WWYD? CBR, Boardwalk or Yacht Club?

[Midwest Mama]

Hi everyone! Going back and forth over three resorts and can't make a decision. There are 6 of us -- 2 adults, 4 kids (10 and under). We've stayed at CBR and liked it, but would love to try an Epcot area resort. We're staying for 13 nights and it will be $100 more a night to stay at Boardwalk and about $146 more a night to stay at Yacht Club compared to CBR. For those who have tried both, is the extra $$ worth it, and if so would you do Boardwalk or Yacht Club? We spend the majority of our time in the parks but do make some time for swimming too.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Are you putting all of those people in one room?

 

[Dug720]

Are you putting all of those people in one room?

Unless one of the 4 kids is 2 or under, there is no way. And even then, I'd seriously reconsider. That is a LOT of people in one room.

 

[MomOTwins]

Are you putting all of those people in one room?

They could do it if one or more of the four kids is under 3 y old because each of those resorts has rooms that sleep 5 plus one additional under-3-year-old (they don't count toward room occupancy until they hit 3). There would only be sleeping surfaces for 5 though so you'd have to stick the littlest one either in bed with the other kids, in mom and dad's bed or in a pack n play. It's doable, for 13 days, agree it would feel cramped, but I know how hard it is to split into two rooms when the kids are little, especially since Disney can't guarantee connecting rooms.

Anyhow, to OP's question DEFINITELY worth the upgrade to either Boardwalk or YC. For 13 days, you want a nice resort, and walking the long distances to rooms at CBR with 3 little kids will get old really fast. I'd probably recommend BW because when kids are younger, we find it easier to keep track of them in the pool at BWI rather than the giant pool complex at YC. But both resorts are nice.

 

[Midwest Mama]

Are you putting all of those people in one room?

Yes, all in one room. One is a 2 year old.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Unless one of the 4 kids is 2 or under, there is no way. And even then, I'd seriously reconsider. That is a LOT of people in one room.

They could do it if one or more of the four kids is under 3 y old because each of those resorts has rooms that sleep 5 plus one additional under-3-year-old (they don't count toward room occupancy until they hit 3). There would only be sleeping surfaces for 5 though so you'd have to stick the littlest one either in bed with the other kids, in mom and dad's bed or in a pack n play. It's doable, for 13 days, agree it would feel cramped, but I know how hard it is to split into two rooms when the kids are little, especially since Disney can't guarantee connecting rooms.

I know they CAN do it, but the budget impact grows even bigger if we're talking about two rooms. I'd much rather have two rooms at CBR than one room at Boardwalk, for example.

...walking the long distances to rooms at CBR with 3 little kids will get old really fast...

This has not been my experience since the addition of the Skyliner. Request building 45 or 51 and there's not much walking to anywhere.

Yes, all in one room. One is a 2 year old.

Do not do this.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Hi Midwest Mama, I completely understand wanting to have your family in one room. Being able to walk to two parks is great. CBR is also good. You could try for a 5th sleeper room there. YC has some rooms with 2 queens and a daybed( but is by request only), and BWI villas have studios with a queen, a sofa bed, and a Murphy bed and the BWI side has some rooms that have the two queens and a daybed (again just a request)...so all three/four of those set ups would give you a similar arrangement.

We've stayed at all three places and have enjoyed all three. It pretty much boils down to what appeals the most to you. I think it's definitely worth the extra to be within walking distance of two parks.

 

[Cabius]

The skyliner at CBR does really close the gap between that resort and the Epcot-area resorts, and the access to the Riviera's restaurants is a big plus. So I don't think that CBR would be a bad choice.

That said, the Studio rooms are a lot bigger at Yacht (380) or Boardwalk (371) than at CBR (314)! For me, as much as I love CBR, I would upgrade for the additional space with that many little ones.

I would personally pay the extra for Yacht Club if my family was going to make heavy use of Stormalong Bay (the pool). The hotels are close enough that you can easily access the BW amenities from YC, and vice versus, but pool hopping is not allowed. The water slide, lazy river, and sand-bottomed pool, make it the best hotel pool on property. If we were to use it repeatedly, it would be worth the extra $600 to me. But otherwise - if it were winter, or my family were not resort pool people - I'd be happy at Boardwalk and save the $600 for a character meal or two. =)

 

[Midwest Mama]

Thank you for all of the input so far! I think we're leaning toward BW or Yacht to walk to the parks. I know it may seem like a lot of people in one room to some, but we're used to sharing space and are totally fine in one room for now. With kids this young, if we split into two rooms we'd all end up in one room anyway. This will be the last trip we'll fit in one standard room, so we're taking advantage while we can.

 

[MomOTwins]

Hi Midwest Mama, I completely understand wanting to have your family in one room. Being able to walk to two parks is great. CBR is also good. You could try for a 5th sleeper room there. YC has some rooms with 2 queens and a daybed( but is by request only), and BWI villas have studios with a queen, a sofa bed, and a Murphy bed and the BWI side has some rooms that have the two queens and a daybed (again just a request)...so all three/four of those set ups would give you a similar arrangement.

We've stayed at all three places and have enjoyed all three. It pretty much boils down to what appeals the most to you. I think it's definitely worth the extra to be within walking distance of two parks.

The daybed is guaranteed if you book 5 people age 3 and up in a room, which OP will have. It is only a request if you have 4 or fewer people over age 3.

Thank you for all of the input so far! I think we're leaning toward BW or Yacht to walk to the parks. I know it may seem like a lot of people in one room to some, but we're used to sharing space and are totally fine in one room for now. With kids this young, if we split into two rooms we'd all end up in one room anyway. This will be the last trip we'll fit in one standard room, so we're taking advantage while we can.

Don’t be discouraged. “You need 2 rooms” is a mantra on these boards, but you really don’t when the kids or little. Some people seem to really need a lot of space (I’ve seen people protest that 5 and even 4 is too many people in one room) but people obviously do it all the time. We slept 5 in rooms with a max of 4 when our youngest under 3 y old at Wilderness and Animal Lodge and Beach Club. It was crowded especially on the last trip when our large 2 y old outgrew the pack n play, but we were fine.

I think homes are so big in the USA outside of the coastal cities, some folks can’t imagine sharing a small space. I’ve lived in studio apartments smaller than many WDW hotel rooms. When I was a kid, we grew up overseas and when we took family vacations in Europe each year (for months at a time, because vacation time off is so much better abroad) I would share a bed with my sister and 4 cousins!

 

[TheHauntedMansion]

Hi everyone! Going back and forth over three resorts and can't make a decision. There are 6 of us -- 2 adults, 4 kids (10 and under). We've stayed at CBR and liked it, but would love to try an Epcot area resort. We're staying for 13 nights and it will be $100 more a night to stay at Boardwalk and about $146 more a night to stay at Yacht Club compared to CBR. For those who have tried both, is the extra $$ worth it, and if so would you do Boardwalk or Yacht Club? We spend the majority of our time in the parks but do make some time for swimming too.

Boardwalk all the way, it has such a fun atmosphere. And it technically is closer( by a tad) to Epcot. Of course you cannot go wrong with either. I have stayed at each of these resorts I’d say at least 25/26 times…. And I really enjoy the nighttime on the Boardwalk.

 

[Nabas]

We have stayed at all of the hotels you mentioned.

With a 13-night trip, the answer is obvious:

Do a split stay.

Do the first 6 or 7 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort and the last 6 or 7 nights at the Boardwalk or Yacht Club.

13 nights in the same hotel room is a long time. Splitting it will break up the trip and give you something to look forward to.

But always do the “better” resort on the end of the trip. Always better to upgrade than downgrade.

 

[Dug720]

This has not been my experience since the addition of the Skyliner. Request building 45 or 51 and there's not much walking to anywhere.

I didn't say this. Not sure where you got it?

 

[Kae]

YC. The kids will love Storm along bay.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

For 13 days, I would also recommend a split stay. The kids will love SAB but maybe not so much for the parents that have to try and keep track of them There are a lot of pool area that you cannot see from one spot. Plus, you can do a lot with the almost $2000 you would save between CBR and YC.
Our family loved the walk to Epcot but after just one walk to HS, would not recommend, especially with 4 kids under 10. HS is 3/4 of a mile starting from the BW lobby.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would definitely do YC or BW but I would probably go with YC for the pool. I feel that BW has a more adult vibe and YC/BC is better with kids. Plus the pool! BC is my daughters favorite resort but she did enjoy BW.

I grew up in apartments and actually lived in apartments with my kids so close quarters when they were small never bothered us. We’ve never had more than one bathroom either. I say you are fine in one room.

I’ve done split stays and find them to be a bit of a pain so I definitely would not do it with 4 small kids. I don’t like the thought of being homeless with little kids. What if someone gets a tummy ache or extra cranky. I feel that with small kids there’s more chances for something to happen. Plus I’m sure you will have more stuff than the average family to move and pack.

 

[chasgeese]

Have you thought of Swan/Dolphin? I have seen on here that they have deals on more spacious/family rooms that are often less than CBR. You’d need to do some research to be sure, and you might have to call to check availability on those room types but it could be worth looking into for your group.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I didn't say this. Not sure where you got it?

Weird. Quote function got messed up.

 

[loves to dive]

Have you thought of Swan/Dolphin? I have seen on here that they have deals on more spacious/family rooms that are often less than CBR. You’d need to do some research to be sure, and you might have to call to check availability on those room types but it could be worth looking into for your group.

I was just getting ready to type the same thing. You can get a suite at Dolphin for the same price as a room at a Moderate and much less than YC or BW. I just priced out a suite at AoA vs. Dolphin for a trip in Sept. with my son, his SO and their infant daughter. AoA was about $100 less total but we love the Dolphin and love being able to walk or boat to two parks. The pools there are great, a cute little kiddy pool. We got a sort of mini suite with a bedroom (no door between bedroom and living room but a wall) a sitting area with a pull out couch and chairs, a small kichen table (no kitchen) and the bathroom has a sink on the outside and one in the bathroom itself. They have them with two double beds in the bedroom.

 

[Marthasor]

I was just getting ready to type the same thing. You can get a suite at Dolphin for the same price as a room at a Moderate and much less than YC or BW. I just priced out a suite at AoA vs. Dolphin for a trip in Sept. with my son, his SO and their infant daughter. AoA was about $100 less total but we love the Dolphin and love being able to walk or boat to two parks. The pools there are great, a cute little kiddy pool. We got a sort of mini suite with a bedroom (no door between bedroom and living room but a wall) a sitting area with a pull out couch and chairs, a small kichen table (no kitchen) and the bathroom has a sink on the outside and one in the bathroom itself. They have them with two double beds in the bedroom.

We've also booked suites at Swan/Dolphin for less than a standard room at a WDW deluxe. We had a two bedroom suite (1 king, 2 doubles) with a living room in between with a 3rd full bathroom, dining room table, kitchenette and sitting area with a pull-out couch and huge flatscreen TV. OP, as others have suggested, I would seriously consider calling Swan/Dolphin to price out a two-bedroom suite for your family. You will get the same location as BWI and YC at much lower cost. If that doesn't appeal and your choices are YC and BWI, that's a tough choice. YC is lovely and I love that you can access QS/TS without going outside, but BWI is much livelier and I think the pool and slide are slightly more conducive to younger children. With 13 nights, you might want to consider splitting between a MK resort (Poly, CR or GF) and an EP resort (YC, BWI or Swan/Dolphin) to cut down on transportation time to the parks.