POFQ, YC, Swan, or Waldorf?

[earfulofmagic]

For an upcoming (no parks) one night stay passing through Orlando, I have a choice between POFQ, Yacht Club, Swan, or Waldorf Astoria. Haven't stayed at any of these before, though I'll be at POR briefly in November. I'd love to hear any opinions you'd like to share, especially if you have stayed recently at these hotels.

Wherever I end up, the idea is to enjoy the resort, pools, and whatever's nearby in the evening/morning. So, maybe dinner at Disney Springs if at POFQ, Boardwalk if at YC/Swan, maybe Disney Springs if at Waldorf. I'm arriving right at the usual check-in time of 3 PM, and then my flight leaves the next evening at 5 PM.

Which would you pick? (And for your choice, if you can recommend a restaurant for dinner, breakfast or lunch, either in the hotel or nearby, what would it be?)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would take the Waldorf off your list. We stayed there and it was a lovely hotel but felt very much like a convention hotel and really could have been anywhere. Nothing special IMHO.

For the others, it depends on how much you want to spend. Both Swan and YC are great, have great pool areas and access to the Boardwalk area. Of the 2, I'd book the one that's cheaper. The Swan/Dolphin has some of the best restaurants on property - bluezoo, Kimonos and Il Mulino are great. Go to the Boardwalk at night for the entertainment and get ice cream at Ample Hills.

POFQ is also lovely. We love the Boathouse in DS for lunch or dinner.

 

[cutigerlady]

I would book YC because you have so much to do without going to a theme park. There are so many good restaurants at the Boardwalk, I wouldn't bother with DS for one night. Our favorite is Flying Fish and you can get drinks from the new bar next to it. You can stroll around the BW at night and watch the different street performers and wonder through all of the Epcot area hotels. You can make a day of sitting by the pool before you head out.

 

[Babsy]

I agree with DisneyWishes14 that the Waldorf can be removed from the list.

My vote was for the Swan and is based upon the belief that you will be able to get a room at a better price there than at the YC. If, however, that is not so, then I would choose the YC as first choice. OR, if price is not a factor, then the YC would be first choice.

The Swan is our go to resort in the Epcot area because of the comfortable beds, the lovely, newly refurbished rooms, the dining options, the location and the nice grotto pool area. Again, as DisneyWishes14 said, the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin are among the best in the area. We have enjoyed Fresh for breakfast and Bluezoo for a nice dinner. The Fountain is a fun place for a burger and milkshake sort of lunch. Other places in the area that we have enjoyed are Beaches and Cream for lunch or snack, Cape May Cafe for a character buffet, Trattoria al Forno for the calamari and the Flying Fish for a special meal. Ample Hills is touted for their ice cream, and we enjoyed it, but not as much as I had anticipated. There is nowhere to sit inside at Ample Hills and I like the atmosphere of the Beaches and Cream (BC) or the Fountain (Dolphin), so we usually opt to go to one of those for our frozen treats.

You will be able to watch the high fireworks of Illuminations from the resort area which will be nice in the evening, if you are interested. The nearby Boardwalk will have evening activities that you can enjoy during your stay. If you want to splurge for a one day ticket, Epcot is right on your doorstep with lots of dining in World Showcase. If dining at the Swan or Dolphin, and you have a AAA card, then you should check for a discount.

POR is also a great resort, but if you are checking it out in Nov, I would stay in the Epcot area.

Enjoy!!!

 

[SwanVT2]

Stay at the swan. Eat at kimono there if you like sushi. It is excellent. Trattoria on the boardwalk has homemade pasta. Enjoy a walk around the boardwalk it is lovely.

 

[ScotScroogeMcDuck]

Wow, i echo a lot of the other posts on here. Stayed recently at Hilton which connects to Waldorf and walked through to it, I agree a lovely hotel but you could be anywhere. We stayed in the same holiday at Port Orleans and loved it.

I would choose Yacht or Swan though and spend an evening with a drink walking round the Boardwalk area.

 

[earfulofmagic]

I didn't update, but I read all the replies as they came in. First, thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

Next, I booked the Swan for that night. I'm super excited! Planning on eating at Kimonos that evening, and maybe Fresh for breakfast the next morning.

...and I booked Yacht Club for a few nights at the beginning of this trip. Double excitement! (Fly into Orlando and spend a few days, then I need to be in GA for a while, back to Orlando for one night at the Swan, then fly home. The last night is like my Disney swan song, if you will. )

Five days to go til I'm checking in at Yacht Club!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I didn't update, but I read all the replies as they came in. First, thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

Next, I booked the Swan for that night. I'm super excited! Planning on eating at Kimonos that evening, and maybe Fresh for breakfast the next morning.

...and I booked Yacht Club for a few nights at the beginning of this trip. Double excitement! (Fly into Orlando and spend a few days, then I need to be in GA for a while, back to Orlando for one night at the Swan, then fly home. The last night is like my Disney swan song, if you will. )

Five days to go til I'm checking in at Yacht Club!

Awesome! I love your plan. Kimono's is SO good!! And Fresh is good, too! Save room for Ample Hills ice cream if you walk around the Boardwalk!!

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

Voted Yacht Club.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

why not four seasons

 

[JerseyJanice]

If you're at the Swan or YC on Friday or Saturday night, consider the Garden Grove Seafood Sensation buffet for dinner. It's like $30 before tax and tip after the AAA discount, and it is a fantastic value and a very nice meal. The crab legs, stuffed lobster and prime rib are outstanding. And the best part? No ADR nonsense. If you want a reservation (but you probably won't need one), book it on Open Table. Easy, peasy.

ETA: Fresh is a fantastic breakfast buffet with a fresh juice bar included.

 

[Shanti]

Yacht Club has an excellent pool complex, an excellent steakhouse, and an excellent ice cream parlor just steps away. You can rent a boat to drive on Crescent Lake, ride a tandem bicycle on the Boardwalk, or play mini-golf at the nearby Fantasia mini-golf course (15 minute walk). You can have breakfast with characters at Cape May Cafe.

If you're going to stay at Disney World, you might as well stay in the heart of it.

 

[OKW Lover]

The Waldorf is far and away the best hotel on this list. We've stayed at all of them. I'd also expect it to the the more expensive option.

As far as best restaurant, that honor would go to Bull & Bear at the Waldorf.

 

[flortlebap]

You'll love the YC. it has a lovely atmosphere and it's so close to the action!

I'm meh about swan and dolphin but I could probably cope with one night

 

[Christiaan]

POR, Beignets. Nuff said. Lol