Advice Needed--BW v. BC

[Ahnert]

BC or BW the week of Thanksgiving? Need info re rooms, pool, food, and ease of transport to parks. Traveleing with kids ages 8, 5, 4, 2, and 1. Wwe are getting a discount and these resorts are only ones available.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Welcome to the DIS!
The Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Clubs are across the lake from each other in what is called the Epcot Resort area.
They share the same buses to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, water parks, Downtown Disney.
You can easily walk from either one to Epcot (5-10 minutes). You can also walk to the Studios (15-20 minutes). Or in both cases you can take the Friendship Boats to either Epcot or the Studios.
The Yacht and Beach Clubs do have restaurants inside but the Boardwalk does not. Not a problem since they are so close and there are a lot of great restaurants on the Boardwalk (try Spoodles breakfast pizza.....GREAT!!!!).
The only real difference is the pool. The Yacht/Beach Clubs have Stormalong Bay which is sort of like a water park. It is a very popular pool. Other than this there are really no differences and you will be happy with either.

 

[copper68]

There really isn't a significant difference between these 2 resorts...They both face each other across a beautiful lake...The BC is slightly closer to Epcot...it is about a 8-10 min walk from the BC and maybe 12-15 min from the BW...The BC def wins with the pool...the BC shares a pool with the YC and it's prob the best pool in all of Disney...althought the BW pool is very nice also...The BW is open late, so there is more to do there, but it is only maybe an 8-10 min walk from the BC onto the BW...

They both have boat access to MGM and bus access to the other theme parks, so transportation is the same for both...

The restaurants in both are very good...and the rooms are very similar...

As I said, there really isn't much of a difference...they are both themed beautifully...we have stayed at both resorts and have enjoyed both...to me it is a flip of the coin...and if you stay at one, the other is close enough that you can share all of the amenities of the other...except the pools...

good luck making your decision...

 

[jennymouse]

Welcome to the DISboards!

I've stayed at both resorts as well and both are great. The only thing that I'd consider regarding the pool at BC is that it's very large with lots of different sections to it and you can't see the entire pool area from any spot there. I would think it would be difficult to keep an eye on all of the different aged kids at one time. For example there is a wonderful sandbar area with very shallow water the littlest ones would love to play in, but the slide that I'm sure the older one would want to use is way on the other side of the pool complex and you can't see it from the sandbar area. Of course if there'd be more than one adult and you didn't mind separating for periods of time this wouldn't be an issue.

On the other hand the BW pool is great too with a great slide and a kiddie pool with an elephant spraying water. This pool is small enough and not as chopped up so that you can see the entire pool pretty much where ever you set up camp.

 

[princess lovers mom]

agree with all of the above...if i "had" to choose it would be BC...Sooooooo beautiful...

another thing to consider is that the buses come to BC before BW..better chance of getting seats for everyone that way

 

[dreamscometrue47]

When we were at the Boardwalk in April 2004, we were the first stop for the MK and Ak buses in the morning, but we were the last stop at night (which can be a long ride if you have little ones.) It's really a toss up (regarding busses) as to which resort you stay at.

As for accomodations, we stayed at the Boardwalk Villas with DVC. And I was very dissappointed with them. Our unit was run down and in need of repair. I've never stayed at the BC, so have no opinion on their accomodations. But I've heard they are very nice.

Both locations, though, are AWESOME!! Can't beat walking to Epcot or MGM, and the morning walks around the lake are so beautiful and quiet...

We are going to try either Yacht/Beach Club next trip and I'm sure we'll try Boardwalk in about 5 years (after they've refurbed the villas.)

 

[Micca]

Haven't stayed at BC, but we made our first trip to BWI about 3 weeks ago. The theming has never appealed to us, but we were able to get a great deal so we gave it a shot. It was very nice, and I would agree that the convenience factor was very high. Also it seemed quiet compared to many of the other resorts(and we've tried quite a few). That location has great appeal and I don't know that I wouldn't try YC or BC before returning to BWI.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Love them both but I prefer the BW because we too had several children at different ages and while Stormalong Bay is wounderful I didn't rest one minute while we we were there.

 

[dismom3]

I really agree about the SAB being too hard if you have little ones. I need to be able to see the whole pool so I can keep my eye on all of the kids at once. I wouldn't rest a minute at that SAB pool! If it was just my husband and I, that's a different story.

 

[NeedsNEscape]

We really liked the BC. After a long hot wonderful day in the parks (often carrying heavy, sleepy loads), it was great to come back to the pool and rest your weary feet in that sand-bottomed pool. My feet would be so sore and the pool was great! I agree that there was no comparison to any other pool in WDW. Also, if you request a room at BC close to the Epcot entrance, it is a very short walk to EPCOT! You come in near Canada (I think) and can then take a leisurely walk to the monorail to get to MK and you don't have to take the bus. You can also get a boat to MGM. It is nice not to have to take the buses to get everywhere. Very often with younger kids, the transportation is the equivalent of a ride!