1 bedroom at BC or studio at Poly?

[DisneyFave]

Looking at 5 nights around MLK weekend 2023 since we just got back from Poly and the Disney blues are real!

Help me decide between a 1 bedroom at Beach Club and a Poly studio!

Context:

Me, hubby, 2.5 y/o DS, 6 y/o DS

Hubby will work remotely on 2 days prior to holiday wknd while I take the kids to the parks (he’s more of a pool/water park guy). Love Poly since no need to fold stroller for EP/MK monorails but also love walking to DHS/Epcot from Beach Club.

Loved the Poly pool but even at Tiki splash area I felt like I couldn’t relax with toddler — hoping I could bring him to the sandy pool at Stormalong Bay and it’d be quieter/ more relaxing?? Or would I go crazy trying to keep track of a 2.5 and 6 y/o.

Love the idea of having a full fridge and microwave and stove — Captain Cooks and Kona got old after 3 days, and going to GF for more food options was too cumbersome with a 1.5 yr old and a 5 yr old.

LOVE the relaxing and natural setting of the Poly. That is VERY hard to beat. I loved sitting on our patio and having a beer at night with hubby and those tiki flames.

 

[SLThomas318]

I know everyone raves about BC pool, but we had our 4 and 6 year old there in Nov and it was hard for us to relax. It is a cool pool, but with all the different areas and depths (I think 8ft in part of the lazy river) we had to stay with our kids… and you have to exit the pool area to access the large feature slide and small slide. We finally made them stay in the sandy area so we could relax and have a drink (but they got bored with that pretty fast). We said we wouldn’t stay there again till the kids were older. The access to Epcot and HS was great though and we do enjoy the space/laundry of 1 bedrooms.

We also love the feel of poly and find the pool layout better for our kids. Our kids are also monorail obsessed and consider that one of the rides at Disney

Both are great options!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I have a lot of experience at both resorts with those ages. While the Poly pools can keep you on your toes as a parent (as you experienced), IMHO SAB is 5x worse! Mine are now 11 and 7 and I like SAB a heck of a lot more now than I did at 6 and 2!

I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here though, both have various pros/cons that it sounds like you have a good handle on. I started out thinking it’s a bit of a push, with maybe a slight edge to Poly.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I don’t think you’d find SAB a relaxing experience if you have to keep an eye on two kids. Even with my 5 year old I was on high alert, trying to keep track of her.
Would you consider a 1 br at Boardwalk instead? Same walkability, access to food, amenities of a one bedroom and less anxiety about the pool.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Poly. Unless you’re cool with the 6yo being out of eyesight at SAB then BC. Also I’d vote BC if you’re not dedicated to SAB as it does have a wonderful quiet pool where you can keep an eye on the kids with zero issues (but no lifeguard) and access to EP for dinners.

A consistent report about SAB is those with young kids need to keep an eagle eye on them. It’s so big with so much to do kids can disappear in two seconds.

 

[DisneyFave]

I don’t think you’d find SAB a relaxing experience if you have to keep an eye on two kids. Even with my 5 year old I was on high alert, trying to keep track of her.
Would you consider a 1 br at Boardwalk instead? Same walkability, access to food, amenities of a one bedroom and less anxiety about the pool.

I was totally looking at a 1 BR at Boardwalk too! Stayed in a studio once and found it to be lovely. I think you all have convinced me to stay the heck away from BC and SAB LOL

 

[RNRMOM]

I like the Epcot resorts better than the Poly (although the club level reopening there is making me research it a little more ) but I will say I've never been a fan of the Yacht and Beach Club pool. It is very hectic (but fun) and I only felt comfortable when I was with friends and family during a big trip and all of the kids were between the ages of 8-17.

It's not a place I would choose solely for the pool if I'm expecting relaxation, if I'm not with strong swimmers or if I'm the only adult who has to watch multiple children. If I wanted to have a more relaxing experience I would choose Poly or Grand Floridian (if that is an option).

 

[Bahamontes]

I brought a 52 year old to SAB last summer, and I couldn’t keep track of him. BC is my favorite, but for your trip I think I’d Polynesian all day. Theming/feel and location seem better for 6 & 2.5

 

[CaptainAmerica]

For me it comes down to whether you would ACTUALLY use the kitchen. I think a lot of people often think of it as nice to have and then never turn the stove on.

I personally find it very hard to downgrade to a queen bed, so I would personally always go for the 1BR, but it doesn't sound like that's a consideration for you.

 

[Sunshine11]

Both resorts are amazing - as pp mentioned, no bad choice here! I would choose Poly studio for the shear fact that the pool areas are less overwhelming with two children then Stormalong Bay. Love SAB, but it is a large complex and could be overwhelming. On the flip side, the walk to two parks (Epcot and HS) is top notch from the Beach Club. Plus the ability to get to restaurants from 5 resorts as well as walk into World Showcase for food too, does draw appeal to BC, but I still choose Poly for a relaxing more compact vibe. Whatever you choose will be great.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Honestly I don't think you can expect relaxation at the pool with little kids no matter where you stay. Our last trip we had one 2.5 year old, stayed at Boardwalk, and we never relaxed at the pool. We're booked at both BC and GF for our next stay, and my husband is convinced SAB will be a "relaxing" experience with the kids. I'm under so such illusion That said, I think for me it comes down to, which 2 parks am I going to want to spend the most time at :Epcot and HS, or Epcot and MK? Because when it comes down to it, you just aren't going to be in a position to be breaking down strollers while also keeping track of two kids, so staying wherever you'll have to break down the stroller the LEAST is probably going to be your best bet.

 

[DisneyFave]

Honestly I don't think you can expect relaxation at the pool with little kids no matter where you stay. Our last trip we had one 2.5 year old, stayed at Boardwalk, and we never relaxed at the pool. We're booked at both BC and GF for our next stay, and my husband is convinced SAB will be a "relaxing" experience with the kids. I'm under so such illusion That said, I think for me it comes down to, which 2 parks am I going to want to spend the most time at :Epcot and HS, or Epcot and MK? Because when it comes down to it, you just aren't going to be in a position to be breaking down strollers while also keeping track of two kids, so staying wherever you'll have to break down the stroller the LEAST is probably going to be your best bet.

100% agree! I told hubby I wasn't going to do pool time alone with the kids regardless of where we stay. I was also stressed at the Poly.

 

[DisneyFave]

Honestly I don't think you can expect relaxation at the pool with little kids no matter where you stay. Our last trip we had one 2.5 year old, stayed at Boardwalk, and we never relaxed at the pool. We're booked at both BC and GF for our next stay, and my husband is convinced SAB will be a "relaxing" experience with the kids. I'm under so such illusion That said, I think for me it comes down to, which 2 parks am I going to want to spend the most time at :Epcot and HS, or Epcot and MK? Because when it comes down to it, you just aren't going to be in a position to be breaking down strollers while also keeping track of two kids, so staying wherever you'll have to break down the stroller the LEAST is probably going to be your best bet.

100% agree! I told hubby I wasn't going to do pool time alone with the kids regardless of where we stay. I was also stressed at the Poly.

 

[snikki]

I would choose BC for the following reasons:

Like PPs have said. Pools aren’t relaxing with kids. Ever.

At SAB I would think you could keep the kids confined to the sandy part of the pool. Would one kid dart off? At that age I would be confined to one area with both kids anyway. At Poly it would be the splash pad. At BC I would also choose the sandy area.

The kitchen for meals for everyone plus your DH who is working.

More space for DH to work especially if you pop in with the kids midday.

 

[DisneyFave]

I would choose BC for the following reasons:

Like PPs have said. Pools aren’t relaxing with kids. Ever.

At SAB I would think you could keep the kids confined to the sandy part of the pool. Would one kid dart off? At that age I would be confined to one area with both kids anyway. At Poly it would be the splash pad. At BC I would also choose the sandy area.

The kitchen for meals for everyone plus your DH who is working.

More space for DH to work especially if you pop in with the kids midday.

Gah now I'm torn again! But this time between Boardwalk and BC. It's MLK weekend, will we even want to use the pool??

 

[quoo]

Our last trip to Poly my sons had just turned 3 and were about to turn 7, and I was really happy with it. We had a patio room and hardly even used the patio because we were so exhausted at night. The splash pad was fantastic for the 3 year old and easy to supervise him on from the lounge chairs nearby, and it was nice to be able to get back to the hotel quickly from MK.

But I've never stayed at BC so who knows, it may be awesome, or more convent to whatever parks you're going to

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Gah now I'm torn again! But this time between Boardwalk and BC. It's MLK weekend, will we even want to use the pool??

This is sort of petty on my part, but at that age I was a hard no on BWI solely due to the fact their pools don’t have a zero entry point. I know that’s a silly reason to cross a resort off the list, but with little ones we much prefer the pools with zero entry. Plus no true kiddie splash pad area.

 

[snikki]

Gah now I'm torn again! But this time between Boardwalk and BC. It's MLK weekend, will we even want to use the pool??

I’ve done BWV before and loved my stay there. I would probably choose BC for easier QS access with the marketplace and HH. But you’ll have a kitchen and that won’t really matter. You have all great choices so whatever you go with will be great!

 

[DeeBee3]

Ok, so I will be staying at BC in April - kids are 4 and 8. I can mark this thread and give you feedback if you desire. They love pools and I am not a big water person so normally my husband does the pool stuff. I would agree with the others that say all pools are stressful until kids are older and completely independent in water.

I did stay at BW last summer. The kids LOVED the pool. They took away the clown and made it Mickey and friends themed - like the new cartoons. Some people care about that since the clown was very divisive. They did not use the slide. Was too much for them.

We loved Boardwalk and the area in general. I can't wait to see if I prefer one resort of the other. We loved walking to both of those parks.

 

[justme0729]

I think the real question is whether you want a one bedroom or studio… I would probably choose beach club to get the one bedroom especially since you just stayed at Poly to switch it up.