Planning our return

[Captainvideo]

I have stayed at WL when my kids were younger and hesitantly jumped to the Epcot area YC and BC most recently. I absolutely loved WL and had reservations of changing to something new, but once we did it we loved the boardwalk area. I thought the area would be "honky tonk" and read about elevated noise levels, it's not the case and far from it. The boardwalk has great options for food, drinks, snacks, breakfast, and people watching, however by about 11pm, sometimes 10pm, things quiet down. If you go to bed earlier than that then maybe you don't want a lagoon view over the boardwalk. We just stayed at the BC in February and almost stayed at BW this time, but had the same hesitancy of changing from something we liked and were used too. The other point I'd like to make is that pictures are deceiving. The boardwalk is only about a 5 minute walk from BC and YC. It is a lot closer than I had originally thought. Being striking distance to Epcot and HS keeps us coming back to the same area and buses from the BC to Magic Kingdom and AK were direct. It's our tradition(teenage kids!) to walk the lovely path to HS the first morning of our trip and soak it all in!

 

[JillC LI]

I'm still leaning towards BW. I said that we can still get to MK via the monorail if we walked from BW, through Epcot and then pop on the monorail.
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I guess the bottom line is that I'm still leaning towards the BW. There's something about being able to sit with a drink or an ice cream with my DH and DD and people watch or take a nice walk back to the resort after an evening at Epcot and not feel like we are constantly rushing to make a bus.

The Boardwalk area is beautiful at night.




Keep in mind, though, that while you are very close to EPCOT, it is quite a walk through EPCOT to get to the monorail that will take you to the TTC where you will have to change to a different monorail to the MK. That may not be your fastest way there.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'm still leaning towards BW. I said that we can still get to MK via the monorail if we walked from BW, through Epcot and then pop on the monorail.

We've never had a bad stay at any of the resorts, again, this visit we were planning on doing the parks and some relaxation time at the hotel, swimming, activities, etc., which we really haven't ever done. I was told that our DD (who is 11) would really enjoy the pool at the BC, but that the atmosphere and the guests come across as 'snooty', which is a turn off.

I guess the bottom line is that I'm still leaning towards the BW. There's something about being able to sit with a drink or an ice cream with my DH and DD and people watch or take a nice walk back to the resort after an evening at Epcot and not feel like we are constantly rushing to make a bus.

I missed the bolded part before and I'm glad "JillC LI" caught it. She's right, while you can walk from the Boardwalk to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot (which is in World Showcase, between UK and France pavilions), through Future World and out the front entrance to Epcot to catch a monorail to TTC and transfer to MK, that is a bit of a hike, and not the quickest way to get to MK by a long chalk unless bus service is really screwed up on that particular day. I'm not saying "don't choose BW," but I wouldn't let "monorail access to MK" be a deciding factor to choosing BW, either.

Have you talked about the possibility of splitting the trip up and staying at two resorts? Would that make the choice any easier?

Oh, and as for the "snooty factor" of BC guests? Honestly, you can wind up sitting next to pantloads like that in Pop Century, on the monorail, in the SciFi Dine In restaurant, watching the fireworks, anywhere in the World OR anywhere in the real world. While I've never spent a night in BC I've walked the grounds, dined in reataurants and I've yet to see some sort of Mean Girls-eque clique clucking their tongues at the undesirables envying their pool, or be-monocled gentlemen mocking the Value resorts for not having easy access to Grey Poupon. I'm sure people like that exist, and they do on occasion stay in the Beach Club or the Yacht Club, but they could just as easily be anywhere else you are so don't let that be a turn off factor. Not that I'm trying to give you MORE choices or anything, but the pool at Beach Club/Yacht Club is like a mini water park in and of itself.

 

[lilclerk]

We've never had a bad stay at any of the resorts, again, this visit we were planning on doing the parks and some relaxation time at the hotel, swimming, activities, etc., which we really haven't ever done. I was told that our DD (who is 11) would really enjoy the pool at the BC, but that the atmosphere and the guests come across as 'snooty', which is a turn off.

I've stayed at the Beach Club and it didn't feel snooty at all to me. The Yacht Club may feel a little more "adult" than the BC, though.
The pool, Stormalong Bay, is truly almost a water park on its own. My nephew and I spent entire days there.
I didn't really like the theme of the BC, but I think that's just because I'm from New England, and it didn't really feel like a "vacation-y" place to me. I like WL because it really transports me somewhere else. But really, you're paying for the location and pool at YC/BC, and those are amazing.

Edit: I don't want you to feel like I'm talking you out of the BW! If that's the one you want, you should stay there!

 

[aw14]

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[aw14]

Ok, so all decisions are made, including dinner reservations. Was a busy morning for us.

We are going to stay at the BW as the DW wanted. Already booked our 5 dinners

• Teppen Edo (DD loves Hibachi)
• Boma
• Crystal Palace
• Rose & Crown
• 'Ohana

Now it just comes down to the count down!

 

[aw14]

140 days and counting. We are still deciding on Crystal Palace or something brand new.

Any recommendations?

 

[epcotisbest]

140 days and counting. We are still deciding on Crystal Palace or something brand new.

Any recommendations?

Good choice on BW. Since you did not pick WL for the stay, perhaps go over there for a visit and try Artist Point or WCC. We love WCC. And while there you can get a feel of the place and compare it to the Grey Wolf place you mentioned earlier. Roam the grounds and check out both pools and the beach and see the railroad room den and the lobby at the villas. Lots of Hidden Mickeys to look for while there too.

 

[draybook]

Boardwalk is my main target for our first deluxe stay, hopefully next year. Then again I could be biased since Epcot is my favorite park. It just looks so beautiful and the transportation to the parks is so convenient!

 

[aw14]

This was part of the reason we chose it. Proximity was of huge importance. As was a huge water slide to an 11 year old.

We did drop crystal palace for Via Napoli. Anyone had experience there?

 

[Mukta]

I had a great meal at Via Napoli in Dec 2012. I think your family will like it.

 

[MaxsDad]

140 days and counting. We are still deciding on Crystal Palace or something brand new.

Any recommendations?

Since you are staying at BW, try Kouzina's (sp?) for breakfast one day. It is a reasonably priced TS near your room with really good food. Usually easy to get into.

We enjoyed Via Napoli's food and service.

 

[aw14]

Happy to report that we took advantage of the summer deal and saved over $600.