Boardwalk Inn or Yacht Club

[Ash20]

We are looking into staying onsite for the first time at WDW and are trying to decide between Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht club. There are only two of us (both late 20s) and we have narrowed it down to these two resorts due to the fact that the boardwalk area looks really nice and you can walk to our two favourite parks which are Epcot and DHS. We have no interest in pools but would like a resort with good transportation links as we will not have a car.

Just wanted to get opinions on which resort people prefer and why as they both look nice from the pictures and it is hard to see any big differences?

Many Thanks for any info.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Unfortunately, the EPCOT resorts have some of the worst on site transportation, simply because at times all 5 resorts will share the same bus.

I give a slight edge to YC since many times it will just be YC and BC on 1 bus, whereas BWI will ALWAYS share with Swan and Dolphin.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I disagree about the Epcot resorts having the worst buses.

Since you can walk to two parks, and none of the other resorts have this benefit, you are dealing with less buses in general than most resorts. We found the buses in the MK area sharing with other resorts to be worse than the Epcot resort buses.

Both the Boardwalk and Yacht are really nice resorts. We've stayed at both and they are pretty much equal in my opinion. I might give the edge to the Boardwalk for the location on the boardwalk.

 

[Jestocost]

Unfortunately, the EPCOT resorts have some of the worst on site transportation, simply because at times all 5 resorts will share the same bus.

I give a slight edge to YC since many times it will just be YC and BC on 1 bus, whereas BWI will ALWAYS share with Swan and Dolphin.

And yet if you average out your resort-to-park times on any given trip the five minute walk to Epcot will more than make up for any slightly longer bus trips. Also, the MK resorts frequently share buses and most of the moderate resorts have multiple internal stops. So I don't agree with the statement quoted.

There's more to do immediately at BWI than at YC because of the shops, restaurants and other venues right at BW. BW also is a bit closer to both Epcot and DHS than the YC if you choose to walk.

 

[etail]

It also depends upon the activities you like. YC has a popular pool though some give an edge to the BWI slide. But BWI is very close to Dance Hall and more night life opportunities.

 

[LexiC123]

Unfortunately, the EPCOT resorts have some of the worst on site transportation, simply because at times all 5 resorts will share the same bus.

I give a slight edge to YC since many times it will just be YC and BC on 1 bus, whereas BWI will ALWAYS share with Swan and Dolphin.

I just came back from a Swan/Beach Club split stay and even with 3 stops, the BW/Swan/Dolphin buses were always less crowded than the YC/BC buses...probably because of the hotel guests who were attending conferences while we were at the parks. The only time all 5 resorts shared a bus was on a midday return trip from AK.

 

[darkwing818]

I disagree about the Epcot resorts having the worst buses.

Since you can walk to two parks, and none of the other resorts have this benefit, you are dealing with less buses in general than most resorts. We found the buses in the MK area sharing with other resorts to be worse than the Epcot resort buses.

Both the Boardwalk and Yacht are really nice resorts. We've stayed at both and they are pretty much equal in my opinion. I might give the edge to the Boardwalk for the location on the boardwalk.

Totally agree about being able to walk to 2 parks & bus transportation as well. But we would go with the Yacht club, love the pool, & the walk over to the Boardwalk is pretty quick.

 

[mmmears]

We prefer the YC (but then, part of it is because we like the pool). I think it's a great place to stay -- you have easy transportation to 2 parks.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

WOW! Guess I should have clarified that I mean they have the worst bus system and not overall transportation (Forgive me for thinking that 5 resorts on 1 bus is ridiculous. Ever timed how long it takes to get from DTD Marketplace to BWI, the last stop of the route?).

I assumed that the OP was aware of the walking capabilities to and from EPCOT and DHS from either resort, which is the best perk of either resort. So yes, you are only dealing with buses to 2 parks (plus DTD), however in our experience during multiple stays on the EPCOT side, it is a much more time consuming process due to all the stops. We did not feel the same way on the MK side, since the most we ever shared with was 2 other resorts.

As with everything YMMV

 

[kcbonnies]

I think it depends on whether the ease of the better restaurants right next to the BW would trump the far better pool at YC. The rooms are about the same and travel to the parks are about the same. For my family, SAB would make the decision easy, but if I were not a pool family, than the quick and easy walk back from Kouzina or ESPN Zone would be great. YC's quick service is not great and Yachtsman is really pricey.

 

[figment_jii]

My vote goes to the Boardwalk, though the YC would be a close second. I love the proximity to Epcot and DHS. For the boat, the BW is the first stop after leaving Epcot (so short ride at the end of the day with tired feet) and the last stop before getting to Epcot (so a short ride when you're excited and ready to go). While you wait for the boat, you can browse the Screendoor (shop). It nice when the weather is less than ideal because you can see the waterway from the shops windows.

The bus situation from BW is kind of hit or miss. The bus may share with all five resorts, or it might only be the S/D. The BW is the first one dropped off (at least it was that way consistently in March). I've given up taking the bus to and from DTD, but it'll be bad regardless at either YC or BW.

In terms of the resorts itself, the YC is pretty (to me), but didn't seem as lively as the BW. Also the BW has more options to get a quick snack (the new Bakery looks amazing); the YC doesn't really have anything like that, so you need to head over to the Marketplace at the BC to get a snack.

In terms of the rooms, both were fine to me and nothing about one or the other jumps out at me.

Finally, I like the view of the YC from the BW at night. The BW is just to bright.

 

[KerryCM]

90% of our trips have been at the BW. It is just my husband and me, but we do treat our children and their families to a trip once a year. We are staying at the Yacht Club next week, no CM rates at the BW, and are looking forward to it. There are times when we take the bus to DTD that we just get off at the Swan and walk over to the BW. I love the BW and we will be back there in December with family.

 

[gwynne]

They are both very nice resorts. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.
The best part is being able to Walk to Epcot. It is so fun to be able to come and go through the International gateway!

 

[Pakey]

I have stayed at both a few times, both Club level and regular rooms.

If you take the pool out of the equation, I prefer BWI over YC. I like walking out and immediately being on the Boardwalk. I have had more pleasant interactions with CMs at the Boardwalk. I like the stores there and the bakery and the pizza window. It just feels like there is more right there to enjoy than there is at YC.

I think the bus system is fine. I have stayed at every deluxe and DVC at least once (except Poly) and I haven't found the bus system to be any better or any worse on an average. For the DTD bus loop we just get off at the Swan (first stop) and walk the 2 minutes back to BWI.

 

[Ash20]

Many Thanks for all the comments, they have been really helpful. I am sure whichever one we pick, we will have a great time

 

[tmbacon]

Let me just say that whichever resort you choose, I am jealous!
In all the times we've been to WDW we have yet to stay at an Epcot resort even though it's our FAVORITE area (we typically end up doing a Moderate or a MK resort). Have a great time!!

 

[Scott MC]

If pools are of no interest, then it's a no-brainer....Boardwalk all the way.
You are closer to both Epcot and HS, and for me, the resort feels much newer and much cleaner than YC. The rooms are so bright and airy, and we've met nothing but exemplary CMs there. Plus, you can always visit, YC, I recommend their Ale and Compass Lounge to unwind in at the end of the day.

 

[Couchy]

I definitely would choose YC/BC over BWI any day of the week. SAB is unbeatable. Movies on the beach at night. Love these 2 resorts.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I definitely would choose YC/BC over BWI any day of the week. SAB is unbeatable. Movies on the beach at night. Love these 2 resorts.

I definitely agree here but then again I may have an issue with "clowns"...just sayin'

 

[tinkbyday]

I definitely would choose YC/BC over BWI any day of the week. SAB is unbeatable. Movies on the beach at night. Love these 2 resorts.

The OP is going without children and indicated that the pool is of no interest, so they probably wouldn't take advantage of either of these.

OP - we've stayed at both and it's really a tough call - we loved the BWI for the atmosphere and the resort is really beautiful, however, we didn't care for the restaurants - but that certainly isn't a deal breaker with all of the options within walking distance.

The YC has a more refined feel to it and our favorite restaurant is there, the Yachtsman Steakhouse. I'm trying to think of things that would sway us one way or the other and can't really think of anything - I think the price at YC might be slightly less (when I looked for our time frame this year, it was several dollars cheaper for some reason)