Please Help Choose a Resort!

[mickeyluv'r]

I would say Poly or Beach Club. I've stayed at both. I prefer the Beach Club for its theming, swimming pool and quick walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk. The pool even has a lazy river. We found the CMs at the Beach Club super-friendly and efficient. Also, the lobby is lovely.

A slight downside of the BC lazy river is that it is pretty deep as lazy rivers go.

Overall though the BC pool is pretty amazing .

[Much of the BC pool has a SAND bottom. It is very unique. There's even an area where young kids can built sand castles while sitting in the shallows. When you buy a kid meal by the pool, they give it to you a pail w/shovel.}

The other upside of the BC pool is that they have both a bigger water slide, and a kiddie sized water slide.

Then, if OP goes with POR, she'd have access to both the POR and PORFQ pools (though they are a little walk apart.)

OP, I suggest you take a look specifically at where you wish to eat. Most of the TS dining choices near POR are in Disney Springs via shuttle boat. BC puts you near everything at the BC/YC/Swan/Dolphin/Boardwalk, and (with park admission) everything in the World Showcase. (most are less than 15min walk or a shuttle boat away) Poly puts you close to Poly/CR/GF (via monorail). CR puts you close to CR/Poly/GF/WL/Ft. W (monorail/boat) and via the MK bus stop to all the rest of the WDW resorts (10min walk+ bus ride). That said, getting from Poly and CR all the way to the World Showcase is a bit of a long distance. (monorail drops you off at front gate of Epcot).

Of course dining the parks is also always an option from any hotel. Eating dinner near your hotel really only matters if you plan to take afternoon breaks/change for dinner.

 

[Shellyred8]

Based on your tentative itinerary, I would go for the Poly. I think the pools there are better than CR. If you were going to be spending more time at Epcot and/or HS, I would've recommended BC over the other ones you listed.

Have you considered Wilderness Lodge? It's just a boat ride away from MK. It might be a little less expensive than the Poly. Also, they have a new pool area there thanks to the DVC remodel. You are also a quick boat ride away from the CR or Ft. Wilderness Camp grounds if you want to venture out to a different area on your resort day. The camp grounds have the Tri Circle D ranch that you can go check out for free. They have some of the horses used at the MK housed there. They are pretty amazing to see up close and in person.

Happy planning and have a great trip!

 

[bigeyedfish]

I have considered Wilderness Lodge! However, we are a family of five so staying in the lodge is considerably more $$. Boulder Ridge Villas sleep 5 and around $482/night but not entirely sold on the kids sleeping on pullout couches, etc.