Resort Recommendations for Two Adults

[ApolloFX]

Looking for resort recommendations for a 7 night visit for two adults with no kids for September. What’s important to us is some quick or at least easy access to some parks, my wife doesn’t love the busses so where we can avoid that or minimize it would be best. Walking distance to a park or parks is a plus. Right now I have standard Poly booked but also considering a studio at BWI or garden room at Contemporary which are available, all close in price so that’s not really a factor. I like the idea of some restaurants and adult beverages nearby at BWI. Just a little lost and open to any other resorts as well, surprising her with the trip so want to make it the best I can!

 

[PalmettoPath]

For me in that scenario it would be Yacht Club (generally quieter than Beach Club, but shared amenities), Grand Floridian or Contemporary.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

If you have hopper tix I would definitely stay near the Boardwalk area. BC, YC, or BWI are all great options. I'd also checkout Swan, Swan Reserve, or Dolphin. They share the benefit of being close to two parks with normally a cheaper price tag.

 

[ApolloFX]

For me in that scenario it would be Yacht Club (generally quieter than Beach Club, but shared amenities), Grand Floridian or Contemporary.

Thanks for the recs, I’ve been watching for the Grand Floridian but it never seems to be available for our dates so that may be out. Contemporary and Yacht are but Yacht is $200 more a night.

If you have hopper tix I would definitely stay near the Boardwalk area. BC, YC, or BWI are all great options. I'd also checkout Swan, Swan Reserve, or Dolphin. They share the benefit of being close to two parks with normally a cheaper price tag.

BWI rooms look kind of bland, seems a little boring.

 

[k5xs]

I think the BWI would be great.

You might also consider the Riviera. It’s not walking-distance close to any park, but you can get to EPCOT and DHS with a quick trip on the SkyLiner.

 

[Denise W]

BWI does not have studios, those are in the DVC portion of the resort, BWV.

 

[RoseGold]

I would pick dolphin or swan (Marriott). Easy access to two parks, likely much cheaper. They can be expensive, but last time I went they were $159.

Better beds, toiletries. You can always walk over the Disney transportation and have access to the same stuff you would at boardwalk. Worth pricing it at Marriott.

 

[maryj11]

I like the Polynesian. It has the monorail to MK and Epcot. Short walk to TTC. Boat ride to MK is nice.
I like it also because it has great theming. Contemporary’s theming does not appeal to me. I have never been to BWI so I cannot comment on it.
In September it’s going to be super hot so for me walking to a park is out. Unless it’s a short walk.

 

[Miffy]

I think part of your decision has to do with what your favorite, most-visited parks are. If you love MK, then stay on the monorail line, preferably at the Contemporary or GF, since you can walk to MK from either. Although your current Poly reservation is a short hop to MK and easier to get to the monorail to switch for Epcot.

If you love Epcot and DHS, then stay in the Boardwalk area, since you can walk to both from there. BTW, if you love Disney theming and ambience, do not stay at the Swan or Dolphin. They're perfectly nice hotels, but they lack that Disney feel.

Wherever you stay, you will need a bus for DAK--or a taxi or rideshare, if you don't have a car. No avoiding this.

But if you love MK and that's your favorite, most-visited park, stay on the monorail loop. MK is at least 15 or 20 minutes away by bus (or more if you rideshare, since you'll be dropped at the TTC not the MK gate) from any of the non-monorail-area resorts and it is so convenient if you're right there.

Also the monorail loop has so many places for you to get a drink, since it's easy to resort-hop around the loop.

 

[_19disnA]

I agree that deciding which park(s) you will visit more is probably what matters most. No DIsney hotel is closest to every park so that is one place to start. I also don't think any Disney hotel is worth $200/day more then any other regardless of the amenities/design/theming. Everyone seems to have their opinions about theming so what might appeal to one person is probably not someone else's favorite. There are 3 hotels on the monorail loop with access to MK. Contemporary is the closest for walking and you can also easily return from the park by taking the monorail as it is the next stop.

You can also take the monorail to Epcot, but some people like doing this while others don't. Staying at one of the monorail loop hotels also gives you the option to eat at any of those 3 hotels and simply hop the monorail back to your hotel.

Renting any of those online taxis can get pricey if you are traveling around a lot and want to avoid Disney busses. The only way to get to AK, for example, if you don't have a car is Disney bus or taxi.

 

[ApolloFX]

BWI does not have studios, those are in the DVC portion of the resort, BWV.

You are correct, I should have said BWV.

I like the Polynesian. It has the monorail to MK and Epcot. Short walk to TTC. Boat ride to MK is nice.
I like it also because it has great theming. Contemporary’s theming does not appeal to me. I have never been to BWI so I cannot comment on it.
In September it’s going to be super hot so for me walking to a park is out. Unless it’s a short walk.

Good point on heat, we have never stayed at the Poly and the theming seems to feel really Disney more than some of the others I was considering. I’m afraid, for similar money, the Contemporary will feel like any other hotel. Also think I would like to avoid Swan and Dolphin for the same reasons despite some recommendations above.

I agree that deciding which park(s) you will visit more is probably what matters most. No DIsney hotel is closest to every park so that is one place to start. I also don't think any Disney hotel is worth $200/day more then any other regardless of the amenities/design/theming. Everyone seems to have their opinions about theming so what might appeal to one person is probably not someone else's favorite. There are 3 hotels on the monorail loop with access to MK. Contemporary is the closest for walking and you can also easily return from the park by taking the monorail as it is the next stop.

You can also take the monorail to Epcot, but some people like doing this while others don't. Staying at one of the monorail loop hotels also gives you the option to eat at any of those 3 hotels and simply hop the monorail back to your hotel.

Renting any of those online taxis can get pricey if you are traveling around a lot and want to avoid Disney busses. The only way to get to AK, for example, if you don't have a car is Disney bus or taxi.

Agree on the $200/day. Contemporary is actually now about $100/day cheaper than Poly would be.

I’m just not sure what parks will be our primary, we have hopper tickets but we haven’t been there in so long I don’t know what parks we will enjoy most as adults. Seems that I see EPCOT recommended a lot for adults.

 

[RoseGold]

Good point on heat, we have never stayed at the Poly and the theming seems to feel really Disney more than some of the others I was considering. I’m afraid, for similar money, the Contemporary will feel like any other hotel. Also think I would like to avoid Swan and Dolphin for the same reasons despite some recommendations above.

I might try to rent points for Riviera. It's not my cup of tea, but I can see it being the classy Disney vibe you might be going for.

Riviera is in sales and they haven't "declared" or released more inventory to sell in a long time. If Riviera declares more points, any DVC will be able to book it. I would expect to see that happening within the next few months. You might be able to book RIV last minute by DVC standards. The RIV tower studio (small) is a great value.

Another option on the table is VGF. Currently, DVC VGF points can book the new wing opening in June. But only VGF points can book until mid-May. If you can find VGF points to rent, that would be an awesome choice. The other option would be to use any DVC points, and have someone on the phone for you in mid-May.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would absolutely do an EP area hotel so you can hop into EP for evenings for an adult trip. Or maybe a split stay for a couple nights at Poly to do MK and then move to EP area.

 

[Marthasor]

For 2 adults, I would do an EP resort. There is just so much to do over there - restaurants, lounges, 2 parks - within walking distance. Our favorite is YC, water view, but I would take whatever is available at the lowest cost. I would also take a look at Swan/Dolphin (book directly through Marriott). We had a deluxe balcony room at Swan in October that had a view of the fireworks at night and a "no view" room in February with a view of Tower of Terror. Not bad for, typically, much less than a WDW resort!

 

[DeeBee3]

Epcot area resort - either the Boardwalk ones: yacht/beach club or boardwalk. Or, Swan/Dolphin. Could also consider a Skyliner for easy access too.

Walking/boating to HS or Epcot is amazing and it's got fun stuff to do at night - Abracadabar, Jellyroll's, etc

 

[maryj11]

I might try to rent points for Riviera. It's not my cup of tea, but I can see it being the classy Disney vibe you might be going for.

Riviera is in sales and they haven't "declared" or released more inventory to sell in a long time. If Riviera declares more points, any DVC will be able to book it. I would expect to see that happening within the next few months. You might be able to book RIV last minute by DVC standards. The RIV tower studio (small) is a great value.

Another option on the table is VGF. Currently, DVC VGF points can book the new wing opening in June. But only VGF points can book until mid-May. If you can find VGF points to rent, that would be an awesome choice. The other option would be to use any DVC points, and have someone on the phone for you in mid-May.

I’m not sure much is left for DVC rental for September. We just rented for December and the studios are about gone. I guess they can always check.

 

[RoseGold]

I’m not sure much is left for DVC rental for September. We just rented for December and the studios are about gone. I guess they can always check.

You are wrong. The new VGF wing is wide open, but you need VGF points or someone on the phone in mid-May to book it.

RIV will open when they declare, which could happen at any point but I think has to happen in summer.

 

[maryj11]

You are wrong. The new VGF wing is wide open, but you need VGF points or someone on the phone in mid-May to book it.

RIV will open when they declare, which could happen at any point but I think has to happen in summer.

Oh ok good. I was searching on DVC rental store so it might not be showing on there.

 

[PolyRob]

Oh ok good. I was searching on DVC rental store so it might not be showing on there.

Try checking after 5/13 when booking of resort studios opens to all members

 

[PolyRob]

For me in that scenario it would be Yacht Club (generally quieter than Beach Club, but shared amenities), Grand Floridian or Contemporary.

Another vote here for Yacht Club!

I love Poly and Beach Club, but they are very "family friendly" and their lobbies are always swarmed with families checking into 'Ohana and Cape May Cafe. YC typically has conventions going on and it is very quiet throughout the day. Prime location to walk to Epcot and DHS. Yachtsman is also wonderful and is in your lobby! You would also have a nice quiet pool away from Stormalong Bay. BWI has some big fans, but the rooms are very dated compared to YC and BC. It's going to start a refurbishment soon and IDK if that will fall during OP's stay.

GF would be my 2nd vote after YC if OP doesn't want access to Epcot and DHS and prefers access to MK. The lobby is so big that it handles large crowds much better than Poly. It also has some of the best adult dining on property. It's going to be under a lengthy refurbishment and I am not sure if this will negatively affect OP's stay (paths rerouted, Narcoossee's closed, lobby changes, etc).

Without kids I feel like the Moana theming at Poly and Incredibles theming at CR can get lost on travelers. Poly is also going to be a mess with the DVC tower construction. I personally wouldn't want to stay on the cash side until the tower was completed. More than half the non-club level rooms will be on top of the construction site. Only Rarotonga, Niue, and Samoa are on the other side. Utilities are already mapped out and Luau Cove is currently being demolished.