Planning a trip, hoping all 4 kids can make it for the entire time. With everyone’s schedules it’ll likely be the last time we can all do it together (now I’m sad). We’ll do 10 days total, either 2 or 3 different resorts as I’d like to stay closer to the parks to cut down on the lovely buses. 3 or 4 nights will be spent near Epcot/HS and I’m leaning Beach Club just because it’s the shortest walk to Epcot and has boat service to HS, but I could be persuaded to go with either YC or BWI as we’ve never stayed at any of the 3 and others might have suggestions. Do you all have any experiences with any of the 3? Thanks in advance.
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I’ve stayed at all three.
Of them, Boardwalk is my favorite (have only stayed DVC there for clarity) but I also adored YC when I finally got to stay there this past summer. BC is actually my least favorite of the three.
YC feels a little more upscale and is more centrally located between the two parks.
BWI feel a little more relaxed and has street performers at night and a face-on view of Epcot fireworks.
BC, IMO only has proximity to EP and the Skyliner on its side. Oh and Stormalong but you get that with YC too
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I’d vote BWI. Nothing wrong with BC/YC. And I do love the pools. But I like rooms better and feel of BW better.
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Yes
We were in the wing of Beach Club closest to the walk to Epcot. Loved going down the stairs and out the door to Epcot.
At Yacht Club we were in the wing furthest from Epcot. Stopped at Beaches and Cream each evening as we left Epcot.
At Boardwalk we were in DVC, pretty much right behind the Screen Door, BW’s store. We must have gotten preferred without realizing it.
Boardwalk was the best for walking to HS, as our villa was near the stairs that dumped out right beside the walk way to HS. The walk to Epcot was only a little longer than Beach Club but less than our walk there from Yacht Club. I have no experience with BWI.
We have used the boats quite a bit. Definitely helps to know the routes and approximate times. The boat dock at BC/YC is at the end of a longish dock.
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I too have stayed at all three. BW is my favorite (stayed both Inn and DVC). BC is #3 for me even though I have stayed in those room closest to EP.
When will you be going? BW main pool will be closed this winter (two other pools will be open).
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My preference is BC or BW. I love how close BC is to the skyliner and EPCOT entrance. I always like to save steps and I find the proximity of BC to EPCOT magical. If you are on the EPCOT end of BC you are almost equal proximity to the YC restaurants and the BWI side of the Boardwalk.
BW somehow has a self-contained resort feel that I think YC and BC don’t. Even though tou are in a busy public resort, there are cozy nooks and quiet in many places. The Community Hall and the lawn give it an “old summer vacation” feel. The short walk to HS is also very nice.
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We’re planning for end of school year next summer. I have heard that Stormalong Bay can get cold during the winter.
My other dilemma is Animal Kingdom Lodge. We’re planning either 2 resorts (6-nights at Polynesian, 4 nights at Epcot resort) or 3 resorts (4-Poly, 3 Epcot, 3 AKL). I’m sure the girls would love AKL but, for transportation purposes, there’s not really any benefit to staying there. Having just typed “for transportation purposes” I now realize that’s gotta be one of the dumbest reasons to chose a resort at Disney but I know me, and I’m better with less buses. I’ll suffer for the ladies if I’m convinced it’s worth it though.
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The Boardwalk is a terrible, horrible resort and no one should ever book a DVC stay there. 
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It is important to look out for one’s own best interests 
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My personal preference goes
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BWI
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YC
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BC
For theming and because at YC you’re gonna get a balcony (full sized) for sure.
I just adore BWI theming and that extra bit of walking is really negligible, plus if you’re planning to walk to DHS it’s the closest walk to that. Weirdly, I actually prefer the slide here too to Stormalong Bay although that is still the better pool. The slide looks better over there but it was faster at BWI for me.
I much prefer YC theming to BC, like a lot. It has an elegant vibe and you’re much more likely to get a balcony with a fireworks view. But I will say when we stayed at BC we asked for a balcony and they gave us the room all the way next to Epcot on the 4th floor and it had a HUGE balcony. But the odds of you getting that are slim. It was right next to the back stairwell too so we were literally like 3 minutes from Epcot IG. It was amazing. But again the odds you’re gonna end up with that room over a guaranteed balcony and better decor at YC and it’s not really much farther of a walk.
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(Sentence)
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It’s not a dumb reason at all and it is a serious downside to AKL but OMG it’s the best resort standalone if you remove the parks from the picture. It’s stunning, has excellent food and ANIMALS!!! We would make sure to come back for midday breaks just to see the animals and watching them play in the cooler mornings was magic. BWI and AKL are tied for my favorite overall resorts with BWI winning for its location and theming combined and AKL just being pure effin MAGIC! When we stayed at AKL we used the bus for MK (since rideshares have to dump you at TTC) but Uber/Lyft’ed everywhere else, not gonna lie.
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The transportation is absolutely not bad at all at AKL. Full stop.
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That’s interesting. It wasn’t great when we were there but that was 2022 I think. And by wasn’t great I meant they lied to us about the time of the first bus of the day and we were one of the first people in line for the 2nd bus but while waiting it got overly crowded at the bus stop and they don’t really have a line system like they do at the theme parks. People were gonna get left off (and without an organized line you feel pressure to make sure you get on even if you were there first), multiple people had ECVs so that puts a major delay on getting on and it was stressful since we were trying to use the early extra time which we didn’t get all of consequently. So that experience left me disillusioned and we just uber/lyfted everywhere else.
To be fair, I’ve encountered a similar overly crowded bus sitch at YC too and decided to Uber/Lyft.
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I would consider your party’s food and pool preferences.
BWI had a fine pool but some people really love Stormalong Bay.
BWI does not have a food court and also you have to go outside to access food, which is less desirable to some if it’s rainy. Personally I like the food offerings at BWI and we really enjoy the entertainment and atmosphere there.
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I have not stayed at all three, but I have visited them several times. I really think you can’t go wrong and that whichever one you choose should be based on which theming or other aspect calls to you personally.
My family has stayed at BC twice and we adore it! It is the perfect theming for a family like mine–very laid back and comfy. The 2 BR villas have plenty of room to stretch out and relax. (Caveat that staying in a studio or regular hotel room is a very different experience vs. 2-bedroom villa, regardless of which resort you pick.) We love Stormalong Bay and the close access to the Skyliner and to EP. It’s awesome if you expect to spend a lot of time in EP for festivals, meals, or rides.
We currently have a reservation for this summer at BWV so I will have more to say about it then! Benefits are that is probably the best for equal access to EP and HS.
I really love the vibe of YC but if I had to choose I personally feel more at home at BC.
This is doable – 3-nights is the minimum I will do anymore for a split stay. That said, unless this is your only chance to try AKL, I would suggest maybe saving it for another trip when you can enjoy it a little longer and not have to pack up twice. AKL is 100% worth trying. It’s one of my favorite resorts.
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How easy is it to take the Skyliner from IG to HS? Do you have to make a transfer? I’ve been to Epcot dozens of times but have never entered through the IG.
I agree AKL is worth trying. We’ve stayed there twice for 2-3 nights each time (once at Jambo House and once at Kidani). Jambo House is my favorite atmosphere of any WDW hotel.
We also like split stays though we’ve only done two hotels on a trip. We find that having one suitcase for Hotel 1 and one suitcase for Hotel 2 is helpful because then we only unpack/pack what we need for that portion of the trip.
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Yes, there’s a transfer at Caribbean Beach Resort, but it’s usually very easy unless it’s at park open.
IG is great if you want to rope drop Remy. Or if you’re going to Epcot mid-day for dinner.
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I would like to do a “resort day” at each resort this trip but only 3 days at a resort would make it tough, at least at the Epcot resort (I always like 2 days, or more, at EPCOT). Putting off AKL to a later trip may be the way to go.
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