Back from the Beach Club and Polynesian

[Dee & Greg]

We're off on our first BC trip in just a few weeks! I know DH will love the decor; he's a big beach guy. We were true to AKL until we got a better rate for BC. And we are going to one of the "Eat to the Beat" concerts and wine tastings while we're there! We can just walk home after Illuminations!

 

[hmmchowell]

Thanks for the great reviews. Even with the few negatives, just like my friend nursetink says, "A bad day at Disney is still better than a good day anywhere else!!" Poly here we come!!!!!

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks for the report Dan and welcome home. I have to agree that after all I heard about Stormalong bay that once we got there we were not that impressed. It is the largest pool we have seen and we enjoyed spending a little time there but we only went in it once because it was not what we expected. I think kids would love it and I did enjoy the lazy river but the water was way too warm and I did not get cooled off and the slide was boring to me.

Thanks for the report on the Polynesian. Out of the whole resort I have found the least helpful and sometimes rude CMs at the front desk and at Captain Cook’s. This is not to say that there are not some great CM’s that work there also but those are the two areas I have had bad experiences with CM’s myself. I am glad you got all your requests.

Aloha

Steve

 

[10drum]

Snackystacky,

We've stayed at both, but keep going back to the BC, for that ordinary pool and access to Epcot. No express food (like the poly), is the only negative, since the bus service has improved at the BC/YC.

We found, in the evening, when B&C is so crowded for drinks, there are 2 bars(martha's and the Yahtsman) will fill your mugs.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Glad you had a good trip Dan, and I'm glad you enjoyed your BC and Poly experiences. Thanks for the report.

Was this your first deluxe resort experience? I'm trying to remember from all our debates and discussions about resorts and rates if it was you who was having a little bit of a hard time deciding to go deluxe, and whether the rates were really worth it. Then again, I've debated resorts and rates with so many people over on the R&N board that I could be mixed up.

Anywho......I agree with you about almost everything. As for SAB, if we were an adult couple sans kids the pool would hold much less attraction for us than it does for our family of 5. It isn't much of a pool to actually swim in if that is what you are looking to do. However, I'd be hard pressed to call it just another pool. Maybe you didn't enjoy using it any more than "just another pool", but it is most definitely a unique pool, and rather elaborate as hotel pools go. I agree that refillable mugs at the YC/BC seem to be a hassle, but we've never done them. All in all, we love the BC

I also agree about staff at the Poly, at the front desk at least. We also like being in one building, rather than the longhouse concept. But the Poly is a great resort as well, overall.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Glad to hear everything went well, Dan. And congratulations again! If I had to do it all over again, I would have made WDW our honyemoon choice also.

I also like the one building concept. That's what I love about WL.

And we've found that we use our car also even when we're onsite. Like you said, transportation might be good most of the time, but when it's not, it sure is a drag.

When my DH and I fly down sometime in the future for an adults only trip, I am going to have a hard time deciding where we will stay..........it's either BC, YC or BWI. I just can't decide. It's got to be EPCOT because we love that park and DH has to be close to Chefs de France. You've given me more to think about.

Thanks again.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds
Glad you had a good trip Dan, and I'm glad you enjoyed your BC and Poly experiences. Thanks for the report.

Was this your first deluxe resort experience? I'm trying to remember from all our debates and discussions about resorts and rates if it was you who was having a little bit of a hard time deciding to go deluxe, and whether the rates were really worth it. Then again, I've debated resorts and rates with so many people over on the R&N board that I could be mixed up.

Anywho......I agree with you about almost everything. As for SAB, if we were an adult couple sans kids the pool would hold much less attraction for us than it does for our family of 5. It isn't much of a pool to actually swim in if that is what you are looking to do. However, I'd be hard pressed to call it just another pool. Maybe you didn't enjoy using it any more than "just another pool", but it is most definitely a unique pool, and rather elaborate as hotel pools go. I agree that refillable mugs at the YC/BC seem to be a hassle, but we've never done them. All in all, we love the BC

I also agree about staff at the Poly, at the front desk at least. We also like being in one building, rather than the longhouse concept. But the Poly is a great resort as well, overall.

Yup. That was me Kidds! And the argument was for RACK rates. I was very fortunate and snagged a postcard rate.

Was it worth the price that we ACTUALLY paid? I would say yes. My wife? I dunno. I think she'd disagree - but only when balancing the checkbook. She's ready to try Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Boardwalk.

In any case, you aren't the only one who seems to disagree with me on the pool issue. I'd just like to clarify that I'm not saying I'm right and anybody else is wrong. I said that because there may be someone in my position who's saying "Let's stay there because of the pool!" That was my main reason for staying there. And I would stay there again, but it would be for many other reasons, like I stated before. It's immediate proximity to the International Gateway, the dining options, the one-building design.

Maybe I can better articulate WHY I didn't much care for the pool.

I understand that it needs to be big to be shared by two resorts, but the size was a problem. You physically had to LEAVE the pool area to cross a walkway to get to the slide. That's not fun! The sand bottom was a big draw, but the sand is not beach sand - for obvious reasons, of course, but the big rock sand was not as nice on the feet as regular, plain 'ol sand.

I feel SO stupid saying this, but because of the size, we sometimes had to search to find our chair with our stuff. We'd get disoriented trying to find our way back!

The one thing I DID like about the pool was the hot tub setup! I loved how they were so secluded.

Again, I'm not saying that there is ANYTHING wrong with the pool. I'm just saying that to me, it was nothing special.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by Mom of Sleepy, Bashful and BabyDoc
When my DH and I fly down sometime in the future for an adults only trip, I am going to have a hard time deciding where we will stay..........it's either BC, YC or BWI. I just can't decide. It's got to be EPCOT because we love that park and DH has to be close to Chefs de France. You've given me more to think about.

If I may offer some advice to help in your decision:

If you're looking for proximity to Epcot - Beach Club all the way. We had Annual Passes, so it was no problem to just stroll in, go get a funnel cake, or a crepe, and stroll back out. THAT was the BEST part.

If you're looking for more dining options right on hand (or on foot, as the case may be ) I'd go with the Boardwalk. So many restaurants right there. The Beach Club was limited in that regard, in my opinion.

If you want a more laid-back atmosphere to enjoy a nice view - I'd go with the Yacht Club. All have full balconies, and it just seemed quieter on that end of the resort.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
If I may offer some advice to help in your decision:

If you're looking for proximity to Epcot - Beach Club all the way. We had Annual Passes, so it was no problem to just stroll in, go get a funnel cake, or a crepe, and stroll back out. THAT was the BEST part.

If you're looking for more dining options right on hand (or on foot, as the case may be ) I'd go with the Boardwalk. So many restaurants right there. The Beach Club was limited in that regard, in my opinion.

If you want a more laid-back atmosphere to enjoy a nice view - I'd go with the Yacht Club. All have full balconies, and it just seemed quieter on that end of the resort.

Good luck with your decision!

That's about exactly what I was thinking, Dan. I like that BC is "closer" to EPCOT, but I like the idea of the balcony. If I'm paying that much for a room, I want a balcony.

SAB sounds great, but when we go it will probably only be 3 nights, so we won't be spending a big amount of time at the pool. Now, maybe some time at the hot tub.

But then I think a studio at BWI might be more economical, if we rent points. Now that we've stayed at a 2 bedroom condo with kitchen and stuff, we are spoiled. Not that I would really cook a meal when we are there, but maybe bagels, eggs, coffee/tea....that kind of stuff.

Ok. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. Back to your regularly scheduled programming...................

 

[DisneyKidds]

Again, I'm not saying that there is ANYTHING wrong with the pool. I'm just saying that to me, it was nothing special.

That's fair, Dan. As for BC advantages, I'd also put location ahead of SAB in terms of draws. Access to Epcot and MGM can't be beat from any of the Epcot resorts.

BTW - I agree with you about rack rates. Wouldn't pay them myself. But for an AP rate you get a heck of a lot for your money.

 

[K9pal]

First, congrats on your wedding! I am SO glad you loved the Beach Club, especially since I encouraged you to stay there after we were there in 9/03. We were at WDW same time as you this year too, sweatin' over Ivan until the day we left! Isn't that short stroll to Epcot just AWESOME?! We were at the BWV this year, since we bought into the DVC last fall, and even though it's still a short walk to Epcot, it just isn't like being at the Beach Club.
Glad you enjoyed yourselves!