Where would you stay if....

[BambiLady]

you weren't going to be doing the parks???

2 adults and 2 kids (2 yr old and a 6 month old) and most likely not going to get park tickets so we are going to be taking full advantage of the resorts. Which resort would you choose and why?

 

[PamNC]

I would stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I like the resort but it is hard to get to the parks at times. I would like being in walking distance of Fort Wilderness. You could stay a week and never go to a park and have a great deal to.

 

[Blondie]

I'd stay at the Dolphin or Swan. The lower level of the Dolphin is like a mini-mall with several restaurants to choose from, hair salon, fitness center, arcade, & laundry. The Boardwalk is within a few steps for other dining options and at night there are things to keep your little ones occupied.

The Grotto Pool (main pool shared between the Swan and Dolphin) is a tropical paradise with hot tubs, water slide, baby pool and white sandy beach area where the kids love to play. There's also playground equipment too!

You'll be able to see the nightly fireworks from Epcot's Illuminations on a bridge walk way between the Boardwalk and the Dolphin.

Here is one of my favorite photos of the Dolphin Grotto pool area!

 

[Harmony]

I'd stay somewhere other than at a WDW resort 'cause I'd *have* to go to the park. lol They would be just too tempting for me to stay away.

 

[riggins]

I'd vote for Wilderness Lodge too. We just returned for a quick 4-night stay at WL and spent very little time at the parks (we're AP holders, so we did go some). We try to avoid going in the summer b/c of the crowds and heat, but decided at the last minute to take advantage of a great AP rate and go, with the intention of spending most of our time at the resort. Like the previous poster said, there is a ton to do at the Lodge itself and you're just next door to Ft. Wilderness, where there is even more to do.

Good Luck with your choice!

 

[purplern]

Another Wilderness lodge. Lots of things to do and you could take the boat to MK and back,very relaxing and nice ride!! You can watch the Electric Water Pagent on the beach.

 

[Briarmom]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but what is there to do at WL for 4 days without going to the park? I am having this same dilemma. We are going to do the parks for 7 days and then want to just 'hang' for the next 4. Make your case for the WL, please.

 

[Kaycee]

I would stay in one of the Boardwalk area resorts. I prefer the Swan and Dolphin (the Swan is my favorite) but any of the resorts in that area would be great. There's so much to do right there - great restaurants, activities on the Boardwalk, miniature golf, shopping.

I also love Wilderness Lodge. It's a beautiful resort, and I think I'd be perfectly happy spending a week just hanging out there.

 

[edingerc]

Orlando IS the parks. If I wanted a vacation without the parks but still Disney, there's Vero Beach and Hilton Head.

 

[dcgrumpy]

BW area or WL

 

[Leota]

Orlando IS the parks. If I wanted a vacation without the parks but still Disney, there's Vero Beach and Hilton Head.

I gotta agree. As much as I love some of the resorts, esp. the Dolphin - I just can't imagine going to Orlando without going to the Parks. I'd rather do the Beach.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I'd rent a condo on the beach in Destin!!

otherwise...I'd stay at the Poly because it has monorail access to other resorts you could do the "resort tour" for a day...and the ease of access to the other restaurants...PLUS you would feel like you were in Hawaii : and the volcano pool seems to be good for younger kids as well as older. Plus they have the Neverland club that your kids might be able to visit (not sure about ages soorry) plus they have a dinner show there. Otherwise I hear FW is great for activities and such for little ones, sounds like summer camp all year!!

 

[BambiLady]

Well we would likely do the parks for 2 days then spend 4 just hanging out at resorts and doing character meals. I have to agree with Briarmom when she questioned the overwhelming WL vote. I have stayed there and was wondering myself why that we be such an obvious choice w/o doing the parks. I was leaning towards Epcot resorts since it's like 5 hotels in 1. I am open to suggestions though.

 

[becka]

I think I would also stay in the BW area. The YC/BC would be fun because the pool there is like a waterpark!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We do this a few times each year. We usually stay at the GF or POLY when we go resort only. In fact, we will be at the GF starting the 17th of September for 6 nights - resort only.

 

[edingerc]

I don't consider the resorts themselves worth the money, without the parks. The rooms are small and even the most deluxe resorts have only acceptible furnishings. The villas are quite a bit better, room-wise but the furnishings are still only acceptible, for the level of money you're paying. If you're staying in a deluxe resort, take that same amount of money to a large city luxury hotel and see what it buys you... quite a bit more. Now, the service at the resorts is also a major plus from Disney, but what makes the stay magical are the parks AND the getting away from the parks

 

[prncess674]

If you aren't going to go to the parks I would stay at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando. Service is top notch and so relaxing!

 

[bubba73]

Going to WDW without going to parks would be killing me. I could be in Daytona Beach and still drive over to at least one park for one day. If I wasn't going to a park, I would rather go to Myrtle Beach or Gatlinburg. But if I am going to stay in WDW and stay at any resort I want too, I will stay in the EPCOT area. Probably Beach Club. At least I could see Illuminations each night.

 

[J and R's mom]

you weren't going to be doing the parks???

2 adults and 2 kids (2 yr old and a 6 month old) and most likely not going to get park tickets so we are going to be taking full advantage of the resorts. Which resort would you choose and why?

I'd recommend the EPCOT area resorts as well. The pool options there are really nice. The boardwalk is right there. You are also within walking/stroller distance of miniature golf.

You could also rent points from a DVC member and stay at SSR. They have a nice pool and close to DTD--which has LOTS to do. Plus, SSR also has a spa.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but what is there to do at WL for 4 days without going to the park? I am having this same dilemma. We are going to do the parks for 7 days and then want to just 'hang' for the next 4. Make your case for the WL, please.

WL is my favorite resort. I could probably stay there without going to parks and be perfectly happy. To answer the above question (just to name a few):
1) The pools/hot tub
2) The rentals for the lagoon--little boats, fishing excursions and whatever else they may have
3) Take the boat to Contemporary (CR) and shop, then hop on resort monorail and visit GF and POLY (be sure to check boat operating hours)
4) Guided tour of the grounds. I know they schedule this several times a week. I've never done it but I've heard good things about it.
5) Rent bikes for the trails
6) Walk on the trails
7) Go over to Typhoon Lagoon (if it's open during your stay)
8) Watch the nightly electric parade on the lagoon
9) Take the boat to Fort Wilderness Campground and--

• do the nightly campfire/movie
• ride horses
• Hoop-Dee-Doo-Music Review

I also have a 2yr old and an 8 month old and understand the need for downtime and quiet and SPACE. If you can, I'd recommend seriously considering renting points from a DVC member and staying in a villa at either VWL, BCV, BWV or SSR if you don't want to go to the parks. You'll be spending ALOT of time in the room and the villas have alot more space and kitchens (or kitchenettes if you get a studio) and washers/dryers. Depending on when you go, renting points can be cheaper than rack rates (or even discounted rates) for standard hotel rooms and you get so much more for the money. Visit the DVC boards on this site for more info on renting if you're interested. You can rent points through a rent board here on the DIS.

Either way you choose, have a great trip. There is plenty to do without having to go to the parks...and if you change your mind about parks when you're there, I bet they'll still sell you some tickets.

 

[edingerc]

{beep} sorry, the judges will not accept this answer. It's one of the parks