Please make your case: Beach Club vs Wilderness Lodge

[Jackie H.]

Which of these 2 resorts do you like best and why?

We are trying to decide between the two for our trip in the fall. I know changing resorts is an option, but I really want the opinions of DISers about which is best and why.

We are a family of four, kids are 14 & 11 year olds. We are Disney World veterans and we have visited both these resorts to have meals.

I would love to hear the advatanges of both!

 

[Denmark]

Beach Club.

Your kids 14 and 11 yo would be extremly happy with the Stormalong pool. Its a small waterpark in itself.

 

[pooh2001]

BC- YES - go for it with older kids - yours are the same age as mine. Ask for a Daybed so they will not sleep together - remember they are becoming adults and not small kids any more.

SAB - the bext pool around

Walk to EPCOT after the fireworks - no hassles- best way home

Boardwalk - rent a surrey bike

Walk to Fantasia for mini-golf

Take the boat to Studios and EPCOT

Beaches and Cream- have some ice cream for lunch - hey it's vacation

AP holder ? - look for some great rates

Rooms are bigger - about 50 sq. feet bigger - more room for tweens.

Table has a checker/chess board - ask the front desk for pieces.

More draw space for your clothes.

Better bus service and better bus stop (covered)

2 laundry facilities

Am I rambling ? Sorry

 

[DisneyKidds]

Well, we just recently completed our reservations for our trip after Thanksgiving and once again we will be splitting our trip between the BC and the WL. Sorry, we just can't pick a favorite.

The BC wins the battle of the pools with one flip flop tied behind it's back. Stormalong Bay is wonderful. The BC also has better food options, including Beaches and Cream. Direct access via walk/boat to both Epcot and the Studios is hard to beat. My DW is a beachy person, so the decor suits her to a T.

All that being said................

The boat to the MK at the WL is wonderful, and the Hidden Springs pool/hot tub is a wonderful escape. The WL is a stunning resort and is perhaps the most relaxing resort on property. The guyser and pool are very nice, Whispering Canyon is a lot of fun, the fireplaces are wonderful to relax by (especially in the cooler weather). Renting water mice for an hour of zipping around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon is a blast (much more fun than renting at the YC/BC marina and something your kids would enjoy). Even though NW woodsy isn't my DW's style she still can't pass up a stay at the WL.

Our kids are younger (6,3,1) and they love both resorts for different reasons. My guess is with 14 and 11 year olds the BC might be the slightly better choice, but you couldn't go wrong with either.

 

[Terry S]

My vote goes to BC as well. I love the ambiance at this resort. I also love the beachy theme.

 

[houseofmouse]

We had the same dilema last year. So we decided to stay a week at both. However BCV was sold out so we stayed at BWV and visited BCV often.
I will comment on the things I did at BCV. Beaches and Cream!! YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!! The pool slide is fun and the sand bottom is such a cool idea, your never to old to build a sand castle, right?!! The walking distance to the two parks Epcot/MGM is such a godsend when you can't wait to get your day at the park started and when you are tired and just want to get back to your room as soon as possible. Its also terrific if Mom need to run back to the room because she forgot all her stuff in the midst of getting everyone elses stuff! Walking distance is a huge reason why we picked and are picking this hotel again.

WLV is such a fantastic hotel. It seems small even though its huge! They staff is extrodinary and the peacefullness is wonderful. We loved the main pool and the Villa pool. The water ferries to MK are terrific(bit of a wait if you happen to just miss it, though) We will do this hotel the 2nd week this trip however, because it has such a relaxed atmosphere its great to "recoup" at. The overall feel at WLV is so great we cant wait to have a drink by the pool and hope to see a new mama duck and her ducklings!!

 

[jazum17]

I agree with pooh2001, The Beach Club has a great location for older children

 

[Loves2Travel]

Go with the Yacht Club, for the same price, its much nicer than the BC...

 

[newholidayx2]

cant wait till August - 8nights VWL, 6nights BCV
DS13 wants to go "home" again to the VWL. I also want to try someplace new.

 

[susy]

I have to agree about the YC being nicer. The WL has much better theming, but the slide at BC is WAYYYYYYY better.

 

[BraveMom3]

I always have this same dilemma,too. We have stayed at the WL/WLV for part of our last 10 or so trips, and I have considered not staying there, but my children go berserk!! The oldest one (almost 13yo DS) practically comes to tears if I suggest not staying at WL. The last few years we have split our stay between WLV and BCV. They love both, but will not give their "second home". The only complaint I have ever had about BC is that you cannot grab a quick bite to eat like you can at the Roaring Forks Snack Bar at WL. I am looking forward to checking out the store at BC now that they have expanded it to include quick food items. Unlike most people, I am not a huge fan of Beaches and Cream - always too crowded to get in when I seem to need to and it has a strange smell (sour water?).

 

[AspiringCindy]

Having stayed at both resorts, I must start by saying that WL is my absolute Favorite resort!...But, I suggest going to BC! The pool is fabulous, the locations is unbelievable and the food choices are great! WL appeals to me because it is the theming that gets me! Everytime I walk through the doors of WL and hear the music from "last of the Mohicans", it gives me a warm feeling! This is purely a subjective opinion and WL doesn't seem to be everyone's cup of tea! But, you can't go wrong with BC!

 

[debbiedoo]

Let's see. . . .

That's why I am doing 5 nights at both resorts!! The best of both worlds!! I hear it is like 2 vacations in one--I shall know soon--just look at my counter!!

 

[Danauk]

I vote for the Beach Club too, especially with the older children. I actually prefer the theaming of the BC over the YC personally. I find the BC theaming more relaxed than the YC.

 

[sanibelover]

Although I've never stayed at the BC, I am not a fan of the WL. I just thought it was kind of nothing. The pool is fine, but not very big. Seems like there was a lot of foot traffic through the pool area which made it seem like a thouroughfare - not very relaxing.

The CMs were OK, but not overly friendly. Our room (especially the bathroom - GROSS)was dirty when we checked in and we couldn't even get in the room until 7pm (check-in at 3:30, yeah right.)

The kids did like the bunk beds, but I just didn't see why some folks rave about this hotel. I'm not particularly hard to please, but there was just nothing special here. (The lobby is AMAZING, but once you get past that, it's just OK)

 

[swilphil]

Another vote for the Beach Club. Along with the other reasons stated here, you will have the activities on the Boardwalk and the proximity to Epcot and MGM is great. I'm another one who wasn't thrilled with WL. It just didn't feel like a deluxe to me.

 

[magicmouse2]

I vote for BC. We are staying there on NYE, before moving to SSR our home resort.
I think the colors of the BC and room decor are much prettier than the YC.

 

[tuckerkeys]

since your kids are older, i would say the beach club!
why?
the pool is the best they will die when they see it!
and the location is excellent. your kids will probably like MGM the most....the boardwalk is a walk away with lots to do. the WL is my favorite, but i have a 2 yo and nothing beats the boat ride over to the MK for me, but i have a jogging stroller that i dont like to break down & the ride over on the boat is the main reason for the WL for us w/ a toddler. the pool here isn't the largest either. and Epcot is a walk away from the BC too...good luck on choosing! you'll love it if you do!

 

[Jackie H.]

Thanks for all the replies!

I am agreeing with all you guys on the Beach Club. My hubby wanted to check out the WL and since so many folks seem to absolutley love it I wanted to find out why.

I know WL is usually cheaper than other deluxe resorts - maybe that has a lot to do with the attraction of it. Don't get me wrong, we go over to the WL on almost every trip and the lobby and themeing of the resort are great.

But Stormalong Bay combined with walking into EPCOT just seems to good to pass up for me!!!