2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part III- DO NOT POST HERE- Summer/Fall

[oeshpdog2]

Okay, need advice here. We are changing our reservation from the free-dining-package to a room-only reservation due to a discount we are using. We had planned to get the garden view but they are no longer available. So we are now trying to decide between the water view and switching to a BCV studio because the cost is very similar. I would appreciate any help with pros and cons. I have never stayed at Beach Club at all and we’re very excited. Note that view is not really that important to us. The things that are important are: closeness to Epcot/DHS, size/quality of the room, Stormalong Bay and just the general atmosphere/ambiance of the Beach Club. Any advice would be appreciated!!

 

[Divaofdisney]

Thanks to all of you that has responded...we have moved from the Poly over to the BC...as we were just unsure what to expect with all that is going on over there. What I would like to know is everyones opinion on this resort. What was your stay like..did you enjoy it, how spacious were the rooms?? My 22 yo daughter and 15 yo daughter will be coming with us so we have booked a water/pool view with requested balcony. She is graduating from college and its my husbands and I 25th anniversary so looking to do something special this trip. Having never stayed here, need lots of advice?? I am open to everything. thanks so much in advance. We plan to have the deluxe dining plan too.

 

[TeenaS]

Okay, need advice here. We are changing our reservation from the free-dining-package to a room-only reservation due to a discount we are using. We had planned to get the garden view but they are no longer available. So we are now trying to decide between the water view and switching to a BCV studio because the cost is very similar. I would appreciate any help with pros and cons. I have never stayed at Beach Club at all and we’re very excited. Note that view is not really that important to us. The things that are important are: closeness to Epcot/DHS, size/quality of the room, Stormalong Bay and just the general atmosphere/ambiance of the Beach Club. Any advice would be appreciated!!

IN MY PERSONAL OPINION:

(and I'm sure you'll get plenty of people that totally disagree with everything I'm saying) but I don't like the studios ... any studios anywhere except I the ones at Old Key West. So, there is no way I wouldn't take a room at the BC over any studio at the BCV. However, if you ask me if I would prefer a regular room (any view) at the BC versus a one bedroom at the BCV, I'd take the one bedroom at BCV without thinking twice!!!

Also, if the view is not important to you, why spend the money on a water view? The money you save on a water view versus a standard view could pay for alot of your food.

SAB closeness: BC wins
Epcot closeness: depending on where your room is, I'd say you are pretty much just as close in the BCV versus the BC.
DHS closeness: BC wins
Size and quality of room: see my first paragraph
Atmosphere: much more quiet at the BCV but I love the atmosphere of the BC with the Marketplace and Cape May ... all the people coming and going.

 

[oeshpdog2]

Also, if the view is not important to you, why spend the money on a water view? The money you save on a water view versus a standard view could pay for alot of your food.

Teena, thanks for your input! The garden view is no longer available. That's standard view, right? I appreciate your insight. Before I posted, I was already leaning toward staying at the BC. I would also really enjoy the busy atmosphere, hustle and bustle.

 

[vicki_c]

Re: studios at BCV vs. room at BC vs. 1 BR at BCV- I agree with Teena 100%.

1 BRs are great, but I wouldn't pick a studio at BCV over a regular BC room most of the time - definitely not if I was with my family of 4. Maybe if it was just DH and I (since there's only one regular bed) and it was cheaper.

 

[oeshpdog2]

Re: studios at BCV vs. room at BC vs. 1 BR at BCV- I agree with Teena 100%.

1 BRs are great, but I wouldn't pick a studio at BCV over a regular BC room most of the time - definitely not if I was with my family of 4. Maybe if it was just DH and I (since there's only one regular bed) and it was cheaper.

Thanks, Vicki! I should have mentioned that it's just DH and me.

BTW, can someone tell me if there's an easy way to just quote part of a post? I've been hitting "quote" and then deleting out the parts I didn't want to quote.

 

[Katesdad]

What I would like to know is everyones opinion on this resort. What was your stay like..did you enjoy it, how spacious were the rooms?? I am open to everything. thanks so much in advance..

I hate to do this, but there are 185 pages here of "advice" that you will find very helpful. I would recommend you start out on page one with what Dee has put together as information on the resort and then move forward from there. You can slide over the discussions of mankinis and grey goose slushies but don't miss the Marlton Mom musings and any posting by TeenaS. Of course you'll find the pictures of Princess Lilly too good to pass by but interspersed through it all are great trip reports, sound advice from the BC/YC sages and generally very usefull information that will help you with your planning. Have a great trip!!!

By the way, sorry to hear about the Poly and all the speculation. It was one of my first stays way back in the '70's and I have nothing but fond memories of our times and visits there.

 

[LMO429]

Thanks to all of you that has responded...we have moved from the Poly over to the BC...as we were just unsure what to expect with all that is going on over there. What I would like to know is everyones opinion on this resort. What was your stay like..did you enjoy it, how spacious were the rooms?? My 22 yo daughter and 15 yo daughter will be coming with us so we have booked a water/pool view with requested balcony. She is graduating from college and its my husbands and I 25th anniversary so looking to do something special this trip. Having never stayed here, need lots of advice?? I am open to everything. thanks so much in advance. We plan to have the deluxe dining plan too.

Most recently..I have stayed at the beach club 4 times in the past 3 years. Coming up on trip 5 in 4 days. During that same 3 year time frame I have also stayed at the grand and bay lake towers. While staying at BLT and the Grand the entire time I wished I was at the beach club. Imo it truly is the best spot on property, between the fabulous pool, being so close to epcot/hollywood studios, and so many dining options to name a few you will not be unhappy with your switch from the Poly.

I always like to watch you tube videos of hotels that I have never been to before it will give you a great feel for the resort.

Here is a great vid from wdwinfo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa-069xRMRs

I think they fact that I have stayed at other resorts including the flagship and wanted to be at the beach club say alot on how great it is there..you will have an amazing time there..Enjoy and stay in touch on this thread the people here are great and its very informative

 

[oeshpdog2]

Also, if the view is not important to you, why spend the money on a water view? The money you save on a water view versus a standard view could pay for alot of your food.

Teena, I just learned from my DH that standard and garden are two separate classifications. However, neither are available with this particular discount at the time we are going. Thanks!

 

[Katesdad]

The garden view is no longer available. That's standard view, right?

No, garden view has "something" green in the view, whether garden or tree. Standard view has a guaranteed parking lot or roof top in the view.

BTW, can someone tell me if there's an easy way to just quote part of a post? I've been hitting "quote" and then deleting out the parts I didn't want to quote.

Just highlight what you don't want and delete it. Just make sure yu leave the "[ ]" brackets as these are used by the thread for certain designations.

Took me a while to get this down. Lots of trial and error.

 

[Divaofdisney]

I hate to do this, but there are 185 pages here of "advice" that you will find very helpful. I would recommend you start out on page one with what Dee has put together as information on the resort and then move forward from there. You can slide over the discussions of mankinis and grey goose slushies but don't miss the Marlton Mom musings and any posting by TeenaS. Of course you'll find the pictures of Princess Lilly too good to pass by but interspersed through it all are great trip reports, sound advice from the BC/YC sages and generally very usefull information that will help you with your planning. Have a great trip!!!

By the way, sorry to hear about the Poly and all the speculation. It was one of my first stays way back in the '70's and I have nothing but fond memories of our times and visits there.

thanks appreciate that alot! I am a real newbie to the Beach Club although have gone many times to the Cape May Cafe- always loved it! We are disappointed with the Poly but feel this will be just as nice. My DH actually preferred it to the Poly anyways--figure that, as he got his wish. I will start to sift through all the pages. But let me begin with a question as to what location I should request...we have a water view/pool room requested along with blacony all of which important to us. Any suggestions?? thanks

 

[oeshpdog2]

No, garden view has "something" green in the view, whether garden or tree. Standard view has a guaranteed parking lot or roof top in the view.



Just highlight what you don't want and delete it. Just make sure yu leave the "[ ]" brackets as these are used by the thread for certain designations.

Took me a while to get this down. Lots of trial and error.

Thanks on both counts!

 

[rusty4]

Most recently..I have stayed at the beach club 4 times in the past 3 years. Coming up on trip 5 in 4 days. During that same 3 year time frame I have also stayed at the grand and bay lake towers. While staying at BLT and the Grand the entire time I wished I was at the beach club. Imo it truly is the best spot on property, between the fabulous pool, being so close to epcot/hollywood studios, and so many dining options to name a few you will not be unhappy with your switch from the Poly.

I always like to watch you tube videos of hotels that I have never been to before it will give you a great feel for the resort.

Here is a great vid from wdwinfo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa-069xRMRs

I think they fact that I have stayed at other resorts including the flagship and wanted to be at the beach club say alot on how great it is there..you will have an amazing time there..Enjoy and stay in touch on this thread the people here are great and its very informative

This is such a nice review of the resort. I never thought of looking at youtube for videos. Thank you for the link even though it was for another poster.

I noticed in the video that the hair dryers are the wall mount ones. I am thinking that I need to bring mine along. I have very thick hard to dry hair and have never had any luck with the wall mount dryers. Are they still there?

 

[figment82]

thanks appreciate that alot! I am a real newbie to the Beach Club although have gone many times to the Cape May Cafe- always loved it! We are disappointed with the Poly but feel this will be just as nice. My DH actually preferred it to the Poly anyways--figure that, as he got his wish. I will start to sift through all the pages. But let me begin with a question as to what location I should request...we have a water view/pool room requested along with blacony all of which important to us. Any suggestions?? thanks

water/pool view is a booking category, not a request - so if that is important to you, make sure you are booked in that category, and you will definitely get it. (I LOVE having a water view room if I can afford it - I love sitting out on my balcony with a glass of wine and listening to the boats and watching the people playing at SAB and the lights of the boardwalk. BUT if you're not going to spend much time at your room looking out the window, garden view will save you money and still be a very decent view).

If full balcony is important to you, put that as your request - if you put too much on, the room assigners may not be able to find a room that meets your needs and you could end up with nothing you want. If you want to add something else, maybe close to the lobby/elevators or close to EPCOT (you can't have both - the lobby is in the "middle" of the hotel and EPCOT is at the end)

All the rooms are great though, so you'll have fun no matter where you are!

 

[Divaofdisney]

water/pool view is a booking category, not a request - so if that is important to you, make sure you are booked in that category, and you will definitely get it. (I LOVE having a water view room if I can afford it - I love sitting out on my balcony with a glass of wine and listening to the boats and watching the people playing at SAB and the lights of the boardwalk. BUT if you're not going to spend much time at your room looking out the window, garden view will save you money and still be a very decent view).

If full balcony is important to you, put that as your request - if you put too much on, the room assigners may not be able to find a room that meets your needs and you could end up with nothing you want. If you want to add something else, maybe close to the lobby/elevators or close to EPCOT (you can't have both - the lobby is in the "middle" of the hotel and EPCOT is at the end)

All the rooms are great though, so you'll have fun no matter where you are!

Thanks, and yes we are booked for a water/pool view. We added full balcony to the request. So hopefully that will do it. Thanks again. I am so loving this board already. You all are awesome!!

 

[bookgirl]

This is such a nice review of the resort. I never thought of looking at youtube for videos. Thank you for the link even though it was for another poster.

I noticed in the video that the hair dryers are the wall mount ones. I am thinking that I need to bring mine along. I have very thick hard to dry hair and have never had any luck with the wall mount dryers. Are they still there?

yep, they barely manage my short fine hair, so you'd probably still be trying to dry yours by the time lunch rolled around.

 

[Tinkerbell's mama]

Yea!! I got my car back yesterday, the doctor doesn't think I tore my acl but thinks its stretched out. Still have to see a surgeon to see if they want to try and fix it but with all my other medical history he's not so sure it'll work. So in 52 days I might still be in my knee brace and on "happy" pills. Can't wait to go and Relax at the BC....

 

[LMO429]

This is such a nice review of the resort. I never thought of looking at youtube for videos. Thank you for the link even though it was for another poster.

I noticed in the video that the hair dryers are the wall mount ones. I am thinking that I need to bring mine along. I have very thick hard to dry hair and have never had any luck with the wall mount dryers. Are they still there?

I would bring your own hair dryer. I find that unless it's my hair dryer my hair seems to get caught in the front grids.

 

[TeenaS]

Teena, thanks for your input! The garden view is no longer available. That's standard view, right? I appreciate your insight. Before I posted, I was already leaning toward staying at the BC. I would also really enjoy the busy atmosphere, hustle and bustle.

No, there are three categories:
Standard: a view of parking lot or roof
Garden: view of something green (courtyard, etc.)
Water: view of lake or pool

 

[rusty4]

I would bring your own hair dryer. I find that unless it's my hair dryer my hair seems to get caught in the front grids.

yep, they barely manage my short fine hair, so you'd probably still be trying to dry yours by the time lunch rolled around.

Bummer! Last year at the GF they had a nice compact one in the closet. Don't remember the brand. But it was powerful! In fact even better than my fullsize one. I was hoping that BC had the same one so I could see what it was and buy one when I got home. Plus not having to lug mine around would be a big plus. Maybe I should invest in a nice compact size one before flying. If anyone has one that they love let me know!!