I need a relaxing resort with a great pool and good activities

Disneyhenry

DisneyRosie
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Jul 24, 2010
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After DCL trip we will stay 2-3 nights at WDW, I am thinking a CL room, we may do a bit of the parks but a bit of hanging out at the resort too. Gonna want to get spoiled while we are there. It will be DH, DS(5) and myself. Our dates will be Dec 21-23 (or24th) of 2014, so yeah Christmas week so the parks will be busy and that is why we will take advantage of our resort.
Ideas on where to stay???
 
I have to say if you looking for a great resort the Poly would be great! I am not sure where the construction phase will be by next December! If not there , then the Beach club or Boardwalk might be a great place to hang out!
 
Since you will be looking for alot of things to do at the resort I think AKL or BWI would be great choices. I would lean more towards AKL since you would only have to go as far as your balcony and you can be entertained by the animals for quite awhile. They have guided tours of the lobby and the lodges Savannah, and have people who tell stories about their villages in Africa. The food is soo very good, I can't say enough about Jiko. Plus the lobby will have a big beautiful tree decorated for christmas. Also, zebra domes! If you have never had one you must try them!

BWI is my favorite resort (AKL is my second) but I feel like if I was looking for more relaxtion and lodge time it would definitely be AKL.
 
Y&BC all the way. Great pool (SAB) plus short walk to EPCOT & easy access to great restaurants. :dance3:
 

After DCL trip we will stay 2-3 nights at WDW, I am thinking a CL room, we may do a bit of the parks but a bit of hanging out at the resort too. Gonna want to get spoiled while we are there. It will be DH, DS(5) and myself. Our dates will be Dec 21-23 (or24th) of 2014, so yeah Christmas week so the parks will be busy and that is why we will take advantage of our resort.
Ideas on where to stay???

My suggestion would be AKL. AKL is kind of out away from everything, but the buses aren't bad at all if you do choose to go to a park. Since the resort is located out by itself, it is quiet and peaceful, IMO, and would make for a great no parks resort stay. Plus the lobby is beautifully decorated for the holidays and it's nice walking around the resort taking in the surroundings. Good luck.
 
Since you will be looking for alot of things to do at the resort I think AKL or BWI would be great choices. I would lean more towards AKL since you would only have to go as far as your balcony and you can be entertained by the animals for quite awhile. They have guided tours of the lobby and the lodges Savannah, and have people who tell stories about their villages in Africa. The food is soo very good, I can't say enough about Jiko. Plus the lobby will have a big beautiful tree decorated for christmas. Also, zebra domes! If you have never had one you must try them!

BWI is my favorite resort (AKL is my second) but I feel like if I was looking for more relaxtion and lodge time it would definitely be AKL.

I'll second this. And I couldn't resist ... the zebra domes are SO good.


IMGP0708 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr

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What about GF? That would be super special and being able to see MK with the castle all Christmasy :cool1: :santa:

BWI is a wonderful relaxing low key resort with lots to do.
Y/BC - a little more high energy.
If you are at BWI you can walk and look at the other resorts Christmas decorations after enjoying BWI! Also the characters are in the lobbys of BWI and Y/BC that close to Christmas - I think they are at all the deluxes but for sheer convenience and accesibility to everything - BWI is the way to go.
You are also next to the Swan/Dolphin if you need a spa day too!

And if you absolutley needed a little park time you can easily walk to Epcot and DHS first thing in the AM!

BWI CL is wonderful a nice big lounge with very nice staff.
Have fun planning!
 
Wilderness Lodge is beautiful at Christmas and is a very relaxing resort. They have plenty of activities as well (marina, boat/surrey rentals, Cub's Den, free lodge tour, Carolwood Pacific room over at the villas).
 
I think you would generally find things to do at all of the deluxe resorts, so you should be set in that regard. If you are looking for a Christmas-feel, then WL is stunning and very cozy during Christmas season. We are staying CL there in a couple weeks and have read great things about it. You would be close to MK and can boat there if you want. There is a path to FW and we are planning to rent bikes and explore over there.

If you want to see Wishes from your room, Poly has a fabulous view right from the CL longhouse (Hawaii). As posted above, I'm not sure what phase construction will be at, though. Hawaii is newly renovated, so your building would be fine -- just not sure about the main building or surrounding areas.

CL at CR is fabulous too and the view is breathtaking from there too. Only drawback is I'm not sure how much of a Christmas-feel you'd get at CR if that's important to you. But it has a great CL with a great view, walking path to MK, Chef Mickeys, fun arcade.

Have not tried GF main building CL, but I've heard it's top-notch.

BC is my favorite resort, but I'd almost feel sad if it was too cool to swim at that time of year. The pool is awesome, easily our favorite in Disney, just not sure if your weather will cooperate. CL is very cozy there and we have always enjoyed it. You can rent surrey bike and have a pretty ride around the bay -- I'm sure it's gorgeous at Christmas time. You can watch Illuminations without entering Epcot. Of course, it's a short walk into the Epcot countries for some great meals. Very fun and pretty area to stay.
 
i would not base too much off of a resort's pool at that time of year. we have gone twice in december and have had a few ok pool days and several completely freezing days. it's really unpredictable and you only have a few days.

i highly recommend the GF Royal Palm Club in the main building. The ambience is amazing. It is so relaxing there and we never get bored spending time in the main building. The shops, the restaurants, the live music, and the never ending supply of delicious treats in the lounge.
 
Fort Wilderness all the way! Every day you can do something different:

horseback riding
canoeing
Boat rental from marina
activities at Meadows - pool games, shuffleboard, kids crafts
Rent bikes
Rent a golf cart and go see all the awesome Christmas decorations at campsites
Chip & Dale singalong and campfire
Nightly movie
Fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant on the beach

There you go!
 
Given that time of year I would choose the Beach Club or Contemporary. To be honest...if you want to do the Christmas season right you can really stay anywhere and instead spend more time/energy visiting the different resorts to see what they have to offer ONLY at Christmas. The gingerbread house at GF is amazing. BC has a great gingerbread display to see. WL has a wonderful tree and decor. Each space has something different to offer that you all will enjoy.

As far as BC goes it is my favorite place to stay however, given the unpredictable weather in December the pool may or may not work out for you.

The Contemporary (MK facing Tower Room) will give you the best view of the castle anytime you want to see one of the very best views around.

Hope that helps and please....let us know what you chose!
 
So many great ideas here! Somethings I just didnt know of, thanks for the help and wow I just have so much to choose from. Since it is just a couple days that means I can just pay more for my room......ahh Disney at Christmas, what could be better???
 
Instead of CL, I would say Contemporary Theme Park View. You're close enough to the MK that you can really see the castle and Wishes--so much closer than the Poly or GF. Best room we've stayed in hands down!
 












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