Help me pick a deluxe hotel!

[TristiK]

DH and I have decided to take our first family vacation to the world next June. After looking at our budget we found we can actually afford a deluxe hotel. I've been many times as a child, but we always stayed offsite, so this is huge for me. I'm having a hard time deciding where to stay though. Here are the details:

When: June 5-12, 2016
Who: Myself and DH (34 and 35) and our 2 daughters (4 and 7 at the time of travel)

We will be doing 5 park days - haven't decided how they will be split up yet, but at least 2, possibly 3 at MK. We haven't decided yet if we will do DHS - right now there just isn't much that appeals to the girls there. Will also be doing 1 day at the hotel for swimming and relaxing.

My dilemma is that I love the Epcot area hotels and would love to stay at the Beach Club. However, with two young kids I feel like it might make more sense to stay on the monorail, especially since so much of our time will be at MK. SAB is really calling to me though, and I know the girls would love it. The difference in price isn't that huge, so isn't a big factor.

If we stay at the Poly, it will be in a standard view. BC/YC would be garden view, Boardwalk would be standard.

 

[mkla2015]

If you plan on spending most of your time in MK, I'd recommend the Poly. You'll have easy access to the monorail to go to both MK and Epcot.

 

[Oathkeeper13]

The buses really aren't that bad. Having a monorail is great but you don't really need it to get around. If you prefer the BC/YC, and can afford to get a better view at those resorts I say go for it.

 

[Mousemommy1]

My vote is for the Poly. I just prefer the MK resorts though.

We have stayed at BC and YC and they are fine. SAB is fine but didn't blow our minds like it does for some people.

 

[tinkerbesh]

I voted for Poly, but would have voted for Contemporary over that if you had it on your list. Can't beat convenience of walking to MK, and then you'd still be on monorail line for EP.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

I can't really vote as I have never stayed in any of the deluxe hotels, but I would advise you to take a chance with DHS. The shows are great for younger kids, especially the frozen-sing-along, Beauty and the Beast show, Playhouse Disney, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and, if you go at night, Fantasmic! However I agree with you if you are focused on the rides, other than TSM there isn't much for the younger crowd.

 

[mickeynut1]

DH and I have decided to take our first family vacation to the world next June. After looking at our budget we found we can actually afford a deluxe hotel. I've been many times as a child, but we always stayed offsite, so this is huge for me. I'm having a hard time deciding where to stay though. Here are the details:

When: June 5-12, 2016
Who: Myself and DH (34 and 35) and our 2 daughters (4 and 7 at the time of travel)

We will be doing 5 park days - haven't decided how they will be split up yet, but at least 2, possibly 3 at MK. We haven't decided yet if we will do DHS - right now there just isn't much that appeals to the girls there. Will also be doing 1 day at the hotel for swimming and relaxing.

My dilemma is that I love the Epcot area hotels and would love to stay at the Beach Club. However, with two young kids I feel like it might make more sense to stay on the monorail, especially since so much of our time will be at MK. SAB is really calling to me though, and I know the girls would love it. The difference in price isn't that huge, so isn't a big factor.

If we stay at the Poly, it will be in a standard view. BC/YC would be garden view, Boardwalk would be standard.

Out of your choices, we've stayed at the Poly and BC and my choice would be the Poly without hesitation. I'm glad we tried the BC, but we didn't find SAB to be all that amazing and we find the CS options at the Epcot resorts very limited (which is a deal breaker for us). We also prefer the MK area and love staying on the monorail. We love the Poly for the large, spacious rooms, a daybed in every room, having a view of the castle/fireworks from the pool while swimming, being just 2 monorail stops from MK and a short 5-7 minute walk from the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail (just to name a few). The Poly is also convenient to a variety of dining options (both CS and TS) at the GF and CR.

 

[TristiK]

Out of your choices, we've stayed at the Poly and BC and my choice would be the Poly without hesitation. I'm glad we tried the BC, but we didn't find SAB to be all that amazing and we find the CS options at the Epcot resorts very limited (which is a deal breaker for us). We also prefer the MK area and love staying on the monorail. We love the Poly for the large, spacious rooms, a daybed in every room, having a view of the castle/fireworks from the pool while swimming, being just 2 monorail stops from MK and a short 5-7 minute walk from the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail (just to name a few). The Poly is also convenient to a variety of dining options (both CS and TS) at the GF and CR.

I feel like I'm leaning towards Poly, but I just saw on Tikiman's FB page that more permits have been filed for construction on the 8 original longhouses, but it doesn't list start/end dates. I do NOT want to be in the middle of construction, not for that price. I also didn't realize until just now that there aren't balconies - we really want one in case the girls fall asleep early (which is likely).

 

[TristiK]

I voted for Poly, but would have voted for Contemporary over that if you had it on your list. Can't beat convenience of walking to MK, and then you'd still be on monorail line for EP.

I am not a fan of the decor at the Contemporary, but I will look into it as an option.

 

[surran12]

If it were me, I would choose the Poly, but that is because I have always wanted to stay there. I would say choose the resort you want. Your daughters are going to have an amazing time at either option so why not choose the BC/YC because that will add to the vacation for you and as much as Disney is about the kids if you can make if more enjoyable for yourself as well then why not.

 

[TristiK]

If the Wilderness wasn't under construction this wouldn't be an issue lol. We'd just stay there and save $1,000!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I feel like I'm leaning towards Poly, but I just saw on Tikiman's FB page that more permits have been filed for construction on the 8 original longhouses, but it doesn't list start/end dates. I do NOT want to be in the middle of construction, not for that price. I also didn't realize until just now that there aren't balconies - we really want one in case the girls fall asleep early (which is likely).

My favorite resorts are the EP resorts (BC and BWI), but for a first onsite trip, with young children plus possibly going to MK 3 times, I would stay on the monorail. We just stayed at Poly and had a great trip. If you decide to do Poly, you can request 3rd floor for a balcony or first floor for a patio (my new favorite!). We just stayed Standard View, first floor, on the luau cove side and it was fantastic. We could walk right out our patio doors to a quiet beach that hardly anyone used to watch the electric water pageant and the MK fireworks.

That being said, I would encourage you to look at Grand Floridian, particularly as you have 2 little girls. The resort is gorgeous, the pools are much less crowded and they have an adorable Alice in Wonderland splash area. The rooms were all just redone and all of the construction is completed at this resort. We have stayed there 4 times in garden view, lagoon view and the main building and all of the rooms were wonderful. They also have many more restaurants, character meals and a bigger QS restaurant.

If the construction at Poly bothers you and GF doesn't appeal, I would do BC. I just hesitate to recommend it if you are spending the majority of your time at MK.

 

[ktlm]

My DD has absolutely loved EPCOT since she was 2 years old. You say you plan on doing a full day for swimming and relaxing at the hotel. For us, if we were planning a full pool day, that would make the resort BC or YC hands down. The pool is by far the best on property and the sand pool is terrific for little kids (kids meals at Hurricane Hannah's come in a bucket with a shovel which is perfect). I would also fact in an EPCOT day. By next summer DHS might be a construction nightmare. When DD was the ages of your girls, her favorite parks were by far MK and EPCOT. EPCOT has Nemo ride , Turtle Talk with Crush, aquariums, Soarin, Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth, the Boat ride in Mexico, Agent P (Phineas and Ferb) missions), Kidcot stations, Princesses and other characters all over world showcase, Pick a Pearl, Biergarten, bands, Acrobats, entertainers etc.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

The Poly was my childhood favorite and I was so excited to be back there this summer. However, we were all disappointed with our stay there. DM and I had stayed here several times when I was growing up and DH and DDs were really looking forward to it, but it fell short of our expectations for sure. The BC is hands down our favorite resort on property. After BC, the Poly was a big let down. We finished our trip with 3 nights at AKL and all agreed that we would return there in a heartbeat over the Poly despite it's remote location.

 

[Lisaloo]

At that time of year and the ages of your kids, I would choose BC without question. We have stayed at all deluxe hotels except WL and they all have pros and cons. BC never has disappointed us.

 

[loves to dive]

I think it really is up to your own personal tastes. If you plan on being at MK and the monorail is important to you then either the Poly or GF. I stayed at all three MK resorts and all 3 Epcot resorts and our preference is YC but we are Epcot people. When we go to MK we either just hop on a bus or walk through Epcot and catch the monorail. You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Tulles]

Another vote to at least consider the Contemporary. We stayed there last January and had a lagoon view. It was too cold to use the pool unfortunately but we loved being able to watch the water parade from the room at night. It was lovely to be able to beat the crowds and walk to and from the MK and the monorail going through the resort was a real hit with my kids who were 5 and 8 at the time. We also took advantage of the boat to Fort Wilderness and saw the Hoop De Doo Revue. Another thing I'd highly recommend.

 

[worleygirl26]

I'd stay at BC for the proximity to Epcot and the pool. Just wanted to add that my 6 year old loves DHS. The Frozen sing along is great!

 

[gobln]

Hello!!! Poly is a good one.
But I would cast my vote for the BEACH CLUB.
1) You are RIGHT next to Epcot. Walking distance.
2) You can take a wonderful boat ride to Dis Hollywood.
3) You are right across the lake from the Boardwalk hotel so you can take advantage of all the fun stuff THEY have to offer. (The live music is very nice!)
4) The Swan and Dolphin is a nice hotel to walk around
5) You have the "Beaches and Cream" ice cream parlour right within your resort. You can enjoy (if you dare) the "kitchen sink" with your family. (But make a reservation for that. )
6) You have access to one of the greatest pools in the entire place. It's amazing!!

It's beautiful and you wont be disappointing. Just my two bits.

ENJOY!! No matter what you choose...you win!!

 

[Claireywalsh]

We are staying onsite for the first time next Christmas and we chose beach club because like you we love Epcot!! We took a boat from DHS last year to the resort and walked to Epcot from there just for a bit of a nosey and it looked gorgeous, massive pool, cute gardens and just a hop skip and a jump to the park. Don't get me wrong, we will spend a chunk of time at MK too but getting there is not going to be difficult, it will be easier than it was offsite!! Go with your gut, you'll have a fab time anyway, your at the world!!!