Question about the Beach Club

[jdb1232]

My wife and I just agreed to a Wilderness Lodge Villa contract, we based our contract location basically on the proximity to the Magic Kingdom. (Our kids are little guys) We've stayed at the W.L. several times. Looking at the forums and TSS it seems that the Beach Club is very popular and significantly more expensive per point. What makes it so much better than the others? it seems even more popular than the brand new Vacation Club resorts. What gives?

 

[CarolMN]

It's the pool and the location.

Storm-Along-Bay is arguably the best pool on property. It's like a mini-waterpark.

BCV is located within a 5 mnute walk to the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT. It's very popular during EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival (late September through mid-November).

 

[ZekeKelso]

BCV has two big things going for it - a fantastic pool and being a 5-minute walk from EPCOT.

If you main goal is proximity to the MK and you can wait a year, I'd hold off on the VWL contract. Disney is building DVC tower next the the Contemporary Resort.

 

[disneynutz]

15 minute walk to Disney's Hollywood Studios too.

 

[BigBahamaDada]

We are VWL and AKV owners that just returned yesterday from our first ever trip to BCV. For us, it was just okay. We liked the room, thought the staff (both in quality and quantity) was superior to other Disney resorts we have stayed at and, of course, the pool was nice. But, like you, we have little kids - 4 and 2. They love MK, Studios and AK. At Epcot, they like Soarin and Turtle Talk and the exit.

If I were you, I'd be more than thrilled with my VWL purchase. The contemporary will be a bit more convenient, but it's not as if the liesurely 15 minute boat ride is some sort of burden. BCV has a lot going for it, but we found ourselves wishing to be back at VWL.

 

[wdw1972]

I don't understand why a decision to buy would be based on a MK location because the kids are little. Will they stay little for the next 35 years? Unless the MK location is where YOU & your spouse want to primarily stay, don't buy over there.

BCV is popular due to the better location, best pool on property - it really can't be beat. And, it's small - so demand exceeds supply, which makes it more of a premium ticket. VWL is also small, but it doesn't have the same high demand due to the lesser location and pool.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We bought at VWL because we love to go to Yellowstone. We used to live in Montana and would go each year. We've sold our BCV points, but we'll probably keep our VWL points along with our OKW points for now.

As for Stormalong Bay, I'm not a fan at all. It's too spread out. Some areas of the pool are very deep, like 8' or more, and have a swift current. It's so hard to find a beach lounge at the pool because it gets so crowded.

 

[njmeisje]

We are BCV owners. Our kids are 11 and 12 years old. BCV, SAB, Epcot and HWS could not be a better combination for us. Plus we love the Cape May feel of the place. When we bought, only Saratoga Springs was available, so we went resale for BCV. It really is the only "home resort" we can see ourselves loving over time. We want to stay at VWL and VB some time....but otherwise BCV really is THAT nice.

 

[jdb1232]

Thanks, Were in Jersey as well, (South Jersey)

 

[BigBahamaDada]

I don't understand why a decision to buy would be based on a MK location because the kids are little. Will they stay little for the next 35 years? Unless the MK location is where YOU & your spouse want to primarily stay, don't buy over there.
.

Of course the kids won't be little forever, but when they are done being interested in WDW, so will I. I have close to zero intention of sticking around until 2042 -- I'm expecting to use DVC for 15 to 18 years, then sell. I grew up going to DL 3 to 4 times a year. Loved every minute of it, but by the time I was 18, I was more than done with the place.

My and the wife love going to WDW with our kids and nices and nephews. We really love, like this last trip, getting a two bedroom and bringing a set of our parents along so they can experience the parks through their grandkids eyes. But, alas, time passes and we won't be here forever. But, when its back to just a traveling party of two, however, I'm confident my wife and I will opt for London and Paris over the international gateway. Perhaps we will buy back into DVC in when the grandkids arrive.

 

[Corinne]

When we finally were able to buy, VWL was the only option for us. I was a DS Castmember and I wanted my discount~I knew the sale of BCV would commence AFTER I left TDS.

We have been members since 2001 and although we stayed at the WL prior to becoming members, our trip in July will be the first time staying at the VWL. We have only stayed at the BCV and on occasion, the BWV. I love the location. It is home to me! I also believe part of the reason is our very first on property stay was at the YC.

Try the BCV some time, you may love it there too! Everyone has their favorite resorts, and if you are flexible and plan ahead you can pretty much stay at any of the resorts.

 

[tink4ever]

We own at both VWL and BCV. We love, love, love both for very different reasons. VWL is so homey and quiet. We have a very relaxing vacation and experience different restaurants and such when we stay at VWL. When we stay at BCV it is a more exciting, busy vacation with the movies on the beach at night, the great pool, the very busy beaches and cream, the very busy boardwalk, etc. We experience different restaurants and it keeps our vacations very interesting for us if this makes any sense to anyone else but us. We bought at the 2 places in Disney that we love to stay at. They are both our special places and will remain that way until our DVC is up. The good thing about DVC is that they have made such different resorts that they appeal to everyones taste. Just buy where you love. It has worked for us.

 

[Lampman]

I own at BCV... will stay there for the first time next April... can anyone tell me more about "movies on the beach"... thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

I own at BCV... will stay there for the first time next April... can anyone tell me more about "movies on the beach"... thanks

When you check in at BCV, you will get a schedule of movies. I was there at the beginning of May and I don't remember exactly which movies were when, but the schedule was the same every week...Friday I think was a "surprise." There was a campfire that began around 8, and the movie began at 8:30, I think. We never made it, just like I've always planned to get over to the Campground for Chip and Dale's campfire, sing along and movie. The one night we did get there, it was just too darn hot, in September, to enjoy it and so we left.

Bobbi

 

[njmeisje]

When we were at BCV in April, the campfire started around 7p and the movie started at 8pm. There was a board right at the beach entrance that listed the movies. The week we were there they had Alladin, 101 Dalmations, The Game Plan, Finding Nemo, Return to Neverland, and Enchanted. The Mystery Movie was on Friday Night.

It was great fun! Enjoy.

 

[jade1]

Of course the kids won't be little forever, but when they are done being interested in WDW, so will I. I have close to zero intention of sticking around until 2042 -- I'm expecting to use DVC for 15 to 18 years, then sell. I grew up going to DL 3 to 4 times a year. Loved every minute of it, but by the time I was 18, I was more than done with the place.

My and the wife love going to WDW with our kids and nices and nephews. We really love, like this last trip, getting a two bedroom and bringing a set of our parents along so they can experience the parks through their grandkids eyes. But, alas, time passes and we won't be here forever. But, when its back to just a traveling party of two, however, I'm confident my wife and I will opt for London and Paris over the international gateway. Perhaps we will buy back into DVC in when the grandkids arrive.

Yep, grandkids, new attractions, new parks........plus DVC prices in 18 years may really change one way or the other. For us the older they got, the more BCV and EPCOT they wanted-this coming NYE we will be at BCV/EPCOT with 5 (2 families kids and boyfriends etc) 21 year olds "celebrating".

 

[kimberh]

I own at BCV's and VWL, my family is grown, they love both. I have grands that love going to Disney. It is a whole new world when we take them. BCV is completely different from VWL, this is what I like. I don't ever want to get into a Rut, staying at the same place every year. We were doing that before we bought... now I own at 4, variety.

 

[MJS]

We own at the BCV, and we love it! Great location, as others have said, with easy access to the Studios and Epcot. Stormalong Bay is awesome. I agree that the basic economic rule of supply and demand is what drives up the price. There are so many great restaurants within walking distance of the BCV, too.

 

[JennyE]

We own at BCV with 2 small children b/c we love the pool and proximity to Epcot and HS. A short walk to either park or water transportation that allows you to keep the kids in the strollers (roll them right on to the boat) is such a blessing!!

Our kids also LOVE the movies on the beach. We were there 3 weeks ago and we saw Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. on back to back nights. They also had a campfire and s'mores (for purchase).

 

[disneystick]

Most of my points are at BCV. My family loves it there. Love SAB of course, and the fact that you can eat at all the countries Epcot has to offer. Just a short walk to Epcot. Also, sitting on the beach or walking around the Broadwalk is always fun. When staying at the BCV...it is like a mini water theme park with SAB. We don't even have to go to the theme park to have fun!!!