Pros and cons of staying at the Beach Club and what request to make for standard room?

[MrToadsWildRide]

Wow thanks for all the detailed information Yes I think you answered pretty much everything.

I went and looked the Touringplans.com floor plan for the Beach Club. According to them, (most of) the Standard Rooms on the 3rd floor have a view only Bert (as in Marry Poppin's Bert) could love, since your view consists of the roof top.

I don't know what the price difference between the Garden View and Standard view (which should really be called "The view only a maintenance man could love"). Nor do I know the added walking distance for a Garden View room. But I'd bring a case of Ramen (to cover the added cost) and some roller blades (and leave them with the bellman to cover the added distance) to keep from staying in a Standard Room. It's just that the room (any room) costs a lot of money. Also know as Deluxe Money. Make sure you'd be happy with the trade off. Inside, the room is the same.

If you do go with a Standard room, some of them are on the second floor. No roof views, but you could over look the main entrance where all the cars drive up to. The second floor does have the advantage of being able to use the stairs, which can save some wasted elevator time.

Either way, the pools are awesome.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for you opinions. We do not have any little ones so that shouldn't be a problem. I think we will give it a try for a couple nights and maybe just do a split stay .

You're welcome. I think a split stay is a great idea. Good luck and happy planning .

 

[Chelle's Belles]

No offense (but I guess I'm about to), if long walks are an issue, um ... hello. Disney?

 

[mrs moon]

i had 10 days at Beach Club,came home on Thursday. Whilst i enjoyed my stay ,as i think all resorts are good at Disney, BC would not be one i would return too.,I found it for me to have the least Disney magic and the pool i did not feel was part of the resort ,it felt more like a pool out on the side walk to be viewed by everyone.also 8 feet in depth in parts ,very deep!. I hated having no proper QS and found this alone a big No for future visits. On last day i asked if any shower rooms to wash grand daughters hair before travel home & obviously after checkout at 11am ,they said no sorry , i was surprised by this as im sure AKL last yr had a shower room, my daughter washed the chlorine out of her hair in the toilet sink which i thought was poor for a deluxe hotel! Imuch preferred AKL the previous yr and would happily return there!, but BC didn't Wow me at all im afraid...

 

[havoc315]

What are the pros and cons of staying at the Beach Club? We plan on giving it a try but I'm a little worried we wont like it. The reason I don't think we will like it is because I have read some bad reviews on the standard rooms being long walks to and from things. If we stay there we will have to go with a standard room. What would be a good room request for a standard room? We really would like to have a ground floor room . Are there any standard rooms on the ground floor?

Beach Club is wonderful. EVERY resort is huge, and therefore every resort can potentially have long walks from point A to point B, regardless of room type.

Pros of the Beach Club:
1 -- Best pool complex at Disney. I think it is a bit overrated.. it isn't truly a match for a water park. But even considering it overrated, it is still the best of any Disney resort.
2 -- Easiest and fastest access to Epcot of any resort. In fact, easiest access to any park, from any resort (Contemporary/MK being second place). If you have park hopper tickets, then the International Showcase of Epcot practically becomes part of the Beach Club. It is less than a 5 minute walk, to your semi-private backdoor.
3 -- Access to the Boardwalk. One of the best parts of the Epcot area resorts, are that you have a good amount of places, activities, restaurants, that you can walk to. MK resorts -- everything is a monorail ride away. Can't walk. And the other non-MK/non-Epcot resorts are isolated. Only the Epcot area resorts give you everything from an arcade, to dance hall, to several restaurants, all walk-able.
4 -- Value -- Much cheaper than most of the MK area resorts.
5 -- Dining options in the general area -- Around the Boardwalk, at Swan/Dolphin, in the International Showcase

Cons
1 -- No front door access to Epcot, if you really insist on entering through the front.
2 -- Rooms are a little smaller than the MK deluxe resorts.
3 -- Lack of many great dining options within the Beach Club. Some find the quick service rather limited. I'm not crazy about character dinners. Beaches & Cream is just a burger and ice cream joint, small and crowded. But there are lots of dining options with a few minutes walk.. from Yachtsman Steakhouse to Flying Fish.

Sorry, I can't think of all too many cons for Beach Club.

 

[havoc315]

Park hopper is a great way to utilize the Epcot International Pavilion for evenings. Personally, I wouldn't use it in the mornings, as I prefer to do rope drop mornings, not spend a lot of time looking for breakfast.

But International Pavilion evenings are a great time to do some casual strolling, taking in the international art/culture, great an ethnic meal, do some shopping, catch fireworks. If doing a long stay at Disney, combined with Beach Club, park hoppers are a great option to really utilize the International Pavilion. On the other hand, if you are doing a shorter stay and/or planning on commando touring in the evenings, then it's less of an issue. (then it's a question of whether you need the park hoppers to get in all your plans for the stay, regardless of whether you are staying at Beach Club).

 

[maryj11]

I went and looked the Touringplans.com floor plan for the Beach Club. According to them, (most of) the Standard Rooms on the 3rd floor have a view only Bert (as in Marry Poppin's Bert) could love, since your view consists of the roof top.

I don't know what the price difference between the Garden View and Standard view (which should really be called "The view only a maintenance man could love"). Nor do I know the added walking distance for a Garden View room. But I'd bring a case of Ramen (to cover the added cost) and some roller blades (and leave them with the bellman to cover the added distance) to keep from staying in a Standard Room. It's just that the room (any room) costs a lot of money. Also know as Deluxe Money. Make sure you'd be happy with the trade off. Inside, the room is the same.

If you do go with a Standard room, some of them are on the second floor. No roof views, but you could over look the main entrance where all the cars drive up to. The second floor does have the advantage of being able to use the stairs, which can save some wasted elevator time.

Either way, the pools are awesome.

Well we wont be getting a garden view room so that's out. We are booking through a travel agency and it is for standard room only for 300.00 a night.

 

[Masonmj84]

I think the best thing about BC (as is the case with most deluxe resorts) is location. Being within a 5-10 minute walk of World Showcase is just so awesome (especially after Illuminations). This also puts you within walking distance of dozens of table service restaurants.

Another plus is that the rooms have recently been rennovated.

Another plus is that the Boardwalk area has a fun vibe in the evenings (and we love Flying Fish).

SAB is an awesome pool complex but, IMO, somewhat overrated. It's so big that it can be difficult to keep an eye on young children. And I don't like having to entirely leave the pool area to get on the water slide.

A lot of people complain about a lack of counter service food options. This is true, but we mostly eat table service so it's a non-issue for us (we love Cape May for breakfast).

Others complain about the bus service. But we usually stay here as part of a split stay where we're focusing on Epcot and Hollywood Studios. So we don't use the buses much.

The only other thing I'd say about BC is that the theming doesn't do much for me (don't find it to be as immersive as say, Poly, WL, AKL, or even some of the moderates like POR). But this is mostly a matter of personal taste.

 

[vinotinto]

Pros:

I agree with PP. I would not consider any room to be far. Farthest rooms are maybe a few minutes' walk away, that's it!

Rooms are very comfortable

Location is great for visiting Epcot and DHS.

Good restaurant options I the area: Yachtsman's, Epcot restaurants and Captain's Grill is pretty good.

Cons:
Pool is very nice, but very spread out and a challenge with younger kids, as you can't see the slide entrance/stairs from the slide itself. For young kids that would need a parent waiting at the bottom of the slide (think 3-5 year olds), you would need another parent to walk them across the up the public walkway. Older kids will love it!

QS - options and seating is very, very limited. Can't recall ever having a meal here, just a breakfast snack to tidy us over.

 

[philharmagic fan]

We love BC! If you are going with a standard room, you will be on the second or third floor. You may want to consider putting in a request for a full balcony and close to lobby. You might also want to consider asking for the third floor. I would think the second floor rooms might be a little loud as some overlook the lobby area.

This might be difficult - I think most of the 3rd floor rooms have the small balcony. We stayed second floor standard, overlooked a lot of trees, and really liked the nice stairway from the lobby to the second floor - no need for elevator unless carrying something heavy.

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

... BC would not be one i would return too.,

... I hated having no proper QS and found this alone a big No for future visits.

On last day i asked if any shower rooms to wash grand daughters hair before travel home & obviously after checkout at 11am ,they said no sorry

Not returning? Yeah! More rooms for me.

Just out of interest, what's proper QS?
Not the food in the gift shop?
Not the food at beaches and cream?
Not the food at the pool bar/QS place?

No shower rooms?
We've used the locker rooms (that have showers) in the work-out place. They didn't suggest that? Or did they not allow you to use them? In the past we've used them on check in day. We'd get their early (hours earlier than the 3:00 PM check in time) and used the health club place to put on bathing suits, lotion, shower, lotion, etc. They have lockers where you can lock your stuff and towels and such. Not an option any more? I haven't used them in a while, cause we stopped getting on a plane at 4:30 AM, as I was the only yes vote in the group.

 

[maryj11]

This might be difficult - I think most of the 3rd floor rooms have the small balcony. We stayed second floor standard, overlooked a lot of trees, and really liked the nice stairway from the lobby to the second floor - no need for elevator unless carrying something heavy.

Thanks I did make my reservations yesterday and requested 2nd floor close to the lobby and elevator. Should I of requested close to the stairway?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks I did make my reservations yesterday and requested 2nd floor close to the lobby and elevator. Should I of requested close to the stairway?

You are fine with the close to elevator and lobby request. Most of the stairways are the fire exit stairs at the far ends of each wing. Most of the standard view rooms are near the main part of the building, not in the wings. So close to the lobby elevator is the best choice for a standard view room.

 

[mrs moon]

Not returning? Yeah! More rooms for me.

Just out of interest, what's proper QS?
Not the food in the gift shop?
Not the food at beaches and cream?
Not the food at the pool bar/QS place?

No shower rooms?
We've used the locker rooms (that have showers) in the work-out place. They didn't suggest that? Or did they not allow you to use them? In the past we've used them on check in day. We'd get their early (hours earlier than the 3:00 PM check in time) and used the health club place to put on bathing suits, lotion, shower, lotion, etc. They have lockers where you can lock your stuff and towels and such. Not an option any more? I haven't used them in a while, cause we stopped getting on a plane at 4:30 AM, as I was the only yes vote in the group.

No we asked at the health club!..i think you know what a proper QS means so no need to explain..i think "not the food in the gift shop" answers that!

 

[philharmagic fan]

Thanks I did make my reservations yesterday and requested 2nd floor close to the lobby and elevator. Should I of requested close to the stairway?

There's a nice stairway IN the lobby (to the right as you face the check-in and concierge desks), but it only goes up to the second floor, so if you're on the second floor, "close to lobby" is what you want. Wood Nymph is right about the others, though - industrial-looking fire exit stairways at the ends of corridors.

 

[maryj11]

There's a nice stairway IN the lobby (to the right as you face the check-in and concierge desks), but it only goes up to the second floor, so if you're on the second floor, "close to lobby" is what you want. Wood Nymph is right about the others, though - industrial-looking fire exit stairways at the ends of corridors.

Ok thanks for explaining.

 

[Aurora0427]

The only con for us is lack of a good quick service restaurant. They have one, but it's not really a restaurant. Unless things have changed. We haven't stayed at BC since 2012. Defected to the GF since DD was born!

 

[maryj11]

They do have a few sandwiches and things at the resort though dont they? What about at pool bar?

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

They do have a few sandwiches and things at the resort though dont they? What about at pool bar?

In the gift shop (which seems like an odd place to find food) they have the Beach Club Marketplace. Hot breakfast stuff, sandwiches (which they make) pizza and stuff. I've used this option for breakfast. Cause when I tell my family "Let's go get breakfast," that can often times mean I'm going to get something and bring it back while they continue to certify that the beds are in fact acceptable. Here I can pick up cereal, milk, danish, scrambled eggs, bagels, whatever. I've found it to be the fastest (and least expensive) way to feed those who say they're starving and can't finish one tiny box of cereal. You can take this food and step outside the shop and eat at some of the tables they have there. But I think this place is really more of a take it back to your room type place. Which might be why this is not a proper quick service place?

At the pools (and the pools are awesome) they have your basic quick service stuff; burgers, both chicken parts (sandwiches and nuggets/fingers), salads and stuff. Thought I don't think they're open for dinner.

There are three lounge/bar places you can eat. So, not quick service, unless they bring your order really, really fast. You can actually have a decent dinner at the Crew Cup Lounge (over in the Yacht). Which can be the best dinner-ish option if you can't get into any of the restaurants that take reservations.

If you go do Disney's website I believe you can actually view the menu's to most of these places.

Either way, the pools are awesome. Even for Toad lovers.

 

[maryj11]

In the gift shop (which seems like an odd place to find food) they have the Beach Club Marketplace. Hot breakfast stuff, sandwiches (which they make) pizza and stuff. I've used this option for breakfast. Cause when I tell my family "Let's go get breakfast," that can often times mean I'm going to get something and bring it back while they continue to certify that the beds are in fact acceptable. Here I can pick up cereal, milk, danish, scrambled eggs, bagels, whatever. I've found it to be the fastest (and least expensive) way to feed those who say they're starving and can't finish one tiny box of cereal. You can take this food and step outside the shop and eat at some of the tables they have there. But I think this place is really more of a take it back to your room type place. Which might be why this is not a proper quick service place?

At the pools (and the pools are awesome) they have your basic quick service stuff; burgers, both chicken parts (sandwiches and nuggets/fingers), salads and stuff. Thought I don't think they're open for dinner.

There are three lounge/bar places you can eat. So, not quick service, unless they bring your order really, really fast. You can actually have a decent dinner at the Crew Cup Lounge (over in the Yacht). Which can be the best dinner-ish option if you can't get into any of the restaurants that take reservations.

If you go do Disney's website I believe you can actually view the menu's to most of these places.

Either way, the pools are awesome. Even for Toad lovers.

Thanks for letting us know where and what we can get for quick service. What about Beaches & Cream ? Do we need reservations for there?