I can't decide between the BC and the Poly

[3prettyprincesses]

I'm am having a difficult time making this decision. I like things about both these resorts. We've stayed at the Poly before but never the Beach Club. Epcot is my family's favorite park so that made me think why not try the Beach Club. It's also cheaper than the Poly as well. I guess I'm looking for pros and cons for either resort. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[WsPrincess]

I am having the exact same debate right now. We are currently booked at BC CL but I am worried it is not the right decision and I should switch to the Poly (non CL to keep the cost the same) I am worried about the bus to MK but love the idea of walking to Epcot especially for the meals we have planned there. I can't wait to see what others say!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

That is almost exactly the same predicament I'm in! Taking a bus to the MK. We've always stayed at monorail resorts in the past but Epcot seems to be the park we spend most time at. It would be wonderful to walk to Epcot. Ugh, what to do!

 

[TJA]

The biggest difference we find (besides location) between the 2 resorts is that we tend to have more non-park things to do when staying at BC. At the BC, you can enjoy the boardwalk entertainment, movies and campfires each night, the surrey bike trail along the boardwalk, can walk to mini golf, Espn Club, ice cream treats at Beaches & Cream, etc. So if you plan to have a lot of resort time, the BC is a great option.

When we stay at BC, we plan lots of meals in Epcot. We also like knowing we can watch both Illuminations and Fantasmic and be just a walk away from our resort after the shows end and the crowds head for buses or boat. As far as getting to MK, if you have hoppers, one thing we personally enjoy is spending early morning in Epcot and then hopping on the monorail over to MK for a while. We have a double jogger and are not overly fond of taking a bus or car to the parks. We love walking, monorails, or boats.

When we stay at Poly, we plan lots of meals at the monorail resorts and also MK. We also tend to spend more time at MK than other parks. Maybe make your decision based on your park days and dining ADR's. Both are great resorts, really, you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Micka Mouse]

subbing.........I am in the same boat right now !

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The biggest difference we find (besides location) between the 2 resorts is that we tend to have more non-park things to do when staying at BC. At the BC, you can enjoy the boardwalk entertainment, movies and campfires each night, the surrey bike trail along the boardwalk, can walk to mini golf, Espn Club, ice cream treats at Beaches & Cream, etc. So if you plan to have a lot of resort time, the BC is a great option.

When we stay at BC, we plan lots of meals in Epcot. We also like knowing we can watch both Illuminations and Fantasmic and be just a walk away from our resort after the shows end and the crowds head for buses or boat. As far as getting to MK, if you have hoppers, one thing we personally enjoy is spending early morning in Epcot and then hopping on the monorail over to MK for a while. We have a double jogger and are not overly fond of taking a bus or car to the parks. We love walking, monorails, or boats.

When we stay at Poly, we plan lots of meals at the monorail resorts and also MK. We also tend to spend more time at MK than other parks. Maybe make your decision based on your park days and dining ADR's. Both are great resorts, really, you can't go wrong with either one.

Oh thank you! This is extremely helpful. Normally we stay at the monorail resorts and therefore eat at those around the loop. But Epcot is my family's favorite and we love to swim so I thought the BC looked really fun.

And I love your point about there being more to do...walking the Boardwalk, the surrey bikes and Beaches & Cream. No to mention that SAB will thrill all of us! Our usual pattern of touring is that we get to the parks early and then return to the hotel for swimming after lunch.

Magic Kingdom is probably my personal favorite because it's very nostalgic for me. But it would be very easy to take a cab there.

We did enjoy the Poly very much, the theming is so gorgeous and we love the restaurants. Plus you had the added perk of being close to both monorail loops.

subbing.........I am in the same boat right now !

I just read your entire thread about the same exact dilema!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you plan to spend more time at the Magic Kingdom go with the Polynesian. However if you want to spend more time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios go with the Beach Club.

 

[LMO429]

OP if you are a huge epcot fan than def the beach club. At the beach club you have the best pool on property...access to the boardwalk, all the entertainment and games there..surrey bikes...more dining options within walking distance ...quick walk to epcot/hollywood studios. in addition when you have to get to your room all the hallways are in indoor as oppose to the poly you would have to walk to the long house

imo i think the only benefit for the poly is if you have young children and the fast access to getting back and forth to the mk. we never had issues with buses at the beach club and when it gets super crazy after wishes we just walk over to the contemporary and take a cab back to the beach club costs 12 bucks and is much less of a headache.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Do you prefer Future World or World Showcase?

The Polynesian is the only resort with easy monorail access to 2 parks. I'm also pretty sure that the POLY rooms are bigger than Beach Club rooms. (I know that CR rooms are more bigger than WL). The older the resort...the bigger the rooms.

Are you a pool person? My sister and family went to Beach Club and spent A LOT of time in Storm Along Bay. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a BC vacation and skipped the parks.

 

[natebenma]

Stormalong Bay, the pool complex at the Beach Club, is pretty amazing. If you like to swim and slide, this is a great place to do it. A lot of areas for little kids, too. Follow the link in my signature for some pictures of the pool area.

The biggest reason we love the Beach Club, though, is the location. We love being a 5 minute walk to the World Showcase! I will usually watch Illuminations 2-3 times in a week because it is so convenient.

 

[scottmel]

I wouldn't stay anywhere but Epcot area. We love YC/BC so much that this summer we are spending 5 days at the resort and only 2 days in parks. There is soooo much to do at the Epcot area. We stay YC CL and love the food perks, the boardwalk, SAB, movies at night...just the entire atmosphere. We are a family of 3 w/ DD12 being only child and we just love this area. Poly never appealed to me and if you dig around thru some threads you will find some recent ones about some serious disappointment at the Poly on recent trips. Not sure of the month you are coming but if it is a summer month you will so appreciate SAB and the access to cold drinks, snacks, breakfast, etc that CL provides.

 

[Missoutandabout]

Do what we're doing -- a BC/Poly split stay! That way you won't need to pick between them.

 

[Sue M]

Since you've stayed at Poly, I'd try BC! We are going to BC in Aug for the first time. Stayed at Poly & loved it, but think it's fun trying new things too. And SAB looks amazing. We were in WDW in Jan and walked around the Boardwalk area & BC/YC to tour and snoop for Aug stay

 

[princesspeach]

Do what we're doing -- a BC/Poly split stay! That way you won't need to pick between them.

I agree if you are there more than a week.

 

[mericletwins]

I ditto the split stay if you are there long enough, but if not then definitely the BC. We love the BC/BW area. Also, the pool can't be beat. A lot of time we would walk through Epcot and take the monorail to TTC and then monorail or boat to MK. We like to relax an take our time and the kids love to ride the monorails so the time it takes to do that isn't an issue for us. We have also taken the busses from BC to MK and have never had a problem with them. Since you have already done the Poly and your family loves Epcot, go with the BC!!!!

 

[JohnNYC]

We split our stays between BC and a MK resort.

We always stay at BC because Epcot is our favorite park and that walk "home" at night is just amazing to us! Having the restaurants of the Boardwalk and World Showcase just steps away is so nice.

While we liked the Poly, the pools don't compare either...not even close!

I guess my vote, if doing just one resort, is definitely BC!

 

[fourboysandme]

we've stayed at both and love both! I think the pros to BC are the restaurants and being on the boardwalk. It is a close walk to Epcot. My DH had a great idea to walk through Epcot and take the monorail to MK. Buses would have been better. The boat launch to Hollywood Studios was easy. The pool at BC is great too! Our room overlooked epcot and we watched fireworks from our balcony.

On our last trip we went to the Poly. It was perfect for us. We spend most time at MK and being on the monorail to MK was perfect for us. Epcot was also on the monorail which made getting there easy too. With kids in strollers...then I'd vote poly for convenience! We had a double and single stroller on that trip, so getting on and off the buses was a pain. The pool at the poly was enough fun for our kids. They loved the white sand beaches, and the hammocks. We watched the fireworks from the beach a couple of times and the boat parade was a fun experience. rooms are darker because of the decor style, but we still loved it!

Good luck! Both are great hotels!

 

[jade1]

We split our stays between BC and a MK resort.

We always stay at BC because Epcot is our favorite park and that walk "home" at night is just amazing to us! Having the restaurants of the Boardwalk and World Showcase just steps away is so nice.

While we liked the Poly, the pools don't compare either...not even close!

I guess my vote, if doing just one resort, is definitely BC!

Exact same. That way we can do MK stuff from BLT or POLY, we do an extra night at BCV because its still the best (ex 3 nights BLT, 4 nights BCV). The move is simple, they take the bags to BCV-we walk to MK and take the BCV bus to check in.

And agree, if only one resort-BCV. POLY is great, but our kids are now older and really like the dining/drinks/Illuminations by foot.

 

[JohnNYC]

Exact same. That way we can do MK stuff from BLT or POLY, we do an extra night at BCV because its still the best (ex 3 nights BLT, 4 nights BCV). The move is simple, they take the bags to BCV-we walk to MK and take the BCV bus to check in.

And agree, if only one resort-BCV. POLY is great, but our kids are now older and really like the dining/drinks/Illuminations by foot.

We do the same! Usually one extra night at BC.
I find it makes transportation so easy to split your stay between the two resort areas - except for AK, you're always close to "home" when in a park!

 

[Aliceacc]

I am losing my mind!!!!

We stayed the last 2 trips and the Poly and ADORED it!!!!!

Now I'm starting to plan for summer 2012. Without knowing what specials may be out there, right now we're looking at only the AAA discount.

I had eliminated the teacher discount at the Dolphin-- we want the meal plan and my son is too big for a rollaway. So I was settled on a parking lot view room at the Contemporary Garden Wing.

The kids aren't thrilled. They're campaigning heavily for the Poly. They love the monorail access and the Volcano pool. I love the serenity.

So I'm starting to look at other options. The Beach Club is so covenient to both Epcot and DHS, and I'm pretty sure the kids would adore Stormalong Bay. And we would still save a few hundred dollars over the Poly.

I have lots of thinking to do before we put down our deposit in August!!!