Poly vs BC - need some persuasion

[DeFe]

Taking the wife and kids down in September. On the fence about staying at the Beach Club, or the Polynesian.

Beach club Ive stayed at about 10 times so I know it well. Polynesian Ive stayed at once, years ago and have visited for dinner and what not recently.

My toss up is this: Magic Kingdom is my favorite park, and having two young girls, I feel they would enjoy being able to look across the water at the castle. Monorail right to the park in under 5 minutes. Being at the Polynesian is like being in Hawaii so it would feel like a real getaway. Yet, I don't know if it would get old quickly, staying for a week.

However, Beach Club is right in the middle of everything. Ferry to MGM, walk right to Epcot, etc. Yet its the 10-20 minute bus ride to the MK depending on dropoffs.

Anyone feel strongly about either/or?

I have not stayed at the Polynesian since 1995.

Do you feel that the Monorail resorts have more of a 'Disney feel' to them, being close to the MK? Or am I just making it up in my head, and it really doesnt create more of a Disney experience for the kids (10, 4)

Thanks

[Yo Mickey!]

i like both but it comes down to the park you think you would enjoy most. when the kids were younger we liked poly for reasons you outlined above (and the lighted boat parade!). now that they are older we love the epcot area so we stay at beach or board almost exclusively anymore.

if you think you will be at mk the most i'd probably stay at the poly.

[DisneyDINK]

You know you'll miss the BC pool a bit going in September. The Poly pool(s) are fine; no hot tub, though. Since you know the BC and I don't I'll concentrate on the Poly:

I think my favorite Poly perk is the boat ride to the GF and MK. I love to hear the whistle when it arrives and departs. Other things I enjoy are the smell of the lobby, being able to get a Dole Whip at any hour (except when they are cleaning the machine at Captain Cook's), having Captain Cook's - one of 3 24 hour QS on property, hearing the drums during the SOA (Luau), the great Hawaiian floral smell in the lobby, being able to walk to the TTC to get to Epcot faster, the Hawaiian area music throughout the resort, the tiki torches at night. If you spring for a park view room you'll be able to see the monorails moving along, the castle, the water pageant at night and the fireworks. If you don't all are just a short walk away. Of course, it is great to have the resort monorail to get to the CR, GF and MK.

The negatives: not many, but while the MK is right next door, the other parks do take some more time to get to by bus than from the BC. If your favorite restaurants are in the Epcot Resort area you'll have some extra bus wait and travel times.

I hope that helps.

[mydisneygirls]

I've never stayed at the BC (maybe someday). In the past, we've always stayed at the Poly. Like you, when my daughters were younger, we spent most of our time at MK. I second everything DisneyDINK mentions. Another reason I liked the Poly was that when my girls were younger they wanted to go to the character dinners (Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Crystal Palace) and the proximity to all of those are monorail ride away. I may be prejudice, but the Poly is my favorite resort. Even though we always stayed there in the past, just can't afford it anymore. I was afraid to stay somewhere different because I thought I wouldn't like it as much...couldn't have been more wrong. WL is now our choice of resorts. Even though it's not on the monorail, it's only a boat ride to MK and the resort is beautiful. Have fun deciding!!!!

[ThanxForNoticin]

The good news is that you don't have a bad choice here! Both are amazing places. I'd recommend you give the Poly a try. The location is great for spending lots of time at MK. And since you've enjoyed BC so much on previous trips, this will be a new experience for all of you. Have a great trip.

[SBETigg]

I think you should try the Polynesian. I know the Beach Club is a good location for Epcot and DHS, but I think it's a terrible location if you like to spend a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom, and it's severely lacking in the magic that I feel when I stay at the monorail resorts. For me, there's no question that the MK location feels so much more Disney and more magical, further removed from the real world. You can look across and see the castle right there, hear the MK noises (like the train whistle), watch fireworks from the beach, along with the Electrical Water Pageant, and watching boats out on the lagoon is endlessly fascinating-- as well as renting them and going out on your own.

The Beach Club has its advantages too, and you probably know them well by now, the location and the pool being chief among them. But I love the Polynesian and Grand Floridian best of all.

[tdk316]

Poly for sure! We love BC but if you're going to live at MK might as well stay at the Poly this trip.

[buzznwoodysmom]

Wow, that's a tough one. I love both resorts.

We split our stay at BC and Poly one year and I think I'd give a slight edge to the Poly. There was just something I loved about being there, can't quite put my finger on it, but it just felt like a very special place to be.

If MK is the park you think you'll frequent most on this trip then go with the Poly for sure. Otherwise you really can't go wrong with either! What a wonderful "problem" to have.