May trip for 5 ladies celebrating birthdays/Which of these 3 resorts?

[Tammy A]

I'm planning a May trip with my sister, niece, and my 2 daughters. Our girls are in their early 20's. We are celebrating my sister and my niece's birthdays. My sister is a amputee and uses a prosthetic. I am pretty sure we will use her wheelchair some of the time. It folds up well. We are also celebrating my nephew's birthday and his life as this trip is much needed; my sister's son passed in January. He was 19. We love all the parks, probably spend the least amount of time at Animal Kingdom. I was able to price out the following: Boardwalk garden view at about $3500, Beach Club garden view at about $3700 and Grand Floridian lagoon view at about $3800. Which one would you recommend for us?

 

[Babsy]

First: My condolences on your loss of your nephew. I hope that your time in WDW will indeed give you what you are looking for during this difficult time.

Theming and transportation options/convenience are deciding factors when choosing a resort for our family. As you have it narrowed down to three, I assume that these are all themes that you would like.

As to the resort choice, I would book either the BWI or the GF of your options. Decide if you plan to spend more time at the Epcot/DHS theme parks or in the MK and stay at the resort that is in the appropriate area. BC is great and has a huge pool area, but you may get a small standing only balcony, so that puts it last on the list, IMO. Also, the BC tends to be a bit more young family oriented and the BWI or Gf just seem a slightly better 'fit' for your adult group.

Personally, I would choose the GF as I like to see the castle from my resort, enjoy the larger rooms and tend to be a fan of the boat or monorail transportation options. And the MK feels like the essence of WDW to me.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I'd also choose between either GF or BWI. For GF, that's a great price so that would probably be a deciding factor for me.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For a birthday trip, I would choose GF. I've had a lot of noise issues at BWI and BC is lovely, IMHO, but not as "special" as GF.

 

[marjorieeeee]

I’d eliminate beach club too, unless you want the pool.

I’d like to contribute that lagoon view at GF is different from Theme Park view. You probably would not be able to see fireworks from that room. But it is a lovely resort.

So I’d say boardwalk if you want a lot of Epcot visits (all that great World Showcase food; so close to the resort!), otherwise GF. Can I attach a photo of my BWI garden view stay in November?

 

[unrequited23]

I think the benefit of monorail access to MK and Epcot (even with the transfer) might be easier on your sister. Being able to walk to a resort may not be a huge benefit if she needs to use the wheelchair. Also, some of the boats have a step down when boarding and conversely a step up when disembarking that may be more challenging to navigate when tired after a day in the park. Plus, the GF seems perfect for a celebratory girls trip.

 

[loves to dive]

Depends on if you plan on spending more time at MK or Epcot/HS. If it were me, I'd go with BW but that is just because MK is only a 1/2 day park for us, we spend most of our time at Epcot and HS. I'm not a fan of the monorail so having that as the only option to get to Epcot from the MK resorts bothers me. You can't go wrong with either GF or BW (I'd rule out BC) so just decide on what parks you are going to be spending the most time in.

 

[Best Aunt]

I think you need to tell us (a) how you plan to get to each of the parks, and (b) whether or not you are trying to put everyone in 1 room. Actually, I don't even know what the capacity is for these rooms since I'm DVC, but if you are trying to get everyone in 1 room then factors like balcony size and bathroom layout might make a difference.

Also - if pricing changes and were the same for BC and BWI, I wouldn't be so quick to rule out BC. For one thing, it has a lot of rooms where you can sit if you want a break from each other - Solarium in BC and 2 rooms whose names I can never remember in nearby BCV. Also, its gift shop/quick service restaurant is in the hotel. At BWI, you have to exit the hotel and go down to the Boardwalk for everything. Also, the pools are nicer - BCV has a nice quiet pool, and there are 2 other quiet pools as well as Stormalong Bay. I found the BW main pool to be a mob scene, and to me it felt like the quiet pools had no charm.

Not saying that I dislike BW - I like it a lot. I just wouldn't be quick to rule out BC.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I want to say that I am so sorry for the loss of your nephew. It is so nice that you are so close to be there for your sister.
For the resorts - out of those three resorts the GF is our least favorite - although we do enjoy staying near MK. The GF is a big resort and there is a lot of walking (it was tough when we stayed there with my parents) to get to the monorail, bus or boat or anything to eat as unless you are staying club level you won't be in the main building.

We love the boardwalk area though and stay at the BWI often. Our kids are in their teens and 20s and love the boardwalk area - especially at night. So I would choose the BWI or the BC. The pool is wonderful at the BC but we enjoy the pool at the BWI as well.

 

[cedricandsophie]

With those ages I’d definitely do BW or Beach. You can get to two parks very easily and there is more for the younger folks to do at night.

 

[Tammy A]

I think you need to tell us (a) how you plan to get to each of the parks, and (b) whether or not you are trying to put everyone in 1 room. Actually, I don't even know what the capacity is for these rooms since I'm DVC, but if you are trying to get everyone in 1 room then factors like balcony size and bathroom layout might make a difference.

Also - if pricing changes and were the same for BC and BWI, I wouldn't be so quick to rule out BC. For one thing, it has a lot of rooms where you can sit if you want a break from each other - Solarium in BC and 2 rooms whose names I can never remember in nearby BCV. Also, its gift shop/quick service restaurant is in the hotel. At BWI, you have to exit the hotel and go down to the Boardwalk for everything. Also, the pools are nicer - BCV has a nice quiet pool, and there are 2 other quiet pools as well as Stormalong Bay. I found the BW main pool to be a mob scene, and to me it felt like the quiet pools had no charm.

Not saying that I dislike BW - I like it a lot. I just wouldn't be quick to rule out BC.

I am planning on putting all 5 gals in 1 room. I think we can manage. Only 1 really takes a long time and she's pretty good when on vacation. All 3 resort rooms have the 2 queens and a daybed which either my oldest daughter or I will sleep on since we are the shortest. We will not have a car. I was thinking we would use all forms of Disney free transportation depending on where we are staying and where we are going. The transportation doesn't worry me so much. We could also spring for an uber for those far away trips to AK.

 

[Karebear]

The Epcot resort area is my favorite. I just find it very relaxing and I love the quick access to Epcot and HS. Is there a reason YC is not on your list? I like it more than BC because the rooms there have a full balcony and it tends to be quieter than BC. I also love the pool complex. YC gets my vote! And then, BC and BW are tied followed by GF.

 

[Tammy A]

The Epcot resort area is my favorite. I just find it very relaxing and I love the quick access to Epcot and HS. Is there a reason YC is not on your list? I like it more than BC because the rooms there have a full balcony and it tends to be quieter than BC. I also love the pool complex. YC gets my vote! And then, BC and BW are tied followed by GF.

The yacht club wasn’t available.

 

[Tammy A]

I know the Beachclub has refurbished rooms; how are the other 2 resort rooms looking?

 

[Tammy A]

The other option would be to do a Polynesian studio. It is more money than even the Grand Floridian but then we have 2 bathrooms. One doesn't have a toilet but while someone is showering, the one bathroom would be free. Myself or my daughter would have to sleep on the little murphy bed. How is the size of the room?

 

[Boopuff]

Sorry about your nephew. But to chime in, I'd vote BC. With adults, the Epcot dining can't be beat. Plus you're right by BW with nightlife etc. Enjoy your trip!

 

[piccolopat]

Honestly with 5 adults I would prefer to stay in two rooms at a moderate. Have you looked into Caribbean Beach? It is one of the resorts with the new Skyliner that connects to both HS and Epcot and is wheelchair accessible. Perhaps you and your sister share one room and the girls in the other. This way if the girls want to stay out later or do something different at times, they can do so without waking you. If you are set on one of the three that you listed, I would choose BWI over BC unless you plan to spend a lot of time swimming (Stormalong is really nice) or I would choose GF if you want to spend more time in the MK than in HS/Epcot.

 

[Alison S]

The other option would be to do a Polynesian studio. It is more money than even the Grand Floridian but then we have 2 bathrooms. One doesn't have a toilet but while someone is showering, the one bathroom would be free. Myself or my daughter would have to sleep on the little murphy bed. How is the size of the room?

I'd never stay there with 5 people. There wouldn't be an inch of extra room. The extra bathroom takes up all of the "bedroom" space. I felt squished with two people in there! You definitely need a room with 2 queens and another bed (at the very least).

 

[mickey0624]

If it was me...I's go Poly...no doubt

 

[maryj11]

The GF would be my choice of those 3