Beach Club with a one year old?

[leighe]

This is waaaay early but DH and I are trying to get a tentative budget together. We are planning our next trip for my spring break in 2007. I know it will be super crowded but DH is a huge Braves fan so he definitely wants to go during spring training. At that point the baby will be about 14 months old. The MK resorts seem to be the most convienent to me, especially with a baby in a stroller, but DH just loves the Beach Club - he loves the resort itself plus the location. He wasn't super impressed with the Poly and I've tried to talk him into CR or the GF but so far he's not that interested. His point of view is that at that age Lily is just going to love the color and movement anyway so she'll be just as happy at Epcot (our favorite park) as Magic Kingdom. He's also convinced she'll love SAB pool. I keep trying to tell him that at that age a semi-deep puddle will keep her entertained just as well. Another concern I have about the Beach Club is that there isn't really a food court. That seems like it would be more important with a baby, but maybe not? We are also going to be taking my sister and her fiance with us as an early wedding gift and I do think the location of the Epcot resorts would be nice for them with all the dining and entertainment options.

Any suggestions or tips? I've just always assumed that once we had kids it would be MK resorts for us until they were older.

 

[wdwlver]

I just stayed at the YC with my 7 month old and she loved SAB, sitting on the sands. We took some amazing pictures there. We'll be at BCV next summer when she'll be about 17 months old....it's a great choice and I'm sure you will LOVE IT there!!!

 

[TandCmum]

BC sounds perfect with a young child. You can do MK etc during the day and then on an evening she can sleep in her stroller whilst you enjoy the evening at epcot (our fave park too) and you don't have to wake her to get back on the bus you can walk right back to your room. SAB does look fab for the little ones, she will love the sand. We went to Cape may cafe for breakfast and fell in love with the resort and i hope we get to stay there someday

 

[DisneyKidds]

As far as convenience to parks, Beach Club is better than any of the MK resorts. Of course the key for you is which parks are you going to spend the most time in. If the majority of your time will be in the MK, then a MK resort is by far the most convenient. Epcot and the Studios........go with the BC.

For a one year old there is definitely more to do at the MK. For mom and dad there is definitely more to do at Epcot and the Studios. Either way everyone will be happy. So, if the focus of the trip is watching your one year old marvel at the sights and sounds of It's a Small World, go with the MK resort. If the focus of your trip will be mom and dad enjoying a wonderful meal at Le Cellier while said one year old slumbers in a stroller, go with the Beach Club.

We stay at the BC often, and it's a great resort with young children. Being able to walk back you your room from Epcot or take the boat from the Studios without disturbing sleeping children is great and the pool is wonderful for small kids. The character breakfast at Cape May Cafe (along with those creme filled Krispie Kremes - best donut on the planet) is great. Beaches and Cream is a lot of fun. Access to the Boardwalk is great. There a lot to like.

 

[spiceycat]

if you are going for the Braves spring training - why even stay in a deluxe?

I would go with Pop Century - it is the closest hotel to WWoS.

now if you are also planning on during the parks - then stick with BC.

but if you main thing is WWoS - why?

 

[elf]

We've always stayed in the Epcot area. I always thought that area was better with babies. As others have mentioned we would go to MK or other parks during the day. Come back rest, shower whatever then go out with stroller to Boardwalk, Epcot or MGM. You could go to any of those places without baby getting in and out of stroller. By that time of evening dd and any other baby we went with was more than content to just go along for the ride, then evenually drift off to sleep.
One thing we loved to do was have drinks or a late dinner outdoors by the boardwalk, or in Mexico while dd napped in stroller.
You have much more choices for the evening without getting baby in and out of bus or car.
The little beach/pool of SAB area is so perfect for that age because she can play with sand and shovel at edge of water keeping herself busy.

 

[spiceycat]

forgot this year BC added to their gift shop.

not a food court - more a snack place - but since it is a DVC resort too - it will definitely have groceries for the little one.

 

[leighe]

Thanks for all the replies. We have stayed at the Beach Club before and loved it - the Epcot area is our favorite. Lily, my sister, and I probably won't be going to the Braves games - we'll leave that to DS's fiance and DH so I'm not too worried about getting on the buses to WWOS. I hope I'm able to get some cute pool pictures! Wow! I can't believe that the next time we're at WDW we'll have a one year old!

 

[iliketoby]

The Beach Club is my favorite hotel. Was not impressed with Poly, do not like CR at all, so I'm kinda on board with your husband there. Never slept at GF, never had the desire. Heard the BC put in a little quickie food place, but haven't seen it yet. Someone will know.

However, I like the idea of a monorail resort, especially with a stroller and all the baby stuff. MK is by far the biggest pain in the rear to get to.

I'm sure the baby will be happy either way.

As far as the relatives go, there isn't any faster way to World Showcase than the BC, I don't think. But if you're at a monorail resort they can still get there AND to MK, which opens the options up, even if it makes them farther away.

I was no help. Picking a side: monorail resort.

 

[liltoot]

Just got back from BC and loved having the marketplace in with the gift shop. You can get several breakfast items and sandwiches, fruit, cereal, yogurt parfaits,salads, super desserts. We want to take our grandsons there for their first trip to Disney. Your baby would probably like seeing all the fish at Living Seas and the colors on the ride at Journey into Imagination. Also, after the ride there is an area where the baby can step on squares on the floor and they make different noises. I've been home two days and I already want to go back!

 

[mcgrawfan]

We just returned from a stay at Saratoga Springs with a 1 year old. It was so nice having the kitchen and laundry right in the room. Have you thought about a villa at the Beach Club? Those rooms would have the kitchen and laundry in them. We also had a dishwasher in the kitchen to wash sippy cups. Our DD turned 1 on our trip so PM me if you have any other questions about taking a 1 year old.

 

[Melrosgirl]

We stayed at Poly earlier this year when ds was just six months old. We weren't impressed with the Poly. Went back "home" to Beach Club in October when ds was one year old.

The pool at Beach Club wins us over each time. Plus it's so convenient to Epcot (my favorite park). At one year old, the kids can splash in the kid pool, build sandcastles (or eat the sand!).