NOT impressed with the Beach Club! Just back...

[jdb1232]

Your post is why we do a split stay. We love the beach club except for two reasons: the bus device and the lack of a quality quick service rest. That being said, we are heading for our second split stay, 3 nights at the vwl and three at the beach club. We do mk, the water parks and ak while at the vwl, epcot and hs at the beach club. The bus service is the biggest downfall of the resort.

 

[jnfr2424]

Your post is why we do a split stay. We love the beach club except for two reasons: the bus device and the lack of a quality quick service rest. That being said, we are heading for our second split stay, 3 nights at the vwl and three at the beach club. We do mk, the water parks and ak while at the vwl, epcot and hs at the beach club. The bus service is the biggest downfall of the resort.

Exactly! We also do split stays and rent a car. We've vacationed too many times to count and we know what works and what does not. Last year we took the bus from MK after MNSSHP and it took an hour to get back to BC it was like they took a scenic route purposely. I vowed never again! We used to take the bus to DTD especially when Pleasure Island was around but now even though it's an added expense I'd rather drive. Disney can toot that transportation stuff to first timers but I'm too experienced to know better.

 

[polyqueen]

We returned from a split stay GF/BC a few weeks ago. Both stays were club level; our GF (Sugarloaf) experience was excellent in every way. Our BC experience--the 4th in the last 12 months--was only okay. From the offerings in the lounge and the "worn quality" of the room to the lackluster attitude of the staff, it certainly was not a deluxe experience--even a Disney deluxe. We found it annoying that there was a non-stop water volleyball game in SAB that sometimes got a little out of hand and that one of the BC's treasuress, Raouf, was relegated to run the activities in the kiddie pool. It will be a while before we go back.

 

[AndyFL]

We went over to Beaches and Cream this past Sunday night around 6:15 pm fully expecting to hear 90 minutes. To our surprise, he said, "About 5 minutes...wait! A table just opened. We can seat you now!" We were very pleasantly surprised. There were lots of people waiting when we left though. Maybe we timed it just right?

Don't you love it when stuff like that happens! When we went this past Feb there were alot of times that the bus we needed pulled up literally right after we got to the bus stop, same thing when we would take the monorail.....everything just clicked perfectly. I mentioned to my Wife that we could have just as easily gotten to the bus stops right AFTER our bus had pulled off each time. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.

 

[shburks]

Don't you love it when stuff like that happens! When we went this past Feb there were alot of times that the bus we needed pulled up literally right after we got to the bus stop, same thing when we would take the monorail.....everything just clicked perfectly. I mentioned to my Wife that we could have just as easily gotten to the bus stops right AFTER our bus had pulled off each time. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.

Yes, you're right! We had planned to explore Boardwalk area after our "dinner" (No Way Jose!) but nasty thunderstorms detoured us back to our resort so I was happy to have had a little pixie dust that night!

 

[DisneyLover75]

Beaches and Cream doesn't take the DDP, right?

 

[njmom76]

We stayed at BC last year and the only bus we shared with more than the YC was for DTD. MK and AK were both YC/BC only. We did the deluxe dining plan, so QS wasn't an issue for us, but would definitely agree...I would most likely walk over to Epcot/BW for food!!! As for the room issues and staff, we ended up with a water leak in our standard view room and were moved without hesitation to a water view room overlooking the lake in a great location. The staff was very good about accommodating us and was more than helpful and apologetic for us needing to move.

 

[TDC Nala]

Beaches and Cream doesn't take the DDP, right?

yes it does. Counts as a 1 table service restaurant.

 

[mommyrosa2]

OP...sorry you were disappointed with your stay...
We just returned Monday night from a 10-day stay at the BC, we were there from the 11th-20th and have to say it was another great stay for us. Buses are an issue but not just there, we saw lots of bus issues at each resort we ever stayed at, this is the main reason, we prefer to rent a vehicle and always do when we vacation in Disney. As for the bees, perhaps I was just oblivious, but we were at SAB every single day with the exception of one day b/c of the weather and we visited HH each time whether it was for food or drinks and we honestly never encountered a bee problem. We were also visited frequently by a server while sitting on our lounge chairs...not sure what time of day you encountered an issue, but we were usually poolside from about 1:00-4:00. As for Beaches & Cream, I agree this place is small and there is always crazy wait times but on this trip, my kids really wanted to order the kitchen sink so we walked up one day after pool time & were told it was going to be a 40 min. wait. As I looked in, I could see a few people finishing up, along with an empty table, so we decided to wait. We were in there within 20 min. Now, if there's one thing I definitely agree on, is the Marketplace - this is way too small for a resort this size and the food offerings are terrible...JMHO. However, we knew this by doing some research last year before our stay there, so we never ate at the Marketplace and worked around other QS restaurants in the parks or other resorts (an easy thing to do for us b/c we do have a car). Again, I'm sorry you didn't quite enjoy your stay there but honestly, I haven't found one resort on Disney property to score all "A's" across the board - they all lack something or other.

 

[mommyrosa2]

For anyone curious just how long of a walk it is from the BC to HS.... I timed myself one night last week. My oldest DD and I were at HS for EMH at night and didn't want to wait for the boat so we decided to walk. It took me exactly 15 min from HS to the Boardwalk and another 10 min from that point to my room. I didn't think it was bad at all and we were not sprinting. It was actually a pleasant walk

 

[Masonmj84]

Your post is why we do a split stay. We love the beach club except for two reasons: the bus device and the lack of a quality quick service rest. That being said, we are heading for our second split stay, 3 nights at the vwl and three at the beach club. We do mk, the water parks and ak while at the vwl, epcot and hs at the beach club. The bus service is the biggest downfall of the resort.

If I were to stay at the BC (or any EP resort) the only way I'd do it is as part of a split stay (probably with a MK resort) becaue of the bus issues.

I'd make sure to do all of my MK days while staying at the other resort. I'd also probably start one EP day from that resort (because I somewhat prefer going into EP from FW and not IG). That same day, I'd transfer to the EP resort (check in mid-afternoon).

I'd then go to HS, AK, and EP (subsequent time) from the EP resort. This would leave only AK as a day for relying on buses (but I'd have to rely on them from the other resort anyway and I can't imagine that the buses at EP resorts are THAT much worse to AK than buses from MK resorts - the MK resorts are farther - plus, we rarely stay at AK later than about 1 pm anyway, so we're not in a huge rush to get back).

To me, the main appeal of the EP resorts is the access to all of the dining options as well as being able to walk (or boat) to two parks (and, in particular, being able to walk back to our room after Illuminations instead of dealing with the madness with the EP busses/Monorail).

BC/YC also have the added attraction of SAB.

The lack of CS options isn't a big deal to us because we mostly eat TS.

So for us, the biggest negative is the busses (especially given the price you're paying). To mitigate this problem, we would MUCH prefer to do a split stay than rent a car.

 

[fla4fun]

I stay in the Epcot resorts area multiple times every year, and I haven't had any issues with the buses yet. Yes, two or three resorts share a bus, and during the slower times, they may all five share, but when I've stayed in the MK resort area, those deluxes share too, so it just seems normal to me for the buses to be shared.

I think the longest wait I've ever had at Beaches and Cream was 30 minutes. But I don't travel to WDW during the peak summer and holiday periods, so I can see where waits might be longer during those times.

I do agree that the Marketplace just doesn't fit the bill for a QS location. But I think they have more options there than at YC or BW/BWV (both of which seem to have little in the way of QS dining). But I think the whole point of staying in the Epcot resorts area (at least for me) is that I can pop into Epcot and have tons of QS options at my fingertips.

As far as weather and the pool, keep in mind that we are one of the lightning capitols of the U.S., and that many of the lightning strikes that injure or kill people occur well away from the core of the storm. Yes, it's an inconvenience to get out and wait. But it's better than spending your time waiting in an E.R. because someone in your family was struck. Just this summer someone was struck on the beach of the hotel my sister works in. He had just arrived that day to start his vacation. Fortunately, he survived the strike. Not everyone is so lucky.

OP, I'm sorry that BC wasn't what you were expecting. That happens sometimes when you try a different resort. I remember my first stay at AKL. I thought it was going to be soooooo fantastic, and it turned out to be my least favorite of the deluxe resorts. It's a good thing there are so many resorts to choose from - there's something for everyone!

 

[we3travellers]

mommyrosa2 - I see you have already planned a trip for next year and I am just wondering if you will be returning to BC? We were at CSR Aug.7-14 and had decided on BC for next year, but this post is making me change my mind! I am just curious, as you seem to have had a great experience. Maybe we will do a split stay as others have suggested. I don't care too much about the lack of CS as we will probably stay club and then breakfast is taken of. DS really needs a great pool!

 

[gwynne]

I stay in the Epcot resorts area multiple times every year, and I haven't had any issues with the buses yet. Yes, two or three resorts share a bus, and during the slower times, they may all five share, but when I've stayed in the MK resort area, those deluxes share too, so it just seems normal to me for the buses to be shared.

I think the longest wait I've ever had at Beaches and Cream was 30 minutes. But I don't travel to WDW during the peak summer and holiday periods, so I can see where waits might be longer during those times.

I do agree that the Marketplace just doesn't fit the bill for a QS location. But I think they have more options there than at YC or BW/BWV (both of which seem to have little in the way of QS dining). But I think the whole point of staying in the Epcot resorts area (at least for me) is that I can pop into Epcot and have tons of QS options at my fingertips.

As far as weather and the pool, keep in mind that we are one of the lightning capitols of the U.S., and that many of the lightning strikes that injure or kill people occur well away from the core of the storm. Yes, it's an inconvenience to get out and wait. But it's better than spending your time waiting in an E.R. because someone in your family was struck. Just this summer someone was struck on the beach of the hotel my sister works in. He had just arrived that day to start his vacation. Fortunately, he survived the strike. Not everyone is so lucky.

OP, I'm sorry that BC wasn't what you were expecting. That happens sometimes when you try a different resort. I remember my first stay at AKL. I thought it was going to be soooooo fantastic, and it turned out to be my least favorite of the deluxe resorts. It's a good thing there are so many resorts to choose from - there's something for everyone!

I agree! If we're visiting WDW and quick service is a big priority, then we stay at POR or POFQ. Otherwise, we love the closeness of Epcot for a quick snack. We also utilize the Dolphin for a place to quick stop in and grab a table. We still love AKL, but now we enjoy it as part of a split stay now and then. It's an an amazing and unique place, it's only drawback is the length of bus rides to and from parks.
All resorts at WDW generally have a few pluses and minus, IMO.

 

[mommytocalliesue]

I just did a review on the BC/YC thread.....so I'm not going to say much...

But we didn't encounter ANY bees!!! And we only had a couple bus issues....our biggest issue was we seemed to ALWAYS get on at the parks when they were making a bus driver switch....that took awhile at times! But that has to be done...it was just our timing!

To each their own...not everyone is going to agree and like the same thing! Would we stay again...absolutely! Check out my review on BC/YC if you want to know more!!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

OP...sorry you were disappointed with your stay...
We just returned Monday night from a 10-day stay at the BC, we were there from the 11th-20th and have to say it was another great stay for us. Buses are an issue but not just there, we saw lots of bus issues at each resort we ever stayed at, this is the main reason, we prefer to rent a vehicle and always do when we vacation in Disney. As for the bees, perhaps I was just oblivious, but we were at SAB every single day with the exception of one day b/c of the weather and we visited HH each time whether it was for food or drinks and we honestly never encountered a bee problem. We were also visited frequently by a server while sitting on our lounge chairs...not sure what time of day you encountered an issue, but we were usually poolside from about 1:00-4:00. As for Beaches & Cream, I agree this place is small and there is always crazy wait times but on this trip, my kids really wanted to order the kitchen sink so we walked up one day after pool time & were told it was going to be a 40 min. wait. As I looked in, I could see a few people finishing up, along with an empty table, so we decided to wait. We were in there within 20 min. Now, if there's one thing I definitely agree on, is the Marketplace - this is way too small for a resort this size and the food offerings are terrible...JMHO. However, we knew this by doing some research last year before our stay there, so we never ate at the Marketplace and worked around other QS restaurants in the parks or other resorts (an easy thing to do for us b/c we do have a car). Again, I'm sorry you didn't quite enjoy your stay there but honestly, I haven't found one resort on Disney property to score all "A's" across the board - they all lack something or other.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I have waited for those buses and they are consistent......slow. DD and I took a cab back to our resort rather than deal with it.

I do not think one should feel the need to rent a car in order to get around the WDW complex. I have stayed at several resorts some deluxe and some Mod and I just feel that if one is spending the amount of money it takes to stay at a deluxe the transportation should be good.





Not everyone who visits is on the DIS and they should not need to be in order to experience satisfactory bus service. This is one of the perks Disney offers when selling their resort. I am pretty easy-going when on vacation. I do not get impatient waiting for transportation. IF I have to rent a vehicle in order to compensate for extra long wait times at a bus stop then I am going to reconsider the value of staying onsite. I stay because I hate to drive and if I need to spend that money and drive..............

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

So to see some unhappy stays at the BC.
We haven't had bus problems. I know the boats can be tough at Epcot & Studio closings but we like that we can always walk back.

We will be there in Nov. for 6 nights & December for 5 nights and look forward to it.