BC vs Poly

[Bodaga]

I’m trying figure out if my family of 4 (2 kids age 7 and 3) should stay DVC at the Poly or BC? We will be there for 8 days next year in late Jan or early Feb. I’m torn between the two cause of the poly being on the monorail and being so close to the TTC to get to Epcot but the BC is walking to Epcot, and HS! Both have great pools and restaurants. Another thought was split stay between the two. Or should I just stick with 8 days at just one resort? Need some thoughts!!!!

 

[heidijanesmith]

If I was going to split stay, these would be two I would choose!

I love both resorts, but the Poly is my favorite for kids. It's spectacular and the rooms are so large. If you will be spending a lot of your time at MK, I would choose the Poly for sure. It is a very easy walk to the TTC to catch the EPCOT monorail.

When my kids were little the monorail was like another ride, so they wanted to ride it when ever possible.

I found the buses to be very good at the Poly, but like any resort they can share and be delayed. One option is to take Lyft/Uber or Minnie Vans. We used Minnie Van service for the 1st time last year and now we will not go with out it. Lyft sends out coupons sometimes and they are good for Minnie Vans too.

 

[Fangorn]

Here's my 2 cents.
We own DVC at Poly so there's a bit of a bias here, I admit, but we've also stayed at BC three times - once in the hotel 20 years ago and then twice in a DVC studio. We absolutely loved our hotel stay and have the fondest memories of that stay. When we had a chance to stay at BC in a DVC studio, we jumped at it. The memories of the first stay and Epcot being our favorite park made it a no-brainer.

Then we arrived, and the experience was a definite letdown. At that time, the rooms were about to undergo a refurb (the only reason we go in was the planned refurb was pushed out a couple of months) and our room was in sad shape. But more importantly, we just didn't enjoy the resort - or the DVC portion at least. Easy access to Epcot was great, and the pool was cool, but honestly, that was the only draw for us. The good news was it was a split stay and we moved to the Poly after 3 days. Totally different vibe and immersion, and for us, so much more enjoyable.

A year later, we took our granddaughter (8yo) on a trip, and decided that we'd give BC another try (refurb was now complete) and figured she'd enjoy Stormalong Bay. Again, we were really disappointed. Access to Epcot and DHS was still great, but for us, BC Villas just doesn't feel particularly special. Granddaughter liked the pool, but she was almost too young for it and she was uncomfortable there unless one of us was really close by. She only went once and then didn't want to go back. We used the quite pool the rest of the time.

With your kids being younger, I think you'd find the pools at the Poly a better fit, and the proximity to MK if likely a better fit for you as well. You also have a quick 5 minute walk from the DVC buildings to the TTC where you can catch the Epcot monorail. Buses are normally shared only with the Grand Floridian and Poly is the first stop for both pickup and drop off. There are lots of great dining options at Poly, including a real quick service location, unlike BC where you only have a small location in the back of the gift shop with a very limited menu.

DW and I were just last week talking about how much we enjoy being at Poly and how, despite how much we'd like to like BC and enjoy the convenience of strolling into Epcot, we just don't really need to stay there again.

Hope this helps some.

Steve

 

[GoingSince1990]

For kids that young, pick the Poly. The BC’s proximity to Epcot (and World Showcase in particular) is great for older kids, but proximity to MK will be better for your family. Also when your kids are older they will love exploring and roaming Stormalong Bay (Beach Club pool) which they are a little young for right now.

 

[kniquy]

’m trying figure out if my family of 4 (2 kids age 7 and 3) should stay DVC at the Poly or BC? We will be there for 8 days next year in late Jan or early Feb.

Are you talking about Jan/Feb 2020? If so then DVC would not be an option, but if you are planning out to 2021 then you would be best served to book this trip by February of 2020.

As for your question - both resorts are wonderful with having great pools and locations. You really can't beat watching fireworks from the Poly beach. Truly magical! Doing a split 4/4 would be a great way to experience both resorts and have easy access to 3 of the parks.

 

[MaidMarian444]

We just got back from five nights at BC (hotel room, not DVC) and stayed the same week in 2017 at the Poly. (Not DVC). We were with four kids ages 3 to 8. I vote for Poly. Our kids' fave parks were MK and AK both for the daring kids who liked thrills and the less daring kids who preferred the "cute" rides. Our time at the BC was so cold the pool was a non-factor, but the one time we did get wet the sand at the bottom was nice, I will say.

BC Pros: Close to Epcot, but kids only really liked the Frozen and Soarin ride in Epcot. Us adults did very much enjoy being close to Epcot. We used an in-room sitter one night and strolled it without the kids.We could also duck over to France for cappucino and dessert, but you really need a park hopper ticket to enjoy this.
Close to Skyline, which was a nice way to take a leisurely journey to or from Hollywood Studios if you didn't mind transferring and waiting in two lines. Our kids loved the Skyline.
Boat to Hollywood Studios, (though we never took this)
Fitness center (Poly doesn't have)
Kids club (Capt. Hook's Pirate Crew) but we never used it because of one of the kids was 3 and you have to be 4. We used in-room sitters instead.

BC Neutral: Walk to Hollywood Studios. We adults didn't mind this but the kids complained how long the walk was. Our friends with kids also staying at the BC ended up Ubering to all parks aside from Epcot.

BC Cons: Big hotel with long indoor corridors. (Long carpeted indoor hotel corridors depress me, I'd rather have outdoor walkways when I am in Florida.)
We didn't get the balcony or patio we requested, unlike at Poly where we did get our request. (This could have just been luck, but thought I'd throw it in.)
Wait for bus to and from MK was long sometimes and sometimes very crowded. I much prefer monorail travel to bus travel. I felt so bad for the poor parents struggling to fold up a stroller. On the monorail, you can just roll the stroller on to the train.
BC food: BC lacks a robust quick serve and also doesn't have a casual sit-down, like Kona Cafe at the Poly or Ale & Compass at the Yacht Club.
BC coffee: The coffee at BC is so bad that one of the dads in our party would Uber to the Poly to drink their Hawaiian beans instead.
BC bars: The lounges at BC and Yacht Club felt a little grim. Poly has Trader Sam's and a lobby bar that has a view of castle and fireworks
BC lobby: I like walking in to an impressive high-ceiling lobby when I am paying this much money for a hotel and Beach Club's lobby is underwhelming.

Poly has a view of the castle you see every morning on your way to the lobby which feels magical.

 

[Bodaga]

It’s looking like I’m gonna be steering more towards the Poly! It seems like it would be a better fit all around.... Thanks much for the tips and info!!!!