Epcot area Deluxe resorts/ tell me everything!

[BRAVEMERIDA]

I've been to AKL and loved it.
But I'm thinking an EPCOT area resort next time since I seem to spend alot of time at EPCOT.

Who's been to BeachClub, BoardWalk, Swan, Dolphin or Yacht Club?

I'm a foodie so that's important. And I usually travel w/o kids.

 

[bwifan]

Big Boardwalk fan. Love the fact that I can walk to Epcot and the studios. Love all the dining options available within walking distance; the swan and dolphin, the beach and yacht club, the world showcase, the boardwalk itself. It's beautiful at night.

 

[luvthemousenh]

I've been to AKL and loved it.
But I'm thinking an EPCOT area resort next time since I seem to spend alot of time at EPCOT.

Who's been to BeachClub, BoardWalk, Swan, Dolphin or Yacht Club?

I'm a foodie so that's important. And I usually travel w/o kids.

Our family of 5 recently stayed at Boardwalk and loved it! You can't beat being walking distance from Epcot and MGM. Tons of great food options. We loved Cape May Cafe character breakfast, huge food selection. Swan and dolphin are nice but are more of a corporate feel - those are run by Hilton or Sheraton Under a contract with Disney so you don't get the same experience...

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I have only visited BC/YC/BW. We play to rent points and stay at BCV in May. I love the Boardwalk area- it is so convenient to walk or take the boat to Epcot and DHS. We've stayed at the S/D a few times- they are nice and you really can't beat the location for the price. I think I prefer actual Disney resorts to the S/D- I'm not sure I can really explain why (other than last time at the Dolphin, our room needed updating and there were two huge conventions. Plus, we usually get the dining plan.)
We love going to Beaches and Cream and enjoy walking the Boardwalk at night and watching the street performers.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I so would love to stay in this area... but we're just at our first deluxe stay next month. Next time... Beach CLub!

 

[KrazeeK120]

DH and I (no kids yet) stayed at YC in 2009. We absolutely loved it. We stayed at CR this year and while we very much enjoyed it, we both decided we like YC better.

The decor is sophisticated without being stuffy. The pool is the best pool I've ever seen outside of a water park. Cape May Cafe (in the attached Beach Club) has a fabulous clambake dinner, and you're only a short walk away from the entertainment of the Boardwalk! Plus, you can walk to Epcot and walk/boat to the Studios. It's so great to be so close to 2 of the parks.

Can you tell I highly recommend the place??

 

[NancyIL]

My preferred resorts are the Swan (Westin) and Dolphin (Sheraton) - and both are part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/. If they were Disney-owned resorts - their prices would be as high as the Yacht Club/Beach Club/Boardwalk - and I wouldn't stay there!

There's lots of info about the Swan and Dolphin in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904771

 

[TaraPA]

In that area I've stayed at Swan 2x, Dolphin 5x, BC and BCV. LOVE the area, to me it's the heart of WDW. There's so much to do between DHS & Epcot and the 5 resorts there.

You said you stayed at AKL - this is a completely different feel. Actually Kidani is my favorite resort, but it's the opposite of any of the Epcot Area resorts. There is always hustle & bustle in the Epcot area, whereas AKL/Kidani are serene, peaceful, and laid back. I thought I'd miss that busy feeling when I went to Kidani, but I fell in love with it. I've been to AKL/Kidani 3x but I do try & mix up where we stay so I don't get tired of one place (is that possible in Disney?!?!?!)

I love the Disney resorts but sometimes the price is just sooo much better at S/D for the same level of resort, in the Epcot area. But you can't go wrong staying at any of them. The food options in that area are unbelievable. Enjoy!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

We just got back from Kidani/AKV (May2012) and LOVED it...

Our beloved resort was always Beach Club/ BCV... Stayed there '10/'08/'06/
04......

IMHO... stay at BC/BCV IF you are going to swim at Storm along bay.

The Boardwalk is near the night time action. We've explored the area but not stayed there. Many restaurants I want to try there including Flying Fish / Kouzzina....

PLUS .. WALK To Epcot and be a foodie over there !


DS and his GF tried Kimono's sushi restaurant in May 2012 and RAVED about it.. so another one I want to try !

The kids always said they would not stay at Boardwalk because they loved Storm along Bay and because they hated the "CLown pool" but Boardwalk IMHO is where you need to look into.... and Swan and Dolphin as well..especially if a 3 acre pool (SAB) is NOT your priority (as it was ours)

Have a magical visit !
Mary

 

[lucysmom]

Love the Epcot area resorts. Love the Friendship boats that take you to Epcot and DHS. We have stayed at YC and Dolphin. We are heading back to YC next month because we love Stormalong Bay. However, the Dolphin Grotto pools are super, too. Frankly, even though we are staying CL Lagoon view at the YC, the Dolphin view was even better. I just loved sitting on the balcony watching the boats and the lights from the Boardwalk. And...those heavenly beds! My next stay is going to be at the Boardwalk. It looks so romantic, and I plan to get there for our 25th anniversary. (The trick will be how to go without kids so it can be really romantic!) You will have a plethora of restaurants from which to choose because you will be a short walk or boat ride to YC, BC, Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk. We eat at all of them when we stay. Have fun. You can't go wrong with any of these resorts.

 

[mariamouse]

If you are a foodie, the Epcot resort area is the ultimate area to stay in! The restaurant options between the S/D, Boardwalk, YC/BC, and Epcot (particularly the World Showcase) are seemingly endless!

I would always opt for the BC/YC/BW over the S/D if money allows, but the location of the S/D is pretty much just as convenient-- the theming is just not as "Disney" and, IMO, is sort of tacky.

As for BW vs. BC/YC, you cannot go wrong with either! If a large pool is important to you, then you definitely want the BC/YC. If you care more about being right in the center of all of the nightly entertainment offerings, then you may prefer staying right at the BW. The best bet is probably looking at the theming of both (lobbies, room decor, etc) and choosing whichever you prefer!

We can't wait to be back at the BCV in January.

 

[DemoBri1]

I think part of your decision rests with how close do you want to be to the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk. If you want to be right there then BWI is your place. If you'd rather be on the quieter side of the lake then either BC or YC is your place. YC is a bit more "elegant" in nature, and it tends to have more "business" types staying there as they have a convention center. The BC is a bit more of a laid back atmosphere and the lobby tends to be a bit noisier than YC. Both BC and YC have the best pool complex on property.

Either way you go you will have the ability to walk to Epcot and either walk or boat over to DHS. There are dining choices that run the gamut from the sports bar atmosphere of ESPN Club to upscale dining at Shula's in the Swan or Yachtsman Steakhouse in the Yacht Club. There is also seafood at Flying Fish and Cat Cora's restaurant is still on the Boardwalk I think. There is also a great bakery on the Boardwalk for breakfast items. Good breakfast buffet (character meal) and nightly clambake buffet at Cape May in the BC, and there is always Beaches and Cream at the BC for the best burgers on property.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

The Boardwalk is wonderful. We have stayed at CR, WL, AKL and they don't compare to BWI at all. It's just DH and I, no kids and it felt almost like we were at an adults only resort. It was so quiet and peaceful and all the dining options right there and walking to Epcot was so easy, we even cut through Epcot to get to MK a few times, it was easier than going out to the bus.

We went to the YC for dinner one evening and I just can't see us staying there, it was kind of dark and BC is busy, even early in the morning.

 

[BellasDad]

My wife and I are big foodies as well. Being able to walk to the World Showcase is priceless for us. If you want to see the walk from the 1500s BC rooms to Epcot its at around the 9:00 mark of our video

http://youtu.be/kJB6dCOM5oM

 

[mariamouse]

My wife and I are big foodies as well. Being able to walk to the World Showcase is priceless for us. If you want to see the walk from the 1500s BC rooms to Epcot its at around the 9:00 mark of our video

http://youtu.be/kJB6dCOM5oM

That vid was so adorable! Your kids are precious.

 

[waynesgirl]

I have stayed at various resorts, as you can see from my siggie.
As far as DX goes, I would pick EP hotels to the others.

My DH prefers BW- so far, it has been his fave and he enjoyed it because it is right in the heart of the boardwalk.

My favorite so far has been the CR but it was simply because I had our DS with us and they upgraded us to a sweet room that gave us more than enough space and peace from said DS.

But, I enjoyed the YC because I had a water view and I could see the fireworks from the balcony. I was close to DHS and EP- which I enjoy walking to- and we prefer the WS part of EP, as we like to DATW and eat.

BW if you have no kids. YC if you do.

 

[BellasDad]

That vid was so adorable! Your kids are precious.

Thank you. They keep us pretty entertained!

That's what I love about the BC. For a family with young kids it really lets us book a place that they love and at the same time a place that we love.

 

[carrie1626]

I haven't stayed at any of those but

I've visited the Boardwalk twice for an entire evening and had a really good time taking in the atmosphere. Once my parents were staying at BC and I was at the ASMu and we bussed over so the kids could swim ( wrong, I know) but they hated the big clown face. Funny because my aunt was a real clown and they loved her in character.

I love everything about the BeachClub. I've spent a few Thanksgivings eating at CapeMay and did a character breakfast there and it's never disappointed. Also, Beaches and Cream is at BC and I'm so glad we went there ( lucky enough to witness a Kitchen Sink).

I hope to stay at either one of those two in the future.

I'm a foodie too and the Yachtman's Steakhouse at YC keeps getting my attention. Have to go there oneday.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

They are all nice. Pick the theming you like.

One point about the BWK is the main pool is deep. It's also very sprawling within the resort.

The pool at BC/YC is amazing.

I also find the GF/POly/WL/CR has very good dining and quick transportation.

It's a toss up between the two areas. I love both. Epcot area puts you close to two parks.

Then again, AKL is my favorite individual resort.

I've never done the Dolphin, but many stays at the Swan. The only thing is, no DDP and no ME. Otherwise , they also have some great diing options- including the only place to get Starbucks cofffe. (not my favorite coffe, but MUCH better than the swill Disney serves for the refillable mugs).

 

[sydneysmom]

I'm hopping onboard this thread! We've never stayed at the Epcot resorts either and we've narrowed our choice down the either the YC or CR for our next trip. I'm leaning towards the YC though... it's so gorgeous and SO close to Epcot! I love reading about all of your experiences w/ the Epcot resorts... it's MOST helpful !! It's getting me more excited about wanting the YC !