Pick a DVC hotel for 1 night stay, no parks

[eticketplease]

Although there is a small section of DVC-targeted accommodations, Polynesian is technically not a full on DVC resort.

By definition there are only a few of “Full On DVC” resorts.

No to AUL, AKL-J, BCV, BLT, BRV, BWV, CCV, CFW, PVB, VDH, VGC, VGF
I am going to give AKL-K a pass even though it shares busses with AKL.

That leaves 5 resorts plus Kidani:
HHI, OKW, RIV, SSR & VB

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

AKL

 

[typeamom72]

Animal Kingdom Lodge!

This is our home resort, and we love it! I had the itch to try something new.

 

[typeamom72]

Saratoga Springs for me. If I'm not doing parks, I'd want to have Disney Springs walking distance from me for the dozens of restaurants, bars, music, and entertainment. 3 different pool areas to choose, two with food, one with full bar. On-site restaurant is decent as is the quick serve, but with Disney Springs right across the bridge, you have all the food choices you could ever need.

I’m strongly considering Saratoga because of the dining options/nightlife. I wasn’t sure if the pool situation was good, but it sounds like it has several votes!

 

[typeamom72]

One more vote for SSR paddock , but to be honest I would not stay in any disney hotel if I was not going to WDW , plenty of better hotels with awesome pools in Celebration or Winter Park

The siren song of my points is beating a cash stay.

 

[typeamom72]

GF is on my list for those exact reasons.

Grand Floridian Villas. Lots of good and great (Victoria & Alberts) choices there. Plus you can monorail hop to fun bars if that’s your thing.

 

[typeamom72]

I think that's my call too, including the Paddock pool location. I would probably put RIV as a second choice. AKV-J is the dark horse, but if and only if you'd want to have dinner at Jiko.

Who doesn’t love Jiko? AK is our home resort. The restaurants make it a slam dunk for most of our stays!

 

[typeamom72]

Riviera!

Sadly, resale owners here. Riv makes me reconsider my hesitation over direct pricing!

 

[AZMermaid]

Aulani. Either AMA AMA or Monkeypod across the street for dinner.

 

[AstroBlasters]

If you had to choose a DVC hotel based solely on the pool, food availability at the pool for lunch and restaurant choices for an evening meal, where would you stay? Two adults have a one-night trip in the works, no parks.

Aulani, obviously.

 

[vinmar4]

If you had to choose a DVC hotel based solely on the pool, food availability at the pool for lunch and restaurant choices for an evening meal, where would you stay? Two adults have a one-night trip in the works, no parks.

AKV Jambo house or Riviera.

 

[ClaraOswald]

If we're just talking about the Florida DVC accommodations...

I've never stayed there before, but I'd probably consider SSR. Their pools look nice and the proximity to Disney Springs would be nice for a non-park stay.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If you had to choose a DVC hotel based solely on the pool, food availability at the pool for lunch and restaurant choices for an evening meal, where would you stay? Two adults have a one-night trip in the works, no parks.

AKL fits your needs perfectly! Beautiful resort, 2 awesome pools, The Mara is our favorite for lunch at the pool, and Boma/Jiko/Sanaa offer some of the best resort restaurants on property for you to choose for your dinner. Throw in how peaceful and relaxing it is, and you can't go wrong! And yes, we're biased because it's been our favorite resort for decades - but it also really checks your boxes for a 1-nighter!

 

[Brian Noble]

Sadly, resale owners here. Riv makes me reconsider my hesitation over direct pricing!

Then I think I'd do SSR if you don't want to go back to AKL-J.

 

[typeamom72]

Then I think I'd do SSR if you don't want to go back to AKL-J.

I think you’re right. I’ve been tempted to try something like Poly or WL for the experience, but I think SSR is probably the best choice in this situation!

 

[RickNJane]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Beach Club! Best pool hands down. Unfortunately we can no longer pool hop for BWV ! Besides there are lots of eateries around Cresent Lake. Don't discount Swan or Dolphin for dining. As for RIV. I just don't get it. SSR would be another to look at for close proximity to Disney Springs.

 

[Brian Noble]

I’ve been tempted to try something like Poly or WL

Poly is not a terrible choice, but I like the non-park dining in both the EP-area and Disney Springs better (though Citricos is pretty good). I *love* WL, and the pool looking out over Bay Lake is wonderful, but it does not have an "adult" restaurant; you'd need to take the boat to the monorail loop.

 

[TCRAIG]

If it’s just 1 night and no parks - I wouldn’t want to be on the monorail loop or BWV or BC because I’d have major FOMO missing out on a park visit. I would also skip WL (BRV or CC) because 1 night does NOT do those resorts any justice. So that leaves SSR or OKW…with a slight edge to OKW due to the overall ambiance of the resort…it’s very relaxing.

 

[Cfabar1]

A one night at WDW from arrival time to check out time only one resort for a couples/adult only stay I would do VGF so quickly I cannot even tell you.

SSR preferred where you could walk to Disney Springs would maybe be a second choice. BW/BC wouldn't be too bad either.

Now... if it is one night, but you can come earlier and enjoy a full day and stay later, I might be tempted to say VB - especially if you aren't going into parks. Nothing more beautiful than sitting in your room and hearing the sound of the waves at night.