Poly vs Boardwalk

[MrsTski]

My family of 5 (3 boys ages 9,7 and 4) will be traveling to Disney World in late Feb. We have gone two times with the kids before and stayed at All Star Sports both times (each time with a 2.5 yr old). Now that we are "officially" a family of 5 we have the option to rent DVC points. We are currently booked at the Boardwalk with a Preferred/Boardwalk view, but may have the option to move to the Poly for an extra $57/night. Our plans are 2.5 days at MK, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at AK and 1 day at HS. Would love to take mid day breaks, but never have before because of the transportation time back to resort and shorter park hours in Feb/Mar. I do not have any experience with either of these resorts, so looking for advice from folks who have stayed at either resort before. What would you do in my case? Stay put? Move to Poly? Try a split stay? Thank you!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

From Poly, DHS and AK will be shared buses. You'll either walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail (which often does not start until 9 -- fair warning), or take the monorail all the way around and then change platforms for the Epcot run.

From BWV, you would bus to MK and AK, but walk or take a boat to DHS and Epcot.

Poly has the better pool area for your 4-year-old, for what that's worth.

 

[MrsTski]

Thank you Auroraborealis (love the name btw!). One follow up question - if the Epcot monorail doesn't start til 9, is there any other way to make it there for park opening?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thank you Auroraborealis (love the name btw!). One follow up question - if the Epcot monorail doesn't start til 9, is there any other way to make it there for park opening?

Sometimes there is a bus from the TTC. In general, the monorail resorts never have buses for Epcot unless the monorail is totally down.

 

[keishashadow]

We own @ BWV, it's lovely & very convenient but for the price you mention I'd go with the Poly where the rooms are large. The studios have an interesting split bath of sorts that is very handy.

 

[cruisin5]

I too am going with the Poly. The split bathroom will be handy, plus you'll be able to walk to your room from the TTC making it 4.5 days of a monorail ride back to your room. We love split stays but not sure I would do it with 3 kids for a few nights in each place.

Save BW for when your kids are older and able to wander about the BW at night for ice cream and entertainment on their own.

 

[NH-to-FL]

DW and I made many, many trips to the Boardwalk over 18 years. We loved the theming and most especially the location, being able to walk (or boat) to two parks. I think the Epcot resort area is the best location on site. Unless the Magic Kingdom is your prime destination.

When we stayed at the Boardwalk we would walk to Epcot, sometimes walk, sometimes boat to DHS, bus to MK, and, since we had a car, drive to AK. We would rope drop, usually taking advantage of the morning EMH, and take a mid day break. Though after our break we would usually walk to Epcot or occasionally DHS.

I am a big fan of the Boardwalk but know folks who love the Poly. I think that your decision would be mostly based on your desire to be close to Epcot/DHS or the Magic Kingdom. I do not think you can go wrong with either resort.

Wishing you a magical visit!

 

[glocon]

I think I would stay put at BW.
It's a wash for mk 2.5 days and Epcot/hs 3 days, but at BW, you could walk to the world showcase every day even after visiting other parks.

 

[MrsTski]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I really appreciate it!

 

[nikkid1]

We have done boardwalk three times and did Poly on our last trip. We travel with extended family who all loved the BW. We fully expected Poly to be our favorite. It was wonderful, rooms large, great location. But we all ( 4 adults and 2 kids ages 8 and 5) still pick BW as our favorite, close second to AKL and then Poly. They all are lovely resorts, you will be happy at both, but as previously mentioned, the ability to walk/boat to two different parks and the chance to sit outside on the boardwalk, experiencing all the entertainment and dining options while viewing three parks fireworks wins out for us!
You will love wherever you chose, we just loved BW more Have a great trip.

 

[Keels]

I think I could find more to do with the almost $60/day extra by staying at Boardwalk versus staying at Poly.

The walk to both Epcot and DHS is a fun one (my husband ALWAYS wastes way too much time looking for bass and other fish in the water on the walk to DHS), and the Friendship boats are also a fun diversion.

And if the older boys want something fun to do while the younger one naps midday, playing games or watching sports at ESPN Zone is fun - as well as renting a surrey bike and riding around the Epcot resort area.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would choose the Poly for that difference in cost. It is stunning, and having monorail access is a priceless option for my family. It is our favorite mode of transportation.

I love the Boardwalk resorts, and I choose to stay there often, but with the kids, especially the young one, I thin I woudl skip them in favor of the Poly. The pool alone would be enough for me, but add in the beaches and the view? It is a slam dunk!