Favorite Resort for Non-Park Days?

[EpcotPhoenician]

I'm thinking of adding two nights to the end of our trip (making it a split stay), with both of these days being used as resort-only relaxation days... a way to relax after going commando for a week.

I'm deciding between the following...

• Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Studio - Our go-to resort. I love Geyser Point and the Wilderness Lodge pool... but I've stayed here a half-dozen times in the past few years, and would love to try something new.
• Poly - Love the grounds here, and the feature pool looks amazing. I'm just concerned that this seems to be a very kid-friendly resort. My wife and I are both light sleepers, and prefer someplace nice and quiet (albeit, as much as possible for WDW).
• Yacht Club - I've heard great things about Stormalong Bay, and it would be nice to be able to drop into EPCOT for a few minutes to grab a drink
• Contemporary Garden Wing - We love the look of the pools here, and staying at the Contemporary has always been on our bucket list. It just doesn't seem to live up to Poly and Yacht Club.

Feel free to add any others that you feel we would enjoy!

 

[melissalovesfigment]

Yacht Club for the pool and ability to go in the backside of Epcot in the evening if you have a pass. Try to make a dinner reservation at Yachtsman or Topolinos (take the Skyliner over).

 

[ChanaC]

I vote Yacht Club for Stormalong Bay, plus the easy access to the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, and really anything on the Skyliner route. Spend the day by the pool and explore the nearby hotels a night.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I voted WL. Wish Artist Point was Artist Point of old, but with it, Whispering Canyon, Geyser point and Roaring Forks, all categories are available. Territory Lounge is my favorite small Hotel lounge on property. The Pool is nice and I haven't even been to the new pool. The walkway to the Fort is also great. When boats are running, you have ability to hit all the monorail resorts with ease. But most of all, I like it because of the music you hear at all times in the lobby. Love that isolated , quiet feel without being isolated.

 

[bakerworld]

Our favorite non park resort is AK but for just one day any on the list would work. I chose WL and Poly for their monorail access to the transportation center so the family can visit Disney Springs but both have solid pools with good site access for children. For adults the monorail gives nice access to visiting multiple eateries for tapas and enjoyment. Plus, there is the fireworks display from MK seeable from both resorts.

 

[Disneylover99]

You mentioned wanting relaxation and having concerns about a place being too kid friendly.

I don’t find anything about Stormalong Bay relaxing and there are plenty of kids there. I’d be at the Oasis pool at The Poly.

 

[Suzabella]

I voted WL. I will always vote WL. There's just so many nooks and crannies around the resort to take a book and chill in. Both pools are awesome and....Bison Burgers!!!

 

[Adventureland]

I said Contempo since you said you always wanted to stay there. I love the feel of Yacht club personally and would probably choose there though! I hadn't noticed issues at the Poly with noise when we stayed in the DVC area, but I understand the concern if you are closer to pools.

 

[scrapquitler]

It wasn’t an option in your poll, but I’d say Animal Kingdom Lodge. I love to go and sit and watch the animals. It’s very relaxing.

 

[Nabas]

It wasn’t an option in your poll, but I’d say Animal Kingdom Lodge. I love to go and sit and watch the animals. It’s very relaxing.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best stand-alone hotel at WDW.

The lobby, gift shop, food court, two restaurants, lounge, savannah, and pool are all fantastic.



We particularly like relaxing at the pool because it is so large with plenty of seats and lots of greenery. (And the bar, food court, and bathrooms are all conveniently close. Plus, if you walk past the hot tub, you usually can get a glimpse of the giraffes!)

 

[keishashadow]

I'm thinking of adding two nights to the end of our trip

Time of year is a factor. F&W then I’d suggest SAB

love Geyser Point and the Wilderness Lodge pool... but I've stayed here a half-dozen times in the past few years, and would love to try something new.

Short visit perfect time to branch out

if u love WL, you’d enjoy one of our ‘other homes’ AK but would suggest jambo SV

 

[ILove2Travel]

I’d have to vote for AKL as well, even though it wasn’t on your list. So quiet and peaceful, great food choices, and where else can you relax and read a book while looking at giraffes from time to time?

 

[ILove2Travel]

But just from your list my choice would be Yacht Club. So easy to explore other resorts from there.

 

[Nabas]

I'm thinking of adding two nights to the end of our trip (making it a split stay), with both of these days being used as resort-only relaxation days... a way to relax after going commando for a week.

I'm deciding between the following...

• Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Studio - Our go-to resort. I love Geyser Point and the Wilderness Lodge pool... but I've stayed here a half-dozen times in the past few years, and would love to try something new.
• Poly - Love the grounds here, and the feature pool looks amazing. I'm just concerned that this seems to be a very kid-friendly resort. My wife and I are both light sleepers, and prefer someplace nice and quiet (albeit, as much as possible for WDW).
• Yacht Club - I've heard great things about Stormalong Bay, and it would be nice to be able to drop into EPCOT for a few minutes to grab a drink
• Contemporary Garden Wing - We love the look of the pools here, and staying at the Contemporary has always been on our bucket list. It just doesn't seem to live up to Poly and Yacht Club.

Feel free to add any others that you feel we would enjoy!

We have stayed at all 4 of these resorts multiple times.

Wilderness Lodge? No, since you have stayed there so many times.

Poly? Every Disney hotel is full of kids. We have found the Poly to be no more full of kids than any other WDW hotel. In general, the quiet pools at all the resorts are quieter than the feature pools, so that's always an option at the Poly.

Yacht Club? Odd, since you mention you want this to be a resort only stay but then mention going over to Epcot for a drink. (I assume you are an APH.) But if you want to head over for a drink, then yes. But Stormalong Bay gets really crowded almost every warm day, so head there early.

Contemporary? The pools, really? These are among the worst pools. The Contemporary's pool is a throwback to 1960s cement pools with no character, while the Bay Lake Tower pool is far too small. (Plus you cannot hop there if you are staying at the Contemporary.

Of the four, I'd go with the Poly unless you really want to hop over to Epcot for a drink, in which case go with the Yacht Club.

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

I never considered Animal Kingdom lodge, but it looks awesome! Definitely will consider the Savannah View Studio room. The idea of sitting on the balcony watching the animals all day seems great!

 

[DisneyFave]

Poly. Relaxing grounds and so romantic and quiet at night with the tiki torches!! I hated our pool view at Bay Lake Tower, there was a massive bright spotlight on the pool that made me miss the candle-like atmosphere at Poly.

During the day you can also stroll over to GF to explore those grounds and eat. And if it’s nice out you can keep walking to Contemporary!

 

[rangerxenos]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best stand-alone hotel at WDW.

The lobby, gift shop, food court, two restaurants, lounge, savannah, and pool are all fantastic.

View attachment 597700

We particularly like relaxing at the pool because it is so large with plenty of seats and lots of greenery. (And the bar, food court, and bathrooms are all conveniently close. Plus, if you walk past the hot tub, you usually can get a glimpse of the giraffes!)

View attachment 597699

Another vote for AKL, it's my favorite resort. Besides the pool, the hot tubs are wonderful as well!