Even Miracles Take A Little Time; a PTR 5 years in the making. NEW! Nov. 2 - Single Digits!

[TheMaxRebo]

It seems like all Disney Trip planning winds up with an end trip much bigger than the original thought (more days, upgraded room, etc.) Our last trip we wound up adding an extra day and upgraded from POR to the Contemporary ... same thinking "what's a couple hundred $ more?"

Personally I think it would be nice not to have to move mid-trip - but since it is for 10 days, 5 days in each, you would be able to fully unpack at each place so not too bad. Guess it comes down to what the $800 means for you .... worst case I think would be to go for it and then wish you had that $800 back/not having it restricts other things you do

 

[natebenma]

I'm in! Love your wedding dress ... the horse head in the picture threw me a bit though

You two looked so cute I didn't even notice the equine photobomb!

That is exciting that you have your flight reservations and rooms/packages booked. To stay at BW the whole time or not... a good problem to have. I can see advantages either way- saving money, good. Food court options at POP, good. Theming at POP, fun!

But BW looks to be an awesome resort. For me, the location first (not Stormalong Bay) is the best thing about the Yacht & Beach Club. I love how close you are to EPCOT and HS and the advantage is pretty much the same with BW.

Looking forward to reading about your plans as they develop.

:

 

[sunnysideup3]

Finally chiming in! Hello!
I think it's a great idea to treat yourself to the long stay at the Boardwalk!
We're doing the same for ourselves this year and going to the Beach Club!

 

[Tracy161]

Do it!!! In the grand scheme of things... you both wanted to make your 5th anniversary "extra special" and for $800 for 5 extra nights at the Boardwalk... I think I'd be sold But regardless of your decision, I think Boardwalk is just such a fabulous place - always so much going on and so beautiful!

 

[princessbelle2015]

I think you should go with the Boardwalk for t h e five extra nights. As it is your 5th anniversary it will make the trip more special. Also you don't want to be at Pop and wish you were still at the Boardwalk.

 

[teekathepony]

You should just do it.

Jill in CO (Proud Disney Enabler!)

I love talking to Disney people, they push me in the right direction!

DO IT! You will not regret it. The only thing I don't like about the Boardwalk area is the buses, but you only have to take it to two parks. I am telling you that you will LOVE it there. Just stay away from the clown pool.

I think that's the way we're leaning, but I'm not going to lie -- that clown pool makes me want to go somewhere else! Hahahaha he's so creepy!

It seems like all Disney Trip planning winds up with an end trip much bigger than the original thought (more days, upgraded room, etc.) Our last trip we wound up adding an extra day and upgraded from POR to the Contemporary ... same thinking "what's a couple hundred $ more?"

Personally I think it would be nice not to have to move mid-trip - but since it is for 10 days, 5 days in each, you would be able to fully unpack at each place so not too bad. Guess it comes down to what the $800 means for you .... worst case I think would be to go for it and then wish you had that $800 back/not having it restricts other things you do

It certainly always does for us, and I know from the Dis that I'm not alone!
It would be nice not to move... and you're so right, better to miss the money than the opportunity!

You too looked so cute I didn't even notice the equine photobomb!

That is exciting that you have your flight reservations and rooms/packages booked. To stay at BW the whole time or not... a good problem to have. I can see advantages either way- saving money, good. Food court options at POP, good. Theming at POP, fun!

But BW looks to be an awesome resort. For me, the location first (not Stormalong Bay) is the best thing about the Yacht & Beach Club. I love how close you are to EPCOT and HS and the advantage is pretty much the same with BW.

Looking forward to reading about your plans as they develop.

:

Dee, we wanted Yacht Club and when that was booked we went with Boardwalk, but now we're talking about the Beach Club instead. Same proximity to Epcot, but with what seems to be a much MUCH better pool! I'll let you know.

 

[teekathepony]

Finally chiming in! Hello!
I think it's a great idea to treat yourself to the long stay at the Boardwalk!
We're doing the same for ourselves this year and going to the Beach Club!

We are still considering the Beach Club! Haven't decided yet!

Do it!!! In the grand scheme of things... you both wanted to make your 5th anniversary "extra special" and for $800 for 5 extra nights at the Boardwalk... I think I'd be sold But regardless of your decision, I think Boardwalk is just such a fabulous place - always so much going on and so beautiful!

It's true, I'd rather miss the money than the opportunity.

I think you should go with the Boardwalk for t h e five extra nights. As it is your 5th anniversary it will make the trip more special. Also you don't want to be at Pop and wish you were still at the Boardwalk.

We were going to go to Pop first so that we wouldn't be missing the BW while there, but I think I'd just be wishing for it the whole time anyway. I'd say that we're going to go the all BW route!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I followed your last trip report with great interest. We've taken several of these kinds of multi-family trips and have always had some friction. It is really hard to make everyone happy.

I'm coming out of lurkdom because of your plan to buy two sets of 5 day park hoppers in the hopes that you can get free dining. Five days of dining cost $606.10, so free dining would save you that amount of money. BUT you are spending more than $600 on tickets in order to get free dining. So you aren't getting free dining at all.

I hope that helps.

By the way, the difference between 9 day PH and 10 day PH for two is just $21.30. Disney sure makes it easy to spend just a little more money at their parks.

I vote with the others to stay at the BC. It is one of our favorite resorts.

 

[teekathepony]

I followed your last trip report with great interest. We've taken several of these kinds of multi-family trips and have always had some friction. It is really hard to make everyone happy.

I'm coming out of lurkdom because of your plan to buy two sets of 5 day park hoppers in the hopes that you can get free dining. Five days of dining cost $606.10, so free dining would save you that amount of money. BUT you are spending more than $600 on tickets in order to get free dining. So you aren't getting free dining at all.

I hope that helps.

By the way, the difference between 9 day PH and 10 day PH for two is just $21.30. Disney sure makes it easy to spend just a little more money at their parks.

I vote with the others to stay at the BC. It is one of our favorite resorts.

We knew that the two 5 day tickets were more than a 10, but at the time when we booked we didn't realize just how much! We did the same math you did and came to the same conclusion, that it wasn't going to be much benefit to the split stay. We've decided for sure to do the 10 days at either Boardwalk or Beach Club! Just to figure out which one of those two... lol!

 

[teekathepony]

A little more figured out...

Well, it didn't take us long to make up our minds to forget about the split stay and do the full 10 days at one resort. So that's a sure thing!

Now, just to make things even more complicated, we're wondering which resort to pick.

Originally I said Boardwalk. Why? Well, I knew I wanted to stay in the Epcot area, loved the Boardwalk area too, and didn't know too much about the Beach Club or Yacht Club.

Now I've done more research and decided that I wanted to stay at YC the most.

Problem is, YC is full for our dates. Has been for months. WOW that place must book really fast!

Ok then, BC has a lot of the same amenities as YC.

BC standard rooms are also sold out.

BC Villas has availability in a studio, and it's a little cheaper than the whole stay at the BW! The studio sounds nice.

Now I'm making a pros/cons list for both BCV and BW. I've never stayed at either so I'm gathering info where I can. (Like Dee's BC/YC FAQ Thread!) I'm not going to include "Proximity to Epcot" or other things that I can access from both.

So far, it's very simple and looks a little like this:

Beach Club Villas
Pros: Stormalong Bay, our preferred restaurants are here.
Cons: Lots of children, not all rooms have full balconies.

Boardwalk
Pros: Shopping/dining options on the Boardwalk itself
Cons: Creepy Clown pool, (Not sure about this, but I heard it's harder to get your refill mug filled here too? Anyone confirm or deny that?)

Can you guys help me out? Which would you pick and why? (And if you already answered this on Facebook -- [yes I'm really dependant on the opinions of others!] -- don't worry about repeting here!)

 

[Wood Nymph]

A little more figured out...

Well, it didn't take us long to make up our minds to forget about the split stay and do the full 10 days at one resort. So that's a sure thing!

So far, it's very simple and looks a little like this:

Beach Club Villas
Pros: Stormalong Bay, our preferred restaurants are here.
Cons: Lots of children, not all rooms have full balconies.

Boardwalk
Pros: Shopping/dining options on the Boardwalk itself
Cons: Creepy Clown pool, (Not sure about this, but I heard it's harder to get your refill mug filled here too? Anyone confirm or deny that?)

Can you guys help me out? Which would you pick and why? (And if you already answered this on Facebook -- [yes I'm really dependant on the opinions of others!] -- don't worry about repeting here!)

I'm glad to hear that you get to stay at one of the Epcot resorts. They are really nice.

We've stayed at the BCV's and all of the studios have balconies. It is the BC resort, not the villas building, which has only 50% balconies. So you don't have to worry about that. I know they are scheduled to start the rehab of the villas this year, but I don't know what the status will be when you are there in November. But the location can't be beat and you get all the amenities of the BC/YC. I don't see any disadvantage to staying here, except that you get one queen and a sofa sleeper, rather than two queen beds.

A lot of people love the Boardwalk resort. The decor is nice and it nicely positioned so that walking to DHS is easy. There are two things I don't like about the BWI. One of them is that there really isn't any kind of counter service restaurant. You have to walk outside to get to the food, unlike the BC/YC/BCV where you have either interior restaurants or covered walkways to everything. The other thing I didn't like about the BWI was that there are not a lot of exit doors or elevators, so you could end up doing a lot of walking just to get out of the resort. I like the fact that the BC/YC/BCV all have plenty of exits to the outside.

 

[teekathepony]

I'm glad to hear that you get to stay at one of the Epcot resorts. They are really nice.

We've stayed at the BCV's and all of the studios have balconies. It is the BC resort, not the villas building, which has only 50% balconies. So you don't have to worry about that. I know they are scheduled to start the rehab of the villas this year, but I don't know what the status will be when you are there in November. But the location can't be beat and you get all the amenities of the BC/YC. I don't see any disadvantage to staying here, except that you get one queen and a sofa sleeper, rather than two queen beds.

A lot of people love the Boardwalk resort. The decor is nice and it nicely positioned so that walking to DHS is easy. There are two things I don't like about the BWI. One of them is that there really isn't any kind of counter service restaurant. You have to walk outside to get to the food, unlike the BC/YC/BCV where you have either interior restaurants or covered walkways to everything. The other thing I didn't like about the BWI was that there are not a lot of exit doors or elevators, so you could end up doing a lot of walking just to get out of the resort. I like the fact that the BC/YC/BCV all have plenty of exits to the outside.

Ahhhh this is perfect, thank you so much! Exactly what I was looking for in terms of opinions.

Glad to hear that the BCV studios all have balconies. I like that.
The quick service options at BW did make me wonder. I figured I must be missing something, that they had to have more than I was seeing!
I was leaning a little toward BCV already, this post kind of makes me lean even more the same direction.
Thank you!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We stayed at the BWI once and I really liked the lobby and public areas but wasn't "wowed" by the room itself - think it might just not be my stlye though

So that, plus stormalong bay would push me to BCV

That whole area is really nice though so I am sure either way you will be happy

 

[stitchfan75]

I just can't with the clown slide.
To many flashbacks to "we all float down here..."

 

[Nermel9]

I'm here! I'm glad I caught this PTR somewhat early!

Your animals are so cute, I'm so jealous that you have horses!

Your trip sounds great, our May trip is our 5 year anniversary trip too, and I wanted it to be kind of special, and I really wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but it's pretty much booked for my dates. You'll see where we end up in my PTR that I'll be starting in a few weeks!

Hmm, I have never stayed at the Boardwalk, but I have stayed at the Beach Club twice, and I LOVE it! Seriously, one of my favorite places in all of WDW. Stormalong Bay is enough of a reason to stay there.

However, that being said, the Boardwalk is my dream resort, after the Grand, of course. I keep saying I'm going to stay there, and something always gets in the way. I feel like if you can stay there, just do it. Then again, the Beach Club is right across the water, and you have access to the Boardwalk even when you stay at the Beach Club, you know? The only thing you'll miss out on is the rooms (and the creepy clown pool haha!).

I don't think you can go wrong either way, they're both great resorts!

 

[teekathepony]

We stayed at the BWI once and I really liked the lobby and public areas but wasn't "wowed" by the room itself - think it might just not be my stlye though

So that, plus stormalong bay would push me to BCV

That whole area is really nice though so I am sure either way you will be happy

Thank you so much for your opinion! I've only seen pictures of the rooms of course, both seemed about equal to me, maybe an edge to BC. Stormalong Bay is really in the end what did it for us -- I think we've made a decision!

I just can't with the clown slide.
To many flashbacks to "we all float down here..."

The clown slide... definitely a big negative point for me too.

I'm here! I'm glad I caught this PTR somewhat early!

Your animals are so cute, I'm so jealous that you have horses!

Your trip sounds great, our May trip is our 5 year anniversary trip too, and I wanted it to be kind of special, and I really wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but it's pretty much booked for my dates. You'll see where we end up in my PTR that I'll be starting in a few weeks!

Hmm, I have never stayed at the Boardwalk, but I have stayed at the Beach Club twice, and I LOVE it! Seriously, one of my favorite places in all of WDW. Stormalong Bay is enough of a reason to stay there.

However, that being said, the Boardwalk is my dream resort, after the Grand, of course. I keep saying I'm going to stay there, and something always gets in the way. I feel like if you can stay there, just do it. Then again, the Beach Club is right across the water, and you have access to the Boardwalk even when you stay at the Beach Club, you know? The only thing you'll miss out on is the rooms (and the creepy clown pool haha!).

I don't think you can go wrong either way, they're both great resorts!

Hey Jen! aboard!!
I'm excited for your PTR, I'll make sure I join. Sounds like 2010 was a good year.
Stormalong Bay is what really made me want to go there. Boardwalk was always my dream resort... until I looked into BC more! As you said, BC is right across the water and has access to most of the benefits to Boardwalk anyway. And I'm definitely ok with missing out on the creepy clown!
In the end, you're right -- can't go wrong with either!

 

[MEK]

Sue is right - all the studios have balconies at BWV and BCV. The pro's to the BWV is the availability is A LOT better. I have stayed there more than any other DVC resort and I've always been able to get a reservation. Also - the views from the pool & garden view rooms are actually nicer than BCV. Request a high floor wherever you stay.

As far the the BWV pools - the creepy clown pool is not that creepy when you are on the pool deck. The villa pool and the inn pool are both very nice. The inn pool is one of my favorite quiet pools on property. It's really nice in that little courtyard. SAB is really cool, but BWV has better quiet pools - hands down!

Another thing I like about the Boardwalk is the great theme. That whole Atlantic City / Coney Island thing is super cool. There really is some cool stuff to look at.

It used to be a pain to get your mug refilled, but I think they added a refill station since the last time I stayed there (which was over a year ago). I'll be there in two weeks, so I'll let you know.

The one thing the BC has over the BW is the better parking lot, which is a non issue if you aren't driving.

You really can't go wrong with either resort.

 

[eandesmom]

A little more figured out...

Well, it didn't take us long to make up our minds to forget about the split stay and do the full 10 days at one resort. So that's a sure thing!

Now, just to make things even more complicated, we're wondering which resort to pick.

Originally I said Boardwalk. Why? Well, I knew I wanted to stay in the Epcot area, loved the Boardwalk area too, and didn't know too much about the Beach Club or Yacht Club.

Now I've done more research and decided that I wanted to stay at YC the most.

Problem is, YC is full for our dates. Has been for months. WOW that place must book really fast!

Even though we own DVC, YC is our favorite hands down. It books crazy fast esp if there is a conference there but keep your eyes open as you just never know! If it ever has DVC I am in trouble as we will have to add on.

Ok then, BC has a lot of the same amenities as YC.

BC standard rooms are also sold out.

BC Villas has availability in a studio, and it's a little cheaper than the whole stay at the BW! The studio sounds nice.

Now I'm making a pros/cons list for both BCV and BW. I've never stayed at either so I'm gathering info where I can. (Like Dee's BC/YC FAQ Thread!) I'm not going to include "Proximity to Epcot" or other things that I can access from both.

So far, it's very simple and looks a little like this:

Beach Club Villas
Pros: Stormalong Bay, our preferred restaurants are here.
Cons: Lots of children, not all rooms have full balconies.

Boardwalk
Pros: Shopping/dining options on the Boardwalk itself
Cons: Creepy Clown pool, (Not sure about this, but I heard it's harder to get your refill mug filled here too? Anyone confirm or deny that?)

Can you guys help me out? Which would you pick and why? (And if you already answered this on Facebook -- [yes I'm really dependant on the opinions of others!] -- don't worry about repeting here!)

BC:

Pro: If you are in a villa, the villa pool is lovely! If you are in a villa, all villas have balconies. Studio villa gives you a couple of extra's with a sink, toaster and small microwave, those can be handy depending on how you travel. SAB is pretty stinking cool if you are a pool person.

Cons: If you are in a villa, no view categories and it could be great, or really awful. If you aren't in a villa, chances of a balcony are limited and many of them are juliet balconies so can't sit out there. SAB is a pro and con for me. It can be crazy crowded and hard to find a chair, to me, the business of the place makes it a bit less relaxing and if you have little kids it's stressful as you can seriously lose them there.

The entire vibe of BC is very very different than that of boardwalk. LOTS of little kids. LOTS. Which, for me is ok if I am there with little kids, and it's not like I don't love little kids but....to me would not be the more adult experience I'd like on a couples only trip. As for mugs it's pool (Hurricane Hannah's) or the BC Marketplace. I notice the little kid factor most in the lobby and restaurants at BC, and it honestly can make me want to get out of those places quicker sometimes.

BW.

Pro: Best quiet pool EVER over at the cottage pool. Creepy clown actually isn't creepy up close and the vibe at the main pool is really really great. Mugs refills (I think, we don't really do the mug thing) are at the pool, the bakery and for coffee in the morning at the Belle Vue Lounge. Bakery!!!!!!!!

Con: Long hallways. Variable view categories depending on what you book but you have a lot more (guaranteed) options.

We adore the BW, it is one of our home resorts. The entire vibe of the place just resonates with us. There are plenty of kids too of course but they tend to be a bit older and perhaps a bit quieter?

You can't go wrong with either.

 

[KatMark]

I missed all of this because we were out of town for the weekend. But we did talk on FB and I told you what I thought. We did not enjoy our stay at the BC (and were not fond of their counter service at all). We LOVE the Boardwalk (except the scary clown pool). I truly considered moving our reservation for October to the Beach Club since Mark has not stayed there (I stayed with Mary and the girls), but I heard that the Villas would be undergoing refurb at that time and I didn't want to deal with it so I stuck with the Boardwalk.

 

[BridgetR3]

I can totally relate to your post about the new boards. They scare me and therefore, I ran away from them for a while but I am back now. I also just found the smileys which makes me because I just wrote an entire post without them on my TR.

What is your favourite...
... ride? PeopleMover
... character? Steamboat Willie
... movie? Little Mermaid
... Disney restaurant? Be Our Guest

How's that for variety in favorites?!?!

Oh I would totally take the BCV over BW. The Villas are quiet and you have access to Stormalong Bay (the BEST pool at Disney)! I noticed one of your con's was the amount of children but BCV are in a separate building from the BC itself and it is very quiet with no restaurant/check in traffic. We have stayed there once and are staying at BC this summer. Either way you will be at Disney in an awesome hotel for your 5th anniversary.....sounds wonderful to me!