July 2015 - Beach club or Yacht club

[twirly123]

I am preparing to book for 2015 and after having a split stay between GF and BC this year, we are going to stay in one resort next year (mainly, since its July, to ensure we can book FP+ from 60 days out for the whole holiday) – the BC area.

I have a 5 year old and wondered whether we should choose BC, like this year or YC.

I was leaning towards the YC because I believe all (most) rooms have a large balcony - which is a must for us (we were lucky in the BC this year) and they are picked up first in the resort bus (which in July I think may be necessary to get on for rope drop at AK/MK?).

I know there is loads of information on the forum and i do have knowledge of the BC from this year, however does this my decision to go with the YC next year seem sensible to you, or with a 5 year old, would you say BC would be better?
Thank you....

 

[natebenma]

Sounds like very reasonable reasons to choose the Yacht Club. Yes, all but one room that I know about have the larger balconies. I slightly prefer the Beach Club because I like the lighter décor, but I would not hesitate for a second to stay at the YC.

Here is the information we have in the FAQ thread for the resorts about the differences between Yacht and Beach.


The Beach Club and Yacht Club are similar resorts in terms of service and amenities, and have equal access to the shared pool complex, health club and video arcade. Both resorts have the same management team in place.

Some minor differences have been noted by guests:

Beach Club
Lighter, beachy decor in lobby and rooms
Lobby can be active and lively with families waiting for meals at Cape May
Closer to EPCOT and Marketplace Gift Shop
Approximately 50% of rooms in all room categories have full balconies. The remaining are standing balconies.

Yacht Club
Darker woods and nautical decor in lobby and rooms
Lobby is more serene
Convention attendees are more likely to be booked at YC
Closer to Hollywood Studios and Friendship Boats
Most rooms have a full balcony


Want more details about the differences between the two resorts? Check out this awesome blog post (November 2011) from The World of Deej:
The World of Deej: BC vs. YC

Pixarmom's comparison of BC and YC


If you would like to come join us on the FAQ thread, click on the link in my signature.

Dee

 

[twirly123]

Thanks Dee - thats really helpful.

Do you know how busy the buses normally are at the BC pre- RD?

Thank you....

 

[SillySallySews]

Two weeks ago we were staying at the BC and the morning busses to MK were already full or close to it by the time they got to us. We didn't have this issue with busses to any of the other parks. I would not hesitate to stay at the YC with young kids. It's a beautiful resort and you still get SAB!

 

[Disneymomma0783]

I am experiencing this same debate in my head right now, waiting to book for October 2015! I was leaning towards BC because the theming trumps YC in my books, but the full balcony and first to be picked up are really nagging at me. As of this morning I am leaning towards YC.
Our DS and Dd will be 9 and 3 and I think the BC would appeal more but we are planning on upgrading to a GV room and I would hate to spend the money and not have a balcony to SIT on to enjoy it!

 

[LaurEm378]

My 4yo son loved YC, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. It is a little quieter than the BC side (ok, much quieter at times) but I actually preferred that. There were a fair amount of kids milling around the YC lobby/grounds when we stayed in May, and it's definitely kid-friendly--there's just not huge numbers of children like you see on the BC side. The resort was booked full of conventioneers but they're pretty much gone all day; I only really saw them after 10 pm out on the decks. Side note: I'd never not stay at a WDW "convention hotel" -- by and large the conventioneers were the nicest, happiest people I met on vacation. I think most of them are just thrilled to be at work in such an awesome place .

Aside from the noise, there's minimal difference between YC and BC. Most food service is on the BC side but we're talking a 2 minute walk, so no big deal. The Ale & Compass lounge in the YC lobby starts serving coffee and pastries at least a half hour earlier than the BC Marketplace in the a.m., which was awesome for me.

The only warning I'd give is to request a room near the lobby. YC is sprawling and being near the lobby is way more convenient to everything both resorts offer. Happy planning!!

 

[Scott MC]

I'll echo what most people have said.
If the balcony is a must, then your only choice is YC.
Also, transportation-wise, I find YC more convenient with the bus pick-ups, and as far as it's closer to the boat launch for HS, and a shorter walk to the HS if you decide to go that route. Yes, BC is closer to Epcot for walking, but really only about 2-3 minutes of walking closer...if that.

 

[DummbGiRL]

I'd book whichever I could get a deal on. I am a RO booker and tend to find that YC is the only option (which is great for full balconies!). This December I'm staying at BCV by renting DVC points for the first time.

 

[robinbutterfly]

we are trying to decide between the two. Which one is typically more expensive?

 

[gorjus121]

Reading this makes me feel better. Re-booked with the fall discount released yesterday, no rooms available at that rate at the BC, but saved $110 a night off the standard view room at YC. I just wanted to be close to Epcot, so I am pleased. No rooms available at BW either.

 

[mmmears]

We really like both YC and BC. That said, I usually book YC because we want the full balcony and know that it's much easier to get it at the YC. However, if I can get a discount at one and not the other, I'll always go for the lower price, since they share amenities, a great location, and are both great places to stay.

 

[gorjus121]

We really like both YC and BC. That said, I usually book YC because we want the full balcony and know that it's much easier to get it at the YC. However, if I can get a discount at one and not the other, I'll always go for the lower price, since they share amenities, a great location, and are both great places to stay.

Would you switch from a standard view to a garden view at yacht club if available for less than $10 more? I know standard gives you a chance at garden view, just don't want a view of the parking lot! We are only there one night. Thx.

 

[heidijanesmith]

I'll echo what most people have said.
If the balcony is a must, then your only choice is YC.
Also, transportation-wise, I find YC more convenient with the bus pick-ups, and as far as it's closer to the boat launch for HS, and a shorter walk to the HS if you decide to go that route. Yes, BC is closer to Epcot for walking, but really only about 2-3 minutes of walking closer...if that.

Agree with the above poster. We chose YC as a full balcony or patio is a must for our family.

We were not disappointed in YC at all, it was very nice to come back to a quiet resort (even in the crazy summer).

We liked the YC location as the boat dock was right outside our patio. The view at night was fantastic. We booked a water view room and it was worth every penny. We could sit and watch the high Illuminations fireworks from our patio and the BW across the lake was amazing.

Our room was quite a hike to the lobby and pool, but wasn't a deal breaker. We asked for ground floor, close to lobby and day bed and got 2/3 so we were happy.