[Brian]

Our family (10 adults age 30-65 and 5 kids ages 2-8) are planning on taking a land and cruise trip next October. Our choices are to stay at the Beach Club, Contemporary, Fort Wilderness Lodge or Polynesian. We will definitely spend at least one day at Magic Kingdom and one day at MGM. I am wondering where people would recommend our group should stay at. Thanks for any input.


Brian:)

[mickey]

Brian, welcome to DisneyCentral! That is a tough choice. I am pretty sure that Disney has removed the Contemporary from the list, and substituted the Swan or Dolphin in it's place.

As far as choosing between the resorts, I would immediately illiminate the Swan and Dolphin, they just aren't in the same league as the other resorts. The remaining resorts, Beach Club, Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge all have very similar sized rooms and ammenities.

I love the Wilderness Lodge, wonderful resort, great restaurants, nice rooms and wonderful views. Great place to stay, though it lacks location that the others do. You must hop on a bus to go to any park, though there is boat service to the Magic Kingdom.

The Polynesian is very nice, and it is where I will be staying for our upcoming anniversary trip. Very romantic, nice restaurants and great views of the Magic Kingdom. It also has monorial service to the MK and EPCOT, as well as boat service to the MK. We were drawn there since we will be staying only two nights, and wanted to stay there without kids.

The Beach Club is a beautiful resort, and is located next to the Boardwalk and EPCOT, so you have a wide choice of dining. You can walk to EPCOT of MGM, and there is boat service to both of those parks as well. The thing that I like the most about the Beach Club is that the pool is one of the nicest places in all of WDW, and is great for kids and adults alike.

If I were choosing, and it was my extended family, I would go for the Beach Club. While the monorail access to the MK is nice, most likely the MK will close at 6 each night you are there, so you will be spending your evenings elsewhere, like the Boardwalk or EPCOT. I just love the Boardwalk area, and the Beach Club take advantage of that, without the noise.

Whichever one you choose, you will enjoy. If it were just adults, I would say Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge, but with kids, I would go for the Beach Club, your kids will love it.

[Brian]

Thanks for the advice Mickey! Beach Club was my first choice too!!

Brian

[Travelitis]

The Beach Club has the best pool area imho. However, I think the convenience of the monorail adds something to a resort. My top pick would be the Poly as I've stayed at the CR and would want to try a different resort.

[trishb]

We stayed at the Beach Club last year when we did the Land/ Sea vacation. The resort is very nice, and the convenience cannot be beat.
I would recommend that you request a room that is on the 2nd or 3rd floor. We had a first floor room, and our patio was in the landscaping.

[ilvminnie]

Mickey said it perfectly. My choice for your group would be Beach Club also. We absolutely love the WL, but to us it's much more out-of-the-way. Our most recent trip we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn, but went over & checked out the BC. We decided we were sooooo glad we bought there for the DVC since it's so close to the boardwalk area, EPCOT & MGM (our 2 favorite parks), but without all the noise & hustle & bustle associated with the BWI. And of course the pool is not to be missed. Make sure to check out Beaches & Cream...it's an old-style soda fountain type restaurant that has great onion rings & awesome sundaes. And my DD loves their chicken noodle soup. It's our "find" from our last trip. Also, the Cape May is a great buffet & is right next door at the Yacht Club. It's always a "can't miss" for us.