Live- from the Beach Club!

[santonucci]

Three more full days to go, and one half on Saturday...

We've been at the BC for 4 days (and one half) and we love the pool, but the resort feels like it's missing something. As a WL and AKL regular, I don't "get" the BC. I'm normally not a Florida in the summer visitor, but here's what the last few days have been like:

1.) It's hot, but mostly bearable. The lines on the other hand have been "unbearable", and we've bypassed a bunch of popular favorites. We did wait for an hour yesterday to ride Soarin, just to get a view of the Yosemite Valley again (hiked there last month).

2.) We've seen Extra Magic Hours that are for crazy people. The MK was open to 2 AM last night. Epcot is open until midnight tonight. My son and I left DQ at 10 tonight because we (ok, me) couldn't take it any more. The EMH wait times were still 20+ minutes at the MK and we left after one ride on SM (my daughter's first).

3.) Dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse last night. It was good, but nowhere near Shula's. Totally in another league. End of discussion. Never mention the two in the same sentence again.

4.) 6 in a room is tight. The twins are in two pack and plays that housekeeping brought up, but we'll probably move up to two rooms in the very near future.

More later...

Steve

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

What do you feel BC is missing? We have only stayed at CBR and POFQ in the past so this will be our first deluxe and I am so excited about it. The heat, etc. I am expecting and we have gone in August before. But I think the line situation may be because you are there just prior to school starting for alot of kids. We will be there in 9 days and I know that the FL kids will be back in school by then.

[santonucci]

What do you feel BC is missing? We have only stayed at CBR and POFQ in the past so this will be our first deluxe and I am so excited about it. The heat, etc. I am expecting and we have gone in August before. But I think the line situation may be because you are there just prior to school starting for alot of kids. We will be there in 9 days and I know that the FL kids will be back in school by then.

Quickly:

1.) No big lobby area like the MK resorts- people have nowhere to relax in an open, common space. We used to sit in the lobby and watch the cartoons with other families and just hang out after a day of parkhopping.

2.) Some of it is the heat/lines... but also the people seem more rowdy. Kids in the pool were splashing a lifeguard (he started it...) and he finally wanted to be done, but they wouldn't stop. And it wasn't just one kid (about a dozen...)

Steve

[Diznotyzed]

but the resort feels like it's missing something. As a WL and AKL regular, I don't "get" the BC. Steve
Interesting thought. We enjoyed our stay at the BC, but I also had the vague feeling that it didn't quite feel like our stays at other resorts.
1.) No big lobby area like the MK resorts- people have nowhere to relax in an open, common space.
By George, I think you've got it. Even just the grounds at places like POR, walking back and forth to the food court and such, feel more like a big common area than at BC. That said, we'd be happy to stay at the BC again.

[santonucci]

By George, I think you've got it. Even just the grounds at places like POR, walking back and forth to the food court and such, feel more like a big common area than at BC. That said, we'd be happy to stay at the BC again.

It's not a bad place. The room is nice. The resort is nice. But I'll also add this:

The pool is very spread out between two hotels AND open to the "public". In the other resorts, the pool is very secluded and we like this very much. With the spread between the BC and the YC, and the fact that you have to walk past the resort launches for Epcot and Disney Studios to get to the slide, it just messes up an otherwise good property.

I think it's our last stay here, since I'd prefer to spend the week at AKL or WL and give up the pool at the BC (which is hands down the best WDW pool). Even though the kids love it, they'd swim in 6" of water in a blow-up pool if given the chance.

Steve

[DisneyLover1091]

Hows the weather? I want to be there so so SOOO badly! :sunny:

[swtnikki]

Glad to see that you're having a great time. :)

[byoung]

Thanks for taking the time to report.

[JeanfromBNA]

It's not a bad place. The room is nice. The resort is nice. But I'll also add this:

The pool is very spread out between two hotels AND open to the "public".

Steve

I thought that the pools were exclusively for the use of the guests of that resort, and that wristbands were being used to identify guests. No?

[santonucci]

I thought that the pools were exclusively for the use of the guests of that resort, and that wristbands were being used to identify guests. No?


Sorry for the confusion-

Open to the public meant that it is along the promenade between Epcot and the Dolphin and Boardwalk. There are a ton of people mulling around, and to get to the slide, you need to walk through them and the surrey bikes...

Also- I saw wristbands one day, but mostly none. And we've been to the pool every day this week...

Steve

[santonucci]

So my wife and I were waiting for our table at Beaches and Cream for lunch today, and she had an epiphany.

"You know what the biggest complaint I have about the Beach Club is? It's the sharing. You have the Villas, the BC, and YC all sharing the restaurants and pools. It's too crowded."

I completely agreed with that assessment. In addition to the lack of a grand common space, the openess to the public, it is really crowded. I know it's busy season, and Disney owes the shareholders appreciation in value, but by having the resort this crowded, I think it actually diminishes people's desire to return.

Don't get me wrong--we've had a great time, but there is nothing magical about this place in my opinion. The staff seems to be pleasant, but not appreciably "into" the Disney experience. The rooms are very nice. The resort is very nice, but it doesn't feel Disney at all.

Steve

Been at the AKL,WL,YC,BC,CS,GF... and all three DL hotels.

[MissMagnolia]

So, out of all the resorts you have stayed at which one feels the most "Disney-ish" and the one you would definitely go back to? We are staying at the BC in 15 days and I have always wanted to stay there. I hope we are not disappointed. The other resorts we have stayed at were ASMo, Pop, and CBR.

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

I have to chime in here. We were at the Boardwalk Inn in July, and we felt the same way about that resort as you are speaking of the BC. It doesn't feel "Disneyish" enough, and the cm's are not "into" special touches as much. The shared, crowded restaurants were a turn off. Boardwalk doesn't even have a food court, which was terrible for us. Hands down, our favorite resort is Animal Kingdom Lodge, followed by Port Orleans Riverside. Although we have heard wonderful things about Wilderness Lodge, we haven't had the opportunity to try it (yet). I understand the same architect designed Wilderness and AKL, so that may explain the appeal.

By the way, Santanucci, I also saw Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium on JUly 29th! It was great!!! Nickelback was good too. I hope you had as much fun as we did! Bye, Jane

[JerseyGirl1972]

Totally off subject but i had to respond. I too saw Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium on July 29th. Got me all excited thinking about it again I had to comment. :banana:

[Corinne]

The resort is very nice, but it doesn't feel Disney at all.

:confused3 Would you care to expand? What about it makes it not feel Disney to you? I think I am biased, because the first time we stayed onsite we chose the YC. We have returned numerous times. To me, it IS Disney! :love: I love the WL and the BW too. As DVC members we tend to stay at the BCV. I do feel AKL is the least "Disney-ish". Of course, we are all different thank goodness! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week! :sunny:

[Viki]

Oh my, BCV, is our absolute favorite. Hands down. And we like them all! In fact, we ADORE AKL and will return in less than two weeks. But the one we love the best is BC.

Still, we don't go at times as nearly as crowded as what you're experiencing right now. We gave that up decades ago, but good for you, someones got to be there now!

[WebmasterKathy]

I know you'll get lots more reponses on the Resorts forum than here on the "Welcome to the DIS" forum, so I'm moving your thread there... :sunny:

[lilpooter]

Steve,

My sister and her family is staying at the BC this week as well. I gave her orders to send a quick post, but no word from her yet, so thanks for the report.

DSister has two children (11 and 16) and DH with her, her DH has a prosthetic leg that is black and titanium. Of course with the thousands of people around the resort(s) it probably would be a miracle if you spotted them!

Have a great time and if you get another spare moment send more info (how have restaurants been, etc).

My family of 4 will be headed to WDW September 16-23 and staying at AKL for our first visit to the World and after hearing your positive remarks about AKL I'm even more excited than before!

Faith

[santonucci]

Without quoting everyone that asked, here is an expansion to my original post:

I stated that it felt less Disney than other hotels, and I'll stick by that. In almost every way, I feel that the other premium resorts outshine BC (except the pool).

Crowds aside, here is a short list of amenities I've grown use to in the other resorts:

1.) Tours. Since there wasn't anything worth seeing, I guess they don't need a tour.
2.) Friendly staff (BC staff didn't seem unfriendly, but they didn't go out of their way to do anything "magical"... I let them know that I had TWO birthdays DD5 and DW40 in our party, and while they upgraded me to a room that was supposed to be better than regular, I didn't notice anything special. We had birthday buttons all over the room and nothing... no cards, towel animals, zippo...
3.) Ok, I can't put the crowds aside. It was a zoo. Lots of dump and run parents poolside. Mostly well behaved kids, but it only takes one or two to ruin the ambiance, and we had them every day. Doesn't happen at the AKL or WL in my experience.
4.) Restaurants were themed "Beach". We ate at the Cape May Buffet, and I was completely underwhelmed. I'm not a fan of shellfish, but the theming was a bar with a bucket of clams? Certainly doesn't compare to Whispering Canyon Cafe or Boma...where the food is better, and the atmosphere is fun. And there is nothing I'd rather do than sit in the sun for 30 minutes while they get my table ready at Beaches and Cream... sweat up a good appetite.
5.) No lobby, no cartoons after a day of walking the parks. It's a tradition. The lobby has a small TV with small wooden chairs for about 4 kids to crowd together...
6.) A hotel store worth visiting. Again, the WL and AKL store blow the BC away... I can buy a towel anywhere.

Someone asked me which resort I felt was the most magical? Hands down, it would either be the GF or the WL. While my family has never stayed at the GF (I have), we eat there whenever we go. Afterwards, we sit in the lobby and listen to the band or the pianist. My daughter can't control herself, and must break out in dance (she takes ballet) and prances wildly around the lobby. This causes other little girls to lose their inhibitions, and soon there are several little girl dancing around the pianist (with people filming kids that aren't their's to show in their vacation videos). Parents talk. People meet and linger. That is the magic of Disney.

The Beach Club is a good resort complex, but it's not for me. If AP rates are good in January at AKL, GF or WL, that's where you'll find me.

Steve

[CoolDisneyCat]

It's amazing how different people are and that's why it's great WDW has so many choices. We love the Beach Club so much! AKL, YC, GF and Boardwalk are wonderful, too, but WL, CR and the Polynesian do nothing for us at all.

The only time we stayed at WL was right at Christmas and the place was a zoo. There were a zillion running and screaming kids under foot all the time! You couldn't even walk in the store. I really think crowd levels make a huge difference in one's impression of a resort. We walked into the lobby this past June to dine at Artist Point and it was like a different place.

FYI to the OP .. you might want to walk over to the Villas common areas. They are very nice and quiet.

[lookingforward]

Thanks for the reporting! I agree about the lobby issue, it is nice to be able to sit and relax or people watch. That is why AKL is my ultimate favorite, that and the feeling that I am truly getting away from the parks. I stayed at the Yacht Club once in concierge and it was okay. We did not get the chance to use the pool (it was COLD) but..the Yacht Club was beautiful and upscale and had a nice location, but did not feel as disney-ish to me. We still had a great time, but I prefer others more. The concierge at Yacht was underwhelming, nothing special, in my opinion. The staff there were great but they lounge was tiny.

[MermaidsMom]

Without quoting everyone that asked, here is an expansion to my original post:

I stated that it felt less Disney than other hotels, and I'll stick by that. In almost every way, I feel that the other premium resorts outshine BC (except the pool).

Crowds aside, here is a short list of amenities I've grown use to in the other resorts:

1.) Tours. Since there wasn't anything worth seeing, I guess they don't need a tour.
2.) Friendly staff (BC staff didn't seem unfriendly, but they didn't go out of their way to do anything "magical"... I let them know that I had TWO birthdays DD5 and DW40 in our party, and while they upgraded me to a room that was supposed to be better than regular, I didn't notice anything special. We had birthday buttons all over the room and nothing... no cards, towel animals, zippo...
3.) Ok, I can't put the crowds aside. It was a zoo. Lots of dump and run parents poolside. Mostly well behaved kids, but it only takes one or two to ruin the ambiance, and we had them every day. Doesn't happen at the AKL or WL in my experience.
4.) Restaurants were themed "Beach". We ate at the Cape May Buffet, and I was completely underwhelmed. I'm not a fan of shellfish, but the theming was a bar with a bucket of clams? Certainly doesn't compare to Whispering Canyon Cafe or Boma...where the food is better, and the atmosphere is fun. And there is nothing I'd rather do than sit in the sun for 30 minutes while they get my table ready at Beaches and Cream... sweat up a good appetite.
5.) No lobby, no cartoons after a day of walking the parks. It's a tradition. The lobby has a small TV with small wooden chairs for about 4 kids to crowd together...
6.) A hotel store worth visiting. Again, the WL and AKL store blow the BC away... I can buy a towel anywhere.

Someone asked me which resort I felt was the most magical? Hands down, it would either be the GF or the WL. While my family has never stayed at the GF (I have), we eat there whenever we go. Afterwards, we sit in the lobby and listen to the band or the pianist. My daughter can't control herself, and must break out in dance (she takes ballet) and prances wildly around the lobby. This causes other little girls to lose their inhibitions, and soon there are several little girl dancing around the pianist (with people filming kids that aren't their's to show in their vacation videos). Parents talk. People meet and linger. That is the magic of Disney.

The Beach Club is a good resort complex, but it's not for me. If AP rates are good in January at AKL, GF or WL, that's where you'll find me.

Steve

I'm really glad that you will be able to leave this nightmare soon and plan a trip back to the WL or AKL. ;) The BC holds plenty of magic for many people. We love the activity buzz at the BC and maybe when you have teenagers you will as well.

[santonucci]

I'm really glad that you will be able to leave this nightmare soon and plan a trip back to the WL or AKL. ;) The BC holds plenty of magic for many people. We love the activity buzz at the BC and maybe when you have teenagers you will as well.

My, my...

People getting defensive over their beloved Beach Club?

I'm home now, and going through Disney withdrawal. In retrospect, the BC is a very different kind of Disney vacation experience. It's not for me, but it's not "bad". I won't return unless there is a convention or something, but here are the "positive" aspects of the Beach Club that we found:

1.) Walk in access to World Showcase.

2.) Short boat ride to MGM. Great not having to break down a stroller for either #1 or #2 (we have infant twins).

3.) Convenient to some great dining (Shula's, Flying Fish...)

4.) Best pool hands down.

January is our next trip and we're hoping for great AP rates at AKL...

Steve

[DisneyLover1091]

When do you come back from WDW?

[santonucci]

It's amazing how different people are and that's why it's great WDW has so many choices. We love the Beach Club so much! AKL, YC, GF and Boardwalk are wonderful, too, but WL, CR and the Polynesian do nothing for us at all.

The only time we stayed at WL was right at Christmas and the place was a zoo. There were a zillion running and screaming kids under foot all the time! You couldn't even walk in the store. I really think crowd levels make a huge difference in one's impression of a resort. We walked into the lobby this past June to dine at Artist Point and it was like a different place.

FYI to the OP .. you might want to walk over to the Villas common areas. They are very nice and quiet.

Too late, I'm home... :sad2:

We had originally booked the Poly to do something different, but the AP rates were too good to pass up. We did go to the Poly to have breakfast at Ohana's (which I thought was pretty good and relatively cheap...), and having been to Hawaii twice, I think it would have also been a disappointment. It may have been a visualization of Hawaii in 1956, but it's not even close to Hawaii today.

Coronado Springs was also a "something different" trip for us, and it lasted 1.5 days before we checked out and moved to the WL. Don't even get me started about that place...

I guess we're all different, and Disney markets different "paces" of life to those differences. Add Beach Club to the list of places I've been, and cross it off of places I'd go back to...

Steve

I want the AKL built on the WL lot with the BC pool... (I don't need the monorail to the MK if there is a boat...:-)

[leanne11]

i think you hit it on the head w/lobby, when i walk into poly,i'm mesmerized,i feel this is where i want to be forever..i feel it's mine,my pool,my lobby my monorail, and i'm in another world, i love all of it..beach club was nice,and ok,and i liked the kichen stuff, but bad view of the parking lot,hike to the good pool,and stuff floating in the quiet pool that should't have been there(yuck..) almost everyday,, wasn't magical didn't FEEL like i was in another world,or like akl lobby,oh yeah that was all mine also...

[psar]

I want the AKL built on the WL lot with the BC pool... (I don't need the monorail to the MK if there is a boat...:-)Now wouldn't that be perfect :love:

[MermaidsMom]

1.) Walk in access to World Showcase.

2.) Short boat ride to MGM. Great not having to break down a stroller for either #1 or #2 (we have infant twins).

3.) Convenient to some great dining (Shula's, Flying Fish...)

4.) Best pool hands down.





Ahhh, now that's much better, isn't it? ...... I'm only pulling your leg! Sometimes it's hard to convey a "playful" tone when posting and my sense of humor can be very dry (In need of a cool drink by the SAB? :cool1: ) I do understand your point though and each resort holds it's good and less good points for each family. :sunny:

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I do have to agree here. I was not thrilled with the BC. It was a nice hotel but lacked magic for me too. I felt overwhelmed by the size of the place and missed having a food court/or kitchen in the villa. Too many people and to crowded for my taste. I like the AKL to because the resort is manageable. The pool, lobby, restaurants, food court are all centrally located. I did like the BWV just across the lake. Go figure.

[Caitsmama]

I think that's what makes WDW all so great, They have so many different hotels for all of our different likes/dislikes.
We personally LOVE the BC, stayed there concierge twice, and staying YC concierge this yr (no space at BC) ..
Anyway, i think too, that the time of yr / crowds make a big difference. When we go, it is not crowed at all.. so you feel almost like it is all yours.. To me, the lobby is plenty big, and plenty of fluffy couches/chairs to sit and people watch. Plus an area for kids to watch cartoons..if that is how they want to spend their time in WDW! LOL (only kidding, i know it comes in handy at some points, like waiting in line at CApe May Cafe!!)
Anyway, I guess like i said, i think that is why the theming of WDW is so awesome, Because there is really something for everyone.. While BC is my favorite, and AKL and CR don't do it for me, it isn't for everyone..
Thanks for your check in!

[eliza61]

Thanks for the report Steve, I had to laugh because I guess us "Beach clubbers" do get a tad defensive about our resort. The bcv's is my "home" resort and I love it. While the WL leaves me feeling like I'm Daniel boone, I keep waiting for "Fess Parker" to mosey on up at any time and the decor while inspiring is too dark for me and a little too woodsey for me. Give me my Beach club villas any day of the week. :thumbsup2

[Corinne]

My, my...

People getting defensive over their beloved Beach Club?



Hi Steve:

I was not getting defensive~I love that there are so many choices in resorts and if we all liked the same things what good would that be!? Life would be boring!

[PamNC]

for reporting in. Isn't it interesting how we're all different? We LOVE the YC/BC...it's our second favorite resort. Poly is #1. We stayed at WL once and didn't like it. It's beautiful, that's for sure, but we thought the rooms were small and dark, the pool was small, and the boat transportation was slow as molasses. I do like what you're calling the "grand area" @ WL. I guess I would stay there again, but ONLY if I got a really good rate oflike $129 - $139. However, I'm not sure about that because we weren't impressed with the CM's at WL. At all.

We think the BC is very magical and we love Stormalong Bay. We also love the location - the Epcot resort area is so nice...a lot to do, walk to Epcot and MGM.

PamNC