Sell it to me.........

[maleficent_man]

Hey folks!

Am planning for my summer 06 trip and trying to decide on Disney hotel to stay at......am stuck between Yacht Club, Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge. Stayed at AKL this year.

I don't spend a great deal of time at the hotel but with my AP want to make the most of staying at one of these and getting the discount!!

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Nick

 

[UKDEB]

Epcot is my favourite park, so I would probably choose either the Yacht or Beach Club. Of the two I prefer the Yacht Club. The Beach Club has a family vibe, whereas the Yacht Club has the whole 'Gentlemen's Club' thing going on.

 

[cindycastle]

We have stayed at both the Yacht Club (October 05 for wedding!) and Wilderness Lodge (May 2004). I would choose the Yacht Club everytime. Being able to walk to both Epcot and MGM and be on the doorstep of the Boardwalk is a big winner. The walk to MGM does take a little longer than the walk to Epcot, although it is still manageable. You can also catch a boat to both parks from Yacht Club. Sorry can't give any info on Beach Club. Wherever you choose, I am sure you will have a fabulous stay at WDW!!

 

[maleficent_man]

Thanks folks - just wanting to start planing ahead!

 

[Hilary]

Much though I love Wilderness Lodge, I would have to agree with the advice already offered and opt for one of the Boardwalk resorts. With an AP, the ability to breeze into Epcot and MGM practically on the doorstep is a great perk

Knowing that you stayed in AKL last trip, I think WL might be a bit too 'similar' (but without the animals) for you to appreciate the resort in its own right.

 

[paulh]

would go for beach club for access to stormalong bay and closeness to epcot and mgm

 

[vernon]

The standards of the hotels ( rooms/facilities/access) are all fairly similar, particularly in the case of the Y or B clubs. I agree with Deb's view on the ambiance of the Y vs the B club. Personally I prefer the BC's more relaxed feel, but I wouldn't argue with anyone who likes the slightly more formal feel of the Yacht.

WL has quicker access to the MK as well as it being a really fun way to travel.
Y+B club both have easier access to Epcot and Disney's MGM.

Y+B's areas could probably be described as a bit more "happening" (more restaurants in walking distance) , WL scores a little better if you're looking for a quiet relaxed resort

Which access is "better" really depends on which parks you plan to spend the majority of your time.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

I guess it is very much a personal preference. But I would absolutely choose The Beach Club. I have stayed there 3 times including once for our wedding with lots of friends and family, everyone in the group loved it.

I prefer the decor of Beach Club to the Yacht Club, it is prettier and lighter. I find the YC a bit too formal for my summer holiday. Plus I like the restaurants on the BC side. The buffet is great at dinner time (called a clam bake but not all fish or anything) and we love the character breakfast. The addition of Beach Club marketplace is good too, quick grab and go stuff. Beaches and CReam is conveniently close. I think the resort is stunning all round. Of course, YC is great too, I just prefer BC.

We stayed at Villas at Wilderness Lodge in May and enjoyed that too. It was great for MK with our little one but felt far from everything else including the 'real world'. And getting home frm MK can be difficult even though it is so close. You still have to wait ages for a boat or bus. We found the main pool to be mobbed constantly which was irritating. The hotel reminded me a bit of AKL in terms of lots of wood and darker colours, very attractive and woodsy. We did like it there but did not find the location as convenient as the Epcot resorts. Walking home to BC after a drink in World Showcase and watching Illuminations cannot be beaten.

Out of interest, we got 40% off our room at BC once with an AP. Brilliant saving!

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

Mandy

 

[maleficent_man]

Thanks for the excellent feedback folks! BC sounds like it's a winner!!

 

[Miffy2003]

I'm a bit late to the party here.....


I rate the Beach or Yacht Club very highly. Apart from the wonderful decor and myriad of dining choices, the location is simply fabulous. You just can't beat watching Illuminations or Fantasmic and then having a gentle, smug stroll away from the crowds queueing to get onto a bus or in a car. Wonderful! You also have the wonderful Boardwalk with its dining and entertainment options close by.

Even with AP discount though you will pay more for YC/BC than WL.

I do love the theme of WL very very much. In some ways is has certain similaraties to AKL (same designer) and as you stayed there last time, I say go for BC/YC.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=946067

Nick,
Check out this thread for some excellent pictures of The Beach Club. Just scrolll down, the pics are actually on that page.

I think you have made the right decision.
Mandy

 

[maleficent_man]

Thanks for those Mandy - it looks stunning!

 

[UKDEB]

The photos on that thread appear to be of the Beach Club Villas rather than the Beach Club.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

The room pictures are definitely of a Beach Club room. I did see a couple pics of the communal areas at Beach Club Villas in the thread, but all of the room shots are of a Beach Club bedroom. The ones I am referring to were posted by Denmark on 28-10, some on 29-10 too.

Mandy

 

[disneyholic family]

it depends on how much you want to spend.
This past year, the AP rate at the WL was much much much less expensive than the Beach/Yacht club rate. So if that makes a difference to you, then WL is the way to go.
In August I paid $124/night AP rate at the WL. That's practically free as far as deluxe hotels go.
In September I paid $365/night AP rate at the GF. Pretty cheap by GF standards.
The YC/BC are usually somewhere in between the GF and WL.

I just remembered we stayed in the WL in July as well. That time we had a rate of $268/night for WL concierge. Not bad either.

 

[Olaf]

Since you're going in the summer, I'd vote for the Beach Club. If it were a winter/X-mas holiday, I'd say Wilderness Lodge.

 

[disneyholic family]

well if you really want me to vote, i'd vote for the GF every time.
It's my favorite Disney resort. But I wouldn't object to 'having' to stay at any of the resorts, so it's really not all that critical for me.

Each resort has its own advantages and character. Pick out the one you want to try this time and go for it. It will also make a difference as to which ones you can get a good rate at. Not all of them will offer AP rates at the time you're going. For example, AP wasn't available in July at the OKW (but we stayed there anyway, since we wanted a large 2 BR, and it has the largest one on property), but there was an AP rate at the WL concierge (so we stayed there for the part of the trip that OKW wasn't available).

In August, AP rates were available for the WL but not for the GF. In September, AP rates were available for the GF but not for the WL. So it will depend on what's available to you.

Personally, if i have to stay at the BC/YC, I prefer the YC's decor (nautical theme with beautiful wood floors) to that of the BC. But they're basically the same hotel in terms of service, amenities and location.

I prefer the WL over the BC/YC for its overall 'feel'. Plus I very much enjoy taking the boat over to the MK. There is something very relaxing to me about that. I also like the outdoorsy feeling of the WL, vs the more gentry-like feel of the YC/BC. It's really a matter of taste.

In truth, you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. I'd see what rates you can get and then base your decision on that.

just editing my response to add that if your family likes to swim, the YC/BC's main pool is nicer than the WL's. So that might make a difference to you.