Beach Club - Club Level

[stitchlover]

I was looking at our March 2011 reservation today and noticed that for less than $800 I could bump us to Club Level. Since money grows on trees I was trying to decide do I surprise the family and do it? For those that have experience with the Club Level at Beach Club what do you think?

We generally do the Basic Dining Plan so I was hoping that the food available would fill those holes left by the dining plan. A breakfast here and there. Maybe an evening snack if we ate our big meal at lunch.

Any thoughts? TIA!

 

[mejkjj97]

We did the club level at the Beach Club and it was ok. We were lucky and got bumped up to the club level when we checked in but I don't know if I would have paid extra for it.

The biggest issues we had was space in the lounge area,espeically at breakfast time. we could never find a place to sit and they didn't keep the food stocked that well. We usually ended up taking a couple of bagels and fruit back to the room to eat. The afternoon snacks and "dinner time food" were ok and it was nice to have the free drinks (including beer). But I am not sure if I would have paid the extra for it.

 

[pjacobi]

I was looking at our March 2011 reservation today and noticed that for less than $800 I could bump us to Club Level.

For $800, you could easily rent a car and pick up snacks at Publix. After that, you'd still have $400 in your pocket!


-Paul

 

[simonkodousek]

For $800, you could easily rent a car and pick up snacks at Publix. After that, you'd still have $400 in your pocket!


-Paul

I completely agree! I don't really find club level to be worth the added cost at most hotels. In Orlando, the only club level lounges I've really liked are the Polynesian and the Portofino Bay over at Universal. The club lounge at the Wilderness Lodge was pathetic. For such a large increase in price, I would take Paul's suggestion by renting a car and stopping at Publix on the way to the resort. Just my 2 cents.

 

[stitchlover]

Thanks for all your opinions. I think I am just going to forget about it. I don't think we spend that much out of pocket when paying for additional meals out of pocket.

I appreciate your input!

 

[WebmasterPete]

Well, I'll be there starting on Sunday reviewing the Beach Club and I'm staying on the club level, so I'll be able to tell you whether I think its worth it or not

As always, I'll be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter - so if you want a 'sneak peek' at it before the final review goes up, that's where it will be.

Thx
Pete

 

[stitchlover]

Thanks Pete! Do me a favor...if you're going to give Beach Club a bad review warn me to plug my ears before the review!

 

[Kimberle]

We did the club level at the Beach Club and it was ok. We were lucky and got bumped up to the club level when we checked in but I don't know if I would have paid extra for it.

The biggest issues we had was space in the lounge area,espeically at breakfast time. we could never find a place to sit and they didn't keep the food stocked that well. We usually ended up taking a couple of bagels and fruit back to the room to eat. The afternoon snacks and "dinner time food" were ok and it was nice to have the free drinks (including beer). But I am not sure if I would have paid the extra for it.

Just an FYI, they recently remodeled and increased the size of the lounge. It was in process during our last trip, so I didn't see it. You could ask Teena on the BC Q&A thread. She works at the BC.

 

[Kimberle]

For $800, you could easily rent a car and pick up snacks at Publix. After that, you'd still have $400 in your pocket!


-Paul

CL is really not "about" snacks. It's the experience and a higher level of service. We often stay Club and enjoy the experience.

But, that's why there are so many resorts and so many room levels. Something for everyone!

 

[stitchlover]

It's the experience and a higher level of service.

Can you tell me a little about the difference in the experience and level of service at Beach Club? Are the rooms any different? I know at the Grand Floridian it means someone takes you to your room by golf cart because the resort is so big. Can you give me some ideas of what one could expect at Beach Club?

TIA!

 

[G66]

We did the club level at the Beach Club and it was ok. We were lucky and got bumped up to the club level when we checked in but I don't know if I would have paid extra for it.

The biggest issues we had was space in the lounge area,espeically at breakfast time. we could never find a place to sit and they didn't keep the food stocked that well. We usually ended up taking a couple of bagels and fruit back to the room to eat. The afternoon snacks and "dinner time food" were ok and it was nice to have the free drinks (including beer). But I am not sure if I would have paid the extra for it.

Same here. My family got a free upgrade for the last five days of the old smaller lounge. We were there on a seven day trip and we had the QSDP. We ended up with enough extra snack credits that we splurged on a table full of decadent breakfast treats at the Main Street Bakery the last day of of our trip. It was also our first Deluxe resort experience. It really made the trip special for us.

I agree that he old lounge was too small. That should have been corrected with the renovation. The staff was great. Very friendly and accommodating. We didn't make use of any special services. All in all it was a fabulous experience and the price was right .

Whether it would be worth paying for I think would depend on a few factors. We had four people in our room that made it more of a value. However, we don't drink. So, access to adult beverages was of no value to us. After our experience we talked about how the best scenario would be CL with no dining plan and just paying as you go for meals. We really had too much food at our access with CL and the dinning plan. You also need to consider that any room discount you get comes off the CL premium also. So a 40% pin will take 40% off the CL food.

My bottom line is the bottom line. If you can afford it, it's worth a try. I would not break the bank to upgrade. My kids actually missed having a food court. We are off to CBR next week. The one thing we will miss is SAB!

 

[bkoehl]

Pete, don't plan on cooling off at the pools. We were there last weekend at the were uncomfortably warm , and I am a person who likes my pool 86-90 degrees! We actually got out to cool off with the breeze!

 

[AlbertZeroK]

We upgraded our December 2010 AKL stay from Savanna View to Club Level for about $250. Good deal for us because I want to take the two special Club-Level only Safari's, plus it gets us free breakfast and snacks. I think for $250 it is worth it and I'm a Photography Nut so the Safari is a real treat for me!

But I don't know that $800 is worth it.

 

[Kimberle]

Can you tell me a little about the difference in the experience and level of service at Beach Club? Are the rooms any different? I know at the Grand Floridian it means someone takes you to your room by golf cart because the resort is so big. Can you give me some ideas of what one could expect at Beach Club?

TIA!

Sorry, I can't. Club was closed for remodel during our stay last Aug. Since Pete's checking in soon, I'm sure he'll fill us in.

 

[CastawayJP]

Thanks Pete! Do me a favor...if you're going to give Beach Club a bad review warn me to plug my ears before the review!

I agree... BC is our favorite resort, and I don't want to hear if anyone has a bad experience!

 

[CastawayJP]

Pete, don't plan on cooling off at the pools. We were there last weekend at the were uncomfortably warm , and I am a person who likes my pool 86-90 degrees! We actually got out to cool off with the breeze!

That's funny, we were at the Contemporary last week and I found the pool a bit on the cool side. The kids splash zone however was uncomfortably warm...

 

[stitchlover]

Over on Teresa's thread about her Pop stay she said they saw Pete and Walter last night for an Illuminations cruise. She said Walter said their stay was going great at Beach Club. Good to hear! Can't wait to hear the review (as long as it's good).

Of course our darling daughter is now hinting that we should switch over to the Grand Floridian. I'm quite happy at Wilderness Lodge at a much more reasonable rate. How 'bout we go there?!?!?