Let's talk walking distance at resorts!

[Boopuff]

I've noticed many people don't love OKW, SSR because they're "too spread out", too much walking, bus stops are far. But I also read that many people complain about the walking at AKL (those hallways never end). And let's not forget about long lines for the monorail at any of the "looky-loo" monorail resorts. Is there a perfect resort that doesn't require walking, bus stops convenient, and not spread out? It seems that walking is the norm at WDW.

 

[byurick]

Riviera

 

[Genie+]

It’s a mixed bag. We always rent a car, and that part is a nicer experience at OKW than BWV. But then BWV is nicer in that there’s so much more to do in our immediate area along with easy access to 2 parks.

Logistically I love Poly and VGF but not because the MK monorail. They also have so much to do in the immediate area and have great alternatives to the monorail for getting to MK. The resort boats are lovely! Plus Poly has the Ferry as an easy option, and you can walk right over to EP monorail.

Our last 2 AKV stays were at Jambo House and that has spoiled us lol. It’s not like I’d never stay Kidani again but given the choice we prefer Jambo because overall the ‘feel’ and logistics were a tad more enjoyable.

We do alot of park hopping and enjoy trying the dining and other offerings at different resorts. That’s why we have a strong preference for MK and EP resorts. I build off that location when planning our trips, knowing that stuff in the area means easily being able to pop back in our room. Over the course of a trip that convenience adds up even if it is not at every opportunity. The vast majority of non-park WDW stuff to do is in those 2 areas.

 

[Genie+]

Riviera

I have not tried Riviera yet but am looking forward to it! I’m 100% convinced to try it but DH is in love with staying at Grand Flo.

 

[muppets3d]

I feel like Wilderness Lodge isn't far behind Riviera as far as everything being fairly close. The longest walk is probably the water taxi dock.

 

[Steelers0854]

Agree with the above, could maybe throw BLT in there as well.

 

[DizDaD7]

Yes I would say BLT, for sure. Also PoFQ is a small resort & easy to get around.
RiV is nice and new and perfectly located, but honestly it's far from screaming Disney IMHO. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't stay there again, it's just not nearly as themed as other resorts.

 

[Miffy]

Yes I would say BLT, for sure. Also PoFQ is a small resort & easy to get around.
RiV is nice and new and perfectly located, but honestly it's far from screaming Disney IMHO. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't stay there again, it's just not nearly as themed as other resorts.

This is a DVC thread--it took me a moment to realize this since I read the New posts--which is why I deleted my post, since I was talking about POFQ as well, but it's not DVC. It had better never become DVC because it's hard enough to get a reservation there already!

 

[DizDaD7]

This is a DVC thread--it took me a moment to realize this since I read the New posts--which is why I deleted my post, since I was talking about POFQ as well, but it's not DVC. It had better never become DVC because it's hard enough to get a reservation there already!

Ooops..You are Correct.....My bad..

 

[zackiedawg]

I don't really have a problem with spread out resorts, because I rarely need to have access to the entire resort area...just the section where i'm staying and the main building for the stores and restaurants. So OKW and SSR which are always dinged in these types of questions are actually not bad at all - IF you get yourself in the right sections. OKW if you're 'near Hospitality House' category, or in the first few buildings on Peninsular Road are great - easy access to the main building and food, TWO bus stops within an easy walk, and they are the first and last bus stops for the resort so you can always be the first on the busses and if you miss one, you can walk over to the last bus stop and catch it there before it leaves the resort.

SSR is even better or me - because when I request Congress Park, I've got a bus stop that's reasonably close, it's not a long walk to the main building for store and restaurants, if I have a car I can actually drive over to the main building if I'm in a rush or don't want to walk with hands full of groceries, AND I've got easy walking access to Disney Springs with dozens of restaurants and bars as well as busses to every resort for resort hopping. It also pays dividends coming back from parks at closing times or busy times - with exception of Animal Kingdom, I can walk from a theme park to the nearest connected resort and hop the Disney Springs bus and simply walk back to my villa at SSR from there - no crowded busses or long lines.

Boardwalk is my home resort, and I consider it very convenient most of the time - during crowded park seasons, they often run a dedicated bus rather than share with Beach/Yacht, and even when they do share, I can often get off at Yacht and either walk or boat over to Boardwalk if I am done with the bus experience. There's convenient walking paths to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, as well as boats to each if I'm feeling more tired or lazy. Plus, I've got 5 other resorts I can walk to and 3 more I can take the Skyliner to...so plenty of restaurants and options. The only ding to Boardwalk is dependent on where my room is - as they have very long hallways if you're down one of the wings.

And I have to put an asterisk on this one, but Fort Wilderness Cabins can be great IF you have a golf cart. I never stay there without one, so for me it has plenty of convenience as I can just golf cart my way to the boat docks or the bus stops to get to any of the parks or nearby resorts. It's relaxing and calming at the end of a day to hop off a boat or bus and walk over to your nearby golf cart for a nice wind-in-the-face drive back through the pine trees and wildlife. Getting goods from the store, or restaurant are similarly convenient with the golf cart. I honestly don't think I could stay at the cabins without the golf cart though. Since I have a strong preference for boats over busses, I often start my days parking at the boat docks, take the boat to MK (or Contemporary/Wilderness Lodge if it's later in the day), and then take the busses there to whichever other park I'm headed to. At the end of the day coming back from the parks, I can hop the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge bus, then head out to the boat dock and sail back to Fort Wilderness where my cart is waiting by the boat dock. The combination boat ride and cart ride is so decompressing that I'm relaxed by the time I get back to my cabin.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Ahem…Beach Club is darn convenient. It’s extra great for bringing elderly parents along. And no Skyliner needed for the Skyliner averse.

 

[Wedgeout]

All the chatter about being so expansive, hallways that go over a half mile. Oh poor me, I have to actually use my feet to get around the resort yet walk over 13 miles randomly crisscrossing a park is just fine. (My visual thoughts go straight to a space cruiser from Earth in Wall-E).

As far as DVC resort walking & accessing all they have to offer. Convenient distance to transportation spots or multiple park entrances:

BCV, RIV, BLT, VGF, PVB. (In that order). But I’m one of those that love the walking and scenery of OKW & AKV.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've noticed many people don't love OKW, SSR because they're "too spread out", too much walking, bus stops are far. But I also read that many people complain about the walking at AKL (those hallways never end). And let's not forget about long lines for the monorail at any of the "looky-loo" monorail resorts. Is there a perfect resort that doesn't require walking, bus stops convenient, and not spread out? It seems that walking is the norm at WDW.

The walks at BRV/CCV aren't bad at all, IMO. Though some complain about bus waits/bus sharing. And we have had to wait a long time for a boat on a few occasions too.

But the walks are fine. And the walk from BRV to the bus stop is pretty much completely covered which is nice for sun/rain.

 

[BlueGreen5]

All resorts are going to require some walking and some additional modes of transportation. No DVC resort is going to put you within walking distance to more than two parks. So, the question is really which resorts are best at efficiently transporting you to your destination of choice.

My vote would be for the original DVC studios at Poly or, as others have said, Riviera.

The Poly studios are nice simply because of where, within the resort, they are located. It's an easy walk to anything transportation related, including the TTC. It's the only resort where you can get directly on the EPCOT monorail with an easy walk. Granted, the walk anywhere there is going to be mostly uncovered (and you might prefer a similar-distance walk down a long, climate controlled hallway in, say, the rain or heat). The tough sell on Poly is that it does share a bus with the Grand Floridian at times (Poly is the first stop). Given that these are two busy resorts, and given the road construction that is currently going on within and right outside Poly, it's a significant drawback, and one I'm always hoping they'll reconsider, especially when the dust starts to settle on the new tower. We've never had a problem with the MK monorail at Poly -- its monorail stop always seems to be less crowded than the other two monorail resorts for some reason.

Rivera is nice because I believe it is the only DVC resort that does not have internal bus stops and does not share a bus with another resort/building at the resort. In other words, once the bus to or from the only stop at Riviera's lobby starts moving, you know no one else is getting on or off it until you reach your destination. Add in the Skyliner for EPCOT and HS, and its centralized location if you are doing a rideshare, and it checks all the transportation boxes nicely. The transportation-related drawback to Riviera is that, while it gets "good grades" for all destinations, it does not get "great grades" for any one in particular, whereas you have other resorts that allow you to easily walk to one or two parks or Disney Springs. As much as people dread the idea of a walk at the end of the day, it's so nice to not have to wait on anything to come pick you up and to be able to avoid the bus/skyliner/boat lines at park open/close.

 

[tx911]

I have not tried Riviera yet but am looking forward to it! I’m 100% convinced to try it but DH is in love with staying at Grand Flo.

I love the Riviera and VGF. So different from one another but both fantastic.

 

[tx911]

I think BC and BWV are both pretty great as far as buses and location. Even though there is some bus sharing it’s NBD.

 

[BlueGreen5]

I have not tried Riviera yet but am looking forward to it! I’m 100% convinced to try it but DH is in love with staying at Grand Flo.

We had the opportunity to stay in a 1BR at both VGF and RIV somewhat recently. If you are interested,

I wrote up a pretty detailed report here.