Boardwalk Vs. Contemporary Club Level Help

[MckynzieV]

I am reaching out because I am at a loss. I am trying to plan Tgiving 19. Tossing up either the Boardwalk (Inkeepers) or Contemporary (Atrium) both at club level. We have stayed club level at the WL, BC, and Yacht. We want to try a new resort club level, however my biggest hang up is when you are staying at a monorail resort during a major holiday you are basically stuck in that area, where as if you are in the BW/BC area you have two park options. But, I am leaning Contemporary. Can somebody please give me any insight/experience of one or either or any Tgiving advice? I know a split stay would be the best solution, but I think we really want to keep our "stuff" in place for the duration of our stay.
Thank you in advance!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I am reaching out because I am at a loss. I am trying to plan Tgiving 19. Tossing up either the Boardwalk (Inkeepers) or Contemporary (Atrium) both at club level. We have stayed club level at the WL, BC, and Yacht. We want to try a new resort club level, however my biggest hang up is when you are staying at a monorail resort during a major holiday you are basically stuck in that area, where as if you are in the BW/BC area you have two park options. But, I am leaning Contemporary. Can somebody please give me any insight/experience of one or either or any Tgiving advice? I know a split stay would be the best solution, but I think we really want to keep our "stuff" in place for the duration of our stay.
Thank you in advance!

Are you asking about resort advice in general between the two, or about their respective CLs?

Granted everyone tours differently and has different habits depending on where they stay, but we are mostly a MK/monorail resort family and I don’t agree with your “being stuck in that area” comment - we go all over the place. Sure, we frequent MK perhaps a bit more... but also Epcot since it’s a quick monorail ride away.

As for CL itself, BWI CL gets many rave reviews. I personally like CR/Atrium Club better - both the resort and CL there resonate with me more than BWI. But different strokes for different folks.

If you want specific CL feedback, I’d recommend stopping by the CL thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-and-questions.3414590/

BWI CL has a really strong following among many who frequent that thread.

Good luck deciding... and BTW, to the DIS!

 

[rwdavis2]

How are you "stuck in that area".

 

[mickeynut1]

I am reaching out because I am at a loss. I am trying to plan Tgiving 19. Tossing up either the Boardwalk (Inkeepers) or Contemporary (Atrium) both at club level. We have stayed club level at the WL, BC, and Yacht. We want to try a new resort club level, however my biggest hang up is when you are staying at a monorail resort during a major holiday you are basically stuck in that area, where as if you are in the BW/BC area you have two park options. But, I am leaning Contemporary. Can somebody please give me any insight/experience of one or either or any Tgiving advice? I know a split stay would be the best solution, but I think we really want to keep our "stuff" in place for the duration of our stay.
Thank you in advance!

We've never stayed at the CR, but I just had my first BWI CL stay in June and I loved it! The lounge is a little small compared to other CL lounges, but the food was great and the CL CMs were very friendly/personable and always willing to help whenever needed. We always felt welcomed whenever we entered the lounge as there was always at least one CM standing at/near the entrance with a "hello" or "good morning/afternoon/evening". It's also great being on the boardwalk watching the nightly entertainment or just walking around. With that said, CR CL gets great reviews and being right next to MK is a plus. Good luck deciding, but I don't think you can go wrong with either one .

If you want specific CL feedback, I’d recommend stopping by the CL thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-and-questions.3414590/

I agree, the CL thread is a great source of information with very knowledgeable posters always willing to help .

 

[trishadono]

Nope not stuck. The buses still work just fine .

Also CR is nice because it is easy to walk to/from MK.

I stayed at BLT many years Tgiving and it is a bit busy on the monorail at certain times of the day but we'd just walk.

Cr has great views of the HEA and EWP. I posted some pix shortly after 7/4 on the CR and CL threads. Loved having a nice night in the room and lounge.

Did bwi cl in Dec and I liked it but mono area still my personal fav. I just enjoy seeing MK at all times of the day.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Personally, we will be going over Thanksgiving as well and we would typically stay at BWV for the location. Epcot and DHS have plenty going on for the holidays, so being near those two would be great. Plus, I like the fact that you can walk to 2 parks and not have to rely on transportation. Makes it less stressful. Also, due to the location, you are in the center of the property, so it is only a 15 minute bus ride or less to both MK and AK. However, for next year we will be staying GF because I have a little girl now, so I will be spending most of the time at MK. You could also look at doing a split stay. We have done that in the past where we will stay by the MK (at the GF) before Thanksgiving and then on Friday move over to the BW.

 

[MckynzieV]

Thank you all! What I mean by being stuck is the fight through crowds and traffic getting from the Magic Kingdom area to other parks. We had a heck of a time getting from WL to AK last yr during NYE. The bottle neck traffic getting from WL to AKL by bus was exhausting and very long. I have Disney patiences, but that was bad. Luckily we were staying in the Epcot resort area and did not have to get back into the MK area that evening or the following. If we want to leave the MK area the day of tgiving and the following Friday, I would like to do so without being stuck in the MK area. I appreciate your feedback so very much!!!! Truly!

 

[nascargirl]

I stayed at both but when push comes to shove, we stay CL at the EPCOT resorts. Our first choice is always BWI followed by BC. We love having the option of walking or taking the boat to two theme parks. Staying at the BWI you can enter EPCOT via the IG with little to no difficulty at all. We were at the BC over July 4th and while the parks were busy, we had no issues coming or going into EPCOT

 

[FSU Girl]

Thank you all! What I mean by being stuck is the fight through crowds and traffic getting from the Magic Kingdom area to other parks. We had a heck of a time getting from WL to AK last yr during NYE. The bottle neck traffic getting from WL to AKL by bus was exhausting and very long. I have Disney patiences, but that was bad. Luckily we were staying in the Epcot resort area and did not have to get back into the MK area that evening or the following. If we want to leave the MK area the day of tgiving and the following Friday, I would like to do so without being stuck in the MK area. I appreciate your feedback so very much!!!! Truly!

Thanksgiving isn't super crowded like NYE is. I went last year and it was really nice, first holiday I spent at Disney. We stayed at the Swan and enjoyed walking to two parks. My decision was more geared towards what restaurant I wanted for our Thanksgiving meal. We were eating at the buffet in the Swan Garden Grove so we wanted to be near that. Having a traditional Thanksgiving meal was important.

I love both the Contemporary and Boardwalk, but haven't stayed at either club level so can't really comment on that. The nice thing about the Contemporary is walking to Magic Kingdom and monorail to Epcot. If you did a theme park view it's also really nice watching the fireworks from your balcony away from the crowds. I just had such a great time at the Boardwalk I can't wait to go back, I actually have a reservation there for Thanksgiving next year.

 

[NH-to-FL]

First, to DISboards!

DW and I have stayed at the Boardwalk many times and believe that the Epcot resort area is the best location on site. For adults the proximity to Epcot is quite special. We would wander over to the World Showcase almost every evening. And of course the Studios are nearby as well.

That said the Contemporary provides walking access to the MK.

I think the choice between the two depends on which of the parks you would frequent.

I am with you about split stays. I know many people do it but like you the thought of the extra packing and unpacking our "stuff" just don't interest me.

I am not sure why you commented that you would be "stuck" if you were at one of the monorail resorts with all of the buses, taxis, and uber.
I am sure that whichever resort you chose you will have a time!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you all! What I mean by being stuck is the fight through crowds and traffic getting from the Magic Kingdom area to other parks. We had a heck of a time getting from WL to AK last yr during NYE. The bottle neck traffic getting from WL to AKL by bus was exhausting and very long. I have Disney patiences, but that was bad. Luckily we were staying in the Epcot resort area and did not have to get back into the MK area that evening or the following. If we want to leave the MK area the day of tgiving and the following Friday, I would like to do so without being stuck in the MK area. I appreciate your feedback so very much!!!! Truly!

Oh yeah, I was at WDW for NYE too and that traffic was NO JOKE. That’s about the only day of the year it’s really that bad. I was loving the monorail that day.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We did a split stay last 4th of July: Contemporary CL for the first 2 nights and then onto YC CL for the remaining 4 nights. The monorail hotel stay was done so we could readily access MK and AK; the Epcot area hotel was to be able to visit HS and Epcot with ease.

I enjoyed the Contemporary much much more than I thought I would and would gladly return. Still, I preferred YC, not only because of it's proximity to Epcot and HS which are our favorite parks but because the staff and setting of the club level was more comfortable and better set up to my way of thinking.


I'm an early riser and was frequently in the Atrium at 6:05 AM. Set up was generally not completed until around 6:20 and oh the horrors!D), once I had to turn on the lights myself and there was no one around to tell me how to operate the Nespro (sp?) machine or written instructions on how to use it. The lounge needs another fridge (think there was one for sodas). The hors-d'oeuvres hour ends at 10:00 PM I believe and if you arrived at 9:30 PM it was warm beer and wine in melted ice tubs, many tables that needed bussing and little of nothing left to nosh on. If the staff knew you from past visits they were quite chatty but less so with "newbies".
The views of MK from the lounge were fantastic and we opted to watch fireworks from there rather than enter MK to see them. Lovely on point furnishings and decor yet I wish the space was enclosed rather than being open to the elevator lobby. A glass wall could have done this nicely while still keeping on point with the mid-century theme.

When we entered the YC lounge it was a new and better world. Staff was knowledgeable, morning setup completed on time and you didn't feel you were imposing if you asked a CM a question; just much more approachable staff. Cocktail hour and breakfast offerings were better and more varied. Enough space and refrigerators for cold beverages no matter what time of day; they even had a glass-fronted freezer stocked w/ ice cream which the children appreciated a lot.
Constant refilling of food throughout service hours and cleaning of tables after prior guests left.

The view from the YC lounge was no where near as outstanding as that of the Atrium Club as it overlooks rooftops and a bit of the pool but the overall space did a nice job of making you forget that.

All and all, YC sold me best on the additional CL cost and it inspired me to give BWI a try this coming Thanksgiving. I've read a bit on the Broadwalk Inn's club level and it sounds like it will live up to our YC experience.

HTH!

 

[MckynzieV]

Thank you all! So we are going with a split stay. 4 nights at the CR with the view and 4 nights at the YC. We just can't give up the YC. We know the staff and appreciate the attention to detail. Plus the hustle and bustle of transportation seems heavier to us than simply re-pack, have our stuff delivered, and unpack. Instead of taking a monorail, bus, taxi, uber, each time we want to go to another park outside of the MK resort area. I agree YC club level is awesome! And the rooms are so clean and updated. I look forward to posting and replying and if anyone ever needs Disneyland or Aulani advice please do not hesitate to hit us up!

 

[lbv7]

Consider the cost. CR Club Level is way more expensive than BWI Club Level.