Advice on switching resorts BW vs BC

[robsmom]

My husband (59) and I (57) are headed to Disney for Thanksgiving week. We have a 10 day trip, so time for the parks and resort relaxation. I booked us 6 months ago into the Boardwalk. The more I read, the more I am doubting my choice. The problem, of course is that most resorts are booked because it is Thanksgiving. Right now Beach Club is not available for one night during that our stay. With the 30 day window approaching I I am somewhat optimistic that if I check daily it open up. My question is, would you make the change. It will probably add $150 per night. The locations are close enough that our dinner reservations will stay the same. The advantages would be the pool and a quick service breakfast option. The disadvantage is a slightly longer walk to EPCOT and HS. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[DVCjj]

We are far old than you.
We own at BCV but stay 90% of the time at BWV. We love both of them equally. We think that even tho BWV is on the actual ‘Boardwalk’, it’s a much quieter resort. The walk to Epcot is slightly longer tho each has its own incline before you get to Epcot. The BCV advantage is the Marketplace (minimal food) is attached to the resort.

I think the preference is minimal. We adore the Skyliner and it IS.further from BWV yet we love it there.

Either resort is a real gem.

 

[Karalee402]

We just got back from a week at BWV (our first time staying there), and I'll do everything I can to stay there every time we visit Disney from here on out. The one downside, yes, is the lack of a marketplace-type food service, but we enjoyed the pizza window, the deli for breakfast sandwiches on the way to the parks, and even Carousel Coffee has some nice, quick breakfast options. We really loved the BWV pool, too. It was pretty quiet, and we had it nearly to ourselves both nights we swam. We loved the location and the resort so much that I can't imagine spending more to stay elsewhere.

 

[dansdad]

My question is, would you make the change. It will probably add $150 per night.

No way. The only way we would switch is if BC was cheaper. If it's the same or costs more nope! We like BC but prefer the BW. We actually like BW's pool, and especially the slide, more than Storm Along Bay.

 

[jennab]

I absolutely would not pay $150 more per night to stay at BC over BW. They are right across from each other.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The more I read, the more I am doubting my choice.

Just curious on if you can elaborate here. What in particular is it that’s making you doubt BW?

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d happily save that $1500 and stay at the Boardwalk.

 

[Boardwalk III]

A 10-day stay at BWV sounds amazing! I'd personally never make that switch. Our favorite resort by far (for more than 20 years )

 

[Babsy]

Do you mind me asking why you think that you might prefer the BC over BWI? If you are now considering paying an extra $150 per night there must be something significant that you prefer about the BC?
FWIW:
Would I pay an extra $150 to stay BC over BWI? Probably not, but it is not a definite. I have stayed in both and enjoyed my stay in both. But I have booked the BC many more times than the BWI, so I guess that says something.

BC pros:
BC is the closest resort to Epcot.
Stormalong Bay is a wonderful pool . I truly love it.
BC decor appeals to me personally more than BWI's decor
Standard view rooms facing the trees near Epcot are a great value. I like straying here. I almost feel like I am staying in World Showcase.
I like the beach area
You can enjoy all the amenities of the Boardwalk area without the possibility of the noise in your room

BC cons:
some rooms have tiny, standing room only balconies (this is a BIG problem for us)
hallways can be very long from lobby to room

BWI pros:
the boardwalk itself is fun, but can be noisy
all the rooms have at least a small sit down balcony

BWI cons:
rooms overlooking the boardwalk can suffer from noise issues
longer walk to/from bus stop
long hallways
some rooms require two different elevators to access them
limited QS dining?.... sort of


There is not a huge difference between a stay in either of these two resorts. Both have good and bad rooms. Whichever you choose, don't worry: you will be happy with your stay. these are both lovely resorts

 

[Marthasor]

As a resort, I prefer BC over BWI. I have given BWI so many chances and it's just always way too loud for me. I have had better luck at BWV, but it sounds like you are on the resort side. BC is the closest you can get to EP and the Skyliner entrance. I also prefer the QS and other food options in the BC/YC area. BWI food options are really lacking at this point. I do, however, prefer the BWI pool. Stormalong Bay is quite chaotic. BWI pool is much more laid back and I prefer the slide. I also like that the pool bar is directly at the pool. I guess I, personally, would be looking at YC, BC, BCV and BWV over BWI, however, I'm not sure if I would spend an extra $1500 for any of those.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do you object to a split-stay? Disney will move your luggage as long as you are fine being luggage-less from check-out until 6pm on moving day. That way you can enjoy both and no worries about 10 days and being miserable your whole trip. Bonus that time of year is you get to enjoy the decor of both resorts- yeah I know you can visit to see it but you get to notice more details when you’re staying at the resort.

 

[robsmom]

Just curious on if you can elaborate here. What in particular is it that’s making you doubt BW?

A few things. Lack of quick breakfast options, reports that the Boardwalk has become somewhat dead without much activity, the pool not being as nice. I don’t see much love for BWI on here.

 

[robsmom]

We just got back from a week at BWV (our first time staying there), and I'll do everything I can to stay there every time we visit Disney from here on out. The one downside, yes, is the lack of a marketplace-type food service, but we enjoyed the pizza window, the deli for breakfast sandwiches on the way to the parks, and even Carousel Coffee has some nice, quick breakfast options. We really loved the BWV pool, too. It was pretty quiet, and we had it nearly to ourselves both nights we swam. We loved the location and the resort so much that I can't imagine spending more to stay elsewhere.

Thank You this helps. We are at BWI not BWV, but the deli and coffee options are encouraging.

 

[robsmom]

Do you mind me asking why you think that you might prefer the BC over BWI? If you are now considering paying an extra $150 per night there must be something significant that you prefer about the BC?
FWIW:
Would I pay an extra $150 to stay BC over BWI? Probably not, but it is not a definite. I have stayed in both and enjoyed my stay in both. But I have booked the BC many more times than the BWI, so I guess that says something.

BC pros:
BC is the closest resort to Epcot.
Stormalong Bay is a wonderful pool . I truly love it.
BC decor appeals to me personally more than BWI's decor
Standard view rooms facing the trees near Epcot are a great value. I like straying here. I almost feel like I am staying in World Showcase.
I like the beach area
You can enjoy all the amenities of the Boardwalk area without the possibility of the noise in your room

BC cons:
some rooms have tiny, standing room only balconies (this is a BIG problem for us)
hallways can be very long from lobby to room

BWI pros:
the boardwalk itself is fun, but can be noisy
all the rooms have at least a small sit down balcony

BWI cons:
rooms overlooking the boardwalk can suffer from noise issues
longer walk to/from bus stop
long hallways
some rooms require two different elevators to access them
limited QS dining?.... sort of


There is not a huge difference between a stay in either of these two resorts. Both have good and bad rooms. Whichever you choose, don't worry: you will be happy with your stay. these are both lovely resorts

Thank you. This helps. I may be over thinking this one.

 

[robsmom]

Do you object to a split-stay? Disney will move your luggage as long as you are fine being luggage-less from check-out until 6pm on moving day. That way you can enjoy both and no worries about 10 days and being miserable your whole trip. Bonus that time of year is you get to enjoy the decor of both resorts- yeah I know you can visit to see it but you get to notice more details when you’re staying at the resort.

My husband was opposed to splitting when I brought it up, but I didn’t remember the luggage thing. If we split it, I would probably consider a MK resort. That is something to consider.

 

[Best Aunt]

A few things. Lack of quick breakfast options, reports that the Boardwalk has become somewhat dead without much activity, the pool not being as nice. I don’t see much love for BWI on here.

I am happy at either Beach Club or BoardWalk.

To save $150 per night, I would choose BoardWalk and eat breakfast in the room. Seriously. You mentioned quick breakfast options, not sit-down breakfast options, so I would think that you can find what you need in the BoardWalk gift shop. Eating in the room saves time in the morning, and thus gets you to the parks earlier when the lines are shorter. Somebody can be eating while somebody else is in the bathroom.

I'm not sure what you mean by the BoardWalk being "dead." If you mean lack of entertainment, there isn't any entertainment when you walk from Beach Club to Epcot. If you mean "empty and scary," it's just not like that.

Some people prefer the big pool at the Beach Club, and some people prefer the big pool at the BoardWalk. Some people think the BoardWalk pool has the better slide. Some people think it's hard to watch kids at the Beach Club pool. Some people don't like having to walk across the sidewalk to get to the Beach Club water slide. (I don't enjoy swimming, so other people can comment better on the pool situation.)

 

[sdk1231]

I wouldn't spend $150 more to stay at BC over BW, personally. I find BW a bit more adult-centric, which I prefer. For quick breakfast options, I'll add that you are a couple minutes' walk to the Dolphin, which has several (very good) quick breakfast options. I like the idea of a split stay, splitting with an MK area resort. That's a good thought.

 

[mrsap]

A few things. Lack of quick breakfast options, reports that the Boardwalk has become somewhat dead without much activity, the pool not being as nice. I don’t see much love for BWI on here.

Other than the complaints about the lack of a quick service, the only time I’ve heard the BW being “dead without much activity” was during Covid when there was nothing open and no entertainment. And the only comments I’ve heard about the pool is it’s one of the best on property. Not sure where you’re finding your information, but I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there.

 

[moonshadow]

I would not leave BW for BC. Been to both many times and I way prefer the BW plus in your case it is also less expensive.

 

[juxtapose]

We loved BWI in April. We used all the pools, and they were all very nice and the Boardwalk had entertainment every night we were there. The deli shop has quick breakfast options, and there is a coffee shop in BWI. We had a basic view room and had zero noise from the Boardwalk. We ate there a lot and found the food options fine, I say this as someone who doesn't like the food courts so we weren't looking for anything like that. We ate at the pizza, deli, ice cream, coffee shop, Belle Vue Lounge, and Trattoria al Forno and had no complaints.

We visited BC to eat and found it packed with loud kids (I say this as someone who has 2 sometimes loud kids lol) and just too overwhelming. YC seemed more relaxed, and I would stay there over BC, but liked BW more than either.