Between Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls, and no kids - Sapphire Falls. You get the water taxi (without having to play chicken to cross the street! lol), plus the vibe is just "ahhhhhh".
We're going the same time as you - just booked for the 12-19th at Portofino Bay. I wasn't even supposed to go (boys grad trip), but sometimes the agent rate is too good to pass up. Under $300/night for 5 of us at club level - 3 are teenage boys; one of whom I SWEAR has a tapeworm??? Good deal, and now mom gets to go too! Plus, my You First is showing that we "should" get an upgrade, so fingers crossed...
I do like Patty's idea - that's what we did for our last 2 trips.
We will get an overnight flight and land at like 6am.
We check into RPR for our first night = 2 days of express.
Next couple of days at Cabana Bay - we'll usually do waterparks or just shopping/people-watching when we don't have express.
Then the 2nd to last night at another deluxe = 2 more days of express.
And we'll usually head to a cheapo airport hotel after supper on the last night, and grab an early morning flight home.
That felt complicated to write out. lol It's really not that bad, but we DO only ever travel carry-on, so not a ton of luggage to pack and tote around.