MK or EPCOT area resort?

[missypie]

We are a family of 5; it will be our first time to the World, although we will have visited DLR and DLP by the time we get to WDW. Kids: Ages 13, 11 and 8. Time of year: Late May/early June.

I've read a lot about the resorts on these boards and others, but still wonder if we would be better off at a MK area resort (CR of Poly) or Epcot area (Yacht Club)?

Opinions?

 

[llebrekniT]

I have to say that you CAN'T go wrong with any of the resorts you listed. Our personal favorite is the CR, because it feels like you never really leave the action and the access by monorail is great. I think your kids would love it there. They have 2 great pools, one with a water slide and a huge arcade. There is a marina with boats to rent. Although I have never stayed there, the Yacht Club would be great because they have a 3 acre mini-water park and it will be hot when you go! We usually break up our day by going to a park until we are hot and tired and go back to our resort for an afternoon cool-down in the pool. IF you think you will use the pools, these 2 resorts would be great.

From CR you can walk to MK and from YC you can walk to EPCOT. Given the age of your children, they will be able to get a lot out of EPCOT, whereas people with younger children generally do not.

I don't know if I've been much help, I really just don't think you can go wrong with either of your choices. I might add that you will have monorail access @ CR and will be able to get to EPCOT easily from there. I think everyone should stay @ CR at least once. The tower rooms book quickly and you can request to view the MK or Bay Lake and the pools. We've done both and loved both, hard to choose which is better.

Have a great trip!

 

[Kimberle]

Well, I don't know if I'm going to be much help either! The hardest part of a WDW vacation is deciding where to stay!

I'd advise to look at where you'll be spending most of your time. If at MK, then select a MK resort.

The Epcot area resorts are w/in walking distance of both MGM & Epcot. If you like to dine at lots of different resturants, then an Epcot resort might be to your liking. (Epcot has all those international resturants.)

Since your kiddos are a bit older, I'm thinking they'd enjoy spending alot of time at the pool. Thought I've never been, I've heard stormalong is fantastic. (You must stay at Beach or Yaht Clubs to use.)

We've stayed at CR. We really enjoyed it. This trip we're staying at WL. Our dd is small & we spend most of the time at MK.

Doesn't matter where you choose, they all have their "pluses" and "minuses".

Good luck!

 

[swilphil]

Considering the ages of your children, I'd say Yacht Club or Beach Club. The SAB pool is the BEST!! When you are in the Epcot area, you have more options than just 1 park (MK) and I think your kids may appreciate the other parks a little more. There's so much to do at MGM/Epcot/Boardwalk for your kids and YOU!

Also the bus to MK comes often and is pretty quick.

 

[lUVTOGO]

We stayed at the Poly and Beach Club in August, and even though the kids favorite one was Poly, the Beach Club pool was great. Also Epcot and Mgm is a walk or boat ride away, and the boardwalk is also right there. So I would have to say an Epcot resort.

 

[wdwrich]

You might also consider splitting your stay between a MK resort and an EPCOT resort. This way, you get to experience both. Disney bell services will move your luggage for you while you're out and about.

 

[missypie]

If I really get to take the trip I am planning in my head, it would be 10 nights and then it may be worthwhile to split the stay between two resorts although I HATE THE IDEA OF PACKING AND UNPACKING. If I can get organized enough I could have one set of suitcases for one resort and another for the other so at least half the clothes could stay in the suitcase the first half of the trip.

 

[DemoBri1]

I would also say that the Epcot area would better suit your family. I would tend to think that your children will really take to the carnival type atmosphere of the Boardwalk, plus you have the choice of SAB pool at YC or BC. There's also the ESPN Club which has a gameroom if I remember correctly.

Good Luck and have a great trip!!

 

[halfway there]

I like both the EPCOT area and resorts. It's our favorite park. We have stayed at the BWI, YC and Swan. The YC is our favorite. The pool is the biggest and the best. The transportation from this area is also the best! You can walk or take a boat to EPCOT, take a boat to MGM, and bus to AK or MK (also monorail from EPCOT). I love having all these different ways of getting where I want to go!

You have access to all the great restaurants in EPCOT and other resorts within walking distance as well as the Boardwalk, with surrey bikes and midway games. You really can't go wrong here.

The CR is our favorite MK area resort so far. The proximity to the park is close and there's good restaurants here. Lots of shopping and fun tings to do.

Tough choice but I do agree with you on the split stay idea (packing and unpacking = UGH!!) although it may be the best way to experience the best of both worlds.

 

[missypie]

Y'all are really being helpful. Thank you. Even though the books say to save the MK for last if you have kids, I'm thinking about being at the CR the first part of the stay, to be able to see the MK out the window and really commando the parks ... then switch to Yacht Club when we're ready to spend more time at the pool, etc.

This is all starting to take shape in my mind ... too bad funds aren't limitless ... I fear that the great trip of '04 may have to wait until '05. Both sets of parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversaries during the summer of '04, so both will involve plane trips, helping to pay for parties, etc.

But no pity, please ... the next trip is to DLP!