First Time Deluxe - Poly or Boardwalk Inn?

[Kelly loves Food]

This will be our 2nd time at Disney. Last time we stayed at Pop, but would like to try deluxe this time. My DH is a reluctant Disney guest and wants to spend less time on the bus and more time at the resort (lounges lol). DD11 and I are happy anywhere that is Disney, but would like to be closer to the action as well.

We are looking at the Poly and the Boardwalk:

Poly: I love the idea of the monorail, the tropical theme, the water parade, watching fireworks from the beach and Ohana/Kona. Its our dream resort and DH's first choice, but so pricey!

Boardwalk: Location! Being able to walk to Epcot/HS and the proximity to so many restaurants. It looks like there's so much to do to keep DH and DD entertained.

I feel like I can't go wrong either way, but was looking for some opinions on these two resorts.

(also - I think we'll be going in Oct or Nov)

 

[Disneylover99]

We love the Poly!! But to save money and if you're going to be there during the F&W festival, I would definitely consider the Boardwalk.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have not stayed at the Boardwalk, I am a Beach Club gal, but I have stayed at the Poly so I think I can chime in and make some location comparisons.

Given your time of year, and that you want to enjoy the F&W festival, I would go with the BWI. I choose resorts not only based on amenities and location, but proximity to whatever focus my family has on any given trip. The walk into Epcot is one of the best perks I think, of any Epcot resort. It is so nice to stroll through the International gateway and you are there! Leaving is especially convenient. I don't mind waiting for a bus, but Epcot is so large, that is one heck of a hike at teh end of the evening if you need to take a bus back to your resort.

The Boardwalk itself is so much fun. Evenings are a real treat, but I like exploring the shops during the day as well.
I wil toss a monkey wrench into yuou choices. With an 11 YO I might consider the BC. That pool is really a draw for kids.

The Poly is a family favorite of ours. It is tropical, relaxing, and very convenient to the MK, as well as Epcot on the monorail. I love the boat transportation, and will use them whenever possible. The Poly has plenty of dining close by as well. My DD and her family were there in July, the first stay after the refurb, and they enjoyed the quiet pool much more than the feature pool.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice, both resorts are great for families who want to spend a little less time in the parks and more time using the resort as part of their vacation.

 

[Hopefully]

Investigate the BC/YC too. They are also in the Epcot Resorts area and have the best pool on property, by far. That area is great for lots of restaurants and lounges as well

 

[terri33inne]

Boardwalk! There are tons of spots your husband can steal away to if he needs a quiet corner or something. There is a small bar right off the main lobby, and all the access to other restaurants/bars in that area. Also, for you & daughter you're walking distance to 2 parks.

Poly is awesome too, but getting to the other wdw resorts in that area isn't quite as convenient as the boardwalk area resorts.

 

[justme0729]

Hands down Poly!! Poly is convenient to Epcot too... can walk to the TTC and get a direct monorail. We stayed at Boardwalk and didn't feel the magic. It seemed more tiring to get anywhere because we were forced to walk everywhere or wait for the boat and I just think the monorail feels faster. Boardwalk also has super long hallways.. we were on the very end while at the Poly, I don't think it seems like a long walk to get anywhere in the resort. You can see the castle and watch wishes from the beach. The Boardwalk was quiet and didn't seem like there was as much to watch or do. We won't stay at boardwalk again.

 

[addiln]

We generally stay at BLT but our last trip we stayed at BWV. We loved it there and had a great time. Walking to both HS and Epcot were great and not having to wait for buses or the monorail at the end of the night really had it worth it. The bar areas of BW are very fun and we had a blast hanging out on the boardwalk at night. This resort will be on the list again it if another adults only trip. When we had the kids with us were spending more time at MK so BLT was the better choice for us that time. I did stop at the poly for lunch one day and thought that was a great looking resort.

 

[loves to dive]

BW hands down. I've stayed at both but prefer BW for it's proximity to both Epcot and HS, MK via monorail if you have a PH and a little less busy than Poly.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Drawbacks for Poly - outside walks to get to the main building/restaurants/stores or to get to monorail, buses to AK and DHS. More expensive than BW.

Drawbacks for BW - scary clown pool, buses to MK/AK.

I'd personally go with YC/BC because of the pool over BW, but BW over Poly. That said, if you are spending more time at MK then Poly makes more sense. And you'll need parkhoppers to take full advantage of BW's proximity to Epcot.

 

[GoGoBeans]

Poly if the goal is to relax. Epcot area to explore, eat F&W and time in the parks. There's more to do around Epcot.

 

[bcarey2k]

Poly has the better pool and access to MK.

BWI has the rest ....

During anything Epcot (F&W, flower fest, etc) we stay at BWI or BC/YC ... else, we're Grand Floridian ....

You can't go wrong .... Eleven year old might like the Poly ... or ?

 

[Babsy]

How long are you going to be there? IS a split stay a possibility?

Otherwise, I would agree with others and suggest the BC. Of the two you suggest, I would choose the BWI. It is less in your face Disney and has lots to entertain DH.

 

[disneyvoice]

POLY!! It was our very first Deluxe. My DH was not initially thrilled with the price of that trip but loved it once we got there. Now whenever we go and are thinking about doing a deluxe he always suggests the Poly. He really likes having the convenience of the monorail (he also likes the Contemporary for the same reason but prefers the Poly).

There are so many fun and yummy restaurants and bars that we end up spending a lot of time there instead of all of our time in the parks - I think that helps him feel like he is getting his money's worth too!

 

[Leelo]

Another vote the for Poly here as well! So convenient to MK but an easy walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail. Best of both worlds! If it's your dream resort and it fits in your budget, go for it!! I mean, honestly, you can't go wrong with either one but the Poly theming is so immersive. It's like vacation within a vacation.

 

[NH-to-FL]

We have stayed at the Boardwalk many times. You have highlighted the major advantages. For us, the ability to wander over to Epcot in the evenings is what makes it special. As a previous poster notes, if you are there during Food and Wine that is another plus.

I think your DH might find more to enjoy in and around around the Epcot resort area.

You can't go wrong with either one but the Boardwalk wins for us.

 

[Kelly loves Food]

Thank you everybody! I wish we could do a split stay, but we'll only be there 6 nights.

We didn't get to spend much time in Epcot last time, which is why I'm leaning towards BW...but I'm dying to experience the Poly too.

One thing that concerns me about the Epcot resorts is breakfast. There seems to be a lack of quick options for breakfast. What do people do?

 

[heidijanesmith]

When we stay at the BWI/BWV, we like having breakfast in the room. We order groceries from gardengrocer.com. If we want something hot, we will go to the Boardwalk Bakery or over to the BC. BW area is a great location, you can walk to EPCOT quickly and walk to DS. I think the BW buses are really good.

The Poly is a great location for MK and being able to walk to the TTC.

Each resort has pros and cons. When the kids were younger, they spent more time at MK and the pool. The Poly was our 1st choice. Now that we are just DH and I, we spend more time at EPCOT and the BW is our choice.

We love both! You can't go wrong with either.

 

[CynBeth]

Another vote for Poly. We loved it when we stayed a few years ago plus it is your dream resort and the things you mention that you want to experience. It is a short walk to the TTC for the Eocot monorail and also easy to get to the other monorail resorts or WL/FW if you want meals there. You can also take a boat to and from MK if the monorail line is too long.

 

[rosiebean]

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either. My only concern about Poly is that it's *busy* with so many people coming in from outside for 'Ohana, Trader Sam's, the luau, etc. BWI itself (pool area, lobby) will be much calmer.

That said, if you stay at BWI, you can still get the Poly experience by taking time to go visit Poly for a meal, a trip to Trader Sam's or the like before heading over to MK. We did that my last trip (when we were based at BC)...got in early to Trader Sam's, which was maybe half full and walked around the resort and shopped...it was still busy, even if it was off season, which is my concern about the resort.

 

[Disneylover99]

One thing that concerns me about the Epcot resorts is breakfast. There seems to be a lack of quick options for breakfast. What do people do?

When we stayed at the BC I walked to Les Halles in Epcot every morning for breakfast.