Debating a Split Stay? Poly And BC/YC?

[quoo]

Planning a trip for end of August 2024 (we've always gone this time of year so we're aware of the heat). We have always stayed at the Poly and have a hard time considering staying anywhere else - however - last trip we found we didn't really spend enough time at Epcot, and I found us kinda wishing we could walk back and forth from Epcot (although Poly transport to Epcot isn't bad...)

Thoughts on a split stay between one of these resorts and Poly? I think the boys (who will be 9 and 12 at the time of this trip) will like the pool. But I'm worried about ADRs - we tend to be big table service folks. We also tend not to take the bus - we'll use other forms of transport or get a Minnie van.

My eldest has also requested that we go to Disney springs this trip, although I think I may just plan on a early morning flight and make that day a Disney springs/pool day.

We're renovating the kitchen this year so I'm trying to rein in the budget a little bit. Although maybe this just means getting a resort view room at the poly.

 

[Wayland10]

We were there in August last year- did a split stay at AKL and BC. The pool was less of a draw than I’d expected- it was always packed to the point of insanity and never felt restful to me. Walking or boats to Epcot and HS were wonderful, though. Disney Springs is very close and easy to access, too. I think if we were there primarily for one of the Epcot festivals we’d do BC again, otherwise we enjoy the theming and food options of AKL, WL or the Poly much more. Like everything else it depends on your priorities! Had a really bad experience on the BC busses, as well.

 

[quoo]

haha yes, we really hate the buses. It always seems that *every* bus other than the one we want is arriving.

 

[hilltopper152]

We love split stays and splitting between these two areas is the most basic and common decision I think people make. I think it's part of the reason those resorts get extra love by Epcot. I would do Boardwalk as it's easier to get to and closer to walking to studios also. BC was fun on the edge of swim season but in Aug it will be overwhelming still. Obviously can enjoy it and the walk is closer there but I just think the resort doesn't win in any other category. BC busses are my worse experience with busses also amongst 10 different resorts. It's small, not much offered, and it's not really convenient. I bet it's better now than 2 years ago when last using them but first time I was kinda annoyed with it and I am patient with them generally.

Def do the split stay and enjoy both areas if you can.

 

[Wayland10]

Our BC bus experience (with a driver contracted to Disney, not a Disney employee) was so dreadful that we got a free ten nights in a two bedroom suite from Disney to make it right. Otherwise busses were fine, but much less timely and convenient than AKL!

 

[GradysDogDad]

We did a split stay between Contemporary and BC earlier this year and loved the proximity to Epcot. Ended up spending 3 nights out of 6 there! On the days we visited HS and AK we went back to hotel late afternoon and swam/relaxed then walked into Epcot for table service dinners in Germany, France, England then fireworks.

I would do your MK day(s) when at Poly, then monorail to Epcot on your "moving day" - this is how we did it and just walked out the international gateway into our room in the late afternoon. Still had to bus to AK, we didn't have any issues besides a slight wait at AK on the return trip. Took the boat to HS which was nice and relaxing, but I wouldn't be afraid of the walk (maybe in August!).

SAB is special, but can be crowded - the other pool at BC never had more than 3-4 people lounging or swimming so it was nice for a quick dip to cool off. I don't think you can go wrong with BC, YC or even Boardwalk due to the great locations of them all for just about everything except MK. The split stay process was easy for us, would not be afraid to do it again.

 

[RoseGold]

Poly2 is supposed to open "late 2024." Who knows what that means. At current pace, maybe it will be looking good, but there's no way I'm staying there with the current construction zone. We won't know for months how long this construction is going to drag, and they're going to rip up the parking lots too.

(Most of) the ADRs aren't that hard with a paid app that alerts for you. There are some exceptions, like Space 220 and Topolino breakfast.

Don't count out Swolphin. Can't beat the location, it gets the deluxe late hours, and it can be much cheaper than Disney.

 

[Marthasor]

A Poly, BC/YC split is the perfect split to me. I would try to plan your MK/AK days when you are at Poly and your EP/DHS days while you are at YC/BC. Not sure why you are concerned with ADRs? There are a TON of TS within walking distance of YC/BC.

 

[Jacq7414]

I personally preferred Boardwalk to Beach Club. But I do absolutely love the location of it.

I probably would do BC/YC first and then go to Polynesian. We did Poly first and then went to BC and we were disappointed with our stay at BC. We may have liked it better if we didn’t go to the Poly first.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Start with BC/BW and end with Poly. Poly is more magical to me. Epcot is great but it’s not like seeing the castle from your resort

 

[lizziemcguire]

I love a split stay. I always pick which way to order the resorts by the EMH. I would stay at BC/YC on the Monday for Epcot EMH and Poly on Wed for MK EMH. It’s so nice to stay at these places to forgo the buses!

 

[jen7233]

I haven't done Poly and BC/YC split stay, but have done the others in the MK area and a split with BC/YC. When in the MK area resorts, mainly stick to the MK park. We aren't big on table service though, and my kids are older teens that now like to sleep late. For our moving in between hotel days, it was sleep in. In between moving from Grand to YC, we booked a 1pm lunch, you can prepack swimsuits in a bag as well. Our suitcases arrived over a little after we had our room. We, well especially me, love the Epcot and Skyliner area best, walk and boat choice over to Hollywood Studios as well. My oldest was obsessed with Hollywood Studios this time, so it worked out well. Whenever we get to go back some day, we are going to try the Boardwalk, but if younger kids or had never been in it the Stormalong Bay, I'd choose a BC or YC room. We lucked out on the evening magic hours (we don't go early), just worked out with our park days as I didn't get the schedule for that until well after we booked.

 

[quoo]

For ADRs I’m just concerned that this will mean I only get 3 days out from each hotel stay start to book dining when my booking window opens. But that should be manageable.

 

[hilltopper152]

For ADRs I’m just concerned that this will mean I only get 3 days out from each hotel stay start to book dining when my booking window opens. But that should be manageable.

I have done stays like this everytime and this had never impacted my reservations. Plus it is one complete stay period so do not think there are any other issues with that. Could be wrong but never cost me anything I wanted.

 

[Simba's Mom]

just chiming in that I’ve done a split stay between Poly and then Yc\BC and I thought it was a great combination. Don’t eat much TS, so I can’t comment on that

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

We were just there and we said for our next trip we’ll do a split stay between Poly and BC/YC! It seems like the perfect solution to me. Keep us updated on what you decide- I am big on TS reservations too and I hadn’t realized it could impact your ability to make them

 

[kylenne]

We did YC/Poly split in that order just this May and it was fantastic. But I would only do it in that order. As ADR days getting split it was a non issue. Keep in mind that the first day of your second stay will count as a +X day for your first resort. We easily got Ohana dinner for the night we checked in to the poly bc it was technically 60+4 of our YC stay.

 

[quoo]

Ended up booking 3 days YC, 3 days Poly. Hoping we can get a fairly early flight there the first day to enjoy the pool.