To start off, thanks again to everyone for their assistance in this thread as we planned our trip.
I wanted to follow up with some quick thoughts on our experience at the Beach Club from S, 8/27 to S, 9/3. Overall, we had a really great time with some minor negatives as to be expected for any trip.
Our family had three rooms and were all located near each other on the third floor. My wife, 2.5 year old son and I had 3726, which was literally the last room in the resort. It had a king bed and a ton of room being much larger than other standard rooms (see
http://www.disboards.com/threads/beach-club-room-views.3057904/page-4#post-52539246 for someone else's photos of the room). The extra room came in quite handy being we had the little man with us. I noted to my wife how quiet things were in the room. You could hear others while in the hallway, but never when in your room with the door closed. The bed was just fantastic and I loved the decor. Really great. No views at all and I'd have loved to have a "real" balcony to sit out on, but the extra room was a tradeoff we'd make again in a heartbeat.
Check-in was a bit rough compared to when we checked into AKL back in early 2015. That was our only other experience with a deluxe resort and we found the front desk crew to be much more welcoming. In fact, the check-in when we stayed at Coronado was much better, as well. Granted, three separate parties were checking in separately, but how one or two of the cast members addressed the situation was a bit surprising. Nothing mindblowing at all, just not what I'd expect from Disney. Future interaction with the front desk was totally great, as was interaction with our housekeeper who was also great. I'll blame it on a bad egg or two.
We did laundry while at the resort and the placement of the laundry rooms was pretty terrible for us. The two rooms in BC are located on the literal other end of the resort than we were one, with one being located in the hotel proper and the other in a separate building by the pool nearest to Epcot. Being our room was the last room on the opposite end of the resort, this made the walk to the laundry rooms pretty annoying. I wish there could have been at least one more centrally located. That said, at least there were facilities! Many fewer washers and dryers than I recall being in AKL last year, too. Why didn't they have these things accept MagicBands for payment? But I'll take credit over cash anyday!
The bus service throughout the week was pretty disappointing. Not sure I could ever say this was a negative of this or any resort more so than just bad luck, but we had some pretty awful waits, mostly while at the hotel waiting to go to a park. A couple times we ended up taking the Boardwalk bus back and walking back to BC after waiting quite some time at a park.
Not sure it's been said here, but on our second to last day there, the YC bus service was relocated back to their original stops. We actually walked to the YC temporary stop a few times during long waits so my wife would be guaranteed a seat with the little man on her lap or in her arms for the trip to the park. Side note: I know not everyone is able, but if you're a guy who is able and with no kid (or kids) on your lap or in your arms and there are little kids standing (nevermind women), give up your damn seat.
We ate at Cape May twice: once for dinner (done it previously) and another for breakfast (our first time). I got pretty sick after dinner, but pretty sure that was a result of overeating because no one else with me got sick and I've eaten there previously with no issues. I did notice the hallways (and I assume rooms...yuck!) nearest the restaurant smelled like seafood from early PM to closing which I remember reading here. Luckily we weren't located near there, but that wasn't ideal. I wasn't impressed with the variety at breakfast and everything seemed a bit stale (especially when compared to our outstanding breakfast at the Crystal Palace), but it was nice having a character meal in our hotel. I wouldn't do the breakfast again personally.
The secret door to Epcot was outstanding and we used it often. It was our first time being within walking distance of any park and it was really, really great. The walk to Hollywood Studios was shady and really great, as well. Not sure how much time you'd really be saving, but it was annoying to have to walk around the front of World Showcase as opposed to the back when heading to Norway at rope drop. I also noticed the front gate crew had a huge advantage over us at the resort gate, so I don't think the entrance times were properly synced. Side note: we absolutely loved the Frozen ride.
Sadly, we never once used the pool because every chance we had, the little man was napping. That said, I greatly enjoyed napping at the same time he did, but would have loved to try out the pool. Just by walking around and surveying the scene, everything looked really great.
I do wish the resort had a true quick service location like many others do, but what they had was better than nothing.
In short, it wasn't my favorite resort, but we had a tremendous time and absolutely would stay there again. We already miss the place!
Thanks for reading.