Where to stay--BC, Dolphin, or POP???

[MeredithJ]

Ok, like many others, I have the dilemma of deciding where to stay for our upcoming Disney trip. We are looking at a 7 day trip arriving Aug 4. We are planning to drive. The gang includes me, DH, DS 15, DD 11 and DD 4. I have looked at packages, but have decided to book everything separately. I have also looked at ALL of the resorts in depth, and based on our families likes, etc, I have narrowed our choices to BC, Dolphin, and POP. I know these are all very different, but I have my reasons for choosing each. Here is a summary:

POP--my kids would LOVE the theming, especially DD4. Although I think she would like ASMovies slightly more, I think POP is a better choice for the whole group. They would love the POP jets and the food court. We would also have to do 2 rooms, which makes the cost comparable to the other two when you take that into account. The plus to this is that the kids can be in another room and not drive DH and I batty! Having 2 bathrooms is not that big of a plus to us, because we only have one bath at home and are used to sharing. The two TV's however, is a big plus

Dolphin--Good rate with Ent Book (slightly cheaper than 2 rooms at POP). Within walking distance to MGM/Epcot, and the pool is really cool for the kids. They love to swim, and I know they would like this pool better than POP. I am concerned about the room size....is it just two double beds and a rollaway for the 5th person, or is there a sofa bed. I didn't see any sofa beds in the pictures I saw. I just don't want DS to have to sleep on a rollaway for a week...not comfy. Theming is also more geared to adults.

BC--the pool is the big draw here. I know the kids would be in heaven. I know the rooms here also have the two double beds and sofa bed, so there would be room for everyone to sleep comfortably. The big negative on this resort is the price...ouch. I also like the proximity to Epcot/MGM. If I could get it for around $200 a night, it would make it more comparable to the other two. One option would be a split stay between two resorts to make it less expensive, but I'm not sure. Theming is also geared to adults.

Anyone have suggestions for us? I'm sure we would love each of these for their own unique qualities. It will also be HOT in August, so the pools are a big decision maker, although I am sure water, any water will do in the heat

Thanks for helping me make my decision, I am interested to see the replies. Sorry so long, just trying to cover all the bases!

Meredith

 

[bubbles rockenbocker]

We stayed at BC last summer (late June) mostly because of the proximity to Epcot and MGM (It was a short visit following a 4 day Disney Cruise)
The weather was HOT!! (duh, Florida in summer, yet I had the nerve to be surprised!)
We found Stormalong Bay to be VERY crowded and the water was warm! As a result we did not swim as much as I thought we would, seeking air conditioned places instead. We did however enjoy the short walk to the parks.

 

[jordanyosh]

I would opt for POP only because of the 2 rooms. There's nothing like a little privacy for the parents and kids. The rooms are a bit small, but with 2 you will be able to spread out a little more.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We stayed at POP for 7 nights the first week of August '04 and it was VERY crowded! Since it's a value resort, there were lots of families, which was o.k. but also made it pretty loud at times,especially around the pools. We've also stayed at Carribbean Beach Resort, which has a pool in each "village", but it's pretty spread out. Our favorite is the Wilderness Lodge, the pool has a water slide, there's a hot tub for the adults, and it's all in one building instead of being so spread out. Also, it's one of the cheaper deluxe resorts. We did visit the BC during our trip, and as the previous poster reports, it was also very crowded that week.

 

[magicmouse2]

I would go for the BC. I have wanted to stay there for a long time...
Just think, watching the fireworks from the resort, walking to Epcot - I hear the buses get crowded at POP.

Our family has done both the two rooms at value/mods and 1 room at a deluxe. Even with two rooms I still didnt get any privacy as they were always in our room playing card, games watching the disney channel on our tv

I found if you want privacy you have to lock yourself in the bathroom!!!!

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

I have stayed at all three resorts and you will enjoy any of them. That said, I think the best way to make up your mind is to decide if being able to walk to Epcot / MGM is a priority to you. There is something to be said for the convenience of being able to walk or boat to two major parks. If it is not a priority, go with Pop. The theming is lots of fun and having two rooms is a pretty big plus. August in FL is HOT HOT HOT so you may actually find that you spend less time in the pools than you thought (and more time in the AC!!). You will have a blast though - enjoy!

 

[mariethecat]

We had originally booked POP for our last trip in Dec. Then we switched to Dolphin when the good rates came out for that time. We loved the Dolphin.It was so much easier to get to MGM and Epcot. We were there during the busiest week of the year and never waited more than 10 minutes for transportation. The pool area at Dolphin is very nice and I'm sure all your kids will love it. There was a DJ at the pool area everyday who was playing games with little and big kids. My two DD's(17 & 20) slept on the roll away beds and found them to be comfortable. We were upgraded to a hospitality room which only had one double bed so they brought in 2 roll away beds. There was also a sofa bed which we didn't use. If you can get a good rate I would recommend the Dolphin.The only thing we missed was the food court at the value resorts.

 

[MarkLem]

If the rate is good the Dolphin or Swan can't be beat. Excellent service, rooms, etc. Easy to get to MGM & Epcot, and you have the Boardwalk. last week was the first time we visited the Boardwalk and it was a great supplement to the parks. If Beach Club is competitive rate-wise that would be my choice. Better proximity to Epcot than Dolphin, and just as easy to get to MGM, great pool & you still have the Boardwalk for a nice break.

 

[Hieatt]

I love the Dolphin - all the benefits of the BC at a reasonable price... assuming you can get a good AAA or Ent. rate. A far better choice than the POP - location is prime, beds are the best anywhere, rooms and public areas are beautiful, especially after the renovation.

However, 5 in a room will be crowded. If you can't afford two basic rooms or a Jr. Suite (which is sometimes cheaper than 2 rooms if you can get the discounted rate) at the Dophin, I would say it's advantages are outweighed by the extra space you would get at the POP in two rooms. The Dolphin rooms are not terribly large - I'm not even sure you could squeeze a rollaway into a double/double room. Only the king rooms have sofa beds.

 

[hercamore]

Another thought: food for five will be pricy. Pop's foodcourt will have less pricy options than the others.

This is what I would do. Buy an annual pass, get the AP rate on the two Pop rooms, buy the Disney Dining card $50 AP rate) and use the %20 discount on food at Pop foodcourt. Plus get discount on table service throughout the parks.

herc.

 

[MeredithJ]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Hercamore--that may be a way to go. Are AP rates already out for those dates? If not, do you know when they would be? Also, would I have to buy my AP before making the ressie, or could I just buy it later and show it at check in?

If anyone else has opinions, I would love to hear them...as of now I am still undecided....

Thanks!!

Meredith

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I 1st thought of Beach Club because I really love the beach club. Like the pool, location and attitude of the resort. It is a fun location. Lots to do. Yes, Stormalong bay does get crowded, but mostly I found the problem being "getting chairs, or a table" people saving chairs etc... The water was never so packed with people you could not enjoy yourself. It was usually so hot in august that we would just find somewhere to park our stuff on a rock and then jump in.

BUT if $$$ is an issue and the 2 room thing would work out better, I certainly would seriously consider pop. You get 2 bathrooms, and 2 tv's. Sounds like you will also have your car, so you can drive to some parks etc.. if the buses are too packed or slow etc.. (just in case).

Personally I would choose the s/d last, just becaue I don't like the "convention" angle. I like the resorts, but the suits I can live without. Lots of people waiting for there meetings, talking on cell's, standing around with badges etc.... Just doesn't make me feel like I'm on vacation somehow? But any room ON PROPERTY at wdw is better than being off property, or at home! So watch for rates, good luck mky

 

[Eeyore1928]

The Beach Club will offer 2 queens..not doubles. Also if you can get the Swan over the Dolphin...it offers 2 queens instead of 2 doubles. We stayed at Pop last year after a few nights at Caribbean Beach and was shocked to find that some items at the food court were more expensive at Pop than Caribbean...for the same exact thing! Really strange. Also Pop was soooooooo loud that we never got to sleep before 1 am. You can hear the kids at the pool at all hours. Ugh.

 

[swilphil]

If you can get the Ent. rate (or any other discount) definitely go for the Dolphin, or even the Swan. We love the location of the Swan/Dolphin and it's a deluxe resort in every sense of the word.

 

[tar heel]

I wouldn't even consider Pop if the other hotels are in your price range. The location alone makes it so worth it. Do Beach Club if you can handle the price, if not Dolphin or Swan.

 

[LilBuckaroo]

Please note that the Swan & Dolphin's in-room air conditioning system operates via motion sensor. I don't know if that would make a difference to you, but it's something to just be aware of. I know someone who has stayed at the Swan last summer and really enjoyed it.

 

[swilphil]

The Dolphin also offers AP rates, and the A/C was never a problem for us. When you are gone from your room, it does get stuffy, but it only takes a few minutes to cool off when you return. It actually got too cold for us at night, and we were there in mid July.

 

[dreamflight99]

The Dolphin also offers AP rates, and the A/C was never a problem for us. When you are gone from your room, it does get stuffy, but it only takes a few minutes to cool off when you return. It actually got too cold for us at night, and we were there in mid July.

Ditto! It's one of the best systems available in any resort *(aside from DVB...where you can literally FREEZE yourself if not careful!). When we initially arrived, we called maintenance, and had someone come and remove the motion detector ability. This permitted us to leave the AC on when we were sleeping, or out of the room. It worked great for us!

TTFN...DF99

 

[BabyPiglet]

I am going to POP in August to I reccomend that but is it crowded then thats what I am wondering about. I heard that it is from some people and that it isn't from other people?? I also heard that the housekeeping is very bad and the linens are sometimes dirty I dont know now I might change MY mind...... sorry if I just confused you all the more

 

[WDW LOVR]

Book 2 rooms at Pop and if AP rates come out that make BC or BW in your price range, change in a minute. Of course, once you stay at BC or BW you might never be the same and the next thing you know you'll be looking into DVC so you can stay at BC/BW/WL/OKW/SSR all the time!