Which resort: Contemporary, Beach Club or Boardwalk?

[kristin3]

We are planning a trip. Our choices are the Contemporary, Beach Club, or the Boardwalk. I wanted the Polynesian but it's not available. I don't know too much about any of them. My kids ages are 10, 6, 5, all girls). Last year we stayed at All Star Music (suite) and they had all kinds of activities by the pool. My kids loved that. Do the resorts that I'm asking about have activities by the pool?
Thanks for your help.

 

[jerseymom473]

Can only answer for BC. The pool is a big draw and there is plenty going on for kids. It is a lively atmosphere with music, pool games etc for the kids. the only draw back to me personally is that it is a large and hectic area so it is hard to keep and eye on your kids. (my 4yo was all over the place in in out of the pools with me trailing behind!) There is a small lazy river that is nice, but also beware it is deep (as are other sections). There is the sandy bottom section that your youngest will like. They also have movies on the beach at night. Very nice resort, closest to EPCOT , though BW is almost as close. Also, CapeMay Cafe character breakfast is very nice and not too large or hectic.

Good luck deciding!

 

[TJA]

I know BC has poolside activities, not sure about the other 2. It seems like I remember BWI having activities but my kids were too young to participate so I don't remember for sure.

As far as choosing the resort, we've stayed at all 3 of your options and we like them all. I think it all comes down to your personal preference -- at BC and BWI, you can easily walk right into the Epcot countries and also walk or boat to HS. And of course you can easily enjoy the boardwalk daily/nightly. You can watch Illuminations without even entering Epcot. There are movies shown on the beach. Lots of great restaurants within walking distance, including Espn Club for sports fans.

CR is also a fun resort and is right next to MK. The views are spectacular. It has a busy feeling to it, though, so you need to evaluate if you want laid-back or busy. The things we really like about CR include being able to walk to MK and also having Chef Mickeys right in the resort.

Congrats on being able to stay at one of those 3 resorts! They are all great places to stay.

 

[spiceycat]

bc and bw do - they are part of DVC and it definitely has activities.

these are all expensive alot more than the value resorts.

in your case would go with the CR - you can't get closer to the MK - and your age girls should love the MK. you can actually walk over to the MK from CR.

that say the BC has the best pool at WDW - SALB. now it is big, really, really big. so make sure your girls are fine in the water before you let them near this thing.

BC you can walk to Epcot. that say the epcot resort (bc and BW - are both epcot resorts) there transportation to the MK is only bus. the bus transportation is not great. AK is pretty good. but MK is only so, so. YC and BC will always share - but they might also share with BW, D & S.

BW, D&S will always share. (that has been my experience)

 

[skifast22]

CR is also a fun resort and is right next to MK. The views are spectacular. It has a busy feeling to it, though, so you need to evaluate if you want laid-back or busy. The things we really like about CR include being able to walk to MK and also having Chef Mickeys right in the resort.

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CR also had activities by the pool when I stayed there in Sept 2007. The comment to the "busy" feel is true in the grand concourse of the resort, but I think it is probaly the most laid back at the pool area. Crowds at the CR pool are usually non existent. There's a reason for that though, it's probaly one of the least imaginitive pools on property. But, the positive things about it is it remains quiet and I imagine it'd be easier to keep track of the kids. Also, the quiet pool over Bay Lake is very serene. I loved taking a dip out there, having the whole pool to myself and the ducks! Oh, and the slide while not as visually appealing as others offers a faster, fantastic ride!

 

[spiceycat]

CR also had activities by the pool when I stayed there in Sept 2007. The comment to the "busy" feel is true in the grand concourse of the resort, but I think it is probaly the most laid back at the pool area. Crowds at the CR pool are usually non existent. There's a reason for that though, it's probaly one of the least imaginitive pools on property. But, the positive things about it is it remains quiet and I imagine it'd be easier to keep track of the kids. Also, the quiet pool over Bay Lake is very serene. I loved taking a dip out there, having the whole pool to myself and the ducks! Oh, and the slide while not as visually appealing as others offers a faster, fantastic ride!

the CR pool is going to given a rehab.

so it won't be so boring any longer.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed at all 3 and like BW the best because of the location and it is super quiet.

I wanted to go back there for our Oct trip but since it has been 11 years since our last BC stay DH chose that one instead...hey when DH is happy we are all happy right?

 

[chan3bbb]

The determining factor could be where you plan to be spending the majority of your time: MK, HS, Epcot, or AK? We stayed at the Boardwalk and it was PERFECT for us because we spent a majority of the time at Epcot and at HS. The Boardwalk also had a nice waterslide and our kids spent a huge amount of time there. They loved the pool.

If you are going in the spring/summer there are a lot of activities on the boardwalk as well.

Whatever you decide, all those resorts are nice.

 

[MissionMouse]

We were going to stay CR Tower MK View this time but select the BC for the pool activities. Even though the CR will have a pool rehab it is unclear what that will actually translate to mean, so we went with BC. For us the BC pool rehab will be completed by our trip and we know what the pool will provide us.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary because out of the Resorts you are thinking of they have the largest standard rooms, I believe the rooms at the Boardwalk and Beach Club are being renovated and not sure when that is to be finished, you have the Resort Monorail right there whenever you want to take it and the pool renovations at the Contemporary are scheduled to be finished by April 15. Also one Cast Member told me once the pool is all fixed up it will look better then the volcano pool at the Polynesian, so it won't be boring anymore.

 

[billfatora]

Well... I sometimes think that the Contemporary Resort has become my 2nd home. However, with children, I would have to go with the Beach Club - for "at resort" activities. Yes, at CR, you are a "stone's throw" away from MK, but that may actually have it's disadvantages; and I have actually seem children get quite upset because they wanted to go there, while their parents had other ideas. I would have to say, IMHO, the Beach Club would be your best choice, followed very closely by CR, and the Boardwalk Resort a distant third. But as already stated, you really can't miss with any of them !

 

[pixie921]

We stayed at the Beach Club last year and loved it. The only drawback that we found was the fact that it was impossible to get something quick to eat. Then we stayed at the Contemporary over Christmas and also loved it. And with the Contempo Cafe, the food thing wasn't an issue. And it was so nice to be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom.

We loved the CR so much that we bought DVC at the Bay Lake Tower so we can vacation there every time in the future!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We stayed at the Beach Club last year and loved it. The only drawback that we found was the fact that it was impossible to get something quick to eat. Then we stayed at the Contemporary over Christmas and also loved it. And with the Contempo Cafe, the food thing wasn't an issue.

That's a great point because the Boardwalk and Beach Club don't have counter service locations with tables and etc. Now the there is the Boardwalk To Go stand which would be counter service food, however there are no tables to sit and eat at. So at least with the Contempo Cafe you have a true counter service location.

 

[kristin3]

Thanks for all you responses. Now, I'm even more confused. So much information!!

Both the pools at CR and BC are scheduled to reopen on 4/15, the day we are arriving!! I'm nervous now that they will run behind and not be open. My kids would be devasted.

It sounds like I won't be disappointed in whatever one I choose.