Epcot Resort Area vs Magic Kingdom Resort Area

[Pete C]

I haven't seen this poll yet. What area do you like better overall and why?

Do you prefer the MK Resort Area...boat service to MK, the monorail service giving you access to two parks and three top-notch resorts, or perhaps you are just a huge fan of Wilderness Lodge and don't even care about the monorail resorts?

Or, do you prefer the Epcot Resort Area...the Boardwalk which is an attraction onto itself, walking to Epcot, boat service to DHS, and the resorts all facing each other over the lake?

Personally, I prefer the Epcot Resort Area. While I love the GF and Poly, there is nothing like the Boardwalk area to me and being able to walk to the World Showcase. I love the exterior look of these resorts as well. It just has a classy look.

I am not going to put a 4th option for the Moderates, Values, and AKL...this is specifically comparing these 2 areas alone.

 

[wolf359]

I've been lucky enough to stay in both, at the Contemporary, and at the Swan, and it's really a tough choice because each offers a totally different experience.

Staying in the Contemporary, and looking down over the Magic Kingdom from my balcony is an amazing sight and completely made me feel like a kid having the best dream ever. For sheer magic I don't think anything comes close to staying in the heart of the original Walt Disney World.

But since the 80s building boom, the EPCOT resort area has become the new "Center of the World," and the number of things to do, places to go, and feeling of both luxury and convenience is really outstanding. This area appeals to my more adult taste and preference, offering so many great things in such a compact area, and everything else so close by.

It's a tough decision, but in the end I choose the Magic Kingdom resort area.

 

[mrtoad]

I am going to comment and not vote as I have only stayed at the MK resorts (in terms of what is the poll anyway) and not any EPCOT resorts so would be unfair for me to vote.

As a kid we used to stay at the Polynesian all the time and I loved it. As an adult I have stayed twice. Once just as they were starting to rehab it about 5 or 6 years ago and it was not great for us. The building we were in (I think Fiji) was rundown and we were close to Luau Cove and it was loud and we just were very disapointed. My wife and I stayed there again a couple of years later for 4 nights to celebrate our 15th anniversary and it was much nicer and we loved it.

Also we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge twice and again loved it. We had a fantastic time. The boat to the MK is very nice. The lodge iteself is beautiful.

We stayed 2 years ago in one of the cabins at Fort Wilderness and I did not like it one bit. I did not feel like I was at Disney, I felt disconnected from it all. I like to be able to walk to the gift shop or lobby and just take it in, with the cabins I felt like I was in a house somewhere else. My wife however really liked it. So tastes can be different.

For the resorts by EPCOT I have only seen them (mostly) from the boat from the Studios to EPCOT. The exception is we did eat at the Beach Club. The pool over there is amazing looking. Also the Dolphin and Swan, in all the pictures I had seen they looked so gawdy to me but seeing them up close from the boat they really look very cool to me. We are going to eat at Todd English's Blue Zoo on our next trip so will be able to see them up close a little better.

All that being said, I really can't afford to stay at any of the deluxes and we had to really stretch it to do the few times we did. Closest I could probably justify is the WL. BUT if I could do it, I would consider the EPCOT side as it is my favorite park now. I love the MK and some of it's rides are my favorites but love the whole EPCOT package.

 

[wm49rs]

I've gotta say the EPCOT side of things. Staying at the Yacht Club, Beach Club or the Boardwalk and being withing walking distance to two parks just can't be beat. Plus, the entertainment/dining/entertainment options on the Boardwalk are very enjoyable. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian and thoroughly enjoyed myself, but the other side just had more of a total immersion feel for my vacation....

 

[stefan74]

I stayed in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area the last two years at the GF and next year will be my first time staying in the Epcot Resort area at the BC. I can't wait to see which one I like the best.

 

[surfsupdon]

I have stayed in Epcot Resort area numerous times, 2 dozen plus, and much prefer that area. Yacht/Beach/BoardWalk just look and feel so classy, like old style turn of the century grand hotels that are very neat and orderly. Caribbean Beach, tho not Deluxe, is a great Epcot Resort too that is centrally located.


Transportation at the MK Resorts was a pain. Monorails waiting for clearance, long bus rides, and far too many unruly children. I have stayed at WL and just returned from the Poly 2 days ago (first time on monorail loop.) The views from our Lagoon View room were awesome, but the overall feel is much better at a Deluxe Epcot Resort.

At the MK Resort area (Poly and WL), we just felt isolated. Sure most resorts are connected by monorail, but they are too spread apart to leisurely walk. The beauty of the Epcot Deluxe Resorts are that they are all CONNECTED and blend together perfectly. Add a short walk to World Showcase and a short boat ride to MGM (or walk) and it's a perfect blend.

Epcot Deluxe Resorts beat MK resorts any day.


And in a Fla rainstorm, it is easy to maneuver around the Epcot Resorts. MK resorts are stand alone buildings so you get wet hopping from building to building.

It probably comes down to personal preference and we much prefer the Epcot Area hands down, but are glad we at least tried a monorail Resort (Poly).

 

[roaddogg6420]

I voted for Epcot area, because we have stayed there a few times. Couple thing we really like. The Boardwalk, plus being close to two parks and one of them being Epcot. You just have all the different food options at Epcot. Plus everything to around the Epcot resort area.

 

[worldfanatic]

But since the 80s building boom, the EPCOT resort area has become the new "Center of the World,"

This quote says it all for me.
The Epcot Resort area not only feels like the Center of the World, it actually is physically at the center of WDW.

The ability to walk to 2 theme parks, as well as tons and tons of restaurants and watering holes is very sweet!

 

[Mukta]

I prefer the Epcot Resort Area.
I am never too far from any of the other parks.
I love walking through the International Gateway.
I don't need to take the bus to 2 out of the 4 parks.
The waterfront property is so serene early in the morning.

 

[wolf359]

This quote says it all for me.
The Epcot Resort area not only feels like the Center of the World, it actually is physically at the center of WDW.

The ability to walk to 2 theme parks, as well as tons and tons of restaurants and watering holes is very sweet!

I agree, and especially if you stay during the Food and Wine Festival it makes it even better! I also have some great memories of (literally) stumbling back to the Swan after having a GREAT evening at Jellyrolls.

I can't say the EPCOT resort area isn't a great place to stay, it's just that in the photo finish the Magic Kingdom area took first prize...today.

 

[captainkidd]

I stayed in the Epcot Resort area this past August, and it just wasn't for us. Transportation to the MK was very slow, and while it was awesome being able to walk to Epcot, nothing beats being close to the Magic Kingdom and being at one of the monorail resorts (or Wilderness Lodge). Getting to watch both Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach is the best.

 

[dizzney]

EPCOT for sure! We've stayed in that area many times tho mostly at Boardwalk since we are DVC and thats one of our two home resorts. Its just such a nice location, lots to do, great restaurants and you can easily get to two parks.

In the morning its quiet and serence on the Boardwalk and on both of our last two visits we had Boardwalk view rooms and there was nothing better than having your coffee on your balcony watching the world wake up. Very relaxing.

We just feel that our transit options are just so much better there too.

We've stayed in the MK area - at GF, Poly, Contemporary. WL and in Janaury at BLT (other DVC home resort), and have found it inconvienent not to have two parks you can walk to. We do like the resorts but as far as location goes, its EPCOT for us!