Favorite resort for a one night stay before cruise?

[PrincessTess]

Hey all, wondering what everyones top picks are. If you choose to stay at a WDW Resort the night before a cruise and don't plan on going into the parks, what is your top choice and why? We usually choose our resorts for a WDW trip based on proximity, service, and transport. But if we don't have a need, why stay for those reasons instead of branching out. Interested to hear from people

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hey all, wondering what everyones top picks are. If you choose to stay at a WDW Resort the night before a cruise and don't plan on going into the parks, what is your top choice and why? We usually choose our resorts for a WDW trip based on proximity, service, and transport. But if we don't have a need, why stay for those reasons instead of branching out. Interested to hear from people

If it's just for the night, as in you have a late night flight arrival the day before the cruise, I'd stay at the MCO Hyatt. It's just more convenient.

If you're talking about arriving in the morning the day before, I'd stay at Port Orleans. Or maybe Boardwalk.

 

[NZMUM]

We have stayed at WDW before our last cruise, and are doing so for our next one. We arrive in the evening 2 nights before, so we have 1 day there. We don't do the parks. I look at it as an opportunity to try out resorts we wouldn't normally stay at for longer stays. We stayed at POR last time and will be at Boardwalk Inn for our next stay.
Because of jetlag we don't expect to be up to doing much, so we look around our resort, go to Disney Springs, mini golf, or look at other resorts in the area. Being at WDW means we don't need to worry about transport to go places, which we would if we stayed near the airport.

 

[tink1970]

If I'm with DH only, then it's WL. We enjoy the atmosphere and Artist's Point for dinner. On the most recent trip DD, DH and I (as well as DM, DF) stayed at AKL while DB, DSIL and niece were at Pop. AKL allowed everyone to have some "animal time" while niece was able to play in the pool as long as she desired. We have also stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort to keep the theme going. Since we're a 7 1/2-8 hr drive from the port, it's nice to shave an hour off, drive to a resort, stay there and relax for a night and zip in the day of a cruise. It sort of gets the magic going early (and no, don't hit the parks, that's just too crazy for me!).

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We prefer The Contemporary, love the character meals and fireworks from MK.

 

[diznymom]

If budget allows, our favorite is AKL. There is lots to do there.

If budget is tight, we like AS Sports. DH and DS love the theme all around the resort.

 

[dcassetta]

Port Orleans, you can take the boat to Disney Springs, or Animal Kingdom Lodge with a savanna view

 

[CM Dad]

My wife and I have also stayed at Disney's DVC Vero Beach resort before a cruise, but that would probably require that you rent a car.

 

[kiford]

We normally stay a couple of days at WDW before a cruise. But this time we're only coming down the day before so we're going to stay at the MCO Hyatt. When we do stay at WDW, we just stay at one of our 3 favourite resorts. If you're not going to go to WDW, you're probably better off staying at or near the airport.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Hey all, wondering what everyones top picks are. If you choose to stay at a WDW Resort the night before a cruise and don't plan on going into the parks, what is your top choice and why? We usually choose our resorts for a WDW trip based on proximity, service, and transport. But if we don't have a need, why stay for those reasons instead of branching out. Interested to hear from people

The Yacht Club. It has the nautical theme, very good dining options nearby (especially if you have a pass), miniature golf within walking distance and great pools.

 

[coloradocutie]

We stayed at the Four Seasons WDW and loved it. Fabulous resort and you can truly just enjoy the property. When we stayed, the price though Amex Platinum was less than the moderate Disney resorts, with free breakfast included. The stay was quite luxurious. They do have a shuttle over to the parks and you can see the fireworks from the restaurants at the top of the hotel. My children talk more about the Four Seasons lazy river more than they talk about the cruise!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[timrousbeastie]

Since my family is flying in from Europe, I like to splurge on nice WDW hotels for our cruise vacations to reduce the stress as much as possible. Only if we can fly in early enough to have enough time enjoy them, though. Otherwise, I prefer to stay near the airport.

The Boardwalk resorts are my own favorites because the evening atmosphere along the Boardwalk is particularly nice. We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn after our cruise last year and booked it before this year. The mini golf courses at Fantasia Gardens are beautiful and a lot of fun for everyone.

The area around the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower is also very nice with lots of activities. We stayed in a two-bedroom at BLT the night before our cruise last year. The apartment was beautiful and I was surprised by how stunning the "Theme Park View" was. I had the same type of room at BLT booked for a few days before our stay at the Boardwalk Inn this year, but switched to a 1-bedroom concierge room at the Grand Floridian.

Two years ago, we stayed at the Villas at the Grand Floridian the night before and the night after. The resort and rooms are the most beautiful to me, not least the holiday decorations, but, for a single night without park tickets, I would prefer the Boardwalk or Contemporary since the surrounding areas have more to see and do.

Then again, all the Disney resorts are special to me. If I were on a budget this year, I would personally pick a cheaper hotel near Disney Springs: I have not been there since the peak of all the construction and would love to see the results.

 

[Laundress]

before our cruise this spring our group will be staying at Caribbean Beach. We have 7 teens to keep busy after a long flight from Ca. and thought the property would keep them entertained.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My wife and I have also stayed at Disney's DVC Vero Beach resort before a cruise, but that would probably require that you rent a car.

I like this and stay in an ocean view inn room, so it feels like I am already on my balcony of the ship! Am doing this before my January cruise out of Miami on RCCL.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Late night arrival-I second the choice for the Hyatt. Very easy and relaxing. No budget/big budget-Polynesian. Gorgeous resort and pools. We have also stayed at Port Orleans. Great access to Disney Springs.

 

[Trera]

We stayed at the Four Seasons WDW and loved it. Fabulous resort and you can truly just enjoy the property. When we stayed, the price though Amex Platinum was less than the moderate Disney resorts, with free breakfast included. The stay was quite luxurious. They do have a shuttle over to the parks and you can see the fireworks from the restaurants at the top of the hotel. My children talk more about the Four Seasons lazy river more than they talk about the cruise!

Enjoy your trip!

Agree on all counts!!!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

We are arriving mid-morning the day before our cruise. We have chosen to stay at Art of Animation as it's still a value price but if the weather cooperates my DD will finally get to swim in their pool. We normally stay at Pop and often eat at AoA so walk by the pool and talk about how much fun it would be to swim in it.

Another time I'd like to try Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Animal Kingdom

 

[Dr Gunnie]

We are trying the Holiday Inn - Disney Spring before our trip in March. We figured hanging out at Disney Springs that night might be a good warm-up before the cruise. We are doing a 3 night stay after the cruise at the Contemporary, so a stay at a Disney Resort before the cruise wasn't a must for us.

 

[nycdisneygal]

AKL!! Its so nice and relaxing..
We usually stay at GF and YC or BC for our week long stays, so AKL is a nice different pace...