Staying onsite for the first time ever! Beach Club, Boardwalk, or Coronado Springs? About This Page:

[DreamofDisney]

We are staying onsite at WDW for the first time ever in December to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary . Being an obsessive planner, I am having a reaalllly hard time choosing between these three resorts: Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, or Coronado Springs. I know, 2 are deluxes and one is a moderate but the CSR would be a jr. suite. The cost of the CSR jr. suite compared to a BC or BWI water view room is ~$300 less for the whole vacation.

There will be 5 of us going for 6 glorious days: my DH(young at heart), DD1(8), DD2(6), DS(5) and myself(forever 21). Our favorite park is MK followed by Epcot and then the last 2 parks....heck, we love them ALL! We enjoy eating sweets, taking midday breaks from the park and discovering new things to do at Disney. We are also excited to be going the week before Christmas!

Since the kids are with us, I would like a resort that has activities for them available. I've heard of holiday activities for kids at CSR and also of the smores & movies at the BC but I haven't heard anything about the BWI. I did hear of entertainers on the BW at night but are any of them geared towards children? Most of our time will be spent at the parks but if we do decide to alter them, I'd like the kids to have some options at the resort.

I'm drawn to the BWI mainly because of the Boardwalk itself (great atmosphere), the food (loved Spoodles), and the proximity to Epcot. I also like that the water view would be right on the BW (correct me if I'm wrong). I'm just not sure how kid friendly the resort is in terms of activities.

We're drawn to the Beach Club because of Stormalong Bay (even though we might not use it much), the smores and movies on the beach, it's proximity to Epcot, and a chance to meet Art. As for the water view, I'm worried about the actual view and that the rooms aren't as close to the water as in the BWI. I also don't like that I could end up with a room with 2 double beds instead of 2 queen beds.

As for Coronado Springs, we like the availability of the food courts, the grounds look beautiful, more room in the jr. suite (especially the 2 bathrooms), and who wouldn't want to save $300? The only thing is that it is a big resort that's not walking distance to any parks (we will have a car but would like to save on gas with prices these days). Also, I heard there are lizards and I'm not a huge fan of them no matter how small they are. Blame it on a really bad experience I had with them when I was visiting the Philippines. A bed, lizards, and a night with no sleep. Enough said.

Just when I think I've chosen a resort, I doubt myself and go back to researching them again. So I'm asking for help from all of you Disney experts out there and I know there are thousands of you. Help me choose a resort. Tell me what room on which floor to request. Give me the good and bad points. I need to make a reservation so that the obsession can end and I can go back to a good night's rest. Afterall, December is less than 6 months away!

[RobDVC]

If it's my vote, I'm voting Beach Club.

[PAmommy]

We loved our stay at the BC in January, but we did ask to switch rooms because we got "stuck" with a room with double beds - I hadn't even known that was a possibility! The switch was made with no problem, though I'm sure it was helpful that we were there at a "low" attendance time.
I've read that the BWI is going to be renovating rooms starting this summer so that may be something to look into (perhaps someone on this board will have more info about it). Friends of ours liked staying at CS, but for us personally, the location of BC and BWI can't be beat! There is something for everyone, and the proximity to Epcot and the Studios is a plus. Our 3 y.o. DS loved making s'mores on the beach at BC, and one evening on the boardwalk one of the street performers made him part of the act, helping with a magic trick. DS is a cautious and somewhat shy little guy but he still did it!
The lure of the CS junior suite is understandable, but personally I would pick BC or BWI.

Good luck with your decision! I'm so jealous you'll be there at Christmastime!

[rlk]

I vote for BC as well. If you stay at the BC, you get the use of SAB, the movies & s'mores, plus the boardwalk entertainment is just a quick walk from the BC.

[piratefreak]

My vote is also for BC. It is a quick easy walk to BW where you can visit all the shops and restaraunts and nightlife but still have SAB and the movies at your hotel (side note...we have stayed at BW a number of times and walked over to take part in smores and movies but of course could not use SAB). The area over by BC and BW is great as there is always something going on and it is a great easy walk to Epcot and DHS.
FYI-The entertainment at BW is great for kids of all ages and usually includes magicians, jugglers and comedians and are wonderful (make sure you stay for Brian's act-he is awesome).

I am not a big fan of CS and the two times we stayed there we did not feel the same energy level and Disney magic that we found at other places.

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I stayed at the BWI and absolutely loved it. But I think that I'd have to say the Beach Club will probably best fit what you're looking for! I "think" I'm staying there next year but I'm not sure. I change my mind every 10 minutes.

[TheMadonna3]

CORONADO SPRINGS!!

WOO HOO! Love that place.

If you are staying on property then a car is not an issue because you can use Disney's transportation.

[Colexis Mom]

Beach Club

[MEM]

I love both the BC and the BW, but I'm partial to BW since it is my DVC home resort. One thing to keep in mind with you children and SAB is that if they want to use the slide they will have to leave the pool area and cross the sidewalk to the steps for the slide. Alot of parents don't like the idea of their kids being out of their range of vision, just something else to consider.

[cmhand30]

Tough choice.
But you are closer to Epcot and Studios with water transportation to both. We enjoyed CSR greatly when we took our boys. They loved the pools, both big one and quiet pool outside our door.
Have a good time which ever resort you choose.

[j4crew]

We love CSR!!! They are a little spread out...but a beautiful walk around the lake!!

We are trying out CBR in Dec and I hope I ike it as well as CSR!!

[skateycat]

well, you are going to get as many different opinions here as there are those of us in the community who use the boards....but, my vote is BC. and say hi to ART for me...he is a great and wise man. a gentle soul. had many wonderful conversations with him. his outlook on people is something.

[MMMD]

BC for sure. Nice family atmosphere and you absolutely cannot beat being so close to two parks. It is wonderful. Good luck with your decision.

[spiceypj]

you say your favorite parks are MK and Epcot - well then go with the Polyn.

you have monrail access to both Epcot and Mk. It should be the same price as the BC - might be a little more but not much.

Now I love the BC - but getting back and forth to the MK isn't exactly fun here - you ride a bus. Sometimes the bus only shares with the Yc - but at other times it shares with D&S, BC/YC/BCV, BW.

so would go with the Polyn for both MK and Epcot.

[WHMom]

My vote is for the Beach Club. We it there!!