Poly vs Beach Club

[MUFFYCAT]

We're splitting our stay between the YC & Poly in August. I love the convenience of the Poly and also the location of the Epcot resorts.
We didn't book the dining package.

 

[disneyholic family]

Some may disagree with me on this, but I feel like the BC/YC has a more deluxe feel. At the Poly I felt perfectly comfortable going form my room to the pool and back with just a towel wrapped around me ( even wet). At the BC, no way!

I think everyone would agree with you that the BC/YC has a more deluxe feel to it and I know many people feel as you do (uncomfortable in a towel coming back from the pool). We never felt that, but I know lots of people do, and it's something else to take into consideration.

 

[lovesdumbo]

When are you going? Poly concierge will be closed for rehab around 9/10 to 10/10.

You can not beat the location of the Hawaii building at the Poly when you stay concierge. Right next to the volcano pool and a short walk to everything else. If you get a lagoon view room you will have a view of MK and castle (some are somewhat blocked by trees). If you get a garden view room you can go the the concierge lounge to see the electric water parade and fireworks. My kids love that parade and watching the fireworks from the Poly(lounge or beach or room) rather than in the park.

 

[clutter]

We just got back from a split stay at FQ and BC. In all of our Disney trips, we have never kicked back and relaxed like we did at BC. Weird. I loved it there. (I haven't done Poly, but I've been at CR). I think you should go on what you think your schedule will be. If you're doing parks, going back for a 2pm nap/swim, then going to dinner around 5, I'd go to BC. Because after dinner, you all can stroll over to epcot and hang out quietly. If you're going to a park, doing a 2pm nap/swim, then going back to the park for the night activities (spectro/wishes/fantasmic) then I'd go with Poly. If you're thinking that you'd do pool days on the evenings you're doing the night activities, I'd go with the BC. But I'm biased because, I loved BC so much I might even consider DVC!

 

[Suzanne74]

If you are staying concierge no matter what then I say, get an AP and stay at the Poly on an AP with no dining plan - DEFINATELY. Concierge has continental breakfasts every morning - with cereal for kids, breads, bagels danish etc.. It is definately enough to hold you over for lunch. They also have snacks during the day, uncrustables, cookies, m&m's and such. Countless juice boxes and milk boxes for kids. TV with cartoons on in the lounge to keep them busy while you have a minute to take a breather. At night they serve hot appetizers, cheeses, veggies, wine, beer etc.. There is always fresh fruit during the day. There are desserts at night too.

Now I know BC has concierge and you can get free dining but I don't think with kids of the ages of 4 and 1, staying concierge AND free dining would be cost effective. Getting an AP in May saved us $500+ on our concierge room at the Poly so it was a no brainer and we only had 2 character meals and Ohana's as our sit down meals. The food was plentiful for us at concierge and since we came back everyday for a nap (dd was 3), we were there for their evening service to eat a lite dinner too before heading back to the parls.

You will be at MK the most and even Epcot is easy access on the monorail. You won't believe how nice it is to just take the boat over that is right by the Hawaii (concierge) building. Plu the poll and fountain area is literally right outside your door at the Poly and maybe someone can take the 4yr old to the pool while 1 yr old sleeps. Not a lot of walking. Also having the concierge lounge is nice if some people are sleeping and others aren't - esp if it is raining. I don't think w/ your kids ages and the fact you are staying concierge you will truly get the money spent with the dining plan. The AP will give you a nice discount - go for the Poly!!!

 

[Viki]

One of my home resorts is the Beach Club Villas and I shouldn't talk it up so much because I'm afraid some of those 80,000 new Saratoga folks might get hip to it.

As another poster mentioned, we love getting up in the morning, tearing through a park, coming back to the resort for the afternoon, and then enjoying the BW, MGM, Epcot nightlife right out our front door.

You're right, though, you've got a delightfully painful choice.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm raising my hand to second Suzanne74's post. Get the AP and stay Poly concierge. Here's a recent posting of just a few of the offerings in the lounge, in addition to the kids items that she mentioned:

7am-1030am

Apple/Cheese Danishes, Cinnamon Rolls, Pineapple Bread, Bagels, English Muffins, Blueberry Muffins, Fresh Cut Fruit, Fresh Whole Fruit, Yogurt, 5 Different Dry Cereals, Hot Oatmeal, and Beverages such as Coffee, Tea, Milk, Orange Juice

12pm-4pm

Cookies (Chocolate Chips, Sugar and Oatmeal), Fresh Whole Fruit, Gold Fish Snacks, Dried Fruit Mix, Candies, Juices (Lemonade, Guava Juice, Ice Tea)

5pm-7pm

Veggie Platter, Cheese Platter, Fruit Platter and 3 Different Types of Wine. Every evening includes a hot dish:

Sundays: Beef and Macaroni and Fruit Pasta Salad
Mondays: Sushi (four different types)
Tuesdays: Beef and Chicken Skewers with Rice
Wednesdays: Spring Rolls and Lo Mien
Thursdays: Luau Ribs and Chicken Strips
Fridays: Chicken Wings and Jasmine Rice
Saturdays: Pork Sandwiches and Vegetable Spring Rolls

8pm-10pm

Desserts (4 different types) and Cordials (6 different ones such as Amaretto, Bailey’s Irish Cream, etc)

Liquor Offerings:
Amaretto di Saronno, Kahlua, Courvosier, Grand Marnier, Frangelica, Drambuie,
Bailey's Irish Cream, Mumm's Napa Cuvee, Burlwood White Zinfadel, Burlwood Chardonnay, Burlwood Cab Sauvignon

You can't beat the view from the lounge and the spaciousness. By comparison, the BC's lounge is much smaller. The Volcano pool is not Stormalong Bay, but it's fun and it's wet. I'm sure that you'll be spending a majority of your time at the MK and getting back and forth with the monorail and boat is very easy. Plus, you're only a short walk to the TTC to pick up the monorail for Epcot. Just keep checking back to see if the dining plan opens up, but I think with the concierge lounge, you'll actually be just fine.

Tammi

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

^^^ I agree. Even though the Volcano Pool is no Stormalong Bay it does have a fun slide *and* you can hear Hawaiian music underwater.

 

[BCV23]

Another vote for the Polynesian.

The Polynesian activity pool has zero entry too. The pool is not nearly as large as SAB but with a four year old water bug, I think that is good. SAB is huge and it can be hard to keep track of little ones with all the different pool areas. The current in one part is lots of fun for strong swimmers but if yours is not quite there yet.....

We've stayed at the Polynesian many, many times and at the BC a few times for shorter stays. Now we own at BCV and usually split our stays between BCV and the Polynesian. The Polynesian can't be beat for transportation options and is much better and more fun for getting to the MK. Because of the short walk to the TTC, it is more convenient to FW at Epcot in my opinion although WS is easier from BC.

The Polynesian is a little more expensive than the BC and has been for years. Not sure about the difference in price for concierge though as we have not done concierge at BC. We love concierge at the Polynesian. As others have said, if you book lagoon view concierge, you will have a beautiful view of Seven Seas Lagoon and of the castle shimmering above the trees. The view of Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant is stunning.

To me, the BC does not feel any more deluxe in any way to me. I also would not feel comfortable walking to the pool at either resort with just a towel but everyone is different.

But I also agree that it is a happy choice to face. Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[disneyholic family]

After reading the other posts here i have to concur. Poly is probably the better choice for you. And there IS a LOT food in the concierge at various times of the day, so I don't know why you would need the dining plan. It's overkill. Even if you do have one sit down meal a day. Are you going to eat that much food every single day?

as i said above, we've never stayed in the Poly concierge....we stayed at all the others except for the Poly for some reason...
but I have heard that the Poly concierge is the most family friendly of all of them...i think they even have small water bottles that you can take with you into the park....each concierge has different menus (the GF being the least kid friendly from our experience)....

the poly is nice....very well themed....very relaxed....very family oriented...
convenient to the MK.....

so that's my final answer.....the Poly concierge...you should put a request in for an MK view.....you might be lucky and get it..

have fun...

 

[sleepless doc]

Strong arguments for the poly are piling up! Any beach clubbers left?

 

[sleepless doc]

When are you going? Poly concierge will be closed for rehab around 9/10 to 10/10.]




We're arriving 9/30, leaving 10/9. Are you sure they're rehabbing then?!

 

[TammiMcMan]

There have been a few threads regarding this. It seems unclear at the moment if they will close Hawaii entirely and move the concierge services into another building, or do Hawaii floor by floor. You might want to check in with your pre-planner for the most current information.

Tammi

 

[southjerseymom]

We stayed at the Poly in November and BC in May of this year. I like the pool and the location of the BC better but....with the age of your kids I would do the Poly. My DD was no quite 2 and my DS just turned four when we stayed there in November. They loved the monorail - and we took the boat to the MK quite a bit. Getting to Chef Mickey's was easy (the best way to actually enjoy a dinner with kids!) We found with our guys that they were good for about 4 rides in the park before it was time for lunch, nap, etc. So we would do one "land" a day in the MK. They didn't love AK - and only liked a couple things at Epcot. The rooms at the Poly are HUGE - so it was great to have room to spread out. I didn't like the way the french door to the balcony at the BC closed. It was automatic and the heavy door slammed on DD's finger when we checked in. At the Poly the kids loved the water jet area of the pool. DS and I also rented a water mouse for an awesome trip on Bay Lake. Don't get me wrong BC is great and we will stay in the YC side sometime soon and the Poly Is dated (that's why its getting an upgrade) but I think your kids will love it.

 

[sleepless doc]

There have been a few threads regarding this. It seems unclear at the moment if they will close Hawaii entirely and move the concierge services into another building, or do Hawaii floor by floor. You might want to check in with your pre-planner for the most current information.

Tammi

Whoa! Construction= noise= interrupted naps= angry baby= angry wife= bad trip. I'm going to check into this. I had all but decided for the poly, but construction on the floor above/below is a dealbreaker.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I hear you on that one. I'm sure if it's going to be disruptive, then they will close the building and just move guests into a temporary one. If they do that, you might luck out and get into one that's already been renovated. Nice new bedding, mattresses and a 32" flat screen TV. Not too shabby.

I hope they get back to you soon, so that you can make a decision.

Tammi

 

[BCV23]

Sleepless Doc, have you visited Tikiman's site. I think it is Tikimann.homestead.com but at any rate his site is a wealth of info about the Polynesian. This morning he was addressing the rennovations. If you read his post, it might ease your mind.

I'll bump it up for you to the top of page 1.

 

[Cinderella]

Well, I have stayed at both and loved both resorts. But with children that age, I would stay at the Poly. The monorail to the MK is so convenient, and that is where they will want to spend most of their time.

The Neverland Club at the Poly is the best on site and Ohana's is a lovely restaurant for families.

On the plus side for the Beach club is the pool, and the fabulous character breakfast.

Whichever one you stay at, you'll have a great time - they are both fabulous resorts.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I vote for Poly. We have stayed at Poly 4x and Yacht Club 1x. I choose Poly because of the ages of your children and the convenience of a monorail resort to MK, boat to MK, TTA to Epcot. You can't beat that. It is so easy to hop the monorail back to Poly for an afternoon break. Your little ones will want to be at MK more than Epcot and MGM.

I am not a die-hard loyal Poly fan, I only stay there for the convenience of the monorail, launch, and TTA. When DGS gets a bit older, we would love to stay in the Beach Club area again. I will never forget how fun and lively it is outdoors at night. You can watch the fireworks and water pagaent from the Poly Beach tho. Both resorts have character breakfasts.

As the other poster said, both pools are zero entry and Poly has always been a tad more expensive than Beach Club. Not sure if you will get your money's worth with the dining plan, but good luck to you on your decision and have a wonderful magical vacation!

Tink

 

[lmhall2000]

I choose POLY for you, too!!!

1. It is much easier for you to watch your children at the Poly pool than at Beach Club pool...I would be stressed out trying to keep an eye on my children at SAB.

2. My children still choose MK as their favorite park and they are 10, 6 & 7...they went when they were your children's age and we stayed at MK 50% of the time.

3. The Poly is getting a redo..your rooms may be the newest in the park!

Save Beach Club for when they're all over age 6 and good swimmers. I showed my children YC/BC the pool and all and they all begged to go back to the Poly.

Tara