Going in September w/o kids - Where should we stay?

[PenguinGal]

We made our first trip to WDW last June - took our three kids (12, 14, and 17) and had two adjoining rooms at POFQ. Absolutely loved the entire trip and were very happy with POFQ. Just learned that DH will attend a business meeting in Orlando in late September, so we thought it might be fun to spend a few days after the meeting at WDW - this time without kids! Would love to try another resort, and since we will only need one room this time we could consider a Deluxe (might even be able to talk DH into splurging for Concierge). Would really appreciate your suggestions on which resort to choose. We will definitely rent a car, as we prefer to have our own transportation to the parks and outside of WDW, so proximity/shuttle transportation to the parks would not necessarily be a factor in our decision. Thanks in advance for your help. These boards are wonderful!


PS I should probably mention that we really like a quiet, relaxing room when we get back from a long day at the parks. Not that the entire resort has to be quiet and laid back, just prefer a room location that is....

 

[webray]

Our vote goes to AKL..especially if you are even concidering concierge.

Boardwalk is also wonderful.

 

[rkmassa]

My vote after the POR/FQ is the WL. I think it is a lovely resort. Very nice pool and other ammenities. Boat to MK. Very pretty at night. I hope to stay there in October.

 

[pixie08]

If you can afford it I say go for the GF..next is AKL, then poly for 2 adults..WL is nice but for some reason I always think of it as a "family" resort.

 

[winniedapooh]

WL, GF, or CR. Hands down for me. Have a blast, it is a totally different experience without kids!

 

[PenguinGal]

I am enjoying the suggestions - thank you. WL and AKL had both been considerations, but I did wonder if they are geared more toward families with small children????

Also - I need to check the dates - but does anyone know when the Epcot Food/Wine Festival runs?

 

[PenguinGal]

- bumping this up -

 

[Tara]

Also - I need to check the dates - but does anyone know when the Epcot Food/Wine Festival runs?

I think the festival begins 30 September.

I'd recommend BWI -- wonderful setting, so pretty, very luxurious.

 

[eeyore0062]

We went last Oct without kids and stayed at the Poly. It was great. We enjoyed the beach, the pool, the cocktail lounge, our view from our balcony, and the convenience of transportation with the monorail right there and the TTC just a short walk away. The atmosphere was very romantic and we loved sitting in the hammocks on the beach at night with a cocktail, enjoying Wishes and the Electric Light Pageant.

 

[BriarRosie]

Our vote goes to AKL..especially if you are even concidering concierge.

That gets my vote for the same reasons. If you can book the Sunrise
Safari or the Wanyama (Sunset) Safari, even better.

Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht/Beach are the other deluxes I'd choose.

For moderates, I really enjoy both Port Orleans resorts. Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs are ok, but the latter is definitely gorgeous at night.

 

[PenguinGal]

Thanks for all the suggestions. They all sound wonderful - it will be a hard decision! Just curious - no one mentioned the Saratoga Springs Resort. It had just opened when we made our trip last June, but we didn't get a chance to check it out. Has anyone stayed there, and is it nice for couples?

 

[cottontail]

Hello:

We love the polynesian also for the same reasons as the above poster. The grounds, and views are beautiful and feel very relaxing.

Deb.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

My vote is for AKL!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Definitely the Poly, hands down!

 

[PenguinGal]

Seems like a lot of you voted for the Poly, so I'm curious. When I was planning our trip for last summer, I read some not-so-favorable comments about the Poly being run-down and not as clean. I think I also read that they were refurbishing some of the buildings at that time. Has the whole resort been refurbished? Does it feel as "deluxe" as some of the newer resorts, ie WL & AKL? After staying at the POFQ (which had just re-opened and was very nice), we'd hate to spend more money but feel like we didn't get as much for the $$. Appreciate your opinions!

 

[NCRedding]

If DH and I were going for an adult only, my list would be AKL, or POFQ. My DH's favorite resort is AKL--we stayed in a savannah-view room. I loved the remote location, and seeing the animals from our balcony. I loved all the options for food--I think Mara is our favorite fast food place of the deluxe resorts where we have stayed. The resort just seemed very tranquil and relaxing.

I haven't stayed at SSR, but did pool hop there on our June DVC trip. It would be nice, but there is construction going on. If you wanted to spend time at DTD that would be very convenient.

 

[jenjersnap]

If it was just DH and me (aaah ... someday!), I'd choose an Epcot resort. So many wonderful restaurants within a short walk and there is some nightlife. The Boardwalk is beautiful at night, perfect for strolling. Plus, it sounds like you are going during the F&WF and it is great to be close to that too.

 

[copper68]

Whenever DW and I go without the kids, we always stay at an Epcot resort...

1. We enjoy Epcot more then any other resort, so we like to be able to walk right over to it...MK is fun, but mostly for the kids...If we don't have the kids and it's a short trip (3-4 days) then we don't even go to MK...If it were up to me we would spend the whole time just walking around World Showcase...lol...

2. There are so many more dining options in the Epcot resort area...all within walking distance...

3. There are so many more adult options in the Epcot resort area...We are late-nighters when we don't have the kids (and sometimes even when we do)...The Boardwalk has ESPN zone, Jellyrolls (dueling piano bar), and Atlantic Dance Hall which are open late...Also, we have annual passes for PI (which to me is the best adult attraction in all of WDW) and DTD is an extremely short bus ride away...Last year when we stayed at the Poly, the bus wait and ride to DTD seemed intolerable at times...

I don't want to knock any of the other suggestions, I love staying at Poly Concierge...Wilderness Lodge is one of our favorite places to visit and have a drink while sitting in the rocking chairs in front of the fireplace...no matter where you choose to stay in WDW you will have a wonderful time...

 

[mistaroo]

AKL concierge, without a doubt.