Villas has changed the Beach Club

[10drum]

Just returned from the BC last week and this was the first time we've stayed there since the BCV opened.

I'd like to say our stay was great, the room was perfect, the service was perfect, and we had a wonderful time and hated to leave.

I noticed that the lobby and resort(as a whole) has lost it's serenity. We've stayed at other disney resorts moderates and deluxes, including the BC in 01 & 02. One thing I've always noticed about all the places we've stayed in wdw, is the resorts always seem quiet, no matter how full they are. The BC lobby, gift shop, beaches and cream, and Cape may, was continually busy. SAB didn't seem too bad though, but I sort of expected it to be busier.

Anyway this was just an observation, can anyone say the same for the WL, when they added the villas there?

Oh yeah, the bus service has really improved since our last stay at the BC.

 

[LIFERBABE]

YC/BC is a very popular resort. Beach Club is supposed to have a very laid back feel to it. In order to get to any of the hotel's amenities, you have to pass through the lobby, whether you are a villa guest or not. It's supposed to have a Beach theme.

Beaches N Cream is extremely popular (especially with vouchers), and considering it only has 10 tables and counter seating, and you did visit during Peak season I can see where it could have been busy. It is always busy.

I really like the casual atmosphere of BCV but with all the upscale amenities. Even when we were not staying there, we always visited to dine, shop and sightsee.

Cape May is a very popular restaurant. PS's are highly recommended at most times of the year. The week we were there in June I wanted to change our Cape May Bfast to another day and was told it was completely booked for weeks. We kept what we had.

BC/YC/BCV is at the top of many vacationers list, as it has SAB, awesome location, dining etc.

The villas have their own pool and spa and although many guests will use SAB the villa pool is very popular too. SAB is so large, that I have yet to see it be really crowded and we were there on Labor Day weekend last year.

Glad you had a great trip!!

 

[10drum]

Liferbabe,

I just noticed a loss of serenity from the last time we stayed there(02). I went over to the yc a couple of times and there still seemed to be some serenity. I understand the beach type atmosphere, which I've preferred over the YC in the past, I just think since the Villas opened it is more like a KOA campground, alot of unattended children running all over the place, always a line at the gift shop cash register, the front desk was always packed, and always 20+ mug people in line at BAC.

Please don't get me wrong, we had a great time, and I don't think I've seen a resort in such great shape, clean, freshly remoldeled, I think the bus service was better than ever, and I think all those things can be attributted to the Villas.

I love the YC/BC and will go back, probably to the YC.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by 10drum
Liferbabe,

I just noticed a loss of serenity from the last time we stayed there(02). I went over to the yc a couple of times and there still seemed to be some serenity. I understand the beach type atmosphere, which I've preferred over the YC in the past, I just think since the Villas opened it is more like a KOA campground, alot of unattended children running all over the place, always a line at the gift shop cash register, the front desk was always packed, and always 20+ mug people in line at BAC.

Please don't get me wrong, we had a great time, and I don't think I've seen a resort in such great shape, clean, freshly remoldeled, I think the bus service was better than ever, and I think all those things can be attributted to the Villas.

I love the YC/BC and will go back, probably to the YC.

As a BCV owner, I take offense at your comments. Must the the best KOA campground in America, then. BCV opened in 2002, so when you were there last, the villas were already open. Must be some other snobs allowing their children to just run loose.

 

[marymrg]

But If I had to guess, I think more YC/BC SAB'ers would be filling their mugs vs. the KOA'ers. I would think that most of us who stay at the Villas would not have a need for the mugs. (although some might) I was there during Spring Break last year and other than Beaches N Cream being busy, I did not find the conditions that you described. I did find the YC lobby to be extremely quiet, but that is not my cup of tea.

The loudest(busy, busy) resort I've ever stayed at was the Contemporary -which is not a DVC property and the quietest properties have been both OKW(DVC) and Wilderness lodge(which also has a DVC villa). Go figure!!

I don't know..........call me crazy, but I love them all.

 

[Hootiss]

FYI, after 9/11/01 all of WDW was a ghost town. WDW is just now starting to make a comeback. We visit 6-8 times a year and can confirm there have been mild to moderate crowds until this year. To even compare DVC to a KOA campground you better put your flame suit on. Do you have any idea how much it costs to join DVC? By the way you did visit in the middle of summer. Maybe you should edit your post!

 

[susy]

We were at the BC for the first time in May and yes, the lobby was always packed and jumping (and loud). Every seat was always taken every time I walked through. The YC seemed MUCH more peaceful.

 

[TwingleMum]

Did you take Identification from those lowly KOA people and find out they were all DVC members? I know DVC was having their annual Spam and trailer trash convention there this year so that probably explains it.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I too take offense to your comments, as I am a BCV owner too.Just like Deb said the time you were there the villas were already open.I have stayed at the BCV numerous times and spent plenty of time in the lobby and it has had hardly anyone in it.People with children stay at BC and BCV for the pool,That does not mean that because the villas have opened it has turned the feel into a KOA campgrond.It means that the BC is a very popular place.As for children running and screaming everywhere,you are at DW for Gods sake.There are going to be loud unattended children everywhere you go,it is not just at BC.Next time you go spend a little time sitting in the lobby of some of the other resorts and see what I am saying.We see it everywhere,we are a married couple with no children and belive me we notice unruly children.

It just proves a point of more and more people today have the Me Me attitude.

Misty

 

[jennymouse]

Ooohhh, you better watch out, lots of us BCV DVCer's go to the Yacht Club Galley and Yachtsman's Steakhouse too...scary huh. We don't however have much use for the refillable mugs as we have refrigerators to keep water/sodas in. Also, many people, whether they're staying at BC or not wants to eat at B&C & CMC. We don't have much need to take up your line space at the giftshop either as we always make a grocery stop. As far as swimming goes, we enjoy our private villa's pool and only hit SAB on our pool days when we don't go to a park. I think your observations are unfounded too.

 

[10drum]

Luvindisneyworld,
When we were there(in 02), they were just getting ready to open the villas.

I did not mean the DVC was like a KOA campground, I meant the lobby, at the BC, was like a KOA campground. I'm not sure if the reason was because of the villas or not, I just know that in the past(even prior to 9/11) most WDW resorts (mods and Deluxes) has had a serenity to them. Susy saw what I'm talking about.

We stayed at CSR over Easter in 03, and the resort was packed, yet it still had that quiet feel about it.

I think, maybe, since the villas opened, the BC lobby has become somewhat overloaded. Maybe the lobby was designed to serve 900 rooms, and now it serves 1500. I don't know, it just seemed more caotic this year.

 

[justhat]

Though I have never stayed at the YC or BC, I can see what 10drum is trying to say. If you're used to staying at a hotel when it has 900 rooms, then the next time you go it has 600 more rooms, I can see how it would appear much more crowded-because it would be more crowded. I don't think she's trying to say that anyone who stays at the BCV might as well stay at a KOA campground, or that they are in any way comparable to a KOA campground, just that, like a KOA campground, the resort felt very crowded and disorderly. So while non-BC guests have always eaten at the YC/BC restaurants, along with the 900 rooms of BC guests, add the new 600 rooms of guests who also want to eat there, shop there (and I buy more in the gift shop than I could get at the grocery store), etc. and you get a more crowded resort. I don't think it's a cause for attack to 10drum as I highly doubt the post was intended to make all people who stay at the BCVs feel like campers, just a stated observation of the resort being more crowded with the addition of 600 rooms than it felt in years past.

 

[erikthewise]

Just for the record,
BC has about 580 rooms
YC has about 630 rooms
BCV has about 275 rooms

Timing is everything. as a BCV member I've passed through the lobby a number of times. The only time I've seen the BC lobby full with all the seats taken is at 5:30 when Cape May opens and people with PS's are waiting to be seated. Many if not most of those guests are not staying at BC/BCV.

Personally I'd rather see the lobby a little busy than completely deserted.

 

[10drum]

Thanks, Justhat. Those numbers are just a guess.

 

[swilphil]

You didn't mention what time of year you were at BC in the past. Most of July was offering a discount code, so that may have contributed to the high crowds. Also SAB is extremely popular and I think many people skip the parks during the hot summer days and just hang at the pool. There could be lots of reasons why the lobby had become more crowded. I know Swan/Dolphin was sold out at the end of July, so there may have been a big convention. Beaches and Cream draws a lot of business from other hotels. I'm sure BC added staff to accomodate the BCV.

I don't expect hotel lobbies to be serene places. I actually find the hustle and bustle to be energizing and exciting. Perhaps you should stay at GF or skip WDW all together if serenity is your main goal. Also not letting the little things bother you would probably help. If the worst thing that happens on my vacation is a crowded lobby, I'd count my blessings.

Have a nice day!

 

[BCV23]

I'm a DVCer too 10drum, but didn't take your post as a slam against all of us.

We stayed at the BC several times over the years for short stays including within the first year Y&BC opened. I have always thought the BC lobby to be a very busy place most of the time. We own at BCV and have stayed there several times and really don't notice a huge change in the lobby. The BCV have 200-300 units so I'm sure it has added to the business but I think most of us check in for a longer stay usually so I wouldn't think it would make a huge difference in check in.

I do think the store is much busier than it used to be.

The YC lobby has always been downright serene in comparison. One reason I believe is that a lot of convention types stay there so there are not as many families on their way to or from parks. And just by the layout of the resorts, I think more people end up in the BC lobby. If folks doing EPCOT wander over to check out the resorts, the BC is where they enter. Cape May is very popular which adds to the crowds too.

In fact I know the only reason I ever go through the YC lobby is to get to their shop which carries some different things than the BC shop...more general resort wear, etc.. I doubt too many people go way over there to shop.

Anyway, it is an interesting point to discuss and I hope we DVCers don't let our skin get to thin.

 

[littlestar]

The addition of BCV added 208 vacation homes, not 600! I think it depends what time of year you visit on how the crowds feel. You have to remember that the DVC resorts have kitchens in them and a washer and dryer. Most people who stay in a home away from home are not crowding up the restaurants. The Beach Club has Beaches and Cream and Cape May. We know MANY people who stay offsite who come over to eat at these places.

We notice more crowds at the Contemporary than about any resort we've ever visited. Of course, you have Chef Mickeys which is very popular.

The VWL has its own mini lobby that never feels busy to me. I think the VWL was a nice addition to the main lodge. They put the health club in the villas addition. It was nice to see the lodge get a health club, quiet pool, and another hot tub. The dvc addition to the lodge added 136 rooms (not many rooms).

Personally, I think its great that all the resorts are busy again. It means our economy is picking up. And that's a good thing. That means jobs for people!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by erikthewise
Just for the record,
BC has about 580 rooms
YC has about 630 rooms
BCV has about 275 rooms

Timing is everything. as a BCV member I've passed through the lobby a number of times. The only time I've seen the BC lobby full with all the seats taken is at 5:30 when Cape May opens and people with PS's are waiting to be seated. Many if not most of those guests are not staying at BC/BCV.

Personally I'd rather see the lobby a little busy than completely deserted.

I have to agree with Eric. It really depends on the time of day. I've ben there when teh BC was at 100% capacity and it was quiet. I've been there when it was at only 50% capacity, and it was a zoo. I think the days the DCL ships leave tend to be much busier. I also think that dinner and check-in times are hectic.

I also think that the corner entrance area in to Cape May has to be "fixed". You simply can't manuever through sometimes. This has nothing to do with how busy the resort is, it's the restaurant.

Perhaps moving the kids video area, or even the check-in for the Cape May into the now vacant bar area might be an option.

That said, I've also walked through the YC lobby when it was utter chaos as a convention got out and many moved to the lounge, and overflowed out of it.

And I absolutely agree with a previous poster, the Contemporary wins the "craziness in the deluxe resort lobby" award.

Anne

 

[marymrg]

Looking over this thread again, perhaps comparing the lobby to "Grand Central Station" at certain times of the day would have been more descriptive than comparing it to a KOA. I like the visual much better.........

 

[pumpkinboy]

I got a nice chuckle from the original post, and knew that it would get under the skin of some of my fellow DVCers. I do agree with several other posters that the popularity of Cape May and the kids video area are a more likely source for the crowds than the opening of 208 new vacation homes on the site.

For a serene feel in a Disney Hotel lobby, I have always felt that way about AKL; no matter what the crowd levels are, the architecture really gives it a grand and serene feel.