Plz Compare Poly/Beach Club...

[jpH/keD]

Hi! We are planning our next trip.

We have only stayed in Values. Never again!!

I am considering a monorail resort. I cannot choose between these two. I need some Intercot insight please. We are DH,DW, DD10 and DS9. We will be flying in and using Magical Express so no car. We will only use Disney transportation but hope to avoid busses as much as possible. I love the sand bottom pool thought of BC but the Poly is so iconic to me.
We will probably go in summer so pool time is going to be maximized.

Thanks in advance of any advice!

[KarenP]

They are both wonderful resorts. I think it is going to come down to personal taste and which resort theme appeals more to you.

Beach Club's pool is a mini water park. You can walk to Epcot and Disney Studios. You are within walking distance of lots of restaurants.

Polynesian is my personal favorite. I love the ambience and to me being on the monorail is a huge plus. The main pool is very nice. You can watch MK fireworks on the beach.

Have fun deciding!

[ThanxForNoticin]

You really cannot go wrong with either. BC is our favorite - the pool and the location are a big part of that. But Poly is also an outstanding place to stay.

If you are planning to spend a lot of time at MK and EPCOT, then the Poly location is great - you can monorail to either. If you will spend more time in EPCOT/and DHS, then BC is better - you can walk/boat to either park from BC.

But if you are planning to spend a lot of time at the pool with a 9 and 10 yo, I would choose BC and Stormalong Bay pool. Have a great time wherever you stay!

[Maleficent's Dad]

If you want a Monorail resort, the Poly is your choice as the BC is not on the monorail.

Some things to consider:
From both parks, you will need buses to at least two parks. Poly is monorail to MK and EPCOT. BC is walk to EPCOT, walk/boat to DHS.

Poly is a resort spread out into several different buildings. If you're in your room and want to eat, you have to go outside (not fun in the rain). BC is one enclosed building, so you never have to head outside.

You can get food at Poly late at night (all night?) at Captain Cook's. BC doesn't offer 24 hour snacks.

IMO, Poly's pool can get crowded (volcano pool), whereas SAB is enormous.

Rooms at the Poly are a bit larger.

I love the location of BC, and admittedly, it's probably my favorite resort (that or the BW). But I simply cannot overstate how wonderful transportation from the Poly is - it is the best in all of WDW. You can walk to the TTC and get direct monorails to two parks!!! Plus boat launches to the MK. Very, very good!

You can't go wrong at either, and they both have solid good points - including dining options.

Good luck with your decision!

[MatterhornMiss]

It's been a while since I stayed at the Beach Club, but I think both have great positives. I did like that the Polynesian was on the monorail, but to be honest, we rarely used the monorail from the Polynesian. It was much easier and faster to walk to the TTC. The first day we made the mistake of getting on the monorail at the Polynesian to transfer to Epcot, not realizing we had to go ALL the way around the Seven Seas Lagoon first. It was nice to stop at all the monorail resorts (and my sister found the 5-legged goat on the Contemporary mural), but it took way too long. But being close to the TTC is great. We really didn't ride the monorail to the MK either because our longhouse was closer to the boat dock than the ceremonial house where the monorail stop was. But, again, I still love the Poly for convience to just about anywhere. The theming is also great. (I don't know if they still do this but) we got leis upon checking in and whenever we walked passed a cast member we were greated with "aloha." The first night we were very plesantly surprised by the water pageant.

The Beach Club is also nice. You can easily walk to Epcot. You can also walk to MGM, but we took the boat instead. I really loved Stormalong Bay--I felt like I had a mini-water park right at the resort. Poly's pool is fun too, with the volcano that really steams, but it doesn't have the whirlpool or the sand bottom. (I also seem to want to remember it sort of had a "lazy river," but that may just have been people floating in rented rafts around the sprawling pool.) I remember being able to see the Illuminations fireworks from the Beach Club.

[Tigerinvestigator]

Both are great resorts, but I would choose the Poly over any resort at WDW (and we have stayed at almost all of the-see list below). The Poly has the perfect relaxing tropical atmosphere, beautiful landscaping, and great restaurants. The Poly has the luxury of great transportation to MK with the monorail and boats, and close proximity to the TTC which includes a monorail to Epcot. For those of us who have frequented the Poly since the 70's it also has a very Disney nostalgic feel.

The Beach Club is also a beautiful resort with a great view, the best pool at WDW, and easy access to Epcot via a walkway. Water taxis also make Hollywood studios a quick trip. The proximity to World Showcase and the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht, and Boardwalk give it a great selection for restaurants. We really enjoyed our stay at the Beach Club!

Again, I would choose Poly between the two but would gladly stay at the Beach Club again if given the opportunity.

[bruin1344]

ive never stayed at poly but been there multiple times for dinner, breakfast, and church, ive stayed at BC and loved it, i prefer beach club because of its close location to Boardwalk, Epcot & MGM and monorail to MK from Epcot, its pool, and theming

[jpH/keD]

Thanks for all your replies! All the info I am gathering is great for sharing w/ DH. He hated the busses so either of these locations give several other modes of transportation to use.

I still cannot decide hands down for either one but keep the info coming! The point about Capt Cooke's was excellent and duly noted! My DH is a midnight snacker!

But I do not like the thought of a crowded volcano pool since we will be spending plenty of pool time. That one gets a nod towards BC!

Thanks again for all your help! Intercot does ROCK!!!

[Maleficent's Dad]

But I do not like the thought of a crowded volcano pool since we will be spending plenty of pool time. That one gets a nod towards BC!

Something I forgot to note above is that SAB has, at times, very limited hours. They'll close early some nights, so be sure to call the BC direct in order to find out what the operating hours are at the pool.

There are always two other quiet pools at the BC; it's just a shame that SAB closes so early some nights.

[krorx]

I have never stayed at the BC but it looks wonderful. We have fallen in love with the Poly and thus are spoiled forever. I can't say enough about the convenience of the transportation at the Poly and I won't since everyone else already has. The pool can be an issue. It does get crowded. They have a quiet pool but it isn't much more than a big rectange, nothing to get excited about. Still, you can cool off in it. I'd certainly stay at BC but given the choice, I think the Poly would be it for me. Enjoy!

[jpH/keD]

There are always two other quiet pools at the BC; it's just a shame that SAB closes so early some nights.

What exactly is a quiet pool?? Have you met my kids? They are not ever described as quiet!! I don't think we would qualify to go to the quiet pool, sorry, BUT thanks for that info. It is all very helpful! ~jenny

[SBETigg]

What exactly is a quiet pool?? Have you met my kids? They are not ever described as quiet!! I don't think we would qualify to go to the quiet pool, sorry, BUT thanks for that info. It is all very helpful! ~jenny

You don't have to actually be quiet at the quiet pool. It usually means that it is missing the big theming and less popular, therefore usually the less crowded pool.

We've been to the Poly at busy times and we've never found the volcano pool to be too crowded to enjoy it. If the pool is your main focus, the Beach Club is your choice (though Poly is an easy second favorite). If the Epcot/DHS area is your overwhelming favorite, the Beach Club is your choice. If easy transportation is most important to you, the Poly is your choice. If you spend a lot of time at the MK and prefer the ambience of being in sight/sounds of the MK for most of your vacation, bringing a magical feeling to your whole trip and not just while in park, the Poly is your choice.

I'm an overwhelming fan of the monorail hotels, to the point where I haven't even managed to try Beach Club yet.

[MarkC]

Two great resorts but with those kid's ages I would pick Beach Club. Stormalong Bay is awesome and you'll be fighting to get the kids out of the pool to go to the parks. Plus, Beaches and Cream is wonderful if you're not on a diet. Can't go wrong with either one.

[Haszard4]

Thanks for all your replies! All the info I am gathering is great for sharing w/ DH. He hated the busses so either of these locations give several other modes of transportation to use.
thumbsup:

It's not that I hated the Busses. The problem was that going to and from the value resorts the busses are usually crowded, and you have to sometimes wait a long time in line. Holding a sleeping five year old at 11:00 PM, after he has spent 3 long fun filled days at the happiest place on earth, can make you start to re-think trasportation.

[diz_girl]

Why not stay at both resorts?

You can split your stay between the Beach Club and the Poly. I don't know if anyone else mentioned it, but it's also an option. That way you get to enjoy all that both resorts have to offer. The hardest decision would be which resort to do first (or last). The only park that you'll need to take a bus to is AK, and everyone has to take a bus to that park, unless they drive themselves or take a taxi.

You just pack up and check out of your resort and Disney moves your luggage to your new resort and then you just check into your new resort and unpack again. Since you'll be flying, I'll assume that you'll need to travel light, so the packing and unpacking should be minimal.

[jpH/keD]

That, Amanda is a very good point! I always considered that too much of a hassle but it would give us the ultimate taste of both resorts. My kids are pretty good sports about
things so hopefully they won't miss the resort we leave but consider the new one an all new adventure! I will have to carefully bring this up to DH. Sometimes we call him Grumpy about things like this! I however, am liking the idea more and more! Thanks for that suggestion!

[mickeefan]

I am a big fan of the monorail resorts.
The transportation options can not be beat.
We also dislike the buses and avoid them when at all possible.I never have good luck with them, particularly when a park closes.
We were just at the Boardwalk and, for us,we found it was not convenient getting to the MK.
Epcot was a breeze and DHS was about a 15 minute walk or you could take a friendship boat.
What we have always liked about the Polynesian was being able to see the fireworks from the beach and the electric water pageant that comes around nightly.

[RALPH]

From someone who has stayed at both I would vote BC, but get your childrens opinion! What 10 an 9 year old would not love Storm-A-Long Bay. The are some videos of SAB on you tube. Check out and see their reaction. When our DS was that age, he would much rather return to the BC than tour the parks.I'll wager your kids will react the same. When I told our DS that we changed our Aug hotel to the YC he at first was concerned. He said he would only be upset if we switched hotels taking away SAB. This is at 15!

How much do they really like MK. Do Epcot and DHS offer just as much park enjoyment? Your only a bus ride from MK and the convenience of an Epcot resort can really shine. Do you have TS ADR's in or near Epcot? Boy do you have a choice of restaurants very close by.

Like any other choice there are pluses and minuses. Sit down with your kids, grade it out and make a decision. The best thing here is, either choice will be a good one. I don't think there is a wrong answer on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHKH9NNKkbs&NR=1

[mouseketeer mom]

I would definitely suggest a split stay. We do it every trip now because there are so many great Disney resorts and we love the feel of having 2 different vacations within one!! We have split AKL/WL villas, CR/Poly, and our next split stay is in August at the Poly/BC!! Followed by Thanksgiving at GF/WL! Disney makes it very easy to do this..the trick for me is staying really organized during our first resort, so moving day is not chaos. I highly recommend doing the split stay!!

[Crow]

Split stay split stay!
Ive split between 2 or even 3 resorts many times. just have bell services move your luggage. that way you get to experience 2 resorts.