Just Back from the Beach Club

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi everyone. I just returned from the Beach Club Resort. We had a very nice stay.

Our room had two queen beds & a daybed, a "woods" view, and a standing room only balcony. We were on the third floor (non-smoking).

The resort looked to be in good shape, the room wasn't too bad either. It did show some wear (the table had chips taken off of it, and the one knob on the armoire was missing).

I went to Stormalong Bay one afternoon, and was a little disappointed. I guess I expected more. I prefer the slide at the GF, and, the courtyard pool, too.

No "updates" on when renovations will start - everyone was kinda clueless.

Will I stay at the Beach Club again? Yep, even though it wasn't quite the Grand Floridian, it is a very nice resort. I'd choose the Yacht Club over the Beach, it's just a little more my style.

 

[Misti]

Welcome home, Cali!

How was check-in at the Beach Club? The last few times, our room wasn't ready until 4PM. Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We got there around noon (after going from ASMu to AK to BC via bus), and there was a short line for check-in. They explained how our room wouldn't be ready until after 3PM, but we asked for something available then. We got right up to our room after that. We were way at the end of the hall (wow, those are long dark hallways!). Oh, and we could see IllumiNations fireworks from the balcony.

 

[Misti]

Great to see you got a room with a fireworks view!

 

[cindala]

Welcome back Cali!
Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to the BC. I agree with you though that I think the YC would be more your style!

Sorry to hear that you were a little disappointed in SAB though. Sometimes when something is so built up by others, the real thing turns out to be less than you expected.

Glad you had a safe trip. What was up with landing at the airport and the NTSB and the FAA?

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

Welcome back Cali, i am glad you had a nice time. I have never stayed at the BC but YC is my favorite, I wasn't impressed with just walking through the loby. LOL

 

[princess angel]

You insisted you would like the BC better, did I try to tell you the YC !!!

I'm glad you had a great time

Laura

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

cindala, it was a security issue. They sent us thru an international terminal and we went thru the customs area (had to pass thru security). Our local airport's security team did not do their job prior to our departure (no passengers randomly screened), and we "got the bad news" a few minutes before landing (the pilot came on and started out by saying "I've got some bad news - everyone needs to listen" ~ I actually expected him to say something worse, but, I felt like we were treated like criminals when we got to MCO).

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by princess angel
You insisted you would like the BC better, did I try to tell you the YC !!!

I'm glad you had a great time

Laura

LOL, Laura. My mom LOVED the colors at the Beach Club! And, I'm really glad we tried the resort. But, the Beach was available and the Yacht was not (I did check frequently, and it was sold out). Both resorts seemed very busy - the BC even more so (I think due to the BCV - the bus stops were mobbed in the mornings! I don't think we'll ever not rent a car again!).

 

[Minybear]

Welcome back Cali

I am glad to hear you had a nice stay at the BC. It kinda dissappoints me about the buses there and the long wait in the mornings. I guess its kinda hard from going from the GF to the BC. I know you and your family love the GF. So I can understand you being a little disappointed in the BC. I know you will definately love the YC if you and your family stay over there.

Do you have any photos?

Miny

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Miny, I really did enjoy the BC - it is a great hotel. And, I hope to have pictures up soon. A split stay between the YC/BC/BW and the GF would be perfect!

 

[rere]

Hola,


What room # did you have ? Did you request the room before you went ? Any construction still at BCV ?
Glad you had a good time.....I'll be there soon !

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

rere, I just sent you a PM.

BTW, everyone, I will put some BC photos up on Yahoo photos within the next couple days (hopefully they'll all be up bySaturday).




Let's see, looks like 625 days till Disney... (wow, that's a long time away!)

 

[3reds]

Can anyone tell me a little about the YC and the BC? We "wandered" through there looking for the bus stop on our way out of Epcot (a cast member suggested going out that way to catch the bus to Downtown Disney rather than returning to our resort at POR first).
They both looked absolutely beautiful at night! -- and with the boardwalk all lit up just across the water, I started thinking right then and there, "This is the place I want to be next time!" But from the outside they looked very similar -- and being right next door to each other, I was wondering what is the difference between them?

 

[Tess]

describe the hallways at BC as "long and dark".

When we stayed there the hallway from concierge to the next large common area gave the "Twilight Zone" feel as you walked. All four of us commented about it so it wasn't just a single perception.

It was something about those ceiling lights, the low level of light, and the lack of natural light along those lengthy, mazelike hallways.

We liked the resort location, enjoyed our stay, but like you--our kids didn't find Stormalong Bay all that terrific either. They both complained the slide hurt their backs and didn't like the long walk to get to it. Couple that with the walking time to get anywhere inside the resort--it's just not as convenient as our favorite resort, Polynesian. We've also stayed at GF and liked it--our kids just prefer the laid back feel of Polynesian. Our kids love the fact that Chef Dick remembers them year to year!

Glad you enjoyed your most recent visit.

 

[princess angel]

the BCV are probably why the bus was very busy, I have never seen the bus stops crowded at all, but my last time at the epcot resorts was May, before the BCV opened. I'm curious to see in November.
The BC lobby is always more "busy and loud" than the YC lobby, I'm sure its worse now with the villas

Did you take a peek around the BCV at all??? I only saw the model villa, and the villas them selves from outside, cause like I said they werent open yet last time I was there. But I'm so curious, cause we are buying more dvc points at BCV, I'll be staying there a lot!

Laura

 

[MJS]

Welcome back! I hope you had a great vacation! Did you happen by Periwigs (sp?) when you were there? I wanted to use some of there services in the spring, and I do not know if I need to call them directly or not before we arrive.

Sorry you did not like Stormalong Bay. We like it much better than the GF's pool. I am glad that Disney has a spot for all of us!

My favorite thing there is to grab a treat at Beaches n' Cream and sit in one of the white rockers on the porch overlooking the pool - very relaxing (and high calorie! )

Take care!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Yes, I did go inside the BCV. It is a beautiful resort. I have some pictures of the villas that I'll post (I have some of the studio and a master bedroom/bath).

And, I do think that BCV has caused the BC to be much busier. Everyone was talking about their "condos" at the BC. And, I did notice the YC lobby to be a lot quieter.

There was some construction around SAB, so I think one area might have been closed. It was perfectly fine, no problem with it. I guess I was expecting more due to all of the reports on the boards. I do like the quiet pool, it seems so calm, but I never did get a chance to go in it (I was saving it for Sunday afternoon, but it rained).

Never made it to B&C, as we opted to go to the YC Galley (which is one of our new favorite restaurants).

The YC/BC are large resorts, the hallways are very long. The lights in the hallways are dim, and they do have interior courtyard windows that let light in. We always used the single elevator, as it seemed like a quicker walk to use it (we went down past the gift shop from the lobby or just went in the doors by the quiet pool and up on it).

MJS, I sent you a PM.

I'm in the mood for another stay at the YC/BC.

 

[MJS]

Thanks for the message! I am glad that the post worked here.

I am agree about the YC Galley. That and the Trails End Buffet in FW are my two favorite "hidden gem" restaurants. You HAVE to go back and try B&C. I insist!

 

[MJS]

I also agree that when I left the YC, I was ready to go back immediately. I did not feel that way about the GF...