Grand Floridian or Boardwalk???

[tripplanner2]

So my family of 5 is planning our 8th trip to the World. Usually, we stay moderate, the last trip was Beach Club. We loved the ability and ease of walking into Epcot. This trip we are torn between staying at Grand Floridian, don't need to elaborate, or Boardwalk. We like Boardwalk for the location but I feel like I am giving up a chance to stay at GF. I need opinions from people who have stayed at both. My kids are now 18, 16, and 13 so they are not in need of a nap. But park hopping will probably fly on a daily basis. When I realized that the trip to Epcot involved transferring at TTC, I realized that we are probably looking at an hour to get into Epcot. Maybe I am wrong. Just thinking of the wait for the monorail and then the actual ride.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My kids are now 18, 16, and 13 so they are not in need of a nap. But park hopping will probably fly on a daily basis. When I realized that the trip to Epcot involved transferring at TTC, I realized that we are probably looking at an hour to get into Epcot. Maybe I am wrong. Just thinking of the wait for the monorail and then the actual ride.

We have stayed at both. GF is nice if you plan to spend a lot of time at MK. But it is a super big pain to get to Epcot from there. We stayed at GF in December and had hoped to spend more time at Epcot with all the Christmas activities there. But after one double monorail ride over there, we scrapped our Epcot plans and hung around the Grand more. The next time we stay at the Grand Floridian will be as a split stay - 3 days at GF and 3 days at the Beach Club. That way we won't have to take the monorail to Epcot.

Our teens loved staying in the Epcot resort area. They loved being able to walk into Epcot or Hollywood Studios whenever they wanted.

But both resorts are nice and you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[caliope]

I would consider a split stay too.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

But after one double monorail ride over there, we scrapped our Epcot plans and hung around the Grand more.

This is well said. I had similar feelings/experiences both times I have stayed at GF. At other resorts I tend to hit Epcot multiple times, at GF not so much.

OP - an hour would be on the high end for possible travel times, shouldn't be quite be that long unless you just get super unlucky with wait times. It's not even like it's that far or that much of a pain, it just "feels" far when you're at GF, to me at least. Uber/cab is a convenient option to bypass the monorail, if that appeals to you.

I know you said you don't need to elaborate, but I'm just curious if I can ask, why do you have GF in the mix? Do you mean you just want to stay there because it's the GF?

 

[tripplanner2]

I have GF in the mix because through a convention I can pay close to the same price for either resort. GF is slightly more, like one dinner, but not enough to make the decision. But, my family loves Epcot. I can see us closing Epcot around 9 pm and then heading to MK for the evening for EMH's.

 

[tripplanner2]

I appreciate all of the responses already. I was set for GF until I realized I had to take a double monorail to Epcot. Made a hasty decision and I am second guessing it. Hearing your responses makes me realize that I made the right one.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hmmm, well if the Epcot thing is on your mind now I'm guessing it may be hard to shake it. Don't get me wrong above, you can still get plenty of Epcot fix in at GF. But it is something to think about if you are HEAVY Epcot folks.

Good luck with your decission. No wrong answer here, just subtle differences in your experience and flow of the trip. Have fun!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

EP is my absolute favorite park and we stay at an EP resort on almost every trip. Especially with teens, being able to walk to two parks is really great. The ambiance at BWI is a also a bit more lively with the entertainment at night, restaurants, etc. I would vote BWI.

 

[wfjeff]

Glad to hear BWI wins out since that is where we decided to try out for the first time in Dec. Really looking forward a lively resort (stayed mainly at POR in the past) and easy access to EP and HS.

As this is a trip of firsts, also have park hoppers this time too. Just wondering what is everyone's EP visit sch when staying at BWI. Would you go to another park in the morning and often spend your nights at EP?

 

[Branflakes]

The GF is really nice. But you have to stay where your family will benefit the most. Seems as though you're gonna get that at an Epcot resort. I've done BWI once. It needs a lil bit of updating in the rooms imo, but it's that pool. Just can't do it. Location alone is why we stay at YC/BC almost exclusively.

 

[kmv]

I really love the location of Boardwalk for so many reasons. I would chose Boardwalk over GF just for that.

 

[merrick]

i have only been to WDW once and stayed at a monorail resort. we have been trying to go back and want to stay by epcot. our only real complaint about the contemporary was the limited food options. my goal to be near epcot is mainly to have way more options for meals but others have brought up great points as well.

 

[patty57]

Every time I stay at a resort other than the Epcot resorts, I end up regretting it. We love walking in and out of Epcot for food and drinks.

 

[clapton]

BWI is a great resort. Love all the Epcot resorts. Have stayed at GF in the DVC because we own there and also have stayed at DVC in the BW as well. Just love the atmosphere of the BW and the location can't be beat! Have a great trip!

 

[NH-to-FL]

You will love the BWI! We have stayed there many times. We love the theming and, of course, the easy walk to Epcot. We would wander over to Epcot almost every evening.

Wishing you a magical trip!

 

[Yahweh]

We were very disappointed with the GF. The rooms were blah. I could hear every word from the room next to us. I found travel times much longer than other resorts. Usually the busses stop at the Polynesian both on the way to the park and on the way back. As others have said, Epcot is a 2 monorail ride, which takes a surprisingly long amount of time. I actually spent a lot more time walking to the Polynesian to hang out and to eat at. That being said the staff were nice, the grounds were lovely...the quick service restaurant wasn't bad. I don't hate the GF, but more underwhelmed.

We have stayed at every other deluxe resort, and even if the prices were comparable to any other deluxe, the GF would be on the bottom of my list.

The BoardWalk I was surprised has ended up as my favourite resort. We've stayed there 3 times now, and I love getting up first thing in the morning and grabbing a coffee and breakfast at the bakery and sitting outside on the Boardwalk. Walking access to two parks, and the sheer number of dining options available, when you include Epcot and DHS are amazing!

One of the under appreciate perks when taking a bus back from Animal Kingdom or MK, you can also hop on either the BC/YC bus or the Swan and Dolphin bus and walk back the the BW from their stops. I prefer walking over waiting, so these options for me are great.

 

[Allison]

I was at the Grand in February and have stayed at Boardwalk previously. I wanted to stay at Grand because I wanted an opportunity to check it out and see what it was like. In hindsight, I would have been better off keeping my reservation at the Beach Club. It is a beautiful resort but there wasn't anything about it that makes me want to return. I would pick BC, Boardwalk, and the Polynesian over the Grand Floridian any day. There wasn't anything wrong with it, it just didn't appeal to me.