Decision Dilemma Between Poly CL or Beach Club CL

sccruises · Feb 19, 2017

I know I have seen a couple of posts about deciding between Poly or Beach Club but I still can't decide and we leave in one month! So I am currently booked at the Poly in a CL room. I have never stayed at the Poly but I have stayed at the Beach Club a few times and it is my family's favorite! I just thought to try something different this time around and I am afraid of disappointing since we all love the pool and the over all classy feel the BC has, not to mention it is nice to walk from Epcot. The reviews are very mixed for the Poly. I know that the most positive point I see with the Poly is the proximity to MK and having easy access to the Monorail which is very nice. I am sure they are both very nice resorts, I guess I am curious to hear from anyone that has experience staying at both resorts and how you feel the overall resort is as opposed to the other. I know the BC seemed very updated and clean. From what I have read about the Poly, it seems it needs a lot of updating. For the money I am paying to stay at either, I don't want to stay somewhere where it seems outdated or old. I was tempted to change back to the BC but I thought maybe I am reading in to these negative reviews to much and just need to give the Poly a chance?? Any help would be appreciated. Thank You!!!

Babsy · Feb 19, 2017

The Poly has been refurbished fairly recently. It is nicely updated and clean. We prefer it to the BC, although we also like the BC very much. I very much doubt that you would be disappointed in a stay at the Poly.

Poly pros:

view the Castle from your resort - magical
beautifully themed grounds
watch fireworks from your resort
monorail direct to MK or Epcot
boat to MK
much larger rooms than at the BC
awesome dining options at the resort
pools are nice (but not as large as Storm Along Bay)L is amazing with incredible views of the MK and castle and fireworks
walk to the GF or monorail to the CR for other great dining options
you get leis at check in - how fun is that?

The BC is an awesome resort, and we often stay there, but there is just something very special about a stay at the Poly - especially in CL. If you haven't tried it, I would really recommend that you do so. If you just aren't sure, perhaps you could do a split stay between the Poly and BC? That is one of our personal favourite split stay combos.

Have fun choosing. Both the Poly and the BC are wonderful resorts!

GoGoBeans · Feb 19, 2017

Even though the Poly has been refurbed in the last few years, I personally feel it looks dated and old. It's so dark and the halls, lounge, rooms do look tired.

That said, we did Poly CL last year and loved it. Proximity of the lounge to the pool could not be beat. I felt very away (in a good way) from the bustle of everything. I also loved the fireworks from the beach and lounge without dealing with crowds. Poly lounge wins big over BC lounge for us.

MK is not our main park so I didn't feel the big benefit of Poly there. Truth be told, I really missed being able to walk into Epcot and the easy access the BC offers.

The kids enjoyed both pools, although SAB has the edge for them. Me sitting in my lounger, Poly pool is perfect.

We had a tough time deciding between the two for this year. It was between the convienience of the lounge with the away feel and good pool, or walk to Epcot. We couldn't decide so ended up booking a split stay. We'll be happy at BC, but I'll sure miss the Poly.

CynBeth · Feb 19, 2017

I would keep Poly. We stayed there for the first time a few years ago in the Hawaii CL building and loved it.

DisneyWorldbuff · Feb 19, 2017

Fireworks from the Hawaii (CL) lounge can't be beat! It is just fantastic. The location of Hawaii to both pools is great. I would go up to the lounge, grab drinks for the whole crew and head to the pool. It was so convenient. The Poly is small enough that it is very easy to navigate. Although you can't walk to Epcot, the walk to the TTC is short and you can get right on the monorail.
I know that sometimes switching things up for my kids has backfired, so if you feel like everyone is very happy at the BC that might be the best choice for your family. They are both great choices and I hope you have an amazing trip with whatever you choose!

Scott MC · Feb 19, 2017

Have stayed at both resorts, CL at BC. We personally found Poly to be very outdated in terms of the rooms themselves. The new BC rooms are clean, fresh and very classy. We stayed at Poly for the first time this past summer, and agreed that it was nice to check it off the list, but are spending our stay at BC this year. Poly couldn't hold a candle.

disneyfourmagic · Feb 19, 2017

Beach Club! My kids love it there

Tess · Feb 19, 2017

Well, I guess I will be one of the contrarians--The Polynesian Resort has my heart now and forever. I have no idea the age of your children, but I can say that ours were 4 and 6 when we began our ventures at Polynesian CL (prior to we had stayed at CBR and GF).

Our children at that point had many growth milestones there over the years--learned to swim in the quiet pool, took their first dives into the deep end of the pool (when it was still deep at both pools), tasted sushi for the first time, learned to dance Polynesian style, tried new taste sensations in the lounge and had their first adult beverages in the lounge. Ku'ulei Punch anyone? We had brief two or three day stays at Yacht and/or Beach CL at the end or beginning of vacations, but the kids (when they were kids), my husband and I loved the Polynesian--still do. We stayed at this level at Polynesian until they were 23 and 21 although we have, over the years, stayed at AKL, YC, BC, BWI, POR, CBR, Coronado and those band trips to ASMU

.

We moved to the "dark side" (and never looked back) after both had graduated college and began staying at the EPCOT resorts but ditched the CL--no need for those services any longer since we could all fend for ourselves. Honestly, how many college grads want to travel with their parents--ours do and it continues today--see the ticker. Unless your focus is on EPCOT, give the Polynesian a try and let us know what you think. Love it forever and some day (maybe with grandkids) we will return if our focus is MK and not EPCOT..

housetomouse · Feb 22, 2017

I've stayed at Poly and Yacht Club club level each a few times. I assume Beach Club's club level is similar to Yacht Club's club level? I did like the club level at Yacht Club. We happened to be staying on the same floor as the club level lounge (a few doors down, very convenient), and our balcony was the big shared one with lots of room to spread out. The lounge itself was kind of small and dark (maybe Beach Club lounge is brighter?). That was our first club level experience and we loved it. The pool at Beach/Yacht Club was so crowded though (Easter week). It was also hard to keep track of kids there and it was a little stressful. Then we stayed at the Poly Club Level and I liked it better. If you are staying in the Hawaii building, the lounge is right there. It's two stories, has huge windows, and it's right next to the pool. With magic bands now, it's easy for the kids to get in and out of the lounge and pool for snacks etc. The club lounges and rooms are a bit of a hike down to the pool at the Beach/Yacht Club. I like how it's all close together at the Poly. The beach is also right there outside the lounge at the Poly. It all seemed more open and airy and accessible at the Poly, compared with Yacht Club. The pool is smaller and nothing like the pool at Beach/Yacht, though, so if you like the Beach/Yacht pool then you may be disappointed with the Poly pool. Either choice is a great choice though, have fun!!

Mainemama · Feb 22, 2017

What a terribly wonderful dilemma. We formerly loved the Poly, and are in the camp that feels it lost something in the renovation. Mainly vegetation, which provided a sense of privacy and calm, a real oasis. The pool in particular, although enhanced with a cool splash pad, now feels blaring hot, fenced in, not as relaxing as in the past. The Poly still has a lot to offer, and the club level is very nice. The lounge is quite large and a fabulous place to relax, especially overlooking wishes (piped in music is a great touch.), but we fell in love with Beach/Yacht Club in the last couple years over Poly. The pool is incomparable, and we feel BC/YC is quieter, less visited by crowds of people touring the resort. It feels more relaxing to me. My DS still likes the more party atmosphere of the Poly. We will still stay at and enjoy the Poly if we need to be right up at MK (say for a 1-2 night stay.) it is fun to try something new. See, a terrible wonderful dilemma!

GADisneyDad14 · Feb 22, 2017

@sccruises I can't recall, have you been over on the CL thread? I just got back from Poly CL and posted extensive room/lounge/food pics yesterday.

I've spent a lot of time at Poly CL, it's sort of my go-to place. I've only stayed BC CL one night (last July), in full disclosure, but feel I have a decent handle on it.

You've been given great input above, in my opinion.

Yes, BC rooms were just refurbed and are going to feel "fresher." BC has a "classy" feel as you noted.

Poly CL rooms have several years since their refurb, but I think are still reasonable quality rooms. The decor is darker and more tropical. It's not "classy" but isn't meant to be. The room won't feel new.

The BC CL Lounge is arguably stuffy and boring. You feel bad if your kid drops a goldfish. No views. It closes during certain parts of the day.

The Poly CL lounge is one of the best overall spaces on property with a phenomenal view. It's more laid back. It's not as "clean" or "fresh" looking as the BC CL lounge, but to me that doesn't matter. It's always open.

BC CL has much better food overall. Poly CL has just upgraded their offerings and has better options than in the past (but still not as plentiful as BC).

All of the rooms in Hawaii are generally close the lounge. Some of the BC CL rooms can be very far away. To me this is a VERY important attribute.

The BC balcony situation is all over the place. Other than the second floor, all Poly CL rooms have a nice-sized patio or balcony. BTW, which view category do you have booked at Poly?

Poly rooms are materially bigger than BC, with a guaranteed daybed.
Lots of pros and cons here. I like what @Mainemama said - a terribly wonderful dilemma! :lmao:

Good luck!

sccruises · Feb 22, 2017

Thank you!!! This has all been such great feedback. I have decided to keep the Poly CL and try something new. I know they will be different from each other but that could be a good thing. @GADisneyDad14 We are booked in a garden view Category and thank you for letting me know you just did a review. I am going to check it out now. I appreciate everyone's help. :flower1:

housetomouse · Feb 23, 2017

Mainemama said:
What a terribly wonderful dilemma. We formerly loved the Poly, and are in the camp that feels it lost something in the renovation. Mainly vegetation, which provided a sense of privacy and calm, a real oasis. The pool in particular, although enhanced with a cool splash pad, now feels blaring hot, fenced in, not as relaxing as in the past. The Poly still has a lot to offer, and the club level is very nice. The lounge is quite large and a fabulous place to relax, especially overlooking wishes (piped in music is a great touch.), but we fell in love with Beach/Yacht Club in the last couple years over Poly. The pool is incomparable, and we feel BC/YC is quieter, less visited by crowds of people touring the resort. It feels more relaxing to me. My DS still likes the more party atmosphere of the Poly. We will still stay at and enjoy the Poly if we need to be right up at MK (say for a 1-2 night stay.) it is fun to try something new. See, a terrible wonderful dilemma!

As much as I love the Poly, I agree with you that something was lost with the renovation. I've been there during very busy times so to me, the fencing of the pool was necessary because it was too small to handle all the people who would drop in just to swim, but it was pretty cool when it just opened out to the beach. What I think was lost the most was the view across the lake to the castle, when they built the bungalows on the water. The part of the beach outside the Hawaii building (pretty much all of it between the boat launch dock and the TTC) feels boxed in now from the water. It used to have an open feel.

Tess · Feb 23, 2017

housetomouse said:
As much as I love the Poly, I agree with you that something was lost with the renovation. I've been there during very busy times so to me, the fencing of the pool was necessary because it was too small to handle all the people who would drop in just to swim, but it was pretty cool when it just opened out to the beach. What I think was lost the most was the view across the lake to the castle, when they built the bungalows on the water. The part of the beach outside the Hawaii building (pretty much all of it between the boat launch dock and the TTC) feels boxed in now from the water. It used to have an open feel.

I concur with this as well!

Decision Dilemma Between Poly CL or Beach Club CL

sccruises

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