP’s desire is the “relax in the magic” as s/he put it, I am not sure an off property hotel would fit the bill (other than perhaps one of Universal’s hotels). If they don’t want to go to the parks but want Disney “magic” it makes sense for them to stay on Disney property. Otherwise why go to Orlando at all? There are zillions of places around the world to travel to and stay in nice hotels; Orlando, outside of Disney/Universal, is not anyplace particularly interesting IMO.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

My thought is that if you want a “Disney” trip without going into the parks you can accomplish that via the resorts. However if you decide to stay off-site, why pay for Orlando, when you can get general resort hotels anywhere.

also Swan/Dolphin offer late access of deluxe resorts for the Epcot/MK event that happens once a week. It is definitely worth it to schedule park days around that.

I'll check out Swan/Dolphin. Thank you

 

[PoohBearFamily]

AKL has the best immersive offering also a lot of activities. The pool at Jambo is great for younger kids if they become more adventurous Kidani has a much better slide as well as a really nice water play area. You can in fact see fireworks however it would only be from a small amount of rooms. DS is about a 10 minute bus ride once your on the bus so not horrible for a lot of Dining choices. if Dining is most important Saratoga is also a good choice the pools are nice you can also see some fireworks from Paddock pool. You would also be about 10 minutes from both MK and AK. If fireworks is your most important the best I can say is there is nothing better than being in the pool at the Poly it has an amazing view of the MK fireworks.

Saratoga sounds lovely, will look there!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Do you have a deluxe budget or a value budget? One of the challenges may be with your family size. Some of the WDW resorts previously mentioned only allow 4 in a room (or 5 if 1 child is under age 3) so you would need 2 rooms and connecting is not guaranteed. There are "family suites" at a couple of value resorts (Art of Animation and All Star Music), the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or a DVC villa if that is in your price range.

But I agree with others that with your size group and ages, I would go offsite or even a different destination for a resort-only vacation.

We can do deluxe but I'd rather do moderate if possible so we can swing a day or two at MK. Love the look of art of animation!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

If OP’s desire is the “relax in the magic” as s/he put it, I am not sure an off property hotel would fit the bill (other than perhaps one of Universal’s hotels). If they don’t want to go to the parks but want Disney “magic” it makes sense for them to stay on Disney property. Otherwise why go to Orlando at all? There are zillions of places around the world to travel to and stay in nice hotels; Orlando, outside of Disney/Universal, is not anyplace particularly interesting IMO.

We want to stay in the magic, but relax for 50-75% of trip. Since we have such little kids who have never done amusement parks, I was thinking one or two days max at MK. The other 4-5 days relax at resort and enjoy the pools/fireworks/dining options around WDW resorts and Disney springs

 

[Aela]

We want to stay in the magic, but relax for 50-75% of trip. Since we have such little kids who have never done amusement parks, I was thinking one or two days max at MK. The other 4-5 days relax at resort and enjoy the pools/fireworks/dining options around WDW resorts and Disney springs

Keep in mind you can book Swan/Dolphin directly with Marriott. So if Disney’s site shows none available, they might still be.

 

[_19disnA]

The OP did say they plan to do a couple of Disney park days so that is why we are offering Orlando area alternatives.

 

[SwanVT2]

Since you are looking at moderate pricing I would explore the dolphin or port orleans riverside. At port orleans you can use the pool at riverside or the pool with the dragon slide at port orleans French quarter. Riverside has rooms for 5 people.
You can try out each food court or the sit down restaurant at riverside. You can take the boat to Disney springs. The setting is very relaxing and you have quiet pools to use too.

 

[rotlex]

I guess it really depends on what you are looking for, but we LOVE the Wilderness Lodge if not even visiting the parks. It's location is secluded enough to feel like your not even at WDW. The lobby, grounds, pool etc. stand alone as simply breathtaking. If you need that little bit of Disney Magic, you're a boat ride away from the MK entrance, the Poly and the GF. Love it! Darn it, now I want to go......

 

[flav]

Art of Animation looks really fun. So does Port Orleans!

When you say travel to other resorts, do you mean that you can use amenities at other resorts or that you can dine on property?

Dine, snack, drink, shop, play arcades, stroll or run. I do not know if you have to stay at a resort to do the entertainment activities like campfire, movie night or tie dye. No pool hopping allowed though.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Animal Kingdom Lodge for a short trip.

For a longer trip, I'd do an Epcot resort, a monorail resort, Saratoga Springs, or Caribbean Beach for easy access to more dining variety.

 

[eandt]

We can do deluxe but I'd rather do moderate if possible so we can swing a day or two at MK. Love the look of art of animation!

If you are pretty concrete on your dates look at the rental board here and consider renting DVC points for your stay. Deluxe villas for moderate (sometimes less) prices. Also check out the ticket discount threads here for savings , we have used the one with the frog and they are great to work with and reputable (not sure if mentioning their name here is allowed)

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Since you are looking at moderate pricing I would explore the dolphin or port orleans riverside. At port orleans you can use the pool at riverside or the pool with the dragon slide at port orleans French quarter. Riverside has rooms for 5 people.
You can try out each food court or the sit down restaurant at riverside. You can take the boat to Disney springs. The setting is very relaxing and you have quiet pools to use too.

I'll look at port Orleans Riverside, that sounds really nice. Thanks!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Dine, snack, drink, shop, play arcades, stroll or run. I do not know if you have to stay at a resort to do the entertainment activities like campfire, movie night or tie dye. No pool hopping allowed though.

Ok that's good to know, thanks!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Animal Kingdom Lodge for a short trip.

For a longer trip, I'd do an Epcot resort, a monorail resort, Saratoga Springs, or Caribbean Beach for easy access to more dining variety.

I'll look at those, being on the monorail sounds good! And Animal Kingdom Lodge looks wonderful

 

[PoohBearFamily]

If you are pretty concrete on your dates look at the rental board here and consider renting DVC points for your stay. Deluxe villas for moderate (sometimes less) prices. Also check out the ticket discount threads here for savings , we have used the one with the frog and they are great to work with and reputable (not sure if mentioning their name here is allowed)

Oo ok I'll look at that! Thanks

 

[CarolynFH]

Also check out the ticket discount threads here for savings , we have used the one with the frog and they are great to work with and reputable (not sure if mentioning their name here is allowed)

DISboards now has a partnership with Undercover Tourist - https://www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/walt-disney-world-resort/?pid=dis-savings