Beach Club or Boardwalk?

[azarine]

We've been planning a split stay for March 2020 - 4 nights at Beach Club then 4 nights at GF. Our BC leg is $5700. With the discounts released today, we could do Boardwalk Club Level standard room for $5600, or Boardwalk standard room for $4600, so I am seriously considering switching our Beach Club stay to the Boardwalk.

Advice? We have a 10 yr old DD and 7 yr old DS, and booked BC based on proximity to Epcot/HS/GE especially, but was really looking forward to Stormalong Bay, and liked the look of BC. Will we like Boardwalk just as much? Maybe it won't be warm enough to swim a ton anyway? We've never stayed club level so that looks super tempting.

Having a balcony is a priority for us (put kids to bed and enjoy separate space), so it looks like we're more likely to get a balcony at BW anyhow.

Our only other stays have been GF and POR.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We really like all the resorts in the EP area, so I typically pick the one that is pricing out the best for our travel dates. I would TOTALLY book BWI standard and save $1000! With that $1000, you can stock your room mini-fridge with food and beverages, have TS breakfasts (instead of using the CL lounge), cocktails, etc. I agree, March weather is unreliable, so I wouldn't totally count on using the pool. I actually prefer the BWI pool over BC/YC. You can sit on the pool deck and see everything that's happening in the pool and even see your kids walk up and wait for the slide. The pool bar is also in the pool deck area, so super convenient for snacks and beverages. The Boardwalk is also a lot of fun particularly at night. I would switch to BWI standard and save the $1100 over your current BC reservation.

 

[DisneyRobin]

We’ve stayed at both and prefer the boardwalk. It’s a quick walk to Epcot and it’s closer to HS than the beach club. The bc pool is nice but the bw pool is nice, too. After staying at both a couple of times, everyone in my family said they preferred the boardwalk.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I think it partially comes down to what part of March you're visiting in and how much you plan to swim. Early to mid-March has no guarantee of pool weather, so if you like the air to be very warm when you swim, it might or might not happen during your trip. Stormalong Bay is fantastic in the summer, but not as much of an asset if the weather isn't optimal for swimming.

The Boardwalk does have a nice pool & waterslide, too. Its interior is prettier than Beach Club's. For an early spring visit, I would definitely take a club level stay there over a non-club level stay at Beach Club. The Epcot resort area has a shortage of good quick-service meal options, particularly for breakfast. You can find non-breakfast quick service options at World Showcase within Epcot, but that's a longer walk and requires park admission. The Boardwalk Inn has no restaurants inside it at all, so club level helps a lot when staying there if you want to casually grab a bite to eat at the resort from time to time, rather than always having to go out for meals.

 

[starry_solo]

For the time you are going, Boardwalk. Either standard or club level. Probably standard unless you think you'd spend $250+/day for food at the parks.

 

[MomOTwins]

I like BWI better the BC honestly. The room and lobby theme felt more interesting, the pool was surprisingly nice (clown doesn't look so creepy in person), and the transportation was just as convenient.

 

[glocon]

If you plan on spending time daily at your resort, CL would be fun. But otherwise save the $1000 and have some fun experiences elsewhere.

 

[NickC]

We've stayed at both and we like BC better. However, If I got prices on both, and Boardwalk was $1000 cheaper, I would chose BW.

 

[Babsy]

I would stay at the BWI in your circumstances.
Unless you have an issue with clown faces, many people like the BW pool a lot. (We would swim in March, but we're from the north.) The slide is supposedly awesome and you don't have to go outside the pool area to go on it like you do at SAB. Proximity to Epcot and DHS is just as good from either resort, you will most likely have a balcony at BWI (and may NOT at BC) and you either save a lot or get CL for a little less.
Sounds like a great split stay! Enjoy!

 

[toodycat]

Boardwalk Inn! I would go for the standard room as the CL amenities are not worth the difference in price IMHO. BWI is very convenient to everything. If it is warm enough to swim, the pool is great and the clown slide is a lot of fun. I like BC and SAB, but BWI is just as good, especially in March, when you’re not guaranteed to be able to swim. The only downside is that BWI does not have a restaurant. You have to walk out on the Boardwalk to eat. With the money you’re saving, you can schedule some great meals at other resorts or in the parks.

 

[Wild4Walt]

For 1000.00, I'd switch to BWI. I love BC but 1000.00 is a lot of money. It would be a no-brainer for us.

 

[azarine]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts. We are going with the standard room at BWI - so nice to save the $1000 and really excited about BWI!