Looking for Resort or Marriott Suggestions

[Capt Jack's Wife]

I'm looking to plan an extended weekend trip for Food and Wine Fest with a friend (both of us are 30+). She has Marriott points, I have Disney Visa points. It's been several years since my last Disney trip, so I'm looking for some suggestions. We've both been to Disney and love all of the parks, but will likely park hop to end up in EPCOT in the evenings for the fest. We may or may not hit all other parks.

Her request is for non-bus transportation to/from parks and maybe a Disney Resort for all around ease. She is in a wheelchair and would prefer to avoid buses whenever possible due to several negative experiences waiting for the lift. I'm pretty open, though it would be nice to stay in a "new-to-me" resort. (I've stayed in Art of Animation, Coronado Springs, and at the Wyndham Garden across from Disney Springs.) One resort I'm not really interested in is Wilderness Lodge (sorry, just not for me). I don't know much about Swan/Dolphin, other than the ability to use her Marriott points there. In terms of my transportation preference, if I'm being honest the Skyliner creeps me out a bit, though maybe you will all change my mind.

1) What resorts offer the most convenient (preferably non-bus) transportation to EPCOT? I know that Boardwalk connects, and am completely open to that idea, though I know this resort is on the higher end. Any tips/ideas for other price points would be greatly appreciated as well.
2) Which resorts are great for monorail or boat transport? I remember Port Orleans/Riverside has boat transport, but don't remember all other resorts that utilize this. And again, I know many of the resorts that connect directly to the monorail are higher priced, so open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[OKW Lover]

The Swan & Dolphin are Marriott resorts

 

[gottalovepluto]

BC is like maybe a 5 min walk to EP, 5-10 for BWI, YC. 15 for Swan/Dolphin. All have boats to EP but if you’re at BC walking is definitely fastest. BC/YC & BWI are not cheap. Swolphin can be mod priced unless there is a convention and then it’s crazy.

Marriott points prices can be all over the map so find out how many points she has and the points cost of the exact dates you’re looking at. Sometimes people think they have a lot of points and they find out they really don’t and can’t cover much of anything.

MK is on a different lake so to avoid a bus to MK you have to stay at GF, Poly, CR or WL. GF, Poly & CR have monorail transport to EP via connection at TTC. None will come cheap. You should bring up the prices and see if there are any deals for your trip and then you’ll have to converse about what the budget is. Minnie Vans are also an option for MK, about $40/each way and they have a couple accessible vans- but they are hard to book at peak times like park open and after fireworks. Sometimes I like to stay at Swolphin (they have specials like AAA rates) and splurge on a MV to MK.

DS also a different lake, so POR, POFQ, OKW, SSR are boats to DS but no parks.

 

[Skippyboo]

Yacht, Beach Club and Boardwalk are within walking distance to DHS and Epcot. They also have boat service to Epcot and DHS. Swan and Dolphin are more towards the Hollywood Studios side of Crescent Lake. Has boat service to Epcot and DHS.

 

[kanerf]

The Skyliner from the Riviera to Epcot is an easy trip and there is a single stop at Caribbean Beach to get on the Hollywood Studios line. I like the Skyliner myself, but you would need to try it and see.

 

[Marthasor]

If you plan on being in EP most nights, BC/BCV is your closest option, with YC and BWI coming in a close second. Swan/Dolphin are lovely Marriott resorts in the EP area, however their bus service to AK and MK leave a lot to be desired and never seem to be very wheelchair or scooter friendly (you could head over to BWI or YC to catch a bus there, but it's not very convenient). Poly is also convenient to both MK and EP as you can take the monorail to both parks (you can walk to TTC from Poly to get on the EP monorail line). Though some resorts offer more transportation convenience (Skyliner/Monorail/Boat/Walking), you won't be able to completely avoid buses no matter which resort you choose if you are visiting all four parks. POR and POFQ only have boats to DS - none of those boats go to the parks. Only deluxe resorts offer any non-bus transport to the theme parks. If you don't mind using the Skyliner, you could look at CBR, AoA and Pop to keep costs down though the line for the Skyliner at EP closing gets incredibly long. If you can swing it, I would consider BWI/BWV, BC/BCV or YC.