Which DVC resort for a non-park stay.

[DannyDisneyFreak]

What is the best DVC resort to stay at if you are not going to go to the parks? My thoughts are between Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk. I kinda though BC because you got the mini-water park and close walk to the boardwalk. Or is access to Stormalong Bay worth the stay there? If not I may think Boradwalk is a good option. WL is another thought b/c of ferry access to the contemporary I know for sure and then you got the monorail and lots of dinning options. But then thinnking about the new AKL villas, it would be a more secluded trip but the atmosphere at the AKL is wonderful. What are your thoughts?

 

[spiceycat]

would pick OKW, SSR or AKV - you can't see the WDW parks here - so you won't be tempted.

If I see a WDW park - hey have to go....

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

would pick OKW, SSR or AKV - you can't see the WDW parks here - so you won't be tempted.

If I see a WDW park - hey have to go....

LOL I didn't really think about the temptation factor.

 

[rynosmom]

What is the best DVC resort to stay at if you are not going to go to the parks? My thoughts are between Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk. I kinda though BC because you got the mini-water park and close walk to the boardwalk. Or is access to Stormalong Bay worth the stay there? If not I may think Boradwalk is a good option. WL is another thought b/c of ferry access to the contemporary I know for sure and then you got the monorail and lots of dinning options. But then thinnking about the new AKL villas, it would be a more secluded trip but the atmosphere at the AKL is wonderful. What are your thoughts?

My DH and I did this last May and we stayed at SSR. We picked this resort and Congress Park in general for its location. We did DDP and staying at SSR made it a breeze to get to the other resorts for reservations. WL, BCV or BWV all would work as well. We were looking to do this again and this time we were thinking about either BCV or BWV. I love walking around there at night.

 

[HUFF590]

I would choose SSR also because of DTD.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Last time I did a non-parks stay, I stayed at BCV. Although it was a pretty good choice, DAKV weren't available. Next time, I'd definitely go there-there's so much to do right at the resort, just sitting watching the animals. However, BCV was good-lots of places for reading a book, lots of great choices for eating (although B&C is enough of a choice for me), sitting on the beach especially in the evening, movies on the beach.

 

[abner1776]

Hey...throw a Hersheys bar in front of me and I'm dead meat...same with WDW...put me close to or in front of one of the parks...and I'm there...

Keep me away from any of the monorail resorts, or the epcot resorts...too much temptation...WL is close to MK but one can just hang out at the pool without getting drawn into MK

SSR or OKW would also seem like a good choice

Now lets see...where did the Hersheys bar go....

 

[wdw1972]

It really depends on what you WILL be doing during the trip. I have a trip July 4th weekend, which is during my park pass blackout period. It's so darn hot in July I won't miss going to the parks at all, though! I booked SSR because I'll spend my evenings at the Comedy Warehouse and enjoy the dining at Downtown Disney. If I wasn't doing Comedy Warehouse I'd probably book AKV concierge (for the lounge), or possibly BCV (for Stormalong Bay & lots of dining in the area).

 

[Crispy21]

I would suggest SSR. It is the perfect resort for someone who doesn't value being close to the parks.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

What is the best DVC resort to stay at if you are not going to go to the parks?

HH or VB?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would be happiest at VWL, nature things abound, walk or bike over to FW and the night activities at FW. I love the atmosphere and the villa pool to relax in.

Next I think I would go to SSR because it's large and I could explore, and 3rd would be OKW for the same resons. They both have a boat ride to DTD and a walking path. I would look for the otter family and keep my eye opened for eagles. People have posted those sights here.

Bobbi

 

[BroganMc]

Given your choices, I'd pick VWL. It is more removed from the parks than BCV and BWV. Far too much temptation at the latter.

But in the best of both worlds, I'd pick SSR. It has plenty to do at the resort, is very relaxing, and has admission-free DTD on its doorstep. Go for July 4th or New Year's and you get a free fireworks show on the lake to boot.

OKW is another good choice. Better if you're saving on points, are a space hog or don't mind walking a bit to DTD. You can take the ferry too, but not all hours of the day.

 

[Flyerfan]

Another vote for SSR. For our first trip home last month, we arrived around noon on Saturday and didn't set foot in a park until Monday. Second choice would be OKW. No parks in sight.

 

[dvcdisney]

What is the best DVC resort to stay at if you are not going to go to the parks? My thoughts are between Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk.

We have stayed at all three and have spent time in the resort. Although I am quite biased, our absolute favourite is BC because of the SALB pool, we have two children that love it. However, I do love the atmosphere of the Wilderness Lodge (although I don't find the pool worth the trouble.)

As for BW, although it is a great location, we have decided not to stay there anymore because of the rooms we have had in our previous stays (very run down and unkept, imho).

 

[Desnik]

We have done 3 trips with no parks.(2 were weekends added to week long park visits)
When we stayed at WL we loved it. We never left the resort and felt no need to. We had a great time, however, had it been longer than 2 days, I might have wanted to be somewhere else. Maybe too much temptation being so close to MK and not enough to do at the resort. We did love renting the boats at the marina. We just stayed at AKV for a weekend and didn't leave the resort and could've stayed there much longer with no problems! There was so much to do and especially with a Savannah view, we could've spent a day on the balcony watching the animals. We have 2 kids(10 & 4) and they loved it and were never bored. There were so many activities and we didn't even have a chance to swim and we were not bored once. The resort is so breathtaking and we can't wait to go back. One of our stays was for 3 days before we went to VB and we stood at SSR. We had a great time. We swam, hung out at community hall, rented surrey bikes, went to DtD. It was a great location and we really love SSR.

If I was choosing for you I would need to know if you have kids and when you were going?

 

[starbox]

SSR hands down - because of the easy walk/boat ride to DTD and easy access to a bus-hub to go to any resort for dining. Also - cool pool choices: the main pool w/activities and etc/the CP pool overlooking DTD at night, and the Grandstand pool.


Also - at SSR you can take a ferry via DTD and go to POR (with two super-cool themed pools) or OKW to pool-hop. Also - you can go fishing at POR via. the ferry.

We did this and it was GREAT fun and very relaxing to just chill on the ferry.