Best Resort if you don't plan to do parks

[5mouseketeersforus]

We have an 8 day bounceback booked for POR (loved it) in Sept but plans may be changing so that DH just goes down with the older kids (12, 9 & 7). They have 2 days left of no-expire park tickets and would probably not buy any more for this trip. That leaves 6 days of exploring the resort & DTD as well as waterparks.

There is so much to do at the resorts - but given the kids ages, which resort would you recommend as the best one for just hanging out & keeping busy. Can be a mod or deluxe.

TIA!!

 

[mickeynut1]

It it were me, I'd go with the Poly. The volcano pool is awesome, the rooms are large and spacious with all rooms having a daybed, Captain Cooks is great for quick meals & snacks, and it's convenient to the CR and GF for dining, shopping, or just visiting. Plus the beach is a great place to watch the fireworks with a short walk back to the room afterwards or you can watch them from the pool while swimming.

 

[kkmauch]

I think I would consider SSR or YC/BC.

SSR has a great main pool and is walking distance to DTD for shopping, dining and Disney Quest. It also offers the option of riding the boat over. It is also on a golf course if that would be of any interest.

YC/BC has it's own waterpark which may be nice for the days you don't use waterpark passes. It is also close to boardwalk which can be nice to walk around and entertain yourself. In addition it has the best marina (imho) for renting boats to take out for fun (mice or pontoons or whatever!).

 

[Sue M]

I would consider AKL. Lots of activities, animals, good dining. Plus it would kill me to be near or in sight of a park and not be able to go in!

 

[Wood Nymph]

OKW might be a good option if you want to go to DTD. They have a boat.
And it would probably kill me to be at BC/YC and not be able to walk into Epcot.

 

[DanenRox]

Funny! Aren't these nice problems to have?
I just wrote a whole big thing this AM about an what I consider an underrated resort PERFECT for a non-theme park vacation. Let me see if I can link it...
no. I guess not. Anyway, it's in this category (Disney Resorts) and it's titled "So, I guess I'm a camper now". It's about Ft Wilderness.

 

[DanenRox]

AND I didn't even talk about the campfires, kid's camps, horse rides etc... I don't know anything about the kid's camps except one day, while laying on the beach, I saw all these cute little kids first having relay races then boarding a pirate boat with some very animated, high energy CM's. Off the boat went and I didn't see it come back. I'm sure it did (eventually). The kid's seemed to be having a blast.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Funny! Aren't these nice problems to have?
I just wrote a whole big thing this AM about an what I consider an underrated resort PERFECT for a non-theme park vacation. Let me see if I can link it...
no. I guess not. Anyway, it's in this category (Disney Resorts) and it's titled "So, I guess I'm a camper now". It's about Ft Wilderness.

That is an excellent suggestion!

Here is how to link your thread:

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So, I guess I'm a camper now

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and you should get this:

So, I guess I'm a camper now

the secret code will look like this [URL="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3084235"]So, I guess I'm a camper now[/URL]


ETA: This doesn't work if you are using an iPhone or iPad. It doesn't show the codes.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would consider AKL. Lots of activities, animals, good dining. Plus it would kill me to be near or in sight of a park and not be able to go in!

I definitely agree here. Quite often, after a week at another resort, I'll book an additional couple days at AKL just to rest and enjoy the resort. So many wonderful activities right there.

 

[Tink415]

We have an 8 day bounceback booked for POR (loved it) in Sept but plans may be changing so that DH just goes down with the older kids (12, 9 & 7). They have 2 days left of no-expire park tickets and would probably not buy any more for this trip. That leaves 6 days of exploring the resort & DTD as well as waterparks.

There is so much to do at the resorts - but given the kids ages, which resort would you recommend as the best one for just hanging out & keeping busy. Can be a mod or deluxe.

TIA!!

I'd go with the resort that has the pool that most appeals to your family. Sept is still hot so a nice pool will come in handy. POR might be a good choice as there are many pools, bike and boat rentals, boat to DTD, fun show in the lounge, great food court, nice playground, and other activities like fishing, pirate cruise and other things on the daily schedule.

Your family could spend time exploring other resorts, have lunch or dinner there and participate in most recreation besides swimming. We enjoy renting boats or bikes at different resorts along with getting a meal. FW is great for a day or evening visit. Its fun to rent a golf cart and explore the campground, go on a trail ride, to the campfire, etc. AKL has lots of fun activities too. There's also mini golf and as you said, water parks and DTD.

If you did choose a DVC resort, there is community hall with games and video rentals.

 

[sweetcreams]

We just stayed at CBR in December and there was lots to do. The pirate pool was awesome (my kids rode the slide at least 40 times each). They have activities around the pool starting in the afternoon (dance party, scavenger hunt, games), then a campfire with marshmallows and a movie at night. There are several quiet pools, beaches, hammocks, and a very large playground. I saw volleyball nets and a marina to rent small motor boats and canoes, and a pirate cruise leaves from there. I believe you can also rent bikes. The only thing that would prevent me from staying here a whole week is the smaller beds. DH and I share with the kids, and they only have double beds. Have you considered a split stay? Since you don't have to worry about the issue of park tickets and DDP, maybe you'd consider staying at a less expensive property first, then switching to a Deluxe? Good luck in your choice!

 

[dewingedpixie]

Animal Kingdom Lodge for no parks. Lots of animals, story time, things to look at, nice pool, and excellent food. I could sit all day and watch the animals.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I would stay where you are. My family loves POR. Last year, we stayed there and only went to one park. We had the same park ticket situation you mentioned. You can use the amentities at POFQ, too.

 

[puertorican00676]

We stayed last year a weekend without going to the parks and stayed at the CSR, it was great, wonderful pool and nice rooms and easy bus transportation everywhere!
PD. the margaritas at the pool were awesome!

 

[Pakey]

If you were not going to do waterparks, I would definitely pick YC/BC because of SAB. Our kids never want to get out of that pool and yours are the perfect age for it.

But since you are doing waterparks, I think AKL is the best resort for a non-park stay (I have stayed at all resorts, inlcuding DVC, except for Poly, All Stars and CSR).

 

[spiceycat]

AKL/V - it has a beautiful pool AKL . plus you can stay busy here w/o even missing the parks. always have a hard time even going to the parks when visiting this place.

SSR/OKW/POFQ/POR - these are all excellent resorts - far enough away from the parks so you won't be tempted. they also have boat/bus transportation to downtown disney. So if you feel the need to go somewhere you can - it just won't be a WDW park. that say you really have to watch the budget at DD - you can spend alot of money here w/o realizing it. Am pretty good at keeping up with what I am spending - but a couple of years ago spend over $100 in around hour here - so be carefully.

 

[mmmears]

AKL -- the pools and splash area are fun, there are so many activities for kids and adults, good food, great theming, and the animals!

YC/BC -- for the pool (SAB), great dining the in boardwalk area

Poly -- for the pool, beach, fireworks and EWP, great dining along the monorail, boat rentals (they are really fun).

 

[clapton]

Beach Club-great pool, great atmosphere, boardwalk, and many dining options,including YC ,BWI and Swan&Dolphin ! Have fun!!

 

[closetmickey]

I think the monorail resorts are too close to the parks. Too tempting. I loved POR. And Animal Kingdom feels like worlds away.

 

[twinmom108]

I agree with the posters who said Ft. Wilderness. We did a no parks 5 day vacation in March 2012, staying at Ft. Wilderness & never ran out of things to do. Our favorite things were Hoop de Doo Revue & the Segway Tour. Would like to do the Horseback trail sometime.

Great swiming pool, canoeing, biking, boating, campfires, movies, trails & more.