If you have a moment, help my friend and I choose a deluxe!

[melissapealo]

I agree that the BC would be great especially if you are there during F&W. The ease of walking to Epcot and having the boardwalk as well.
You said that AKL is the only resort you haven't visited. Could you maybe take the time for a short visit there during your trip next month? That may give you a better idea of the resort. It is beautiful and would be my pick if it weren't for the F&W. You may also be able to book a BB during your visit next month.
Such a nice dilemma to have as all 3 are great resorts. You'll be with your friend and at Disney so really can't go wrong with any of them.
Enjoy your trip next month.

 

[JustFel]

I would pick either Poly or BC. At the Poly you have a boat ride or monorail to the MK and a short walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail We loved the grounds including the tiki torches at night and the electrical water pageant plus being able to view the fireworks at MK if we were back at that time. For the BC it is an easy walk or boat ride to Epcot and HS. Plus there is SAB if you enjoy pool time.

With a friend I would choose Beach Club, you can walk to Epcot or the Boardwalk at night, or chat while floating in a lazy river. You can also sit poolside and Guillermo will bring you tasty tropical drinks

There are pros and cons to each of the hotels you have listed:

Poly - pros: proximity of MK, O'Hana's and Kona Café, ease of Monorail
cons: price - this is usually the 2nd highest priced resort ( at least in my experience when I want to stay there )

BC - pros: awesome pool, close to Epcot and BW, laid back atmosphere.
cons: it seems like there are several different room types - if you want a full balcony, make sure you let them know when you make your reservation, quick service dining is also weak at this resort ( IMO ).

AK - pros: awesome scenery, great food options
cons: furthest from most of the theme parks, resort is spread out

with a friend and wanting to not be at the parks as much I would hands down choose Beach Club. The proximity to Epcot for food and wine and the boardwalk can't be beat. Having a late night at jellyrolls is a lot of fun and being able to walk there is super convenient. I just think there is more to do in that area. AKL is to secluded from everything to just hangout there a decent amount even though it is a beautiful resort I dont think its the right fit for this trip. the poly does have my favorite atmosphere and you could ride the monorail to other resorts but I still vote for beach club

I'd say Yacht Club. It the same proximity and pool as BC, but the rooms were redone this year. You also will have a definite balcony at YC. I just got back from my first stay there this week and it was amazing. Short walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk for cocktails. We stayed at the Poly too, rooms were way better at YC, but Trader Sam's and the monorail are nice options at the Poly too.

I agree that the BC would be great especially if you are there during F&W. The ease of walking to Epcot and having the boardwalk as well.
You said that AKL is the only resort you haven't visited. Could you maybe take the time for a short visit there during your trip next month? That may give you a better idea of the resort. It is beautiful and would be my pick if it weren't for the F&W. You may also be able to book a BB during your visit next month.
Such a nice dilemma to have as all 3 are great resorts. You'll be with your friend and at Disney so really can't go wrong with any of them.
Enjoy your trip next month.

Thank you all so, so much for your feedback and suggestions! After reading through everyone's thoughts and running these replies by my friend, we think we're now leaning more towards Yacht or Beach Club (mostly due to the Epcot and Food and Wine proximity.) No matter what, we'll definitely be heading to the Poly for an evening at Trader Sam's and perhaps a breakfast at Kona.

For those of you who suggested Beach or Yacht club, are there really any key differences between the two to be aware of? I know @Eliserose brought up the definite balcony and the renovated rooms, and that does seem like a huge bonus for only $1 more a night!

And thank you for the bounce back heads up @melissapealo ! I will definitely go ahead and see if I'm able to book a bounce back while on property next month. I haven't ever booked a bounce back before, so I'm not exactly sure how to go about it or what the current offers are, but I'll be sure to look into it!

 

[Wood Nymph]

For those of you who suggested Beach or Yacht club, are there really any key differences between the two to be aware of? I know @Eliserose brought up the definite balcony and the renovated rooms, and that does seem like a huge bonus for only $1 more a night!

The Yacht Club/Beach Club facts thread will tell you all about the two resorts on the first page of the thread. The Beach Club is closer to the International Gateway then the Yacht Club, but otherwise they are almost like one big resort. They share all their facilities, including pools and buses.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...rmation-questions-refurb-news-post-1.3400342/

 

[NH-to-FL]

While we will be visiting the parks on this trip, I don't think we'll be doing rope drop to park close like I am usually used to. We're looking at staying for about a week and going to the parks for 4-5 days out of that time; instead of nonstop rides, we're very much more interested in spending time together, trying some new places to eat, exploring our resort, and having some really delicious cocktails!

to DisBoards!

Based on the above paragraph I would suggest the Beach Club. The Epcot resort area offers a lot of possibilities for exploration and even more when you include being able to wander over to Epcot. And I can't think of a place that has more varied places to eat, snack, and drink within easy walking distance of your room. And if you will be there in September then you add Epcot's Food and Wine festival to your list of options.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is very unique with lots to enjoy but it is off by itself and once explored it will take a bus/taxi/car trip to have more options.

For adults I feel that the Epcot resort area is the best location on site.

 

[raddisneyfan]

If I'm staying at Disney, it's the theming that drives my decision not really convenience--and price of course. My vote would be AKL, then Poly, and then I would stay at BWI before BC unless you will be spending lots of pool time--BC pool a lot better than BWI, but I prefer AKL pool to BC pool--a lot less busy. I also like the quieter pool at Poly a lot. I would also consider WL--I'll be staying in less than 3 weeks--another beautiful resort.

 

[SL6827]

I'd say Yacht Club. It the same proximity and pool as BC, but the rooms were redone this year. You also will have a definite balcony at YC. I just got back from my first stay there this week and it was amazing. Short walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk for cocktails. We stayed at the Poly too, rooms were way better at YC, but Trader Sam's and the monorail are nice options at the Poly too.

Good idea!

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the Dis JustFel If you're staying deluxe there aren't any wrong choices, only which resort has the most things you'll use & appreciate. If you're doing F&W the Boardwalk resorts are ideal. AKL is certainly beautiful and is an attraction in itself if you like checking out the Animals. Will you be using Disney transportation or will you rent a car? That aspect can be a factor too.

 

[loves to dive]

I'd do an Epcot resort,hands down if you are there during F&W. Full disclosure, I always stay at the Epcot resorts for at least part of my trip because Epcot and HS are my favorite parks. YC is my favorite, it is connected to BC but, for me, YC has a more adult feel. At BC you are not guaranteed a full sized balcony, at YC if you get a room other than ground floor you are going to have a balcony, there is nothing like waking up in the morning and sitting on your balcony with a cup of coffee and watching the place wake up. Frankly, I just pick whichever is less between YC/BC, BW and Swan/Dolphin.

I love AK and have stayed there during a split stay, it's a beautiful resort. And it isn't any further than any of the parks than any of the moderates are, everything is far from MK except the monorail/WL resorts.

Poly would be my third choice for an adult trip. It's a pretty resort and it's proximity to MK can't be beat but it feels a little too busy for me. I'm not a fan of the monorail resorts. MK is our least favorite park (a sin I know) and I dislike the monorail. The fact that you have no other way to Epcot is a real turn off for me. I can take the boats to MK and am fine with that.

 

[toodycat]

AKL is my favorite of those three. The theming is really immersive, and unless you go to Africa, it's the closest you're going to get to those animals, especially if you can get a savannah room. Also, all of the restaurants at AKL are amazing. However, if this is a trip where you and your best friend want to walk around a lot, grab a drink or watch an entertainer at night, I would recommend the YC or BC for the easy access to the Boardwalk and Epcot. The Poly has great transportation options, but otherwise I've only ever had average experiences staying there---not terrible, but not magical either.

 

[amccu18007]

I would say without a doubt that for your specific situation, I would recommend the Beach club. The amazing pools where you can always find a seat, access to food and wine, proximity to two parks, and adult night life at the boardwalk give the Beach Club the edge. Poly is nice but to me tends to be very busy. Everyone seems to visit which tends to give you a congested feeling at times especially in the main building. Animal Kingdom is lovely to visit but after a few days can seem really far away from everything. The three restaurants are wonderful! Good luck with whatever you choose but most importantly, have a wonderful time with your friend!

 

[CynBeth]

Thank you all so, so much for your feedback and suggestions! After reading through everyone's thoughts and running these replies by my friend, we think we're now leaning more towards Yacht or Beach Club (mostly due to the Epcot and Food and Wine proximity.) No matter what, we'll definitely be heading to the Poly for an evening at Trader Sam's and perhaps a breakfast at Kona.

For those of you who suggested Beach or Yacht club, are there really any key differences between the two to be aware of? I know @Eliserose brought up the definite balcony and the renovated rooms, and that does seem like a huge bonus for only $1 more a night!

And thank you for the bounce back heads up @melissapealo ! I will definitely go ahead and see if I'm able to book a bounce back while on property next month. I haven't ever booked a bounce back before, so I'm not exactly sure how to go about it or what the current offers are, but I'll be sure to look into it!

We have never stayed at the BC but loved the YC in Dec which was our first time staying at an Epcot resort. We did not find it too much more of a walk than the BC has to get to Epcot and the boat dock is in front of it. Plus, when sharing buses the YC is first.

 

[amccu18007]

The Yacht club has a more nautical feel of the common areas which the Beach Club is well, beachy. Both share amenities and are close to everything. I find the Yacht club to be a tad bit more adult like but both are our favorite!
To see if you can get a bounce back deal, call 8844 from your room while on vacation and ask what the current special is. Have fun!

 

[Disneytam]

I will start out by saying that I have never stayed at the BC. I have however stayed at the YC, AKL and the BWI many times and I think you would be happiest at the BC. The EPCOT hotel area is so nice to just stroll around and relax at night. You have Jellyrolls and a large assortment of dining areas with the three hotels and the Swan and Dolphin all a short stroll around the lake. Evening also brings the entertainment out on the Boardwalk as well two different ice cream parlors. Of course if you have park hoppers or the AP then you can just stroll over to EPCOT for a drink or two later in the evening after you are back from your other parks. Miniature Golf is just a short walk away over beyond the Swan. The whole area has just a little bit more of an adult feel to it than the MK resorts do. I loved AK Lodge but it is so far away from everything that we felt to far removed from the rest of the "world" so to speak.

Whatever you decide have a great time.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

I've stayed at 2 of your three choices. BC is our favorite resort so I lean that way. Love the location, the decor of the rooms, SAB and the quiet pools and of course being able to walk to 2 parks. That cannot be overstated especially during F&W . We aren't big food court people, so the lack of one doesn't create a problem for us. We can find enough to eat at the resort at Crew's Cup and the Marketplace if we want to eat something quick at the resort. If a balcony is a big issue then we would probably stay at YC for all the same reasons. That said, AKL is a wonderful experience if you are planning a lot of resort time. It is such a beautifully decorated resort. It has 2 of our favorite restaurants. The CMs are interesting to talk to and the ability to see the animals is terrific! We didn't feel that the travel time to the parks was that much worse than from any other resorts. While I haven't stayed at the Poly, we did get to view a room there. It is on our list for a future stay. Proximity to MK is great but I'm not that huge of a monorail fan. It seems to take a long time to make the Epcot run but that's just my opinion. I can see where it would be a good choice for a stay with a lot of resort time.

 

[cheshirecatattack]

I have stayed at all three and my home resort is The Polynesian. As much as I truly love The Poly, I am taking some first-timers to WDW in February and are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. The resort just has such a "wow" factor when you walk in that really can't be beat. It really is like you've been transported to a whole other world. All of the restaurants are fantastic, walking over to the other section (Kidani Village) for a meal at Sanaa is definetly worth it! The bread service is to die for! We have had great luck with the buses as well. The rides never felt overly long.

But you're right, between these 3 there is no wrong choice. Good luck planning!

 

[JustFel]

The Yacht Club/Beach Club facts thread will tell you all about the two resorts on the first page of the thread. The Beach Club is closer to the International Gateway then the Yacht Club, but otherwise they are almost like one big resort. They share all their facilities, including pools and buses.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...rmation-questions-refurb-news-post-1.3400342/

Thank you for this! I looked through the thread and it was perfect for comparing the differences I hadn't been able to see just by visiting the resort. c:

 

[JustFel]

If I'm staying at Disney, it's the theming that drives my decision not really convenience--and price of course. My vote would be AKL, then Poly, and then I would stay at BWI before BC unless you will be spending lots of pool time--BC pool a lot better than BWI, but I prefer AKL pool to BC pool--a lot less busy. I also like the quieter pool at Poly a lot. I would also consider WL--I'll be staying in less than 3 weeks--another beautiful resort.

I actually really love the look of WL, but my friend vetoed this option -- not because she thought it was a bad resort, but only because we both grew up in New Hampshire and she thinks the theming would remind her of home/where she lives now too much. She essentially sees a lot of beautiful places in the wilderness currently, so I can understand her reasoning (even though I'm totally adding WL to my 'must-stay' list for the future!) Thank you again for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it so much!

 

[JustFel]

to DisBoards!

Based on the above paragraph I would suggest the Beach Club. The Epcot resort area offers a lot of possibilities for exploration and even more when you include being able to wander over to Epcot. And I can't think of a place that has more varied places to eat, snack, and drink within easy walking distance of your room. And if you will be there in September then you add Epcot's Food and Wine festival to your list of options.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is very unique with lots to enjoy but it is off by itself and once explored it will take a bus/taxi/car trip to have more options.

For adults I feel that the Epcot resort area is the best location on site.

I think we've officially decided upon Yacht Club for our stay, thanks to your folks' help. (Depending upon BB availability when I'm there in two weeks though, we'd have no problem at all staying at Beach Club since they both look amazing!) Honestly, it's been so nice being able to hear from so many different people, and we're thinking about taking a trip to the other resorts for a meal and drinks in order to make it a kind of compromise! Food and Wine seems to be the major selling point for us, though. At the end of the day, I think we'll love being able to walk to and from that park! Thank you for your help!

Welcome to the Dis JustFel If you're staying deluxe there aren't any wrong choices, only which resort has the most things you'll use & appreciate. If you're doing F&W the Boardwalk resorts are ideal. AKL is certainly beautiful and is an attraction in itself if you like checking out the Animals. Will you be using Disney transportation or will you rent a car? That aspect can be a factor too.

You're so right about the Boardwalk, and I cannot wait to explore it! Thank you for the kind welcome and for your reply -- oh, and we'll be using Disney transportation!

I'd do an Epcot resort,hands down if you are there during F&W. Full disclosure, I always stay at the Epcot resorts for at least part of my trip because Epcot and HS are my favorite parks. YC is my favorite, it is connected to BC but, for me, YC has a more adult feel. At BC you are not guaranteed a full sized balcony, at YC if you get a room other than ground floor you are going to have a balcony, there is nothing like waking up in the morning and sitting on your balcony with a cup of coffee and watching the place wake up. Frankly, I just pick whichever is less between YC/BC, BW and Swan/Dolphin.

I love AK and have stayed there during a split stay, it's a beautiful resort. And it isn't any further than any of the parks than any of the moderates are, everything is far from MK except the monorail/WL resorts.

Poly would be my third choice for an adult trip. It's a pretty resort and it's proximity to MK can't be beat but it feels a little too busy for me. I'm not a fan of the monorail resorts. MK is our least favorite park (a sin I know) and I dislike the monorail. The fact that you have no other way to Epcot is a real turn off for me. I can take the boats to MK and am fine with that.

Epcot and Hollywood Studios are also two of my favorite parks, so I think the proximity and the ability to walk to those areas will definitely be a great perk. It's great to know that you love these resorts so much -- definitely encouraging and getting me so excited even though I already have a trip coming up soon! Thank you for your help and kindness!

AKL is my favorite of those three. The theming is really immersive, and unless you go to Africa, it's the closest you're going to get to those animals, especially if you can get a savannah room. Also, all of the restaurants at AKL are amazing. However, if this is a trip where you and your best friend want to walk around a lot, grab a drink or watch an entertainer at night, I would recommend the YC or BC for the easy access to the Boardwalk and Epcot. The Poly has great transportation options, but otherwise I've only ever had average experiences staying there---not terrible, but not magical either.

Thank you! We've decided to go with Yacht Club after seeing all of the feedback here, but we're going to be visiting the other resorts for good measure. I really appreciate your feedback on the Poly, too! I think perhaps it would be a better resort choice if we had kids and needed the proximity to the Magic Kingdom, but as that park isn't our top priority for this trip, we'll probably wait a while before going there!

I would say without a doubt that for your specific situation, I would recommend the Beach club. The amazing pools where you can always find a seat, access to food and wine, proximity to two parks, and adult night life at the boardwalk give the Beach Club the edge. Poly is nice but to me tends to be very busy. Everyone seems to visit which tends to give you a congested feeling at times especially in the main building. Animal Kingdom is lovely to visit but after a few days can seem really far away from everything. The three restaurants are wonderful! Good luck with whatever you choose but most importantly, have a wonderful time with your friend!

Thank you for the information! We're definitely going to love the pool time and the ability to walk to parks.

The Yacht club has a more nautical feel of the common areas which the Beach Club is well, beachy. Both share amenities and are close to everything. I find the Yacht club to be a tad bit more adult like but both are our favorite!
To see if you can get a bounce back deal, call 8844 from your room while on vacation and ask what the current special is. Have fun!

Oh, thank you so much for the BB information! This will be super helpful when I'm there soon. I honestly am already getting so excited for this trip just thinking about the Yacht Club, Boardwalk, and Food and Wine!

I will start out by saying that I have never stayed at the BC. I have however stayed at the YC, AKL and the BWI many times and I think you would be happiest at the BC. The EPCOT hotel area is so nice to just stroll around and relax at night. You have Jellyrolls and a large assortment of dining areas with the three hotels and the Swan and Dolphin all a short stroll around the lake. Evening also brings the entertainment out on the Boardwalk as well two different ice cream parlors. Of course if you have park hoppers or the AP then you can just stroll over to EPCOT for a drink or two later in the evening after you are back from your other parks. Miniature Golf is just a short walk away over beyond the Swan. The whole area has just a little bit more of an adult feel to it than the MK resorts do. I loved AK Lodge but it is so far away from everything that we felt to far removed from the rest of the "world" so to speak.

Whatever you decide have a great time.

I've never been to Jellyrolls, but I have heard so many good things! On our first night, now that we know we'd like to stay at Yacht Club, we're definitely planning on going to the Yachtsman Steakhouse. I think Jellyrolls would be wonderful for another night, and ice cream is good at any time! I might be getting an annual pass, but no matter what we'll have hoppers. Thank you for your take on AKL, as well!

 

[JustFel]

I've stayed at 2 of your three choices. BC is our favorite resort so I lean that way. Love the location, the decor of the rooms, SAB and the quiet pools and of course being able to walk to 2 parks. That cannot be overstated especially during F&W . We aren't big food court people, so the lack of one doesn't create a problem for us. We can find enough to eat at the resort at Crew's Cup and the Marketplace if we want to eat something quick at the resort. If a balcony is a big issue then we would probably stay at YC for all the same reasons. That said, AKL is a wonderful experience if you are planning a lot of resort time. It is such a beautifully decorated resort. It has 2 of our favorite restaurants. The CMs are interesting to talk to and the ability to see the animals is terrific! We didn't feel that the travel time to the parks was that much worse than from any other resorts. While I haven't stayed at the Poly, we did get to view a room there. It is on our list for a future stay. Proximity to MK is great but I'm not that huge of a monorail fan. It seems to take a long time to make the Epcot run but that's just my opinion. I can see where it would be a good choice for a stay with a lot of resort time.

The lack of Quick Service doesn't really bother us at all -- we're sort of leaning more towards a nice breakfast in the mornings (or just a piece of fruit or oatmeal) and then a nice dinner at night. Snacking around the World Showcase is fun even on average days, so Food and Wine just makes that better and easier, I think! Though I don't mind the balcony much, I think she'll love being able to sit outside with some tea or a drink at night. Thank you!

I have stayed at all three and my home resort is The Polynesian. As much as I truly love The Poly, I am taking some first-timers to WDW in February and are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. The resort just has such a "wow" factor when you walk in that really can't be beat. It really is like you've been transported to a whole other world. All of the restaurants are fantastic, walking over to the other section (Kidani Village) for a meal at Sanaa is definetly worth it! The bread service is to die for! We have had great luck with the buses as well. The rides never felt overly long.

But you're right, between these 3 there is no wrong choice. Good luck planning!

Ah, we're definitely going to have to go visit the AKL -- we almost want to do a split stay, but I think perhaps having dinner there and spending some time walking around and looking at the animals might be good, too! Thank you for your reply and help, and I hope you have a wonderful trip with those first-timers!

 

[Disnsyncey]

I'll definitely be honest here and say that I have been in love with Beach Club ever since seeing it for the first time. I also am keeping in mind that if we're going to be there during the dates I'm hoping for, Food and Wine might still be going on -- which adds another plus to the Beach Club, for sure! Thank you for your reply, I really do appreciate the help and everyone's thoughts! They all seem like such great resorts and I don't really think there's a wrong choice.

I would say AKL (my FAV resort) for any other time except for Food and Wine, for which I would do Beach Club, hands down.....especially since you are going to just be "enjoying" the atmosphere and not doing parks as a priority, you have the walks from Epcot to HS, and the the possibility to explore the other resorts nearby......it has been my DREAM to stay at YC/BC for the pool and especially for F&W, but I don't have that much money for my disney trips (my F&W yearly trip is at AS Sports! hahaha)....but one day!

and regarding your AP.....if your trip this year is "after" your trip next year, then you can get the use out of it in an overlapping AP! that's what I am doing this and next year