Choosing between BC and WL

[MinnieGolfer]

We hope to be staying at WDW for 4 days prior to a Disney cruise next summer. We are currently weighing the options between BC and WL. If we don't choose a deluxe, we will do POR.

The travel party includes: me, DH, DDs (5 & 4 at time of trip) in one room and my parents in another (hopefully connecting) room.

Can I get some information on pros and cons with restaurants, transportation and amenities? We will hopefully do a quick breakfast in the room - so morning QS isn't as important to us.

Anybody with toddlers have insight? We will most like do MK, AK and Epcot for parks.

Thanks!

 

[HM2012Butler]

Both are great choices and would fit your needs. Personally, I would chose BC in this instance.

BC:
Great pool for kids (or anyone)
walking distance to EPCOT
Nice dining options
Also have dining options at Epcot, Boardwalk, and Swan & Dolphin
Boardwalk is also fun to walk around

This is not to discount Wilderness Lodge. They also have good food and it is very easy to get to MK. But I think BC would be a nice choice


Edit: I don't have children so HopperFan has the better experience

 

[HopperFan]

I wouldn't even blink on that one = WL. We loved it's location, intimate size and beauty of the resort when with a toddler and 5 year old. Was great for naps, rest time and walking around the resort. Lobby is stunning and feels special. The pool area is beautiful and we loved it, especially that it was more contained and relaxing.

My DSis on the other hand did BC when her kids were the same age and she did nothing but complain about the size, how spread out, what a pain it was to even get a drink and other than when I convinced her to do cabins side by side (great sale) she has never stayed on property since. She opts for more deluxe hotels with less walking. We've gone to eat off and on - and have to say it's lobby is so unimpressive and while it has the pool park, not sure that is a plus for me if I had younger kids - just more work to watch them. No way I could sit still with young kids there.

 

[westie55]

Both are excellent resorts so you can't really go wrong with either. I have stayed at both and I prefer Beach Club.

I know you said you will do breakfast in the room, but I love the character breakfast at Cape May. It's nice to have that option right in your hotel. Great thing to do on a departure day to still add some fun with no hassle of travel. Cape May also has an excellent seafood buffet for dinner, not to mention Beaches & Cream! The Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club (which is connected to Beach Club) has wonderful food. I haven't been to Artist Point at the WL and while I do enjoy Whispering Canyon, the antics might feel cheesy to some depending on personalities and preferences in the group.

Wilderness Lodge has a perfectly nice pool, but I like Stormalong Bay better.

You can't walk to any park from the Wilderness Lodge, although you can take a boat to MK. You can walk to Epcot and HS (or take a boat) from the BC. AK would require a bus ride from either resort.

The Wilderness Lodge has a more impressive lobby, IMO.

I think it really comes down to what theming appeals to your group more. BC is usually priced considerably higher than WL also, so if that is the case you also have to factor the price differential into your decision.

 

[mickeymom22]

I vote WL...even though I have never stayed there, but I so want to!

We have stayed at BC twice. The first time my children were four and one. I missed not having a convenient quick service option. The second time we stayed there for our one night during a split stay simply to enjoy the pool area. Hurricane Hanna's is located in the pool area. It is a great place to let the kids get a kid's meal. It comes in a sand bucket with shovel...perfect to play with at the pool area. It is also great to have the ability to walk to Epcot.

Saying all that, I really would like to try WL. The theming looks amazing. A boat ride to Magic Kingdom! You could also take the trail over to the campground. There are some great activities there that would be perfect for your kids. A campfire sing-a-long with Chip and Dale! They could ride ponies. They could watch the blacksmith take care of the horses. There are carriage rides and archery lessons. There is a dedicated QS at WL too...makes it so easy to grab something to eat.

Happy Planning! It sounds like you have a great trip planned!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Both the WL and the BC are nice places to stay. It is easier to get to the MK from WL then from the BC, but it is easier to get to Epcot and AK from the BC. The WL bus shares with Fort Wilderness for Epcot and with the Contemporary for AK. The BC bus only shares with YC, which is closer to the BC then FW and CR are to WL. The Wilderness Lodge will still be under construction next summer. But the WL is a nice place to stay with young kids because it is so compact.

Just choose which one you would rather stay at.

 

[mickeynut1]

We hope to be staying at WDW for 4 days prior to a Disney cruise next summer. We are currently weighing the options between BC and WL. If we don't choose a deluxe, we will do POR.

The travel party includes: me, DH, DDs (5 & 4 at time of trip) in one room and my parents in another (hopefully connecting) room.

Can I get some information on pros and cons with restaurants, transportation and amenities? We will hopefully do a quick breakfast in the room - so morning QS isn't as important to us.

Anybody with toddlers have insight? We will most like do MK, AK and Epcot for parks.

Thanks!

We've stayed at both and while we did enjoy the BC, my choice would be WL. The BC was nice and I'm glad we tried it, but we prefer the WL and staying in the MK area. The atmosphere appeals to us more, the dining options are great, and we love the pool. We weren't wow'd by SAB and as HopperFan posted, it is big/spread out and can be challenging to watch little ones. Good luck!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would choose BC over WL. Your room will be much bigger and the transportation is so much better. You can walk to EP. There is so much to do in the BC area - walk around the boardwalk, see the nightly entertainment, etc. When I stayed at WL when my son was 4, I felt so trapped there at night. At BC, we could go back to the resort in the afternoon, rest, and then simply walk to WS or to another resort for dinner. There is also a ton of construction going on at WL right now. Who knows what it will be like then, but I would definitely keep an eye on it if you book. WL was once and done for us - small rooms, bad transportation and very limited food choices.

 

[sallytigger]

We loved both resorts and probably prefer BC, but if my kids were that age, I'd lean toward WL for a couple of reasons.

The pool is more compact at WL. There were times at the Beach club pool where I didn't know right where my kids were (separated in the lazy river or when they leave the area for the pool's slide). They're older, 9 and 13, so it's not an issue now.

Also, at that age we may have spent more time at MK. You may not plan to, but if you do it's a quick bot ride, and we never waited long for a boat. Chef Mickey, Hoop Dee Do and Mickey's Backyard BBQ are a boat ride away.

The BC rooms were noticeably larger and may have the extra day bed. Just adding that.

 

[Babsy]

We've stayed at both and while we did enjoy the BC, my choice would be WL. The BC was nice and I'm glad we tried it, but we prefer the WL and staying in the MK area. The atmosphere appeals to us more, the dining options are great, and we love the pool. We weren't wow'd by SAB and as HopperFan posted, it is big/spread out and can be challenging to watch little ones. Good luck!

Yes, I agree that the WL would be the best choice of the two. The BC is great but with a young child the convenience to the MK is a huge benefit.

 

[MinnieGolfer]

Thank you everyone for your responses and insight. I realize part of this is personal taste and that I don't think I could go wrong with either choice.

In terms of WL - what exactly are the renovations and how are they affecting your experience at the resort? And how long are the renovations supposed to last?

 

[AJA]

I was thinking the same thing as the above poster, as in the renovations at WL being completed or not?

If all reno work is complete then in your situation I would choose WL.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We've stayed at both and would chose WL (as long as the construction is done)!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

In terms of WL - what exactly are the renovations and how are they affecting your experience at the resort? And how long are the renovations supposed to last?

The renovations are major. They currently have the entire south wing of the WL closed. They are tearing down walls in the rooms. At least some if not all of the rooms in the south wing will be converted to DVC villas and studios. The Hidden Springs pool has been completely torn out and they will be rebuilding it at some point. It is still a pile of dirt now. They are currently constructing a building which is rumored to be a new restaurant, but I don't think the official word on it has been released yet. Almost all the trees have been torn down between the north wing and the shore so that they can construct small cabins. There will also be cabins on the villas side of the resort, too. There are a lot of closures, including the beach, the marina, the campfire, the health club and babysitting room. But all the restaurants are open and the buses and boats are running as usual. Guests who stay in a courtyard view room hardly notice the construction at all. Rooms with a woods view or standard view will be facing the construction area. Construction is expected to be completed some time in 2017, but most likely will not be finished by next summer.

 

[starousse]

Stayed in both and prefer WL.