I'm actually a little bit torn on where to stay at WDW. We've rented points the last couple of years and have stayed at BC and BW. BW was definitely bigger since the studio has a day bed and there are 5 of us. Do any of the BC villas have day beds?
Which would you recommend for a family of 5 with a 8, 7 and 5 year old? We think we are only going to stay 2 nights and then stay at a Port Canaveral (sp) the night before cruise.
The pool at BW is much easier to watch the kids in one place, but BC pool is just so unique!
Any insight would be much appreciated!
We haven't stayed at the Beach Club Villas, only the regular hotel rooms there so I can't answer that question for you from first hand experience but i just checked my 2008/9 DVC Vacation planner and it seems like the BC Studi does have the same setup as BW; a queen size bed and a sofa that opens up into a double bed. Both rooms show on the diagram as sleeping 4 but I guess you could squeeze a 5th on a cot or sleeping bag. On the diagram it seems like the BC studio is larger but I don't know if it is drawn to scale.
When we stay at the BW villas we usually get a one bedroom which has a different setup (King size bed, jacuuzi tub in the master br, and a queen size sleeper sofa in the living room) or if we are with extended family or friends the 2 bedroom which is just the one bedroom with the attached studio. We like the full kitchen and the extra table for breakfast.
The advantages of the BW for us is that we can book it further in advance since it is our "home" resort, the bakery is right outside (great for getting muffins, rolls etc for breakfast), pizza is right there, and you have your choice of Spoodles, Flying Fish, ESPN, Big River Grill and Brewing Works for meals as well as hotdogs,corn dogs cotton candy etc from the vendors. The eateries at BC/YC never did much for me since they closed Ariel's. We didn't care for the food at Yacht Club eateries; The Yachtsman steakhouse or the Yacht Club Galley. We like the BW pool, although there is nothing like the BeachClub pool. The BW pool has a clown slide which would be fine for kids your age if it's warm enough to swim. If they don't like clowns then I'd avoid it. There is a lot of great entertainment on the Boardwalk: mimes, magicians, face painting, etc.
BC does have a great ice cream place in Beaches and Cream and the food is good but hard to find a place to sit and the lines can get very long.
BW has the surrey bike rental pick up and drop off.
The BC Villas are towards the end of the Yacht Club/ Beach Club/ beach Club Villas/ complex so it is probably a little further walk to EPCOT then from BW.
BC is closer to the Swan and Dolphin if you plan to visit there. Both resorts have the ferry which takes you to Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM studios). BC is a shorter ride as BW is always the first stop going there and the last stop coming back.
Since we are talking about February I'd probably rather go to BW as it may not be warm enough to swim and for me, the pool is the main reason to pick the BC over the BW.
That all said, I am sure you will have a great time at either hotel.
I'll be sailing with my DH, 8 DS, 7 DD and 5 DS, plus my parents, brother, his wife and their 4 year old son.
