Poly, Beach Club, or POFQ?

[Alexsandra]

Hi guys!

I am trying to plan our next trip to Florida. We will be flying in first week of March 2018.
We decided on a split stay between Disney and Universal Studios. My husband wanted to just do Universal this time but agreed on the split stay. Our plan is to do 4 nights at Disney and 4 nights at Universal's Cabana Bay. We've done Disney so often that four days is plenty for us to revisit some of our favourite attractions and check out the new Avatar Land. Plus the kids (7 and 10 y.o.) are really excited about the new Harry Potter land at U.S.

My debate is which resort to pick at Disney?
I was able to get a great deal on either POFQ, Polynesian or the Beach Club. It got it quoted with 3 day park tickets and it includes a bonus water park ticket for free.


Of course the most economical resort option is POFQ. It is usually where we stay when we visit. POFQ is our favourite moderate resort since it has the boat to Disney Springs and it is the smallest resort on property. However Polynesian is definitely my favourite resort x10. The high price tag always kept us away but my husband surprised me with a week there for our 10 year anniversary. Needless to say I fell in love with the place. SO much so that in 2015 we we able to do a split stay POFQ and Poly by renting a DVC. The boys ended up loving it just as much as my husband and I. The resort has so much going for it: the restaurants, the food, the music, the bars, the pools, fireworks on the beach, and the boat/monorail transportation to MK and Epcot.

Even though Beach Club is $300 less than the Poly, we've never stayed there so don't know how I feel about the place. I am attracted to the pools and lazy river however there is no monorail and I hear the transportation to the parks is slow well except for Epcot. The theming and restaurants don't appeal that much to my husband But like I said, we've never stayed there so cannot really judge it properly. We've eaten at Beaches and Creams a few time and thought that was fun but could not really get a good sense of the pool complex. We are going to forgo H.S this time and do MK, EP and AK.

There is one last option: I could also remove one day of park tickets and save $340 and use that to stay the Poly. That way I would have more time to enjoy the resort and do some pools days at the Poly. That means that my 2-day park ticket would be used at MK and AK. Plus I would still have the water park day which I could use at Typhoon Lagoon.

If I want to be reasonable POFQ is the way to go. Poly is where my heart is calling me and BC is on the fence. Help!

 

[Elmo888]

I voted for Beach Club for the pools and something new. The Boardwalk area in general has a lot to offer and see. It would be easy to spend time at your resort and walk to the other nearby resorts (Boardwalk and Yacht Club).

Also, I wanted to point out that Universal's Express passes are not included at Cabana Bay. In early March, if you will be there before Spring Break crowds, you probably will not need them. It depends on the dates. I would consider staying at one of the resorts where it is included if crowds are high (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay).

 

[10CJ]

I say stay at the Poly!

 

[heidijanesmith]

A big vote for the Poly! The Poly is one of our favorite resorts, it's so beautiful. The location is fabulous, so close to MK. If you have been to EPCOT often, I would skip EPCOT and stick with AK, MK and TL.

We love going to US and Harry Potter area especially. As the above poster stated the Unlimited Express Pass is not included as Cabana Bay, you might need them if you are going during Spring Break. We like to stay at HRH, the passes are included and the hotel location is just a 5min walk to the parks.

 

[terri33inne]

If budgetary concerns are not an issue I would eliminate POFQ, and then decide between Poly & BC based on convenience of transportation, which sounds like for this trip would be Poly. Especially given how much you love it there.

For me I just love the whole atmosphere of the Boardwalk area (I prefer BW to BC, but like them both)... I don't think you can beat being able to walk into World Showcase of Epcot. The dining options it opens up with Epcot/BW/BC/YC, etc make it so convenient. I have never had transportation issues at BW or BC.

 

[Ksquared]

I voted for Poly because that is where your heart is. When you think in terms of the overall cost of the trip, $300 isn't too much more to spend to stay at the Poly. With that being said, we are staying at the Beach Club for the first time this December. The pool, ability to walk into Epcot and/or DHS and the Boardwalk area being close by, I'm excited to stay here.

 

[robl45]

I would stay at beach club if you are going to use the pool. Otherwise its kind of expensive and isn't super special. The walk to epcot is nice though. You can also walk to DHS. Animal kingdom is a short trip and MK is 17 minutes by bus. I haven't stayed at port orleans in years, but that would be fine if I wasn't going to make use of the pool. Poly is nice, we've stayed there twice, but I think we are done as the horns in the morning are a bit much for me. Plus I've timed the trips and it isn't any quicker to get back to the hotel at poly then it is to beach club. The only hotel where you get an actual meaningful difference is contemporary/beach club because you can walk.

 

[Alexsandra]

I voted for Beach Club for the pools and something new. The Boardwalk area in general has a lot to offer and see. It would be easy to spend time at your resort and walk to the other nearby resorts (Boardwalk and Yacht Club).

Also, I wanted to point out that Universal's Express passes are not included at Cabana Bay. In early March, if you will be there before Spring Break crowds, you probably will not need them. It depends on the dates. I would consider staying at one of the resorts where it is included if crowds are high (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay).

Beach club pools do look fabulous and never seen Boardwalk at night. As for universal, I am considering staying at HRH instead of Cabana Bay to take advantage of the express pass. My kids really wanted Cabana bay once they saw the pool and lazy river. I Was going to get a 4 day park to park pass so that we can take it slow. We are early risers and would take advantage of the one hour early entry but it seems to be high crowds for those dates so I might need that express pass.

A big vote for the Poly! The Poly is one of our favorite resorts, it's so beautiful. The location is fabulous, so close to MK. If you have been to EPCOT often, I would skip EPCOT and stick with AK, MK and TL.

We love going to US and Harry Potter area especially. As the above poster stated the Unlimited Express Pass is not included as Cabana Bay, you might need them if you are going during Spring Break. We like to stay at HRH, the passes are included and the hotel location is just a 5min walk to the parks.

I know, Poly is so special especially at night once they light the torches. My favourite thing is the boat ride to and from MK at night. I love seeing the Polynesian from the water.
We actually loved HRH last time we visited. The walking distance to the park can't be beat! I also loved the Rock and Roll memorabilia everywhere and the restaurants on site were fabulous. Went to RPR our first time at US before renovations and we did not like the rooms there as we found them small and dark but we did love the rest of the hotel and its pacific theme.

 

[Shellyb84]

BC is our favorite resort by far and is "home" to us. We've never had transportation issues, there are plenty of dining options at the resort and nearby at WS and BW. The pool is fantastic.

However, I voted for Poly, because it sounds like it is home to you! Stick with what you love, especially for such a short stay. We enjoy trying other resorts but I always find myself wishing just a little that I was back at home at BC.

 

[mickeynut1]

I voted for the Poly. We've never stayed at POFQ, but have stayed at both Poly and BC and the Poly would be my choice every time over the BC. We thought the BC was nice, but the Poly blew us away as we loved everything about it. Good luck .

 

[AllieBoo]

I voted BC because you've never stayed there before, and it also has the best pool. We've stayed at YC and BC, and loved the convenience of walking to Epcot and boating to DHS. Also, the Boardwalk area has restaurants, bakeries and shops. We don't spend a ton of time on the Boardwalk, but it is fun to spend part of an evening there and catch the nightly entertainment (jugglers, magicians, etc.). We also enjoy going to Beaches and Cream and getting a mini kitchen sink.

But, if you feel like you are going to be really disappointed not staying at Poly, I would go with that.

 

[Alexsandra]

BC is our favorite resort by far and is "home" to us. We've never had transportation issues, there are plenty of dining options at the resort and nearby at WS and BW. The pool is fantastic.

However, I voted for Poly, because it sounds like it is home to you! Stick with what you love, especially for such a short stay. We enjoy trying other resorts but I always find myself wishing just a little that I was back at home at BC.

BC gets so many good reviews I feel like I should give it a chance. There are always people who complain about transportation throughout Disney, but in our experience we never had an issue waiting except for once at HS the first night they released the Villains party. Wow there was so many people that night, not enough buses and traffic. We waited over an hour for our bus to the Polynesian. That time I had wished I had chosen BC so I could have taken the boat back to the resorts.
However Poly is my home, even the smell in the lobby makes me happy as soon as I walk in there. I crave the funniest things

I voted for the Poly. We've never stayed at POFQ, but have stayed at both Poly and BC and the Poly would be my choice every time over the BC. We thought the BC was nice, but the Poly blew us away as we loved everything about it. Good luck .

Thanks. Either way, I think we'll drop POFQ as one of the choices. It's a great resort especially if spending more time in the parks but since I've been to Disney so often I want to be able to enjoy the resort. Deluxe is the way to go.

I voted BC because you've never stayed there before, and it also has the best pool. We've stayed at YC and BC, and loved the convenience of walking to Epcot and boating to DHS. Also, the Boardwalk area has restaurants, bakeries and shops. We don't spend a ton of time on the Boardwalk, but it is fun to spend part of an evening there and catch the nightly entertainment (jugglers, magicians, etc.). We also enjoy going to Beaches and Cream and getting a mini kitchen sink.

But, if you feel like you are going to be really disappointed not staying at Poly, I would go with that.

I do Love the Poly! But BC sounds nice for sure. The boys would fall in love with the pools and then we would never be able to go back to Disney without staying at BC.
I really like Beaches and Creams' "NO Way Jose", would go stay there just so I can have one daily. Although, I sure like Poly's Dole Whip floats.
What a dilema!

 

[Shellyb84]

BC gets so many good reviews I feel like I should give it a chance. There are always people who complain about transportation throughout Disney, but in our experience we never had an issue waiting except for once at HS the first night they released the Villains party. Wow there was so many people that night, not enough buses and traffic. We waited over an hour for our bus to the Polynesian. That time I had wished I had chosen BC so I could have taken the boat back to the resorts.
However Poly is my home, even the smell in the lobby makes me happy as soon as I walk in there. I crave the funniest things

Thanks. I am leaning more and more towards the Poly. Either way, I think we'll drop POFQ as one of the choices. It's a great resort especially if spending more time in the parks but since I've been to Disney so often I want to be able to enjoy the resort. Deluxe is the way to go.

Hmmm, BC sounds nice for sure. The boys would fall in love with the pools and then we would never be able to go back to Disney without staying at BC.
Plus I really like Beaches and Creams' "NO Way Jose", would go stay there just so I can have one daily. Although, I sure like Poly's Dole Whip floats.

I'm the same way about the smell of the BC lobby!

 

[prgal0715]

Poly is my all-time favorite resort at WDW so I totally get where you're coming from! That said, I do stay at BC from time to time for a few reasons: it's a beautiful, relaxed resort; walking to both Epcot and HS is fantastic (or taking the boat ride); Stormalong Bay is arguably the best pool on property. If your boys were excited about the lazy river at Cabana Bay, Stormalong Bay has it! It also has a great water slide, the pool is sand-bottomed and is just generally a lot of fun. You'd also have some good dining options at the Boardwalk which is a very quick walk from BC. So for this trip, I'm voting for BC - I think you'd love it! I just stayed there in January so happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

 

[Alexsandra]

Poly is my all-time favorite resort at WDW so I totally get where you're coming from! That said, I do stay at BC from time to time for a few reasons: it's a beautiful, relaxed resort; walking to both Epcot and HS is fantastic (or taking the boat ride); Stormalong Bay is arguably the best pool on property. If your boys were excited about the lazy river at Cabana Bay, Stormalong Bay has it! It also has a great water slide, the pool is sand-bottomed and is just generally a lot of fun. You'd also have some good dining options at the Boardwalk which is a very quick walk from BC. So for this trip, I'm voting for BC - I think you'd love it! I just stayed there in January so happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

Awe thank you so much! I think I will research a little more on BC and discuss it with the family. I'll get back to you if I have any more questions.

 

[CWdreamer]

I voted for the Beach Club because of the location and the pool. After staying on the monorail line, I was loving the transportation options, but once I tried the area outside of the International Gateway at EPCOT, I am hooked. We do park hoppers, so to be able to go to one park during the day or a pool day, then walking or boating to EPCOT is amazing. The pool at the Beach Club is so nice too.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

BC! It's our favorite resort. It's hard to beat not having to take a bus to 2 parks. The pools is great and you can see the higher fireworks from both Epcot and HS from various places around the resort. Downside is no guarante on a full balcony but that's the same as the Poly. I fully agree about hoppers and wandering in to Epcot whenever you want to grab something to eat or just walk around. We are currently staying at SSR which we are pleasantly surprised about how much we like it, but we walked through BC last night to go to Epcot and really missed the ease of Epcot and of course the smell of the resort!

 

[Jules76126]

BC is my favorite resort. I love the pool area and it is so close to Epcot. Depending on your room, you may even catch a glimpse of the fireworks at night. Walking over to the Swan or Boardwalk is also super easy and convenient. If you want to try something new, I do not think the BC will disappoint. We have never had any issues with the buses. However, if you feel you will be disappointed by not staying at the Poly, then certainly do that. I am open to staying at new resorts - would like to try CR when we have kids for the walk to MK, but I would go in knowing it will not be the BC so I didn't feel sad about not staying at my fav place. Either way I am sure you will have a great vacation.

 

[Spencer Wright]

I voted the Polynesian. It is beautiful and was redone in the past few years making it absolutely beautiful. You can literally see a panoramic view of Magic Kingdom from the lobby. It is relatively quiet even though it is in the heart of WDW.

I stayed at the PO - Riverside, and both of those hotels, which are nice, can become rather loud and hectic.

 

[disneyvoice]

We decided on our last trip that Beach Club is the best place to stay if you spend a lot of your time at Epcot but if you are going to spend a lot of time at MK and the other parks then staying at the Poly is the way to go.