What resort best for a 2 night no park stay?

[emilymad]

We are coming to Orlando for 2 nights in January before a cruise. As we will only be there for one day I think we are going to skip the parks. I am trying to decide where the best place to stay is in a studio room. I am torn between SSR since it is close to Dowtown Disney or BLT since we could at least watch the fireworks. Which would be better or should we consider another resort? This will be our first stay as owners so I am only going by what I have read. Thanks!

 

[sarah4770]

Some ideas,
VWL , has bike rentals, you can bike over to fort Wilderness, sit on the porch at fw and have a drink.
They also have boat rentals, and you can see the Mk fireworks from the dock at the wilderness lodge, or the beach at FW, or take a boat over to the contemporary and watch them there. They also have a fitness room and limited spa services. It is also fun just to explore the lodge and the VWL.
BWV and BCV have the advantage of lots of restaurants within walking distance and you can see the epcot fireworks, and also the mk fireworks in the ditance from the boardwalk.
Have not yet stayed at BLT,( but will next week!) but have stayed at the contemporary and they have a nice pool, watersports, lots of restaurants/shops on the monorail.
I would say any dvc resort would be a good one, just pick which activities appeal to you best, and choose the dvc resort that offers them.

 

[jekjones1558]

We usually stay at BWV because DH can't do the parks as much as he used to. We book a BW view room and he loves watching the boats and the activity on the BW. We enjoy the entertainers on the BW at night and then we watch the fireworks from our balcony.
I just did a solo trip to SSR and really enjoyed it. The cast members were the best I have experienced in a long time. I loved being able to walk or boat to Downtown Disney. If you enjoy DTD and if you might also enjoy the wonderful Spa at SSR, then that resort would be a great choice.
BLT would be great for hopping on the monorail to visit the other monorail resorts and you could also use the special lounge to see MK fireworks.
You have lots of good choices! Have fun!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

I could spend 2 relaxing days watching the animals, eating good food and sitting by the pool.

 

[Sugardimples]

I would pick AKV.

 

[juncker]

Why not Boardwalk? Lots to do without going to a park.

 

[adminjedi]

We are coming to Orlando for 2 nights in January before a cruise.

January weather can be iffy. If it is rainy or cold, there won't be too much pool time! We have done several January trips and weather can hamper the fun of walking the boardwalk or DTD. Usually our favorite spot is BCV for proximity to WSC and DHS. If you are sure no parks, I might go with AKV. If it is cold, you can still be mesmerized by the animals with your balcony door closed or from the lobby!

You can see the MK fireworks from several restaurants outside of the park - California Grill at CR (my favorite view), Narcoosees or V&A at GF, or Ohana's at the Poly.

 

[dis-happy]

I'd pick BWV. Even when it's cold and/or rainy the boardwalk performers will come into the lobby and do their show. My kiddos love the Community Room there. Plus you could stroll over to Fantasia Gardens for a round of miniature golf. That said, there's no bad choice---VWL and AKL and BLT and SSR and BCV would all be great too!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

My picks would be either VWL for the activities mentioned by sarah4700, or AKV because of the animals and the friendly CMs. There are other food, wine activities held at Jiko's as well.

Bobbi

 

[a742246]

My pick would be SSR. You are going in January for a 2 day no park visit,
if the weather is cold, SSR has a great spa area (stream room, sauna, etc).
If the weather is good you have DTD.

 

[emilymad]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I am more confused now than I was.

I forgot about renting boats. We have never done that before and would be really fun. I guess weather dependent though. We have been there in January when we could swim and in March when we wished we had our winter jackets. Oh, the fun of FL!

We do love the Boardwalk. We actually got married there last year. I was thinking of trying something new but it is hard to not stay there. We have always stayed at the Inn so I guess staying at the Villas could be considered new. I can talk myself into anything!

We stay at AKL Jambo House in February on a cash reservation and it was the worst hotel experience I have had anywhere. The managers at the front desk were so awful and rude about the issue we were having. I doubt we will ever stay there again. I am sure staying on DVC would be different but we would rather not chance it.

Quick question on point usage... once you make a reservation those points are committed right? So if I made a reservation and then decided to change to another resort with lower points I would lose the extra points?

 

[dis-happy]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I am more confused now than I was.

I forgot about renting boats. We have never done that before and would be really fun. I guess weather dependent though. We have been there in January when we could swim and in March when we wished we had our winter jackets. Oh, the fun of FL!

We do love the Boardwalk. We actually got married there last year. I was thinking of trying something new but it is hard to not stay there. We have always stayed at the Inn so I guess staying at the Villas could be considered new. I can talk myself into anything!

We stay at AKL Jambo House in February on a cash reservation and it was the worst hotel experience I have had anywhere. The managers at the front desk were so awful and rude about the issue we were having. I doubt we will ever stay there again. I am sure staying on DVC would be different but we would rather not chance it.

Quick question on point usage... once you make a reservation those points are committed right? So if I made a reservation and then decided to change to another resort with lower points I would lose the extra points?

Since you were just married last year, is it the 2 of you going (no kids)?

Taking BWV (btdt) and AKV off the list, I would consider:

BLT (taking great advantage of the TOWL)
or
VWL (such a cozy place and the hot-tub is fab even if it's cold)
or possibly
SSR (and spend lots of time at DTD)


The points depend. If you have to borrow to make the initial reservation they have to be used before the UY ends. And if you change current UY points around when you are in the final 4 mos you won't be able to bank those points. Also, there's the 30 day rule if you are on a w/l and it comes through.

 

[sweetdana]

I vote SSR. If you will go to DTD. The Artists Pallet is beautiful. The views every where are wonderful.

If you will not go to DTD, I would pick BLT to enjoy the fireworks, and the food on the monorail.

 

[jekjones1558]

Quick question on point usage... once you make a reservation those points are committed right? So if I made a reservation and then decided to change to another resort with lower points I would lose the extra points?

If you change your reservation before 31 days the points return to your account. If they are current use year points they can be used, or banked if you are 4 months or more from the end of your use year month. If the points were banked or borrowed they would need to be used by the end of the use year. If you cancel inside 31 days the points are "holding" points that need to be used by the end of the use year AND can only be used for reservations that are 60 days or less until check-in.

 

[Donna M]

I'd vote for SSR so you can go to DTD.

 

[DenLo]

I vote for BLT. We've had a Theme Park (MK) view and a Lake View. Both gave us lots to see from the villa, boats including ferries coming and going, monorails (I could watch them all day) and fireworks. We could see the fireworks at Epcot from our Lake view villa. From our MK we could watch it from the balcony or either stay we could go up to TOTWL and have some drinks and appetizers (flatbreads) and then go out to the viewing area and watch Wishes.

Another advantage is that a monorail resort increases your dining options because not only do you have all of the restaurants at CR you also have, the ones at the Poly and Grand Floridian. Or for that matter you're a boat ride away from Ft. Wilderness or the Wilderness Lodge.