Grand Floridian vs. beach & yacht club

[lovetovacation]

I just discovered this board today.The Cruise Critic board really helped me plan my cruise vacation last year, so I was really hoping to find a board dedicated to Disney! I'm planning a Disney vacation for July and can't decide between GF (husbands choice) or beach & yacht club (the pool sounds awesome). Who has stayed at both and which was your favorite? We last vacationed in Disney in July 2000 and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and wanted something different this time. Thanks for the help!

 

[Kuzco]

My parents have actually stayed at Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Yatch Club.

Their favorite is Wilderness Lodge. They really didn't care for the Yatch Club after staying at Wilderness Lodge. They liked the WL theme, pool, and layout much more.

They enjoyed the GF a lot more than the Yatch Club. They rooms are larger and it can be a very different experience...After staying at both, WL is still their favorite.

I guess it all depends on who you're traveling with and what you're interested in. I've never stayed at the Yatch or Beach Club, but I agree that the pools sound great.

I know their vote would be for the GF!

 

[helenk]

I have stayed at the GF and the YC and I would prefer the GF, the YC was so spread out and therefore a lot of walking. We stayed in Bocha Chica at the GF and the resort is so much easier to navigate. It was easier to get to the snack bar as well to use the refillable mugs.
The pool is nicer at the YC if you are interested in that type of themeing, but the pool at the GF was fine for us.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there..


If you are going to be spending a lot of time at Magic Kingdom.... GF is on the monorail and handy to MK and Epcot.

BC/YC is walking distance to EPCOT and MGM also the boardwalk area and has the best pool on the property. You have to bus to MK.

The GF is beautiful but I found it a bit "stuffy" I have not stayed at the BC/YC but I am booked there for this August... the atmosphere seems more relaxed and fun there.

Good Luck deciding... either way 2 first class resorts

>>^..^<<

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We have stayed at both and like each one for different reasons. We love the GF because...

1. It's close to MK
2. The monorail is right there
3. Many great restaurants either in the GF or on the monorail
4. Nice pools, we like the courtyard pool and the new pool and slide
5. Awesome views! There is nothing like waking up every morning and seeing the castle.


YC is also wonderful because...

1. It's so close to Epcot and MGM
2. The Boardwalk area has great nightlife and food
3. Stormalong Bay is great
4. The rooms are all recently renovated
5. The maid service was excellent, probably the best we've had at WDW.

Either way you can't lose!

 

[randyl]

We stayed at the Y&B twice and will be staying at the GF (next month) for the 2nd time. There are three things in which the Y&B have the GF beat: the pool, the access to the nightlife on the Boradwalk, and the good proximity to Epcot and MGM. But that's where it ends. The GF has the Y&B beat in amenities, restaurants, decors, service, etc.

I truly love both, though, and sometimes have a hard time deciding between the two!

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by lovetovacation
I just discovered this board today.The Cruise Critic board really helped me plan my cruise vacation last year, so I was really hoping to find a board dedicated to Disney! I'm planning a Disney vacation for July and can't decide between GF (husbands choice) or beach & yacht club (the pool sounds awesome). Who has stayed at both and which was your favorite? We last vacationed in Disney in July 2000 and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and wanted something different this time. Thanks for the help!

I've stayed at both... and while yes, I DID like the YC, and would consider staying there on future trips, the GF is definitely my all time favorite. Have you considered splitting the trip between the resorts? That way, you both get what you want!

 

[las3888]

We have stayed at both and I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed with the GF. It is supposed to be Disney's "premiere" resort at WDW, so maybe I expected it to just extra special, but I found GF and Y&BC to be quite comparable. I like the fact that the Y&BC is right next to EPCOT, plus there are so many dining options - restaurants at the Boardwalk, Dolphin, Swan, Y&BC, PLUS EPCOT dining. It is a great place to be!!! The pool is great at the Y&BC also. I also like that you do not have to go outside to get to your room from the front entrance at the Y&BC. We got stuck in a thunderstorm at the GF and had to RUN outside to get to our hotel room. Not fun!!!

They are both great places to stay and you really can't go wrong with either. Just thought I would give you my 2 cents!

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at both and while the GF is very pretty it seemed pretty much on par with the rest of the Deluxe resorts and didn't really deserve it's higher prices. The monorail is fun and easy to deal with but it would be really nice if you could walk to the MK. The rooms have been redone since I was there and while they look richer they are also more frilly and not as much to my liking.
The Yacht Club was great and I felt more energy being in that area. There were the boats to ride to the parks plus we could walk. There were the other hotels with all those restaurants and the room we had on the first floor had a patio that looked out over a small garden , then across the long lawn to the water ond over to the Beach Club.
I know the GF is the holy grail for many people and still the favorite of loads of people but I was just a hair disappointed.

 

[PamNC]

would be for the YC or BC. We have stayed at both of these lovely resorts and the GF. The GF is beautiful and the service is top notch. But, here's a list of what we liked better about YC/BC:

Stormalong Bay (#1 reason)

We spend more time at Epcot and MGM than the Magic Kingdom

the boardwalk area with all the dining and entertainment

a little more "relaxed" atmosphere - yet still a breathtaking resort


Anyway, you can't go wrong with either. Both are outstanding. I'd say decide on which area you would like to be in and go from there. Since you've tried WL, I'd say try an Epcot resort this time for a totally different experience.

PamNC

 

[DisneyLisa]

We stayed at the BC in July 2001 & the GF in July 2002. Although there are things we liked better at the BC (room decor, housekeeping, resort layout) overall, we prefer the GF.

SAB is definitely great but we found it way too crowded...we could never find a chair (and that was before the BCV opened). There was also nowhere except B&C to get something to eat after we got back from the parks at night (and we were always too tired to walk to the BW plus the line-ups at B&C were terrible).

At the GF we had the little "food court" which was perfect for late night snacks after the parks closed. We also enjoyed watching the EWP and the MK fireworks from the resort as well as the monorail service.