Please help - Beach Club or GF?

[SleepingUgly]

We are currently booked for six nights at the GF RPC in late August. I was able to snag the AAA discount, so our room rate has been discounted 15 percent . However, I received a code this week for 30 percent off, and Beach Club concierge is the only one available for our dates.

So, what would you do? Switch resorts? I really like the look / feel of both resorts. I was really looking forward to the GF for its monorail access, but is that worth a $1300 price difference? We are set on staying concierge since this will be a trip to RELAX and we plan on spending full afternoons at the resort each day, just to hang out and swim and nap. We plan on spending equal time at Epcot and MK, so it's not like we will be at one park more than the others. Our kids are 8 and 5, so no strollers.

Beach Club rooms have not been renovated yet, correct? Does the resort look / feel like it needs to be renovated? I really am looking for the ideal place to return to each afternoon / night and be surrounded by a nice atmosphere and just feel RELAXED. Any thoughts?

My TA must be sick of my indecisiveness -- so any comments / thoughts you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Linda

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would keep the Grand Floridian because it's great having the Monorail anytime you want to use it and from what I read you sounded like you were looking forward to relaxing there. Also yes you are correct that the Beach Club rooms have not been renovated, where as the Grand Floridian rooms just got renovated.

 

[reneempayne]

I would pick BC. you have SAB!! your kids will love it!

 

[F1Julie]

Another vote for BC. The $1300 you'll save can go towards your next trip to the GF.

 

[ntsammy5]

I would pick BC. you have SAB!! your kids will love it!

I agree with that. I'm not sure I even have a preference but SAB for kids is great!

 

[mickeynut1]

If it were me, I'd go with the BC and save the $1300.....that is a HUGE savings . If it were $300-$400, I might for go the savings and stay at the GF, but $1300 can be a deposit on your next trip.......or better yet.......LOTS OF SOUVIES . Either way, though, you'll have a great trip, I'm sure .

 

[Rora]

I vote for BC!! Yes, the monorail is really nice but the buses aren't that bad. Plus, the difference in money can be used for other things like maybe a nice dinner or more merchandise? Or just pocket money!

Either way you can't go wrong. Have a great trip!

 

[allisonswonderland]

We are typically BC people and we just returned from a week at the GF and loved that too. In fact we have decided that the GF will be our Spring trip resort and BC will be our Fall resort.

We decided the BC was MUCH more convenient to Epcot - we eat there a lot. But other than that we id enjoy the monorail. GF had a more laid back atmosphere, which we very much enjoyed and for some reason we seemed to relax more (I think not being as close to epcot made it less tempting to walk over and we actually rested some this trip, which we needed.)

Both pool are very nice, though the quiet pool at the GF is huge, much bigger than the one at the BC. I know you would most likely be at SAB, however, in AUG SAB will be packed, unless you arrive in the morning.

You selected my 2 favs!

 

[princess angel]

i vote for the BC, especially since you said you want to spend a lot of time at the pool and napping, the pool at the BC is way better than the GF pools.

plus being able to walk to Epcot is very nice, and being on the Boardwalk is great too!

 

[lvloopingbag]

I've stayed on both club levels and the GF is far superior, IMO........

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Both resorts are great! It would also be a hard decision for me as I love the GF, especially for the monorail, but the pool and the nice walk to Epcot makes the BC a wonderful place to stay. Good Luck!!!

 

[minniesota]

I agree that the RPC is far superior to the BC club level! If you really are torn, I'd stay the first 3 nights at the BC and enjoy SAB and the close proximity to Epcot and DHS. Then I would stay my last 3 nights at GF so you can experience the wonderful pampering RPC offers and the monorail, etc. Make sure you save the GF for last though! Good luck deciding!

 

[Coconuts]

That is a tough call; I would have problems deciding if it was me . I would go with BC; never been there but told the pool is great for little ones, and you'll be needing it in August. GF is convenient with the monorail, but $1300 savings is HUGE. PIN codes are very rarely given out and you will probably never see one again; you can get AAA discount on any trip. Go to GF on your next trip, use the AAA discount, and put the $1300 towards that trip. Have fun!

 

[beccasmom]

My first thought would be to save the money and stay at the BC and because, I agree, SAB is great for kids. But we have been underwhelmed by the bus service at the BC when trying to get to the MK and AK. Depending on when you go, it can be a bit of a drag. The resort is really convenient for MGM, EC, DTD; not so much for the other areas IMHO, unless you have a car. But otherwise it gets my vote. We love the GF, though, so it would be a tough call!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I agree that the RPC is far superior to the BC club level! If you really are torn, I'd stay the first 3 nights at the BC and enjoy SAB and the close proximity to Epcot and DHS. Then I would stay my last 3 nights at GF so you can experience the wonderful pampering RPC offers and the monorail, etc. Make sure you save the GF for last though! Good luck deciding!

Totally agree....do a split stay.

Our summer split is YC/GF....same type of thing. Makes transportation easier and saves on that transpo time. You get teh best of both worlds.

Lives4Disney

 

[MollyMoo]

Have stayed at several resorts ... not the GF but have done poly and frankly, while the monorail is nice, being away from the hub-bub that is often a part of the monorail hotels ... curious "visitors" from other resorts etc. (okay, okay... I've done it too!). I like to be away from the crowds and theme park feel when I go back to the hotel for some R&R. I would go with BC.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Both are equally great.

SAB at BC would be great for the kids, but the atmosphere of the GF and RPC have my vote. If you plan on returning in the next year or so, save the money now and apply it towards your return trip.

Either way you will have a super trip.

 

[Reginak]

Honestly, you will be happy either way; but since the money doesn't seem to be a problem then I would stay at the GF.

Have fun!

Regina