Beach Club Resort vs. Villa Room

[mousehouse23]

Hi, all. My family has long dreamed of staying at the BC, and we're finally going to make the leap this summer. Because of the expense, we're just staying two nights: 7/17-7/19. I have a few questions before I make the reservation.

1) I'm an AP holder. Should I make the reservation now, and modify the room reservation with an AP discount later on, hoping that there will in fact be an AP discount? Or should I wait until the discounts are announced? I'm just nervous about missing out if I wait too long.

2) Are AP discounts typically available for the villas, or just for the resort rooms?

3) For those of you with BC experience, which would you prefer for a family of 4--the resort or the studio villa? I kind of like the pull down bed in the villa--I think my son would get a kick out of it. But I'm pretty open to others' opinions. We don't mind walking to Stormalong Bay and probably won't use the kitchenette while we're there. Price-wise, the two options are comparable.

4) Do all the villas come with full balconies?

Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

 

[disneyvoice]

For our trip last June I went ahead and booked the room at BC and then rebooked when the AP rates were released. I didn't have any problem doing this for June but for our October trip BC was completely booked (due to food and wine) so I never had an opportunity to rebook with a discount. If we are absolutely set on a specific resort we always book it ASAP and then hope there will be AP rates available later.

We have never stayed in one of the Villa rooms (honestly, I don't find any of the Villas appealing at any resort compared to the regular rooms - but I do think one bedroom suites are lovely). Part of the reason I don't care for the studios is that we don't ever use the kitchenette so I would rather not have room wasted on it. For a family of 4 though I would probably be more comfortable having an extra bed. I think some of the regular room have a sleeper sofa (I'm pretty sure we had one when we went in June but we didn't have one in October) - but they are not guaranteed. If the Villas guarantee a pull down bed then I would probably lean toward the Villa.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We are a family of 3 and I really love the BC villas. I find the villa building to be quieter than the resort building and I loved the quick walk to Marketplace, the path to EP and the bus stop. We had a first floor room, so had a lovely patio. If memory serves all BC villas have a patio or balcony though they vary in size. I also love having a 10-cup coffee pot, LOL!

 

[mousehouse23]

Thank you both so much for your input!

I'm definitely leaning towards booking the villa, but I'm wondering if it's as likely to get an AP discount down the line.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thank you both so much for your input!

I'm definitely leaning towards booking the villa, but I'm wondering if it's as likely to get an AP discount down the line.

I would definitely prefer a BC resort room to a BCV studio. Many of the resort rooms come with a daybed, which is larger and more comfortable than the smaller Murphy bed in a studio. Resort rooms will have two queen beds while the studio will have one queen and a sofa bed. The studios are narrower than a regular resort room. Once the sofa bed is opened there is a lot less space in the room.

We have gotten an AP discount many times for a BC room, but I've never seen one for the BCV, although it is possible one could turn up.

 

[mousehouse23]

I would definitely prefer a BC resort room to a BCV studio. Many of the resort rooms come with a daybed, which is larger and more comfortable than the smaller Murphy bed in a studio. Resort rooms will have two queen beds while the studio will have one queen and a sofa bed. The studios are narrower than a regular resort room. Once the sofa bed is opened there is a lot less space in the room.

We have gotten an AP discount many times for a BC room, but I've never seen one for the BCV, although it is possible one could turn up.

Really good to know. Thank you, Sue.

 

[shakes]

I'd book now then see what pops up. I'm actually heading next week. Due to changing plans, the first night will be a normal BC room, then rest of stay will be BCV studio. I booked with an AP discount rate on both. I never did normal BC room but loved the BCV, so I'm curious what we will make of it. Our bcv room in May was at the tip of the cats tail but we didn't find the walk bad at all to SAB. Not sure if you are driving or not but the location was nice since it was close to the parking lot to grab stuff out of the car.

 

[terri33inne]

Hi, all. My family has long dreamed of staying at the BC, and we're finally going to make the leap this summer. Because of the expense, we're just staying two nights: 7/17-7/19. I have a few questions before I make the reservation.

1) I'm an AP holder. Should I make the reservation now, and modify the room reservation with an AP discount later on, hoping that there will in fact be an AP discount? Or should I wait until the discounts are announced? I'm just nervous about missing out if I wait too long.

2) Are AP discounts typically available for the villas, or just for the resort rooms?

3) For those of you with BC experience, which would you prefer for a family of 4--the resort or the studio villa? I kind of like the pull down bed in the villa--I think my son would get a kick out of it. But I'm pretty open to others' opinions. We don't mind walking to Stormalong Bay and probably won't use the kitchenette while we're there. Price-wise, the two options are comparable.

4) Do all the villas come with full balconies?

Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

1) YES! I have missed out on a dream room/resort before because I didn't book when the room was available. If rack rate is in your budget, then book now so you don't loose out on the room.

2) YES... I have used an AP discount before for villa rooms.

3) Hmmm... not sure... we've stayed both (just 2 of us), and I prefer the studio... I like having the kitchenette we make microwave popcorn, and have movie nights in our room. However, this was for 8 or 9 night stays... for 2 nights the kitchenette would not be important for me. Also the villa side rooms are furthest from the main pool if that is important to you. I think it's really a toss up, and for 2 nights I would go with whatever is cheaper. My brother stayed as a family of 5 (2 adults 3 teenagers) in a regular room, and they had no problems.

4) I'm not sure. Ours did, but if you look at room view pictures on touringplans it looks like some have very small ones, particularly on the 3rd floor.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[spiceycat]

think the murphy bed is under the tv - pretty sure the studios still have a double sleeper sofa as well. - that say stayed in a room at BC once and it only had one queen bed - the sofa was a love seat not great for sleeping - but mother loved it and refused to change -

 

[mousehouse23]

You guys are the best! Thanks so much for the good advice.

I just booked a BCV studio. My son seems really set on sleeping on the pull-down bed for some reason! And knowing I could still get an AP discount on the villa sealed the deal.

I can't wait!! My daughter's over the moon about SAB.