Which Resort if the Resort is your vacation?

[jordgubben]

My friend traveling the southeast US later in the summer and was thinking about stopping at a Disney resort to spend a few days at the resort.

If you were going to be staying at a resort for a few days which one would you stay at and why?

 

[ducklite]

Well, if she isn't going to the parks, I wouldn't limit to at WDW...

If she wants to be at WDW, I'd choose the AKL, BW, or YC/BC, as each ahs a wide variety of non-park activities.

I'd also look at Vero Beach and/or Hilton Head. I haven't been to HH, but Vero Beach is lovely, extremely relaxing, and much less expensive than WDW.

Anne

 

[kdibattista]

Definitely AKL!!!!! Great, relaxing atmosphere... you really can't beat it!!!

 

[Eeyore1954]

BC! Great theming; wonderful pool; close to Boardwalk for shopping and dining.

 

[cindala]

Definitely the YC!!! The location can't be beat; walk to the Boardwalk, many restaurants, Epcot and MGM. Aso Miniature Golf is a close walk too. And you can't beat SAB!

 

[uncle al]

Definitely YC/BC! Great pool - close to Boardwalk activities & dining. Closer to PI & DTD/West Side. We just had a three night stay at AKL. No park visits as we have seasonal passes (blackout dates), although we loved AKL & viewing the animals we did feel "far away" from the other activities. Your friend won't be disappointed with which ever resort she chooses.

 

[thessaly]

I just went through planning a similar trip - one where I think we will spend more time at the resort than at any parks (we've had a rough year and need to relax... heh).

My final decision, after much of the usual hand-wringing and obsessive research, was 2 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal (Entertainment Rate) and 4 nights at AKL (Florida Resident).

My reasons were:

1) We're going to do 1 day at Universal IOA, so staying at the Hard Rock will get us quick line access. But aside from that, all the Universal resorts seem to have a lot of things to do and look at in the resorts themselves, plus very nice pool areas, and are all within walking distance to the parks and to CityWalk.

2) AKL seems to have the most bang for its buck if we want to just chill at the resort - it's frequently described as 'relaxing', it's got all the different levels of food service, it's got the spa, the pool, sounds like lots of stuff to look at in the hotel itself, and of course the animals.

I've never been to either resort, but this was what I ended up with.

 

[daannzzz]

It depends on what sort of resort they want. If they want someplace with a great pool and other things around the resort to go do and see I would choose Y or B Club or Boardwalks, Swan and Dolphin.
If they want something a bit more subdued I would pick AKL. I think that the best choice when not doing the parks.

 

[Disneygurl588]

I would either pick YC/BC or AKL!!! Those are my 2 favorite resorts.

 

[FloridaCat]

We would pick WL as we agreed on our last visit this is a great place to unwind and no parks.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

My vote is with Beach Club or Yacht Club - the pool is great and the Boardwalk area is fun. Another (not Disney) option is to go to the Portofino Bay at Universal. I've heard it's a stunning hotel - and they can always hang out at Citywalk. For a quiet atmosphere I'd pick either Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge. If they are pool people - then Beach/Yacht Club or Portofino for sure.

 

[cinmell]

I would say YC/BC for the pool and for the boardwalk area.

 

[DeeP]

BCV in a 1 br villa. Same great location as YC/BC but a much bigger room with lr, kitchen, br, w&d, jacuzzi tub.

 

[sherry8253]

My vote would be AKL. It has become my favorite WDW resort.

 

[eeyore0062]

For me, it would be between 2.

If our daughter was with us, it would be the Beach and Yacht Club because of the Stormalong Bay Pool Complex, the swings on the beach and the proximity to the Boardwalk with the rental bikes. Also, Cape May Cafe is one of our favorite places for dinner, and we are dying to try the Yachtsman Steakhouse!

If it were just the hubby and me, definitely the Polynesian. Very romantic, nice pool and beach atmosphere, great tropical drinks and seeing the fireworks from our room (of course, we WOULD have a room where we could watch them without leaving.....)

 

[BadgerBruce]

Any of the Epcot resorts. Your friend may want to consider trying to get a studio at Beach Club Villas or Boardwalk Villas, which have a small fridge & microwave in the room.

 

[MJames41]

I would say Fort Wilderness - there is more to do there than anywhere else on property.

 

[diathoney]

I recommend AKL, Savannah view room. It's like no other hotel I've ever stayed in. It's amazing to sit on the balcony and watch the animals. We were on the third floor - they were so close! The theming is fabulous, so are the restaurants. Sitting around the firepit at night is very relaxing. The pool area is great. My favorite spot was on one of the bridges so the mist would get me every so often (there are misters along the bottom of the bridges) - very tropical feel right down to the pink flamigoes!