Beach Club Villas - My Thoughts

[CDNmouse]

Just home from a 5 night stay at a Beach Club Villa (2 bedroom - dedicated unit) and have a few thoughts that I would like to share.

The Beach Club is our home resort, we are newer DVC members having only used our membership for 3 other trips before this one. All of our other trips were studio rooms so this was a big jump and I was looking forward to the extra space which was going to be needed as we were bringing along my brother's family. In total there would be 8 of us in our villa.

Some thoughts about our villa:

Master bedroom with the kingsize bed was nice. Lots of room in that bedroom for my wife and I.

Ran the jacuzzi once, the thing was very loud ... are they all like this?

It would have been nice to have a toilet in the master bedroom instead of a shared one with the living room. If someone was in the shower, the washroom was out of commission. Also there were three doors leading to the shower / washroom and only one of them had a lock. Let's just say I didn't like the lay out of the shower / bath room. Are all 2 bedroom units like this?

Kitchen area was small. Really only room for one person at a time.

Dining table was really only good for 4 people at a time.

We were on the third floor, and balconies were very small. Two people out there, that's it and you had to dance around each other if you needed to come back inside.

We have a 2 bedroom timeshare in Naples FL. It has a big kitchen, full size dining table, and a huge lania to sit out on and enjoy.

Our Beach Club two bedroom unit was much smaller in comparison. Perhaps it was not really designed for 8 people in the unit as it seemed crowded at times.

I am not complaining, just making an observation. We still enjoyed our stay in our DVC.

Gary

 

[MissMet]

Just home from a 5 night stay at a Beach Club Villa (2 bedroom - dedicated unit) and have a few thoughts that I would like to share.

The Beach Club is our home resort, we are newer DVC members having only used our membership for 3 other trips before this one. All of our other trips were studio rooms so this was a big jump and I was looking forward to the extra space which was going to be needed as we were bringing along my brother's family. In total there would be 8 of us in our villa.

Some thoughts about our villa:

Master bedroom with the kingsize bed was nice. Lots of room in that bedroom for my wife and I.

Ran the jacuzzi once, the thing was very loud ... are they all like this?

It would have been nice to have a toilet in the master bedroom instead of a shared one with the living room. If someone was in the shower, the washroom was out of commission. Also there were three doors leading to the shower / washroom and only one of them had a lock. Let's just say I didn't like the lay out of the shower / bath room. Are all 2 bedroom units like this?

Kitchen area was small. Really only room for one person at a time.

Dining table was really only good for 4 people at a time.

We were on the third floor, and balconies were very small. Two people out there, that's it and you had to dance around each other if you needed to come back inside.

We have a 2 bedroom timeshare in Naples FL. It has a big kitchen, full size dining table, and a huge lania to sit out on and enjoy.

Our Beach Club two bedroom unit was much smaller in comparison. Perhaps it was not really designed for 8 people in the unit as it seemed crowded at times.

I am not complaining, just making an observation. We still enjoyed our stay in our DVC.

Gary

Yes, that's how the layout is for all the DVC properties, except OKW. Also, I think AKV (Kidani) & BLT may be bigger/different layout, but I have not stayed in those yet so I'm unsure.

I always hated how the layout was with the bathrooms, especially like you said, about the toilet being in the same room as the glass shower stall. Makes no sense.

 

[DVC Mike]

We still enjoyed our stay in our DVC.

Gary

Thanks for sharing. Glad you enjoyed your stay at BCV.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Perhaps it was not really designed for 8 people in the unit as it seemed crowded at times.

Gosh.... I think if I had 8 people STAYING IN MY HOUSE it would seem crowded until six of them left.

That's just me though. Glad you had a good time.

 

[Sammie]

The only DVC resort that I feel can handle 8 people is OKW.

 

[mrsswat]

OKW is what you want for space Even the balconies are huge compared to the other resorts. They have a full size table with 4 chairs out there - same thing in the dining area. Just so much bigger it's unbelievable.

 

[CDNmouse]

For the next while ... (Next March & next summer) it will be back to just 4 or at most 5 of us in our DVC villa.

8 in the two bedroom was just a little too crowded. Disney's DVC just don't seem to be as big as the other timeshares we have stayed in.

... when the time comes that it is just my wife and I going, staying in a studio will be just fine. Our kids are teenagers now and say they want to come along forver with us ... we will see how long that last.

Gary

 

[DebbieB]

AKV Kidani & BLT have an extra bathroom in the 1 & 2 bedrooms for the people in the living room.

 

[Cee]

For the next while ... (Next March & next summer) it will be back to just 4 or at most 5 of us in our DVC villa.

8 in the two bedroom was just a little too crowded. Disney's DVC just don't seem to be as big as the other timeshares we have stayed in.

... when the time comes that it is just my wife and I going, staying in a studio will be just fine. Our kids are teenagers now and say they want to come along forver with us ... we will see how long that last.

Gary

Gary, I hate to tell you this, but you will NEVER shake them! Our kids are 24, 26 and 28(see picture at left) and they will be with us next week at THV. The only difference is that now I make them "pony up" and contribute to the expenses. They whine a bit, but they know they would never afford a vacation like this on their own.

 

[Muushka]

The only DVC resort that I feel can handle 8 people is OKW.

I would even go so far as to say that the only DVC resort that can handle more than 2 is OKW.

As much as we love VWL and BCV after staying there (VWL) with 4 people in a 2 bedroom we decided if it is more than just the 2 of us, it's OKW.

At VWL, BCV there is plenty of room for privacy and sleeping in the 2 BR.
Cooking and dining and everyone out in the living room (well, it could handle 4 but certainly not 5 or more) is another story. Oye.

 

[eliza61]

The only DVC resort that I feel can handle 8 people is OKW.

OKW is what you want for space Even the balconies are huge compared to the other resorts. They have a full size table with 4 chairs out there - same thing in the dining area. Just so much bigger it's unbelievable.

Totally Agree. BCV's is my home resort. I like it but it's not my fave. AKL and OKW have the largest balconies.

Great observations. The one thing I love about our forum (yes, I think the dvc forums are the best, what can I say I'm biased) is that we can critique honestly without people saying we are "negative" or "complainers".

I actually loved the compact kitchens, I'm one of those cooks who wants the kitchen to herself when I'm cooking. So it's easy for me to kick everybody out.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The only DVC resort that I feel can handle 8 people is OKW.

Where I might add, you can actually have dinner out on the patio, it's truly lovely. I have my morning coffe there, in peace and quiet, before anyone else stirs!

OKW was the grand master of DVC and from it's success Disney figured out they could make more money if they made them smaller and packed in more people.

I like all of the DVC resorts including BCV but I agree with your observations, the balconies are somewhat useless, unless standing all in a row!

Thanks, for your report.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We also just returned from a 7 night stay at BCV with 6 people in a 2BR dedicated unit...we were on the 4th floor rm 453..facing a courtyard, epcot & the road...we had 2 small balconys off the master br and living room.....a window in the 2nd bedroom....we did see other units on other floors with larger balconys......the room we were in was perfect for us..between the main elevators & the elevator nearest the parking lot.....

we just used the kitchen for breakfast and snacks..so the size of the kitchen & table...was fine for us....but if you are planning on making a sitdown meal..some would have to eat at the table and others in the living room
had a wonderful time..weather was the best we have seen in our August trips...our "homes" are BWV & VWL....but we switched over to BCV at 7 months to be near my brother who had a 2br and a studio reserved there....he was on the 3rd floor....the studio had a huge pie shape balcony...overlooking the quiet pool and his 2br had a long balcony....

we enjoyed our trip...just had one issue with the room...the door to the closet that holds the pack & play, vacume etc would not open without shoving it very hard....we arrived on a Saturday...so it was fixed or replaced Monday while we were at the parks

since we spend most of our time at DS or Epcot either the BWV or BCV's work best for our family

 

[GoofItUp]

The balcony comments made me think of the first time I saw balconies facing the BW. I thought that those must be for show only. I didn't think they were big enough for people to actually stand on them....much less get any real use out of them! Who knew that those balconies were costing people a small fortune to stand on!!

 

[JennyE]

I totally agree that the three doors to the master bath is a terrible layout. We've stayed at our home resort (BCV) 4 times and it is the same problem each time. My kids (ages 2 and 3) run around and around slamming the doors shut over and over. They can also reach the faucet to the jacuzzi tub and turn it on and off - drives me crazy! All said, we LOVE BCV!!

 

[Tara]

It would have been nice to have a toilet in the master bedroom instead of a shared one with the living room. If someone was in the shower, the washroom was out of commission. Also there were three doors leading to the shower / washroom and only one of them had a lock. Let's just say I didn't like the lay out of the shower / bath room. Are all 2 bedroom units like this?

The BLT 2br units are laid out differently. There are THREE full bathrooms! The master bath is truly a master bath - it isn't shared with the 2nd bedroom or the living area bath.

 

[tksbaskets]

Gary, I hate to tell you this, but you will NEVER shake them! Our kids are 24, 26 and 28(see picture at left) and they will be with us next week at THV. The only difference is that now I make them "pony up" and contribute to the expenses. They whine a bit, but they know they would never afford a vacation like this on their own.

This post makes me VERY happy. Sending our twins off to college next year and feeling a bit blue (but excited for them). Nice to hear your children are still wanting to vacation with you as adults.

TK

 

[katmittens]

This post makes me VERY happy. Sending our twins off to college next year and feeling a bit blue (but excited for them). Nice to hear your children are still wanting to vacation with you as adults.

TK

We also have a DS age 25 and DD age 21(almost 22) and they still come with us. The four of us will be there in January. We have taken girlfriends and boyfriends with us on various trips also. DH and I are going for a few days by ourselves in October, and they really don't want to hear too much about our upcoming trip without them. We also will miss them, but know we'll have a great time with them in Jan.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Where I might add, you can actually have dinner out on the patio, it's truly lovely. I have my morning coffe there, in peace and quiet, before anyone else stirs!

OKW was the grand master of DVC and from it's success Disney figured out they could make more money if they made them smaller and packed in more people.

I like all of the DVC resorts including BCV but I agree with your observations, the balconies are somewhat useless, unless standing all in a row!

Thanks, for your report.

eating dinner on the balcony sounds perfect!! Can you do this in the 1 beds at OKW also??

The balcony comments made me think of the first time I saw balconies facing the BW. I thought that those must be for show only. I didn't think they were big enough for people to actually stand on them....much less get any real use out of them! Who knew that those balconies were costing people a small fortune to stand on!!

We are thinking of adding on at BWV purely for that Boardwalk view - are they just standing room only or do they all have chairs??

If there is a chance I will get a balcony with no chairs to sit out in the morning and evening then that will totally make up my mind NOT to buy there!!

Many thanks for any info!!

 

[tksbaskets]

We also have a DS age 25 and DD age 21(almost 22) and they still come with us. The four of us will be there in January. We have taken girlfriends and boyfriends with us on various trips also. DH and I are going for a few days by ourselves in October, and they really don't want to hear too much about our upcoming trip without them. We also will miss them, but know we'll have a great time with them in Jan.

MORE happy news We have a trip to DL planned for winter break. Hope many more after that!