Yacht Club, Beach Club, or Boardwalk??

[nicholscreek]

We are 4 adults heading to WDW in January for Marathon Weekend. We are planning to stay at one of the EPCOT area resorts and cannot decide which one is the best fit - we need your help! Recent reviews of BC and YC are both good overall however the common theme seems to be that the properties are in need of refurbishment. Anyone have recent stays at BC/YC? Would you choose Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk and why? Thanks!

 

[nascargirl]

Our family has stayed at the BC and BWI. We always go back to the BWI especially CL due to the great, awesome CM who work up in CL. During Marathon weekend it might be easier to stay at the BW as the runners run right by the YC and BC then head into Epcot. The BWI has nightly entertainment. If you want to visit the BC it is a short walk around the lagoon.

 

[madalex]

I've stayed at all three many times on both trips with family and adult-only trips. My order of preference is as follows:

YC
BWI
BC

 

[wdwrich]

We have visited all three many times and when we had the opportunity to stay at one, we chose the YC. To us, it always seems a bit quieter and more refined than the others and we were very happy with our choice. Would stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[Pakey]

I have vacationed at all 3. My preferences change depending on the day but in the end, they are all so close in order for me that I'm happy at any of them. I did not like BC's club level compared to the other two resorts but taking club level out of the equation, they are all fairly equal. Many people do not like the BC lobby because it's so busy due to the character breakfast entrance being located there but I've always enjoyed that hustle/bustle feel. Also, BC has the Marketplace which offers the most convenient counter service of the 3 resorts. The biggest downside is that half of the rooms do not have full balconies.

It's such a tough decision for me that I'm doing a YC/BWI split stay in two weeks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are 4 adults heading to WDW in January for Marathon Weekend. We are planning to stay at one of the EPCOT area resorts and cannot decide which one is the best fit - we need your help! Recent reviews of BC and YC are both good overall however the common theme seems to be that the properties are in need of refurbishment. Anyone have recent stays at BC/YC? Would you choose Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk and why? Thanks!

You can't go wrong with any of them. We've stayed at all of them but like the Beach Club best for its proximity to the International Gateway into Epcot. The BWI has more dining options than the other two. One of our favorites is the brewery. Since you are a runner you won't have any trouble walking anywhere in the area.

One of my favorite things about the Epcot resort areas was the nice run I used to do every morning around the lake and down the path to HS. Good luck with the marathon. I did the Disney 1/2 marathon once, and it was fun. A lot of people wear their medals into the park after the race is over. I never wore mine because it always seemed like the Donald medal was never as impressive as a Mickey medal.

 

[elaw]

We are 4 adults heading to WDW in January for Marathon Weekend. We are planning to stay at one of the EPCOT area resorts and cannot decide which one is the best fit - we need your help! Recent reviews of BC and YC are both good overall however the common theme seems to be that the properties are in need of refurbishment. Anyone have recent stays at BC/YC? Would you choose Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk and why? Thanks!

For me, It all comes down to Resort theming and layout. My personal preference, having stayed at all 3, is:

1) BC
2) YC
3) BWI

For the Holiday season I rank them:

1) YC
2) BC
3) BWI

 

[darkwing818]

We have stayed at all 3 and enjoyed each. The Beach Club Villas (w/DDs) is our 1st choice. That being said we (DW & me) are staying at Boardwalk before & after our Disney cruises in October & January. Honestly you can't go wrong with any of the 3.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I stayed BWI club level with my family (Dh and 4 kids) in May, and club level YC with my brother just last weekend. Both were very nice, but I preferred the theming/ambiance of BWI. Also, during the stay at YC, a LOT of things seemed to be down/under renovation--the gym (yes, they moved some equipment to the solarium, but no showers/locker rooms are available which makes it harder to use the pool after checkout or on your check in day if your room isn't ready yet...), the pool slide at SAB was down my entire stay, Hurricane Hannahs (the pool snack bar), Periwigs, etc. It was kind of disappointing. At BWI in May, I didn't notice anything closed...

 

[OKW Lover]

Its a question with no wrong answer. All three are wonderful and I don't believe you'll notice any real difference in terms of maintenance. If Epcot is your primary focus this trip, I'd just go in order of closeness (not that there is that much difference) BC, BW, YC.

 

[psac]

BWI would be my vote. Just like it more than the BC, haven't tried YC yet.

 

[nicholscreek]

Thanks so much for your responses everyone! We went with Beach Club - can't wait until January!!

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks so much for your responses everyone! We went with Beach Club - can't wait until January!!

I'm a little late here, but just wanted to let you know I think this is a great choice. I've stayed at all three - BC many times since 1992, and BC, BWI and YC all within the past 14 months.

BC is my favorite of the three, but I love YC and BWI. I think the BC rooms are in excellent shape and I love the atmosphere, theme, lobby, proximity to BC Marketplace, and the fact that the bus usually goes direct from BC to MK and AK without stops (although it sometimes stops at BWI during slower times.) It's just a great overall atmosphere for relaxing after the race.

The great thing about staying at BC is that you can enjoy all the shops and restaurants at YC, BWI, Swan and Dolphin and have access to Stormalong Bay.

Have a great trip!

 

[heidijanesmith]

We really liked our YC stay and chose the YC over the BC because we wanted either a patio or a full balcony. This was our number one request and very important to us. BC has Juliette balconies or none at all, I didn't want to risk getting one of those rooms.

YC/BC's pool SAB is enormous and lots of fun. The best pool on WDW property.

I liked walking over to the Boardwalk and enjoyed the restaurants there, but I like YC theme better. Plus the Clown Pool freaks me out a bit.