Can't Decide--BWI or YC in Late June?

[MamaBear58]

I know it is very subjective, but which would YOU choose in my situation?

It's DH, DS15, DD12 and me for our 2nd trip to WDW. We have not been in 7 years. Last time we stayed in the MK Area so this time we want the convenience of the EPCOT Area. We will be there for 8 nights after 3 nights in Universal, so we are definitely working in down time. Yet, due to the anticipated crowds and rainy season, I feel like we'll need the flexibility of daily Hoppers with Genie+. I like the idea of a park in the morning, get out when it's hot/crowded, hop somewhere else later. Or even a complete rest day where maybe we pop into EPCOT solely for a breakfast or dinner ADR that we couldn't get on another day.

I understand the YC has the great pool, but given the heat and crowds is SAB going to be a madhouse when we want our down time? On the other hand, given how much rain there could be in June, is the lack of onsite food (even drink refills?) a hassle at BWI? Also, is there food/drink service at BWI's pool, or do we have to run out to the Boardwalk for that too? I am wondering if I'm worrying about this too much, because, to be honest, I wasn't impressed with QS at GF (lines!! crowds on a non-busy week) so maybe just standing in line at the Boardwalk Bakery before we head out is the way to go; we could always walk/boat to YC/BC for their restaurants when time isn't the issue.

BWI seems closer to both EPCOT and DH for walking, but is it really that much closer and given the June heat, I'm wondering if we'd rely on the boats more anyway, in which case YC makes sense because it's one less stop.

Both would be Garden View, with YC only $15/night cheaper so cost isn't an issue.

Clearly overwhelmed.! Any opinions are greatly appreciated

 

[5Tulips]

YC. I’ve never stayed at BWI. We have teens/tweens and love the compactness of YC. I felt comfortable letting them wander to fill up drinks/go to the arcade because everything is in the same building. Food choices are good. And I thought YC was closer to Epcot and the skyliner than BWI. If not, it’s not that much of a difference. The bathroom set up at YC works great for us too. The fact that YC is a little cheaper is a win in my eyes.

 

[Sarahslay]

I just stayed at BWV (attached to BWI, just the DVC side), have stayed at BWI, have a trip booked for BWI beginning of June, and have stayed at YC 5 times now (4 of those since reopening) so I'll let you know my opinions. There is a pool bar at BWI where you can get drinks, it's called Leaping Horse Libations, you can get resort mug refills there and there is some food (I suggest looking up the menu on the website or MDE app), not a huge menu but some enjoyable poolside stuff. I actually find there are more food options at BWI than there are at YC, and I find the QS at YC/BC to be VERY lacking, I'm not a fan of either. At both BWI and YC you can order togo from the sit down places (Ale & Compass at YC, Trattoria al Forno at BWI) which is really nice when you want something besides QS, and for breakfast at BWI you also have the option of going to Belle Vue Lounge to grab some quick eats and coffee (BIG muffins and stuff, we really like it). The pool at YC is better than BWI, but it's also a lot more crowded so that can take away from it; they both have fun slides.

The only thing I don't like about BWI are the rooms, they're dated. Super dated. I love the style of the YC rooms, and if I could transfer them to BWI then it would be perfect. I also don't like the management at YC, I've had issues in my rooms at both resorts, and while the management and staff at BW were super kind and helpful taking care of it right away, the YC staff and management just made excuses and did nothing to fix any issue (aside from trying to blame stuff on other people...or me, which was great).

I also like that BWI is closer to HS, super easy walk to the park, and I don't feel like the walk to Epcot is any longer. The boat to Epcot is also a lot easier from there since it's the last stop before reaching Epcot, and the first stop coming back from Epcot.

 

[RoseGold]

Eight days, wow. I'd split the stay between an Epcot and a monorail. Disney moves your luggage for you. I'd plan this around the deluxe after hours and get the HS/Epcot in and then move to the MK/AK. With teens, I'd feel comfortable letting them roam in both scenarios.

I've traveled plenty to Stormalong Bay off-peak, and it's never been anywhere close to even lightly crowded, even marathon weekend. Obviously, Disney is really busy overall at peak times. Summer is in the middle, maybe a little crowded.

Both Boardwalk Bakery and Ale & Compass (and other resort options) you just order on mobile now anyway, so the food situation will be similar. Both pools have pool food/drinks.

The boats go in a circle, so it's one less stop one way, one extra the other.

Also, don't count out Swolphin. Wow have they upped their product. There's a laundry room, and you get the deluxe benefits.

 

[Sarahslay]

Eight days, wow. I'd split the stay between an Epcot and a monorail. Disney moves your luggage for you. I'd plan this around the deluxe after hours and get the HS/Epcot in and then move to the MK/AK. With teens, I'd feel comfortable letting them roam in both scenarios.

I've traveled plenty to Stormalong Bay off-peak, and it's never been anywhere close to even lightly crowded, even marathon weekend. Obviously, Disney is really busy overall at peak times. Summer is in the middle, maybe a little crowded.

Both Boardwalk Bakery and Ale & Compass (and other resort options) you just order on mobile now anyway, so the food situation will be similar. Both pools have pool food/drinks.

The boats go in a circle, so it's one less stop one way, one extra the other.

Also, don't count out Swolphin. Wow have they upped their product. There's a laundry room, and you get the deluxe benefits.

Stormalong bay in June can get CRAZY, absolute madhouse. It's still a great pool, and if you go early in the day it's fantastic and not crowded since everyone is in the parks...but that also means you're not in the parks (unless you scheduled a pool day, it can be tough to balance good pool time and good park time).

 

[MamaBear58]

Exactly...like who wants to have to grab a chair by 9 am, even on a non-park day? And if there's no chance to go back to swim b/t parks when hopping (because you'll never get a seat, let alone 2-4 together), is having SAB really going to be an advantage? Maybe the less crowded/less crazy with young kids pool at BWI is the way to go the last week of June? I just don't know.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The Yacht Club would be better for a pool day because there is food service right at the pool area - Hurricane Hannas. The Boardwalk pool doesn't have food close by, except for a few items.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I vote Yacht Club. And yes to hoppers.

 

[Sarahslay]

The Yacht Club would be better for a pool day because there is food service right at the pool area - Hurricane Hannas. The Boardwalk pool doesn't have food close by, except for a few items.

Hurricane Hannah’s has roughly the same amount of food, as it was the last time I had food from there this year. It used to be a bigger menu, but I found the menu lacking the last few times I was at YC this past year.

Exactly...like who wants to have to grab a chair by 9 am, even on a non-park day? And if there's no chance to go back to swim b/t parks when hopping (because you'll never get a seat, let alone 2-4 together), is having SAB really going to be an advantage? Maybe the less crowded/less crazy with young kids pool at BWI is the way to go the last week of June? I just don't know.

It’s hard to pick with the pools, honestly, I do love SAB even if I loathe YC as a whole. I do like the BWI pool way more now without the scary clown though lol. My girls love some slides now, I know my oldest hates that she has to walk across the sidewalk that people are walking on to and from the parks/resorts at SAB, my youngest makes me go with her, at least at BWI there isn’t an issue. Actually, they both loved Riviera’s pool last June, there is a nice pool bar there with good food and some days there was a Gelato cart. Of course that’s neither here nor there, but a day at any pool is still a fun day.

 

[MamaBear58]

Eight days, wow. I'd split the stay between an Epcot and a monorail. Disney moves your luggage for you. I'd plan this around the deluxe after hours and get the HS/Epcot in and then move to the MK/AK. With teens, I'd feel comfortable letting them roam in both scenarios.

I've traveled plenty to Stormalong Bay off-peak, and it's never been anywhere close to even lightly crowded, even marathon weekend. Obviously, Disney is really busy overall at peak times. Summer is in the middle, maybe a little crowded.

Both Boardwalk Bakery and Ale & Compass (and other resort options) you just order on mobile now anyway, so the food situation will be similar. Both pools have pool food/drinks.

The boats go in a circle, so it's one less stop one way, one extra the other.

Also, don't count out Swolphin. Wow have they upped their product. There's a laundry room, and you get the deluxe benefits.

Yes, we're very lucky that after 3 years of no vacations (COVD, scheduling issues, death in family), we found a nice stretch of time that works for us. Hotter than I'd like, but we'll manage. I don't want to do a split stay because we will have already split the time with Universal. I really don't like the idea of having to pack up and move again. (I'm spoiled by cruises, where my hotel moves with me, but since COVID it will be a loooooooong time until I can get DH on another ship.) The extra time is really so that we can work in that down time, as I don't find WDW vacations all that relaxing. I want some pool time, relaxing dinners, maybe even a trip to the Spa over at the Swan/Dolphin. I also feel as thought the crowds and lack of FP+ could require more flexibility on our part ("we'll hop over later in the week for that").

 

[MamaBear58]

Yes, we're very lucky that after 3 years of no vacations (COVD, scheduling issues, death in family), we found a nice stretch of time that works for us. Hotter than I'd like, but we'll manage. I don't want to do a split stay because we will have already split the time with Universal. I really don't like the idea of having to pack up and move again. (I'm spoiled by cruises, where my hotel moves with me, but since COVID it will be a loooooooong time until I can get DH on another ship.) The extra time is really so that we can work in that down time, as I don't find WDW vacations all that relaxing. I want some pool time, relaxing dinners, maybe even a trip to the Spa over at the Swan/Dolphin. I also feel as thought the crowds and lack of FP+ could require more flexibility on our part ("we'll hop over later in the week for that").

I can't believe our trip is about a month away and I still haven't decided! I did manage to get a cabana one day at SAB, so that may sway me....

 

[Eastern]

I can't believe our trip is about a month away and I still haven't decided! I did manage to get a cabana one day at SAB, so that may sway me....

I have stayed many times at each one and they are both good. I would give a slight edge to YC because I like A&C and Yachtsman. My family likes both. We usually do quiet pools so SAB is not a factor for us. If you plan on using SAB I would plan on going early as the water gets yucky later on. Lots and lots of kids at SAB.

 

[MamaBear58]

The water gets yucky?? Seriously?

 

[Shellyred8]

I would lean towards YC from the food perspective. The QS is inside. You can also pop over to BC to their QS, which is also inside. Having a concern about needing to go get a QS meal at BWI when it's raining is a very real issue. We had one trip where it rained almost all day for a few days and we had to put on our rain gear before heading out to get a meal. I also prefer the food at the YC/BC quick serve places over that of the Boardwalk Bakery.
Between A&C and Trattoria al Forno, I give the edge to Trattoria al Forno for breakfast. We haven't eaten other meals there, so I can't speak to those.

 

[Eastern]

The water gets yucky?? Seriously?

I'm serious, but you be the judge.

 

[DJFan88]

I like BWI better. We found the YC pool to be super crowded, and one late night I actually had to walk over to BW from YC to get us food because the one option open had nothing we wanted. It was very limited.
It’s worth noting that in addition to all the food options people said, BWI also has a pizza window and that outdoor stand that has mozzarella sticks, hot dogs, etc.
Plus, it’s pretty close to the neighboring Swolphins for other food options.
Proximity IMO it doesn’t matter, they are both close to things.

 

[Disneykingofkings]

stayed at both; we prefer the BWI; i would book a room at each and even though it is only a $15/nt difference now, i would wait for any discounts to pop and then if there is a substantial difference in room prices, i would go with the cheaper; if it stays at $15/nt difference i would choose the BWI just because we love it;

 

[mikalkwin]

I would lean towards YC from the food perspective. The QS is inside. You can also pop over to BC to their QS, which is also inside. Having a concern about needing to go get a QS meal at BWI when it's raining is a very real issue. We had one trip where it rained almost all day for a few days and we had to put on our rain gear before heading out to get a meal. I also prefer the food at the YC/BC quick serve places over that of the Boardwalk Bakery.
Between A&C and Trattoria al Forno, I give the edge to Trattoria al Forno for breakfast. We haven't eaten other meals there, so I can't speak to those.

Sorry to hijack the post but as YC guest resort, do you need an ADR for breakfast at A&C or Trattoria al Forno?

 

[Disneykingofkings]

Sorry to hijack the post but as YC guest resort, do you need an ADR for breakfast at A&C or Trattoria al Forno?

probably not for A&C but most definitely yes for T a F;

 

[mikalkwin]

probably not for A&C but most definitely yes for T a F;

Thank you!