Beach Club Deluxe Trip Report

[marcus.ka]

I am starting to write this Trip Report on the 21.September 2012 exactly one year after our fabulous stay at the Disneys Beach Club Resort.
But let me start from the beginning:

After two great trips to WDW in September 2009 and September 2010 we wanted to go for a third trip. And as September is a good time we choose again September for our 2011 trip to WDW. We already had booked 10 nights at the Port Orleans Riverside but then 6 weeks prior to our stay I saw a special offer from Disney for room-only nights at the Deluxe Resorts. And so I decided that I will pamper ourselves and surprise my boyfriend with two nights at a Deluxe resort. I only had to decide between a Magic Kingdom view room at the Grand Floridian or a water view room at the Beach Club Resort or Yacht Club Resort. And after some though days I decided to go for the cheaper Beach Club Resort room. Grand Floridian would have cost 200$ more. And I am so glad that I have chosen the Beach Club as I felt in love with the resort immediately after booking.
We had already spent 1,5 days in Miami and then we drove to Orlando where we stayed one night in a Hilton near Sea World. And on the next day we spent some great hours in this very beautiful park, but afterwards it was time to drive to the Beach Club resort. My boyfriend had no idea where we were going as I only told him that we will now have 2 relax-days. And when we came close to the Beach Club and when he realized what was about to come he only told me that I must be nuts.

Although we have eaten in the Beach Club on our previous trip I will never forget the moment when I told the security guy at the entrance that we have a reservation for this hotel.
And great was also the moment when the bellboy came to our car and asked for our luggage. And I was very surprised when he greeted me with my name. (What a great connection between the security guy and the reception!)
I was then escorted to the next available receptionist and I had a very smooth check in with a very nice Lady. Here you feel immediately that you are in a Deluxe Resort because the CMs are even friendlier then at the regular hotels.

 

[marcus.ka]

As it was already late afternoon our room was of course ready and so we went there immediately. And then came another unforgettable moment when I first saw our room. I loved it right away.

A great view to the Board Walk and the Tower of Terror and also the room itself was just my cup of tea.

And when I saw this great Mickey lamp I could not calm down myself anymore. I was ecstatic and so happy. Unforgettable! My second thought was if Disney would recognize if this lamp would be missing after our stay in the hotel!

Next on our tour was the bathroom. Just perfect as the rest of the room. And now I am addicted to the body lotion which they supply at the Deluxe Hotels. It just smells delicious!
After we had explored the whole room we went outside for an early evening meal. I had heard so many good things about the Beaches and Cream and so we tried if we could get a table there. We had no ADR but that was not a problem as the restaurant was almost empty.
We had a great meal and during our meal we could see how two families had the Kitchen Sink.

I am not a fan of these huge portions which even a family of four cant eat as this is a waste of natural resources in my eyes. But these two families were so happy and they enjoyed every moment of it.
Right after our dinner we were ready to explore both Resorts and we started of course with the Beach Club and afterwards we also had a look into the Yacht Club Resort.

I was very satisfied that I had chosen the Beach Club because the exterior and interior design of the Yacht Club did not impress me as much as the Beach Club did.

 

[marcus.ka]

After our long tour through the two hotels I could not wait any longer to test the pool. I had heard so much about this amazing pool and now I know why everybody is crazy about it. I had never experience something even close to this pool area. OK, I think you know by now that I loved the design and the décor of the hotel so I also liked the pool area but the thing that impressed me most about the pool was the sand bottom. At first it felt very strange to be in a pool and to feel sand on your feet but after a few moments I just loved it. It was so relaxing to be in this pool area I could have spent days there! And as the pool was not very crowded this day we could enjoy our swim even more!

After more than 2 hours in the pool we changed our clothes and were ready to explore the Board Walk Resort. We immediately liked this hotel as well. It has a great décor and especially the outside entertainment was great. It was such a great atmosphere to see the street artists and to wander around.
The end of this exiting day was Illuminations which we saw from the light house. OK, you can only see some of the effects but if the wind is blowing in your direction you can hear the music. And so it was a special experience to be near to this firework show but not to see it fully.
And then it was finally time for our first night in the Beach Club Resort. And what should I tell you, as anybody can imagine; if you are staying at a deluxe resort you have a very brilliant sleep.
I can still remember how I felt when I woke up the next morning and opened the balcony door to go out and see the sun come up and to see all the hotels in the area and also a very special hotel, which we could see from our room.

After a refreshing shower with the great deluxe shampoo we went down to the Marketplace for some breakfast. And afterwards it was of course time for another pool visit.

This time it was only a short swim as we wanted to explore the Swan and the Dolphin.
Regarding these two hotels I have to add something. When I was a teenager in the 90s and when I had only visited DLRP twice I have read of course many things about WDW and anytime I read something about the Swan and the Dolphin I always thought that these two hotels must be the most beautiful hotels in the world and I promised myself that I will stay there one day. This was of course long before the internet. And as I now know for some years how the Swan and the Dolphin look from inside I am not such a big fan anymore. But when I was younger even the names of the hotels gave me goose bumps. These two words sound very majestic. SWAND and DOLPHIN. Wow! And so now it was time to explore these two hotels from the inside and what I saw inside did disappoint me very much. I dont know why, but I liked nothing about these two hotels. Not the colors, not the décor on the inside, not the kind of people who stayed there. I was so happy that I had not chosen one of these two hotels for our two deluxe days, because there was also a great offer for room only for these two hotels.
As I was a little bit disappointed with these two hotels I needed something to cheer me up again and so we drove to Downtown Disney. But as we arrived there it rain was pouring down and we were trapped in the World of Disney store for over an hour. OK, for a Disney fan this is not a bad thing but as the AC was chilly inside I was hoping that the rain would end soon at that we can go out of the store again.
After an early lunch at Earl of Sandwich (I love EoS. Why dont they have restaurants in Europe? I would be there every day.) we went back to the hotel for another swim in the pool. And although it was still slightly raining we went to the pool. This is also something you can only experience in Florida: Going to a pool when it is raining. As the rain was warm it was a great feeling to be in the sandbottom pool and to have the warm rain on your head.
After listening to Illuminations from the lighthouse again we had our second sleep in the deluxe beds and suddenly I became a little sad as we had to leave this beautiful hotel the next morning.

 

[marcus.ka]

But when the sun came up again I was off course in a good mood as 10 more Disney days were ahead of us. And so we packed our things and left this great place.

OK here is a short summary what we thought about the hotel:
- As already mentioned we were glad that we had chosen this hotel and not Swan, Dolphin or the Grand Floridian. (Although I am still dreaming about staying at the GF one day) And we were also glad that we had not chosen the Yacht Club as we liked the feel and the décor of the Beach Club much more.
- The hotel and the surrounding is just great. You feel like in a hotel village with the Boardwalk, the Yacht Club and the Swan and Dolphin right next to you. And as all is built around a sea it is even more perfect.
- The buffet restaurant is also legendary. We have been there in 2010 for breakfast and later during this trip for dinner.
- I am also nuts about the lobby. I just love it. Everything is light and bright and you really feel as if you would be in a beach club. I took many photos of the lobby during day and also night. Therefore I even brought my tripod with me.

- The room we had was one of the most perfect rooms we ever had in a Disney hotel. I could have spent our whole vacation there.
- The only thing I dont liked about the hotel was the smell in the hotel. I know many Beach Club fans adore this smell but I am not a big fan of this odor.

Call me crazy but I did not felt strange for spending days in the hotel when there are 4 Disney Parks around you.

After this unforgettable experience we had 10 more great days and nights at the Port Orleans Riverside.
I think I will show some more pictures of our trip and the four Disney Parks, the two water parks, Universal and Sea World later. But only if I dont bore you.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I loved reading that

Your enthusiasm and the joy and pleasure that you felt staying there came through perfectly

I think it's the first hotel that I've seen over at WDW that really appeals to me and I'm sure that it's due to your description and photos.

I'd love to read the rest

ps - You'll have to come back to DLP as we've got an EoS now

 

[marcus.ka]

Thank you for your kind words regarding my TR.

I know that EoS is now also at DLP. During our June trip this year we ate there three times during our four days at the Resort.

But as far as I know this is the only EoS in whole Europe.

 

[A Small World]

Hi Marcus - that was a great review of the Beach Club. I remember your love of DLH and how enthusiastic you always seemed when talking about it.

Oh and theres an EOS in London as well

 

[joolz1910]

I remember your enthusiasm for the DLH too, and your great photography skills! The Beach Club looks lovely - so light and airy. What a fabulous surprise for your boyfriend! I wish someone would do the same for me.

 

[tinkerbell1988]

Thank you for this detailed report and all the wonderful photos! It's made me SO excited for our 2 week stay at the BC starting next week

 

[marcus.ka]

You are staying two weeks at the BC? Wow! I am sure you will enjoy every minute. I hope you have also planned one or two days where you will not leave the resort and soak up the atmosphere.

 

[jockey]

Great report, lovely pics