Can we debate on this one? BC/BWI or Poly

[*Fantasia*]

If you're mostly going to do Epcot and MGM, would you rather stay at BC or BWI or would you stay at the Poly and just use the monorail to Epcot and of course monorail to MK.

We're planning to do Epcot 2x and MGM 1x and MK 1x. My mother will use the ECV. I was thinking of doing a split stay... but what if I don't. Which one do you think we should stay at. The most convinent way of transportation is what I want. I have stayed at the Polynesian, but never at any Epcot resort. My parents are coming with me (age mid 80s/70s) and my two children (6 and 8).

Should I just stick with the Poly and use the monorail to Epcot or should I just do the BC or BWI so we can just walk it to Epcot and use the boat to MGM? What to do... Still debating!!!

 

[Traveliz]

Gosh I think that is a tough one -

I think probably one of the Epcot resorts is ultimately more convenient however I think going from the Poly with their great transportation options wouldn't make it so bad that you would regret being there.

I personally would choose the Poly just for the awesome atmosphere and views of MK during the time I am at the hotel.

Liz

 

[SnackyStacky]

You debate too much.

Do what the coin told you!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i love the boardwalk and beach club actually i like all 3 but prefer them to the poly cause i love epcot
good luck choosing

 

[goofy4tink]

BWI. It's a quick walk to Epcot's International Gateway, about 13 minute walk to MGM (or the boat, your choice). Take a bus to MK since you'll only be there once. I've stayed at all three. Polynesian is nice but I love being so close to Epcot and MGM.

 

[Densgirl]

I have to vote for BWI too. We did this resort with my Mom and Brother and their ECV's. It is awesome to walk to Epcot and MGM. We beat the boat back many times from MGM. This resort is so friendly and upbeat and everything is extremely close.

 

[dixipixi]

I would say either BC or BWI. We always stay at the YC but I would definitely stay at BC or BWI as well. We walk from the YC to Epcot, but always take the boat to MGM (very convenient). We always have good luck and have never had to wait on transportation while at the YC (bus or boat).

We actually like to walk through Epcot and catch the monorail over to the MK as well. It's only about a 20 minute walk. The longest we ever waited for a bus at the YC was to DTD one evening (about 15 mins) so we were well pleased with all the transportation.

Having said all that, we're planning on staying at the Poly on our next visit. Just for a change of pace. We would like to be on the monorail and to watch Wishes from our hotel. We loved watching IllumiNations from the YC!

 

[goodferry]

I would probably pick BWI, but it's really a matter of preferance. If you love the Polynesian and you will wish you were there the entire trip, it is almost just as easy, transportation wise. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the resorts, they are all beautiful. I will add that everything seemed closer when we stayed at the Boardwalk, but we did seem to do more walking since we walked to Epcot and MGM.

 

[Viki]

Go for any one of the Epcot resorts. We like both BW and BC, but BC is our favorite and we absolutely adore being so close to the Boardwalk and Epcot (we even walk over to MGM when the mood hits us).

 

[BCV23]

I vote for the Polynesian. It is of course the easiest to MK. It is as easy to get to Epcot from the Polynesian as it is from BC or BWI. You have the short walk to the TTC (shorter than the walk from BC or BWI to IG) and then a fun monorail ride to Epcot.

You would need to take the bus to MGM (or walk through Epcot and take the boat) but that would be only one time. Returning to the Polynesian, you can hop the MK (it goes to the TTC) or Polynesian bus.....whichever comes first.

We find the boats that run between the Epcot resorts slow and not nearly as magical as those on Seven Seas Lagoon.

Our daughter uses a power wheelchair and we find the Polynesian to be the most convenient for her.

Another advantage is the larger rooms at the Polynesian which will come in handy with the ECV. And you know all about the Polynesian magic.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks for replying and giving me great infos and sharing your experience. When you guys stayed at BWI or BC, after the Illumination, was the walkway back to the resorts busy? Was it elbow to elbow? Or do you guys just standby near the gate so you guys get a good headstart trying to get out of WS? Or would it be better to use the boat back to the resort so you don't have to be with the walking crowds? We are going during Xmas week so it is going to be crazy there... but how crazy is it?

Is the monorail ECV friendly? I have used the monorail several times, but not with ECV. Is the boat to Epcot/MGM more ECV friendly? Thanks! Sorry for all these questions. Still debating here....

 

[paladin]

Now all of this is based on my own experiences staying at the Epcot resorts but never during Christmas week, so obviously the crowds will be totally different. We have always found getting back to the resorts after Illuminations is pretty easy. The bridge across from France is jam-packed, but then when you turn to the International Gateway, the crowd eases immediately. It is so much easier than the walk back out to the front of Epcot (and is the reason why my husband refuses to stay anywhere but one of the Epcot resorts - he hates the crowded walk out to the front, but loves using the International Gateway entrance). You can also take the boat back, but the line is usually pretty long after Illuminations and you can often be back to your resort before the boat.

 

[chamonix]

Fantasia, when we had grandparents with us and an ECV at the Poly, we found the monorail to be fine. They have a small ramp they put down for the wheels to roll over the edge into the car. You just tell the CM that you have an ECV (of course, most of the time they will notice it, LOL) so they can get the ramp ready.

If it were me, I would stay at the Poly, but then, I'm an addict.

 

[Tinkbell]

Telly, Take the plunge. Try an Epcot resort! I used to only stay at MK resorts. I thought that the locataion couldn't be beat. That was until last summer when I stayed at Boardwalk Inn. It's now my favorite resort. I'm planning another trip there next summer.

After Illuminations, I didn't find International Gateway crowded at all. Most people make their way back to the main entrance with the parking lot and monorail transportation.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I guess when you find that special resort, it's hard to sway away from it. Poly is my favorite resort, but I am more concentrating on doing Epcot cause I want my parents and I to experience the Candlelight Procession and Christmas around the world at the WS. I think this will be a wonderful treat for them. And of course the Osbourne Lighting at MGM is something I think not to be missed.

I suppose if I stay at the Poly, I can monorail it to Epcot. And I suppose we can start leaving before the Illumination starts so we don't hit the hard crowds. OR of course we can just walk it to BC (or BWI).

Which is more congested do you think, Poly or BC during Xmas? I mean which one do you think will be more crowded? Maybe the BC cause they have more rooms plus you have YC connected. Which one is more peaceful? Maybe that's what I am trying to get at. Maybe Poly because there's no resorts by it.

Don't you hate debates? Believe me if it were just me and my children, I would opt to just do WL or POFQ for this December trip. But there's 5 of us and I have to consider that I am going not just with my children but with my parents whose mobility is not great. They can walk short distance and my mom would need ECV.

Sooo. confused... my head is spinning again!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We are also Poly Lovers, but BC is our #2! Always my backup position, if poly is not available. Not at all bad for a fall back either. We have stayed at all 3 BW, YC, & BC. of the 3 we prefer the laid back "feel" of the Bc. Its more family friendly. Has the BEST pool!!!!! Your kids will not want to leave that. Decient resturants, and good parking. Bus service is sufficent. Great location to epcot, & mgm. Yes, you can use an ECV on the epcot boats, and buses (also monorails) I have seen them. The walk is very short. We have never had problems walking out of epcot after illmmunations. Sometimes we have been near france area or near canada and just took our time walking even when it was really crowded.

YC is closer to the boat / marina but I prefer the BC side because I always felt the YC is a little too stuffy for us. More refined. (GF like). Otherwise they are the same, and share many of the same services.

BW my only real c/o here is I prefer pool at BC & parking at BC. Also BW has many resturants but they are all in the "public" areas, out on the boardwalk. There is no dedicated resturant to the BW. Or one you can enter from the inside of the resort. They are usually crowded with "public" visitors etc... . After a while this began to bother us, when looking to eat breakfast / lunch.

When we have stayed at the MK resorts a few times in a row we sometimes will split with the BC or just stay over at the epcot side for a different experience. It makes for a whole "new" trip, its a great experience. Also they are alittle less $$$ which is really nice. I almost forgot the The YC/BC has 4 hot tubs! Did I mention the pool? SAB (stormalong bay)?

Check out joe cool's faq for the yc/bc its really helpful!

Mky

 

[minijeanie]

boardwalk,boardwalk, boardwalk.................hands down

I have stayed at Poly and YC. Love Poly but if you are doing mostly Epcot parks, stay on epcot side.

So easy to walk to Epcot or MGM or take boat. I have never found it difficult to walk back to hotel from illuminations. Just about a 10 minute walk whereas, if you stayed at the Poly. You would have to walk all the way to the front of the park, hop the monorail and then walk again. much much longer..we did it and it is about 35 minutes or so.

once you get bitten by the Epcot Resort side you will never go back......

 

[laurabelle]

BC (or 2nd choice BWI) for convenient transportation since you're only going to MK 1x. I didn't find the walk back through International Gateway to BC congested at all, most people are waiting for the boats. Most nights I don't rush out with the crowds right at the end of Illuminations, I take my time walking out as the park clears... much more pleasant. They have beautiful holiday displays at both resorts- have you looked at any pics? If it's warm enough to swim, I think you'll prefer BC for Stormalong Bay.
HTH

 

[BCV23]

The monorail and the Epcot boats are ECV accessible as is the MK ferry. The little boats on Seven Seas Lagoon are not.

The walk back from IG after Illuminations has never been too crowded in our experience. It is the best part of staying in that area for us.

But the walk to the front of Epcot is comparably crowded and then most people are either going to the buses or the parking lot so we haven't had any problems with the monorail after Illuminations. However, total time will be longer just as it takes longer to walk from the Epcot resorts in the am to the front of FW than it does to enter from the front as you would if you tale the monorail from the TTC.

Happy decision either way.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

After reading thru the thread and previous posts (flip the coin!) I would now definately say BC. Reasons: Inside food options (was at BWV last year in a cold rain and had to go outside to get to restaurants), SAB, and IMOP seems easier to get around with ECV (vacationed with a child in a wheelchair at BCV).

Try an Epcot resort, the whole BC/YC/BW/S&D area is like another park! Being home in 5 min after Illuminations is great too! Did I mention SAB!