torn....aoa or beach club

[neville04]

i am looking at booking the last week in october into nov in 2013- we are going to celebrate my 30th birthday- we will have three kids with us- a 7 year old boy , 5 year old boy and our 1 year old daughter. We went last year and stayed at POFQ - but i think we would be crammed staying with 5 in one room at pofq- it was kind of tight last year with all the stuff we had . this next year we are driving down and i'm not sure where to stay- they both have some great perks... so any advice- i have never been to either resort... its between beach club - or art of animation cars suite ..

 

[aaarcher86]

I think it depends on what is more important to you.

The location of the BC is stellar - but the theme at AoA is much more kids oriented and fun! BC has the amenities of a deluxe while AoA does not.

Since it is a birthday celebration for you, what would you rather? Nicer amenities and location or a fun Disney theme for the kids? Will you get a smaller room at BC versus the larger suite at AoA?

They're very hard to compare since they're two totally opposite levels of resorts!

 

[Mom2six]

I've never stayed at BC, but I will say that AoA has great theming for little kids and the splash area by the Nemo pool is really cute. It all depends on what you like and what you want MOST in a resort. Are your little ones crazy about the Cars movies? If so, they will love the cars section. My DS4's favorite movies are Finding Nemo and Cars, so it was a must for us.

On the other hand, you can walk to Epcot from BC and you have the boardwalk there. You'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I've never been in October/November, but it does seem like you can still get really hot weather then (weather channel says the average high is still above 80). I think a 7, 5, and 1 year old would really enjoy Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club. In warmer weather, SAB puts the Beach Club above every other resort. Of course, it could be freezing when you go, but you still have easy access to Epcot, and a short walk/boat ride to HS.

I've never stayed at AoA, and while it sounds fun for kids, Beach Club would be just as much fun for the kids, and much more fun for adults. And, if you rent DVC points, the cost would probably be about the same.

 

[pixarmom]

Depends what's most important to you! We have friends who would take additional space over anything else - and you'd have that space at AOA. But we'd take the atmosphere, location, pool, transportation options, etc. of BC over more space. It's just such a different feeling at BC than values or even mods - so relaxed, a nice break from the parks, so convenient to get to DHS and Epcot. We just love the option to walk or boat to two parks and not have to rely on the bus. And SAB is an amazing pool - our boys have always loved it.

As for the differences in theme, I once thought that kids would always prefer the resort with a heavy character theme, but I was wrong! One year for Christmas, we surprised our boys with a WDW trip the following March. At the time, our boys were ages 2, 9 and 10, and they love Toy Story. So we thought they would like All Star Movies and booked there. As we got closer to the trip, we had second thoughts about a value. I'd stayed in a value way before kids, but with kids always mod or deluxe. So when we asked the boys whether they would prefer BC, there was no question for them. They FAR preferred BC and talked about how happy they were with the switch throughout the trip. (And this from a poster with the screen name "pixarmom," which is an indication of how much our boys LOVE Toy Story, Cars, Nemo, etc.!)

 

[davedmaine]

Definitely Beach Club.. no question about it..

 

[nickymaria]

Beach Club! I've stayed at both and though AoA is certainly fun - it's still a value resort. I LOVE the Epcot resorts and BC is one the best!

 

[pigletto]

Beach Club hands down IMO. Also it should be Food and Wine during that time so make sure to book early to get what you want

 

[cluvsdisney]

no contest...the Beach Club.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Beach Club!!!!! It's our favorite.

 

[francie57]

Agree with others - BC no question. We are Epcot resort people and love the BC and BW. For us there would be no decision since I am a deluxe girl all the way. We will be returning to the BC in 4 weeks for marathon weekend and can't wait. Already have our reservations for next Aug. made.

 

[JennyDrake]

Definitely Beach Club.. no question about it..

Ditto. I was at AoA in October and have no plans to return. And no, I am not a deluxe snob...in fact, I just got back from Pop.

 

[Nanook]

Echo the sentiments, we are just back from Aoa - first week of Dec. Stayed in a Cars suite with 3 kids and had plenty of space. Liked the food court options and especially hours. Chance to grab and go even when returning after fireworks. All 3 Cars buildings are close to trans and the big blue pool. But beach club/ Boardwalk area is great - our favorite. Love evenings on the Boardwalk and Stormalong Bay can't be beat. But main benefit was running to Epcot for rides, food, fireworks at night with my older DD. If Epcot is not high on your family list of destinations that may sway you.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

If you will need a stroller than definitely BC. The ability to walk to EPCOT or a boat to HS is great. We love the BC and the Boardwalk area. We love being in a hotel that you don't need to ride a bus all the time.