WAFFLING...Resort Choice is so hard!!

[chimo2u]

Our trip is August 21-28th
Hi! Here I am waffling again. Why does choosing a resort have to be so darn hard?? Originally I was going to stay at CSR to save some money, then I changed my mind on the request of my 13 yo son (who is my travel companion on this upcoming trip) and booked back at our old favourite (AkL Club Level)...Now reading about the movies at night on the beach and awesome pool, closeness to 2 of our favourite parks (DHS and Epcot) and the boardwalk energy...well...I am now considering Beach Club with Deluxe Dining instead of club level access.
This trip is special... it is most likely my last one for a very long time (at least 5+ years) and it is only my teen son and I who will be going. I want it to be memorable and functional, and I really want to be happy with my resort choice. Stay with "old faithful", or "venture on to something new"....that is the question haunting me daily!!! They sure don't make it easy to pick something and be content, I always seem to double guess and waffle back and forth, back and forth
I so badly want to make the best choice for our trip!! So....it is down to these 2: Beach Club with Deluxe Dining
or
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Basic Dining, Club level

 

[Desiree1972]

I took my 13 yo to BC this summer and we are headed back next summer! The pool is amazing. The proximity to DHS and EPCOT can't be beat - great arcade, nice lobby...

try something new!

 

[Sue M]

WL also has movies on the beach in the summer And the price is similar to AKL.

 

[kamikazecat]

I have not stayed at either resort but I can sympathize with your waffling. Last year was our first trip and I change resorts 5 times and I am on resort number 3 for this trip.

 

[kaffinito]

It is really tough for me to pick a resort too. Check out my tag! Ha ha!

Sometimes it can be an easy choice but other times not. Given what you've said in your post, I'd go for BC and the deluxe ddp. It sounds like the location of the resort and the easy access to all of those good restaurants would make your trip very memorable and pleasant!

 

[Pygoplites]

My vote is for Beach Club with deluxe dining, especially since your favorite parks are Epcot and DHS. You have so many dining options nearby--at all of the resorts as well as Epcot. You're just a short boat ride or walk away from the International Gateway entrance and right across from all of the additional activities at Boardwalk. Plus the pool complex at BC/YC is the best; something that your son and you will probably really appreciate in August.

I love AKL (in fact, I'm going there next month), but it isn't as convenient as the Epcot or MK deluxe resorts. The great thing about the deluxe resorts is that there is no "wrong" choice, but it just seems that any of the Epcot properties may suit your needs best.

 

[ancestry]

I also agree with the Beach Club! We stayed their this past June and it was fantastic. The convenient access to Epcot and DHS is awesome and the resort is beautiful. Your son will love Storm Along Bay.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[abubu919]

I agree with BC! The resort is awesome and the access to HS and Epcot are wonderful! Pool is amazing and prob best on property I say go with something different you won't be disappointed

 

[gailanncreates]

I vote BC too!

 

[TJA]

By your post, I think the BC would be perfect for you! The ease of getting to both Epcot and HS alone is enough to warrant staying at BC. The only thing I caution about is your deluxe dining and be sure to plan lots of meals near the BC so you can enjoy the entire Epcot resort area in its entirety. I say this because there are SO many non-park things to do at and around the BC that you'll want to take advantage. I suspect your son would enjoy Espn Club? That's right on the boardwalk. There is also a fun surrey bike rental on the boardwalk which we especially enjoy during Illuminations so we can see the fireworks as we ride. They have campfires on the beach at night plus movies on the beach as well. There is also a putt putt course within walking distance. Then, of course, the pool is fantastic fun. My kids would spend every single afternoon at the pool if we'd let them. We've stayed at a lot of different disney resorts, and BC wins hands down for my kids mainly due to the pool and the ease of getting to Epcot and HS.

Hope this helps a bit. Have fun!

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

I'd be all for the BC choice, except I would not go for the deluxe dining. As a 31 year old male, that mostly feels and acts like a 13 year old male, I would not want to be tied in to spending so much time dining. But everyone is certainly different in that regard, so maybe your son would enjoy it. I would just check with him first, and make sure he understands the additional time constraints this will cause.

 

[chimo2u]

I'd be all for the BC choice, except I would not go for the deluxe dining. As a 31 year old male, that mostly feels and acts like a 13 year old male, I would not want to be tied in to spending so much time dining. But everyone is certainly different in that regard, so maybe your son would enjoy it. I would just check with him first, and make sure he understands the additional time constraints this will cause.

I can see where you are coming from Goofy Dad, LOL...I am leaning more towards Deluxe dining so we can have a larger variety of dining options. Perhaps a couple times we will combine 2 TS credits and do Hoop De doo and another restaurant like Cali grill, or Jiko, or perhaps even Beaches and Cream for dinner. Have a later-morning buffet-type breakfast that will hold us until dinner. The deluxe package seems to work better for flexibility, I think.

Thanks so much for the replies so far, you are all making a very good case for BC and swaying me in favour of that resort! New is sometimes a good thing, isn't it?? One thing I am wondering about the BC pool is....what time do they close at night?? I have a boy who loves night-swimming after a long day in the parks. At AKL that was one of his favourite things to do, swim almost all alone late and soak in the hot tub! I would hate for the pool to shut down too early in the evening to enjoy a night-time dip!

The surrey bike rental at night for illuminations sounds wonderful!! I have never really seen illuminations yet, as it is always a mad rush to beat the crowds during the show to the bus stop, and I am watching it behind myself while running to the bus shelter!! I think this is a must-do for our trip, and the surrey bikes would be so fun!

Keep your opinions coming, as I am heavily weighing everyone's awnsers and it is helping me A LOT!!

 

[jimmiej]

I'd choose BC over AKL. I rank these 1 & 2 out of all the resorts we've stayed at. However, is your son set on AKL, or is he willing to try something new? I think he'd love Stormalong Bay & the boardwalk area at night.

 

[NikitaZee]

I can see where you are coming from Goofy Dad, LOL...I am leaning more towards Deluxe dining so we can have a larger variety of dining options. Perhaps a couple times we will combine 2 TS credits and do Hoop De doo and another restaurant like Cali grill, or Jiko, or perhaps even Beaches and Cream for dinner. Have a later-morning buffet-type breakfast that will hold us until dinner. The deluxe package seems to work better for flexibility, I think.

I agree. Our family did this in November, and the flexibility was really what mattered to us the most. We had ADR's for breakfast and dinner - and did quite a few 2TS meals. Only one day did we actually eat lunch - the day we had an early Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast. We used all of our meal credits without running from one reservation to the next. I loved being on the Deluxe Dining plan.

As far as resort, I'd choose the Beach Club

 

[afcgirl]

I would stay with AKL because that is what your son picked.

 

[nicole0992]

I vote Beach Club with deluxe dining especially since you will be there in August. You just cannot beat Stormalong Bay. My teen daughters loved the pool area so much when we stayed there in 2008 (13 and 15 at the time).

 

[Dsny4fun]

Beach Club...your son is going to love it and so will you.

Have a great trip.

 

[pezaddict231]

I vote for BC with the DxDP. We haven't stayed in the Epcot area yet but I think your son would really like it. There's all the excitement of the boardwalk area and you can walk to EP and DHS. SAB is also supposed to be awesome and he would probably really enjoy it. They do have 24 hr quiet pools there but SAB stays open pretty late. I know we have gone to late dinners at the Yachtsman and people were still swimming when we left which would have been close to 11 pm or later.

We also LOVE the DxDP! It works out really well for us since my DF doesn't like CS and we prefer the signature restaurants. We also have so many favorite restaurants at Disney and so many we still need to try that it would be really hard to narrow it down on the regular DP.

 

[MerryFlora]

I always vote for trying something new.

 

[chimo2u]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies so far....I am quickly being convinced to go with BC and the Deluxe DP. Once my son heard about movies on the beach and smores, and walking distance to his favourite parks DHS/Epcot, he quickly said he would leave the decision up to me, and he wouldn't mind trying the BC. The more I think of it, it is only $300.00 more than the club level at AKL, I am seriously considering the change!
What is ESPN??? is that the arcade? Happy to hear the pool is open till somewhat later hours!
Thanks again for all the reviews/opinions. Feel free to keep telling me what you love about the BC resort. I am feeling excited about the thought of someplace new!