Beach Club or Contemporary Concierge?

[ContemporaryGirl]

I posted a few days ago about having a change of heart with 14th floor Concierge in the Contemporary................we stayed regular tower room years ago, and loved it, but now children our older, 14 and 11, and am really thinking maybe we should try Beach Club or Boarwalk Concierge instead, being closer to Epcot and MGM. I love the idea of seeing the Castle at night, and the fireworks for our room at the Contemporary, and I have also heard how wonderful the Concierge is, serving alot more than most. But am so worried that the kids and maybe myself might find the Beachclub, a little more exciting.........somebody help make up my mind we go in 4 1/2 months, and I need to figure this out for sure!!! I'd love to hear from anyone who has stayed in Beach Club Concierge and or 14th floor Contemp Concierge.......Thanks

 

[Bracho]

We enjoyed the concierge level at the Beach Club a couple of years ago and it was a great experience for us. The staff at the time was on the ball, I never heard the word no or I can't. The lounge was kept very clean even during the high traffic times and it was well stocked. We had a great view of the water and the pool was great fun. If we had to make the choice between the Contemporary and the Beach, we would choose the Beach.

 

[Eeyore1954]

My DW and I stayed at BC concierge last November and it was wonderful. The lounge is a little small, but the food was great and plentiful. The staff were terrific -- they could not seem to do enough for us, sort of like "Is that all I can do for you, are you sure there isn't something else?" Being so close to Epcot was great. The pool was fantastic -- my favorite of all the resorts. We loved sitting in the sand in the evening and watching the fireworks from Illuminations or walking/biking over to the Boardwalk for shopping or a late dessert. I think you would enjoy the BC a lot!

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

Thanks so much for your information, you convinced me!! I just switched our reservations to Beach Club Concierge..............I guess I need to change my name now to BeachGirl!!! Could you by chance give me any info on the Concierge rooms.......what floor? And what about a Balcony? I heard some rooms only had a standing space only. Is there a refrig in the rooms and do they stock it for you? and last but not least what about beer? Does the concierge only do wine and cordials? Any info would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks again for the reccomendation!!

 

[Eeyore1954]

BC Concierge is the 5th floor. As with most resorts, you have to insert your room key in a slot in the elevator, then press "5".

The BC is very spread out, so you may have a long walk from the elevator. The nice thing is the concierge staff are right at the elevator and the lounge is there also.

We were in a std. view room that had a balcony we could sit on. It had 2 chairs and a small table. It was not big, but do-able. Other rooms look out on the lagoon or pools. I believe all the 5th floor rooms have a balcony you can sit on.

No fridge in the room unless you request one at check-in and then it's $10/day. You stock it yourself. However, they do have some mini-bar type snacks in each room -- candy bars, cookies, chips, that type of thing. Those are restocked each day and your room is billed for what you eat. They also stock 4 refillable mugs in the room!

I think beer may be available in the lounge; I don't drink beer so I never asked.

The lounge offers b'fast, lunch and dinner, but not full meals. B'fast offered small muffins, Krispy Kreme donuts, juices, milk, coffee, tea, cereals, toast, etc.

We never did lunch there. PM snacks were cookies, lemonade, soft drinks, water, veggies, pretzels, chips and dip.

They do offer wine in the evening. I think you can ask for cordials, but I never saw them out on the counters.

We were able to use the lounge each morning for a filling b'fast which was great. We stopped by for snacks/drinks after returning from the park. One WONDERFUL thing -- if you ask for a bottle of water, they give you one honking big bottle. Alas, it is glass and not too easily carried to the park, but it was great to have in the room. It's Vittel brand -- much easier to handle than the stuff out of the tap.

Seating in the lounge was limited; but a lot of people grab food and then head back to the room. The staff always seemed on top of things -- cleaning up; restocking; checking the coffee or hot water for tea. They also seemed quite generous and very helpful.

The lounge also has a TV and VCR -- they are usually playing some Disney movie all the time. I finally got to watch Monsters, Inc.!

I hope this helps! I also hope you enjoy the BC concierge.

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

Thank you Steve you were a very big help!! I'm concerned because I just switched our reservations like I said, and understood at the Concierge at the Cr that all snacks were complimentary since you were on the concierge floor. And of course they had a refrig in the room that they would stock each day with what you preferred. So to know that any snack s you eat in the minibar in your room is charged to you, after you pay all that money for Concierge bothers me a little bit. What do you think? And I've heard a lot of complaints about the rooms being "worn" were the Concierge rooms "refurbished?"

Sorry about all the questions, just trying to make this a very special trip!!! And I guess felling a little unsure of myself.

Thanks again!!

 

[ga9497]

The concierge rooms at the BC are being refurbished and are almost done. You can ask for your mini bar to be emptied, then you can use it as a fridge. We have done it once

 

[Eeyore1954]

CG - we found we got plenty of snacks from the concierge lounge so we never touched the snacks in the room. I was a bit surprised to see the "Price List" in the snack box at BC, but I've seen that as very common in hotels I visit on business. Now I could be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time) about being charged for the snacks. I'm just assuming that's what they'd do if they put the price list there. Remember -- each resort is different.

My DW and I just loaded up from the stuff in the lounge. There was almost always something there. However you have 2 kids and they are always hungry. What I would do if I were you: give the BC a call and talk to one of the concierge staff. Ask them how they manage the snacks in each room. Are you charged or are they complimentary?

As for refurbished -- BC had not started on the 5th floor when we were there Nov. 2002. However, the room we had was clean and didn't appear in desperate need of refurbishing. Again, I'd call the BC and get an update on their schedule. Since you are 4 1/2 months out they may be done, but who knows for sure.

I can understand feeling unsure -- especially about going to a new resort. I feel like I've mislead you -- I'm sorry if I am causing pre-vacation worries!

Alternative: Yacht Club? Right next door; you can still use Stormalong Bay pool; all the rooms are now completely refurbished. They also have a concierge floor (although some people have reported that their staff seem less magical or Disney-ish).

I know how important Disney vacations are. Please do give the BC a call. I am sure they can provide more information than I've given and it may help you feel better.

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

Steve,

Thanks so much for all your info.........you did not mislead me at all. After not having been in five years, ..............and for that matter not having a vacation since, I just want everything to roll as smoothly as possible, and I appreciate your help so much!! I took your advice and called the BC today, requested a refurbished room with water view. There was no problems with any of the request. Thanks again for taking the time out, to help me with the "big Decsion!!"

Donna

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

Thanks for the tip on the refrig!! Good idea!

Donna