No park trip, which resort?

[photobob]

Just wondering for those that have done no park trips, where did you stay? And if you have done this at other resorts which did you prefer. There are of course many different factors to consider, including what you plan on doing while you are there. If you want to just hang around the resort and pool, or plan on resort hopping trying activities outside the parks.

I would think OKW and SSR would be good for such a trip, and so would BC with SAB and the proximity to BW. I would have a difficult time though being so close to Epcot and not going!

 

[MikeyNS]

SSR would be my vote. I love wandering the grounds and the proximity to DTD is great..

 

[Thumper4me]

My vote is for BWV. I love wandering around the boardwalk. There are plenty of restaurant choices. I also like the proximty to Fantasia mini golf courses.

 

[jwfla422]

I also agree with SSR. We did a non-WDW park trip 3 or so years ago and stayed there for the first time and fell in love with the resort and have had a tough time staying anywhere but a DVC resort since!

We went to Seaworld that trip and I found it very easy to get there from that location as well. You have access to all of the WDW resort restaurants, DTD and you can easily drive around the LBV/Kissimmee/Orlando areas. Being that you're not too close to the Disney parks it won't be so tough to pass them up!

 

[rynosmom]

We did this and stayed at SSR. We liked the ease of walking over to DTD and the ease of getting on a bus to visit another resort.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I would think OKW and SSR would be good for such a trip, and so would BC with SAB and the proximity to BW. I would have a difficult time though being so close to Epcot and not going!

I think that's one of the biggest complaints about OKW, about how far removed it is and also that it's not really as Disney themed as the others. Personally I love it for that reason alone, after beating the hot pavement doing the parks all day, I want to escape to a lush tropical resort. I love the pools, the common areas, golf, tennis or just to walk around and bicycle. During the summers we stay a week and may do just a water park and that's it. We love the resort!

Also, the Orlando area as many nice restaurants to try! I get a little tired of always the same thing.

Personally I can't be near Epcot myself without going!

Enjoy! No matter which resort you choose!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think AKV is the best "no park" resort! It's like a destination in itself, and you can't beat the restaurants or the pool, not to mention the new pool which should be spectacular. Add to that the wonderful time that is had sitting on the balcony of your savanna view room watching animals, and it's a true retreat!

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

We did both the AK Lodge (no villas at the time), BCV, & BWV with no parks. Each one was great for different reasons! It is definitely hard to be that close to Epcot, though! It was really fun to head to other resorts to eat, pool hop, or just look at them, and going to DTD was neat, too. That always seems to be a hectic stop for souvenirs instead of going just for fun. Good luck with your decision!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Either AKV or VWL would be my choices for a no park resort, and of the two I would probably pick VWL because there are more activities, like bike riding and water sports to keep us busy.

Bobbi

 

[Mamiamjo]

I would stay at Beach Club Villas (maybe because I own there). That way you can use SAB and also be W/I a short walk to the Boardwalk and all the entertainment there.

 

[anna08]

Another vote for BCV if you are going during warm weather months and can be certain to use SAB! Lots of Boardwalk entertainment at night, movies on the beach, and can see Epcot fireworks with a short walk.

 

[ccigliano]

I've done a week no park vacation at VWL and relaxed by the pool, rented a boat to go out on Bay Lake, and took several leisurely walks on the nature trail over to the Fort Wilderness campgrounds. The resort itself is just a wonderful place to relax with all its nooks and crannies - and no its not a Thomas's . I also did the Hoop De Doo Review one night, California Grill another at the time of MK fireworks so that we could view them from up there, and also viewed them from the beach of the Grand Floridian one night. We went to the Boarkwalk one evening and watched Illumination from the entrance by Internation Gateway. We also did Boma for dinner one night and went to AKL early so that we could view the animals and relax at the resort too. We took advantage of all the things that we never had time to do when we were running from park to park and spent time visiting other resorts. We did this before they had the Magical Express and so we had a rental car and we also went to check out Vero Beach one day, it was also a beautiful beach resort. I'm sure you'll have fun whichever resort you pick.

 

[photobob]

I didn't even think about pool hopping! That'd be pretty cool too. Is there any place besides SAB that you can't hop too. Can we only pool hop to other DVC resorts or can we go to any?

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I think part of your decision should be based on the age group of your party.
If you are with kids in the under 10 set, SSR is great with the pool, community hall, and arcade. You can "sneak" out to the Turf Club while they are enjoying the Arcade.
If you have older kids, I can see going to SAB and the Board Walk area for the faster pace.
If you are childfree, again SSR with the Spa and abundant quiet pools, grounds for walking, and easy access to DTD is a plus.
Having not stayed at AKL, I have no opinion but agree with an earlier poster that it is a destination unto itself.
Any which way, any day at "home" is better than a day at work.
Enjoy!

 

[backyardponder]

I think the best resorts for a no-park trip are BWV, BCV, VWL, SSR, OKW, AKV...in other words, all of the above!!! I really don't know how BLT will be.

 

[tlcav]

I would say SSR. We spent a full "no park" day there on our last two trips. We always say there is enough activities to spend the week. The kids love the pool and were able to join in on the activities in the club house. Biking, and fishing. There are lots of things to do downtown with the kids also. The little ones love that Lego store, and the Disney Quest is great for the older ones. There is that new Dino restaurant, and tons of other food options and nightlife. Cirque du Soleil, House of Blues... You realy don't have to leave the area.

 

[mamaprincess]

If you won't have a car, my first choice would be SSR because if you stay in a building close to DTD, you can boat or walk over and then catch resort buses from and back to DTD. You are remote enough to not feel like you are missing the parks. They aren't visible from SSR but still only a fifteen minute drive at the most to anywhere on property or a bus ride. I'd suggest the Grandstand building 8200 because it is very close to the Carriage house, main pool and right by the other feature pool. It also is a quick walk to the boat docks. We would just walk to the Carriage house and walk through it to the back and out the back doors and the boats are down the stairs. This is great when it's hot. The boats are great because you can boat to OKW for a swim and to Port Orleans as well as DTD. Excellent location.

My second choice would AKV only because it won't be as easy to get around to other resorts without a car. Like someone else said it is truly a destination unto itself. It would be an awesome resort to vacation at even if it wasn't on Disney property.

 

[littlestar]

I would say SSR. You are next to Downtown Disney and the resort has a spa, too. Not to mention the nice grounds for walking.

 

[CheapMom]

ssr gets my vote. we have done 2 no park trips- 1 at ssr, 1 at akv. they were both great, but the proximity to DTD gives the edge to ssr. (We spent time at House of Blues and Raglan Rd. and we hit the movies. Plus we did a little resort hopping- very easy from ssr)

 

[DeeCee735]

IMHO, BW or AKV. I'm actually pretty good at planning these no park trips
I've got one coming up in November. 3 nights with 2 of my cousins
We are staying at AKV. I've already got a pretty good general itinerary planned.

Day 1: Check in and have some drinks and hang by the pool or on a savannah view balcony. Get into the room, unpack, relax, check out the our savannah view balcony. Have some more drinks at the lounge and a late dinner at Jiko.
Day 2: Spa day at SSR! Yes Dinner at Flying Fish Cafe and Jellyrolls at BW afterward

Day 3: Breakfast in Boma, hang by the pool or resort hop, or DTD for some shopping and lunch. Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse or maybe Cirque Du Soleil

There's many more ideas for a non park stay....rent water sprits is one of em , etc.

happy planning!