BC or BW, which would you choose?

[msr709]

I'm going with my DNce 7, DNph 10 and my sister in August. The kids love the ppols. I'm inclined to stay at BW but I was just reading about SB at BC and it seems like an awesome pool, but there is the sand?? My sister hates the beach because of the way the sand gets into everything. I like the idea of being able to walk from BW to both MGM and EPCOT. Decisions, decisions, which would you pick? I've never even been to that side of WDW so I would welcome anyone experiences to help me decide. I have to decide by Jan. 3 (when my deposit is due). TIA!

 

[spiceycat]

BC - it is much, much closer to Epcot. SALB (SB) does have sand in the bottom - but it has 3 quiet pools that don't - YC, BC and BCV.

that silly clown at BW - just doesn't do it for me.

besides this is not home - your sister doesn't have to try to the sand out of the carpet.

some pictures of both
bc
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/549
bwi
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/550

since the pool didn't show up to well in either here are some more

bwv
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/543/page/1

still haven't found any good pictures of the SALB (SB) part - will look elsewhere and get back

 

[hiwaygal]

I can't really offer advice about the pools, although I hear SAB is MUCH better than the BW pool and for the kids, that might be the better option.

But I did want to comment that you can walk to MGM and Epcot from either BC or BWI, so don't let that worry you in making your decision.

 

[Rustysmom]

My DH hates the beach because of the sand too, but like a pp said, you're not tracking it into your house so it's not bad. My DH and the kids got sand in their pool shoes from the bottom of SAB, but we just shook them out and rinsed them and left them on our little balcony to dry.

We loved BC!

 

[purpliequeen]

I would pick Beach Club too, especially with kids who love swimming.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

OP - great question. I was thinking of posting the same one - I've researched the Epcot resorts and I was having difficulty choosing between the two - YC/BC or BW. I've never stayed at either (so take it for what it is worth) but from what I've read the BW can be lively which isn't necessarily a bad thing except I've read it can be lively into the late hours. We have 3 kids ages 9 & under so that is a consideration for our family but could always request a quiet room in the back of the resort. Not sure if the clown pool would bother our youngest child or not - seems a little scary to me but I have a thing w/clowns anyway.

One poster suggested to me in a post was booking the YC/BC and visiting the BW area. So you can kind of get the benefits of both - staying at BC/YC and visiting the BW. I don't really appreciate the sand either when we go to the beach here at home but I would think they would have those showers to rinse the kids feet. I know the Poly has one.

Good luck in making your choice - either way you'll be a disney.

Forgot to mention the YC/BC thread has a bunch of pics of SAB I believe on page 2. Its a great thread. Here you go:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1572316

 

[spiceycat]

here are some more pictures
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=eo070629bb

 

[DVC Mike]

Beach Club -- with Stormalong Bay!

 

[TJA]

We've stayed at both -- love the BC for a few reasons. First, we absolutely love the sandy pool. It doesn't feel like real sand like at the ocean that sticks everywhere. Or I guess because the sand is part of the pool could be the reason it doesn't stick that much. Since the sand is at the bottom of the pool too, you actually rinse off right in the pool, so all you need to worry about is your feet when you get out. And there is a rinsing faucet to rinse your feet too. Oh, and this sandy section is only one large section of SAB. There is a lot more pool that does not contain the mounds of sand. Here is a picture to give you an idea of how the sandy pool is.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/tjaphotos/100_0315.jpg

Second reason we love BC is the location. Epcot is a very short walk and you can eat a fabulous dinner each night, watch Illuminations, and then just walk back to BC. However, you get the same great location with BW. MGM is closer to BW, while Epcot is closer to BC. However, it's not that much of a difference to factor that in to your decision. BC and BW are merely a 5-minute walk away from each other, at a leisurely pace.

We like having a character breakfast right at BC too. And we also love having Beaches & Cream right at BC. We often walk over to the boardwalk for the entertainment but then enjoy walking back to BC for a more quiet atmosphere. We just love the entire Epcot resort area. Can't go wrong with any resort over there, in my opinion. I am not swaying you away from staying at BW; however, with our kids being toddler age, they spend hours at SAB and we parents love the relaxation of letting them play while we can relax a bit. At the other pools, we have to get life jackets and go in the pool with them, which is fine but just not as relaxing. Since you have older kids going, you may feel totally differently than we do.

 

[Shmily1]

Not much is better than a stay at BC!!! The convenience of being close to Epcot and DHS (trying to get use to that!) and the fun of staying there! We loved SAB, but even better was the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe (we ate there two mornings in a row)!! The queen sized beds were very comfy, too. I just can't think of anything bad to say aout BC!!! MMMMMM!!! What fun!

 

[eliza61]

Decisions, decisions. We love the BC, it's our home resort but we've stayed at the bw and loved it too. Yes, I know, I'm a lot of help. LOL. I agree with the posters above, if pools are a deciding factor than go with the bc. The only thing I didn't like about the BC, especially in the summer is the lobby is very busy and noisey.

 

[LakeAriel]

I stayed at BCV in August of 06 and BWV this past August. I liked BW..The pool was more relaxing, less of a mob and Stormalong bay has some spots that can be hazardous to children. Both are walking distance to Epcot and MGM. I found the CM's nicer at BW also. Just my experience.

 

[nascargirl]

My vote goes to the BW. My husband and I have stayed at both resorts, but are hearts belong to the BWI. In fact, we leave for the BWI on Jan 7th. We are staying 1 night (not by choice) @ the BC the last day because of no availability. If you like swimming, then the BC is for you. The walk may be shorter to Epcot. but the walk to the Studios is much closer. The atmosphere at the BW is fantastic. They have nightly entertainment on the boardwalk it self. The Beach Club is now offering movies on the beach.
If you are lucky enough to try club level, you will not be disappointed, The staff far exceeds any expectation you may have. The staff on the club level are like family to my husband and myself. The boardwalk does have a quiet pool back in the garden area. Let me tell you, it is very quiet. We have never gone to the big pool so I cannot offer you any advise Whatever you decide, have a fantastic time and remember you can always visit the resort that you do not chose. Good luck with your decision

 

[MickeyNicki]

BC, we just love that area and the YC is great too.

 

[LMO429]

Beach Club!

I prefer the Beach Club over the Boardwalk for a couple of reasons. SAB is a much better pool than the pool at the Boardwalk. Also I found grabbing a quick bite at the beach club marketplace was easier than having to go outside somewhere on the boardwalk.

plus you its a quick walk to the boardwalk..so you can beat that its the best of both worlds. if you stay at the Boardwalk you have no access to SAB

 

[RussellDisney]

Is BW as close to DHS as BC is to Epcot? While in Epcot last week, I took the walkway from the Gateway over to BC just to see how far the walk was. It was very nice and I discovered the "flat" walkway, down by the canal, on the way back. That was even easier, as I took the "ramp" over to BC.

My wife fell in love with MGM/DHS last week, so I was wondering if anyone has walked both from the Gateway to BC, and also from MGM to BW and could give me a comparison between the two distances. Thanks!

 

[TJA]

The walk between BW and MGM is approximately 15 minutes. We are always trying to time it, but we have young children so our time is never consistent. It's a very lovely walk, and especially lovely after Fantasmic when you can buy a snack and enjoy the relaxing walk back to your resort. We prefer BC as we have young children who love the pool at BC; however, we walk over to the boardwalk each and every day! And we enjoy the ability to walk to both Epcot and MGM. It's our favorite area to stay.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I've stayed at both. I stayed at BW in 2001 and 2002, and at YC (almost same as BC) last year. I prefered YC/BC. And we were there in August too. I think SAB is so big that you should be able to find a relatively quiet spot. The Epcot resorts are great.
Robin M.

 

[_queenie_]

I really don't think the distance to the parks is a whole lot different. The pool is much better at the BC, though the BW's is nice and and pretty quiet. From personal experience I do prefer the BW, I like how you can more easily be upgraded and the hotel itself has a much smaller feel. You're also closer to the "hub", and the dining options at BC & YC are farily limited.

BW gets my vote!

 

[LSchrow]

considering their ages, i think your DN's would enjoy the BW more. we find BC geared more toward the younger kidlets ~ even the lobby tends to be very noisy. (still a beautiful resort, just best for families for little ones).
my kids (at the time(s), 7 thru 13) and my nephews (6 & 10 when they went) were decidedly unimpressed with the BC (except for art, the doorman, of course ). even SAB was not a big draw prob cos it's always sooooo crowded, & asked to "please stay at the boardwalk from now on" .
there is so much going on at the boardwalk: "street performers" (eg, juggler, fire-eater, etc), arcade with basketball, water gun thing , hairbraiding, vendors, etc. i've seen the BW main pool crowded at busy times, but nothing like SAB with what looks like people covering every square inch .
& the BW bakery has delicious muffins, cookies, etc, as well as the sweet shoppe with a nice variety of ice cream and sweets .
it is soo nice to walk along the BW at night, watch the performers, play games, catch Illuminations (even nicer if you have a BW view room ), & then just go upstairs to your room..........