Polynesian or Beach Club?

[missbecca]

After so many other changes to our upcoming trip, our dates are now changing allowing us a bit more in the budget to stay Deluxe. DH and I have narrowed our choices down to the Polynesian and the Beach Club. Which would you recommend for first timers? This isn't a trip that we will be able to take often, and the next time we go won't likely be for another couple of years. Transportation won't be too big of an issue since we will be driving so we will have our own vehicle, but tips on the bus service at the resorts would be nice, too.

The trip will be at the end of February into the beginning of March if that helps to sway your suggestions, and we will be using the military salute discount if you know of any room restrictions at either resort that you could add.

I appreciate the input!

 

[Aurora0427]

Is it just you and your husband? If so, I'd do the Beach Club. My husband and I love the Epcot resorts for our adults only trips, because we enjoy eating at World Showcase. We've stayed at the Beach Club twice, and enjoyed the hotel. There's a lot to do around the boardwalk, and if it's not too hot DHS is an easy walk. The Yacht Club has a great casual sit down restaurant, Captains Grill, that didn't seem to get all the kids at Cape May Cafe. Cape May is a great character breakfast and seafood buffet dinner.

If you're taking littles, I'd do Polynesian. Easy access to Magic Kingdom. There are a lot of great restaurants along the monorail, but Poly has construction through 2016, so I'd avoid.

 

[Aurora0427]

We found Bus service at BC slow to MK. You walk to Epcot, boat or walk to DHS. We didn't do Animal Kingdom, so can't vouch for that. When we stayed BC, the bus to MK picked up BWI, BC, YC, Swan/Dolphin. Can't remember the order. The boats to DHS were slow too, so we walked.

 

[JimmyBean42]

Is it just you and your husband? If so, I'd do the Beach Club. My husband and I love the Epcot resorts for our adults only trips, because we enjoy eating at World Showcase. We've stayed at the Beach Club twice, and enjoyed the hotel. There's a lot to do around the boardwalk, and if it's not too hot DHS is an easy walk. The Yacht Club has a great casual sit down restaurant, Captains Grill, that didn't seem to get all the kids at Cape May Cafe. Cape May is a great character breakfast and seafood buffet dinner.

If you're taking littles, I'd do Polynesian. Easy access to Magic Kingdom. There are a lot of great restaurants along the monorail, but Poly has construction through 2016, so I'd avoid.

I agree with this 100%. Plus you have the Boardwalk right across the way, which gives you even more dining and entertainment options. Plus we love heading into Epcot through the International Gateway. Not that there is anything wrong with Poly. It is an amazing resort with great amenities and restaurants as well (still consider Ohana no matter where you stay) but if no little ones, we like BC the best.

 

[dansdad]

We found Bus service at BC slow to MK. You walk to Epcot, boat or walk to DHS. We didn't do Animal Kingdom, so can't vouch for that. When we stayed BC, the bus to MK picked up BWI, BC, YC, Swan/Dolphin. Can't remember the order. The boats to DHS were slow too, so we walked.

They changed things up for the MK bus. Now BC only shares with YC. And BW now shares with the Swan and Dolphin. It's made a significant difference.

 

[koho]

We have stayed at both. I would say it depends on what you want. I like the Poly because all the upper floor rooms have balconies where as some of the BC rooms do not. Plus, the grounds of the Poly is nicer than the BC. Plus you have direct access to the MK with the monorail and the ferry. You can also walk to the TTC and catch the EPCOT monorail. If I recall correctly the rooms at the Poly are also a little bigger.

The const. at the Poly is was not to bad when we were there this past June. The one thing that I am not crazy about is that it seemed that the main building at the Poly can get a little busy in the evening. It could have been the way we entered the building from our room. We used the entrance right next to Trader Sams and Captain Cooks.

At the BC I did not like, not having a balcony. There a sliding door in your room but it leads to no where. Plus, you have to take a bus to MK and AK. And you have to either walk or take a boat to EPCOT or HS. Plus, if you get on the wrong boat you will go to EPCOT before going to HS.

But like I said it will depend on what you want. I would base it on which one you think looks better and what you want to do. For example if you want something with a lot of night life I would choose BC, because you can walk to the Boardwalk. If you are planing to go MK a lot I would choose the Poly because of the access and the transportation options. Hope this helps.

 

[missbecca]

Is it just you and your husband? If so, I'd do the Beach Club. My husband and I love the Epcot resorts for our adults only trips, because we enjoy eating at World Showcase. We've stayed at the Beach Club twice, and enjoyed the hotel. There's a lot to do around the boardwalk, and if it's not too hot DHS is an easy walk. The Yacht Club has a great casual sit down restaurant, Captains Grill, that didn't seem to get all the kids at Cape May Cafe. Cape May is a great character breakfast and seafood buffet dinner.

If you're taking littles, I'd do Polynesian. Easy access to Magic Kingdom. There are a lot of great restaurants along the monorail, but Poly has construction through 2016, so I'd avoid.

No I'm sorry I should have clarified- its myself, DH, and our 3 children.

 

[missbecca]

We found Bus service at BC slow to MK. You walk to Epcot, boat or walk to DHS. We didn't do Animal Kingdom, so can't vouch for that. When we stayed BC, the bus to MK picked up BWI, BC, YC, Swan/Dolphin. Can't remember the order. The boats to DHS were slow too, so we walked.

Thanks for the info! We were looking at the boats to DHS, so that's good to know.

 

[missbecca]

I agree with this 100%. Plus you have the Boardwalk right across the way, which gives you even more dining and entertainment options. Plus we love heading into Epcot through the International Gateway. Not that there is anything wrong with Poly. It is an amazing resort with great amenities and restaurants as well (still consider Ohana no matter where you stay) but if no little ones, we like BC the best.

We will definitely be doing 'Ohana- my kids are all about Lilo and Stitch and are so excited to eat there.

 

[missbecca]

We have stayed at both. I would say it depends on what you want. I like the Poly because all the upper floor rooms have balconies where as some of the BC rooms do not. Plus, the grounds of the Poly is nicer than the BC. Plus you have direct access to the MK with the monorail and the ferry. You can also walk to the TTC and catch the EPCOT monorail. If I recall correctly the rooms at the Poly are also a little bigger.

The const. at the Poly is was not to bad when we were there this past June. The one thing that I am not crazy about is that it seemed that the main building at the Poly can get a little busy in the evening. It could have been the way we entered the building from our room. We used the entrance right next to Trader Sams and Captain Cooks.

At the BC I did not like, not having a balcony. There a sliding door in your room but it leads to no where. Plus, you have to take a bus to MK and AK. And you have to either walk or take a boat to EPCOT or HS. Plus, if you get on the wrong boat you will go to EPCOT before going to HS.

But like I said it will depend on what you want. I would base it on which one you think looks better and what you want to do. For example if you want something with a lot of night life I would choose BC, because you can walk to the Boardwalk. If you are planing to go MK a lot I would choose the Poly because of the access and the transportation options. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for all the great info! It does help. I'm not too worried about the construction since it seems like it will be about done by the time we go in late Feb. With the kids we do plan on 2 days at MK and the monorail is a big perk for me!

 

[LisaCM614]

I love both resorts. The theming and location of each is perfect.
We do stay at Epcot Area resorts more often because we like being able to walk into Epcot and walk or take a boat to DHS. We love being able to pop over to Epcot and enjoy World Showcase at night. Also walking the Boardwalk and enjoying the entertainers, shopping and different restaurants and food kiosks is such a fun night. Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar for a really fun date night. ESPN Zone and the Brewery don't take reservations and are fun places to have dinner.

At the Polynesian you have easy access to the monorail which gets you to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Also the restaurants in the Magic Kingdom area are really special. If you prefer QS types of restaurants the Polynesian might be your better bet.

I don't think you can go wrong. Really pick the theming that you like the best and the location to the parks you plan on spending more time at.
Have fun choosing! And thank you for your service!

 

[missbecca]

I love both resorts. The theming and location of each is perfect.
We do stay at Epcot Area resorts more often because we like being able to walk into Epcot and walk or take a boat to DHS. We love being able to pop over to Epcot and enjoy World Showcase at night. Also walking the Boardwalk and enjoying the entertainers, shopping and different restaurants and food kiosks is such a fun night. Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar for a really fun date night. ESPN Zone and the Brewery don't take reservations and are fun places to have dinner.

At the Polynesian you have easy access to the monorail which gets you to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Also the restaurants in the Magic Kingdom area are really special. If you prefer QS types of restaurants the Polynesian might be your better bet.

I don't think you can go wrong. Really pick the theming that you like the best and the location to the parks you plan on spending more time at.
Have fun choosing! And thank you for your service!

Thanks for the info! It's really a tough choice at this point!

 

[han22735]

With the 3 children I'm sure MK will be a big hit with them I'd opt for the poly. The monorail to both MK and then over to Epcot will be very convenient and the kids will love it. Plus temps permitting the new splash area at the poly pool is awesome.

 

[Aurora0427]

They changed things up for the MK bus. Now BC only shares with YC. And BW now shares with the Swan and Dolphin. It's made a significant difference.

That is so great to know! Thank you!

 

[Aurora0427]

Thanks so much for all the great info! It does help. I'm not too worried about the construction since it seems like it will be about done by the time we go in late Feb. With the kids we do plan on 2 days at MK and the monorail is a big perk for me!

With the 3 kids, the Poly is a great choice if you are going to be spending the majority of your time at Magic Kingdom. We've taken our 4 year old three times and stayed at Poly, WL, and Grand Floridian. It really is so convenient- It's an easy 3-5 minute walk to the transportation and ticket center, where you catch the Epcot monorail. Easy monorail ride to MK.

 

[Masonmj84]

Our most recent trips have been split stays where we've stayed at these resorts back to back.

Overall, if you have young kids in tow, we think Poly is the better choice. We like the resort ambiance and theming better and being able to Monorail to the two most popular parks is a huge plus. Wishes on the beach is also magical. In addition, the rooms are somewhat larger.

BC, we think, is better for an adults only trip, especially it you're big Epcot fans (on one of our trips, my parents came along, and they liked BC better). Being within a 5 minute walk of World Showcase is terrific, especially after Illuminations. The Boardwalk area also has an exciting vibe in the evenings.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do the Poly. We've stayed at all of the deluxes and nothing is more magical and more Disney (IMHO) than a monorail resort. And, of those, Poly's theming takes the prize! Especially if your children love Lilo and Stitch. I love the EP resorts, but for me, they are all about location to EP and DHS, plus we go often, so aren't so MK-focused anymore. With Poly, you can see the castle from the beach, hear the train from MK, the ferry boats going by, the water pageant, fireworks from the beach, etc. etc. It's just magical Disney everywhere you turn! The also just re-did the Volcano pool and installed a children's splash area. There's so much to do!

 

[mickeynut1]

After so many other changes to our upcoming trip, our dates are now changing allowing us a bit more in the budget to stay Deluxe. DH and I have narrowed our choices down to the Polynesian and the Beach Club. Which would you recommend for first timers? This isn't a trip that we will be able to take often, and the next time we go won't likely be for another couple of years. Transportation won't be too big of an issue since we will be driving so we will have our own vehicle, but tips on the bus service at the resorts would be nice, too.

The trip will be at the end of February into the beginning of March if that helps to sway your suggestions, and we will be using the military salute discount if you know of any room restrictions at either resort that you could add.

I appreciate the input!

We've stayed at both and while the BC is a nice resort, the Poly would be my choice. The rooms are quite a bit larger than at the BC, the pool is great as it backs up to the beach with a distant view of the castle, and you can't beat being just 2 monorail stops from MK (and it's just a 5-7 minute walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail). We love the variety of great TS options close by at the GF and CR and Captain Cooks is our favorite resort CS (we find the CS options at the BC to be very limited).

I'm not too worried about the construction since it seems like it will be about done by the time we go in late Feb. With the kids we do plan on 2 days at MK and the monorail is a big perk for me!

You can't beat the convenience to MK from the Poly (or any of the monorail resorts).

 

[Karebear]

I have stayed at both and I would vote for the BC--actually the YC because the YC rooms have a full balcony and only about half of the BC rooms do. I love being able to walk to Epcot (5 minutes) and there is a boat to HS. The bus to MK and AK only shared with BC and YC and the ride to the MK was quick--maybe 15 min once you are on the bus. I just feel that the Epcot resorts are more central to stuff if you are going to do all of the parks. If you are only interested in the MK, then I would say the Poly. Also, we like the pool at the YC/BC more than the Poly pool. Happy planning!

 

[mmmears]

At that time of year and with 5 in the room, I'd lean towards the Poly. The rooms are larger (we've stayed at both back-to-back and you can definitely notice the difference). It's also so convenient to the MK.

Having said that, BC is wonderful and it has great access to Epcot if you prefer.

I don't think you can make a bad choice here... Which theme appeals to you more? And which location? We like them both.