Resort for last day - best pool?

[Aliceacc]

Why not make Beaches and Cream your dinner? I can't see you being hungry enough for that sundae so soon after lunch.

Plan B, stroll to Epcot for dinner. The Coral Reef, or any of the table or counter service places in World Showcase are a 5-10 minute walk from the Yacht Club via International Gateway. And stay for Illuminations. There's something so incredibly wonderful about not fighting the crowds as you walk back to your resort.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks so much everyone for your great suggestions. If we change that last night it will likely be Yacht Club as both DH and I like the look of it. It’s a big price jump for that 1 night though, and DH is understandably a bit grumpy watching the budget go up.

We are going to sleep on it - and I can’t do changes to our booking online, so will have to phone them to make the change tomorrow if we decide to do that. Then will likely give up the DS lunch but keep the B&C for a quick break away from the pool in the afternoon. Still thinking on the dinner - could make it a bit later to give us more afternoon time at the pool before showering and changing...

I am not at all sure I would even change resorts at this point. You could do several things to enjoy that last day that do not include swapping out resorts and taking a huge financial hot that both of you are not in agreement to do.

I would keep your resort, and maybe add a water park onto your tickets. Spend the better part of the day there and then head over to B&C for your sundae. (I wonder if you really know what you are holding onto: this is Edy's ice cream, and you can get it in the MK at the ice cream parlor. Better ice cream elsewhere) After that, go back to the resort to get refreshed and then head to DS for dinner.

 

[Sue M]

Thanks so much everyone for your great suggestions. If we change that last night it will likely be Yacht Club as both DH and I like the look of it. It’s a big price jump for that 1 night though, and DH is understandably a bit grumpy watching the budget go up.

We are going to sleep on it - and I can’t do changes to our booking online, so will have to phone them to make the change tomorrow if we decide to do that. Then will likely give up the DS lunch but keep the B&C for a quick break away from the pool in the afternoon. Still thinking on the dinner - could make it a bit later to give us more afternoon time at the pool before showering and changing...

There are so many dining options in the area, BC/YC has 3 and Boardwalk has many restaurants. I’d stick around to enjoy and experience the area you’re (maybe) in. Plus you can stand on the bridge and watch Epcot Illuminations, and catch some of the Boardwalk street entertainment and still be able to go back and enjoy some more pool time or hot tub.
The run to DS will pretty much take up your entire last night. The bus service to DS is notoriously poor.

 

[Sue M]

I am not at all sure I would even change resorts at this point. You could do several things to enjoy that last day that do not include swapping out resorts and taking a huge financial hot that both of you are not in agreement to do.

I would keep your resort, and maybe add a water park onto your tickets. Spend the better part of the day there and then head over to B&C for your sundae. (I wonder if you really know what you are holding onto: this is Edy's ice cream, and you can get it in the MK at the ice cream parlor. Better ice cream elsewhere) After that, go back to the resort to get refreshed and then head to DS for dinner.

I agree, B&C is same icecream they serve in most places thru WDW. But maybe they’re looking at it for the experience? The atmosphere is so cute. Kitchen sink? Only place to get it.
Ample Hills on the Boardwalk has better icecream if all they’re wanting is icecream. I think maybe there’s more to it.
Water park is a good idea but not sure how much it would cost to buy a family WP tix vs upgrade resort.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The Yacht Club is a great choice but if you want a resort that is not quite so expensive then I would go to Port Orleans - Riverside. It has a nice pool with a slide and a very relaxed atmosphere. The food court is good, too. Then you can take the Hollywood Studios bus and then the boat or walk to Beaches and Cream, although a taxi would be quicker. Then walk or take the boat back to DHS, bus to POR, then back to swimming. Then you can take the POR boat to Disney Springs for dinner.

 

[Monykalyn]

try Ample Hills at the BW - ice cream is even better and no ADR necessary.

Sooo much better!

Most people would disagree but we like OKW. We are going here in September. One of the reasons is we just like to be able to relax by the pool in the afternoon for some down time. Maybe not the most exciting pool but the Sandcastle slide is nice. There is also several quiet pools. It is only a 20 minute boat ride to DS. The rooms are huge. Rent points for 1 night. A studio for a night would be very affordable. you didn't mention the size of the accomodations you need so I am assuming a studio.

Alternatively, have you considered staying at Pop and simply purchasing water park tickets for your last day? You could then go to DS for dinner and sundaes at Ghiradellis in the evening.

As others have pointed out-that is a ton of travel time for a "pool" day. Hard to get ADR's aren't always indicative of quality-both Ghirardellis in DS and Ample hills creamery have superior choices, although I understand keeping a hard fought for ADR! (my son felt ill the morning of our BoG lunch ADR-we cancelled so we could do a relaxed morning and not have any plans).
Yeah the BC pool is cool-it also gets crowded, and the quick service options there are not great at all. I also,personally, could not be that close to WS and not want to pop in for dinner LOL!

Personally I like the idea of either WP tickets (so not having to pack up a room, move, then anticipate time around a pool?) and dinner in DS or renting the DVC points-my kids liked Stormalong bay but the pools at SSR when we stayed there were fun as well, and far less crowded and much more relaxing.

I am kind of contemplating the same thing in August-and have pretty much decided to do a waterpark day vs moving resorts. It will be the first trip where we stayed longer than 5 days and didn't do a resort split stay though!

 

[nkereina]

I agree with PPs that the current ADRs are not conducive to a pool day at any resort. We allow 60 minutes to get from our resort to any park or Disney Springs (and 60 minutes back) so that will take up quite a bit of travel time. If it were me, these would be the most viable options:

1. Book Saratoga Springs, do an early lunch at Homecomin, pool time in the afternoon, dinner at STK and then just get a sundae at Ghiradelli after dinner. Cancel Beaches & Cream. Being able to walk to and from Disney Springs from SSR is a huge time save, but keep in mind you should be decent to eat in Homecomin and STK. No swimsuit coverups.

2. Book Yacht Club/Beach Club or Boardwalk. Do pool time in the morning, eat snacks/QS lunch at the pool, break for the Beaches & Cream sundae, do STK for dinner.

Or, cancel all ADRs and play it by ear. Or just keep the dinner one. Or search ADR availability if you decide you want one on the day of and choose from the available options. We don't like to have plans on our pool days. We spend most of our time clock watching to make sure we have enough time to go back to the room, shower, and get to the bus stop an hour before we need to be somewhere. We also don't know when planning if we'll have bad weather part of the day, if we'll get sick of the pool quick, if we'll enjoy it and not want to leave... so not having plans gives more flexibility.

I will echo the suggestion of looking into DVC point rental for the one night to save a few bucks. Not sure when you're traveling so it may be a long shot, but Saratoga Springs often has even last minute availability if you're flexible with room type, view, size, etc.

 

[TrixieBel]

Hi everyone, and thanks again for your suggestions! The update is...

We changed that last night (4th August) to the Yacht Club (YC). We like the look of it, and as some said - it’s a bit quieter.

I’ve also changed our dinner ADR to the Ale & Compass. I love the look of the menu which has a number of low carb options for us. For now I’ve kept the Chef Arts booking just made it earlier so we can swing past there on our way between the resorts. And, I’ve kept the B&C reservation for an afternoon break from the pool, for a sundae.

It’s going to be a decadent day - celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. And after thinking it through, DH was totally on board

 

[Nancyg56]

Hi everyone, and thanks again for your suggestions! The update is...

We changed that last night (4th August) to the Yacht Club (YC). We like the look of it, and as some said - it’s a bit quieter.

I’ve also changed our dinner ADR to the Ale & Compass. I love the look of the menu which has a number of low carb options for us. For now I’ve kept the Chef Arts booking just made it earlier so we can swing past there on our way between the resorts. And, I’ve kept the B&C reservation for an afternoon break from the pool, for a sundae.

It’s going to be a decadent day - celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. And after thinking it through, DH was totally on board

You will like the YC, it is lovely.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Stay at Beach Club and get sundaes at B&C from the to go window and eat them pool side. Then do dinner on the boardwalk. I want to try Yachtsman and Il Mulino this trip.