Which Epcot resort for Food & Wine Festival?

[SeaSpray]

DH and I have decided that it's about time to try out an Epcot resort, and we're planning on going next fall for the F&W Festival.

Which resort would you recommend, based on the following criteria:

Closest to Epcot
Nicer/larger rooms
Balcony or patio
Concierge club


We'll be spending most of our time between Epcot and the MK. Part of me really wants to stay "home" at the Polynesian but we'll be there before our Fantasy cruise is September, so we figured this trip would be a good time to finally try an Epcot resort.

Thanks for all opinions, experiences, and info!

 

[figment_jii]

The two closest resorts at Boardwalk and the Beach Club. My notes have it being 0.4 miles from the BWI lobby to IG and about 0.23 miles from the BC lobby to the IG.

I can't really say anything about the CL or room size because I usually stay in the one-bedroom villa and it's pretty much the same in terms of size at the BC and the BW.

Here is my two cents...after lots of hemming and hawing, I think that my resort of preference is the BW. Ultimately, it comes down to the easy (and comfort) of getting to Epcot and DHS. At the BC, you have to hike over to the YC to catch the boat to DHS (or IG) and then stand out on the dock. At the BW, I like the fact you can wait for the boat inside the store. The store has a view of the water, so you can see when the boat is leaving YC (if you're going to Epcot) or coming from Epcot (if you're heading to DHS). On days when it's really hot/humid outside or raining, this is a huge benefit to me.

In terms of the buses, the BC usually share with the YC and the BW shares with the Swan and Dolphin. In most cases, the BW is the first dropped off and first picked up (which is nice). If the line for the bus to your resort is very long (or the bus is really slow in coming) you can always get on the bus to the other Epcot resorts and then walk back to your resort. I've done that a few times when the BW/S/D bus was not there, but the BC/YC bus was right there waiting. Sometimes all five resorts share a line, which can mean a very crowded bus, but that would be a problem regardless of the resort you selected.

All in all, I think you'd be fine at any of the Epcot resorts during F&W. It's a pretty easy walk to IG from any of them. Have fun!

 

[SeaSpray]

The two closest resorts at Boardwalk and the Beach Club. My notes have it being 0.4 miles from the BWI lobby to IG and about 0.23 miles from the BC lobby to the IG.

I can't really say anything about the CL or room size because I usually stay in the one-bedroom villa and it's pretty much the same in terms of size at the BC and the BW.

Here is my two cents...after lots of hemming and hawing, I think that my resort of preference is the BW. Ultimately, it comes down to the easy (and comfort) of getting to Epcot and DHS. At the BC, you have to hike over to the YC to catch the boat to DHS (or IG) and then stand out on the dock. At the BW, I like the fact you can wait for the boat inside the store. The store has a view of the water, so you can see when the boat is leaving YC (if you're going to Epcot) or coming from Epcot (if you're heading to DHS). On days when it's really hot/humid outside or raining, this is a huge benefit to me.

In terms of the buses, the BC usually share with the YC and the BW shares with the Swan and Dolphin. In most cases, the BW is the first dropped off and first picked up (which is nice). If the line for the bus to your resort is very long (or the bus is really slow in coming) you can always get on the bus to the other Epcot resorts and then walk back to your resort. I've done that a few times when the BW/S/D bus was not there, but the BC/YC bus was right there waiting. Sometimes all five resorts share a line, which can mean a very crowded bus, but that would be a problem regardless of the resort you selected.

All in all, I think you'd be fine at any of the Epcot resorts during F&W. It's a pretty easy walk to IG from any of them. Have fun!

Thanks so much! It's details like the ones you mentioned that really help out when deciding on a new resort. It sounds like the Boardwalk might be our best choice.

Can you walk to Epcot from there? Do you know how long of a walk it is? Thanks again!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Actually at certain times one bus served all Epcot resorts. ( as is typical at Disney. High prices don't always mean better service).

You can walk to Epcot. The distances above should help you figure out timing.

 

[LSchrow]

Thanks so much! It's details like the ones you mentioned that really help out when deciding on a new resort. It sounds like the Boardwalk might be our best choice.

Can you walk to Epcot from there? Do you know how long of a walk it is? Thanks again!

less than 10 minutes to EPCOT (a nice stroll on the BW, along the lake, eateries, over the pretty bridge & into IG - which enters between the UK and the bridge to WS). it's so easy to drop into EPCOT for a drink or dinner
DHS is about a 15 minute walk, again a pretty stroll, along the canal. or you can take a friendship (we like the walk).
btw, the BW "comes alive" at night with street performers (magicians, etc), carny games, surrey bikes, jellyrolls (dueling piano bar), etc.

the YC/BC share a large pool complex that many people love (we find it tends to get too loud & crowded for our tastes). YC is more elegant & sedate (our kids loved it there), BC is more lively and noisy.
BC has some SRO balconies, both BWI & YC have only full balconies.

the faq pages on allears.net list details & pricing.
hth

 

[MollysWorld]

Sea,

Can't advise you from personal experience, but I know a month ago I posted a thread asking a similar question. We had been at GF twice for Food and Wine, thought it would be nice to be closer.

With the help of some great folks here and their advice, we booked our room at BW for Oct. 2014. The general feeling I had from all the comments was you could not go wrong either way. But some of the comments about BW just made it more appealing to DW and I, so we are set.

Now if 14 months could just go by faster.

 

[SeaSpray]

Actually at certain times one bus served all Epcot resorts. ( as is typical at Disney. High prices don't always mean better service).

You can walk to Epcot. The distances above should help you figure out timing.

less than 10 minutes to EPCOT (a nice stroll on the BW, along the lake, eateries, over the pretty bridge & into IG - which enters between the UK and the bridge to WS). it's so easy to drop into EPCOT for a drink or dinner
DHS is about a 15 minute walk, again a pretty stroll, along the canal. or you can take a friendship (we like the walk).
btw, the BW "comes alive" at night with street performers (magicians, etc), carny games, surrey bikes, jellyrolls (dueling piano bar), etc.

the YC/BC share a large pool complex that many people love (we find it tends to get too loud & crowded for our tastes). YC is more elegant & sedate (our kids loved it there), BC is more lively and noisy.
BC has some SRO balconies, both BWI & YC have only full balconies.

the faq pages on allears.net list details & pricing.
hth

Sea,

Can't advise you from personal experience, but I know a month ago I posted a thread asking a similar question. We had been at GF twice for Food and Wine, thought it would be nice to be closer.

With the help of some great folks here and their advice, we booked our room at BW for Oct. 2014. The general feeling I had from all the comments was you could not go wrong either way. But some of the comments about BW just made it more appealing to DW and I, so we are set.

Now if 14 months could just go by faster.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback. Now to go check out the FAQs and other threads about the Boardwalk.

 

[darkwing818]

DH and I have decided that it's about time to try out an Epcot resort, and we're planning on going next fall for the F&W Festival.

Which resort would you recommend, based on the following criteria:

Closest to Epcot
Nicer/larger rooms
Balcony or patio
Concierge club

We'll be spending most of our time between Epcot and the MK. Part of me really wants to stay "home" at the Polynesian but we'll be there before our Fantasy cruise is September, so we figured this trip would be a good time to finally try an Epcot resort.

Thanks for all opinions, experiences, and info!

Honestly we've stayed at all 3 & like them all. Voted Beach Club because we just stayed there in June. For the F&WF these 3 just can't be beat.

 

[Rose23]

SeaSpray, although a little farther but still within walking distance, consider the Swan/Dolphin Resort. It is not a "Disney" owned resort but offers specials (especially if you join the Starwood Rewards Program) and fabulous location just behind the Boardwalk Resort area. You can still walk to Epcot and Disney Studios. The rooms are spacious and offer refrigerators, safes and decent sized bathrooms.

Negatives? Parking is $14 a day I believe, and there is an additional "resort fee" added on to your room tab daily. Some of the rooms offer balconies but you pay more for those rooms. Also, if there is a large conference, the public areas in the resort can get noisey.

Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your trip! All the best!

 

[MrsDuck]

Beach!!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I have not stayed at any of those resorts but if I did, I would pick BC.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

SeaSpray, although a little farther but still within walking distance, consider the Swan/Dolphin Resort. It is not a "Disney" owned resort but offers specials (especially if you join the Starwood Rewards Program) and fabulous location just behind the Boardwalk Resort area. You can still walk to Epcot and Disney Studios. The rooms are spacious and offer refrigerators, safes and decent sized bathrooms.

Negatives? Parking is $14 a day I believe, and there is an additional "resort fee" added on to your room tab daily. Some of the rooms offer balconies but you pay more for those rooms. Also, if there is a large conference, the public areas in the resort can get noisey.

Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your trip! All the best!

And for a potential stay next week I priced Disney and Swan/Dolphin.

Could get the Dolphin for $159. The best Disney could offer was over $300.. Hmm... parking and resort fees don't add up to $150

There's a reason I no longer stay at Disney Deluxe... "all the pricing none of the service" LOL!

If I am not at a DVC resort I am at the Swan/Dolphin!

 

[Judyfun]

I have stayed at BW and BC both CL and while BC is indeed closer, when I am doing an adult event (like F&W) I pick BW.

Both places are amazing and I do love coming in the back gateway.

Judy

Admitting I have a Disney issue
May 2012 GC
November 2012 BW CL
Devember 2012 CONT
March 2013 AKL
Mar 2013 BC CL
soooon
October 2013 BW CL
November 2013 AKL

 

[LisaCM614]

I agree with Judy.
I have stayed CL at both BC and BWI.

BWI lounge is bigger and quieter.
I liked the offerings in the BWI lounge just a bit better.
I loved watching Illuminations from the lounge balcony! A snifter of Grand Marnier and fireworks - that is a nice end of the day!
We are staying BWV for F&W this year.

The walk to Epcot from BWI is just a teeny bit longer than BC.

 

[tortoni]

We have stayed at all of them, including Swan and Dolphin and villas at BW and BC, we also own DVC at BCV. That said, even though the walk to Epcot is a few minutes further, I would choose the Yacht Club. It has a warm, adult vibe, shares Stormalong Bay, so a great pool, a nice quiet pool and a quick walk over to the Boardwalk or the Swan Dolphin, which have nice restaurants/lounges. Yacht also has the Crews Cup, a nice bar and Yachtsman, a nice restaurant. Like the concierge lounge there a bit more than the one at BC.