Epcot resort; which one?? Please vote!

[PamNC]

Two words: Stormalong Bay. We love the Yacht and Beach, like the Beach a tad better due to the casualness of it all. Plus, it's the closest resort to Epcot. The Boardwalk is lovely and I'm sure if you stay there you'll love it, but I for one would have a hard time staying near the YC/BC and seeing Stormalong Bay and not being able to hop on in. It's a lovely pool - and the sand beneath your feet is so relaxing. The rooms have been upgraded at the Yacht and Beach, the CM's are excellent...we've never had one bad experience there. We went this summer for 8 nights, stayed at the Beach Club and it was truly magical. It was 2 1/2 months ago and we're still talking about it.

No matter where you end up out of the three choices in your poll, you'll be a happy camper I'm sure.

Have fun!

PamNC

 

[disneymouse]

i love the decor of the boardwalk but like BC/YC pool better (clowns freak me out

 

[Sammie]

Ok I was just playing around on the Disney site again, and now NONE of these resorts are showing as being available for our dates. LOL What the heck! LOL Before I posted this I checked, and all 3 were available. I tried to call but they are closed for the night, so I'll have to call back in the morning. Sammie was right, maybe I won't be staying at ANY of the Epcot resorts after all!

Definitely call, as it seems the online system does not update as quickly as the call in does. Also keep calling for cancellations. Swan and Dolphin probably have openings, and while I have never stayed there, many of these forums do like these hotels alot.

 

[LisaS]

The reason I like the Yacht Club so much is I love to sit on the balcony and see the BW across the water and Epcot to the left. While we liked staying at the BW alot, I did not enjoy the view as much as I did at the Yacht Club.

I haven't stayed at BC or BWI yet, but have stayed at YC twice. I agree with Sammie's comments -- we enjoyed sitting on our balcony at YC, looking across the water at the BW. The whole area feels like one big resort to me. The Boardwalk is like the center of town -- where the action is. The YC feels like coming home after an evening out. But I've seen photos of the rooms at the BWI and from what I've read about the CMs there, I think I would enjoy staying there too. In fact, we just bought into DVC with BWV as our home resort, so I will be moving across the lake from YC to BWV for our next visit to WDW.

As far as photos go, have you looked at the photos of all of these resorts on www.allearsnet.com? They have pretty good slide shows of all of these resorts. If you're not already familiar with it, allearsnet has the photos available both as a slide show and as a list of links to individual photos. Here are the links to the list of individual photos. (I hope I'm allowed to post these links. I'm still learning which links are OK to post and which are not...)

Boardwalk: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_bwi.htm
Beach Club: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_bc.htm
Yacht Club: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_yc.htm
Dolphin: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dol.htm
Swan: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_swan.htm

Good luck making your decision. Given it's your first stay in the Boardwalk area, I think you would be happy with any of BC, YC or BWI. I can't comment on the Swan and Dolphin because I've never even set foot inside them, but I've read very positive comments about them as well.

I hope you have a wonderful time. I really wanted to go to the Jellyrolls meet this year, too, but DH will be half way around the globe at that time for a conference.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I had to vote for my favorite ~~ the Boardwalk Inn. We have been back there so many times now. Best resort in our opinion. We love the Epcot area and the BWI has an intimate, elegant, yet still fun atmosphere. Wish I were going back!

 

[LisaS]

I thought this photo might be helpful. It shows just how close the resorts are to one another in the boardwalk area. and also what a pretty area it is overall. This photo was taken from the walkway in front of the YC. At the lighthouse at the end of this pier, YC and BC residents board the boats to Epcot and MGM. At the far right you can see the swan atop the Swan hotel. Across the lake you see part of the boardwalk at the BWI and BWV. See the rightmost building on the boardwalk (a light colored squarish building with "Dance Hall" on the top)? Just to the left of that is a building with red awnings -- that is Jellyrolls! So you can see that whether you stay at BWI, S&D, YC or BC (which is right next door to YC), you are within an easy walk of Jellyrolls. From the point where this photo was taken you are a about a 5 minute walk from the International Gateway into Epcot.

Hope this helps!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I never truly enjoyed EPCOT very much until we stayed at this EPCOT Resort.

I agree. It brings an entire new light to a part of Epcot that is very nice. The Boardwalk is one of my favorite areas of the world, and it is absolutly beautiful at night time.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks so much for all of the comments and info, and that picture. It really does help to "see" exactly where everything is, in relation to the other resorts and Boardwalk area

I have not had a chance to call Disney back yet; right now my DS is having band practice so I wouldn't be able to hear on the phone if I called them. lol I did check online though, and there is availability at the Boardwalk, in a water view room, and also in concierge. I still have to get DH to give the final "Ok" before I book anything. As it is, we are going to the Polynesian concierge in 6 weeks, and this trip is an "extra" trip this year already!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Terry... for starting this thread. I wanted to know also what folks here think about these resorts. I have never stayed on Epcot resort before and I am thinking of maybe on my next visit that I should at least try it once.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you're going in order to spend time at the Boardwalk, I think the Boardwalk or the Swan (which I believe is actually closer to the Jellyrolls side of BW than BWI is).

 

[Aptor]

We may hit the Boardwalk for the first time this January. We will be coming off some time in Key West so I think the balance of Key West then Disney will be so fabulous!!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would choose Boardwalk. We visited there last trip and are hoping to stay there in the future.

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

I LOVE the Boardwalk! Most definitely one of my favorites in WDW. Love the theme, love the actual Boardwalk, great food and entertainment. My DH and I went to Jellyrolls a few times while we stayed at the Boardwalk, we love that place! But just everything about it we loved. And you can't beat the walk to the International Gateway! Very convenient for Epoct,as are all the other resorts in question (Beach/Yacht Cub, Swan/Dolphin).

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the continued replies, everyone

I'm not sure if we'll be at the Jellyrolls meet this December, but I do know for sure that I want to stay at the Boardwalk now!! I like everything that all of you have been saying about it; smaller intimate resort, close to International Gateway, etc. Especially with our boys getting older, they are not as interested in the Magic Kingdom anymore. And, it'll be an entirely new resort and area for us all to explore.

Thanks so much for all the votes, and information and opinions

 

[goofy4tink]

My sad tale of woe....tried BCV last June. We own at BWV, but had never stayed at BC and wanted to try it out. It was very nice, but not my beloved BW. When I got home, I called MS at DVC to see if I could change my Nov reservations at BCV to BWV....nope, nothing available. I'm still hoping something will come through, but it most likely won't. BCV will be fine, they just didn't give me the same feeling I have at BWV. I know that BCV people will say the reverse is true for them!!! ANd to top it all off? I think we are the only family that actually prefers Luna Park Pool.....love the clown. Dd says SAB is okay, but hates the long walk to the slide entrance and there are always a ton of people in the pool. Maybe the clown scares people away!!!
Come on SeaSpray...you know you want to come and play with us at Jellyrolls.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Hi Terry... Can I just ask a question here under your thread? I don't mean to hijack this thread... but here goes..

Are there lots of deep ends at the Luna Park Pool? My son is not a strong swimmer yet and my daughter and I can't swim...YET. How deep is the area where the slide dumps you? Can I stand by the end pool to catch my daugther just in case she needs me?

Is the walk to Epcot longer than the walk from BC? or is it about the same. And as far as transportation goes... is one resort in a better location as far as which one gets picked up first/drop first with the boat and the bus? Thank you.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi Telly I don't mind at all! I hope someone who knows, comes along soon to answer your questions

 

[HeathyChanJellicle]

wow, what a question. I love all the Epcot Resorts. They are all just so enchanting for each age group. Of course, owning DVC points at the Boardwalk, I will obviously choose that as my number one choice. I love the whole atmosphere; the shops, the pool area, the theme as a whole. It is a wonderful experience.
I have also spent time at the Beach Club. Seeing as the Yatch Club is the sister resort of the Beach Club (like in the past, Dixie Landings was to Port Orleans), they share many areas, like the pool and restaurant. The pool at the Yatch and Beach Club is so wonderful, probably the best pool of all time.
No matter where you stay, you can't go wrong with any of those resorts.
Enjoy!

ps: I will see you along with the other Cruisin' Castaways!

 

[swilphil]

The Swan/Dolphin is definitely the most bang for your buck. Plus it has great heavenly beds, cool pool, and superb service. They often run good specials on the weekends because conventions usually run during the week.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Are there lots of deep ends at the Luna Park Pool? My son is not a strong swimmer yet and my daughter and I can't swim...YET. How deep is the area where the slide dumps you? Can I stand by the end pool to catch my daugther just in case she needs me?

Telly

First...get your children and yourself swimming lessons all YMCA's have great programs.

Sorry but we just have to many accidental drownings here in Florida every year. Swimming lessons between trips will be great way to spend the away time.

I'll try and help you with your questions, the water isn't as deep at the end of the Keister Coaster as it is over at SAB. Another good thing is the children can wear the Life Jackets provided by the resort to enjoy the slide, parents may stand off to the side (not in front) to assist their children.

At SAB children can't wear the life vest, must prove they can swim and no one is allowed near the exit of the slide. It is a long walk out of your site for them to go on the slide (must exit the pool area walk across the sidewalk out to the entrance of the ship then up the stairs) all out of your site if your at the pool.

SAB is so spread out it is impossible to keep up with more than one small child or children that aren't good swimmers.

Now when the children get older and are stronger swimmers SAB will be the place to visit. I only have one 5 yr old nephew (opps Sorry he just turned 6 last week) that would have any trouble and he is a good swimmer. I still wouldn't trust him on the slide at SAB.

Is the walk to Epcot longer than the walk from BC? or is it about the same. And as far as transportation goes... is one resort in a better location as far as which one gets picked up first/drop first with the boat and the bus? Thank you.

The walk to EPCOT is closer from the Beach Club by about five minutes, because to reach the BW you must cross the bridge and walk down the Broadwalk to the entrance of the resort.

The Boats between MGM and EPCOT run on a schedule (Boat starts off @ MGM then goes to S&D, next YC&BC,then BW, last stop EPCOT) So if you are coming from MGM your droped off at BC first then BW, but if your coming from EPCOT your dropped of at BW first then BC. It works out about the same. With the BC coming out on top because it would be quicker to walk from EPCOT then wait on the boat. The buses to Magic Kingdom and AK are always a toss up some times all the resorts share one bus... Other times the Boardwalk bus just shares with the Swan & Dolphin.

Good luck and I hope I've helped not just confused you more.
Beckie