Poly vs BC

[troberts]

Hi All,

We live in California and vist DL ever November, but we have never made it to DW. Finally this year we are on our way in November. It looks like the package price between the Poly and BC for us is very close in price. Right now we are booked at the Poly and on the waiting list for the BC. Since the price for us is so close, are we making the best choice? Or do we want to stay at the Poly after all since price isn't the issue? Because Florida is so far away and the kids are growing up so fast we see this as a one time trip...

Help!

Thanks in advance,
Tim

 

[ParkPrincess]

How old are the kids? You may want to try and stay at BC if they're younger. We're staying there in November but without our DD. After doing research on that resort, it looked very inviting for kids. We've stayed at Poly before and just loved it. I love the convenience of the monorail. That is huge for us. We just can't stand the buses. I do know that you can take a boat shuttle to EP and DS from BC. That was a plus for us. IMHO, either one will be great!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I would do the Poly if you have younger kids, the Beach Club if you have older kids. Having the monorail at the Poly makes it very easy to get to the Magic Kingdom and to Epcot. Plus the Poly volcano pool is better for smaller children. It has a zero entry area, plus a small slide. Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club is almost like a small water park. It has a big slide, and lazy river, and a whirlpool. Great fun, but it is hard to keep track of the kids!

 

[troberts]

Wow. I can't believe how quickly you guys responded!

The kids will be 9 and 13. They are used to going non-stop at DL. The reason I added us to the wait list for BC was because since we spend so much time at the MK at DL that I thought we might be more interested in Epcot. But now people are telling us that there are a lot of subtle differences that are fun to explore.

Thanks for the fast responses.

Tim

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

The POLY and the BC are two of our three favorite WDW resorts. (GF being the other.)

Both are wonderful resorts and have their own merits. If I had to choose one for perhaps a "One Time Trip" it would be the POLY.

The location, theme, service, Monorail, views, and GCH are the best!

 

[kaysmommie]

Wow. I can't believe how quickly you guys responded!

The kids will be 9 and 13. They are used to going non-stop at DL. The reason I added us to the wait list for BC was because since we spend so much time at the MK at DL that I thought we might be more interested in Epcot. But now people are telling us that there are a lot of subtle differences that are fun to explore.

Thanks for the fast responses.

Tim

I would pick Beach Club for kids that age because they will love it! Especially the pool. Until DS turns 4 we will stay at Poly or WL to be close to MK. But once he can swim we will probably try Beach/ Yacht club as DH loves it.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I would pick Poly. You just can't beat the convenience of the monorail. Plus, the pools are open later there. Stormalong bay at the BC looks like a lot of fun, but it closes early.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would pick Poly. You just can't beat the convenience of the monorail. Plus, the pools are open later there. Stormalong bay at the BC looks like a lot of fun, but it closes early.

Good point about Stormalong Bay closing. We didn't realize they would close the whole pool. At every other Disney resort they just close the slide. We were hoping to be able to watch Illuminations and then go for a swim. but that doesn't work.

 

[Tam1067]

I'm a California native and DL veteran.

Do the Poly. MK in WDW is different than DL. Some of the attractions with the same names, for instance, are quite a bit different.

The monorail can't be beat. Taking Disney busses works OK but the monorail is better. From the Poly, you can monorail to MK and walk to the Ticket & Transportation Center to pick up the direct Epcot monorail as well. That's a great benefit--and I know you don't have Epcot in Anaheim!

The Poly theming is very unique and very Disney. In some ways, it might remind you of the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel but with a much more defined theme.

You'll love, love, love the Polynesian, and for a once in a lifetime thing, I'd take that over BC.

 

[PamNC]

I've been toying with the BC vs. the Poly for two weeks. These are our 2 favorite resorts. You get a very different experience at each, but both are excellent resorts in terms of service and just plain ol' niceness.

Here's the thing - if I HAD to choose and it was a once in a lifetime thing, I would choose the Polynesian. You can't get more "Disney" than the Poly. The landscaping, the monorail, the proximity to the MK, not to mention the views. It's a lovely resort. However, the pool and the location at the BC are fabulous. We go back and forth between the two.

We recently switched from the Poly to the BC but only because of we got a great AP rate at the Beach Club. Although, I'm thinking of switching AGAIN if I can get the Tikiman special.

I'm a chronic resort switcher I guess.

You'll have fun whichever you choose, but I will have to vote, by a narrow margin, for the Poly.

PamNC

 

[fivefordisney]

I vote for the Poly! The monorail can't be beat. Tikiman actually timed how long it took him to get to Epcot from the Poly and one of the Epcot resorts (Can't remember which one) and it was actually faster from the Poly. Check out his website; the details are on it.

We are going to the Poly this Aug and I just love it. I used the Tikiman site and the DIS to get all the info I needed!

Good luck. You are going to have a great time no matter which resort you choose.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Another vote for the Polynesian. The grounds are nice to walk around, the monorail is great and just looking at the castle from my room is the best.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

No doubt, either resort will be wonderful, but I would go with Poly too It is one of the original resorts, so that is special too. Also, in a monorail resort you feel a million miles away from real life and immersed in the magic.

The rooms are larger at the Poly, although the sinks are inside the bathroom at Poly and outside the bathroom at BC. If you request one of the newer Longhouses at Poly you'll be close to Ticket and Transportation so getting to EPCOT will be fun and easy

As everyone has suggested check out Tikiman's site (you may prefer the East Coast Cape May feel of the BC rather than the South Seas feel of the Poly). Best to google his site as the link cannot be posted here.

I grew up going to DL and it is so true what TAM1067 said - MK is different and much to explore- attractions with same name are a bit different, scale of buildings is different, Fantasyland is very different! I prefer DL, but it is changing so much that I fear it may soon lose the old fashioned feel.

It is going to be a wonderful trip no matter which resort you choose!

 

[troberts]

Thanks for all the great replies so far. What a fantastic help you all are!

A couple things come to mind reading all your replies. Know one has mentioned the food choices at BC. Which was one of the reasons we were considering it as well as proximity to Epcot. We thought since it was next to Epcot that there would be more to choose from, but as I write this I wonder how much we will be eating next to our hotel since we usually open and close the park. One exception is breakfast. I need to get something in the morning.

Also, we are considering this Dining Plan? And it looks like not all the restaurants are on the plan. Is there a benefit to the Poly or BC as far as the DP? Any thoughts?

Thanks again,

Tim

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I have not done the dining plan - too much food for us - so cannot help with that. Poly does have some favs - many love Kona at the Poly, especially for breakfast and if you want a lighter breakfast, then there is the snack bar which has good offerings as well.

Definitely, BC is close to many food options - so it really does become a personal preference. We enjoy eating in the parks more than the Resort, prefer the resort to have a certain feeling - it is fully a part of the vacation, not just a place to sleep. If that is what your fmaily prefers, perhaps a moderate would work as well? Would certainly save loads of money to spend on lots of other places in WDW!

Remember, the difference between a DL resort and a WDW resort is that the resort is part of the vacation experience Many guests leave the parks to go back to the resort for a break and to enjoy the surroundings, pools etc.

Four parks can keep one pretty busy and breaking it up lets you sort of catch your breath and take in the magic. It's like a huge ice cream sundae - eat it too fast and you feel kind of sick...take smaller bites and revel the experience!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Thanks for all the great replies so far. What a fantastic help you all are!

A couple things come to mind reading all your replies. Know one has mentioned the food choices at BC. Which was one of the reasons we were considering it as well as proximity to Epcot. We thought since it was next to Epcot that there would be more to choose from, but as I write this I wonder how much we will be eating next to our hotel since we usually open and close the park. One exception is breakfast. I need to get something in the morning.

Also, we are considering this Dining Plan? And it looks like not all the restaurants are on the plan. Is there a benefit to the Poly or BC as far as the DP? Any thoughts?

Thanks again,

Tim

Dining plan wise, I think either would be fine. Most restaurants actually are on the dining plan...the few that aren't are in DTD and the Swan and Dolphin. With the BC, you have easy access to rests. at BC,YC and along the boardwalk. You can also get to MGM & Epcot easily. With the Poly, you have easy access to Rest. in the Poly, CR, GF, MK and Epcot. Both have plenty of options on the dining plan, but again, due to the Monorail, I think the Poly will just make things easier. You could have breakfast in the hotel, head over to a park, play and easily get back and forth if you want a break, and then easily back to the park for dinner and a fun evening

 

[TerriBelle]

Here are my main reasons -
1) Park hours - during most of november the parks close pretty early. Epcot stays open the latest so being close is great. We have stayed at the BCV in november and it was great to be able to walk home from illuminations and spectromagic.
2) location - with kids your age they will love MK but they will also enjoy Epcot, & MGM which you can walk to. We were at DW this past nov. and our kids were 13, 8, 8 (almost 9). We always try and plan days so that we take advantage of the monorail bewteen MK and Epcot. For example - we might go straight to MK in the morning and then leave around 11 taking the monorail to Epcot. Then we grab lunch and walk to the hotel exit of Epcot hitting the rides. Then a different day we do the opposite starting in EPCOT and ending in MK. This way we take very few busses.
3) boardwalk - Our kids love the night performers on the boardwalk. With the parks closing early, we enjoy watching the magicians and musicians on the boardwalk.
4) Food - we like all the restaurant choices in this area - BC, BW, Swan, dolphin, EPCOT.
5) Stormalong Bay - Our kids LOVE this pool. The quiet pool I believe is open later than the main pool. My kids swam in it over Thanksgiving one year at night.

 

[Phantom82]

I am not even going to lie. I LOVE THE POLY!! Please let me know if you do get changed to BeachClub because I would love to have the poly. Right now waiting currently booked at wilderness, want the spa treatment for my mom and its close to the grand floridian. She has heart problems and I don't want her walken all over the place, I got her at the spa every day...... with a super awsome meal every night =0) Arn't I just a great son.

 

[Sammie]

What kind of wait list are you on for the Beach Club for a package.
Disney reservations does not do wait lists.

That aside, I would still recommend Polynesian, for the larger rooms, and better Counter Service; better transporation to all Parks. The buses to the Magic Kingdom from the Beach Club can take up to 45 mins.

 

[troberts]

Sammie,

We are on at waiting list thru Disney Cruise. They might have a different system.

I think we finally made a decision to stay with the Poly because of all of your wonderful comments! Thank you all so much.

Now we just have to figure out where to make reservations for dinner?