convince me of the perfect epcot resort

[dmen]

ok, we have been planning this early december trip forever. it is my husband, me and two couples that have been my best friends forever and are staying at the grand floridian. however, now just my husband and i have an extra 2-3 nights to spend by ourselves (we are also spending 2 nights at universal). we want to stay at an epcot resort since we will be at the gf and the mk area for most of our time. so my request is....convince me which epcot resort we should stay at and why!

-we are considering trying to get a studio at the beach club since we have been considering buying a dvc. would you choose this option or think that the location/amenities are inferior to the hotels???

-we have stayed at the boardwalk inn and just didn't think it was that special, but might consider it again??

-i have heard mixed reviews of the swan and dolphin, but if no other discount codes become available, the entertainment rate might make it worth it--any good or bad reviews???

-boardwalk villas???

-yacht club???

-beach club???

thank you!

 

[Ityldu]

We absolutely love the Dolphin, especially if you can get a great discount. We qualify for the teacher rate of $129/night. You just can't beat that price.

Then again, if you're considering DVC, then I would definitely go with a BC studio. I've heard nothing but positive reviews about them and it's the perfect opportunity to see if it's something you're really interested in. We're on the fence about buying into DVC also and are considering going with this option for our Jan. trip. The resort is absolutely beautiful with a great pool, so you can't go wrong.

We have started splitting all trips b/w a disney resort and S/D and so far have found better experiences at S/D. We agree that even if cost was the same, we enjoyed it more then our stay at GF and Polynesian. Don't get me wrong, we loved both GF and Polynesian, but Epcot offered more for our taste and we found the service far superior at S/D. JMO

 

[webray]

Our absolute favorite EPCOT resort is the Boardwalk Villas, one bedroom, yes, even if hubby and I are traveling alone. We love the space, the full size fridge and of course the washer/dryer so we don't have to over pack.

We always get a boardwalk view...when you sit in the tub, open the doors, then open your balcony doors you can see spaceship earth...it is amazing, just like a tv commercial.

 

[ReneeDisney]

How about the Yacht or Beach club? The pool is fantastic and it is along the sames lines as the GF in regards to service and amenities. You also have the added value of walking to EPCOT. I would choose a Disney run hotel over the Swan/Dolphin as they are run by the Starwood corporation and don't offer "disney" amenities. Just my suggestion. good luck!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

YC all the way. it is close to Epcot, right next to Boardwalk and just the decor alone is a fun atmosphere As a matter f fact I am staying there agin this yr. Last yr. one of the hotels was BWI and I have to agree with you, it was no big thrill to me. As far as me staying at the swan and Dolphin, I never will, they are not disney hotels )you can't beat Disney for cleanliness (sp) ) and if I am going to Disney i go Disney the hole way. Have a great time no matter what hotel you choce.

 

[caverill]

If you are thinking about DVC, I would recommend staying at either the BCV or BWV. BCV just opened, so you will have the resort as it finest (and of course SAB).

The BWV is our DVC home resort. I love the location and the rooms are great.

A studio will compare will with the room at GF, but if you really want the DVC experience try booking a one bedroom. One warning...many people that stay in a one bedroom never go back to a studio

 

[las3888]

If you were considering DVC, I would also probably try the Beach Club or BWV, but I wouldn't write off the S/D...we have stayed at the Dolphin many times (as well as every hotel at the boardwalk except for BWI or BWV) and don't find a big difference there just because it is non-disney...I think I like it more than Disney hotels in some ways--especially if you are looking for a getaway without kids. There seem to be a lot more adults at the S/D (probably there for conventions etc.), but if you want to get away from kids a bit especially after the parks, it might be somewhat refreshing.

If there are some good discounts and your goal is to save some $$$, I would really consider it.

 

[MineeBaby]

Do they ever offer discounts on the DVC resorts? like codes or anything?

 

[Magic2000]

Are you looking for any particular theme? If so, pick the hotel with the theme that would best appeal to you! We've never stayed at the Yacht or Beach Club, but did go visiting last summer and they were very nice. We stayed at the Swan last summer and absolutely LOVED it! Everything was great - the Grotto pool was so much fun! The CMs were very helpful and bus transportation was super. And, the best part was the government discount rate of $119.00/night! Such an easy walk to Epcot, MGM, and/or the Boardwalk. Also, the Swan was the first pick up and drop off on the bus for Magic Kingdom!

 

[caverill]

It isn't very often, if at all, that there are discounts at DVC resorts.

It is possible to "rent" DVC points from DVC members on the DVC Rent Board.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by MineeBaby
Do they ever offer discounts on the DVC resorts? like codes or anything?

Yes, there are/have been codes, DC, AAA & AP discounts offered for the DVC resorts. However, do not expect to see any for the first part of this December for the BWV. This resort is pretty much fully booked (with DVC members) for the first two weeks, so any rooms available for cash will most likely rent for rack rate. IMHO, it will be difficult to get ANY room there for early December. I believe the same situation exists for VWL.

Since the BCV are not yet sold out to DVC members, you may have better luck there. It will be interesting to see what (if any)discounts are offered there for October, November or December.

Good luck to those who hope to get a discount anywhere!

 

[dmen]

Thank you all for your input. You at least made me feel like I can't make a bad choice! They all sound wonderful, so this is my plan. I am going to wait until August to book (hoping that a code comes out). When I have my heart set on a particular resort, I never do this. In fact we booked the GF part of the trip 2 years ago!!! But having some of them be sold out, might make it easier for me! LOL

Then if there are no discounts for any of the hotels except for the Swan/Dolphin (unfortunately I don't qualify for the teacher's/nurses/military/gov't rate so it would have to be the AAA, Annual Pass or Entertainment), I will stay at one of those.

If there are discounts at all of them (or some of them), this will be my preference: (But darnit, I'd really like a discount!!! I am still bitter from those days I didn't know there were ANY discounts offered onsite)

-Beach Club Villas
-Yacht Club
-Beach Club
-Boardwalk Villas
-Dolphin
-Swan
-Boardwalk Inn

I am not really trying to save money, I just don't have a particular attraction to any of those hotels. We just want to spend some time near Epcot so they are all equally good for us.

If it were summer or a time when I felt we had a >80% chance of having swimming weather, I'd probably go with Beach/Yacht. But I am a baby when it comes to cold so SAB isn't too much of a deal breaker here.

Btw, I have noticed that those DVCers love the first few weeks of December! So I won't get my hopes too high for a DVC resort. Although, I have noticed that the studios seem to be available when nothing else is.

Well thank you all again! I am so excited for my trip and excited about trying a new hotel--although I have a feeling Spot #1 and #2 will always belong to the GF and the WL a few steps behind.

 

[mikesmom]

There's chatter on the DVC board that the early part of December is booked solid and members can't get in, so your decision might be made REAL easy - you don't want to miss out altogether. I think this year you might have a combination of folks wanting to see the Christmas decorations (which crowds things up) plus some pent up travel urges from people who cancelled or didn't go last December because of post 9/11 nervousness.

I wouldn't wait too long. Maybe book something now and then check back later and make changes if discounts become available.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus the DVC annual member meetings occur in early December and lots of members want to attend those. Point cost is low at this time as well.

 

[cathyz]

I think your idea of the BCV is a good one if you're really considering DVC. I've never done any of their resorts, so I can't really offer any feedback on those....

BUT, if I had to chose one of the other resorts (and $$ were no object), I would choose the Yacht Club. I LOVE the decor, the theme, etc. But, that is MY taste.

Actually ANY of the EPCOT resorts are a wonderful choice. I've never stayed at the Boardwalk, but you can't beat the location. I've done both the Swan and Dolphin. For a discounted rate, they absolutely cannot be beat! LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. I would never pay rack rate for them, though. And, if a Disney resort rate was running under $50 more, I would DEFINITELY choose YC/BC or BW. As I said, YC is my fave, but BC would be a close 2nd - mainly because it is the closest walk to EPCOT.

Either way, you can't lose!

 

[robinb]

Even though the BCV units are booked for members, there may be availability for non-members. If you're really interested, call CRO and see if they have anything. I think that you should call now and make a reservation instead of waiting. Things may book up at the resort of your choice before discounts are announced. Plus, you can always change your reservation to the new one if you get a discount at a later date.

BTW, if you do get into BCV, I'd tell them you're trying it out to buy. My friends did that, were upgraded from a studio to a 1 bedroom and bought that trip .