Taking Mom to WDW in Oct--which deluxe to stay?

[snod911]

Hi everyone. My best friend and I just got back from an awesome trip to WDW--my first since I was a young kid back in the 70's. Stayed at AK and YC and had a fantastic time at both places. Now that I've been bitten by the bug, I'm thinking of taking my wonderful Mom back to WDW on a long weekend in October to thank her for taking me when I was a kid.

I've tried to get her to focus on what sort of place she'd like to stay in but she's too kind to say ("well, wherever you want will be great with me"). I get the impression that she's less interested in places like WL, AK, the Poly or the CR and more interested in the Epcot Disney resorts and the Swan/Dolphin. I'd like to take her to the GF, but even though I bought an annual pass, I dunno if I'll be able to get a good enough deal to swing it. Any Moms (or others out there) who would care to weigh in with some recommendations? My Mom's an active 55 y/o who is probably less into thrill rides and wearing bathing suits at the pool than she would be into nice dinners, walks through the parks and the non-scary attractions

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[CharityLynn]

Boardwalk is very nice. There are several nice restaurants there and Jellyrolls is a lot of fun as well. I do belive there are some rooms that have their own little courtyard or something. We stayed in a studio villa last year loved it. Epcot resorts are awesome, we'll be staying YC this time around.

 

[C.Ann]

How about the Boardwalk area? From what I understand there are lots of restaurants and shops there.. I've been "dreaming" about the Boardwalk Inn (there are some awesome photos on Allearsnet.com) but who knows if I'll ever be able to afford it - LOL..

You're so sweet to do this for your Mom.. Can I be your Mom too?

 

[goofyfordisney]

I was just about to post a thread asking the same thing! I am going to be going with my mom for her 70th birthday in February. It will be a girls only trip. My sister might be joining us as well.

My mom is really interested in Epcot, so we have decided we will be staying at an Epcot deluxe resort.

I have already stayed at Beach Club with my family in November '02. It was o.k.--I found that it was very busy there--we were never able to get a spot by the pool and had to go to the quiet pool instead. I'm not sure if it will be as crowded when we go in February. (We plan on going the week before Presidents week)

We are kind of going back and forth between BWI and the Swan/Dolphin. We might consider the YC--is it really different than the BC? I am really leaning towards the BWI because it seems small. We would want an Epcot view too.


Hope you and your mom have a great time on your trip! I'll be reading this post to get everyone's feedback!

Sue

 

[snod911]

We are kind of going back and forth between BWI and the Swan/Dolphin. We might consider the YC--is it really different than the BC?

How funny...I'm sort of torn betwen the Swan and the YC/BC/BW as well. I recently stayed at the YC and found it to be really really nice. Definitely much quieter in the lobby and in the hallways than it seemed when I walked through the BC a couple of times. That said, I thought the decor was a bit fuddy duddy and less than fun (still very nice though). The staff seemed really nice, though--with the possible exception of the bell staff, who were nice but lost our luggage (we had it stored and when we went to check out we found that it had been erroneously sent back to the AK--not good).

Right now, the Boardwalk and the Swan are looking good based on the commends so far. I'm just hoping they'll release an AP code for it in the next few weeks! I just called the Swan, though, and they're not offering any AP or ALL EARS discounts in October (except for the 1st and 2nd).

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Anybody else have any hints/advice for where to stay with Mom/what to do?

John

 

[eleanor]

I am 70 and we stayed at the BWI in Apr. It is a lovely resort , compact with not to much walking, the quiet pool area has beautiful gardens and trees. I am sure your Mom would like it.

 

[paladin]

My Dad joined my husband and I on a trip a couple of years ago and we stayed at the BWV. The location was great and my Dad loved being able to walk to EPCOT and take the boat to MGM (they hadn't finished the walkway at that time). He thought this was a great location.

 

[quiteblonde]

My brothers and I are taking our mom on a trip in October, all expenses paid for her. We decided to let her choose the resort, so I sat her down and showed her pictures of all the resorts. She chose Pop, of all of the resorts because it reminded her of the vacations she took with her parents when she was a kid. My brothers response to her choice was:

Her second choice was AKL and we lucked into an amazing rate, so she agreed to stay at AKL this October as long as she and I could go back for a girls only Pop trip next year. Maybe let your mom choose...but be prepared for her choice, whatever it is.

 

[LisaS]

Based on what you said in your original post it sounds like YC or the BWI would be good choices. Since your mom is an active 55-year-old, she might enjoy being in a place where there is so much within walking distance: the Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM. I haven't stayed at BWI yet but I've stayed at YC twice and thought it was wonderful. Both times we had a room with a view of the YC lighthouse and the Boardwalk across the lake. It was so pretty at night. We enjoyed walking around the lake before heading back to the room at night and had planned to rent a surrey bike and peddle around the lake but never had time to do it. It looks like fun, though!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Another vote for the Boardwalk Inn

 

[Simba's Mom]

What do you mean, "active 55 yo"? We're not ancient at 55! I took Mom to WDW last month (and I think that "Wherever you want will be great with me" is something they learn to say in "Mom school"-my Mom tried that one too). We stayed at the BC and she loved it. It was close enough to Epcot even for her. She appreciated being close to the Boardwalk, but liked to be able to return to a little more quiet than staying on the Boardwalk would have been.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Wow, this is the first time that i have felt "old" on these boards. I am going to be 50 next February, and I hope to never be referred to as an "active" 50 yr old. I know if will probably happen, but geesh!! I still do all of the things I used to do when I was 20 and have no plans to stop! 50+ is not old.....unless you look at it that way.

So, since I'm an "active" 50 yr old, here is my advice. I LOVE the Epcot resorts and have NO problem whatsoever walking to Epcot or MgM. (hey, I don't even need a wheelchair I also love staying at a monorail resort, just BECAUSE. It has nothing to do with my age, but all to do with the atmosphere I want to enjoy. When I am at WDW, I feel as young as I did almost 30 years ago on my honeymoon.......

I'm really sorry if this sounds sarcastic, but I can run, walk, etc. with my 12 and 16 year old children, and don't feel for one minute older than them when I'm at WDW. And they know better than to treat me any differently, believe me!

 

[snod911]

No offense intended--perhaps I should have been more clear. I meant to convey that she's into sports, boating, golf, running, etc.--just not into rollercoasters.

Thanks again for all the tips!

 

[SylviaL]

Boardwalk area. Since it's during the F&W festival, stay at the BC so you'll be closer. Have fun!

 

[thumpersfriend]

Well, I am an active 56 yo, and just got back from the world in April with my 28 yo DD. It was just us and we stayed at the Poly and I looooved it. My favorite park though is the MK and epcot. We had never stayed at the Poly before and I loved being so close and seeing the fireworks at night and the EWP that my kids grew up watching. We went to Typhoon Lagoon and rented the little boats at the Poly. We ate at fancy restaurants each night and just had a ball. Just a little difference of opinion from a mom. We had to come home to relax!

 

[missypie]

BWI or YC. Also, if she likes Hawaii, try the Poly.

 

[erinz]

Wow, this is the first time that i have felt "old" on these boards. I am going to be 50 next February, and I hope to never be referred to as an "active" 50 yr old. I know if will probably happen, but geesh!! I still do all of the things I used to do when I was 20 and have no plans to stop! 50+ is not old.....unless you look at it that way.

So, since I'm an "active" 50 yr old, here is my advice. I LOVE the Epcot resorts and have NO problem whatsoever walking to Epcot or MgM. (hey, I don't even need a wheelchair I also love staying at a monorail resort, just BECAUSE. It has nothing to do with my age, but all to do with the atmosphere I want to enjoy. When I am at WDW, I feel as young as I did almost 30 years ago on my honeymoon.......

I'm really sorry if this sounds sarcastic, but I can run, walk, etc. with my 12 and 16 year old children, and don't feel for one minute older than them when I'm at WDW. And they know better than to treat me any differently, believe me!

Thanks for posting this! I'll be turning 50 next year and Aafter reading some of the posts,started to feel reeeaaaaally old!

Although.....when I was in my 20s and 30s, 50 seemed COMPLETELY over the hill.

OP, I think it is SO WONDERFUL what you are doing for your Mom!! I would pick like 2 or 3 places saying that they are your 3 favorite places, and then have her pick. Speaking as a mother, if she knows that you would love any of the places, she'll be more likely to let you know which one she would like.

Good Luck!! And have a GREAT trip!!

 

[kenziesmom]

My parents--mid 50's--stayed at BWI and loved it!!!!

 

[sherry8253]

My DH and I are both 51 and love the Swan and Dolphin. The heavenly beds are wonderful!! Great service, great location, great everything!!!!