Poly or BC?

[SarahC97]

We're getting ready to book our trip for next August and I just cannot decide between the Poly and Beach Club. We're going to get hoppers. Are the both equally convenient to the parks or does one have an edge over another? I know Poly has the monorail and TTC, so does that make it easier to get around? I would say my main concern is ease of getting around since we plan to take midday breaks often, so I want it to be convenient but I'm not sure if there's a big difference between the two resorts. We are doing all 4 parks. What say you, Disboards? What's your vote?

 

[hakepb]

Beach Club can walk to 2 parks, which is faster than monorail to 2 parks.

While you can board the Epcot monorail in TTC, you go through security/bag check before the monorail, and again at Epcot.

If you plan on more MK time than Poly has an advantage. If you plan on several dinners in Epcot, BC has an advantage.

 

[tbholc81]

I'd pick Poly everytime. We've stayed at both, outside SAB there was nothing special about BC. In fact we found the food selection/ options there to be pretty disappointing. It was nice to walk to HS and EPCOT, but i thought it was just as convenient to take a monorail or boat to MK, and walk to the TTC for the Monorail to EPCOT. Also our balcony at BC was only big enough to stand on so we never used it. All the rooms at Poly have balconies or sitting areas. We were much more impressed with Ply overall.

 

[Karebear]

I have stayed at both and I would vote for BC (actually I like YC the most but BC is a close second). You can walk to Epcot and boat or walk to HS. That only leaves buses to MK and AK. I have stayed at the BCYC numerous times and have always had good bus service to the parks. Last summer we did wait for 30 minutes for a bus after MK extra magic hours but that is the only time we waited near that long. Have a great trip!

 

[gharter]

We have stayed at both and like both for different reasons. When we spent more time at MK, Poly was great. Enjoy seeing the fireworks at night and the electric Parade. When we started spending more time at EPCOT for F&W, Y&BC made much more sense. We love being able to walk to 2 parks and enjoy the nightlife around Boardwalk in the evening.

 

[Farro]

Stayed at both, Poly as recently as last year.

Beach Club hands down. Walking into Epcot can't be beat for the food options alone. Beach Club is a gorgeous building, I would describe it as crisp, clean and fresh. The pool is fantastic, the smell is wonderful, the atmosphere of the entire area is fun and relaxing at the same time. Walk or boat to two parks.

Staying the Polynesian was my main memory as a child and it was great stay for us due to nostalgia and kitschy factor, but we don't feel the need to stay again. The buildings themselves can feel a bit outdated (especially the elevators), but the rooms are nice and big. The lobby and bar was always crowded to the point of being annoying. Just a lot of people there to eat, go to Trader Sam's or just to see the hotel. The grounds are beautiful and the boat ride to Magic Kingdom is wonderful! Did not like the smell at the lobby. We are in the minority on this opinion, but we didn't think Captain Cook's was really that great of a quick service option.

While we enjoyed ourselves at Polynesian, we sort of wished we were in the Boardwalk area and plan to go back there again next trip.

 

[MissionMouse]

The normal dilemma...many lodging choices of interest at premium prices, the pressure is on. Over the years we ended up staying at all of them. Sometimes spilt stays making it a little more complex and added cost (i.e.,, pros and cons). Other times committing to one resort which is current trend. I think it is important to spend some time to determine what you want and expect from your WDW experience as with these two deluxe resorts they differ by:

• theming (poly vs beach)
• location (MK vs Epcot)
• dining options (MK resort vs Epcot area resorts/WS restaurants)
• views (Disney icons vs Epcot Boardwalk)
• room size (original resort have slightly larger rooms)
• transportation options (PR for MK, BC for Epcot and DS)

We have stayed at both and are basically our favorites. As our daughters are older now, we tend to stay in the Epcot area to take advantage of 2 parks and a large array of dining options with park hoppers

 

[mickeynut1]

We’ve stayed at both and my choice would be the Poly. The BC is nice, but we love everything about the Poly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For me, it's all about location, particularly in the heat of August. How many days will you be in MK? How many in DHS/EP? If you'll spend more time n MK, go Poly. More time in DHS/EP, go BC.

My personal preference is BC. With the ability to walk to two parks and a ton of restaurants, it's just super convenient.

 

[Vern60]

Yeah, that's a really tough call. In August as DisneyWishes14 points out, I'm not sure how much walking to and from the parks you'll want to do but boats are available at both.
The Poly has a little cooler or maybe shady (in a good way) feeling to me yet storm along bay has beaches and cream. To me, it's just really hard to find a big advantage for one over the other. You might want to just go with which one's "vibe" you think you'll enjoy most. The good news is, I don't think you'll regret your decision either way.

 

[SarahC97]

For me, it's all about location, particularly in the heat of August. How many days will you be in MK? How many in DHS/EP? If you'll spend more time n MK, go Poly. More time in DHS/EP, go BC.

My personal preference is BC. With the ability to walk to two parks and a ton of restaurants, it's just super convenient.

This is part of my indecision. We're getting 7 day tickets - 2 days MK, 2 Epcot, 2 AK, and 1 DHS. So I'm a little confused about which resort would be the most convenient.

We think the pool at BC is awesome, but we like the vibe at Poly and the slightly larger rooms. I just don't know!

 

[TJA]

We used to rotate between those 2 resorts a lot. They each offer a different type of trip so I planned meals and FPs differently for each. Like if we stayed at BC, we knew we'd end a lot of nights in Epcot since it's just a short and relaxing walk. If staying at Poly, we'd plan meals at monorail resorts and hop over to MK a lot.

I agree with the above that you won't regret your decision either way! We love both places.

 

[dansdad]

This is part of my indecision. We're getting 7 day tickets - 2 days MK, 2 Epcot, 2 AK, and 1 DHS. So I'm a little confused about which resort would be the most convenient.

With that itinerary, BC will be more convenient 5 out of the 7 days.

 

[TJA]

This is part of my indecision. We're getting 7 day tickets - 2 days MK, 2 Epcot, 2 AK, and 1 DHS. So I'm a little confused about which resort would be the most convenient.

We think the pool at BC is awesome, but we like the vibe at Poly and the slightly larger rooms. I just don't know!

They would both be convenient for that kind of schedule. From Poly, you'll have direct monorail at TTC to both MK and Epcot (4 park days). From BC, you can walk to Epcot and HS (3 park days). Since you have hoppers, if you're not in a rush you can walk through Epcot in the morning and do a ride or grab a snack and then hop on the monorail to MK. We used to do that a lot because my kids thought it was fun and we liked to avoid the buses with our jogger.

 

[Dawn68PA]

Poly. Monorail to MK and Epcot and monorail convenience to most anything else.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

What time of year are you going? The Poly's rooms are set up in "longhouses" that you need to walk outside to get to- not fun in rainy season. But if you're going in winter, it might be too cold to use SAB which for me is the #1 reason to pick BC.

I stayed at the Contemporary last year and the monorail was shut down one evening and experienced "technical issues" another day that delayed us. Don't get me wrong, I love staying on the monorail, but if you're not going in the sweltering heat during summer, walking is my preferred method of transportation. BC is very convenient for walking to both Epcot and HS, but the Poly is reliant on the monorail.

So for me...
spring = BC
summer = Poly or BC depending on how important the pool is to you
Fall = BC
Winter = Poly

 

[SarahC97]

What time of year are you going? The Poly's rooms are set up in "longhouses" that you need to walk outside to get to- not fun in rainy season. But if you're going in winter, it might be too cold to use SAB which for me is the #1 reason to pick BC.

I stayed at the Contemporary last year and the monorail was shut down one evening and experienced "technical issues" another day that delayed us. Don't get me wrong, I love staying on the monorail, but if you're not going in the sweltering heat during summer, walking is my preferred method of transportation. BC is very convenient for walking to both Epcot and HS, but the Poly is reliant on the monorail.

So for me...
spring = BC
summer = Poly or BC depending on how important the pool is to you
Fall = BC
Winter = Poly

We're planning end of August, so it's going to be hot!

 

[Vern60]

You might let where you want to eat help influence your decision as well. Poly has the monorail resorts and from my experience a nice quick service. BC has all the Epcot restaurants and some other really nice options.
You also mentioned in your original post that you plan on taking afternoon breaks often. So technically BC might have a very slight advantage being walking distance or boat ride from both Epcot and HS. You can also get back to BC from MK via monorail if you don't mind walking through Epcot. Of course the Poly is pretty accessible too - we love taking the small boat back from MK and you also have the monorail from Epcot so in my opinion it's a very slight advantage to BC.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Beach Club. We are big pool people and the Poly pool was a big let down. Very small, no shade, the slide was eh. My kids absolutely loved the Beach Club and you can't beat the walk to Epcot. Honestly I love the entire vibe of the Epcot area resorts and Epcot isn't my most favorite park.