BC vs. BWI for parents (in their mid 80s/70s) + DD6/DS8...

[*Fantasia*]

I just can't decide... it's probably cause I don't have the basic infos on these two resort, the BC and BWI. Please help me decide which one would be better for us.

Planning date Dec 28- Jan 1. Me- DD6- DS8- Parents mid 80s/70s. Mother will be using scooter (ECV). My children loves being in the pool. Son can swim, but not a strong swimmer. My daughter is still learning how to swim. I can't swim. Parents don't swim, but will be in the water or hot tub.

Would like to be close to Epcot. Need easy transportation to Epcot/MGM as well as MK and DTD. I don't think we will do AK.

We need easy access to the food court if there is any. Or at least close to an inexpensive restaurant. We will not do Epcot everyday, so going to Epcot to eat everyday is out.

We prefer more compact size ground vs spread out resort. Which resort do you think would fit us better?

Do you think going with the Polynesian or the WL Deluxe room might be better for us?

What are the pros and the cons for each resorts for us? Thanks for your help. If you need more infos on us to help you determine which resort is best for us, let me know.. Thanks!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think it's a toss up. It's really a matter of flipping a coin between the two.

I would say the Beach Club and the Boardwalk Inn are approximately the same size. Neither of the 2 have a food court. The pool is obviously not a deciding factor, so that kills the Stormalong Bay argument.

As for if you'd be better at the Polynesian, or the Wilderness Lodge - between the two, I would say Wilderness Lodge. It's all enclosed. You may do just as much walking to get to your room as you would at the Polynesian, but the fact that it's all one building makes it feel smaller to me. There's also no hot tub at the Polynesian.

Of the four choices, it sounds like Wilderness Lodge may be your best choice.

But if your heart is set on the Epcot area...

I just flipped a coin. Heads was Boardwalk, tails is Beach Club. It came up heads, so I would say the Boardwalk!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I think it's a toss up. It's really a matter of flipping a coin between the two.

I would say the Beach Club and the Boardwalk Inn are approximately the same size. Neither of the 2 have a food court. The pool is obviously not a deciding factor, so that kills the Stormalong Bay argument.

As for if you'd be better at the Polynesian, or the Wilderness Lodge - between the two, I would say Wilderness Lodge. It's all enclosed. You may do just as much walking to get to your room as you would at the Polynesian, but the fact that it's all one building makes it feel smaller to me. There's also no hot tub at the Polynesian.

Of the four choices, it sounds like Wilderness Lodge may be your best choice.

But if your heart is set on the Epcot area...

I just flipped a coin. Heads was Boardwalk, tails is Beach Club. It came up heads, so I would say the Boardwalk!

Great infos Dan! Thanks for flipping the coin for me! So it's BWI huh?! Well... what turns me off with stay at BC and BWI is that there's no inexpensive restaurants on the premises.. even a food court. The Polynesian has a small food court (CC) and the WL has a small food court (RF).

We are more concentrating on doing Epcot and MGM. But I guess if I have to stay at WL Deluxe or Polynesian.. I guess we can do that too.

Hey Dan... want a flip a coin for me between WL and Poly? Let me know what you get?!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Heads was Wilderness Lodge, tails was Polynesian.

It came up tails.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Heads was Wilderness Lodge, tails was Polynesian.

It came up tails.

LOL! Thanks Dan! You're wonderful! You know I love the Polynesian! And I love WL too! I guess either way it goes... I can't go wrong!

Anyone else care to share their thoughts on this one? Or do you guys would rather just flip coins? Hey which ever works... fine by me!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Hi Telly,

As has been mentioned, the choice between BC and BWI is a toss up. There are merits to both. The BW has the Bakery and the BC has Beaches & Cream as less expensive dining options...but not as much variety as a food court.

As for the Poly and WL. I love both, and Dan brings up a good point about the one building at WL, but I'd go with the POLY. The room size, monorail, views, and atmosphere are among my favorites at WDW.

I'm a big help aren't I! Wish I had a four sided coin...

Good Luck!
Gordon

 

[Bugsmom73]

I have stayed at WL and I love it. But WL is all bus transportation except for the boat to MK. A deluxe is going to cost you more than a room at the Poly. Another option would be a tower room at Contemporary. Good luck deciding.

 

[Steffi]

I know what you mean about the lack of quick, inexpensive dining being a bit of a turn off for you in regards to the Epcot area resorts. I love the Yacht Club and its location, but it is hard to find a snack there! Beach Club does have a little area where you can refill your mugs and grab a quick bite to eat, but the choices are few compared to the quick choices at the Poly or WL.

I say go with the wisdom of the coin! I always love reading your positive, glowing trip reports and you seem to love the Polynesian so much...SnackyStacky's coin knows what it's talking about!

Have fun choosing!

Editing to add: If the choice is just between BWI & BC, then I'd pick BWI, mostly because I think it would be easier to keep an eye on your little ones in the Luna Park pool.

 

[clutter]

I LOVE BC. Love it so much I bought into DVC there. But, alas, there is the food dilemma, since we're not the sit-down type. If you're looking for breakfast, it's tough. Lunch, dinner, you've got beaches and cream, which is ok, if limited on it's menu.

What about the Dolphin? I fell in love with the Epcot area when we stayed there. Tubbi's works well for the fast food option.

 

[Lewisc]

I'll second the Dolphin.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks guys for the great advice and wonderful infos. Considering my mother would need an ECV, would it be better to stay at the Epcot resort? Or maybe it doesn't matter.

Poly or WL is a possibility. It's nice to just have a convinient "grab a quick bite" food court sort of.

Anyone else would like to share their experience or any advice as to which may be better for us. Thank so much! YOu guys are awesome!!

EDIT TO ADD: I need to check if the Dolphin is even available for those dates.

 

[Mouse Man]

I don't know how much you want to spend on this trip, but I would suggest the BWI deluxe rooms. They sleep six and are very roomy. They also include concierge, which would eliminate some of your needs for snacks. Spoodles does have a take out window if you want a quick bite. The BWI Bakery does sell some sandwiches. If food court is the top priority, you may want to go to WL.

 

[Alice in Cleveland]

I'd second the BWI deluxe rooms. We took my MIL one year and stayed at the BWI--standard room. She was in an ECV and loved just riding the scooter to Epcot and MGM. If we ever take her again, we will definitely stay in a BWI deluxe room. The concierge would be an added bonus. She could "hang out" there when she didn't feel like going to the parks. The Boardwalk is also an exciting place to stay. You should definitely try an Epcot resort once. It has a very different feel than the MK resorts--more lively.

You didn't mention it, but I think AKL might also be a good choice. I found their bus service to be the best of all resorts. It was also easier for someone in a wheelchair to get on the bus because AKL does not share its bus services with other resorts. I love Mara, the foodcourt there.

 

[goodferry]

I would pick BWI concierge, we loved it there! The rooms, the view, the easy access to Epcot and MGM and lots of other resorts, it was awesome. I love the Poly, too, but the BWI has a little more of an adult feel to it. I think if none of you are REALLY strong swimmers, I would avoid Stormalong Bay with the kids. It is HUGE and it is easy to loose the little ones if you turn your head for a moment. As far as dining, we didn't really eat at the resort at all, we usually ate at the parks. At the BWI, there is food available at the Bakery, Spoodles take out window, the bar at the main pool and at the ESPN Club.

 

[bosspaige]

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in here....We just got back from the BC yesterday. It was myslef and my husband, 2 year old daughter, 5 yr old niece, my mother and 80 year old father. My father is legally blind and can't walk long distances without resting. The Beach Club was so wonderful for all of us. I know you said you aren't big swimmers but my daughter was in love with Storm along Bay. It is a huge sand bottom pool where the kids can play on the beach and run into the pool because it was only 2 feet deep. We deflated the swimmies and then blew them up when we got there. We could sit on the beach part or the side of the pool and let the girls play. My daughter is actually a good swimmer for a 2 year old and also loved the toddler water slide. My father who has not been swimming in more than 10 years loved the pool as well.

As far as location, we had a room that was close to the Boardwalk and Epcot side and it was great. We went to the Boardwalk almost every day and Epcot was literally less than 5 minutes away. There is a boat from the pier that goes to MGM and that only takes about 5-10 minutes. Going to MK & AK was the longest trip as you had to get on the bus (which was possible with an ECV but a little bit of a hassle). If your main focus is Epcot and MGM I would definitly stay at a hotel that has easy accesss to it. We thought the buses were kind of a pain with the ECV.

As far as the food goes, you are right, there is no quick place to eat although we ate several snacks at the Market place at the BC and it was pretty good. Honestly, we thought the food at Beaches and Cream was pretty bad, but there is Hurricane Hannah's which was limited but good. After going with my elderly dad, I wouldn't base my decision as much on where the quick food is as the location. My father really didn't enjoy the buses and seemed to get frustrated.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would also suggest BC. It is a lovely resort and the pool area can't be beat for kids. It is a sand bottom pool, with 3 distinct areas, a lazy river area, regular pool area and kiddie area for lots of sand castle building! very shallow with lots of sand to play in.

While there is no typical food court, there are lots of dining options. The new marketplace has options for meals, there is also Cape May, Hurricane Hannahs, and Beaches and Cream (LOVE B&C!)

You are close to Epcot, the BW and the Swan and Dolphin with even more dining options (not to mention room service!) The BC also connects tot he Yacht club which has numerous places also.

My parents (in their 60's, Mom has disabilities and uses ECV in the parks but not in the resorts) prefer BW (we use the villas). Dad prefers the activities on the BW at night. There is the bakery, spoodles for sitdown meals, plus a continental type breakfast in the lounge off the lobby plus a few others.

The nice thing about the Epcot area is how many things there are to do outside the parks.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[laurabelle]

Telly I'm glad you've got your dates set! Where to stay...that's a toss up for me too. I guess I'd decide which parks you'll be spending most of your time in to make it easiest on your mom.

We stayed at BCV for the 1st time in July and loved it! Even if your kids aren't big swimmers, the pool area is great. There are a couple of places where the current takes you around that are deep and they have a whirlpool area, but they have lots of shallow places to play and sand beach areas. The easy walk to Epcot was a huge plus for us since it's our fav. park! We only ate at B&C, but they have the Marketplace, I think they had sandwiches there. I always bring a little food to the room with me anyway.

I know you loved the Poly! I haven't stayed there, but if I were choosing the MK area that's where I'd stay...

I know your family will have a magical time where ever you decide to stay!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Still debating here...

Is the Marketplace comprable to RF or CC? I might split my stay. Maybe do BWI for the first 3 nights and then do Poly or WL the last 3 nights. What do you guys think?

 

[Tinkbellfan]

Telly - I have stayed at BC, BW and WL and have also done a split stay BW/WL. Boy, do you have a tough choice, but one that I always enjoy pondering! I don't have a coin handy (too lazy to get off the couch!) but putting my two cents in (pun intented), I would go for BC. It's a great resort. The Market place is not like Roaring Forks, but has enough quick bites and supplies to get by. There is also a buffet breakfast available in the lobby area (near Cape May Cafe). SAB is great, but if your DD is not a strong swimmer, I would recommend a floaty suit or water wings in case she wanted to explore areas other then the sandy kids area (which is great).

Also, BC decorated for the holiday season is extra special.

As for doing a split stay, I don't think three days in one resort and then moving for three more days would be relaxing, but if you did, definately go back to Poly - can't beat the monorail and the view! Whatever you choose (please keep us informed) I hope you will have a great family vacation.

 

[gigi1313]

dare i throw a wrench in the works and suggest the swan or dolphin (i think tubby's/food court type place) is in the dolphin, so that's what i'd pick... they have what appears to be a great grotto pool... near epcot, served by boat... all one building... um, let's see... i think that fulfills all your requirements!

whatever you decide, you know it will be MAGICAL