Poly or Boardwalk Inn About This Page:

[DopeyNJ1]

OK, OK...so I just got back from WDW and totally enjoyed our trip and especially our stay at the Poly. It is our 2nd time at the Poly, and we just love it . Now of course my wheels are turning for our next trip (who knows when that will be) but the only other resort I would like to really stay at other than the Poly is the Boardwalk Inn.
Has anyone stayed at both these resorts that could give me some advice/opinions! Thanks!

[WHMom]

I haven't stayed at BWI, but I've stayed at the Poly and the BC, and I really like them both. I think it's always good to try new places, and I think you will love the Epcot resort area. It is just great to be able to walk to Epcot, and the Boardwalk itself is a lot of fun (and I love Spoodles and Flying Fish!) If BWI appeals to you, give it a try!

[Luvsun]

I was able to stay at the BWI this past August and enjoyed it very much.
But if it is between the two resorts- the Poly is definitely my favorite!
Now - to really confuse you, if you want to stay somewhere besides the Poly,
I would highly recommend the Beach Club! I loved the BC - and it is an Epcot resort, with a fantastic pool (the best on property in my opinion) and it has Beaches and Cream, also it has the Marketplace right in the hotel. At Boardwalk - you have to go out of the hotel and down to the Boardwalk to get you cup refilled, and get goodies and snacks.
The Beach Club is very relaxing (much like the Poly) and just a short walking distance from Epcot.
Whatever you decide - enjoy!

[piratefreak]

We have stayed at both and of the two I would pick BW. We love Poly but we really like atmosphere over in the BW area where all the things going on at night on the boardwalk....but I agree about BC. It is GREAT and the pool is easily the best at any Disney resort. It has a much better arcade (my boys are in to that thing) and Beaches and Cream is a great place for an end of the evening snack. I know you would not be disappointed.

[HiddenMickey]

I have stayed at both and I personally prefer BWI. I like having a hotel that is all in one building (basically). I didn't really like the longhouses being separated from the main building (since were in the farthest one from it it made a differnce in my enjoyment.....). I love being able to walk to two of the parks and not rely on any transportation to them from BWI. I like the charming and bright room decor at BWI as well. Plus we had a really quiet room facing Epcot and the gardens and felt it was just a lovely place to stay.

[tikiman]

I stayed at the Boardwalk last May and I am going again this May. I have stayed at the Polynesian many times (including last July and August) and I have stayed at the Yacht Club. I did not like the Boardwalk more than the Polynesian but than you might like different things so I would suggest trying the Boardwalk.

Why did I not like the Boardwalk? I am not a fan of the transportation over at the Epcot resorts. The rooms were smaller and our room took for ever to walk to (the endless hallway). Also we would come home late and there was no 24 hour food at the resort so we had to call for pizza to be delivered from offsite where the Polynesian has Captain Cook’s open 24 hours. I like having a beach and the Boardwalk does not. I did like all the places to go along the Boardwalk. I will add that if the choice were between the Boardwalk and the Yacht Club I would have said try the Yacht Club.

If you are interested in reading some trip reports from those resorts I have a page with links to them. They were written while I was there so they are what I observed at the time.

http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/reports.html

Aloha

Steve

[modisney]

If you haven't stayed at an Epcot area resort before, it would be nice to give one a try. As with monorail resorts, you have easy access to several different resorts' restaurants, there are some fun things to do on the Boardwalk itself and you're close to two parks. BWI doesn't appeal to me for some reason. We've stayed at YC and have plans to be there again in March so that's where my vote for an Epcot area resort lies. Stormalong Bay is the best resort pool and available only to guests of the YC/BC. Beaches 'n' Cream is great too. I think you'll get a very different experience at BWI than the Poly. Poly to me seems relaxed and laid back while BWI seems full of activity. you need to think about what type of experience you're looking for. I think you should also consider which parks you'll be going to. If we're going to go to Epcot and the Studios, then an Epcot area resort makes sense. If we're doing a couple of days at M.K., then we do a monorail resort. To some, it doesn't make a difference, they just stay where they like but I appreciate getting to the parks with relatively little trouble. Good luck with your decision.

[jimmymac]

BWI gets my vote. High floor facing Epcot view can't be beat

[wdw sorcerer]

we have stayed at both. cant beat the BWI for over all convenience, thats my vote !

[ladyt]

I too have stayed at both. Poly is my favorite. Can't beat the monorail! However, I stayed in a villa at BW and that was really nice. We were focusing on Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival, so BW was perfect. Since you've been to Poly twice, why not try BW? My goal is to stay at all of the WDW resorts. 6 down, too many to go!

[Joy J]

I would opt for the Boardwalk Inn, especially since you've never stayed there before. We stayed at the Boardwalk Villas last January and loved it so much that I'm returning there this March. It's my favourite of all the Disney resorts I've stayed at to date.

Joy

[Teresa]

Stayed at both too many times to count!
Here's our take:
We love Poly! There is just nothing to compare to the calmness once you step onto the property. I love that feeling of depressurizing after a long day at the park. The rooms are nice (especially after the remodels). So close to MK, and the transportation, you can get almost anywhere on site in just a matter of 1/2 hour or so.

BWI - love it!! Such clean lines. Totally different feel. Lots of action going on, and always people. Easy walk to EPCOT - slightly longer ride to MGM. service is wonderful. I think that the rooms are bigger, but not positive. I know the doorways between connecting rooms are - DD's Wheelchair won't fit through the ones at Poly.
Only thing I don't like - and that's putting it a bit harshly - is that the resort is one building. feels a bit more hotelish than Poly. But - you can get from place to place around the resort and not worry about rain, etc.
Getting to the actual boardwalk takes some navigation: Down the hall to the elevator. Elevator to the main lobby area. Walk to a different elevator or flight of stairs. Take that down one level and then out the door to the boardwalk.

They both have their ambience. Just different ones. If I were given carte blanche, and only had those two resorts to pick from for the rest of my life, it would be Poly. But I love BWI too!!

[DopeyNJ1]

Thanks for all of the opinions...now it's time for me to sound like a real dope! Is there a difference between the BCI and the the BC & YC?? I'm confused! We have stayed in the WDW Dolphin before, so I am kind of familiar with the whole area. Epcot and MGM are our favorite parks, so staying in that area would make sense, but we just so love the whole atmosphere of the Poly!! Hopefully, by the time we are ready to plan our next trip I will be ready to make a decision!

[Kratabell]

I have stayed at both, and would vote for the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is now my favorite resort. Since you have already been the the Poly twice, it would probably be a good time to check out another resort. It also depends on what park you will find yourself in the most. You can walk to Epcot ( you can walk to Disney Hollywood Studios toom, but it is a trek) or take the boat. The pool at the Boardwalk is nice, I must say the pool at the Yacht and Beach club looks the best, it just depends on what you are looking for. I think it is always good to try new things, it took me years to try the Contemporary and I love that resort too!

[Nebraska Disney freak]

We stayed at the Poly concierge in 07 and the BC concierge in 06. The BC is our favorite by far....... Not sure why. We loved being seconds away from Epcot. My ds and I walked to MGM one morning while the rest of the crew slept in. We would stay at the BC every time but we want to see if we can stay in all of the Deluxe Resorts before our kids graduate....The BC themed pool was great but it was also packed!!!!! (We were there May/June We spent all but one day swimming in the quite pool. It was like we had a private pool.