Please help! Resort choice anxiety! BWI, Poly, or AKL?

[flyball]

My DDs and I have finally convinced DH that we NEED to return to Disney in August. We've stayed at AKL (CL last August) the last two trips (and LOVE it) but are considering trying something new. We've stayed at POR, WL, and the Contemporary during prior trips. My kids and I really love ambiance and we all love good food. We also enjoy taking a leisurely afternoon swim. The girls are 14 and 12 and are really happy with AKL, but my DH is insisting on branching out. Is the BWI better for "older" kids than the Poly? How do the concierge services at both compare? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Oh what a dilemma!!!

 

[Terk-1]

I'd have to actually vote for the Beach Club. This is very close to EPCOT & MGM and the Boardwalk is just over the bridge. This resort is very nice and the pool is great. I think you'd really enjoy it there.

 

[glewis1123]

We've stayed concierge at both Poly and AKL. AKL is our family's favorite resort.(and we're DVC members) I know there is always a lot of debate on which one of the two are better. But both are noted as being the best at WDW.

We've stayed at BWV and didn't care for the resort at all - nice resort but just not our taste. We really didn't like having to share the bus with S&D and YC/BC.

We're staying at BCV for the first time next week. But, I think your girls would probably really enjoy their pool.

 

[goodferry]

We have stayed at the Poly concierge and loved it, the lounge is awesome! My 14 year old loved the pool and then whole resort. It was perfect for returning for an afternoon swim. You can watch Wishes and the ELP from the lounge or from the beach, it is a very relaxing place to return to after a day at the parks! OHana is a great restaurant, and you do have the GF, CR and WL very close by for dining.
DH and I are returning in August for an anniversary trip and he wants to branch out too, so we are trying the Boardwalk, from what I have read, they have the superior lounge among the Epcot resorts. I can vouch for the pre-planning staff at the Boardwalk (shared with the Yacht and Beach Clubs), they have been terrific! The Boardwalk has a really nice pool also and probably has more dining options than the Poly with the Yacht Club and Beach Club and Epcot so close.
I think I would branch out and try another resort if I were you, but it is hard once you find someplace you like. For our December trip we are going back to the Poly concierge, the kids are insistent that's where they want to stay, I want the Grand Floridian, but I have been out voted.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My vote for kids your age would be YC, BC, Poly or GF.

 

[flyball]

We've stayed at BWV and didn't care for the resort at all - nice resort but just not our taste. We really didn't like having to share the bus with S&D and YC/BC.

We're staying at BCV for the first time next week. But, I think your girls would probably really enjoy their pool.

Thanks for the input, Disers! Sharing busses is one of the things I'm worried about with the Epcot resorts. Love the AKL dedicated bus service. I was hoping that the bus inconvenience would be offset by the fact that it would be so easy to get to Epcot and MGM. Maybe we should try Poly concierge, but I was thinking about the Epcot resorts because we've never really experienced the Boardwalk activities. I also thought I would be more comfortable going for an adult's night out at some of the Boardwalk lounges if my DDs were in the same building. So much to contemplate!

 

[susy]

Since your girls are older, I would also suggest the YC/BC. The pool just can't be beat. We like Epcot at night, so it's so nice to be able to walk back and forth. The dining options are endless (the YC Galley and the Crew's cup Lounge also serve lunch now). The boat to MGM is very quick and the Boardwalk is so nice to have right there.That would be my choice. The Cape May character breakfast is the best!!! We did that the morning of our "pool day"

 

[kathleena]

I was hoping that the bus inconvenience would be offset by the fact that it would be so easy to get to Epcot and MGM. Maybe we should try Poly concierge, but I was thinking about the Epcot resorts because we've never really experienced the Boardwalk activities.

We stay at BW all the time and never have a bus problem. The bus situation is absolutely offset by the walking aspects of staying at an Epcot resort. And, they now have MK buses that only go to BW/S/D so help with the overcrowding issues.

And the AKL bus is dedicated, but don't most of them stop at BB also during the day? And the distance factor adds to the timing just as much as stopping at other resorts does. I've stayed at AKL too, so I know what I'm talking about here!

I just can't see all the complaining about those buses! I mean - Poly share the mono rail with two other resorts AND the T&T. What's the difference?

Nothing beats walking home from Epcot/MGM and not having to wait for a bus or monorail in my opinion! Especially from Epcot!

And the Boardwalk at night is fun!

 

[flyball]

We stay at BW all the time and never have a bus problem. The bus situation is absolutely offset by the walking aspects of staying at an Epcot resort. And, they now have MK buses that only go to BW/S/D so help with the overcrowding issues.

And the AKL bus is dedicated, but don't most of them stop at BB also during the day? And the distance factor adds to the timing just as much as stopping at other resorts does. I've stayed at AKL too, so I know what I'm talking about here!

I just can't see all the complaining about those buses! I mean - Poly share the mono rail with two other resorts AND the T&T. What's the difference?

Nothing beats walking home from Epcot/MGM and not having to wait for a bus or monorail in my opinion! Especially from Epcot!

And the Boardwalk at night is fun!

We've only stayed at AKL during August, so I can only comment about bus service at that time. Most busses from AKL DON'T stop at BB; we only had this happen once or twice during a 12-night stay. I'm glad to hear that BWI has a bus to MK that is only shared with S/D. I wasn't really complaining about bus service, as we've been quite happy with transportation at DW (with the exception of a bad transportation week at WL). I was just under the impression that the BWI busses also served all of the other Epcot hotels, and that loop was a bit cumbersome when we did it in the past (I think to DTD one night). Just trying to get my ducks in a row before I book!

 

[Humphrey53209]

If those are your 3 choices, you shouldn't have any anxiety. They are all terrific resorts with different theming. Pick the one that suits your family's theming desire. IMHO you'll be happy with any choice.

Regards,
Humphrey53209

 

[WDW LOVR]

It depends on what you plan on doing during the trip. My kids are close to yours in age and Epcot and MGM are their favorite parks. That being said, one of the Epcot area resorts is perfect for us. Out of the group, we prefer BW, but BC and YC are both great also. SAB is a great bonus for staying at YC/BC.

If your kids are more MK people and you like to take afternoon breaks, then Poly is probably a good choice.