Any regrets switching from MK resort to Epcot area? (yacht club specificially)

[aprilbabes]

I know there are many perks of staying at the yacht club, but is it as “magical” as the deluxe resorts in the MK area? We’ve only stayed there in the past and while I’m excited to try something new I’m a little sad that maybe we’re leaving the “magic” behind. We won’t do a split stay. We like being settled in one spot so it’s one or the other.
We decided on YC bc we were priced out of the Poly (our absolute favorite) the week we’re going. It was between GF, YC, and WL.

 

[disneyvoice]

Depends on what you mean by "magical." Our favorite resorts are Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge - neither are MK resorts but we actually prefer both over the Contemporary (haven't stayed at GF yet). We also really like the Poly but I think the prices have become ridiculously high there so we typically don't even consider it anymore. Our favorite park is Epcot so that is definitely part of the appeal of BC for us. My husband does really like the convenience of the monorail resorts since we typically drive to the parks instead of taking the bus - it gives him a break since he usually the one driving. I honestly haven't felt any difference in Disney "magic" between any of the resorts regardless of location, including when comparing a value to a deluxe. I think you will like the Yacht Club -we haven't stayed there yet but it very similar to BC. We only choose BC because it is a bit closer to International Gateway at Epcot - I would be just as happy to stay at Yacht Club if there wasn't availability at BC. Have a great trip!

 

[LMO429]

What MK resort do you normally stay at???

 

[LMO429]

The one major pro of the Yacht Club over the MK area is all the activities, dining and parks that are within walking distance. I think it's def worth it to stay there one time to see how you like it. But I would say it is not as "disney" as the magic kingdom resorts. I think everyone has their one favorite resort mine is the Grand and in your case it seems to be the Poly. With toy story land being open I think it will be nice to be near Hollywood Studios, being able to walk to epcot easily. All the dining options that are nearby esp with the swan and dolphin they have excellent dining spots. I do like how all the rooms at the yacht club are indoors so you do not have to walk outside to your room if it is raining. With Illuminations coming to a close too it will also be nice to have multiple visits to epcot to see it for its final time and not have to deal with any sort of transportation after the mass exodus of the park. The yacht club is the first stop on the bus which is always a positive to. But no imo it will not have that overly disney feel that you are use to at the MK resorts. that being said I still think its worth a visit there and I think you will enjoy yourself.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

YC is my favorite WDW resort. We started staying on the Epcot side when DS was all about big slides. Now, years later, we still love the area best. I love the proximity to Epcot & DHS, love easy access to so many restaurants at all the resorts and still love SAB. We haven’t stayed on the MK side in years, and don’t miss it at all.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I've done Poly and BC. I prefer the Epcot resort area over the MK. We enjoyed our stay at Poly but we absolutely loved our stay at the BC. We are doing BWV next trip because I wanted to try something new but stay in the Epcot area. You can't beat depending on your feet for two parks. The MK area is magical but it is so busy. I felt like I couldn't relax at the Poly. It's so much hustle and bustle in that area.

 

[TJA]

I think I get what you mean by magical....it's just sort of a feeling you get while at the resort and you can see the Castle and hear the sounds of MK? I understand that. Still, to this day, I get that feeling. However, we still favored the Epcot resort area for many, many years, and in fact still find ourselves gravitating back. It's not the same feeling as the MK resorts for sure, but it's a different kind of magical feeling. I think it's just one of things that you need to try for yourself to see how YOU feel. We like going to any park in the mornings, having a rest at SAB during the afternoons, and then simply walking to Epcot each night - we find that such a relaxing way to spend each night. There are so many places to choose for dinner in the countries. We also love walking around while Illuminations is going on. Now, with TSL open, last trip we closed down HS twice and it was nice knowing we were just a walk/boat ride away from our resort.

 

[mickeynut1]

I know there are many perks of staying at the yacht club, but is it as “magical” as the deluxe resorts in the MK area? We’ve only stayed there in the past and while I’m excited to try something new I’m a little sad that maybe we’re leaving the “magic” behind. We won’t do a split stay. We like being settled in one spot so it’s one or the other.
We decided on YC bc we were priced out of the Poly (our absolute favorite) the week we’re going. It was between GF, YC, and WL.

I wouldn't say the Epcot area is less magical, it's just a different vibe, IMO. I prefer the MK area (Poly specifically), but having stayed at BC & BWI, I can definitely see myself returning to BWI. If you are open to trying something new and the YC appeals to you, I think it'd be worth a try. Good luck!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I can understand what you meant by the Disney magic at the MK resorts. There is something special about seeing the MK from your resort. But for us it ends there. We prefer the type of vacation that we experience when we stay at an Epcot resort or even at WL, where you don’t see the castle.

Whether you will enjoy your stay at an Epcot resort or not is really up to you. It isn’t going to be the same but for us it is better. Walking to two parks beats monorails and buses for us.

 

[Bree]

The new rooms at YC are awesome. I love the rainfall shower head in the bathroom. There are also keurig machines in the room instead of those cuisinart pod machines. I don’t care for Joffrey’s coffee and it’s 100x easier to purchase k-cups than to find those pods.

Here’s a link with pics https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/review-refurbished-room-at-disneys-yacht-club-resort/

 

[nkereina]

IMO, nothing beats being able to walk to two of the four parks. The boats even beat the buses for me. We love the views of the lake from the Epcot area resorts, and love having so many resorts within walking distance for easy options to grab a bite to eat, a drink, or a snack when we're at the resort.

 

[Quellman]

We stay at BLT every year. Last year we added in Yacht Club on a trip. I love the view of the Magic Kingdom and seeing the park come alive. The motion of the boats on the water, the activity of the monorails, the train going around, the spinning of astro orbiter. Our time at Yacht Club seemed less busy. It was more relaxation. We very much enjoyed the absurdly close walk to 2 parks. So yes, we left some of the magic behind but still managed to have a wonderful time. I didn't miss the nightly fireworks as much as I thought I would.

 

[Farro]

Stayed at Polynesian last year - seeing the Castle was neat for a couple days, but honestly then we didn't even notice it anymore. We really missed the Epcot resort area while we were there.

We like the "feeling" we get at the Epcot resort area (Yacht/Beach is where we normally stay) better. More hustle/bustle, excitement vibe during the day/evening. But relaxing at same time. Really feels like vacation when you walk out the sliding doors and see the pool, the Boardwalk across the way, hear the boats, etc.

Gah!!! I want to go back now!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I grew up staying at the Epcot area resorts mostly BC with one stay at the YC. I actually preferred the YC over the BC as I feel like it is more like the GF of the Epcot resorts. Currently, I am DVC member at BW and GF and I prefer the BW due to location. However, I have a little girl now, so I will be spending more time at MK in the foreseeable future; thus, the GF will be seeing more of my time.

 

[HairyChest]

The epcot resorts do not feel magical like the mk resorts do. I missed seven seas lagoon and the grand and poly so much when I stayed at the yacht club. it was nice to walk to epcot and the pool was big but it felt like a regular hotel. I missed being around the castle and seeing the contemporary in the distance, Polynesian, grand Floridian. I would stay at the grand poly or wilderness lodge anyday over the epcot resorts. People who don't know the special feeling of the mk resort area don't understand.

 

[Farro]

The epcot resorts do not feel magical like the mk resorts do. I missed seven seas lagoon and the grand and poly so much when I stayed at the yacht club. it was nice to walk to epcot and the pool was big but it felt like a regular hotel. I missed being around the castle and seeing the contemporary in the distance, Polynesian, grand Floridian. I would stay at the grand poly or wilderness lodge anyday over the epcot resorts. People who don't know the special feeling of the mk resort area don't understand.

We stayed at Poly 3 times during the 80's and again last year. I understand the feeling. I just think the feeling is better at Epcot resort area.

 

[pixarmom]

I love Epcot, and YC is relaxing and convenient, so I'd say yes, YC is still magical! I love walking to two parks and those new rooms look fantastic! My husband prefers anywhere that hides MK from his view, so he would agree. But our kids, ages 19, 18 and 11, feel like it's more "Disney" to stay in the MK area. Poly is their favorite, with WL in second place. For our upcoming trip, I booked YC but decided to switch to the MK area because our youngest loves it so much. Poly was OK in terms of price, but I could get lagoon view at GF for less so settled on that.

In your case, I think YC will be different but not bad. If you aren't looking for different, GF and WL are great options!

 

[Babsy]

There is a special kind of Disney magic staying in the Mk area. However, there is another special feeling that you get in the Epcot area resorts. It is still magical, just a different 'flavour' of the Disney magic. I would say that the MK is strawberry while the Epcot is chocolate. Both are delicious. Both are beautiful, fun and exciting. Go with the expectation of something new and different. Look for the magic all around you and you will find it - it's wonderful staying in the YC!

 

[hakepb]

My only negative to the Epcot area is the below average QS dining (especially DDP) at the Epcot area vs MK resorts...so plan on going into Epcot as your QS food court.
Otherwise, walking back to YC after Illuminations is much more magical than waiting for any transportation.

 

[dansdad]

We've never regretted it. The Epcot area resorts are awesome. You can't beat the location, it's the best on property in our opinion. And the amount of food options is great, especially if using the Dining Plan.