Boardwalk inn, Animal kingdom Lodge, Beach Club or Contemporary December 12-18?

[Tammy A]

Traveling with Disney BF 12/12-12/18. Price is about the same. Looking for a fun resort that is festive and has good customer service and nice rooms. Wilderness and Grand Floridian not available. Equal time at all parks.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Traveling with Disney BF 12/12-12/18. Price is about the same. Looking for a fun resort that is festive and has good customer service and nice rooms. Wilderness and Grand Floridian not available. Equal time at all parks.

I'd choose Boardwalk Inn because it's the prettiest of the three. It's also within walking distance of two parks, and Fantasia mini-golf.

 

[leebee]

AKL is my very favorite resort. Boardwalk Inn is very nice, but I find the quick service options there pretty limited, making breakfast a challenge.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Beach Club or Board Walk. Can't beach those locations.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Another yes for either BWI or BC; great area with various free performances on the Boardwalk.

 

[Nancyg56]

I love the BC during the Holiday Season however this year I am traveling about the same time as you, and I have chosen the AKL. It is stunning during that season, and while it is a bit distant from some parks, it offers a bit of a respite from the resort hoppers who are checking out all of the decorations, kind of like a vacation from the vacation. It really is something special.

 

[MDIME]

BWI bc Epcot Festival of the Holidays (I think that’s what it’s called now?)

 

[Lacoccinelle]

I have stayed at all of these and just returned from a trip to the Boardwalk and it was amazing. I loved being able to easily walk to two parks and avoid the bus. There was a lot to do at night. When we stayed at Beach, we ended up at the Boardwalk every night.

Animal Kingdom is amazing and is a close second, but I hate the bus and so we end up ubering a lot. It is just more of a ride out. It is a fabulous hotel though with great food options and a great quick service which BC and BWI do not have.

Contemporary is just blah to me. We always stayed there when I was a kid and Was always disappointed I wasn’t somewhere with a better theme.

BC just really rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. The pool was too big and difficult with my kids and the hotel just seem like I had to walk forever to my room and there were no nice animal views on that long walk. The lobby around the quick service also smells like burnt food all the time. When we were there we actually asked to be moved to Wilderness (which you should keep trying for).

At the end of the day you’re gonna have a great time no matter where you stay so have a great trip.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Another vote for the Boardwalk, especially for adults. DW and I made many early December visits over the years. It is hard to beat the location. We love being able to wander over to Epcot in the evenings. And there are activities on the Boardwalk in the evenings. I think the Epcot resorts are the best location on site. Some might note the lack of a large QS restaurant. We never missed it. The Boardwalk Bakery was good for us. And they offer a continental breakfast at the bar just off the lobby.

That said, each of the resorts you mention are very nice. I have frequently toyed with the idea of splurging on a MK view room at the Contemporary.
Wishing you a visit!

 

[Tammy A]

It sounds like the Beach Club Resort and Boardwalk inn are the place to be at Christmas. Looking at videos specifically at Christmas, the Yacht Club, Boardwalk and Beach Club are my favorite in that order. I didn't see availability for Yacht Club but we will definitely go over there and visit. I have been to the Boardwalk bakery and also the pizza window at the Boardwalk and we enjoyed just sitting at a table having pizza, desert and a drink overlooking the water I'm going to book the Boardwalk Inn.
Thank you for everyone's suggestions.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Traveling with Disney BF 12/12-12/18. Price is about the same. Looking for a fun resort that is festive and has good customer service and nice rooms. Wilderness and Grand Floridian not available. Equal time at all parks.

Here's my list in order of my favorite to least-

Boardwalk Inn
Beach
Contemporary
AKL

I picked BWI first because it's my favorite based on the theme and location/proximity to two parks.
Beach for proximity but we like Boardwalk more.
I picked Contemporary for proximity to MK, but overall I don't love the theming.
AKL, only benefit is the animals and some good food. But it's not close to anything so it's in last place.

All are really nice resorts so you can't go wrong, but my fave of the 4 is BWI, staff is always so friendly and we love the Boardwalk for entertainment.

 

[heidijanesmith]

BW!

BW is so fun at night. There are many dining options, Jelly rolls, Abracadabra bar and great people watching! We like the BW atmosphere more than the BC and it's usually cheaper.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Definitely depends on travel party. If you have young children, AKL is an amazing experience. Access to animal viewing is great, but what really sells it for me are the cultural representatives and the children's programming they offer. When DD was little she loved it. We also really enjoy the restaurants here.

For an party without young children, I would say Boardwalk. Close to everything and access to the boardwalk.

 

[MissionMouse]

An Epcot resort would be our choice for dining options in the WS. BWI for the boardwalk. BC for the pool. Each have their own theme and take nearly the same amount of time to get to the parks

 

[DisneyRobin]

Contemporary for sure!! Easiest access to the magic kingdom since you can walk. We’ve stayed at all of the resorts you listed and the contemporary is by far our favorite and now the only one for us.

Try to get a theme park view room so you can watch the fireworks from your balcony. With the view of the castle and all of the sounds from the park, it feels like you’re staying right in the magic kingdom! Such fun!!

Having chef mickeys with all of the main characters always visible adds to the magic and having the monorail passing through the resort makes it super festive.

Also, the California grill is right upstairs and you can eat in the lounge any time. Yum!

 

[Tammy A]

You are all so amazing! I actually discovered that if we come in on the 10th, we can get a Copper Creek studio at the Wilderness Lodge, which I think is breathtaking at Christmas. So then I just need to pick one for the remainder of the trip. How do you follow an act like Wilderness Lodge at Christmas though?

 

[Sandisw]

If it’s just adults, I’d vote for Boardwalk or Beach Club. Wonderful area and easy access to both Epcot and HS. If you choose Beach club, you’ll be able to take the Skyliner to HS probably faster than the boat.

Both areas are so pretty at the holidays.. Of course, you can’t beat the Contemporary for east to MK. I am actually staying at BLT around that same time..DVC owner..and looking forward to it. One thing for adults to do if you do choose the Contemporary is travel around the MK resorts to see holiday decorations and have a drink. We will be doing that...boat to Wilderness Lodge, drink at Contemporary, Poly and Grand Floridian!

I’m not a fan of Animal Kingdome due to is location..and not an animal person...and the fact that the o;ly way to all parks is bus.

Good luck!