Trying to decide!

[jandm]

We have 3 children and are trying to decide what the best resort for us would be. I have it narrowed down to Poly, Beach Club or Yacht Club. I know those two are basically one, but didn't know which would be best for the kids. We are going in late Jan/ early Feb, so I don't know if the pool is a major deal breaker for us (I know the beach club has the best pool). We will be spending one day at each park. I want the one that gives the best "Disney Experience" for the kids.

 

[billfatora]

Knee-jerk reaction would be the BC ! But I must ask... ages of the kids ? It could make a world of difference.... And are you talking 5 people in one room ? Because that might make a difference also....
And then, I would have to inquire, why not the CR ?
Sorry... I'm giving you more questions then answers... but they really could make a major difference in the "quality and comfort" of your stay.

 

[RugbyJimmy]

Beach Club for the price. I was just there earlier this month. It has the same amount of Disney as Poly. Yacht Club is attahed so you can easily enjoy their amenities.

 

[jandm]

Kids ages are 12, 8 & 5 - it would be 5 in one room. I'm just not drawn to CR...nothing against it. Just doesn't appeal to me I guess. Is there a major difference between Yacht & Beach club rooms/atmosphere?

 

[PAcpl]

I think you also would want to consider the proximity of the parks. At the Beach Club or Yacht Club you are stones throw away from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. With the Poly you are much closer to the Magic Kingdom.

That said, we usually stick to the Epcot resorts. But we also do not have children. If we did, we would probably stay at the Poly to be closer to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We have three kids and have done both Epcot and Monorail resorts.

We would go with a monorail resort for the "Disney" experience.

There's just something in the air around those resorts with the monorails, ferries, the castle in the distance, the EWP, fireworks on the beach, etc.

Also, if you go in January and the weather does get nice enough to swim, the Volcano pool is still a fun diversion.

We prefer the Epcot resorts when we do adults-only trips.

 

[billfatora]

Kids ages are 12, 8 & 5 - it would be 5 in one room. I'm just not drawn to CR...nothing against it. Just doesn't appeal to me I guess. Is there a major difference between Yacht & Beach club rooms/atmosphere?

Although I very much "favor" the CR, the real reason I suggested it was because there are those that say it has the largest rooms and can accommodate "5 per room" a little more comfortably then some of the other Resorts.
That being said, the BC has always been my "2nd favorite", and as PP stated, you are a "boat-ride" away from both EPCOT and DHS. The YC is also really nice, but it has always seemed more subdued and quiet to me. whereas the BC seems more open and fun.

 

[noahandallison]

If you're only considering a standard hotel room (and b/c its winter less chance of using the pool) then I'd vote for the Poly. That said, given that you have a party of 5, depending on the discounts available at the time, you may want to consider a Deluxe Villa instead.

 

[TandLMommy28]

If I were going to stay deluxe, I'd go with Beach Club for the kids. That pool seems like a dream come true for kiddos and my kids like Epcot more than MK!

 

[mickeynut1]

My vote is for the Poly . Being on the monorail is not only great for getting to/from MK, but it's convenient getting to the GF and CR for shopping and/or dining . Also, the Poly rooms are much larger than the BC/YC rooms, with the extra space being nice to spread out a little with 5 of you . We liked the BC and thought SAB was nice, but we love the volcano pool and prefer the Poly for many reasons, with one being the close proximity to MK . Plus the beach is great for relaxing and watching the fireworks .

 

[jandm]

I am leaning towards the Poly, just for the easy access to the monorail --yet I keep reading that the rooms are very outdated.. a lot of frustration, for the money you spend there. Does anyone know if they are doing any updating?

 

[akl-fan]

My vote was for the Poly, I find the SAB to be over rated and I don't care for the room decor at BC, I have never stayed at the YC. The Poly has huge rooms and you will be on the monorail, so will have quick access to the MK or to EPCOT via TTC.

 

[yaksack]

I would base the resort on the kid's likes. If they like the MK more, you cannot beat the Poly. You can take a bus, monorail or boat there.

If you kids like EPCOT more, I think the Beach Club is the way to go. They also have the best pool.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you plan to spend more time at the Magic Kingdom go with the Polynesian. However if you plan to spend more time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios, go with the Beach Club.

 

[bellebud]

you didn't give enough info... have you been there before?

If you've never been before, I think the Poly, because MK *is* disney, especially for your 5 and 8yo's, and especially for the first time going, and the view from the Poly is amazing. The fireworks from the beach over the castle, the electric light parade every night... it's really magical.

I actually thought the rooms were all redone a few years ago (I wonder if it was so many years ago they need re-doing again??) I don't think so though. I think they all have the nice flat screen tv's, etc.

The only thing I don't like about the poly is some of the buildings don't have balconies. That really bugs me and prevents us from staying there again, because I won't stay deluxe and not have a balcony.

Someone else mentioned the CR, and I want to second that. If you're willing to pay for a tower, MK view room, there is no better view in disney. The rooms are all updated and large. I also like that everything's inside (including Chef Mickey's), and the monorail goes through the building. The kids get such a kick out of that! And you can walk to MK. You also take the monorail over 1 stop, get off at TTC, and hop on the Epcot monorail. (if you stay at Poly, it's even better - you walk to TTC and hop on the epcot monorail). The CR just redid the pool area, and the splash area for your 5yo and 8yo is really great (my 11 and 9yo kids loved it when we were there last year). The pool is very spacious too, compared to the poly pool, which can get elbow to elbow. Just something to really think about.

We've also stayed at the Beach Club a few times, and love it too. SAB is hard though when you're trying to keep track of little ones. The lazy river is nice, but it's 8' deep, so it's not like the kids can just go off on their own there. It's very twisty-turny where you can't see them (I mean the whole SAB area).

Let me also throw in the Boardwalk. That's our favorite pool slide out of all the deluxes (I even constantly go on it). The area is very compact, and there's a playset for your 5yo in the pool area. The kids love the boardwalk activity at night (of course if you stay beach club, you can just stroll over there too). But for a 5yo, 8yo and 12yo, I'd be nervous w/ Beach Clubs SAB and keeping an eye on everyone.

Sorry to give another option, but wanted to throw that out there.

 

[jandm]

I'll give some more info
We have only been to WDW once and we stayed off-site. So this time we really want the best Disney experience! I may look into the CR. We will be doing all 4 parks, so it doesn't much matter if were closer to MK or Epcot, etc.. I just want the most "disney" oriented resort

 

[bellebud]

I'll give some more info
We have only been to WDW once and we stayed off-site. So this time we really want the best Disney experience! I may look into the CR. We will be doing all 4 parks, so it doesn't much matter if were closer to MK or Epcot, etc.. I just want the most "disney" oriented resort

boy, it really is a hard decision. each resort has their own special magic about them.

Being able to see chef mickey's (and hear it) from your hallway outside your room is really cool for the kids, as well as the monorail going through your building. The view cannot be beat (you have to pay for an MK View though). But, you're up high, whereas in the poly, the rooms are only 3 stories high.

In the CR, being able to just go downstairs for breakfast in the fast food place in the CR is really nice too. Then again, if you stay at the poly, the walk from your building to the main building to get the quick breakfast, etc, is a very nice, relaxing, hawaiian style walk, with the tiki tourches and hawaiian music playing in the background, bunnies hopping around and ducks too usually.

The CR is very 'convenient' w/ everything in one building (except laundry facilites though, they're in the wings), but I've never used them when staying in the CR for that reason. I love the shopping, the arcade and the new restaurant The Wave. We've never eaten at the California Grill at the top of the CR - that sounds great too.

Oh, how many days are you staying? Would you consider doing a split stay? Disney makes it very easy (we've done it a few times). It's like getting 2 vacations, switching resorts. It's really fun. Just pack appropriately for the switch, and it's not hard.

If you did 2 or 3 days at the CR or Poly, do 2 days at MK and one day at AK (just 1 bus ride then). Then switch to the Beach Club or Boardwalk, and you have Epcot and MGM at your doorstep for the rest of the days.

Hope I don't make your head explode now (LOL). It's always so hard for me to decide too... too many great, great resorts to pick from.

 

[TosaTrio]

Your kids are at the perfect age for BC if your family is a pool/water family. SAB is the best pool hands down. It is large however your kids are old enough that it should be manageable. If you had little kids I would say Poly because the slide and the kids area are on oposite ends of the pool.

Take a look at the resorts on line and see what appeals more to your taste. You cannot go wrong with either... You are at WDW!