Best Resort to Explore?

[N10CJT]

My girlfriend and I are heading to Disney in November, and since we both haven't been there in over a decade I'm still working out what we might do during our 10 day stay.
Well, one thing that I enjoy doing is wandering, and I recall how nice it was to explore some of Disney's resorts. We're staying at the Beach Club, but I figured that on our down times one thing that might be nice would be to see what the other resorts have to offer.
So I ask all of you, what resort is the best to explore, and why? What are the places worth seeing there, what kind of unique things can be done there, what sorts of things should I look for, etc.?
Thanks!

 

[Broke186]

Beach club is good, because you have yacht club near by as well as Boardwalk. Polynesian is pretty sweet as well as Port Orleans Riverside and FQ. Nice walks around those areas. Animal Kingdom Lodge comes to mind too.

 

[damiel]

We always love to spend an evening at the Poly. We eat dinner at Ohanas and then head down to the beach. We find a hammock, take off our shoes and put our toes in the sand. We get a drink with an umbrella in it and sit back for the electrical water pagent and then the fireworks from Magic kingdom. It is one of our favorite non theme parks activities.

 

[alldiz]

Wilderness lodge is a great place to explore....

Poly is nice to walk around at night....then catch wishes
on the beach.
Kerri

 

[grannyminnie]

Wilderness lodge is a great place to explore....

Poly is nice to walk around at night....then catch wishes
on the beach.
Kerri

Ditto the WL...and if you're into "hidden Mickeys", you'll really have to put your game on there!! My DGD and I had a hard time finding them!

 

[mx3man123]

The whole boardwalk area including beach club, yacht club, swan and dolphin get my vote.

 

[rodkenrich]

.

 

[f7prez]

Definitely explore all the EPCOT resorts right in your neighborhood: Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk. We also think WL, AKL and Poly have features worth exploring. Another fun trip is the boat ride from DTD to POR/POFQ. While the resorts are limited in exploration value, the boat ride is nice.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

the Poly... we explore it everytime... someday we'll be able to afford to stay there (when the kids grow up!)

 

[N10CJT]

Thanks everyone! The Polynesian is definitely on our list, we're having dinner one night at Kona so that's in place! I remember that place fondly as one of the places I stayed during my childhood, and I returned during my last trip as a 19 year old. I love their lobby, but I heard that they got rid of the birds..... what's that all about?
I also heard the Animal Lodge is great.... obviously it wasn't there during my last trip.
Other thoughts, tips about what to do once at these places?

 

[Broke186]

Get hammered!

Jk ...kinda

If you choose to check out the Epcot resorts, theres Beaches and Cream, which is cool Ice Cream type place, plus the rest of the Boardwalk.

Animal Kingdom has all the animals which is cool for a bit and has a nice pool. Nice lounge area as well.

 

[cmp1111]

I stayed at AKL and would highly recommend it. Even staying there we didn't have enough time to explore...

 

[bellebud]

i vote for akl. really beautiful resort, lots of things to see inside and outside. I didn't think i'd be all excited about the animals, but i really was when we stayed there. they have a nice bar/lounge you guys can enjoy too. we loved the hidden mickey hunt (ask front desk for a sheet). Jiko is supposed to be awesome (didn't eat there), Boma is great. Even Mara (the fast food place) was really good.

 

[fla4fun]

I love their lobby, but I heard that they got rid of the birds..... what's that all about?

I understand that the birds were having some problems, so they were relocated to AK. I liked to look at them, but boy were they loud sometimes!

 

[N10CJT]

Yeah I've heard that the Animal Lodge is great for this sort of thing. Our last night there, we're eating at Jiko, so we'll have the opportunity to spend some time there!
I do remember Beaches and Cream, and fully intend to pop in there at least once!
As for the birds, I will say that I am very disappointed that they are gone. I understand that they were loud, but isn't that lobby loud anyway with all the people milling about waiting to eat? I'd much prefer loud birds to loud people!
Also, now I hear the koi are gone, too. What is going on?!?!?!? Did they get too big (in which case, why not replace them), were guests tossing them bad food, what? Irked....... perhaps this is a sign that I am getting old and cannot accept change......

 

[N10CJT]

What about the Contemporary? Is it like I remember it or have they changed a lot in the last decade?
Any other thoughts?

 

[allisonswonderland]

We always stay at the BC too and usually pop over to the YC shop, but always go to Poly and eat at O'Hana like some have mentioned, I like to stroll though there and also GF as well. My hubby likes to use the restroom at GF before heading to MK hahaha because they are clean - that is usually when we are headed from Epcot and take the monorail over. I can't say I blame him, we take the monorail and then hop off and then walk over to the boat to the MK. I would also like to go over to the Wilderness lodge-

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We're staying at the Poly in Sept and plan on visiting WL and AKL. We have dinner at CM so we'll be able to check out CR as well. We may check out the GF since we'll be right there. Maybe BC/YC if we have time.

 

[ADP]

Without a doubt.....Saratoga Springs
This resort has unblievable landscape, views, and theming.