Poly or BW?

[lazidazi07]

I plan to take a trip next May, and I only have one more deciding factor.

Polynesian or Boardwalk?

I am considering BW because I plan on spending a majority of time at Epcot and MGM, but the Poly has a much more romantic, island atmosphere it seems, and the monorail will take you to Epcot anyway, right?

Any bad experiences with either?
Is the monorail just as convenient as buses?

I know its Disney, and young children are everywhere, but I invision Poly having more young children, with MK being so close?

Opinions?

:veryconfu

 

[mousermerf]

Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht club are the more "adult" resorts with the DVC's and convention center.

I always find Poly cute, but can never justify the price of staying there based on the ameneties and rooms. I always find another resort i'd rather goto.

I love the Boardwalk area. I like eating pizza from the Spoodle pizza window mid afternoon and going to the ice cream shop for a cone before hopping into a surrey bike with friends for speedy laps around the whole area (clanking that bell feverishly at unaware pedestrians) and waving to the boats as they cruise under the bridges.

Poly? Meh.. it is cute and the place overall is nice. Maybe it's just me. I not got a "lei" at check-in, I don't want to goto the Luau and the tiki-theme is kinda tackey to me. It's more a theme for a bar-b-que than a resort.

 

[tigsmom]

We have stayed at both. They both have their plus side and their minus side.
While we liked the Poly very much (monorail, close to MK and yummy food) we weren't all that happy with being in a far building. The room was nice, the view beautiful, but we weren't used to having to go outside to get to anything. The kids got lost on the way back to the building in the dark and we got soaked trying to get from our room to the main building when we got caught in a downpour.

The Boardwalk is a very nice area and the rooms in the Inn were beautiful. We had a room on the top floor just over the Flying Fish overlooking the lake. My family is sort of picky when it comes to eating and they really didn't like the offerings on the Boardwalk. Being able to walk over to EPCOT and taking the quick boat ride to MGM was wonderful. The bus transportation left quite a bit to be desired. Last August the bus was shared by all five area resorts so they were always crowded, few and far between. While we like the Inn we probably won't be going back because of the bus/food situation.

Given my choice I would pick the Poly. :wave:

 

[lazidazi07]

Okay, thank you for the info.
Even though the posts contradict each other, they really helped.:lol:

One final thought.

Given we will explore quite a bit in our 5 night stay, we will be spending plenty of time in our room. Whic resort has a more luxurious feel?

Oh, and is it possible to see any of the fireworks from either resort from a standard room?
(Boardwalk/Illuminations from a standard, Wishes from a garden view at Poly)

 

[tigsmom]

They both have their own distinctive feel and are luxurious in their own right.

You can see Wishes from the beach at the Poly, try the hammocks :animwink:
You would have to go out of the Boardwalk Inn to see Illuminations.

 

[mousermerf]

If you don't like the color blue, don't stay at Boardwalk, the rooms are in blue and white.

On the other hand, if you tire easily of green and brown, avoid the poly.

I'd say they're equally luxurios, Poly is a bit more modern (especially in the rennovated rooms) while BW has a antique and oranate feel.

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

I plan to take a trip next May, and I only have one more deciding factor.

Polynesian or Boardwalk?

I am considering BW because I plan on spending a majority of time at Epcot and MGM, but the Poly has a much more romantic, island atmosphere it seems, and the monorail will take you to Epcot anyway, right?

Any bad experiences with either?
Is the monorail just as convenient as buses?

I know its Disney, and young children are everywhere, but I invision Poly having more young children, with MK being so close?

Opinions?

:veryconfu

First of all... get the idea of young children at the poly out of your head.. that doesnt have any effect on the situation. The Poly is AWESOME and has way better ambiance than the Boardwalk Inn... its way more exotic and romantic etc.. just totally cooler.

BUT>>>>> if you plan on spending most of your time in Epcot and MGM.. go with the Boardwalk!!! :sohappy: :sohappy: You can walk right into epcot and walk right back to your resort for quick powernaps, etc. Not to mention at the end of the night it's so easy to go back to your resort. Also, taking the boat to MGM is so nice! Don't forget.. if your not in a rush in the mornings, you can monorail to Magic Kingdom too.. just walk through Epcot and catch the monorail to the Magic Kingdom wooHOO! :wave:

If I were you I would do the boardwalk for your trip. I still love the Poly the best though.. something about it just really grew on me during my last few Ohana dinners there. I just wish the arcade was better..

 

[lawyergirl77]

Oh, and is it possible to see any of the fireworks from either resort from a standard room?
(Boardwalk/Illuminations from a standard, Wishes from a garden view at Poly)

AFAIK, no you can't see Illuminations from a standard BWI room. However, I know for a fact that you can't see Wishes from a non-lagoon view room. You'll have to go out on the beach, like tigsmom says... Not like that's a horrible burden to bear!! :lol:

I haven't stayed at BWI yet (I'm staying there in July :sohappy: ), but I have stayed at the Poly several times, and it used to be my favourite resort... until it priced itself waaaay out of my range!! If you can afford to stay there, then it's a great option. However, I am hearing nothing but good about BWI and I may have a new favourite resort after my July trip!!

And the resort with the most bus issues for me out of POR, WL, AKL and the Poly has always been the Poly for me. I once waited for a bus for almost an hour to go to DTD at 5:00... We almost missed our ADR!! So, while the situation at the Boardwalk isn't ideal, bus service can be pretty hit-or-miss in any of the resorts.

 

[Nansafan]

The Poly is our fav. You will have to transfer to the Epcot monorail from the resort monorail at the Poly. Resort monorail loop: Poly, GF, MK, Contemporary, TTC, Poly. If you are in one of the building that is close to the TTC, it is easier to walk to the TTC and pick up the Epcot monorail. The fireworks from the beach are great. The biggest standard rooms on property are found at the Contemporary with the Poly coming in second. We stayed at the GF Concierge level once and were surprised with the room size. The Poly's rooms are bigger. Have not stayed at the BW but did stay at the YC this April, location was great and for 2 people room size was fine. We usually have 5 in a room so we prefer the size at the Poly and Contemporary.

 

[poohbear6103]

I LOVE the Poly! I will actually be there in 11 days

I have never stayed at the Boardwalk so I can't comment on that, but nothing beats the atmosphere of the Poly. I take the monorail to the TTC and then to Epcot all the time without any issues. I actually enjoy the little loop the monorail takes you on at Epcot explaining a lot of the attractions. I have never taken a bus, but I am sure they have excellent service.
I have walked on the Boardwalk at night and they have plenty of night time entertainment so that would be nice to have at your fingertips if you enjoy that. It's just a different atmosphere so for that alone it's all about personal taste.

As for fireworks, you cannot see Wishes from a Garden View and Lagoon View rooms that do have that view are expensive. You can see then nicely from the beach though. Another great thing is seeing the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach as well. I love swimming in the pool at night and then hearing the music and running out like a little kid to the sand to see it! As for children, they don't affect the experience at all.

Not sure if you have an AP, but since we got one we have not paid rack rate on our last couple of trips including this one. It really helps you enjoy this beautiful hotel for a much better price.
Enjoy where ever you stay!

 

[EpcotGrl]

I ADORE the Epcot Resorts in general and BW in particular...

a) rooms are quite nice, but comfy. Turn-of-the century feel, which is kind of homey & nice.

b) always something to do! If you're sick of the parks ( :lookaroun ) you can hang out downstairs at Jellyrolls or Spoodles or ESPN, etc.

c) easy to get elsewhere. Walking distance to Epcot & MGM, and I've never had a problem with busses, though I'll admit that sometimes I'll walk through Epcot & hop the monorail to MK rather than wait on a bus

Poly I've always liked to visit, but I'm not crazy about having to roam around outside to find my room, etc. Though I'll warn you that Boardwalk can seem to go on forever once you're inside

Have fun, whatever you decide!! :sohappy:

 

[tigsmom]

Does everyone take the monorail from the front of the main building and then transfer at the TTC to EPCOT instead of walking thru the grounds to the TTC and getting a monorial to EPCOT? When we were there we just walked to the TTC and cut that step out. :veryconfu

 

[lazidazi07]

thanks everyone for the help.
still kinda stuck...:brick:

but i think we're going to go with BW because of the proximity to mgm and epcot.

but we plan on going over to the polynesian at least for a dinner at ohana, and to see the fireworks from their beach.

if BW isnt what i dream about, i can convince my boyfriend to take another trip to experience poly...?

hmm...maybe i dont want BW to be so great!!
:lol: