Would love input - beach vs boardwalk (hotel room, studio, 1 bedroom)

[TeamSy]

Looking for the second part of our split stay (we have a standard/resort view or whatever they call the lowest tier booked at GF for first half). Want to move to an Epcot area resort for the second. We did swan this year and loved it, so not opposed to going back there (like getting the Marriott points) but would also like to change it up and not do the same thing for a second year in a row.

We have stayed at BW and BC before about 13+ years ago and waaay before kids, so it’s been a while!!! We are weighing the differences of a regular hotel room, studio, 1 bedroom. This is NON-DVC. I would assume because of that we would get housekeeping daily regardless of room???

It will be us and our 2 kids (6 and 3). Regular hotel room they’d be in the other bed, studio the pull out, and then 1 bedroom in the separate living room pull out. With the longer trip I like the idea of the 1 bedroom because it has the washer/dryer. Do laundry at night = pack less (we wouldn’t wash clothes otherwise like in a group washer/dryer area). I don’t know that we’d really utilize the kitchen other than spread out more in the bigger space compared to the mini-fridge we’d get in the other rooms, which I’m sure is nice. More space is always nice. It’s MASSIVE price difference to go to a 1 bedroom. I don’t think I’d regret it, but we had a corner family suite at swan this year which was nice too for a fraction of the cost. Now of course that was not as big but still worked. I keep getting hung up on the in unit washer/dryer tho.

And then the option too is just do a studio vs hotel room at either of these properties—any big differences there??

I think if we did BW we would pay for the BW view. If we did beach club we’d likely go with standard view. I know beach club has the nicer pool, which we’d probably do 1 pool day, so there’s that.

We are just very 50/50 on resorts and then have no idea on room type. Any thoughts? The prices between both resorts are similar it’s just the price of the room types which differ, with the 1 bedroom being insanely more, but I think likely worth it for the space??

 

[NicoleLarson]

Just to clarify when you say non-DVC you are referring to the fact that you're not renting DVC points but rather going through WDW to rent the DVC room, correct? I just wanted you to know that you are looking at DVC studios and 1 bedrooms.
With that being said, what's the price difference? All resorts do have laundry, given its not in your room so i guess it comes down to how much are you willing to spend just to have a washer and dryer in your room?
At 6 & 3 I do not recommend SAB. It's too spread out and the slides are across a public boardwalk. So I would personally lean towards BW, if pool time is a must. Room wise, BW was just redone this yrar so the rooms are newer. With 2 small kids pulling the bed out every night can get to be a pain so i would lean towards a hotel room vs a studio if the prices were comparable. Have you looked at a club level room? We love the convenience of just grabbing a drink or snack anytime. Plus it's good to have the extra space of the lounge.
Honestly, these are all great choices, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[Princess Merida]

When is your trip? This may make a difference in my answer on resort and room type due to construction. Yes, you will get mousekeeping daily since you will be paying cash.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love the villas with the full kitchen and the separate master bedroom. You can put the kids to sleep in the livingroom and have some nice quiet time in a separate room. You can use the kitchen to make breakfast or to reheat leftovers. We always used the washer and dryer when staying in a villa. It was so convenient. But you do pay more for the 1br villa.

I like the regular resort rooms much better than a studio. I haven't been in a BWV studio but have been in a BCV studio. The pull-out bed takes up a lot of floorspace when it is down, making the room feel crowded. The advantage to this set up is the microwave and toaster.

The regular resort room at whichever resort you choose is much nicer than a studio. It has two queen beds and most rooms have a sofa bed, too. The bathroom has two sinks and the rooms are bigger than the studio. I would choose a regular room over a studio every time, unless the studio was cheaper.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’d prob go BW to avoid SAB actually. The most common complaint about SAB is from parents with young kids that it is difficult to keep an eye on the kids due to the pool’s extensive nature.

 

[Marthasor]

I LOVE the EP resorts and the BC Villas are my favorite rooms on property due to their location and the resort amenities (love a washer/dryer!). That being said, we stay at the Swan, often, when cost is a concern. I don't know if spending an astronomical amount of extra money is worth it just to have a washer/dryer.

If cost isn't an issue, my order of preference would be:
1-bedroom BCV (the location and space are fantastic and you will have dining options indoors)
1-bedroom BWI (location and space are good, I hate that you have to go out to the Boardwalk for dining options)
regular room or studio BC/BCV - I would choose whichever is cheapest quite honestly
regular room or studio BWI/BWV - we actually prefer the villa side of the resort (we've had many noise problems at BWV), but would prefer regular beds on the hotel side as opposed to a pull-out
Swan

If cost is an issue, go with the Swan! In fact, perhaps consider calling the resort directly and pricing out 2 connecting rooms or a 1- or 2-bedroom suite to get some extra room. 2 rooms at the Swan will probably still come in less than the 1-bedroom villa - of course, no w/d, but you would have extra space.

 

[Best Aunt]

I love the 1-bedrooms at BoardWalk and Beach Club, but that's when staying on points. I think they are expensive when paying for cash. As PPs have said, it sounds like your main reason for getting a 1-bedroom would be the washer/dryer. I agree with others that a washer/dryer is not worth the extra price. The cost of checking one extra suitcase full of clothes is likely to be a lot less than the extra cost of a 1-bedroom.

I also agree with PPs that unless it is just a couple, a regular hotel room is better than a studio due to the space taken up when the pull down/pull out beds are pulled down/pulled out.

I'm not sure when you are planning to go. Remodelling has just started at the BoardWalk Villas. Remodelling is ongoing at the Beach Club Villas. If anybody plans to nap, you might want to be in a hotel which is not a construction zone.

 

[TeamSy]

Just to clarify when you say non-DVC you are referring to the fact that you're not renting DVC points but rather going through WDW to rent the DVC room, correct? I just wanted you to know that you are looking at DVC studios and 1 bedrooms.
With that being said, what's the price difference? All resorts do have laundry, given its not in your room so i guess it comes down to how much are you willing to spend just to have a washer and dryer in your room?
At 6 & 3 I do not recommend SAB. It's too spread out and the slides are across a public boardwalk. So I would personally lean towards BW, if pool time is a must. Room wise, BW was just redone this yrar so the rooms are newer. With 2 small kids pulling the bed out every night can get to be a pain so i would lean towards a hotel room vs a studio if the prices were comparable. Have you looked at a club level room? We love the convenience of just grabbing a drink or snack anytime. Plus it's good to have the extra space of the lounge.
Honestly, these are all great choices, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Thanks! Yes I mean we would not be renting points. Although I have not looked into that option, I prefer daily housekeeping. We have not looked into club level as we really do spend most of the days in the parks I can’t see us being around to grab anything, so given we wouldn’t utilize that much I wasn’t sure that would be anything to look into. Good to know about the new BW rooms that sounds nice.

 

[TeamSy]

When is your trip? This may make a difference in my answer on resort and room type due to construction. Yes, you will get mousekeeping daily since you will be paying cash.

August!

 

[TeamSy]

I love the villas with the full kitchen and the separate master bedroom. You can put the kids to sleep in the livingroom and have some nice quiet time in a separate room. You can use the kitchen to make breakfast or to reheat leftovers. We always used the washer and dryer when staying in a villa. It was so convenient. But you do pay more for the 1br villa.

I like the regular resort rooms much better than a studio. I haven't been in a BWV studio but have been in a BCV studio. The pull-out bed takes up a lot of floorspace when it is down, making the room feel crowded. The advantage to this set up is the microwave and toaster.

The regular resort room at whichever resort you choose is much nicer than a studio. It has two queen beds and most rooms have a sofa bed, too. The bathroom has two sinks and the rooms are bigger than the studio. I would choose a regular room over a studio every time, unless the studio was cheaper.

This is really good info! Thanks!!! The space in the 1 bedroom is really appealing to me lol. But it does sound like if we don’t do the 1 bedroom a hotel room would be a better option. We were at Contemporary last year (garden wing) and AKL this year (and swan) in a Savanna view (hotel room) and I don’t know if it’s accurate or not but even tho both were hotel rooms it felt like the contemporary had SO much more space then animal kingdom. We felt so cramped at AKL!

 

[Anthony1971]

If you rented points for AKL the rooms are larger then BWV and BCV at 366
Not sure of the resort room I think they are smaller then DVC? size and likely closer to BCV at 356 for BC and 359 for BW. If you are going to rent points I would do that first as you would be moving to a smaller room. You could also rent points at GF resort room big pine key which Has 2 queens and a day bed then pay for non DVC room at BW or BC for what you say whichever is cheaper.

 

[Princess Merida]

August!

I would choose Boardwalk then. The resort refurbishment is underway. The inn side rooms are already complete and the villa side rooms will be complete by August. They now have Carousel Coffee and the new Cake Bake Shop will be opened by then. We have no idea what the new Boardwalk studios will look like, but the refurbed hotel rooms look nice. In my opinion Boardwalk view is the best on property and with younger kids I would definitely choose that over Beach Club. As far as hotel room or studio I can’t say without seeing the new studios, so I’d go with whichever is cheaper.

 

[Dave006]

I would choose Boardwalk then. The resort refurbishment is underway and the inn side and the villa side rooms will be complete by August.

To help reduce confusion. The refurbishment of all BWI resort rooms have been completely as of last June (2023). This includes even the lobby. The DVC rooms are now being refurbished.

Dave

 

[Wood Nymph]

We were at Contemporary last year (garden wing) and AKL this year (and swan) in a Savanna view (hotel room) and I don’t know if it’s accurate or not but even tho both were hotel rooms it felt like the contemporary had SO much more space then animal kingdom. We felt so cramped at AKL!

The Contemporary resort room is 437 sq ft while the AKL room is only 344 sq ft.

Other average sizes:
BWV studio - 359 sq ft
BWI regular resort room - 370 sq ft

BCV studio - 365 sq ft
BC regular resort room - 380 sq ft