BWI vs BC

[Coconut8473]

I know there are probably countless similar threads already, but wanted to get some recent input for our trip next summer. We visit annually and for the past 4 years have stayed at (and loved!) Beach Club. We've heard fabulous reviews from multiple friends who love Boardwalk, but none who can compare the two head-to-head. We're a family of 4 with two young kids (ages 8 and 4), so room size isn't an issue and there isn't much of a price differential for our dates... and we're already sold on the Epcot location. Just want to try something new but don't want to regret it, knowing how much we love BC. Is BWI worth the switch next year?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We absolutely loved BC next trip and I'm planning on trying BWI next trip. I love the Epcot area and knowing that the clown pool has the best slide on property I decided to give it a whirl. My kids are big pool people so a great pool slide is great. I'll be going with just DD12 and we plan on enjoying Epcot WS for some of our QS meals so the lack of a QS place doesn't bother us. It didn't bother us at BC either. We used HH, B&C and Epcot WS and enjoyed it very much.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I know there are probably countless similar threads already, but wanted to get some recent input for our trip next summer. We visit annually and for the past 4 years have stayed at (and loved!) Beach Club. We've heard fabulous reviews from multiple friends who love Boardwalk, but none who can compare the two head-to-head. We're a family of 4 with two young kids (ages 8 and 4), so room size isn't an issue and there isn't much of a price differential for our dates... and we're already sold on the Epcot location. Just want to try something new but don't want to regret it, knowing how much we love BC. Is BWI worth the switch next year?

The only thing that is better at the BWI than at BC, in my opinion, is the fact that the park buses don't share with any other resort and that it is a closer walk to DHS than the BC is.. Otherwise, the BC is better because:

• BC has plenty of exit doors throughout the building which makes it very convenient when trying to go to the International Gateway, the quiet pool, or even to BWI. Because the BWI has restaurants and shops on ground level, there aren't any easy exits to the outside. The exit is near the lobby, so if you have a room that is closest to Epcot who still have to walk all the way back to the main elevators, go down to the 1st floor, then out the door near Flying Fish.
  
• The BC has interior restaurants while the Boardwalk restaurants can only be reached by going outside.
• BC has Hurricane Hannas with food options at their main pool while the BWI only has a bar.

We usually stay at the BC but ended up at the BWI once when the BC was full. We really didn't care for it.

 

[lbv7]

• BC has Hurricane Hannas with food options at their main pool while the BWI only has a bar.

• Not true. You can get food at the Luna Park pool, see the link from Allears.net

http://allears.net/dining/menu/leaping-horse-libations/all-day

 

[loves to dive]

Because the BWI has restaurants and shops on ground level, there aren't any easy exits to the outside. The exit is near the lobby, so if you have a room that is closest to Epcot who still have to walk all the way back to the main elevators, go down to the 1st floor, then out the door near Flying Fish

Also not true. There are a number of alternative exits, I have never exited from the lobby. Just like BC,YC and the other deluxe resorts, there are a number of exit stairways that take you to different places in the resort.

OP I normally just go with whichever Epcot resort is less, I love YC and it's my favorite but have stayed at all three and Swan/Dolphin a number of times and all have their good and bad points. I try not to stay at BC because I like a full balcony, which are pretty much guaranteed at BWI and YC but not at BC or Swan/Dolphin. My only complaint with BWI is that some of the hallways can be long, like REDRUM long but as I said, there are plenty of exit stairways throughout the resort so you can avoid those long walks down hallways.

 

[Scott MC]

Well, we've stayed at both multiple times, and I'll break it down this way...

Convenience: BWI wins overall, because while BC has the closest door to Epcot, BWI doesn't share buses, and is closer to DHS.

Rooms: Right now, I think the rooms at BC are nicer because they've been more recently updated, though BWI rooms are very nice, and the vast majority (like >95%) have both daybeds and balconies, which BC only has 50% of.

Common Areas: BC lobby is lively, loud, big and airy. It also smells like heaven. BWI lobby is smaller and quieter. I guess it depends what floats your boat. I will say, BWI seems newer, less worn down (it is in fact about 6 years younger that BC).

Food: Again, it's all in what you're looking for. Flying Fish is one of our top 3 restaurants on property. We could take or leave Big River Grille. We think the pizza window and bakery at BWI are superior to BC Marketplace. Both resorts have great character breakfasts. Better drinking options at BWI with Abracadabar, the bar at Flying Fish, and Belle Vue Lounge. At BC, your only option is Martha's Vineyard which is usually pretty quiet. (Yes, I know there are dining options at YC, but first of all, we're talking BC here, and secondly, nothing food-wise at YC makes me jump up and down. Yachtsman was one of the 2 worst meals on property I've had.)

Pool: Ok, BC wins by a landslide, but the pool at BWI is our second favorite on property. It's nicely themed, I'm crazy about the Dumbo tiles around the edge, the slide is really fun (even if it is a clown), and the water always feels refreshing, despite the fact that you're in FL. We do prefer the quiet pool at BWI though, as it's really pretty, especially at night.

Anything else? I don't think my thoughts lean terribly one way or the other. We've stayed at BC more often, primarily for the pool, which is it's biggest selling point. We're actually slightly bigger fans of YC, well were, then the dog policy came along, and we're now thinking BWI for our honeymoon.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Another vote for the BWI! We love the theming and strolling the Boardwalk in the evening. I like having a balcony and all of the BWI rooms have them. We stayed at the BWI for our first trip to WDW and just kept going back. We are not interested in the pool so Stormalong Bay holds no sway for us. Unless you will miss the pool I don't think you will be disappointed with the BWI.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We prefer BWI over BC. I love the theming, the music on the Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bakery, the entertainment at night, etc. I also love that it's a bit closer to DHS so the walk is quicker. My DS actually likes the slide at BWI more than the one at BC!

 

[cleophus12]

Well, I love the BC but don't hesitate to stay at BW when I can't get in at the Beach Club. I'll be staying at the BW three times next year because I couldn't get the BC any of those times. I'm not unhappy with that.

 

[Wood Nymph]

• Not true. You can get food at the Luna Park pool, see the link from Allears.net

http://allears.net/dining/menu/leaping-horse-libations/all-day

Thanks for the link. It looks like you’re getting private dining rather than a counter service restaurant.

 

[lbv7]

Thanks for the link. It looks like you’re getting private dining rather than a counter service restaurant.

You need to read through the whole link.
See the section from Snacks and below. You can get soups, salads, and sandwiches from the "counter" without ordering from private dining, which by the way is delivered to you at the pool.

 

[Wood Nymph]

You need to read through the whole link.
See the section from Snacks and below. You can get soups, salads, and sandwiches from the "counter" without ordering from private dining, which by the way is delivered to you at the pool.

Do they have a mug refill station there?

 

[marsh0013]

Do they have a mug refill station there?

No refill station at the pool at Boardwalk, but the bartender will fill your mug. Definitely not as convenient as a station.

 

[PPFlight75]

We've stayed at both and love both. We usually go with the best deal.

My husband does prefer the BWI even with the inconveniences of outside food options. There is just something about the vibe there that appeals to him-the boardwalk atmosphere, the magicians, etc.

For the pools, we thought the kids would miss SAB, but they really didn't. My youngest liked the clown pool slide better and it was more relaxing there as I could keep an eye on all of them.

 

[lsyorke]

I've stayed at both and would go BC everytime. BWI was a huge disappointment both times we booked there. The second time we moved resorts due to problems with the sleeping surfaces(pullout couch was ridiculously unusable and the staff were less than interested in addressing the problem). The first time we found the walk to from our room to be extremely long. We also didn't like having to go to the Boardwalk for any food. We did give it a second try, which was not good. I wouldn't book it again. BC...great layout, more eating options and the pool can't be beat.

 

[NicoleLarson]

I wouldn't put any weight on dining options, you are what? Maybe a 10 minute walk away from each or a 5 minute boat ride. I've stayed at both several times, along with YC and BWI has our heart. Our kids loved watching the entertainment from the balcony. Plus, we learned if it rains the performers come into the lobby. My kids 4, 8 had their own private shows several times. I hear a lot of people say the rooms look warn down in pics but they don't look it when you are there. I personally like the BWI pool better because I can sit in 1 spot and see my kids everywhere and the slide is fun. If you want to try something new go for the BWI, worse case senario, you hate it and then at least you'll know. Best case senario, you have a new favorite.

 

[TowMater92]

I've stayed at both and would go BC everytime. BWI was a huge disappointment both times we booked there. The second time we moved resorts due to problems with the sleeping surfaces(pullout couch was ridiculously unusable and the staff were less than interested in addressing the problem). The first time we found the walk to from our room to be extremely long. We also didn't like having to go to the Boardwalk for any food. We did give it a second try, which was not good. I wouldn't book it again. BC...great layout, more eating options and the pool can't be beat.

Trattoria al Forno, Flying Fish, Big River Grille and Brewing Co, ESPN Club, Boardwalk Bakery, Leaping Horse Libations, BoardWalk Joe's Marvelous Margaritas, AbracadaBar, Ample Hills Creamery, Funnel Cake Cart, Pizza Window, The To Go Cart and the General Store at the Boardwalk. Cape May, Beaches N Cream, Hurrican Hannas(if its open) and Marketplace at the Beach Club. How is that more? You Can't add in Yacht Club food options because you have to go outside and walk there so that would be the same as the BW and they're YC dining options not BC.

I would take the BC pool over the BW but the BW still has one of the best pools on property. The rooms I'll take the BW with balcony's off every room. Getting to the Boardwalk from your room is easy you just have to take the elevator down to the pool/boardwalk level and walk outside you don't have to go through the lobby. So it all depends on what you want to do at your resort is the pool or balcony a big deal, what style do you like more etc? Also if you want the pool at the BC you can always walk to the Boardwalk its 5 minutes tops walking over from the BC or the other way around. Its easier to keep an eye on your kids at the BW pool, SAB is spread out and you have to go out of the pool area to get to the water slide.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

I'm curious about the posts saying BW doesn't share buses. This was not our experience in July. While BW did have dedicated bus service to MK, the buses to AK and DS (not sure about the water parks as we didn't go to either) shared with Swan and Dolphin. It was true for us regardless of time of day. We shared (on a very full bus) to AK at 8:20 AM as well as on a mostly empty bus at 4:30 PM. Maybe it has to do with time of year?

We've never stayed at BC, but we loved BWI and can't wait to stay there again! We requested (and got) a room near the elevator to avoid the long hallways. I find a lot of people on this board complain about the dining options at BW being outside the actual resort. I found it was not an issue for us (we did not encounter any rain, though, which is the only time I see it as a problem). The time we stayed at GF, we had to walk outside to get to the dining, and it was a longer walk outside there than it was at BW! We loved the pool at BWI, too.

 

[kiford]

BWI is still my favourite (BC comes second, AKL third, GF fourth). We actually like the quiet pool but we don't have children so we never go to the clown pool. We find that there are more convention attendees and fewer children so it tends to be quieter and the atmosphere less frenetic. I don't mind having the restaurants downstairs and outside; there are plenty of them and it's still close enough to go to those at the BC/YC, S&D and Epcot (though the same is also true of BC). It's a very close race between BWI/BC for me. Our first trip to BWI we got a king room on the bottom floor in a corner with patio doors opening into the rose garden. The room was much smaller than a normal room but if I could be guaranteed of that room again, I'd book there in a heartbeat. Of course, we also had an amazing, corner king room at the BC close to an alternate exit that was closer to the Epcot IG than the lobby was. So, like I said - close call. Both have great gyms. But we did also get a room the second time at BWI that faced Epcot and were able to see a good portion of Illuminations from our window.

 

[SuperPreparo]

We’ve stayed at both,and while BC is a lovely resort BWI is hands down my favorite on property. I love the theming and the atmosphere. I prefer the pool and bar there as well. I think we must be one of the only families that isn’t crazy about SAB. I find it confusing and inconvenient to get around, and the sand that gets on the sidewalk hurts to walk on. My granddaughter loved it though.