Calling Epcot Resort experts!

[littleprincessmom]

Please help! A group of girls (6 -8) of us are planning a girls-only trip for 4 days in January. We all have young children and usually stay in the MK area - none of us have ever stayed in the Epcot/MGM area. We believe we would enjoy the ability to walk/boat to MGM and Epcot.

Participants are mostly full time working moms, ranging from early 30s- 40s, who like good food, great wine and massages and leaving the kids home with dads for some much needed RnR once in awhile.

DIS Vets and others "in the know" on this one, what's your recommendation? Swan, Dolphin, BW, YC or BC and why?

I appreciate any comments! Thanks!

 

[crcormier]

I've stayed at the Boardwalk and the Beach Club (i'm a DVC owner, so stay in the BCV.) I love the Beach Club because it's a little quieter than the Boardwalk, yet only a five minute walk to all the restaurants and clubs (yay Jellrolls!) at the Boardwalk. Never stayed at the Dolphin or Swan, though I've heard very good things about them, and I believe they are a little less expensive. If price doesn't matter, I'd just pick on which theme is your favorite, they're all beautiful hotels! And I LOVE staying in this resort area.

 

[STEVEMED]

I have stayed at both bw and bc,I love them both.I would pick the bc it is a little more layed back but they are both great resorts.

 

[ReneeDisney]

Sounds like a really fun trip! ENJOY--
I have stayed at all of the EPCOT resort areas and here are my suggestions.

The YC/BC and BWI are all top notch and have great qualities ...

BWI:
1. Direct access to Boardwalk dining, dancing and shopping acitivities
2. Warm feeling of a B&B
3. Wonderful CM's
4. Access to MGM/EPCOT via Boat or walkway (for both)
5. Room are decorated like a seaside bed and breakfast -warm and comforting
6. Massages are available at Health Club

YC/BC
1. Wondeful pool area- great fun for adults, pool bar
2. Various dining options, including Beaches & Cream ice Cream Shoppe
3. Access to MGM/EPCOT via Boat or walkway (for both)
4. Rooms are decorated in beach attire or nautical theme.
5. Massages are available at Health Club

Either way- you're going to have a great time with "the girls" no matter where you stay.

But my recommendation would be the Boardwalk Inn..

One more option is to rent DVC points and get a 2 bedroom villa at BWV or BCV - so you can all stay together and enjoy more quality time!

Have a wonderful trip. Hope my information has helped a bit!

 

[johnsonet]

I'm no expert - having stayed only at BWI CL; but I can tell you that it was amazing ! And such a quick walk to Epcot and nice walk to MGM as well... That's where I would stay. The decor is gorgeous! If there's any way you can all swing concierge it is an amazing Lounge and awesome staff ! Or try for a garden suite. Our room looked over the Villa Pool and was very quiet. Also, we had a view of the Eiffel Tower in World Showcase ! A room over the Boardwalk would be awesome, though.
Any of the Epcot resorts would be great for your group - as you said, it will be amazing for y'all to be able to walk to Epcot! The walk would be shortest from Beach Cub I believe- or the Villas at BC; try for a 2-BR Villas and maybe you'll all fit! (?)
Good luck and Have FUN!!

 

[ducklite]

I'd also choose the BWI. The rooms have two queens and a daybed, and just seem to have less kids than the other resorts. Also if you could swing it, this would be a great place and time to go concierge level.

Easy walk to Epcot and MGM, the pools are fine--I doubt you'll do that much swimming in January brrrr..... and the atmosphere there is just lovely.

HAve fun!

Anne

 

[johnsonet]

I'd also choose the BWI... just seem to have less kids than the other resorts. Anne

AWESOME point! You're going to get away from the kids!!


Stormalong Bay attracts a lot of families beacause it is "The #1 Pool in Orlando"
BWI is VERY nice!!

 

[Bill From PA]

I would stay at any of the above in a heartbeat, but if any of you are a teacher, nurse or gov't employee you can get Swan or Dolphin for $149 or less per night on most dates. We're there next week but had to split the hotel stays because S/D didn't offer the rate on 1/4 - 1/5. All the things you want will be within walking distance from any of the cluster of resorts so I'd decide based on price.

Bill From PA

 

[littleprincessmom]

Wow! Thanks so much for the prompt and great replies. We do have two teachers in the group but would we get the rate on more than one room? Does there need to be a teacher in each room? If we needed 3 rooms, do we get the rate on all? I did notice that DIS readers get a rate of $159 right now.

Has anyone tried "Club Level" at S/D and is it comparable to Disney's CL? Would you go Swan or Dolphin and why?

I'm an AP holder and am going to call and see what is available at BWI CL based on these posts...so excited!!!!

Sorry for all the questions, but my friends think I'm the Disney-obsessed "expert" and I'm clueless on this area of the World! (Disney obssessed, I am, expert, I'm not)

Thanks!!!!

 

[spiceycat]

BCV - look SALB, you can walk to Epcot in less time than walking to the boat. of course the bc would work too....

YC - it is beautiful and fancy - my problem - they gave us a lagoon view - wonderful and beautiful view - but my mother is not young and the walk was very, very long.

BC - loved it - stayed in a lagoon view and the standard view on Epcot side - saw some of Illiuinations.

BWV - I own here - but I really hate that swimming pool - that Clowns is not a design I preferr.

my brother has stayed in the Inn side and he preferrs the villas.

D/S you know they are having a pretty great deal for Jan/Feb?

I got an email $159 for weekend.

so if you can get a great deal at D/S that would be my choice.

Now I would not go in Jan - I would go in Oct/Nov during the wine/food festavial -nothing like tasting and drinking your way around the world - then being able to walk back to your room....

 

[pumpkinboy]

We love the Epcot resorts! So much so that we bought into DVC (Disney's timeshare) at the Boardwalk Villas - they also have them at the Beach Club. There we get a 2BR unit for our family of 4 plus guests, and it's just perfect. In addition to lodgings for up to 8 ppl, you get a full kitchen with dishwasher and in-unit laundry (to get the itchy stuff out of new tee shirts, plus you can pack less). They also come with a Jacuzzi tub and two full bathrooms. We like to retire to our villa in the evening with a bottle of wine purchased at France, Germany or Italy in Epcot and sit out on the balcony people watching or viewing the fireworks, depending on room orientation. The nightlife on the boardwalk is great, and the restaurants available to you both on the BW and over at the Swan & Dolphin are wonderful. Tho there is no spa on site, you can book a massage at the health clubs at BW, YC or BC (or venture over the glorious spa at the new Saratoga Springs resort).

The 2BR units are somewhat pricey at rack rate ($560 a night pre-tax in January), but not much more than two rooms in a deluxe on-site hotel. Also, you can sometimes rent DVC points for such a stay on the DVC Rent/Trade board here in DIS.

I'd recommend the BWVs for this trip, as a 2BR would put you all in the same unit together with nice amenities. Plus IMO, the location can't be beat. The main drawback might be that 2 of the 4 beds are pull-outs; tho that does give you lots of living/ partying space, a pull-out is not as nice as a real bed (they're not bad pull-outs either, just not as nice as a real bed).

For real beds and terrific January room deals, you might want to look into the Swan and Dolphin. The beds are all pillow-top types and wonderful to sleep on. For comfort I'd recommend the Swan since it has all queen beds - most of the Dolphin's are mere doubles. If any of these "girls" are nurses or teachers, S/D have great special rates for folks in these fields, tho the January general public deals I have seen quoted are even better.

Still, if you can do it, I imagine it would be most fun to get a 2BR at BWVs. For a good room deal, try S/D.

edited to add:Oh, and for Concierge Level services, take the Disney resorts over S/D; they just do it better. YC concierge is very very nice, and I hear that BWI concierge is also excellent. I'd take the YC water view over any of them. Have fun!

 

[littleprincessmom]

spiceycat-

S or D???

We'll just have to schedule ANOTHER trip for Oct./Nov. (can't wait that long to get away!!!)

 

[spiceycat]

Swan - the last time I looked - Swan had queen beds - Dolphin only have full beds.

but go for the resort WDW or D/S where YOU can get the best rate.

I don't know about how many rooms the teacher rate can get. Glo fact page probably says.

to compare a 2-bedroom BWV - preferred - Sun-thurs (jan) - will be around $300 a night renting from a DVC member - a standard view same time $240 (these are very, very hard to get)

BCV $300 for a 2-bedroom Sun-thur (jan)

the 2-bedroom will allow 8 - a king bed in the master, queen sleeper sofa in the livingroom, a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa in the second bedroom.

the problem with the 2-bedroom villa is who gets the beds vs sleeper sofas - I don't know if you want those problems?

 

[Bill From PA]

Each person qualifying for a S/D discount can book 3 rooms at the lower rate. This March I booked 2 at Swan for 8 days at the Teacher's rate. Your party could book 6! And there doesn't have to be a teacher in each room.

Bill From PA

 

[swilphil]

I would pick the Swan too, unless money were no object. Then I would probably pick BWI. These resorts seem a little more adult oriented. We love the Swan--it's a deluxe resort at a great price. The $159 DIS special is for the last weekend in Jan. You also may be able to get the teacher discount for other weekends. The teachers will need to have their ids, pay stubs, or teaching certificates with them for proof. You can go to www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com or www.swandolphin.com to see what the teacher rates are during your trip at the Swan (or Dolphin, just as good, really). You just have to plug your dates in and put in teacher discount. The reservation does have to be in a teacher's name though even though the teacher doesn't have to stay in the room.

 

[WillCAD]

Also remember that Dolphin and Swan give AP discounts of 50% off the rack rate, which can sometimes make it even cheaper than the nurse/teacher/gov't rates.

AP holders also get a one-class free room upgrade and free late checkout.

To get the AP rates and bennies, you must book directly with Swan or Dolphin; you won't get them if you book through a web site or through Starwood's 1-800 number.

 

[blanq]

To answer your questions relating to the Swan vs. the Dolphin, they are both great resorts and have full amenities, including great restaurants and health clubs. That said, in your situation I would choose the Swan over the Dolphin because:

1. It's a smaller and more intimate resort.
2. The rooms have two queen beds (the Dolphin has two double beds per room)
3. There seems to be more families with children at the Dolphin.
4. The quiet pool is lovely.

I qualify for the government discount and have used it at the Swan. If you, or someone in your party qualifies for the government/teacher/nurse discount I personally would jump on it. I agree with swilphil about the importance of bringing proof to support the discount. I was asked to show my government ID when I checked in. BTW, I haven't stayed at Club level, so can't comment on the service and amenities.

 

[KerryCM]

I do a girls only trip every year and we have stayed at the BC, YC and BWI in the past. The last 3 trips have been BWI CL!! You can't beat it. The cast is wonderful and the location is great. We love the way we are all pampered at the BW.
So, I would say go BW CL and be pampered.

 

[DemoBri1]

I am a DVC owner at BCV, and I've also stayed at YC on my honeymoon. If it weren't for the fact that it was going to be January, and swimming is a bit iffy at that time of the year, I'd say either YC or BC is definitely your choice. SAB is hands down the best pool on property. Even if the weather is conducive to swimming, portions of SAB, including the slide are going to be shut down through February for refurbishment.

That being said these resorts are still great. They have a great array of eateries close by and the Boardwalk restaurants are only a five minute walk. If you can get a lake view room, especially at YC, the views can be stunning!!

I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the Epcot area resorts. Have fun!!

Brian

 

[littleprincessmom]

Y'all are the best! I truly appreciate all of the wonderful advice. After MUCH agonizing over these great choices, we chose BWI CL! Just booked this a.m. and we are SO PSYCHED!!!

We did try for a Villa but they were booked but we are very pleased with our choice. Now we get to start planning our short trip.

Thanks again for your time and wonderful advice! DIS Boarders are the best!

Laura