2 bedroom with 8 - Bay Lake or Beach Club

[starryagain]

We are owners at Boardwalk. Planning a May trip to Disney. Our party will be 8 - 5 adults and 3 kids, all family. Kids will be 8, 5, and 3. We have stayed at Beach Club before and love the pool and distance to Epcot and Hollywood. The overall ambiance of the resort is fine to me, neither special either way. Prefer theming at Animal Kingdom but not enough to compensate for the convenience factor.

Would you try Bay Lake because of proximity to Magic Kingdom, Top of the World Lounge (have been before), and trying something new? Or stick to Beach Club which we know we like?*

*I know availability is not a given but have been lucky every time before. We already has Boardwalk reserved as backup

 

[MOPNB]

My sister and Husband took her 3 kids and my parents - (7 total) they stayed at Bay Lake and LOVED the convenience of being close to MK.
My parents would sometimes leave the parks early and sit on their balcony together overlooking the lake.
The whole family went on this trip - we stayed offsite - but were able to go up and visit their 2 bedroom.
It was large enough for their group and the closeness is something they missed when they stayed at AK the next year.

 

[jscottnc]

Forget location. 2 bd at BLT has 3 FULL BATHS! Pool at BLT is pretty good though it is hard to beat Storm Along Bay. If you do opt for BLT, try to get a villa on the outside of the curve (I think even numbered villas); the villas are bigger. One other thing, have enough points for a "lake view". Standard view will almost certainly not be available at 7 months.

 

[CarolMN]

With 8, I'd definitely go with BLT if available.

The 3 full baths will be worth it, as will the ability to walk to the MK. If you book a dedicated 2 bedroom, you'll get two real queen beds in the second bedroom (instead of one real queen and a full size sleep sofa). Some of the BCV 2 bedrooms also have that configuration, but some of the dedicated 2 bedrooms at BCV have a queen sleep sofa instead of the second real queen bed in the second bedroom.

The ability to walk back and forth from the MK is a huge plus with small children (think mid-day beaks) and they will almost certainly love riding the monorail. Watching fireworks from the top floor deck (outside of the TOTWL) is also a plus - nothing like an elevator ride home afterwards instead of dodging the crowds. We all hope the fireworks will be back soon.

 

[starry_solo]

BLT all the way!

 

[Bullseye]

The pool at BLT is underwhelming...the complete other side of the spectrum from SAB. Other than that, the two bedroom villa at BLT is awesome. Plus staying at monorail resort is really fun! You're right down in the middle of everything. You can walk to Contemporary or MK. Take the monorail to other resorts for a meal or whatever. You can also jump on a boat to FW and WL. Give it a try!

 

[Pirate Granny]

With 8, I'd definitely go with BLT if available.

The 3 full baths will be worth it, as will the ability to walk to the MK. If you book a dedicated 2 bedroom, you'll get two real queen beds in the second bedroom (instead of one real queen and a full size sleep sofa). Some of the BCV 2 bedrooms also have that configuration, but some of the dedicated 2 bedrooms at BCV have a queen sleep sofa instead of the second real queen bed in the second bedroom.

The ability to walk back and forth from the MK is a huge plus with small children (think mid-day beaks) and they will almost certainly love riding the monorail. Watching fireworks from the top floor deck (outside of the TOTWL) is also a plus - nothing like an elevator ride home afterwards instead of dodging the crowds. We all hope the fireworks will be back soon.

When BCV was refurbed...all 2 bedrooms now have two beds, if not a lock off.

 

[CarolMN]

When BCV was refurbed...all 2 bedrooms now have two beds, if not a lock off.

Good to know. Thanks for the correction.

 

[n2mm]

That’s hard. 3 full bathrooms at BLT is a big plus. You can use all the pools at the BLT/contemporary. Depends if you’re a SAB fan. We are not and find is crowded and loud. We own at BLT & Bwv so best of both worlds.

 

[cpep42]

BLT then you also have the monorail to get around also. The view is great and hopefully the fireworks, etc. will be back by then.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

For 8 people? BLT. The 2 bedroom having 3 full baths will definitely make getting ready in the morning MUCH easier. Pools at BLT and Contemporary are meh. Nothing special, but not bad either.

IMO, BLT is the KING of being central to transporation.:
1) Monorail to MK and Epcot.
2) Monorail to GF and Poly.
3) Walking path to MK...take 10-15 minutes to get to MK.
4) Boats to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
5) Walk to MK bus stops for a direct bus to all other Resorts.

IMO, if you want to get around WDW fast, there is no better place to be...it's very easy to have dining reservations at other resort restaurants, or to just hop on over to check out the resorts.

 

[Donna M]

For you, I would say try BLT for something new. MK is close which is nice especially if you're going more than one day.

Next trip can be back at your old haunts.

 

[sethschroeder]

1) Monorail to MK and Epcot.

Wait does monorail go directly to Epcot from there? No switchover needed?

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Wait does monorail go directly to Epcot from there? No switchover needed?

you have to switch monorails at the TTC. Epcot monorail only goes between Epcot and TTC. So you have to monorail over to TTC and then monorail to Epcot.

At least, that is the case when monorails are normal. They aren't running the Epcot Monorail right now...so Epcot is buses from all the MK resorts.

 

[Mamiamjo]

Good to know. Thanks for the correction.

Just to clarify, its a booking category so you should know what you're getting. when booking BCV, all "2 Bedroom Villas" will have 2 Queen Beds in second room and all "2 Bedroom Lock-Off Villas" will have 1 Queen and a Pull Out.

 

[mort1331]

OKW size size size

 

[jar]

I think both are great and would be guided by location (it's not like you are choosing between BCV and one of the less popular places). I typically stay BLV when I want to be near MK for late nights or early mornings or BWV when I want Epcot or HS more.