Which resort for a no parks trip?

[disneyfan2kids]

We're thinking of planning a long weekend trip in the spring for just DH and I. No kiddos. We'd like to not do the parks either.

Which DVC resort would you choose for and adults only/no parks trip...and why?

 

[ccigliano]

I would pick a DVC that is attached to a hotel so that you will have all the ammenities of the resort right there (WL, BCV,BWV,AKL). That said I vote WL as I have done this on one occasion. We walked on the nature path to FW and checked out the petting zoo and rv loops several mornings after breakfast. From thw WL we rented a boat and tooled around Bay lake - went to MK, GF, POLY, CR and FW. Relaxed by the pool by day, hot tub by night and worked out at Sturdy Branches. Took a boat over to the CR and did dinner at CG an hour before Wishes so we could still see the fireworks at MK. Took the bus to the T&T, and then a bus to Boardwalk, where we strolled, ate, and shopped. Getting to other resorts was half the fun as we did dine at Jiko (AKL), 1900 Park Fare (GF), CG (CR), and ESPN Zone (BW). We also tried to spend time doing things we never have time for when touring the parks. Have a great time.

 

[BroganMc]

I'd stay at SSR then. You're close enough to walk over to DTD if the ferry is late and there's a lot of adult activities at the resort.

BWV/BCV would leave you feeling like an outsider not allowed to visit a park.

VWL and AKV are both good themed resorts but there just isn't enough around to keep you busy.

OKW would be second choice. You can ferry or walk to DTD (takes longer) and the views are very relaxing fro the balconies.

 

[ADP]

I vote for SSR. A beautiful, peaceful resort with the best spa on Disney property. You have shopping and dining very close to your resort as well.

 

[simzac]

If I were planning a no park trip, I would choose between HHI and VBR, but you didn't include them in your choices. So I went with my home, OKW. Love the quiet feel of the entire resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would pick AKV. Not because it's new, but because it truly is a destination resort! I certainly could spend many days there and not get bored! My second choice would be OKW or SSR, because of their easy access to DTD, and the fact that OKW is also a full resort unto itself.

 

[alldiz]

I picked SSR because it is sooooo relaxing and peaceful....

Also near DTD for partying and the buses that go to any resort for dinner
ADR's. I would request Congress park.....so you can also walk to DTD and
have a nice view of the action.
Happy Planning
Kerri

edit....how could I forget.....THE SPA

 

[JimC]

This is hard!! We go adults only all the time and do not select the resort because of parks. For us it will depend on the time of year and the particular theme we want to enjoy and the restaurants we want to frequent on that trip.

I would also consider HH and VB for an "park-free" environment.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hey, Vero Beach is right there in Florida too. Try a DVC resort that is designed and run as a resort that doesn't have WDW next to it. It makes a difference. Calm, more activities, better attention to maintenance and details, a REAL beach, bunches of other atttractions nearby like:

5 minutes away is Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and a wildlife education center. Just a few minutes further up the road is Sebastian Inlet State Park , about an hour away is Kennedy Space Center visitor complex, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with walking and driving tours. 20 minutes south is McKee Botanical Garden (18 acres) with some REALLY cool vegetation and trees. 30 minutes south in Fort Piece is the Manatee Observation and Education Center.

Seriously, if you want to skip wdw while at DVC this is the way to do it.

Oh.... and compare the points. Cha-Ching....

 

[Chester's Mum]

I would prefer OKW for its atmosphere and it is also close to DTD, but I chose SSR thinking if we were staying in a studio it would be nice to have a bed and a sofa. Sitting on the beds watching TV just feels like a hotel room to me. If you were getting a 1 bedroom unit, then I would choose OKW.

 

[tomandrobin]

This is definately a persoanl choice. We do the "Adult Only" trips at leat twice a year. We like SSR for its laid back feeling. We always go to DTD on all of our visits, and the resort has a great gym and spa.

I would also recommend going to AKL and staying concierge level. If you are going with no kids, might as well take it up a notch!

BWV and BCV are too busy for us, but if you plan on going to Epcot alot, I would stay there.

Vero Beach would be an excellent choice for a no park, no kids trip! Nothing like taking walks on the beach, listening to the waves ............

 

[Granny]

I voted for AKV, mostly by process of elimination.

I agree with ccigliano that I would prefer a resort attached to a hotel to get the all the hotel amenities. SSR is close to DTD and all that it has to offer so that's an option too.

BWV and BCV I crossed off.....I would have a hard time being in the shadow of two parks and not visiting them!!

VWL....well, that would be MY choice but not necessarily everyone's cup of tea.

I think AKV is just a great place to explore and have a full vacation experience without leaving the property.

But as always, you really can't make a bad choice here, can you.

 

[Island Mouse]

I chose VWL for its serene, wilderness atmosphere.

 

[Holly]

SSR- DTD and it has a great spa for pampering!

 

[lisaviolet]

I chose VWL for its serene, wilderness atmosphere.

Yep, me too. And just did a VWL no parks in May. Underrated for no parks. The resort speaks for itself. But add easy access, aaaah by boat as well, to FW, CR, Poly, and GF. Loads of dining, terrific CS at Poly, Wishes from Poly, lovely walk to FW, boating rentals on lovely water ways, campfire at FW....etc. etc.

Love VWL.

 

[Candace]

If you are booking a studio, then SSR for its proximity to Downtown Disney and the wonderful spa. If, however, you are booking a 1BR unit, then definitely OKW, because the jacuzzi is easily big enough for two adults......

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

My choice would be VWL! The poll says "beautiful setting" but its so much more than that... There is quite a lot to do at VWL because you have all the other amenities of the MK resorts at your boat and call. The only problem is that most of the on resort activities are physically active ones....biking, boating, hiking, swimming. The only lazy thing to do is eating and maybe listening to a story time or resting in the lobby or by the pool.

If I couldn't get into VWL I'd go for SSR...proximity to DTD and the rest of metro Orlando is huge if you have a car. I'd imagine the spa and golf would appeal to others.

 

[twinmom108]

My choice would be VWL! The poll says "beautiful setting" but its so much more than that... There is quite a lot to do at VWL because you have all the other amenities of the MK resorts at your boat and call. most of the on resort activities are physically active ones....biking, boating, hiking, swimming. The only lazy thing to do is eating and maybe listening to a story time or resting in the lobby or by the pool.

My thoughts exactly. In fact our next trip to Florida we will not be visiting any parks and we will be staying at VWL. Can't wait.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Gosh! I'd have to attend a 12 step program first......I don't think even then I could stay out of the parks....not if I were that close.

 

[crisi]

Your poll has "love those Boardwalk Views" as the draw for Boardwalk - its really unlikely you'd get one for Spring at this late date....if that is the appeal of that resort for you cross it off. AKL Concerierge also seems very unlikely. In fact, I think you'll find availablity limited for certain times in the Spring already - depending on when in the Spring you are talking about going.

We know what you don't want to do - what DO you want to do?

For us, an adults no park trip would involve a lot of lying around the room reading. So we'd want a decor inside the room that we find relaxing. We'd spend some time near a pool - but we'd want a quieter pool experience. We'd want good access to a lounge in the evening. We'd want to eat very nice meals at signature restaurants. The need to stroll back and forth to the lounge would kick out SSR and OKW - from the far buildings the lounge is too far a walk. DTD isn't much of a draw for us - on an adults trip we'd go over once, but its unlikely we'd go over more than once. I love the animals at AKL, but find the rooms dark (darker than VWL which I like), and while we like Jiko, taking cabs to dinner every night OTHER than the night we eat at Jiko would get old. VWL has a great lounge, room decor we enjoy, a great theme, and a nice quiet pool - and would be near the top of the list - downside is that its transportation anywhere but Artists Point - but the resort boats would get us to the other MK resorts - and cab fare to those resorts would be more reasonable than coming from AKL. BWV is home to us - so its very comfortable, but both it and BCV have the problem of being very close to Epcot - and would therefore probably still feel themeparky in some way. But they meet the other requirements, room decor is fine (BCV has an ugly couch, but I can live with it), nice quiet pools (the pool over on the Inn side of BWV/BWI is very quiet and surrounded by gardens) and nice lounges, and has several restaurants we enjoy (or would like to try) in walking distance - Yachtsman, Flying Fish, Blue Zoo.