freaking about BC

[maxsmomamy]

Hi all. New here-so give me a sec to figure it all out! Anyhow, I booked Beach Club for our family of 5 for Nov/Dec vacation. I'm a little freaked because I've read so many bad reviews of BC the last few weeks. I need some input- should we stay or should I change the reservation? I know it has a great pool, but honestly- I don't care about the pool! I've heard the rooms are looking very run down and the service is poor. We stayed in AK last time (2004) and loved it! Unfortunatly, they are no longer taking reservations for our size family.
Thanks for any help!!!!!

 

[daneenm]

Have not stayed at BC, but just have one word of warning since you said you were new to the boards. In my experience, for every person who voices a dislike about a hotel at WDW, you will find two who love it. In recent weeks, I have seen rave reviews of BC in some discussions. So, just keep that in mind as you read.

I was very worried about our trip to YC last August because I had also read comments from people that were less than stellar. Turns out we LOVED it and would go back again in a flash if we had the opportunity.

--Daneen

 

[DiznEeyore]

We had a wonderful experience at BC last May. We asked for (at check-in) and received a full (not standing-room-only) balcony, and had a nice view of a walkway and trees (we had booked a standard view).

We're not big "pool people", but we loved Stormalong Bay so much that we made sure to have pool time each afternoon. The slide is FUN -- even for teens and adults!

We found the staff to be very accommodating, and the other guests were some of the nicest we've ever met in all our WDW stays. We loved Beaches & Cream and Cape May Cafe for breakfast, too.

The only thing that would've made us love it more is if the rooms were a little bigger (like the Poly) and if there was a better quick service food location nearby. The Marketplace had everything pre-made as far as sandwiches and there was a lot we couldn't eat.

Housekeeping was a little spotty, but still okay.

We really enjoyed our stay there and wouldn't hesitate to go back again -- I hope your family has a great time, too!

 

[Atchley]

I would love to stay at BC. Unfortunately $$$ does not allow. We are just as excited to go to WL. I say give it a try. Stormalong Bay is worth it by itself.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the BC!!! The atmosphere is relaxing, the grounds are beautiful, the pool is awesome, and the walk to Epcot can't be beat! Go & try it for yourself. I gave up staying at the BC last year to try the Poly, which is a DISboards darling. We thought it was just OK. It seemed so loud and crowded compared to the BC. In fact, we went over to the BC to eat at Beaches & Cream that trip. When we stepped out onto the BC grounds, DH said, "Now THIS feels like home!"

Everyone on these boards has an opinion on resorts, restaurants, rides, etc... While I appreciate these reviews, I take them with a grain of salt. My tastes may be completely different from the reviewers.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I gave up staying at the BC last year to try the Poly, which is a DISboards darling. We thought it was just OK. It seemed so loud and crowded compared to the BC. In fact, we went over to the BC to eat at Beaches & Cream that trip. When we stepped out onto the BC grounds, DH said, "Now THIS feels like home!"

Everyone on these boards has an opinion on resorts, restaurants, rides, etc... While I appreciate these reviews, I take them with a grain of salt. My tastes may be completely different from the reviewers.

So very true!!

It's funny ... we felt the exact opposite re: the BC/Poly thing -- we found the BC lobby to be a *zoo* everytime we were in there, LOL!! The Poly was so much quieter to us when we switched for the 2nd half of our trip. Just goes to show how everyone's perception is so very different!

 

[maxsmomamy]

I would love to stay at BC. Unfortunately $$$ does not allow. We are just as excited to go to WL. I say give it a try. Stormalong Bay is worth it by itself.

Wildrness Lodge is my "dream" resort- we just have too many kids (according to WD) to stay there! My DH has promised to take me there in 15 years for our 25th anniversary!
Any opinions on Grand Floridian?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

While I haven't stayed at the BC I have enjoyed their restaurants several times. I've found the CMs there to be very nice and accomodating. Please note that any resort 'reviews' should be taken with a grain of salt. Relax and enjoy your selection of one of WDW's resorts!

 

[greenpea89]

With reference to your question about the GF, we stayed at all of the monorail resorts in January and felt that the GF's rooms and public areas felt the most recently renovated. Our room felt almost "brand new" it even had that new house smell! It was beautiful, comfortable, and relaxing while offering tons of things for our smallest (4y) one to do when we weren't at the parks. We aren't big pool people so a pool, no matter how spectacular, isn't a factor for us. We haven't stayed at the Beach Club but we will be at the Yacht Club in July/August just to experience something new. I'm sure you will like the Beach Club but if a newly renovated room is important to you then I would suggest you choose one of the resorts with recently updated rooms. Any of the monorail resorts would fit the bill with, IMO, the newest feeling rooms at the GF. Have fun!!

 

[RachelTori]

Hi all. New here-so give me a sec to figure it all out! Anyhow, I booked Beach Club for our family of 5 for Nov/Dec vacation. I'm a little freaked because I've read so many bad reviews of BC the last few weeks. I need some input- should we stay or should I change the reservation? I know it has a great pool, but honestly- I don't care about the pool! I've heard the rooms are looking very run down and the service is poor. We stayed in AK last time (2004) and loved it! Unfortunatly, they are no longer taking reservations for our size family.
Thanks for any help!!!!!

The rooms are fine; the service is just as good at BC as any other WDW resort. The location is wonderful. They have fun activities in the lobby for the kids; pool activities; movies on the beach; and best of all, BC has Art the Greeter! What other concerns do you have?

 

[maxsmomamy]

I'm sure you will like the Beach Club but if a newly renovated room is important to you then I would suggest you choose one of the resorts with recently updated rooms. Any of the monorail resorts would fit the bill with, IMO, the newest feeling rooms at the GF. Have fun!!

Sorry- what' IMO?

 

[maxsmomamy]

oh-duh- never mind.....

 

[maxsmomamy]

I think I feel a bit stuck with the choice- never was it on my list of desired resorts- but according to reservations, it's one of the only choices I have for our dates. (We are going Nov 28- Dec 4th) We spent two weeks in New England last summer and spent so much time at the beach- no matter how wonderful everyone says the pool is, its not a selling point for us- we are over the beach scene. I think it's probably going to be too cool to swim then anyhow. Having a family of 5, we have to do a delux resort- though the idea I've seen about staying at a value resort with 2 rooms is interesting- but I feel backed into a wall about BC. It was their choice- not mine. Anyhow, if we must spend the $,then I want to feel good about the resort- just not warm fuzzies yet.

 

[vbarry]

Did you think about changing to YC. You know you will have a full balcony at the YC (unlike BC). Someone may be able to chime in about the room conditions.

We are trying the GF for X-mas this year for 1/2 of our trip. I hear it is beautiful at X-mas!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I'd love to stay at the BC...but it's not in our budget right now.

I agreee with the poster that warned you about taking others' opinions too much to heart. Yes, there are people that have had a bad experience at each and every WDW resort. There are also many, many more who've had a great experience at the same resort. You're just more likely to hear the bad reviews on these boards. Happy people are happy, unsatisfied people want to be heard.

FWIW, I'd pick the BC over the GF anytime! The GF is beautiful, but I wouldn't want to stay there. It seems too formal and stuffy for me! I'm sure it's not, we've been there for dinner and everyone was nice and friendly, but it just doesn't seem for us. The BC area is so neat, you can walk around the Boardwalk and watch the performers, and WALKING to Epcot would be wonderful!!!

 

[RachelTori]

I think I feel a bit stuck with the choice- never was it on my list of desired resorts- but according to reservations, it's one of the only choices I have for our dates. (We are going Nov 28- Dec 4th) We spent two weeks in New England last summer and spent so much time at the beach- no matter how wonderful everyone says the pool is, its not a selling point for us- we are over the beach scene. I think it's probably going to be too cool to swim then anyhow. Having a family of 5, we have to do a delux resort- though the idea I've seen about staying at a value resort with 2 rooms is interesting- but I feel backed into a wall about BC. It was their choice- not mine. Anyhow, if we must spend the $,then I want to feel good about the resort- just not warm fuzzies yet.

I'm surprised there isn't much available for your dates. It's your vacation and you need to feel good about the resort -- it's pretty obvious that you don't. Have you talked to a TA who might be able to get you into a resort you'll be excited about? Don't get discouraged and don't give up hope.

 

[Kristybell]

BC was our first on-site stay, and I have to admit I wasn't thrilled with it. But that was our experience. There's just three of us and we found that we were more comfortable in a smaller resort. As someone else said, for every bad review you read, there will be another great one.

I was in your place last year this time. Despite our so-so feelings about BC, we really wanted to go back but it was booked. Our TA suggested Wilderness Lodge and I remember stressing over whether we'd like it as much. Turns out we LOVED it and are heading back in less than three months.

The BC has a lot to offer and is a truly beautiful resort. Keep an open mind and give it a try.

 

[neyankeefan]

Don't worry. We've stayed at BC a few times and have always enjoyed the stay. My guess is the bad reviews are coming from pretentious, selfish individuals who can't stand to be around kids, and think that they should be treated better than everybody else. I've seen them in action.

 

[MickeyNicki]

The one and only thing I dont like about the BC is the noise level...it is always utter chaos over there...we prefer the YC, much quieter.

 

[robinb]

Welcome to the DIS!!!
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Every resort has bad things said about it, so I wouldn't worry about that. If the Beach Club is where you want to stay, then stay there!