Which resort if not going to parks?

[dr&momto2boys]

Which resort would you like to stay at if you weren't going to the parks at all? And please share the reasons why.


The first one that comes to my mind is Beach Club because of Stormalong Bay, Beaches & Cream, and it's proximity to the Boardwalk for restaurants and nice walks.

 

[Golden Rose]

I agree with your reasoning behind Beach Club, and think it would be a good option. We love Stormalong Bay - DS would go every day if he could. There is so much to do between the Boardwalk and the Beach Club itself.

I would also consider Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, as it would feel like a complete retreat from the world. It would obviously be a completely different type of vacation, but it would given you access to two good pools and the wonderful views of animals.

 

[CDNmouse]

Hmmmm ... you will probably get quite a few different answers here.

SSR because we can walk to Downtown Disney.
OKW because its just a boat ride to Downtown Disney.
BCV because we can just hang out at the pool or walk around the boardwalk.
BLT because we can watch the foreworks at night and ride the monorail around to different resorts.
AKV because we can hang out with the animals.

Gary

 

[oakmanner]

SSR if your're interested in golf.

 

[iloveokw]

1. Old Key West - one/two bedroom we could live there and really enjoy the porch - they are the best.

2. Vero.

3. Hilton Head.

 

[pixie921]

My first thought was AKV, absolutely. It's got tons to see and do, and it's not really within "sight" of any park to tempt you, LOL!!

 

[AKV707]

Another vote for AKV. Beautiful decor, great restaurants, 2 pools, the water play area and the animals!

Second would be OKW. Very peaceful, a nice boat ride or walk to DTD, the largest rooms, and the Gurgling Suitcase if you get thirsty.

 

[rascalmom]

Definitely SSR for us.

We love the wide-open spaces, the pool, Artist Palette, the proximity to Downtown Disney and the privacy the rooms there offer. Because there isn't a shared interior hallway, we have never heard noise from neighbors. The property is also a bit on the "edge" of Disney property, making offsite restaurants & shopping easy to get to. We also like the decor of the rooms - I find them low-key and relaxing.

If we weren't visiting the parks, we wouldn't want to be dependent on Disney transportation. SSR has a perfect combination of ample, but close-to-your-room parking.

It would also be better to not see any of the parks if we weren't visiting them at all - otherwise we would feel deprived!

We have a teen & a young adult - DTD is much more interesting to them than StormAlong Bay.

 

[Tara]

I already said this in your other thread, but I think BCV is an excellent choice. There are a lot of pluses in terms of activities and dining that when you put the together with the excellent pool, you really can't beat it. And with toddlers, you really want to pick a resort that has a zero-entry pool IMO.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Without parks, ANY DVC is going to be fabulous, but I would probably choose AKV for the wonderful destination aspect of the resort where you truly are transported to another continent. The dining options aren't bad either! In fact, if I could swing getting Club level, it would be heaven to do a no parks trip at AKV!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Did I notice THREE people wanted to stay at BCV because its close to BWV.

How about just staying at BWV??


I would agree that the best non-park vacation would be at Vero or Hilton Head.

I don't ever see us having a non-park trip in Florida. We won't even go to Vero because its too close to Walt Disney World, but yet too far away.

 

[starbox]

SSR w/out a doubt for a non-park trip.

I would not enjoy seeing EPCOT and knowing I was not going there. SSR is so close to DTD with movies, dining, shopping, entertainment. It's also a convenient ferry away from POR and OKW - just a ferry to PORFQ for beignets and coffee is a fun thing - and that gives you three theme pools to hop to via. a ferry in addition to SSR.

There are tons of walking, biking paths - plus golf and a GREAT spa/fitness center. DH has recently developed the good habit of going to the gym and really enjoys using resort fitness centers. We are going to stay SSR our next trip just for the most excellent fitness center. (BCV - where we're staying this time- has a lame one.) Lots of quiet pools.

 

[Crystal_27]

I think that AKV is a great choice. The resort is sooooo beautiful and you can really take the time to explore all of the artwork/decor, talk to the CMs, watch the animals, enjoy the cool pool. AKV is like a separate Disney attraction, and I think that you could very easily make a trip out of just hanging at the resort.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Did I notice THREE people wanted to stay at BCV because its close to BWV.

How about just staying at BWV??

Good point, but you can "hop" over to the Boardwalk, but you can't pool hop to SAB. I love the Boardwalk and we own there, not at BCV. So I know it has it's pros too.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We like SSR for our non-park trips. The boys can make a trip just out of Community Hall activities. We like to BBQ in the pavilions, swim in all the pools. Boat to DTD, catch the latest Disney movie. Browse Virgin Megastore.

AKV is where we are headed next week and we plan to spend most of our time at the resort just relaxing.

I actually prefer BCV for Adult only trips because I can lounge around the pool and be served No kids to keep up with.

I think BLT will be a great place for Adult trips also. I love boating on Bay Lake.

 

[gkrykewy]

I think that AKV is a great choice. The resort is sooooo beautiful and you can really take the time to explore all of the artwork/decor, talk to the CMs, watch the animals, enjoy the cool pool. AKV is like a separate Disney attraction, and I think that you could very easily make a trip out of just hanging at the resort.

This would be my pick too. AKV feels like a place unto itself (great pool, great restaurants, great activities), and the animals make it its own destination.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Can someone point me to a map of the "World" that shows all the resort locations?

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We actually did this last summer.

It was a split stay between BCV and BWV. I had wanted the entire stay at BCV, but we had to change dates and weren't able to get the entire stay at one resort.

It was fantastic and we will probably do it again sometime.
Our time at BCV was great.
They have a wonderful recreation staff, with plenty of activities to keep us happy.
We swam daily at Stormalong Bay, used the resort arcade. Walked around the Boardwalk and walked to Fantasia Gardens for mini golf.

This was with two kids also, ages 8 and 14.

I wanted to add, that it was nice being able to see Illuminations from the Boardwalk and hear the music.
We actually watched one night from our balcony since we were overlooking Epcot.

 

[minniqt7]

SSR- We do this once a year usually in the summer this year in July- I mean we do go the parks a little usually later at night. During the day we get up when we want , have a nice bfast on the balcony, and then head to the pool. The leisure pools are nice in the morning and if we want some action we go to the main pools for fun and some tropical drinkies!!!. We love to walk to OKW via the path and and we walk over to DTD alot. We take a nice boat ride to DTD too. We walk the beautiful grounds and we see so many animals-bunnies and different types of birds and lizards. We eat a nice lunch at the pool from Artists Pallette. It is such a beautiful and serene resort-it feels sooo much like home but with PALM TREES!!!! Love it there. Could stay 4 ever!!!!!

 

[wulfekamp]

Vero. Its very relaxing. Great beach large rooms. Tennis, turtle walks. We really enjoyed it last year.