Which resort to just relax w/ family, no parks?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Using last four nights to relax, no parks, for a family with children, which resort do you suggest and why?

Thanks for your suggestions

 

[bgdiznee]

This is a tough question. There will be many answers and suggestions. I don't know what your budget is or if you will have a car but if I had to choose a resort to just hang out at I would go with the BC/YC or BWI. At the BC/YC you have a nice pool activity area for the day time and at night you can stroll around the boardwalk, have dinner, rent surry bikes and even see a little of Illuminations. So that set of resorts would get my vote. In fact we were thinking of doing exactly that when we come back from our DCL vacation we are planning in a few years when DGD gets old enough.

 

[Ronald Duck]

This is a tough question. There will be many answers and suggestions. I don't know what your budget is or if you will have a car but if I had to choose a resort to just hang out at I would go with the BC/YC or BWI. At the BC/YC you have a nice pool activity area for the day time and at night you can stroll around the boardwalk, have dinner, rent surry bikes and even see a little of Illuminations. So that set of resorts would get my vote. In fact we were thinking of doing exactly that when we come back from our DCL vacation we are planning in a few years when DGD gets old enough.

I absolutely agree that BC-YC or BWI would offer many fun ways to pass the time without visiting the parks. But I'd also consider the "other" Epcot resort---the Swan and Dolphin. They have access to all the same Boardwalk stuff and all the same restaurants, and their Grotto Pool is super...better than BWI, and fairly close to BC-YC Stromalong Bay. Best of all...they are CHEAPER!!!

 

[pooh2001]

I agree - Y/BC is wonderful but not in our budget. We do the S/D (Dolphin).
We spent a whole day at the Grotto pool and did the park at night. My DH was never so relaxed at WDW

 

[Bichon Barb]

I think a cabin at Fort Wilderness would be great for that sort of thing. You'd have a bit more room and a kitchen as well as a deck and picnic table. There is lots to do at FW -- campfire and movie program, bike trails, horseback riding, boat rentals, etc. You could rent a golf cart so that you could zip around to the pools and store and programs.

 

[fla4fun]

I like WL for this kind of trip. I like being on the big lake and renting the boats. I like renting bikes and riding over to and around FW. I like all the little nooks and crannies to relax in. I've done long weekends there several times and never visited the parks. It's easy to take a boat to CR and access the monorail resorts for shopping and dining too. The Epcot resorts area is also a good one, because you have the five hotels in walking distance for dining and shopping. I guess it would depend on whether you want the Stormalong Bay pool experience or not.

 

[nbodyhome]

Fort Wilderness is a good choice - there is a lot to do there (but Old Key West, SS, etc. are good choices as well).

 

[WDWVillain]

most of my stays have been in the Epcot resort areas, to me, it is not the BEST place to just "chill" at. I am going to the AKL for the relaxation and to totally put myself into checking out this resort. The pool looks awesome, the BC pool is WAYY to crowded.
so I have to say the AKL for relaxation and quiet times!! and I plan on doing a tour of the resort, the storytelling etc!!! So much to do

 

[Bichon Barb]

Using last four nights to relax, no parks, for a family with children, which resort do you suggest and why?

Thanks for your suggestions

BTW, when is the trip? That might help with making a decision. For example, the pool would be a lot more important in July than it would in January.

 

[jazum17]

I agree the BC/YC is great with Stormalong Bay, but if your not doing any parks why not try Animal Kingdom Lodge. We like to use it for those kind of days, because of the transportation issue with getting to the parks. If that's out of your budget Port Orleans is another great one, both have extra activies for the family besides just the pool.

 

[spiceycat]

here are some pictures of OKW
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545

it has activites (so do all the DVC resorts) to do during the day - if your kids want too.

maybe AKL
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/548

 

[nbodyhome]

Using last four nights to relax, no parks, for a family with children, which resort do you suggest and why?

Thanks for your suggestions

Here is why I suggested Fort Wilderness:

Campfire movie
Rentals including canoes, mini-boats, bikes,etc.
Wagon rides
You can watch the fireworks from the beach
Lots to do there - tetherball, get one of the water taxi's around the lake, walk to the WL and take a look around, etc.

I do love the Boardwalk area, but for 4 days - I'd go nuts to be so close to the parks without going inside Epcot!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I think any resort (moderate or higher) would be fine. Just decide what leisure activities you are interested in and plan accordingly. Many of the resorts have lakes that offer fishing, boat rentals, etc. Also, you've got DTD to explore, horseback riding, miniature golf...the options are endless!!!

 

[sunee]

For me, it would be the Poly. Love the beach, love the pool. That's really all I need. The whole atmosphere is relaxing - especially at night. And you can rent water things or ride the monorail over to the Contemporary to go parasailing.

Second choice would be the Beach Club, but I'm not a huge fan of their pool.

Wilderness Lodge also a good choice - lots to do there and at Ft. Wilderness, just a short walk away.

But I don't take whole days off. I'll do a few hours in the parks in the morning and take the rest of the day off or sleep late, lounge around and not go to the parks until evening. That works out better for me than running for several days and chilling for several days.

 

[Us3]

My vote is for Fort Wilderness! Lots to do as mentioned above...ride bikes over to Wilderness Lodge for lunch, watch the fireworks at night on the beach...ride the boat over to Contemporary...just sitting and listening to the boat whistles and having a drink on the porch in a rocking chair....ah, relaxing at the Fort!

 

[pilferk]

Using last four nights to relax, no parks, for a family with children, which resort do you suggest and why?

Thanks for your suggestions

AKL.

I also agree with the BC calls..that pool complex with the kids is almost invaluable if you're hanging out at the hotel. And with the Boardwalk just a slight walk away......

But I'd still go with AKL. The pool is nice (no Stormalong Bay, but still nice), and the activities they offer at the lodge are just awesome...not to mention you can check out all the animals, etc. In addition, it seems so much more "laid back"...

 

[madalex]

I'd go with AKL. Beautiful resort, great pool, good restaurants on site, lots of things to do around the resort. Also, one complaint about AKL is how far it is from all the parks (except AK, of course). That would actually be a good thing, if the plan is to not go to the parks.

I stay at YC all the time, but could nto stay there if I was not going to the parks - it would be torture to be so close to Epcot (close enough to see it, see the fireworks, etc.) and not be able to go in.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Thanks for all your suggestions and tips I currently have WL but was thinking of switching to AKL, but I won't have a car which means I'd have to ride the bus to park and/or TTC for our ADR @ the Poly and CR, don't want to do that with two strollers So, thinking of Poly, love the Poly but the current rates for late June early July are Thanks a bunch, with all the FW suggestions I'll stick with WL, still wish I could get the Poly for a lower rate

 

[chasgoose]

Using last four nights to relax, no parks, for a family with children, which resort do you suggest and why?

Thanks for your suggestions

NONE OF THEM! The Disney resorts are great, but if you are not going to the parks there are much nicer resorts in the Orlando area that can be had for much less. Except with the values, you are paying at least a $100 premium to stay close to the parks at WDW compared to hotels with similar quality and service outside the Disney resort. Stay at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes and have a true deluxe resort experience for far less than the Disney Deluxes. During the holiday season you could have a garden view room at the Ritz Carlton for $340 less per night ($239 vs. $579) than the Grand Floridian, which is nowhere near as nice as the Ritz. Even during value season you could save $165 per night ($209 plus breakfast and spa or golf vs. $375).

The Disney hotels are simply too much of a ripoff if you are not using them for their proximity to the parks. They are perfectly nice, but you pay such a premium to be near the parks that if you are not going to them, there is no reason not to stay at a far nicer and cheaper hotel off-property.

 

[Tiffany]

Using last four nights to relax, no parks, for a family with children, which resort do you suggest and why?

Thanks for your suggestions

Depending on your budget and if your children enjoy swimming or not I would say the YC/BC as spending the day at the resort's main pool, Storm-A-Long Bay, is very relaxing.