Poly vs Beach Club

[susy]

Poly pool is MUCH smaller. The zero entry area is not that big. The shallow "beach area" at the BC is HUGE. The lagoon view at the Poly for concierge is a lot more $$$$. You cannot just request it. I agree that I would not do the dining plan with concierge. We are staying concierge at the BWI in November and we will eat breakfast in the lounge, eat a sit-down lunch in the parks, and eat snacks and dessert from the lounge in the evenings (we are not big eaters) or maybe get a slice of pizza at Spoodles take-out window.

I still say the BC is the better choice. When we are "fresh" in the morning, we don't care about taking a bus to MK or AK. It's later in the evening that it's hard to get going. That's what makes the walk to Epcot or the Boardwalk so nice. We were so tired one evening at the Poly that we did not even want to take the boat to the Mk. Remember that the Mk is always the most crowded park. It wears on my nerves after a while. Although it MIGHT be your kids' favorite, YOU may not want to be there every waking moment. Epcot is much more relaxing in the evenings to me and my son was always content to just sit in his stroller and do the slower paced attractions at that time of day. Our son also enjoys all the parks equally (actually the MK is his least favorite) because we have always gone to all the parks and not just assumed that he would like Mk the best. One of his favorite rides is the Land ride at Epcot because he likes learning about the plants. Okay...

I would find out about that rehab. Last time they "moved" the lounge, people were not happy with it and there were a lot of complaints about the room being so small, lines out the door, etc.

I STILL VOTE FOR THE BEACH CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

The lagoon view at the Poly for concierge is a lot more $$$$. You cannot just request it.

I STILL VOTE FOR THE BEACH CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently you have to pay extra for the MK view at the Poly. I didn't know that (it's not extra at the Grand Floridian RPC concierge).

Assuming the renovations aren't a problem, then I am more and more convinced that Poly is the better choice for you. I tend to forget what a 4 and 1 year old are like (no wonder....mine are 20 and 18)..
and by the way, despite my kids' advanced age, their favorite park is still MK (though they love the others as well).......and we also enjoy just being able to pop on and off the monorail to get back to our room when we stay at the GF....just as you'll be able to do at the Poly...

so call up the concierge planners at the Poly and find out from them what the situation's going to be when you're there.

 

[sleepless doc]

Thanks for everyone's help. Based on the votes here, the poly was the winner for my circumsatance, but the ultimate trump card came into play. My wife looked at both and said she'd pefer to try the beach club. I suspect we'll check out both while we're there and maybe try the poly a few years down the road. Through the nice folks here I have a strong sense of the strengths of both and know that I'd have a great time at either. Now....on to the rest of my questions....

 

[disneyholic family]

My wife looked at both and said she'd pefer to try the beach club.

always go with what the wife wants.....otherwise you'll live to hear about it.....for years to come....(especially if she's anything like me )

the BC is very nice....when you're there, take a stroll around the Yacht Club (they're connected).....essentially the identical hotel but with a nautical decor......we prefer the YC for some reason, though i can't explain why....

but they share the same pool, so it doesn't matter which you're in.....

by the way, at the BC concierge, unless they've changed it, you have to ask for soft drinks, they didn't have them sitting out when we were there.....maybe they do now, but if they don't, just ask and they bring you a can of whatever you want (diet or regular)...

 

[susy]

I think you will really like the BC. Like I said before, at night we weren't up to doing anything much at the Poly because it would necessitate some mode of transportation. At the BC, you just walk right our of your resort and there is so much right there.

The area at the pool I suggested is a huge area like a sandy beaach. The zero entry side at the Poly is substantially smaller.

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm responding to the free dining plan you mentioned in your post and it seems not too many of you who replied know of the free dining plan which is posted in the restaurant reviews. Sleepless Doc - Is this what you are referring to in your decision Poly vs BC ?

This is posted on the restaurant review site: NEW OFFER: MAGIC YOUR WAY PLUS FREE DINING

If you're planning on visiting Walt Disney World from 8/21/05 - 10/4/05 you can book a Magic Your Way Package and get Free Dining.

If I'm wrong someone please correct me (but be gentle!!).

 

[BCV23]

I'm glad you were able to make a decision, sleepless doc. The Beach Club is a lovely resort and I'm sure you will have a great vacation.

I didn't address this before but I would do the dining plan or buy the DDE card if you do buy APs. Concierge is fine for a continental breakfast some days and snacks but I can't imagine not enjoying the WDW restaurants.

 

[sleepless doc]

I'm responding to the free dining plan you mentioned in your post and it seems not too many of you who replied know of the free dining plan which is posted in the restaurant reviews. Sleepless Doc - Is this what you are referring to in your decision Poly vs BC ?

This is posted on the restaurant review site: NEW OFFER: MAGIC YOUR WAY PLUS FREE DINING

If you're planning on visiting Walt Disney World from 8/21/05 - 10/4/05 you can book a Magic Your Way Package and get Free Dining.

If I'm wrong someone please correct me (but be gentle!!).

You've got it. I was referring to the MYW plus free dining. Because Disney only offers this to a limited number rooms per resort, I couldn't get it at the poly, but I did get it at the beach club. It's not a deal breaker, but one of the factors I was considering. I think it will be fun to sample a few things/place that we might otherwise skip.

 

[sleepless doc]

I'm glad you were able to make a decision, sleepless doc. The Beach Club is a lovely resort and I'm sure you will have a great vacation.

I didn't address this before but I would do the dining plan or buy the DDE card if you do buy APs. Concierge is fine for a continental breakfast some days and snacks but I can't imagine not enjoying the WDW restaurants.

THANK YOU! My wife, and others on this board seemed to think I was nuts to do both concierge and the dining plan. I think we'll make good use of both.
My wife thinks we'll eat ourselves into a coma.

 

[disneyholic family]

THANK YOU! My wife, and others on this board seemed to think I was nuts to do both concierge and the dining plan. I think we'll make good use of both.
My wife thinks we'll eat ourselves into a coma.

as always, your wife is right....(aren't all wives?)

but what the hey...you're on vacation....eat your little heart out....you only live once (and for a lot less time eating like that )....

 

[BCV23]

I think the MYW dining plan would work very well with concierge. It is only one table service, one counter service and one snack per day. The snacks can be water bottles. You can combine 2 tableservice meals for one signature dinner at California Grill, Citricos, etc.. Sounds like fun to plan to me.

 

[RedRuby]

what's the free dining plan?

ok, so i just went and looked it up and I guess you mean the dining plan that you pay $35/day per adult.

No, I'm assuming the OP meant he's got reservations for a visit between late August and early October when the $35/$10 fees are actually not charged! To get this deal, the OP has to book hotel and tickets at rack rate, and then gets the meal deal for free.
Too bad the OP can't split a stay with the free dining

 

[lawyergirl]

THANK YOU! My wife, and others on this board seemed to think I was nuts to do both concierge and the dining plan. I think we'll make good use of both.
My wife thinks we'll eat ourselves into a coma.

Nah... you won't eat yourself into a total coma. Only a partial one!

I actually found that the Dining Plan is a nice compliment to concierge service (if you can do both). That way, if you do want to go to any dinner shows or "signature" restaurants, you still have a way to bridge the gap at dinner, and just have your counter service meal for the day.

 

[disneyholic family]

No, I'm assuming the OP meant he's got reservations for a visit between late August and early October when the $35/$10 fees are actually not charged! To get this deal, the OP has to book hotel and tickets at rack rate, and then gets the meal deal for free.
Too bad the OP can't split a stay with the free dining

oh well, that's a really great deal....then you can just eat as much as you want and not worry if you didn't "get your money's worth"...

...i calculated what we eat each day - on average- over a 2 week period, and it's much less than $35/day....but if it's free, it doesn't really matter...

 

[stonecreekboys]

We just returned from the BC last Sunday. It was awesome! We changed our reservation last minute from Poly to BC. I am so glad we tried it out. My boys, 7 & 5, said it was their favorite. Although we spent a lot of time at MK and using the bus was mildly inconvenient, we've also stayed at the Poly and their busses were inconvenient when we used them. All in all, we were so excited to try the BC and would jump at the chance to stay there again because we could take a 5 minute walk to Epcot to eat dinner (or dessert) or walk around for the evening. We even had dinner on the Boardwalk one night. Even with a 9 mo old, we found the BC to be wonderful. But don't get me wrong, we'd stay at the Poly again too. However, we're thinking about the BC for next Spring.