Expertise needed desperatly for WDW vet!

[mbaker1277]

I am already obsessing over our December plans. As a travel agent I am blessed enough to receive substantial discounts at the resorts on property. Our perennial favorite is the WL, where we return time and time again. Unfortunately, I am not eligible for a discount for the first 2 nights of our stay, so I had to choose another resort. I have always wanted to try an Epcot resort area hotel, so I went with the BWI. But now I am obsessing over my choice. We have stayed at all of the value and moderate resorts, but we a deluxe lovers at heart, and for our blessed discount we can actually afford it. I read so many wonderful reviews on the Beach Club that I wonder if I made the right decision. We have a small child and tend to spend more time at the resorts than others, so room decor and quick dining are important to us. I am also in the position to be able to book the GF for only $10 more a night than the BWI. THE DECISIONS ARE MAKING ME CRAZY! It would be o.k. if we had not had a bad experience at our last resort(POR) where I tried to save a little money and it was a fiasco. So could any of you experts help me out here or send a little reasurrance my way? It would be greatly appreciated! You guys are the best!

 

[WebmasterPete]

Well, I'm slightly biased, but the Beach Club is my favorite resort. Service is outstanding, atmosphere is hard to beat, not to mention Stormalong Bay. Boardwalk is a great resort as well, just not as charming (IMHO) as Beach Club. Again, Stormalong Bay (especially if you have kids) is really hard to pass up.

My .02

Pete

 

[franw]

Well, I would compare your obsessing over whether to stay at the BC or the BWI as trying to choose between two wonderful desserts after dinner. They are both wonderful places to stay. You can't make a bad decision. I absolutely love the BWI so I would say keep things set up there. The pool area at the BWI is fun for kids and there is a little playground area there as well. For quick eating, there is the Boardwalk Bakery and take-out pizza. ESPN is right down the boards and its only a short walk to all the eateries at BC, YC, etc. Ask for a view of Epcot and especially ask for a room away from the parking lot area. It is absolutely magical there, especially at night. I almost feel as though all of the resorts on the boardwalk are part of one big resort that is all available to me as far as walking around and enjoying the restaurants and lobbies. If you want to enjoy the pool area at the BC - well, you'd have a terrific time there and the resort is beautiful. Sometimes in life, we can't make a wrong decision and this is one of them.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Here's my .02 - I have stayed at the BWI and I do like it but I read about your wanting to be close to quick eateries b/c of a young child and there is no place to eat INside the BWI - you must go out to the Boardwalk. In the morning they do set up a continental breakfast in the lounge area. There are a few tables in the space or you can go out on the porch or take it back to your room. It is very small space. Just something for you to consider in thinking of logistics.

 

[webray]

We love the BWI, in fact Beach club is one of the few resorts we have not stayed at just because we aren't thrilled with the atmosphere there. We will eventually try it...the Boardwalk Rocks!

 

[f7prez]

Will you be spending more time at Epcot or the MK?
The GF as you know will provide quick and easy access to the MK, and the BC is very convenient to Epcot.
As you may spend a lot of time at the resort, BC and the surrounding resorts offer more choices of things to do. We spent an entire afternoon lazily floating around Stormalong Bay.

F7PREZ

 

[WebmasterBob]

Hi mbaker1277, Throwing in my .02. The pool at Beach Club is the best Pool on WDW property and far outshines the ones at BWI. Throw in being close to Epcot and you being able to go downstairs to Beach's and Creams just makes it My second favorite resort on Disney Property after Wilderness Lodge.
I live 25 minutes from WDW and some nights I just pack everyone up in the Car and head to Beach Club to get an Ice Cream and just sit out on the porch or on the Beach and relax.

 

[XStAnt]

I think FranW had it right: it's like choosing between two equally delicious deserts. There is no right or wrong answer here. BC and BWI are both fabulous resorts. People may have individual preferences but I don't think you can go wrong with either resort.

With that in mind, if you feel you'll like the theming of BC better than BWI, then book BC. Pick the resort that appeals to you the most, for whatever reason (even if it's a little silly, like the bathrooms are prettier. The reason doesn't matter--where would you be happier?).

As for the choice between BWI and GF, that's a little different. For only $10/night more I would consider trying GF. But, if trying an Epcot resort is important, stay at BWI/BC. (After all, you can probably get that great rate at GF next time). Which is more important to you: trying out the Epcot resort area or staying at the GF?

 

[wdwfan]

What a fine decision you have to make! I have stayed at both resorts and like them both equally! My kids loved the slide at BWI. My son loves the slide at SAB, but my daughter can't do it yet (size), however she loves the kiddie pool at SAB. You really can't go wrong with either choice!! Good luck!

 

[mbaker1277]

Thanks for all of your great suggestions ! We will probably spend equal amounts of time at MK and Epcot, and we will only be at our first resort for 3 nights before moving to the WL for the remainder of our trip. This is why I am hesitant to book the GF since we will already be in the MK area for several days. All of the Epcot resorts seem so appealing that it is hard to choose from. My daughter is 5, and since we are going in December I don't think we will use the pool facilities at any of the resorts very much. I thought she would enjoy the festivities of the Boardwalk, but I just started to second guess myself. When you are blessed enough to receive such a substantial discount, it makes your choices even harder! I don't know how all of you do it who have to pay full price. My heart goes out to you! Thanks for all of your great advice!

 

[kda]

No need to feel sorry for most of us --- WE'RE usually not paying full price. That's why we read and contribute to these boards so faithfully.

Most of the travel agents I know tell me their discounts aren't anything special, compared to AP rates and other discounts. Maybe things are different in Connecticut.

 

[Boo Mc]

Our kids, 4 and 6, LOVE the night time activities at the BW. At this age, I prefer the BW pool because I can see them whereas SAB has so many curves and hidden spots it's easy to lose track of them IMO. Not to mention that they have to sort of go outside the pool area to climb the water slide which I'm not comfortable letting them do alone. At BW I can sit poolside and watch them go up and down. Also, our kids love the activities at Community Hall at BW. I'm sure BC would be nice too but we prefer BW - just get something close to the elevator.

 

[swilphil]

It sounds like Boardwalk would be a better choice for you since you're not going to use the pool much. I'm not sure if 5 is old enough to do all the things at SAB.

Could you do GF instead of WL?

 

[mbaker1277]

Wilderness Lodge is our absolute favorite and we would never consider a stay at Disney without spending time there. We usually split our visits between 2 resorts, and that is why we are choosing the Epcot resort area. Also, I was not meaning to be demeaning to anyone who has to pay higher rates than myself, because I took the previous statement to be a little bit harsh. I read the boards faithfully to help my clients get the best deals and save money, and they too hardly ever pay the full price. But, unlike previously reported, we as travel agents receive a larger discount than annual pass holders not only on accomodations but on park passes also. This goes across the board for agents in every state. i was just stating how blessed we are to be able to stay places that we never could afford before. We wouldn't even be able to aford the All Star resorts without my discount. I am in awe of how the average family affords a Disney vacation. No harm meant at all, only good will.

 

[franw]

mbaker - no offense taken. 99.99% of all the people who participate here never take offense so don't worry about participating in the boards. Also, the input of a travel agent that loves Disney would always be welcome. By the way, the Boardwalk Bakery serves cold cereals, etc. for breakfast. You can walk over to or ride the board to the BC/YC area and eat at Hurricane Hannah's for lunch al fresco. Request a fridge for $10 a day and stock up on some things that your little one can snack on at either resort. Have a ball.

 

[mbaker1277]

Thanks alot! Even before I became a travel agent we visited WDW several times a year, and of course it becomes an addiction! With all of the training you go through to become a Disney specialist, you learn MUCH more from fellow travelers. I have much more respect for your opinions than some journalist who has visited twice in his life. I reccommend this board to all of my clients, because to me it is a wealth of practical information, and includes so much more information than you will find in any guidebook. Even after 32 trips, I learn something new every day! The Disney community is a great family! All of the help and suggestions that you have given me have assured me that this vacation will be as wonderful as the previous ones! Thanks again!