Which resort over July 4?

[VAfamily1998]

It will be my husband, our 17 year old son, and myself. No one in our party has mobility issues or special needs--but I tolerate heat and humidity extremely well, but my 17 year old son REALLY does not. Our plan is to hit the parks early in the morning, come back to the hotel mid day for a swim and nap break, and then go back to the parks at night-especially on the nights they are doing the extended hours for Deluxe resort guests. If anyone is aware of any problems with that (maybe they aren't doing those extended hours during July 4 week?) please let me know--because those extended hours are the only reason I am choosing these Deluxe resorts instead of Coronado Springs or Port Orleans Riverside!
Currently there is lots of availability but I've narrowed it down to:

Saratoga Springs standard Studio-We have enough Chase visa points that our stay would be free! We've stayed at SS before and loved it.
Animal Kingdom Lodge standard view--again, we have enough points that our stay would be free! I think this resort would be relaxing during the hot day breaks.

Standard view at Beach club--We'd have to pay about $200 out of pocket, but the location is superb!
Garden view at Yacht Club-We'd have to pay about $300 out of pocket, but the location is superb and I just prefer the theme YC over BC

1 Bedroom at Old Key West-We'd have to pay about $400 out of pocket, but lots of space, full kitchen/laundry, and I've never stayed at OKW and really want to try!
1 bedroom (preferred) at Saratoga Springs-We'd have to pay about $500 out of pocket, but same benefits as OKW, and the preferred location is a plus.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I found AKL terribly inconvenient because of how far away it was. I lean toward EP area but the one bedroom could provide everyone some nice privacy, so EP vs 1 bedroom is where my debate would be. I’d solicit the fam’s input to settle between those.

 

[Marthasor]

The park calendar isn't updated that far out, so I don't think anyone knows if extended hours will be offered that week or not.

Just factoring in the heat issue, I would pick YC or BC (I prefer YC, but BC is better located to EP and the Skyliner). We've gone in the summer many times and I can't emphasize enough how nice it is to be able to get back to your resort quickly when it's super hot out. YC/BC is just much better located to the parks compared to your other choices. It will also be super simple to get back to EP and/or DHS after an afternoon break.

 

[glocon]

I’d go for a one bedroom option in your place.
If you don’t want to wait for a bus you could Uber.
Walking is appealing but Uber makes transport so easy if you don’t want to wait on a bus or other ride system.
I voted for the SS preferred option because it’s one bedroom and preferred (not sure what the preferred refers to there tho).

 

[Disneyfan628]

I would go with the garden view at yacht club. We prefer staying at resorts that have some easy access to parks. Not having to take buses everywhere. So I would go with either beach or yacht club. Since you prefer yacht club I’d go with that. When at those two resorts I would always choose garden view over standard.

 

[kiford]

Kind of depends on where you intend to spend most of your time but I think the Epcot resorts give you more options for dining (Epcot, Boardwalk, YC/BC, Swan & Dolphin) if you feel you need more time to recover after a hot day and just want to grab something to eat. At least you don't have to go far. Plus - best pool! Also reasonably close to two parks with multiple transportation options.

 

[jimmymc]

Yacht and Beach Club are the most centrally-located resorts, which will make coming back for mid-day breaks easier.

AKL is really only far from Magic Kingdom and has regular direct busses, so I don't think it's as far as people think it is, but on MK days it's still a long ride.

I would only suggest Saratoga if you plan on going to Disney Springs multiple times or eating there after park days. Otherwise it's a little far and not my favorite.

 

[_19disnA]

Depends on which parks you plan to spend the most time. If that would be MK, then staying on the other side of the property would take much longer going back and forth. Similarly, if I was mostly going to Epcot or HS then staying at one of the monorail resorts wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[Disneymom8181]

Also consider the Swan/Dolphin-very nice resorts, right by Yacht/Beach club, deluxe benefits at a lower cost.

 

[maxiesmom]

Of the ones you list, Beach Club. Go to MK on the 3rd for fireworks and hit Epcot on the 4th. Staying at the Beach Club you can walk right out the back after the fireworks, no waiting for transportation.

If you want to save a bit of money, stay at the Swan or Dolphin. Typically less than half the cost of the Beach Club. You do lose out on Storm Along Bay, but you are still within walking distance of Epcot.