Art of animation or Beach Club?!?

[Lanie]

I need some serious input on this one please!

We are going to WDW from Dec.8-to 15. The kids are 5 and 8.

We currently have a ressie for Beach Club. We figure it’s closer to the park so for the first trip with the kids without a stroller it would make sense.

But now I’m starting to second guess myself... If we go to Art of animation we could stay an extra night, and the theming seems awesome! Plus both Passporter and the Unofficial guide state the bus times as 20 min for all parks... Not to mention the 1500$ savings even with the extra night

Did anyone ever stay at both? Anyone have pros and cons that I didn’t think about?

Thanks in advance

 

[dansdad]

I need some serious input on this one please!

We are going to WDW from Dec.8-to 15. The kids are 5 and 8.

We currently have a ressie for Beach Club. We figure it’s closer to the park so for the first trip with the kids without a stroller it would make sense.

But now I’m starting to second guess myself... If we go to Art of animation we could stay an extra night, and the theming seems awesome! Plus both Passporter and the Unofficial guide state the bus times as 20 min for all parks...

Did anyone ever stay at both? Anyone have pros and cons that I didn’t think about?

Thanks in advance

What you will get at Beach Club over AoA.

Larger rooms
Queen beds
Ceiling fans
Coffee Maker in Room
Balcony
An awesome pool, well actually water park
Walking distance to 2 parks
Multiple sit down restaurants
Hot tubs
Pool Slides

Now it's up to you to decide of the above are things that would matter to you.

 

[rosiebean]

I haven’t stayed at AoA, but I took my kids for their first trip when they were 7 and 8 and we stayed at YC. The bonuses there are the same as at BC...awesome pool with an awesome slide (we went in offseason, so it wasn’t very crowded), unbeatable access to Epcot/boardwalk area for eats and entertainment. Also, being close to two parks is great...no matter how great bus service is, it gets old after a while.

And my kids LOVED the hotel and surroundings. You’ll get a ton of Disney character theming in the parks, and while theming at BC and surrounding hotels is more subtle than at AoA, it gorgeous and relaxing. I wouldn’t even consider AoA over BC/YC unless it was stating there for a few nights during a split stay.

 

[amccu18007]

Beach Club, hands down

 

[Lalabubbles]

We have stayed at both. One night at AOA & too many to count at BC. I agree with Dansdad and the reasons he listed for BC plus the lobby smell. Our daughter who was 9 at the time we stayed at AOA did not care for it and she prefers the BC.

 

[michyi]

We've stayed at both. I prefer beach club because of the location. However, we stayed in the Nemo suite at AoA and the kids loved how big it was. Both are great choices, but walking to 2 parks is so nice. Also, get the hopper if you stay at BC. After dinner, we walked to epcot to watch fireworks. Good luck

 

[disny_luvr]

Beach Club, definitely. I’ve never stayed at AoA, but I’m visited there and found it meh. BC has an awesome location with the ability to walk to two parks and a great pool.

 

[KMarston]

We stayed at AoA in a Lion King suite. My DD, MIL and GS. GS and daughter loved it! I met a lot of other grandparents who said never again! It was fine, just very chaotic in my opinion.

 

[Shaun176]

I need some serious input on this one please!

We are going to WDW from Dec.8-to 15. The kids are 5 and 8.

We currently have a ressie for Beach Club. We figure it’s closer to the park so for the first trip with the kids without a stroller it would make sense.

But now I’m starting to second guess myself... If we go to Art of animation we could stay an extra night, and the theming seems awesome! Plus both Passporter and the Unofficial guide state the bus times as 20 min for all parks...

Did anyone ever stay at both? Anyone have pros and cons that I didn’t think about?

Thanks in advance

We did a split stay at AoA and Boardwalk this summer.

AoA suites are bigger, but the amenities will not be close.

It also a much more relaxed atmosphere at Beach Club.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've stayed at both. BC multiple times. AoA once - we'll never be back. The ONLY thing you are gaining at AoA is space, unless you are looking at a LM room and then you are losing a lot of space. BC rooms are spacious and comfortable. You have a great pool and super close proximity to two parks. AoA is loud and uncomfortable. Paper thin walls, chaotic food court, and long bus lines. I know, it looks cute, but then you have to stay there and the novelty wears off really fast.

 

[Karen46]

BC is my vote

 

[jcarwash]

If you've already decided to spend your money on Beach Club, I'd stay with it. While AoA has a lot going for it, in the end it's been built as a value-level resort with the commensurate level of amenities. Beach Club, with all the amenities it has and its location as an Epcot resort, is a much different experience that I would choose if it worked with my plans.

 

[maxiesmom]

Beach Club, it isn't even close.

 

[Hopefully]

Beach CLUB FOR SURE!!!
Especially if you were loooking at LM rooms

 

[Lanie]

Thanks guys, the opinion seems unanimous!

We were looking at a Little Mermaid room, and I know that I heard they were pretty far from the amenities... I guess it really comes down to that one night extra and the 1500$ savings for me. That water park is awesome, but the last 2 times we were in WDW in December it was pretty cool and rainy so not exactly pool weather for me. But the Christmas decorations at BC are so awesome...

I really loved being able to walk to Epcot, but with my two young ones I was thinking we were going to spend a lot more time in AK and MK so the close access to the other 2 parks while awesome was less of an issue. I'm also wondering how my youngest will fare on the walking front; she's a bit of a drama princess! Last time we were in WDW my oldest was 5 and the youngest was 2, so the stroller was definitely a no brainer for us, and strollers on the bus are such a pain that access to the parks with minimal bussing was a priority.

Last time we were also staying on DVC points, while now it's all $$$, so that also makes a difference...
Maybe a split stay?

So confusing! But it's definitely a good problem to have!

 

[aml3679]

What you will get at Beach Club over AoA.

Larger rooms
Queen beds
Ceiling fans
Coffee Maker in Room
Balcony
An awesome pool, well actually water park
Walking distance to 2 parks
Multiple sit down restaurants
Hot tubs
Pool Slides

Now it's up to you to decide of the above are things that would matter to you.

Because of your children's ages, for the money also, I would pick Art of Animation. It is a beautiful resort and the pool is to die for. It depends on what amenities are important to you. You really do not need multiple sit down restaurants - the AofA Food Court is wonderful and cheaper. In fact, my husband and I are staying for a week next January.

 

[starry_solo]

You didn't mention the $1500 savings in the first post, only that you could stay an extra night if you chose AofA versus BC.

If you asked this on the budget board, people would probably clamor for AofA because of the savings. In the end, though, it's going to depend on how long you plan to stay at the resort, whether you plan to go back to the resort from the other two parks to rest, etc.

At the time that you're going, I'd rather be at BC than AofA. But I stay deluxe on DVC points when I go to WDW.

Bus time, though, is going to be a lot more than 20 minutes from the value resorts.

 

[Lanie]

You didn't mention the $1500 savings in the first post, only that you could stay an extra night if you chose AofA versus BC.

If you asked this on the budget board, people would probably clamor for AofA because of the savings. In the end, though, it's going to depend on how long you plan to stay at the resort, whether you plan to go back to the resort from the other two parks to rest, etc.

At the time that you're going, I'd rather be at BC than AofA. But I stay deluxe on DVC points when I go to WDW.

Bus time, though, is going to be a lot more than 20 minutes from the value resorts.

That's true, I didn't mention the savings; thanks for pointing that out, I'll edit my post!

Anyone has any any experience of the walk time from the LM rooms to the bus stops and the bus times to the parks? The Unofficial guide says 20 min but I'm slightly doubtful as you mentioned...

 

[jcarwash]

I assumed you were looking at an AoA suite, which may have been a closer price comparison to a a deluxe. But if you're open to a standard room at a value and that amount of money less, I'd pick AoA (or any value) any time. Pop Century is my "home" resort.

From AoA (or Pop), once on the bus, the travel time to Epcot, Studios, and AK is something like 5 to 10 minutes; it's fairly convenient for those three. MK is going to be the longest at 15-20 minutes.

 

[DisneyFive]

Beach Club.

While the AoA resort has the largest pool on property, the Beach Club has the best pool IMO. The theming at AoA is great and I do feel it is the best value resort (nemo rooms), but the Beach Club has a LOT going for it.

I love that whole Boardwalk area and it is such easy access to both HS and EP.

Dan