Help! Disney with no kids!

[princessmorgan]

So DH and I have been to Disney probably 5 times with our children (ages 1 and 3). Now we are planning a last minute trip at the end of July to celebrate our Anniversary and my 30th birthday! Any suggestions where to stay? We have only stayed onsite at Pop and Port Orleans Riverside. We are looking for something romantic and relaxing. We want to experience a different side of Disney without our children (though I am feeling guilty for going to their favorite place without them). We want to try a deluxe resort and will probably go for 3 nights. Any ideas/suggestions what to do and where to stay? I will be VERY pregnant then (8 months).

 

[debsays]

We just booked a last minute short stay too. We'll be going down alone
(our son is 22 and doesn't want to travel with us at this time) we're going July26-29 and staying at CSR requested the Cabana area. Happy Everything and enjoy your stay.

 

[MaleficentFan]

I think you would be happy with any of the three deluxe resorts on the monorail. It depends on which theme is your "cup of tea" so to speak. I personally LOVE GF but others don't like it at all. Really it comes down to what is your taste. Each of those resorts has beautiful rooms and great restaurants. You will definitely appreciate the monorail being so close at 8 months pregnant!

 

[nemo107sm]

Since you will be pregnant, I would recommend a resort that is mostly all under one roof (less walking) such as contemporary or wilderness lodge. I agree on what maleficentfan said about appreciating the monorail being so close. The contemporary has the monorail but the wilderness lodge doesnt. As for a romantic resort, I think the wilderness lodge is more romantic. But both resorts are a great choice and soooo pretty!

 

[pixie08]

I would choose WL or AKL.

Both are romantyic and secluded resorts. I love AKL and stay there often but WL is nice also because of the boat to MK. They are both deluxes but have better pricing than a monorail resort.

 

[SnowWtch]

We did WL for a relaxing and romantic anniversary last year. It was amazing and wonderful. It's such a nice location and atmosphere. It was the first resort I actually relaxed at. However, if you want something a little less pricey try POFQ. French Quarter is small and romantic as well. We're doing that this year.

 

[marvin12]

How about the Yatch Club or Beach Club, close to 2 parks and lots of nice dining.

 

[DisneySweetheart]

Like someone mentioned before, staying at one of the monorail resorts would be great for you.

Take it easy and drink lots of water. I'd check into getting one of those scooter thingies or a wheel chair if I were you...Just incase.

Have a great trip!

 

[princessmorgan]

Thanks for all the advice! We probably won't be doing parks, maybe the MK one day, just because that's usually all we do with the kids. I've been checking out the WL and AK. Any other suggestions that couples have loved?

 

[TJA]

Thanks for all the advice! We probably won't be doing parks, maybe the MK one day, just because that's usually all we do with the kids. I've been checking out the WL and AK. Any other suggestions that couples have loved?

Ok well if you're not going to do parks, then I recommend any Epcot resort. It is beautiful over there! Very tranquil and romantic. There is entertainment on the boardwalk (magicians, piano man...), shopping, dining, Espn Club, dance clubs, bakery, ice cream, pizza take-out window ~ lots to do! Honestly, when we stay in BC, YC, BWI, we feel like we don't "need" to go to any parks because it's like a different world in there. It's also just a short walk (5-10 minutes) or boat ride away from the back entrace to Epcot (enter in the countries). Or, if you don't want to enter Epcot, you can watch Illuminations every night without entering the park! There are lots of places to view it along the boardwalk. There are movies on the beach each night to enjoy. I highly recommend this area.

 

[LoveKermit]

I was going to ask what parks you might go to.

Without kids, I'd skip MK and go to EPCOT and stay at an EPCOT resort as the PP just said. I would stroll around the world showcase and find somewhere good for dinner (not hard to do).

If you have the energy, JellyRolls on the Boardwalk is really fun and kid-free. It will take away your guilt. It's a piano bar but everyone's expected to sing along. It's good sit-down, air-conditioned fun, but I don't think it opens until 9 pm.

All the Boardwalk hotels have great convenience, though we've only stayed at the Dolphin over there. But if not going to MK, I'd definitely stay at an EP hotel.

 

[princessmorgan]

I'm having trouble finding availability for the Boardwalk resorts due to last minute planning. Has anyone stayed at Saratoga Springs?

 

[iteachlit]

My wife and I stayed at the WL last summer during our tenth anniversary. We were able to leave the kids at home; what a shame!

The WL is so relaxing and laid-back; we just love it there. It really is a peaceful place that is close to the MK. Other posters suggested that you should go to Epcot, but it sounded like MK is the one park you would really like to visit. If that's the case, WL is a short, relaxing boat ride to the MK. You can also take the boat to CR and board the monorail to the Poly, GF and MK. That opens all kinds of great dining options.

I'm not sure what your budget is, and it's probably too late to get in, but Victoria and Albert's was by far the best experience we have ever had! It was well over $200 per person, but we'll never forget it. It is phenomenal; we're going back for our 20th anniversary (if we can wait that long).

BTW, you asked about SSR. That's our home resort, but we haven't stayed there yet. Be advised that it is big, easily the largest property at WDW. However, it is very nice; its decor reminds me a lot of the GF; that's why we bought there instead of AKV. The spa is supposed to be the best onsite.

You really can't go wrong anywhere in the world.

 

[TifffanyD]

We stayed at AKL and loved it! Beautiful resort! Only problem is you can't book guaranteed king beds there. Since you 2 are going without kids and probably won't be able to do that again - I would try to get a king bed somewhere. I know the mods allow you to book that specific category but I don't know of any deluxes that do. Hrmmmm

 

[MEK]

I'm having trouble finding availability for the Boardwalk resorts due to last minute planning. Has anyone stayed at Saratoga Springs?

Saratoga Springs is my new DVC home resort. I have stayed there twice and I really like it. It is very new, so all the furnishings are in good shape. The studios are nice because of the balcony and the kitchenette. The resort is large, but it is very pretty. It is easy walking distance to the nearest pool. It is probably 1/2 mile from the furthest point to the registration area / main pool. I assume you will have a car since you live fairly close to Disney. It is an easy drive from one area to another if you don't feel like walking.

The thing I like best about SSR is that it is Disney, but it is also a nice place to relax while you are not in the parks. Downtown Disney is very close and if you are able to get a room in the Congress Park section you will be able to see DTD across the water. You can also walk there, take the bus, or the water taxi. SSR is the best location, if you want to spend some time in DTD.

Although people may tell you that SSR is far from the parks, I have not found that to be true. The driver goes a back way to MK and it is a 10 minute ride at best. I thought the bus transportation was efficient.

If you have free time, I would also recommend that you take the DVC tour while you are there. You can see models of the AK villas. Its a nice way to spend a couple of hours and when you are done the tour they will drive you where ever you want to go. Plus they will give you fast passes.


Anyway, if you do stay at SSR I hope you enjoy your stay. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

[princessmorgan]

O.K. So here's an update on my options, please help!
I can get Saratoga Springs, Carribean Beach, or Port Orleans for about $400 for the three nights. For $150 more I can get the Contemporary and for $280 more I can get the Polynesian. What would you do? Sometimes I want to splurge and do the Poly, but then that extra money would pay for the dining plan for us. Suggestions please!

 

[FBandA]

DH and I are leaving in 6 days we are staying at POR, never stayed there, and we are doing the DeluxDP. I went back and forth with our resort also and decided to go for putting the money to the DDXDP. We are staying 3 nights but we will be there 4 full days. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

This is a special trip - I would splurge for the Poly!

 

[iteachlit]

Sometimes I want to splurge and do the Poly, but then that extra money would pay for the dining plan for us. Suggestions please!

Are you now planning to go to the parks each day? IIRC, you have to purchase Magic Your Way Tickets to get the meal plan. The MYW tickets have to be the same length as your stay. That will negate any savings you were expecting.

 

[TJA]

O.K. So here's an update on my options, please help!
I can get Saratoga Springs, Carribean Beach, or Port Orleans for about $400 for the three nights. For $150 more I can get the Contemporary and for $280 more I can get the Polynesian. What would you do? Sometimes I want to splurge and do the Poly, but then that extra money would pay for the dining plan for us. Suggestions please!

I don't know, that's a tough one. Did you try Swan or Dolphin too? I posted above and recommended an Epcot resort, but only mentioned BC, YC, and BWI. The only reason I hesitate about CR and Poly is because we love those resorts for our kids, so I can't visualize what it would be like without the kids there. However, I can totally see the Epcot resorts without kiddos along. Port Orleans is a good choice -- we stayed there on our honeymoon as well as just last month (with our kids last month). Only problem is how spread out it is ~ maybe being 8 mos pregnant they could accomodate you with a room close to the main building. They have horse carriage rides there and also a boat to downtown disney. Good luck!