Boardwalk or Beach Club? September trip

[bradykp]

I'm an Animal Kingdom Villas owner and in the past few years we've stayed at Boulder Ridge (we love it almost as much as AKV), Polynesian (our favorite prior to buying DVC and staying at AKV), and of course Animal Kingdom.

For our first week of September trip, we are debating between Boardwalk and Beach Club (if we can get it at our 7 month window, which is soon).

Wondering - what do people like most about each? What are the pros and cons of staying at one versus the other? I know the restaurants at each, and i also know it's easy enough to walk between them. Obviously, Beach Club is right next to Epcot so that's a big pro. Is Boardwalk that close to Hollywood Studios? Or do most people still take the boat to HS or even walk? How far is the walk from Boardwalk to HS and from Beach club to HS?

Edited to add - my family of 5 would be staying in a studio for this portion of our trip.

 

[BillPA]

I would go for BC. Best pool at WDW, Sept is prime swimming weather.. Close walk to EPCOT and the Sky Way station to get to the studios. BW is also close, depending on your room location.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would go for BC. Best pool at WDW, Sept is prime swimming weather.. Close walk to EPCOT and the Sky Way station to get to the studios. BW is also close, depending on your room location.

I second this, for the swimming!

 

[igrsod]

I love Beach Club. If both were available... I would go Beach club hands down.

 

[drusba]

You do not say size of room you will be seeking. If BWV studio or 2BR, then likely the only opening at BWV will be pool/garden view. In that case, I view BCV and BWV as a toss up and you could do either. The BC pool, (a lengthy walk from BCV) is the best pool but BWV's is fine. BWV will put you closer to its pool than BCV is to the BC pool (BCV has its own smaller pool which is not the equal of BWV except for BWV's other smaller "quiet" pool). BWV puts you right on the boardwalk for night time activity and the pool/garden views are generally a little better than the mostly non-views at BCV.

If seeking 1BR, then you will have a very good chance of getting standard view or boardwalk view at BWV. Boardwalk view, for close to the same point cost as BCV, gives you the best view at WDW, overlooking the lake , around the lake, and the Epcot "golf ball" in the distance, and I would take it over BCV any time. Moreover, if you are point conscious and can get standard view, that would definitely beat BCV because of the much lower point cost.

As to distance to Epcot, BCV is closer to Epcot but the walk from BWV is only about a 1/3 mile. Neither is a short walk to Studios. BCV is over a mile and BWV is still about .7 even from the far exit where the end rooms are.

 

[bradykp]

You do not say size of room you will be seeking. If BWV studio or 2BR, then likely the only opening at BWV will be pool/garden view. In that case, I view BCV and BWV as a toss up and you could do either. The BC pool, (a lengthy walk from BCV) is the best pool but BWV's is fine. BWV will put you closer to its pool than BCV is to the BC pool (BCV has its own smaller pool which is not the equal of BWV except for BWV's other smaller "quiet" pool). BWV puts you right on the boardwalk for night time activity and the pool/garden views are generally a little better than the mostly non-views at BCV.

If seeking 1BR, then you will have a very good chance of getting standard view or boardwalk view at BWV. Boardwalk view, for close to the same point cost as BCV, gives you the best view at WDW, overlooking the lake , around the lake, and the Epcot "golf ball" in the distance, and I would take it over BCV any time. Moreover, if you are point conscious and can get standard view, that would definitely beat BCV because of the much lower point cost.

As to distance to Epcot, BCV is closer to Epcot but the walk from BWV is only about a 1/3 mile. Neither is a short walk to Studios. BCV is over a mile and BWV is still about .7 even from the far exit where the end rooms are.

So - studio is what we are seeking. It's currently open standard view at BWV, if i can get it at the 8am mark on the day of my 7 month window which is soon. BC is also open for the same dates. BWV Garden/Pool i should be able to get easily. I can also possibly get boardwalk view. but not sure.

Why is BC pool "the best"? I thought a lot of people like BWV pool?

 

[drusba]

Why is BC pool "the best"? I thought a lot of people like BWV pool?

Many, including me, do like the BWV pool, but BC's Strormalong Bay is not just a 'pool," it is a waterpark. The pool itself runs forever. The slide is so long and high, it is almost frightening. There are even walkable bridges crossing sections of the pool. There are actually many who do not care for the pool because of the risk that you can easily lose sight of your young kids. But it still probably qualifies as the best pool at WDW. Nevertheless, if I can get boardwalk view (for the view) or standard view (for the lower cost), I would choose BWV over BCV any time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've stayed at both, I don't swim, yet I'd pick the BC. BC has a more casual, relaxing feel, and with QS indoors in case it's raining. Boardwalk seemed more "bustling" to me, and if it's raining, and you're hungry, you have to get wet.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've stayed at both and BCV is my first choice. We love the location - next door to EP, the Skyliner, close to the resort buses and the Marketplace QS. If BCV isn't available however, we are always happy to stay at BWV as well.

 

[bradykp]

Thanks! very helpful. ultimately we'd like to try both, but this trip will only afford us the opportunity to try one, unless we do a triple split stay which i prefer to avoid.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks! very helpful. ultimately we'd like to try both, but this trip will only afford us the opportunity to try one, unless we do a triple split stay which i prefer to avoid.

I don’t blame you...triple split, not good!

 

[bradykp]

in the end, beach club ended up being available for the 5 nights i wanted this morning, and boardwalk standard view isn't (part of the 5 nights were gone before 8am). i could always switch to garden/pool view if i want, but i think we'll go with beach club for this trip.

Thanks everyone for the opinions!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Enjoy!

 

[SoonipiLady]

in the end, beach club ended up being available for the 5 nights i wanted this morning, and boardwalk standard view isn't (part of the 5 nights were gone before 8am). i could always switch to garden/pool view if i want, but i think we'll go with beach club for this trip.

Thanks everyone for the opinions!

Excellent that you got what you wanted. I just booked BWV for 3 nights in September. I there was no standard view available even in December so I didn’t wait for the 7 month mark. We’re going for the Food & Wine so EPCOT location was imperative.