In your opinion, which resort is best for lazy adults?

[aerxo17]

Hey there! My family (50-something y/o parents, range of 21-29 y/o "kids") are planning a short stay at WDW in June for Epcot, Disney Springs, and pool purposes. We like a condensed resort (we don't want to have to walk far to get to lobby, pool, dining, etc), and we're looking at either getting two regular hotel rooms or a 2 BR villa. We've stayed at POFQ, Caribbean Beach Resort, AKL, Pop, and Contemporary over the years, and we want to try somewhere new! Everyone wants to sleep in a bed, so no pull-out sofas, but murphy beds or twin below-the-TV bunks would be fine (we need at least 3 beds). Mom is afraid of the Skyliner so having that option is irrelevant to us. Lol. Also, half of our group rolls their eyes at most things Disney, while the other half adores it, hence the SHORT stay.

If you were us, where would you stay?

 

[igrsod]

Based on your list of needs, I would stay at OKW or SSR. Let's be honest, almost all WDW resorts are huge and sprawling, but these both have internal busses. Both are a nice boat ride away from Disney Springs. Neither I consider overly Disney themed, so that will appeal to the eye rollers in your group. They are not on the skyliner.

The other nice options would be Beach Club or Yacht Club. Walking distance to Epcot and HS. A fun pool area. Boardwalk area to hang out at, at night.

 

[Gr8scott]

Epcot / Disney Spings / and Especially Pool = Beach Club

 

[mrsdoubie]

I’d go with OKW and make sure to book near hospitality house if you can. A standard 2 bedroom (not a lockoff) will get you 3 beds. It’s a nice boat ride to Disney Springs and very close to Epcot. The room will also offer you the most space out of any 2 bedroom on property.

If you can’t book near hospitality house, any bus will take you to the HH since that is the last bus stop before heading to the parks.

Each area of OKW has its own pool and they are pretty quiet as most families with children will go to the main pool at the hospitality house because of the slide.

 

[aerxo17]

I’d go with OKW and make sure to book near hospitality house if you can. A standard 2 bedroom (not a lockoff) will get you 3 beds. It’s a nice boat ride to Disney Springs and very close to Epcot. The room will also offer you the most space out of any 2 bedroom on property.

If you can’t book near hospitality house, any bus will take you to the HH since that is the last bus stop before heading to the parks.

Each area of OKW has its own pool and they are pretty quiet as most families with children will go to the main pool at the hospitality house because of the slide.

Something I've always wanted to know... if we're in one of the farther sections from Hospitality House and we're renting a car, can we park anywhere? I.e., if we wanted to drive from our potential building's parking over to Hospitality House for dining at Olivia's or to get to the feature pool? Or is some parking in OKW reserved for guests checking in, or folks who are only dining?

 

[cjlong88]

Yacht Club feels more serene and upscale than the others. It definitely gives off adult vibes, and the quiet pools are usually very quiet because they can be so tricky to find. I would put it above Beach Club only because I prefer the theming (definitely more subtle), it often feels quieter from my own experiences, you will get a patio/balcony, etc

Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower would be my next pick. It's such a nice hotel with great modern rooms, and it's much more affordable than a deluxe. A nice feature pool and very calm quiet pools. Dining options are great as you have Three Bridges, Toledo, Dahlia Lounge, etc. While CSR is gigantic, the tower certainly is as central as you can get.

 

[DL1WDW2]

The updates to Coronado Springs / Gran Destino Tower would definitely put it Top of my list for you!
Three Bridges and the rooftop dining / bars Just about perfect.
It’s a great location to enjoy for many reasons.

 

[MaidMarian444]

I loved Poly, though it’s been five years since our stay, and I think it’s undergone some refurb since we were last there and increased in price. Its pros:

1. It felt small to us, we had two connecting hotel rooms along the pool and the monorail was just a few steps away.

2. You can walk to the TTC and monorail into Epcot from there. (If you don’t want to take monorail from resort and change at TTC).

3. I loved the bar on the second floor next to Ohana. Not too crowded and view of fireworks at MK.

We stayed at Beach Club for our next trip and yes, walking into Epcot and visiting France for an espresso was awesome. But I didn’t like Beach Club. Endless walk through hallways to our rooms. (If I’m going have a long walk, would prefer it to be outside). Quick serve place felt chaotic and charmless compared to the quick serve at the Poly. I liked the pool better at Poly. At poly, we had a balcony, while at BC, we got stuck with the Juliet balcony. (We did get our connecting room request, however). Would be interested to try Yacht Club or Boardwalk to see if I prefer those.

 

[Nabas]

We have stayed at all Disney resorts, except for the campgrounds.

If you have a car, then I suggest skipping all Disney hotels and renting a condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek (WBC).

We are DVC members and travel to WDW 5 times a year. Yet WBC has become our go-to when we want large condo rooms at a reasonable price. They even offer 3 and 4 bedroom suites. It’s close to Epcot and Disney Springs, about the same location as Caribbean Beach Resort.

WBC has multiple pools that are within easy walking distance of each other.

However, if you don’t have a car, then staying onsite is the way to go.

Some might recommend the Yacht and Beach Club, but we find their main pool (Stormalong Bay) anything but relaxing. Finding a chair their is challenging, lots of kids constantly running about, and many stairs that make it a hassle to get around. Both have quiet pools that are much more relaxing but they are simple small rectangular bodies of water - not particularly inspiring for the prices being paid. (Our favorite quiet pool is at Wilderness Lodge.)

The Boardwalk’s main pool is more relaxing but many of the rooms are far from the bus stop and dining options.

How about the Swan and Dolphin? As traditional hotels, these are much more condensed than the typical Disney hotel.

 

[mrsdoubie]

Something I've always wanted to know... if we're in one of the farther sections from Hospitality House and we're renting a car, can we park anywhere? I.e., if we wanted to drive from our potential building's parking over to Hospitality House for dining at Olivia's or to get to the feature pool? Or is some parking in OKW reserved for guests checking in, or folks who are only dining?

You can. My friend who I travel to WDW a lot always drives since she’s only 6 hours away. If we aren’t close to the HH we will driver her car over and park there for the pool, shopping, food, etc. Never had an issue.

 

[DLgal]

Yacht Club. 2 rooms.

 

[_19disnA]

If Epcot is the only park you will visit, then Swan/Dolphin might make sense. There is an extrance at the International Gateway near the back of Epcot convenient to both of those. Not exactly sure how you define 'lazy' since any Disney park will still involve miles of walking. Depending upon your budget, staying offsite if you have a car will probably be cheaper and allow you to do other things.

 

[starry_solo]

Two rooms at Yacht Club or Beach Club

 

[TJA]

Based off your specific needs (only going to Epcot and Disney Springs/not someplace you've already stayed/at least 3 beds).....

I rarely recommend a place I've never stayed, but I recently had a preferred suite booked at Saratoga Springs and did a lot of research on it. Our room could've been right next to the walking path to Disney Springs and we were all intrigued by that idea for meals/shopping. We rented a car that trip, so we thought we'd drive to some parks to avoid the buses. The room was newly renovated and had good reviews (enough beds/full kitchen). I ended up cancelling it and booking elsewhere because we are still into Disney and the parks....someday I'll book Saratoga again though.

Another place to consider is Grand Destino tower at Coronado. Considering your party, I'd book 2 rooms there and also strongly consider booking club level. You'd have a very large lounge to hang out in with food and drinks provided. Club level is great for lazy days/nights. The only downside is no balconies in the rooms, and also have to take a bus/car everywhere.

My last (but not least) option for you is 2 rooms at the YC (we have 2 older teens and stay in 1 room utilizing the daybed for one kid). Great pool with many sections, so we always find a quiet nook, usually up the stairs near the lazy floating area. You'd be able to walk to Epcot entering the World Showcase, such a great perk. Enjoy nice walks around the boardwalk loop, grab a take-out pizza on the boardwalk, shopping options, rent surrey bikes, even walk to mini-golf. Having stayed there many times, I'd probably recommend the YC as my first choice for you.

 

[kylenne]

Another vote for Swan/Dolphin. BC/YC are sprawling despite being under one roof and regardless of room category you could end up with a long, obnoxious hike to the lobby where all the food, etc. is (I had a water view room at YC and still ended up having to hike). Unless you just have to be in Stormalong Bay I think they’re the most overrated resorts on property given the Swan and Dolphin are right there, for far cheaper, and with better food and amenities. I think S/D is a good compromise for the Disney lovers and the eye rollers. S/D has a really nice pool also, tbh I found SAB chaotic and the opposite of relaxing as an adult with no kids. Check out their suites, I would also call them because they are generally quite accommodating as far as connecting rooms from what I’ve heard.

Gran Destino is the other one I’d recommend because the sprawling nature of CSR is almost entirely mitigated when you’re in the tower, it’s central to everything and you have most of what you need right in the building. It’s also gorgeous and perfect for short stays with plenty to do at the resort. CL is also great there.

 

[RoseGold]

I'd at least price out Swolphin. Ticks off all your boxes, and sometimes way cheaper than Disney.

 

[brewhome]

Last summer we had a pool lounging/DS only trip and got a preferred room at Congress Park in SSR… it was fantastic. The rooms are newly renovated, and we got one that had a beautiful view of DS and was near the Congress Park quiet pool. We were able to walk across the bridge to DS for meals and shopping, and the walk was really pleasant. The internal buses run frequently if you don’t want to walk up to the main building and other pools. We did spend a morning at the main pool (High Rocks) and actually preferred our quiet pool at Congress Park since it was much more relaxed. We stayed at SSR another time and the bus ride to Epcot is short. That time we were in a standard room and ended up in the Grandstand area which felt too far away from the action, so if we stay there again we will definitely pay the difference for a preferred room again. I don’t typically care if we are in standard or preferred but at SSR it makes a big difference, IMO.

We have also stayed at the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk DVC villas and enjoyed both; I’d say we liked the Yacht Club a bit more because of the ambiance, Stormalong Bay, the Ale & Compass lounge, and a shorter walk to the room. We had very long walks to our rooms at Boardwalk, and the pool there is nice but we loved the sand bottom at Stormalong Bay more.

We also really enjoy POR for the relaxed atmosphere, the Ol’ Man River pool area (especially the bar!), the food court, and the boat to DS. Last time we were there we split our time between DS and Epcot, and spent a bunch of time between our quiet pool and the main pool and it was a perfect mix. We prefer the mansion buildings (not princess themed) to the bayou buildings… it’s a short walk over the bridge to the main area. This is a really nice option if you don’t want to pay deluxe prices.

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

 

[aerxo17]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!! Despite absolutely no one suggesting it, (lol) we decided to go with AKL Kidani!!! Those 3 bathrooms in a 2BR... a game changer!! Plus a parking garage with elevators that will take us straight up to the room hallways?? Love it!! We love their shady pool as well. I know I said we didn't want to go back because we have stayed there before BUUUUUT we decided to do it anyway.

Woohoo another WDW trip for the books! Thanks again!!