If you were doing RESORT ONLY, where would you stay?

[Minnesota!]

The stupid WDW bug has bitten again. Vacation plans are NOT in scope for this year as we are moving. However, I am now contemplating booking a resort-only vacation for us for the week that our house goes on the market so that we are gone for showings, etc.

It would be resort-only, to save money, which we have done numerous times. But, I am thinking of trying a new-to-us resort. Maybe?

We have done them at CSR, Pop, and AKL.

Tell me about your resort-only trips at ones OTHER than those, please!!

Thank you! (Probably 4 - 5 nights, sometime between Memorial day and mid-August)...

 

[sponica]

Honestly if I was going to do resort only, I'd do something like Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West. I feel its torture to be on the monorail loop or epcot area and NOT be able to go to the parks.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

I would do Beach or Yacht to use their pool.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Wilderness lodge for sure! It might be hard to be near MK without going in, but there is so much to do between those MK resorts that it would be a good location. And I think I could easily find enough to do to occupy the week without the parks

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I would do Beach or Yacht to use their pool.

Wow, this is good too. And having the Boardwalk just across the walkway with the boats ... tough choice.

 

[Action City]

AKL. But there is no way I'd want to get my family ready for vacation and my house ready to sell the same week.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I've never done a resort only trip but sounds fun!

I agree with @sponica that I couldn't be anywhere that I could "see" a park, so that would rule out the Epcot resorts and the monorail resorts, even though I love those resots! It would be torture for me to look at the parks the whole time and not go, although I would definitely visit one of them for dinner or something. But if you get to WDW more frequently, that may not be an issue!

I haven't been to Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, but I just got back from POR and I think that could be fun, or POFQ. POR had a relaxing feel, and we enjoyed our meal at Boathouse and seeing Yehaa Bob. What's nice is that POFQ and POR are sister resorts, so you could use both pools (I think!) and such and mix it up a bit. Plus, there's the Friendship boat to Disney Springs which is a pleasant ride. Happy planning!

 

[OneinThree]

On property -Four Seasons without question. But this begs the question -why would one pay the on-property premium for a resort-only trip when far better accommodations can be had for far less?

 

[eric1985]

Never done a resort only trip, but have taken a few days to just be at the resort and now parks. I'd pick the Beach Club or another hotel in that area. You're very close to Epcot which is a huge temptation, but you can still see the fireworks and have a decent amount of night life and boats to keep you occupied.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do one of the EP resorts for the pool (we like both BWI and YC/BC). I wouldn’t rule out Swan/Dolphin as they have a great pool complex as well and it will most likely be cheaper than the WDW resorts. If you can swing it, I would consider 4S as well. Personally I wouldn’t choose WDW as a resort-only destination as you really are paying a premium to be close to the parks but to each his own!

 

[maxiesmom]

Beach Club. You would have that awesome pool area, and all the fun of the Boardwalk right there. And you could still see some of the higher fireworks from Epcot.

Or if you wanted to be a bit more thrifty, stay at the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[Cabius]

I would definitely pick Beach/Yacht Club for Stormalong Bay and the Boardwalk - especially during the hot summer months!

 

[jcjen519]

I would probably do a different trip if I was looking for a really nice resort stay. If not I'd choose akl. It's a great resort with so much to do, great restaurants, nice pool, lots of animal viewing.

 

[stsomewhere]

I would do someplace different. Maybe the beach? It would be hard to go to WDW and not go.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I wouldn’t pay the inflated Disney on site prices if i wasn’t getting the perks that come with it regarding the parks. Unless maybe i was renting points at AKL.

i have a friend that did bonnet creek for an Orlando trip. They spent a lot of time at the resort (did a MK day, universal one day and i think sea world one day. The rest was resort time) and they loved it. It’s like a whole complex. Lazy river, pools, grills, etc.

 

[mickeynut1]

The stupid WDW bug has bitten again. Vacation plans are NOT in scope for this year as we are moving. However, I am now contemplating booking a resort-only vacation for us for the week that our house goes on the market so that we are gone for showings, etc.

It would be resort-only, to save money, which we have done numerous times. But, I am thinking of trying a new-to-us resort. Maybe?

We have done them at CSR, Pop, and AKL.

Tell me about your resort-only trips at ones OTHER than those, please!!

Thank you! (Probably 4 - 5 nights, sometime between Memorial day and mid-August)...

We've never done a resort only trip, but my choice would be WL or Poly for a no parks trip. We spend more time at the resort than we do the parks anyway (some days we don't even enter a park), so being close to MK wouldn't bother us. Have fun planning .

 

[Minnesota!]

AKL. But there is no way I'd want to get my family ready for vacation and my house ready to sell the same week.

I have done it - twice - before...it's not a big deal Both times we sold while we were gone, so by now, I think it is good luck, ha ha!!

On property -Four Seasons without question. But this begs the question -why would one pay the on-property premium for a resort-only trip when far better accommodations can be had for far less?

I love Disney resorts - THEY are the reason I keep going back. The parks are not my interest, currently. We have done 3 or 4 resort-only trips and we love it

I would do someplace different. Maybe the beach? It would be hard to go to WDW and not go.

It's easy for us - there is PLENTY to do outside of the parks. We did the beach just 2 months ago...much more stressful!

 

[Minnesota!]

Thank you, all!

 

[OneinThree]

I love Disney resorts - THEY are the reason I keep going back. The parks are not my interest, currently.

If that's what you like, by all means enjoy. I do have to wonder though, how many other resorts you've had experience with beyond WDW. If you remove the proximity to parks from the equation, even the deluxe resorts cannot compare with many, many other locations in terms of service, amenities, dining, rooms, etc, to say nothing of the inflated prices. IMO, the only justification for that premium is found because of proximity to the parks. Currently, the only resort in the bubble which can objectively stand alone would be Four Seasons.

 

[NYIrunDisney]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I WOULD stay on the Monorail Loop, and my choice would be The Polynesian.

To start with, the resort is awesome. The pools are great and the restaurants are fantastic! You also have the beach to hang out at. Yes, some see the Castle in the distance and find it torturous, however, in my opinion, it adds to the experience and lets me know I'm not just at "a hotel", I'm at a Walt Disney World Resort. Also, how can you NOT want to watch the fireworks from that beach. Also, you are a monorail ride away fro the Grand Floridian and the Contempo. Both offer outstanding dining options and great bars as well. Of course, you have your buses to hop over to Disney Springs, and you are also close to all of the Walt Disney World Golf Courses if you are into that. You can also take the monorail to the Contempo, jump on a boat to Fort Wilderness and enjoy the activities over there! Three words: Hoop dee Doo!