WDW Resort stay ideas without going to the Parks

[Raine81]

We will be going to WDW late this year and are doing a split stay between Poly and Boardwalk. We are then going on a cruise and have 2 days to kill after the cruise before we have to fly home. Which WDW Resort has the most activities for a 6 yr old? We would not be going to any of the Parks for those 2 days and just want to relax at a resort. I hear Beach Club has the best pool, but any other resort recommendations?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Parents often complain about the difficulty of seeing their young kids at Stormalong Bay. Yes it’s awesome- but if you need to be able to keep an eye on your kid it might be pretty exhausting.

I’d consider AKL. It’s a beautiful hotel and pool and you have the animals.

 

[Raine81]

Parents often complain about the difficulty of seeing their young kids at Stormalong Bay. Yes it’s awesome- but if you need to be able to keep an eye on your kid it might be pretty exhausting.

I’d consider AKL. It’s a beautiful hotel and pool and you have the animals.

Thanks for the info! I will check out AKL

 

[DL1WDW2]

Whenever I visit the Polynesian Resort I notice lots of families enjoying the grassy lawn area with activities plus the Dole Whip Float stand is nearby.
That childrens water playground looks like a lot of fun plus the option to take a mini boat ride or monorail to other locations.
Most deluxe resorts have a nightly marshmallow roast and outdoor movie.
I dont know if DVC membership is required but the childrens center in lobby of BLT is excellent. They make tie-dyed shirts so easy and not messy plus they wrap it super duper in plastic to pack in suitcase for trip home. Apparently the longer you keep it wrapped, the longer the color lasts for your Mickey designed tie dyed shirt or pillowcase!
I think POP Century has this craft also.

 

[Raine81]

Whenever I visit the Polynesian Resort I notice lots of families enjoying the grassy lawn area with activities plus the Dole Whip Float stand is nearby.
That childrens water playground looks like a lot of fun plus the option to take a mini boat ride or monorail to other locations.
Most deluxe resorts have a nightly marshmallow roast and outdoor movie.
I dont know if DVC membership is required but the childrens center in lobby of BLT is excellent. They make tie-dyed shirts so easy and not messy plus they wrap it super duper in plastic to pack in suitcase for trip home. Apparently the longer you keep it wrapped, the longer the color lasts for your Mickey designed tie dyed shirt or pillowcase!
I think POP Century has this craft also.

Do you know if all the deluxe resorts have a Children’s Center? Do you happen to know if all the resorts have playgrounds?

The tie-dye craft sounds like a fun activity!

 

[ucf_knight]

We will be going to WDW late this year and are doing a split stay between Poly and Boardwalk. We are then going on a cruise and have 2 days to kill after the cruise before we have to fly home. Which WDW Resort has the most activities for a 6 yr old? We would not be going to any of the Parks for those 2 days and just want to relax at a resort. I hear Beach Club has the best pool, but any other resort recommendations?

Best resort hands down for families not doing parks is the fort. Rent a cabin and a golf cart and you’ll have a great time. So much to do from bike rides, pony rides, fishing, gem mining, playgrounds etc.

 

[DWillowBay]

Boardwalk would have the surry bikes, pool and Boardwalk games/ entertainment at night. You could also use Beach and Yacht Club restaurants. Skyliner station is near by if you wanted to get to Caribbean Beach or Riviera.

 

[disneydreamer781]

AKV or WL would be my choices. Very relaxing and I could wander around those resorts all day. I love the Epcot resorts but they are just way too close to EP particularly with a festival going on. I don't have that much willpower. GDT is also a great resort. We stayed there and never did the parks. It would have been nicer without the Cheer/Dance groups but once they left it was so peaceful. Great lounges, a wonderful top-floor restaurant, and Three Bridges is not to be missed IMO. It's even more lovely in the evening. I've learned not to go at the end of April though.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Do you know if all the deluxe resorts have a Children’s Center? Do you happen to know if all the resorts have playgrounds?

The tie-dye craft sounds like a fun activity!

I believe that all the resorts offer tie-dye activities. There aren't very many resorts with playgrounds. Fort Wilderness has the best one. Boardwalk has one and I think Kidani does, too.

Storm Along Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club has the best pool. The kid's pool is shallow and has a sand bottom. Kids can play for hours in there. You can order food and beverages from the wait staff who walk around the pool area. It is very relaxing and convenient.

 

[_19disnA]

I think any 6 yr old will be hugely disappointed to be staying AT Disney without actually going to any of the parks. Park of the high price for Disney hotels are proximity to the parks. There are a lot of other really nice hotels in the Orlando area if that is where you flight will be departing from.

 

[Raine81]

Best resort hands down for families not doing parks is the fort. Rent a cabin and a golf cart and you’ll have a great time. So much to do from bike rides, pony rides, fishing, gem mining, playgrounds etc.

Staying at the Fort sounds amazing (and expensive lol) but looking to rent DVC, so thinking about WL which is close by!

 

[Raine81]

AKV or WL would be my choices. Very relaxing and I could wander around those resorts all day. I love the Epcot resorts but they are just way too close to EP particularly with a festival going on. I don't have that much willpower. GDT is also a great resort. We stayed there and never did the parks. It would have been nicer without the Cheer/Dance groups but once they left it was so peaceful. Great lounges, a wonderful top-floor restaurant, and Three Bridges is not to be missed IMO. It's even more lovely in the evening. I've learned not to go at the end of April though.

I keep going back and forth between AKV, WL and BCV… Leaning towards WL… AKV sounds amazing but with our son having sensory issues he is a very picky eater so thinking by the looks of the menus there would be more available for him to eat at WL. But I am also still in love with the pool at BCV. I am so indecisive! I am blanking on what GDT stands for?

 

[Raine81]

I believe that all the resorts offer tie-dye activities. There aren't very many resorts with playgrounds. Fort Wilderness has the best one. Boardwalk has one and I think Kidani does, too.

Storm Along Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club has the best pool. The kid's pool is shallow and has a sand bottom. Kids can play for hours in there. You can order food and beverages from the wait staff who walk around the pool around. It is very relaxing and convenient.

I am glad to hear that the tie-dye activity may be offered at all resorts! Would definitely love to do that. Thank you for the playground info! And BCV is in my top 3 so far because of Stormalong Bay!

 

[iona]

I keep going back and forth between AKV, WL and BCV… Leaning towards WL… AKV sounds amazing but with our son having sensory issues he is a very picky eater so thinking by the looks of the menus there would be more available for him to eat at WL. But I am also still in love with the pool at BCV. I am so indecisive! I am blanking on what GDT stands for?

Gran Destino Tower - it’s at Coronado Springs. If you’re thinking about renting DVC how about Saratoga Springs? Then you’ve got everything that’s at Disney Springs close by. You could save the others for a longer stay.

 

[fla4fun]

I have done long weekend, no park stays at WL a few times. Between activities at the Fort and at WL, plus the fact that it feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of the parks, it’s a great choice.