Help on choosing resort please :)

[goofy78]

My family is taking our next trip November 2013. My mom, sister and her two kids ages 6 and 4 at time of trip will be coming with us. She is really uncertain of where to stay. She stayed at ASM last year and we were at the Poly. Her taste is very different than mine. I am trying to talk her into the BC with us for next year. She priced out BC POR and ASM. BC is roughly 1000 more than POR. She would love to know if it is worth the money to stay at the BC. Amy opinions would be fantastic.

 

[Dani C]

Any of the Boardwalk area hotels are fabulous and worth the increase, in my opinion, for the easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If you can walk, it is worth it. Less time in lines for and in buses. Have her value the wasted time in comparison. It might help.

 

[Couchy]

For me, Yes it is worth it. Location is prime. Pool is the best. Everything about BC is awesome. However, I am not sure what makes it worth it for your sister.
If she thinks walking or taking a boat ride to 2 parks, 3 minute walk to the Boardwalk, Storm along Bay, lots of dining choices is worth it than go for it.

 

[twinboysmom]

For us, not a chance I would pay that much more to upgrade resorts. Personally, while the boardwalk area resorts offer walking to DHS and Epcot, I found their bus service to MK and AK to be the worst I have ever encountered. Sharing one bus for all the boardwalk area resorts in June at opening and park closings was terrible.

I also do not like the food options at BC. The lack of CS is a big negative for us and I like the food court option at POR.

I would say that BC has the best pool on property but for that kind of money I would rather just go to a water park.

So that's my opinion. Not much to help your cause.

 

[danielryan]

I think things like location, price, dining preferences, and time really need to be considered when deciding. I would assume, like most people, not a lot of time would be spent actually in the hotel room. Guests are at the parks, at the pool, or out enjoying other parts of WDW. Therefore would it be worth $1000 more to have a bit larger room with a nicer bed and nicer hotel amenities? Thats the decision one has to think about. That being said, my family usually stays at deluxe resorts.

 

[goofy78]

For us, not a chance I would pay that much more to upgrade resorts. Personally, while the boardwalk area resorts offer walking to DHS and Epcot, I found their bus service to MK and AK to be the worst I have ever encountered. Sharing one bus for all the boardwalk area resorts in June at opening and park closings was terrible.

I also do not like the food options at BC. The lack of CS is a big negative for us and I like the food court option at POR.

I would say that BC has the best pool on property but for that kind of money I would rather just go to a water park.

So that's my opinion. Not much to help your cause.

You were definitely a help! This is exactly what I was looking for. Different opinions and the reasons why or why not someone would upgrade from POR to BC. For me the lack of CS is not a big deal with Epcot right next door and besides we are not big CS eaters anyway. But for my sisters family that might be a huge negative as my nephew and niece are very picky eaters. Also we are going in early November which I believe is quieter than June (not 100%) so hopefully the bus situation is not so bad. Thanks for your honest opinion.

 

[goofy78]

Any of the Boardwalk area hotels are fabulous and worth the increase, in my opinion, for the easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If you can walk, it is worth it. Less time in lines for and in buses. Have her value the wasted time in comparison. It might help.

Thanks a lot! I agree!

 

[goofy78]

For me, Yes it is worth it. Location is prime. Pool is the best. Everything about BC is awesome. However, I am not sure what makes it worth it for your sister.
If she thinks walking or taking a boat ride to 2 parks, 3 minute walk to the Boardwalk, Storm along Bay, lots of dining choices is worth it than go for it.

That's exactly why we are staying there!

 

[goofy78]

I think things like location, price, dining preferences, and time really need to be considered when deciding. I would assume, like most people, not a lot of time would be spent actually in the hotel room. Guests are at the parks, at the pool, or out enjoying other parts of WDW. Therefore would it be worth $1000 more to have a bit larger room with a nicer bed and nicer hotel amenities? Thats the decision one has to think about. That being said, my family usually stays at deluxe resorts.

Right on. My preferences are way different than hers. Even though you only sleep in the room and are off to the parks or whatever, I can not wait to return to the BC at night all lit up! Breathtaking!

 

[jcjen519]

I very much think it is worth it. I've stayed at the BC villas and love it. The BC is not my favorite place to stay now that we have a 3 year old though. We love the monorail with our little guy, but I would pay an extra $1000 no question if I was deciding between POR and BC. If she can afford it, I can't imagine why she wouldn't stay at BC.

 

[AudreyLovesTheMouse]

Have you considered the Wilderness Lodge? Price falls between a moderate and the Beach club. The hotel is wonderful... feels like an outpost of Frontierland. The boat to the Magic Kingdom is very quick and convenient. Whispering Canyon is such a fun restaurant for kids (and adults) and you can take a boat to the Contemporary (Chef Mickey) and Ft Wilderness (Hoop Dee Doo Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ). There can be a wait for buses, but WL is the first stop, so there's virtually always a seat. We choose to take a boat to Contemp or MK (whichever comes first) and then take the monorail to Epcot.

 

[babyberger]

Have you considered the Wilderness Lodge? Price falls between a moderate and the Beach club. The hotel is wonderful... feels like an outpost of Frontierland. The boat to the Magic Kingdom is very quick and convenient. Whispering Canyon is such a fun restaurant for kids (and adults) and you can take a boat to the Contemporary (Chef Mickey) and Ft Wilderness (Hoop Dee Doo Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ). There can be a wait for buses, but WL is the first stop, so there's virtually always a seat. We choose to take a boat to Contemp or MK (whichever comes first) and then take the monorail to Epcot.

We stayed at WL a few years back and loved the "feel" of it. The boat to MK was great and my kids loved. Now that the kids are older we want to experience YC & BC for SAB.

Right on. My preferences are way different than hers. Even though you only sleep in the room and are off to the parks or whatever, I can not wait to return to the BC at night all lit up! Breathtaking!

My DH always says "why do we need to spend more money when we just go back to the room to pass out" But I have convinced him that the kids are going to love SAB and the the price is worth it. For once we get to experience more than just the parks. I think as other posters have said, it really just depends what your sister feels is worth it. Sometime a little gentle nudging can go a long way

 

[Ego831]

A agree with some of the posts here - it really depends on where you will be going most days. We go in late October/November when the food and wine festival is going and we spend most of our time at Epcot - so the convinience of walking there is preferable for us...

The resort also is much nicer - rooms, etc....but we mainly do it for location.

As mentioned though, check your dates because as I mentioned the Food and Wine festival is on around that time (not sure if it extends into November and by how much) but that can impact the crowds, buses, etc...

Good luck!

You were definitely a help! This is exactly what I was looking for. Different opinions and the reasons why or why not someone would upgrade from POR to BC. For me the lack of CS is not a big deal with Epcot right next door and besides we are not big CS eaters anyway. But for my sisters family that might be a huge negative as my nephew and niece are very picky eaters. Also we are going in early November which I believe is quieter than June (not 100%) so hopefully the bus situation is not so bad. Thanks for your honest opinion.

 

[MinnieMommy07]

Honestly, with a 4 and 6 year old, I'd say no to the BC. Too much hassle. I honestly think that it's geared for the older kids. Yes, I think that the kids are ultimately going to be who you have to plan around. The pool is huge and your sister would end up having to corral the kids while you and mom want to have a drink, sunbathe and float around. The six year old will want to try the slide which isn't even in the pool area... then when you want to eat, the BC giftshop is the fastest choice but there's not much in it. It's not as easy as you think having to drag two tired children into Epcot... for Mexican... so you end up haulin to UK for fish and chips every night to bring back to the room cold.

I guess if you go into the trip knowing that you'd be eating (and paying for) room service, scheduling around dining reservations, or relying on the good faith it doesn't kill everyone to head back into Epcot everynight for dinner, sitting with toddlers at the kiddie pool, and picking up everyone from the BC, The Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin before going to the MK... then y'all are good.

I'd definitely choose somewhere else this go.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

The BC is wonderful!

The Location is great since its near the boardwalk, YC, walking distance to EPCOT and HS.

The restaurants are also great- Cape May (has a character breakfast), BE&C, ect

And of course the pool, Stormalong bay is my favorite pool on property!

-FantasiaMagic

 

[goofy78]

Honestly, with a 4 and 6 year old, I'd say no to the BC. Too much hassle. I honestly think that it's geared for the older kids. Yes, I think that the kids are ultimately going to be who you have to plan around. The pool is huge and your sister would end up having to corral the kids while you and mom want to have a drink, sunbathe and float around. The six year old will want to try the slide which isn't even in the pool area... then when you want to eat, the BC giftshop is the fastest choice but there's not much in it. It's not as easy as you think having to drag two tired children into Epcot... for Mexican... so you end up haulin to UK for fish and chips every night to bring back to the room cold.

I guess if you go into the trip knowing that you'd be eating (and paying for) room service, scheduling around dining reservations, or relying on the good faith it doesn't kill everyone to head back into Epcot everynight for dinner, sitting with toddlers at the kiddie pool, and picking up everyone from the BC, The Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin before going to the MK... then y'all are good.

I'd definitely choose somewhere else this go.

Thanks for your thoughts. I guess unless I gave an in depth background on my niece and nephew it's hard to say what would be good or bad about the BC. My nephew would never want to go down the big slide unfortunately. He's not much of a daredevil. My niece on the other hand .... But I can see your point. I reminded my sister last night that on our last trip we really only ate CS for lunch and that's when we were at the parks. I wouldn't head back to the resort for a CS meal no matter where we were staying.

 

[goofy78]

Have you considered the Wilderness Lodge? Price falls between a moderate and the Beach club. The hotel is wonderful... feels like an outpost of Frontierland. The boat to the Magic Kingdom is very quick and convenient. Whispering Canyon is such a fun restaurant for kids (and adults) and you can take a boat to the Contemporary (Chef Mickey) and Ft Wilderness (Hoop Dee Doo Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ). There can be a wait for buses, but WL is the first stop, so there's virtually always a seat. We choose to take a boat to Contemp or MK (whichever comes first) and then take the monorail to Epcot.

I haven't mentioned it to her. We are definitely staying BC and I don't think she's looking to do deluxe if she wouldn't be at the same resort as us. I know it's not as pricey as the BC but I think if she's going to stay deluxe it will be where we are. Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

I think that your sister is the best person to decide where she is most comfortable staying with her children. Is the BC a lovely resort? Of course it is. But is it worth an extra $1,000 over a moderate? Obviously it is to you. But perhaps your sister would rather put that money to other uses. With 2 young children, I would always prefer a food court for breakfast or for snack times. I also might prefer a bus that didn't share with other resorts. I might prefer NOT to have to walk to and from Epcot (with 2 tired little ones at the end of the day). Let her stay where she wants. It's easy to just meet up at a given time and place each day. Other than not being able to share pool time, I can't see staying at separate resorts as a big problem.

 

[goofy78]

I think that your sister is the best person to decide where she is most comfortable staying with her children. Is the BC a lovely resort? Of course it is. But is it worth an extra $1,000 over a moderate? Obviously it is to you. But perhaps your sister would rather put that money to other uses. With 2 young children, I would always prefer a food court for breakfast or for snack times. I also might prefer a bus that didn't share with other resorts. I might prefer NOT to have to walk to and from Epcot (with 2 tired little ones at the end of the day). Let her stay where she wants. It's easy to just meet up at a given time and place each day. Other than not being able to share pool time, I can't see staying at separate resorts as a big problem.

I agree but she was curious as to what advice other people might have. This will only be her second time traveling to Disney. It was not a problem at all staying at different resorts last time but I think her and my mother are leaning towards BC just for the fact that it will then be a real family vacation with all of us. For my mother to stay at the same resort as all her five grandchildren and not be split up would be priceless to her.