Boardwalk or Beach Club?

GillianP1301

GillianP1301

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
We are heading to WDW next month and staying at WL but already thinking ahead to next year and booking a bounce back. I'm torn between Beach Club and Boardwalk. I'm sure either will be great, but if you had to choose which would you prefer and why? It's myself and DS who will be 8. We go for 9 days in the week leading up to Labour Day.
 
I like them both a lot, but might choose BC for SAB. If BW were less money, I would choose that. Visit them both on your trip and see which one appeals to you more.
 


I agree with Patty57, stop by on your visit and visit them both. Beach Club is our choice. We fell in love with the whole
atmosphere. We have stopped by the BW and walked through thinking we may like to stay there for a change, but we
always seem to pick BC when its time to book. While BC is closer to Epcot, BW is closer to HS. We walk to both; but usually
take the boat back from HS.
 
I agree that you should go visit them both on your upcoming trip and check them out. I love YC/BC, they are my go to. Having said that, if BW were less, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there, have done so twice for just that reason. Actually, given the choice of BC or BW, I'd probably choose BW, I love YC but BC seems a little more hectic to me. I don't do the big pool at either resort, my kid is grown but when he was small he loved the BC pool, I do the quiet pools and BC/YC and love them both. Can't go wrong with either choice.
 
We are older adults who don't use the pools. We have never stayed at BC because we aren't at the parks all day and do spend time at the resort. Not all rooms at BC have a full balcony and we want a full balcony. We have stayed YC and BWI and have BWI reserved for the first week of November.
 


I usually don't spend any time at the resort pool because I have so little time at WDW (6 or less days), but if I were at BC I would TOTALLY go.....that's like a game changer for me.....I haven't stayed at either, but I like how close it is to Epcot and the awesome pool....
 
I actually prefer the location of the BWI. In addition to all that the boardwalk restaurants and pizza window and the bakery, it is centrally located in between Epcot a and Hollywood studios. We walked to both last year and took the boat back after the day. I also like a full balcony.
 
BC is louder/more rambunctious than BWI, but also has a better pool. They're both walking distance to Epcot and HS, so that's a wash. It probably comes down to the theme you prefer, how important the pool is to you, and if you're OK with the more hectic atmosphere of BC.
 
Generally, BC gets the nod over BWI because of the Stormalong Bay pool. However, it can be more difficult to get lounge chairs at BC than BWI.
 
I agree with a DS8 the BC is the better option due to Storm Along Bay. You can stroll over to the BW to enjoy the amenities there. The BC is the absolute closest to Epcot - in the woods view rooms closest to Epcot, you can listen to the music from Epcot and can watch some of the high Illuminations fireworks from some rooms. Literally next door to World Showcase!! LOVE it!

BW is nice as well, but we are not as fond of the 'creepy' clown pool, having to go outside for everything including quick service or just the way that you navigate the resort in general. Don't get me wrong, we love the BWI, but we like the BC better. Now, if you are staying CL, then it gets harder. The BWI CL is wonderful!

Good Luck choosing!
 
Beach Cub, besides the pool it's a shorter walk to EPCOT, and it's just a hop, skip & a jump to "Beaches & Cream".... :-)
 
My opinion is just the opposite. We have found the Beach Club noisier because there are always people in the lobby waiting for the Cape May character meal.
If your son likes to swim, choose the Beach Club. If swimming is not that important, I'd go with the BW.

The BW is a shorter walk to DHS, if you choose to walk. When traveling with kids, at least with our group, they prefer DHS to Epcot. They also preferred the BW pool because SAB is usually crowded but with your dates, maybe there crowd level will be lower. There is the option for the Friendship boats as well. We have found it shorter to walk because the boats go to the YC/BC and the Swan/Dolphin.

Both are great! Have fun planning :).
 
I would choose Beach Club over the Boardwalk. SAB is great and you also don't have to see that Clown. It is so easy to to get to Epcot and still have the Boardwalk amenities right across the lake. I also agree that is is nice to have the Market Place to get some coffee in the morning without the need to venture outside.
 
Thanks for the input everyone. I showed my DS some pictures and he's totally on the Beach Club side of the debate right now, which is honestly the way I was leaning anyway. I would love to stay at all the resorts once, not sure I'll ever make it... but I'm going to try my best!
 
We've stayed at both, and it's really dependent on what you're looking for out of your vacation. We love both!

Beach Club:
-more bustling, and crowded...but lively and fun
-great for families, seemingly more children around
-KILLER pool! Enough said
-Multiple levels of dining (from counter-to fine dining) between the BC/YC complex
-only about 1/2 rooms have full balconies
-only about 1/2 rooms have daybeds
-views are hit-or-miss. there are some astounding views, and some really lousy views
-walk to Epcot is a cinch, DHS is a bit tricker as you have to take the boat, or you're in for a long walk, busses are no better or worse than Boardwalk

Boardwalk:
-Feels lively, but ultimately quieter
-feels more adult-oriented
-dining ranges from walk-up pizza window, to fine dining at Flying Fish (our favorite restaurant on property, tied with Narcoossees)
-pool is our second favorite after WDW and has the distinction of always feeling cool and refreshing, even in August!
-vast majority of rooms have full balconies (like 95%)
-vast majority of rooms have daybeds (like 95%)
-views are better overall, because the "cheap" views are of a lovely garden, or the front entrance, which I think is pretty. water views are amazing
-walk to Epcot is really only about 2 min longer than BC...if that...closest walk to DHS if you wish to walk....busses are similar to BC.

Hope this helps!
 
I don't think you'll go wrong with either, but you can't go wrong with SAB, so I'd go for BC.
 
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