Christmas 2021 to New Years 2022–WL or BC?

[MamaBear58]

I currently have 2 room only reservations from 12/25 to 1/1. It’s really the only time that we can go, so we need to just deal with the crowds. But now I am starting to panic.

The original plan was WL, because I’ve never seen it and have heard that it’s beautiful at Christmas. Seems like a ”lodge” is the perfect place to spend a week at the holidays. How long is boat to MK and buses to other parks and Disney Springs?

On the other hand, given all the crowds, is BC better because we can walk to both EPCOT and HS? How long are those walks, and how long is the bus to MK (which I think actually drops us at TTC and then we have to get to MK)?

Part of the problem is that I know we really don’t know what we’ll be doing because so much is still unavailable at this point and ADRs (very important to us) won’t be made until 10/26. But I think ideally we’ll spend a day at each park, plus a rest day for pool or, if too cold, resort-hopping/Disney Springs. And I’d get hoppers to add to the flexibility given the crowd concerns.

Pros/Cons of each resort? It’s Courtyard View at WL and Woods/Garden View at BC if it matters. It’s DH, me, DS14 and DD11.

Thanks!

 

[Ecomommy09]

Beach Club is my second favorite for ambience so I would pick there. Ive never stayed at WL. I love BC at Christmas and it’s so easy Togo to Epcot every day for dinner and snacks with all the Santa’s!

 

[lanejudy]

how long is the bus to MK (which I think actually drops us at TTC and then we have to get to MK)?

Buses from the WDW resorts do not go to TTC but rather directly to a depot close to the MK entrance gates. The buses for offsite resorts go to TTC.

 

[MamaBear58]

Buses from the WDW resorts do not go to TTC but rather directly to a depot close to the MK entrance gates. The buses for offsite resorts go to TTC.

Good to know. I thought that we would need to transfer at the TTC if we were taking a bus from BC.

 

[MamaBear58]

Beach Club is my second favorite for ambience so I would pick there. Ive never stayed at WL. I love BC at Christmas and it’s so easy Togo to Epcot every day for dinner and snacks with all the Santa’s!

But we can’t just jump into Epcot for dinner if we haven’t either (1) reserved EPCOT for that day (or even entered it yet because they might close it due to crowds over the holiday) or (2) have hopper tickets AND popped into another Park before 2 p.m. that day, correct?

 

[Marthasor]

But we can’t just jump into Epcot for dinner if we haven’t either (1) reserved EPCOT for that day (or even entered it yet because they might close it due to crowds over the holiday) or (2) have hopper tickets AND popped into another Park before 2 p.m. that day, correct?

Yes, as of now, you either need to reserve EP or purchase hoppers and then go to EP after 2 pm after scanning in to your original, reserved park. Based on year's past, the chances of EP closing to capacity that week (except, maybe, NYE) are slim to none.

I would choose BC. The ability to walk to two parks that week is priceless. Transportation via any mode other than your feet that week is incredibly long and cumbersome.

 

[LSK]

WL is my favorite resort based on ambiance. The boat ride to MK is quick and lovely. Roaring Forks, the QS restaurant is one of the best we have tried. That said, it is really hard to beat the convenience of BC. You can walk to Epcot in just a few minutes, HS takes about 20ish minutes to walk to but you could also take the Skyliner.

The pool at BC is more impressive but I don’t know how much use it gets in December. This really is a great problem to sort out! As much as I love WL and have wanted to stay at Christmas, I selected Epcot area for our Christmas trip for the convenience of walking to 2 parks plus the ability to nosh around the world each evening.

 

[sdk1231]

Beach Club, hands down! Here's why: I've done 3 New Years trips, typically traveling 12/27-1/2. Myself, husband and 2 teen daughters. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian (garden view), Wilderness Lodge (courtyard view) and the Polynesian (theme park view). I would never again consider the Wilderness Lodge at New Years. Yes, the WL is pretty at Christmas time, but so are the other resorts. WL has the "lodge" feel and some nice decor. I personally prefer the decor at the GF, the Poly and the Beach/Yacht Club. (GF, Beach and Yacht have awesome giant gingerbread structures that I love). I'm sure that it's a matter of personal preference. I was underwhelmed by the WL. I personally prefer bright & shiny and candy canes and snowmen versus bears with mittens and moose with scarves.

Decor aside, the main reasons that WL fell short for me (and why I would never stay there again at this time of year): WL has an isolated feel, tucked back in there. You can't see or hear the Magic Kingdom. You're reliant on boat/bus transportation which is insane at that time of year and off the charts on NYE. There is virtually no fireworks view at the WL. (You can see a few of the high fireworks if you walk way out and crane your neck). On NYE, the WL was incredibly boring. My family ate dinner at WL on NYE and then became so bored that we uber'd to the Grand Floridian to hang out in the lobby (great festive atmosphere with champagne and hats and blowers). We watched the fireworks from the grounds and then uber'd back to the WL. The WL had a little "party" with DJ at Geyser Point (the pool bar). It was very sparsely attended, mainly by parents with little kids. DJ was playing corny music, there were hula hoops and stuff like that. My family walked down there, took one look, and went "forget it". WL might be a good choice for families with little kids who don't mind the transportation situation.

Grand Floridian and Polynesian, on the other hand, had an amazing atmosphere. Lively, populated, great fireworks and castle views, lake view. Very fun and very nice. Beautiful decor.

Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk had the same atmosphere - we went over there to look at the gingerbread structures and walk around. Beautiful, fun atmosphere. The walk from BC to Epcot is nothing. Maybe 3 minutes? It's a very short walk. I hate walking and I don't at all mind the walk from Beach to Epcot. The walk to DHS is a mile or so. I've never done it and will never do it. The Skyliner to DHS is right there next to the Beach Club. I'd take the Skyliner. You could also take the boat to DHS.

Food: there are few choices at Wilderness Lodge - 3, to be exact. The Roaring Fork quick serve place, Whispering Canyon, and Artist's Point (which was converted to the Snow White restaurant). I hated the Snow White restaurant and would never return - myself and family all thought the food was terrible. At Beach Club, you've got the Beach/Yacht restaurants including the great Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Boardwalk restaurants and all of the restaurants at Epcot within walking distance. That's huge! You can see the Epcot fireworks from the bridge by Beach Club.

Regarding NYE logistics and fireworks: In the past, the MK has done the NYE festivities (dance parties and fireworks) on the 30th and the 31st. On both nights, they showed the fireworks twice, one early show, one midnight show. I typically go to the MK on the 30th, when the NYE festivities are happening. Crowds are huge, but fun. I went once on the 31st and vowed never to repeat that mistake. Where the 30th was crazy crowded but fun, the 31st was hideous.

So - if you can place yourself somewhere that would be fun "resort day" for the 31st, and somewhere with good dining choices, and somewhere where you can see fireworks, I think that would be your best bet. Beach has the best pool of any resort, of course, though every time I've gone it's been too cold to swim, for me, anyway. Beach Club area is fun for a resort day. You've got all of the Crescent Lake resorts to hop, the Boardwalk to walk, you could ride the Skyliner over to check out Caribbean Beach and the Riviera, Art of Animation, Pop Century.

Wilderness Lodge... you're just "stuck" there.

Hope this helps! I'm sure you'll have fun no matter where you stay, and again, the resorts are so much a matter of personal preference.

 

[MamaBear58]

Beach Club, hands down! Here's why: I've done 3 New Years trips, typically traveling 12/27-1/2. Myself, husband and 2 teen daughters. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian (garden view), Wilderness Lodge (courtyard view) and the Polynesian (theme park view). I would never again consider the Wilderness Lodge at New Years. Yes, the WL is pretty at Christmas time, but so are the other resorts. WL has the "lodge" feel and some nice decor. I personally prefer the decor at the GF, the Poly and the Beach/Yacht Club. (GF, Beach and Yacht have awesome giant gingerbread structures that I love). I'm sure that it's a matter of personal preference. I was underwhelmed by the WL. I personally prefer bright & shiny and candy canes and snowmen versus bears with mittens and moose with scarves.

Decor aside, the main reasons that WL fell short for me (and why I would never stay there again at this time of year): WL has an isolated feel, tucked back in there. You can't see or hear the Magic Kingdom. You're reliant on boat/bus transportation which is insane at that time of year and off the charts on NYE. There is virtually no fireworks view at the WL. (You can see a few of the high fireworks if you walk way out and crane your neck). On NYE, the WL was incredibly boring. My family ate dinner at WL on NYE and then became so bored that we uber'd to the Grand Floridian to hang out in the lobby (great festive atmosphere with champagne and hats and blowers). We watched the fireworks from the grounds and then uber'd back to the WL. The WL had a little "party" with DJ at Geyser Point (the pool bar). It was very sparsely attended, mainly by parents with little kids. DJ was playing corny music, there were hula hoops and stuff like that. My family walked down there, took one look, and went "forget it". WL might be a good choice for families with little kids who don't mind the transportation situation.

Grand Floridian and Polynesian, on the other hand, had an amazing atmosphere. Lively, populated, great fireworks and castle views, lake view. Very fun and very nice. Beautiful decor.

Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk had the same atmosphere - we went over there to look at the gingerbread structures and walk around. Beautiful, fun atmosphere. The walk from BC to Epcot is nothing. Maybe 3 minutes? It's a very short walk. I hate walking and I don't at all mind the walk from Beach to Epcot. The walk to DHS is a mile or so. I've never done it and will never do it. The Skyliner to DHS is right there next to the Beach Club. I'd take the Skyliner. You could also take the boat to DHS.

Food: there are few choices at Wilderness Lodge - 3, to be exact. The Roaring Fork quick serve place, Whispering Canyon, and Artist's Point (which was converted to the Snow White restaurant). I hated the Snow White restaurant and would never return - myself and family all thought the food was terrible. At Beach Club, you've got the Beach/Yacht restaurants including the great Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Boardwalk restaurants and all of the restaurants at Epcot within walking distance. That's huge! You can see the Epcot fireworks from the bridge by Beach Club.

Regarding NYE logistics and fireworks: In the past, the MK has done the NYE festivities (dance parties and fireworks) on the 30th and the 31st. On both nights, they showed the fireworks twice, one early show, one midnight show. I typically go to the MK on the 30th, when the NYE festivities are happening. Crowds are huge, but fun. I went once on the 31st and vowed never to repeat that mistake. Where the 30th was crazy crowded but fun, the 31st was hideous.

So - if you can place yourself somewhere that would be fun "resort day" for the 31st, and somewhere with good dining choices, and somewhere where you can see fireworks, I think that would be your best bet. Beach has the best pool of any resort, of course, though every time I've gone it's been too cold to swim, for me, anyway. Beach Club area is fun for a resort day. You've got all of the Crescent Lake resorts to hop, the Boardwalk to walk, you could ride the Skyliner over to check out Caribbean Beach and the Riviera, Art of Animation, Pop Century.

Wilderness Lodge... you're just "stuck" there.

Hope this helps! I'm sure you'll have fun no matter where you stay, and again, the resorts are so much a matter of personal preference.

I think you just sold me on BC!

 

[MamaBear58]

Beach Club, hands down! Here's why: I've done 3 New Years trips, typically traveling 12/27-1/2. Myself, husband and 2 teen daughters. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian (garden view), Wilderness Lodge (courtyard view) and the Polynesian (theme park view). I would never again consider the Wilderness Lodge at New Years. Yes, the WL is pretty at Christmas time, but so are the other resorts. WL has the "lodge" feel and some nice decor. I personally prefer the decor at the GF, the Poly and the Beach/Yacht Club. (GF, Beach and Yacht have awesome giant gingerbread structures that I love). I'm sure that it's a matter of personal preference. I was underwhelmed by the WL. I personally prefer bright & shiny and candy canes and snowmen versus bears with mittens and moose with scarves.

Decor aside, the main reasons that WL fell short for me (and why I would never stay there again at this time of year): WL has an isolated feel, tucked back in there. You can't see or hear the Magic Kingdom. You're reliant on boat/bus transportation which is insane at that time of year and off the charts on NYE. There is virtually no fireworks view at the WL. (You can see a few of the high fireworks if you walk way out and crane your neck). On NYE, the WL was incredibly boring. My family ate dinner at WL on NYE and then became so bored that we uber'd to the Grand Floridian to hang out in the lobby (great festive atmosphere with champagne and hats and blowers). We watched the fireworks from the grounds and then uber'd back to the WL. The WL had a little "party" with DJ at Geyser Point (the pool bar). It was very sparsely attended, mainly by parents with little kids. DJ was playing corny music, there were hula hoops and stuff like that. My family walked down there, took one look, and went "forget it". WL might be a good choice for families with little kids who don't mind the transportation situation.

Grand Floridian and Polynesian, on the other hand, had an amazing atmosphere. Lively, populated, great fireworks and castle views, lake view. Very fun and very nice. Beautiful decor.

Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk had the same atmosphere - we went over there to look at the gingerbread structures and walk around. Beautiful, fun atmosphere. The walk from BC to Epcot is nothing. Maybe 3 minutes? It's a very short walk. I hate walking and I don't at all mind the walk from Beach to Epcot. The walk to DHS is a mile or so. I've never done it and will never do it. The Skyliner to DHS is right there next to the Beach Club. I'd take the Skyliner. You could also take the boat to DHS.

Food: there are few choices at Wilderness Lodge - 3, to be exact. The Roaring Fork quick serve place, Whispering Canyon, and Artist's Point (which was converted to the Snow White restaurant). I hated the Snow White restaurant and would never return - myself and family all thought the food was terrible. At Beach Club, you've got the Beach/Yacht restaurants including the great Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Boardwalk restaurants and all of the restaurants at Epcot within walking distance. That's huge! You can see the Epcot fireworks from the bridge by Beach Club.

Regarding NYE logistics and fireworks: In the past, the MK has done the NYE festivities (dance parties and fireworks) on the 30th and the 31st. On both nights, they showed the fireworks twice, one early show, one midnight show. I typically go to the MK on the 30th, when the NYE festivities are happening. Crowds are huge, but fun. I went once on the 31st and vowed never to repeat that mistake. Where the 30th was crazy crowded but fun, the 31st was hideous.

So - if you can place yourself somewhere that would be fun "resort day" for the 31st, and somewhere with good dining choices, and somewhere where you can see fireworks, I think that would be your best bet. Beach has the best pool of any resort, of course, though every time I've gone it's been too cold to swim, for me, anyway. Beach Club area is fun for a resort day. You've got all of the Crescent Lake resorts to hop, the Boardwalk to walk, you could ride the Skyliner over to check out Caribbean Beach and the Riviera, Art of Animation, Pop Century.

Wilderness Lodge... you're just "stuck" there.

Hope this helps! I'm sure you'll have fun no matter where you stay, and again, the resorts are so much a matter of personal preference.

I think you just sold me on BC! And I REALLY appreciate all the detail you provided!! Thank you!

 

[MomOTwins]

Food: there are few choices at Wilderness Lodge - 3, to be exact. The Roaring Fork quick serve place, Whispering Canyon, and Artist's Point (which was converted to the Snow White restaurant). I hated the Snow White restaurant and would never return - myself and family all thought the food was terrible. At Beach Club, you've got the Beach/Yacht restaurants including the great Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Boardwalk restaurants and all of the restaurants at Epcot within walking distance. That's huge! You can see the Epcot fireworks from the bridge by Beach Club.

While we don't know what will change between now and Christmas, right now, WL has a much better dining scene than Beach Club. You forgot Wilderness Lodge has Geyser Point which is great. A lot of Boardwalk is closed, Yachtsman is closed, Hurricane Hanna's is closed, Cape May is reopening soon but with an expensive and limited family-style platter. That leaves Ale & Compass (meh) and Beaches & Cream (which is pretty much impossible to book), and no "real" quick service (just the "market" thing). If I were staying at BC these days, I would skip eating there entirely. Fortunately, you have Epcot nearby and can eat there if you have hoppers, so that resolves your problem.

Purely on a resort-to-resort comparison, I MUCH prefer Wilderness lodge. The little waterfalls and streams, tall trees, etc. are so beautiful and serene. And the pools are nice and quiet--stormalong bay is a zoo and always gives me a Spring Breakers vibe. The rooms at WL are newly renovated, while beach club rooms are some of the blandest on property.

That said, I still do lean toward Beach Club, since you will have park hoppers and hopping is easier from BC, plus as you intuit, transportation is much easier there. The boat to MK at WL is very quick and convenient, but it is a long bus ride to everything else.

 

[MamaBear58]

While we don't know what will change between now and Christmas, right now, WL has a much better dining scene than Beach Club. You forgot Wilderness Lodge has Geyser Point which is great. A lot of Boardwalk is closed, Yachtsman is closed, Hurricane Hanna's is closed, Cape May is reopening soon but with an expensive and limited family-style platter. That leaves Ale & Compass (meh) and Beaches & Cream (which is pretty much impossible to book), and no "real" quick service (just the "market" thing). If I were staying at BC these days, I would skip eating there entirely. Fortunately, you have Epcot nearby and can eat there if you have hoppers, so that resolves your problem.

Purely on a resort-to-resort comparison, I MUCH prefer Wilderness lodge. The little waterfalls and streams, tall trees, etc. are so beautiful and serene. And the pools are nice and quiet--stormalong bay is a zoo and always gives me a Spring Breakers vibe. The rooms at WL are newly renovated, while beach club rooms are some of the blandest on property.

That said, I still do lean toward Beach Club, since you will have park hoppers and hopping is easier from BC, plus as you intuit, transportation is much easier there. The boat to MK at WL is very quick and convenient, but it is a long bus ride to everything else.

Why is it a long bus ride? Does WL share buses with other resorts? It really isn't that far a distance, and I belive that on NYE there may be dedicated bus lanes to avoid traffic? Not arguing, just trying to understand.

 

[BenCampbell589]

If you've never been to Christmas before, know that it's not one of the busiest weeks of the year, it'll be New Year's week and half-term week in February, but it's very busy weeks right after that. Most folks find going to the snowy mountains Christmassy enough and a pleasure to not be full on a commercial/family Christmas back home. It's not that Christmassy is at the resort and you obviously won't have a lot of decorations and gifts around. We (the family) take a little Christmas tree and a bunch of presses. We do not offer a special Christmas dinner. When going to a restaurant, be sure to book in advance. Snowboarding, quality Christmas / snow coverage can be anything. Over the years, we've had everything from the city of brown spots to days of constantly falling snow. It is midwinter and the days are short and can be gloomy/stormy. Hence for me, the go-to place is to stay somewhere in the trees with access to good high altitude skiing. So if the weather is bad I can still ski locally and if it is good I can easily get good snow at high altitudes. We ski in France mostly because we drive. If you fly this opens things up clearly.

 

[sdk1231]

While we don't know what will change between now and Christmas, right now, WL has a much better dining scene than Beach Club. You forgot Wilderness Lodge has Geyser Point which is great. A lot of Boardwalk is closed, Yachtsman is closed, Hurricane Hanna's is closed, Cape May is reopening soon but with an expensive and limited family-style platter. That leaves Ale & Compass (meh) and Beaches & Cream (which is pretty much impossible to book), and no "real" quick service (just the "market" thing). If I were staying at BC these days, I would skip eating there entirely. Fortunately, you have Epcot nearby and can eat there if you have hoppers, so that resolves your problem.

Purely on a resort-to-resort comparison, I MUCH prefer Wilderness lodge. The little waterfalls and streams, tall trees, etc. are so beautiful and serene. And the pools are nice and quiet--stormalong bay is a zoo and always gives me a Spring Breakers vibe. The rooms at WL are newly renovated, while beach club rooms are some of the blandest on property.

That said, I still do lean toward Beach Club, since you will have park hoppers and hopping is easier from BC, plus as you intuit, transportation is much easier there. The boat to MK at WL is very quick and convenient, but it is a long bus ride to everything else.

The Wilderness Lodge is lovely, I agree. And the resorts are definitely a matter of personal preference. I was speaking to my own personal experience of Christmas-New Years. I felt isolated at Wilderness Lodge and was bored there on New Years Eve. I felt "stuck" because boat/bus transportation was off the charts with incredibly long lines (which is why I paid to uber to GF and back). I would stay at the Wilderness again, but not over that particular time. I have also stayed at Beach Club multiple times and prefer the advantage of being able to walk to Epcot and DHS (or Skyliner/boat to DHS), especially at this very busy time of year.

As far as dining, my feeling is still that there are more and better options in walking distance at Beach Club than at Wilderness Lodge. I did forget Geyser Point (the WL pool bar), but I wasn't really considering pool bars.

I was thinking of the following, all within walking distance of Beach Club:
1. Ale and Compass - very good (currently open)
2. Cape May - good (currently open). I have not experienced it in its new family-style iteration, and agree that it seems overpriced.
3. Yachtsman Steakhouse - outstanding (not currently open, but likely to be by NYE)
4. Shula's Steakhouse (at Swan/Dolphin) - outstanding
5. Trattoria (Boardwalk) - very good (open)
6. Flying Fish (Boardwalk) - outstanding (not currently open but likely to be by NYE)
7. Todd English's Bluezoo (Swan/Dolphin) - good
8. Epcot - too many to list

As far as the massive crowds. They are massive, but I've gone 3 times over NYE and am going again. I manage my expectations, expect the crowds, and have a very fun time. I never swim, and neither does my family. It's always been too cold. It will be interesting to see how this year is different.

 

[sdk1231]

Why is it a long bus ride? Does WL share buses with other resorts? It really isn't that far a distance, and I belive that on NYE there may be dedicated bus lanes to avoid traffic? Not arguing, just trying to understand.

I only took the bus one time while staying at Wilderness Lodge. I got carsick winding around through all of the bus stops at Fort Wilderness. We seemed to wind around through Fort Wilderness stopping at various bus stops forever. By the time I got to DHS I was ill. It was the only bus experience I had from WL, so perhaps it's not typical to go through Fort Wilderness. After that, I avoided the bus like the plague. I took the boat over to the Contemporary (there were 2 boat choices - one to the Contemporary and one to the Magic Kingdom), then rode the Monorail from the Contemporary to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and then took the Epcot monorail to Epcot. (Can't say it was a time-saver, but I didn't want to get carsick from the bus again). Of course, the Epcot monorail currently isn't running.