Boardwalk or Beach Club?

sbkline

sbkline

Well-Known Member
For our 10 year anniversary in 2013, my wife wants to stay at the Grand Floridian, which is her dream resort. This year, we are staying in my dream resort, the Wilderness Lodge. I asked my wife where she might want to stay for next year's trip, and she said Port Orleans Riverside, if money is an issue. But if money is not an issue, she said Boardwalk or Beach Club. So I'm just curious which one everyone here would pick between those two?

If you were picking, would it be Boardwalk or Beach Club, and why?
 
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sbkline

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Ultimately, it will probably come down to which one my wife prefers more, but I was just curious what everyone's thoughts are here. I'm having a hard time deciding which one I would prefer if I, alone, were to make the decision. I know the one thing Beach Club has going for it is Stormalong Bay, and that may be what would tip the scale in favor of Beach Club, for me, since they both pretty much share the same grounds. Regardless of which one we stay at, we still have Epcot next door, we still have the Boardwalk right there, Beaches and Cream, all the same restaraunts withing walking distance, etc.
 
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Tiggerish

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
I don't swim, so Stormalong Bay holds no allure for me.

I have stayed at both resorts, both the "hotel" portions and the DVC villas, and I prefer the atmosphere of the Boardwalk, I don't know that I can explain why. Maybe because the Boardwalk is supposed to be reminiscent of the Northeast, and that's where I live?
 
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Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
While I do swim, I like to swim. Not drift around in a current, dodge hordes of people trying to do the same, end up all sandy, and then have to try a locate a chair in the crowds of people. So Stormalong Bay holds no allure for me either.

I like Boardwalk -

It has a more 'useful' pool. One I can swim some laps, grab a drink at the bar (which is closer to the pool than at BC) and easily find a chair in the sun/shade (whatever I want)

I like being ON the Boardwalk. Yeah, you can walk over from the BC, but there is something about being right there.

It is closer to DHS, and not much farther from EPCOT compared to BC

There is a feel about it that I like better too. I am Northeast as well, so maybe that is it. Maybe because as a kid I made many a day trip with my grandparents to Asbury Park?

-dave
 
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shoppingnut

shoppingnut

Active Member
sbkline said:
For our 10 year anniversary in 2013, my wife wants to stay at the Grand Floridian, which is her dream resort. This year, we are staying in my dream resort, the Wilderness Lodge. I asked my wife where she might want to stay for next year's trip, and she said Port Orleans Riverside, if money is an issue. But if money is not an issue, she said Boardwalk or Beach Club. So I'm just curious which one everyone here would pick between those two?

If you were picking, would it be Boardwalk or Beach Club, and why?
Click to expand...

I have stayed at both and I definitely prefer the Beach Club for a number of reasons. First, the restaurants are located IN the hotel where at the Boardwalk everything is outside ON the Boardwalk. Second, I happen to love the pool. Third, it's a closer walk from Epcot and being exhausted at night that means a lot. Finally, depending on where you stay in Boardwalk it can be a very long walk to your room and I'm talking about in the hotel section. We were on the bottom floor all the way on the other edge of the "U" Shape and you couldn't access it from the boardwalk itself, you had to go up into the hotel lobby and down that was the only way into the hotel. The hotel portion is sideways U shape against the lobby section.
 
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NYwdwfan

NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
I've been debating between these two hotels for my yet to be books in the distant future next trip to WDW. I think we are going to end up at BC - my kids spied the pool on our last visit and they've been asking about it ever since!
 
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ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
Tiggerish said:
I don't swim, so Stormalong Bay holds no allure for me.

I have stayed at both resorts, both the "hotel" portions and the DVC villas, and I prefer the atmosphere of the Boardwalk, I don't know that I can explain why. Maybe because the Boardwalk is supposed to be reminiscent of the Northeast, and that's where I live?
Click to expand...


I'll see you there! DVC Villa over at the Beach! whohoo!
 
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shoppingnut

shoppingnut

Active Member
NYwdwfan said:
I've been debating between these two hotels for my yet to be books in the distant future next trip to WDW. I think we are going to end up at BC - my kids spied the pool on our last visit and they've been asking about it ever since!
Click to expand...

I would definitely go with the BC. Beaches & Cream is right there too! I love the slide in the pool, it's great.
 
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lilclerk

lilclerk

Well-Known Member
I've only stayed at Beach Club and, while I loved the amenities, I wasn't blown away by the theme like I was with the Wilderness Lodge. And, opposite of others here with the Boardwalk, I think it's because I live in Rhode Island on the beach and it wasn't as much of an "escape" for me.
I actually wanted to stay in the Boardwalk that trip, but went with BC for Stormalong Bay as I knew my nephew would love the pool. I don't really enjoy swimming much, but SB is INCREDIBLE. It's huge, so you can certainly find a quiet place to swim if you don't want to partake in the activities.
The walk to Epcot was amazing too, but our room was right near the International Gateway path on the ground floor. It was maybe a five minute walk to the turnstiles. In fact, if I sat out on our patio in the mornings, I could hear the Epcot morning announcements and also the seagulls at The Seas.
And Beaches and Cream is one of my favorite restaurants in WDW (I'm a simple gal) so we spent plenty of time in there. I also really enjoyed the breakfast buffet over at the Captain's Grille in the Yacht Club. Counter service there is definitely lacking, but you'll find that at a lot of the deluxe resorts, unfortunately.
I rented a car that trip, so I can't comment on the transportation, but I do know they share with the other Epcot resorts quite a bit.

So... to (finally) answer your question, I wouldn't choose to stay at the Beach Club again but I would definitely give Boardwalk a chance. I don't mean to say it was a bad resort, I just wasn't a fan of the theme.
 
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sbkline

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
lilclerk said:
I've only stayed at Beach Club and, while I loved the amenities, I wasn't blown away by the theme like I was with the Wilderness Lodge. And, opposite of others here with the Boardwalk, I think it's because I live in Rhode Island on the beach and it wasn't as much of an "escape" for me.
I actually wanted to stay in the Boardwalk that trip, but went with BC for Stormalong Bay as I knew my nephew would love the pool. I don't really enjoy swimming much, but SB is INCREDIBLE. It's huge, so you can certainly find a quiet place to swim if you don't want to partake in the activities.
The walk to Epcot was amazing too, but our room was right near the International Gateway path on the ground floor. It was maybe a five minute walk to the turnstiles. In fact, if I sat out on our patio in the mornings, I could hear the Epcot morning announcements and also the seagulls at The Seas.
And Beaches and Cream is one of my favorite restaurants in WDW (I'm a simple gal) so we spent plenty of time in there. I also really enjoyed the breakfast buffet over at the Captain's Grille in the Yacht Club. Counter service there is definitely lacking, but you'll find that at a lot of the deluxe resorts, unfortunately.
I rented a car that trip, so I can't comment on the transportation, but I do know they share with the other Epcot resorts quite a bit.

So... to (finally) answer your question, I wouldn't choose to stay at the Beach Club again but I would definitely give Boardwalk a chance. I don't mean to say it was a bad resort, I just wasn't a fan of the theme.
Click to expand...

I can't help but be amused that you spent most of you post talking up the Beach Club, only to conclude your post saying that you would not choose to stay there again! :ROFLOL:
 
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M

mjmyers10

Member
Before staying at the Boardwalk, I would say hands down, Beach Club is the place to be. Now, it's a little closer, but my nod still goes to BC. That pool is just amazing. We stayed at BC for our honeymoon a few years ago and it is definitely in my top 5 WDW Resorts.
 
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disneylemons

disneylemons

Active Member
My husband and I were in FL this time last year for a convention - and stayed at the Boardwalk. He's not easy to impress and he was impressed. Our room was huge...its beautiful there..and the microbrewery close by was a plus too..;)
 
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