Which of these options would you choose

[Masonmj84]

for a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 7, and 4) during free dining (travel dates December 10-17).

1. All-Star Music family suite. Cost with MYW tickets and free QS dining: $3322.74.

2. Art of Animation family suite. Cost with MYW tickets and free QS dining:
$3708.62

3. Beach Club standard room. Cost with MYW tickets and free regular dining:
$4574.94.

For each of the first two options, the cost to upgrade from free QS dining to regular dining is $389.97. So, with regular dining, ASMu is $3712.71 and AOA is $4098.59. Alternatively stated, with regular dining, BC is $476.35 more expensive than AOA (and $862.23 more expensive than ASMu) and AOA is $385.88 more expensive than ASMu.

As another point of reference, a Ft. Wilderness cabin with MYW tickets and free dining is $4029.34 (but we are not really interested in this option, nor are we interested in two separate rooms).

Finally, we will probably spend 2 days at each of MK and EP and 1 day at each of HS and AK. Also, the kids really enjoy swimming at the resort in the afternoon (even when outdoor temperatures are cool to moderate).

 

[mickeynut1]

My choice would be BC.....beautiful resort, Cape May buffet for breakfast and dinner, within walking distance to Epcot and DHS, nice pool, and the boardwalk is great for nightly entertainment .

 

[tallen429]

for a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 7, and 4) during free dining (travel dates December 10-17).

1. All-Star Music family suite. Cost with MYW tickets and free QS dining: $3322.74.

2. Art of Animation family suite. Cost with MYW tickets and free QS dining:
$3708.62

3. Beach Club standard room. Cost with MYW tickets and free regular dining:
$4574.94.

For each of the first two options, the cost to upgrade from free QS dining to regular dining is $389.97. So, with regular dining, ASMu is $3712.71 and AOA is $4098.59. Alternatively stated, with regular dining, BC is $476.35 more expensive than AOA (and $862.23 more expensive than ASMu) and AOA is $385.88 more expensive than ASMu.

As another point of reference, a Ft. Wilderness cabin with MYW tickets and free dining is $4029.34 (but we are not really interested in this option, nor are we interested in two separate rooms).

Finally, we will probably spend 2 days at each of MK and EP and 1 day at each of HS and AK. Also, the kids really enjoy swimming at the resort in the afternoon (even when outdoor temperatures are cool to moderate).

I'd go with BC. It's a splurge, but soooo worth it!

 

[Cherinva]

I will speak of ASMusic only because I have stayed there. The suites are really nice and there's a lot of space. It was great to have 2 full bathrooms and the kitchenette.....

They are not too far from the main building and we found the bus service to be great as well....and we love the food court there.

At night they show a movie at pool side (unless the weather is iffy..they they show it in the backside of the food court area.

I recommend this resort...it's awesome.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I can't comment on AoA as we haven't stayed there -- yet. But, the family suites at AS Music are small. we stayed there with four people, once with two kids and two adults, and once with three adults and one kid. I found it to be a little cramped -- I actually preferred two connecting rooms there. The rooms at Beach Club are bigger and I know they have the ability to sleep five but I found it tough with just three, of course it was Christmas and I had a 5 foot tree, decorations, presents ...

The pool at BC is always voted among the top two pools. I am not fond of the pools at AS. They are huge but have no slides. To me they are just pools. I don't know what the AoA has by way of pools but I am sure it will be better than the AS.

I also like the eating options at BC better than AS. That whole food court thing, chasing down a table that's empty and clean with little kids running everywhere doesn't appeal to me.

Anyway, I would either do BC or AoA but I would stay away from AS suites. The only way I stay there is when I have no other choice -- I either stay there or don't go. As long as I have a choice I am staying elsewhere.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Beach club, no question.

 

[francie57]

BC definitely - we will be there next week!! The easy access to Epcot and the Studios can't be beat and all the restaurants that they offer. The pool is amazing. We just love the Epcot Resort area. Can't compare to any of the others since we are deluxe people and haven't stayed at any of the moderates or values.

 

[PolyLover]

Beach Club. I would never want to spend more than $3,000 at a value resort. That being said you might want more space in which case I would look off property. Which is totally not what you were asking! Sorry! We have found if we don't stay at a monorail resort or a deluxe you just don't get that much of a Disney "feel" anyway. The Hilton has a really nice hotel called Parc Soleil which has kitchens. You would save tons of money. We only have two kids so hotel rooms are OK for us but with 3 that might be pushing it. Good luck and enjoy planning!

 

[daisyduck123]

I will choose BC over a value resort any day.

Go for it - you won't be sorry.

 

[DizDaD7]

what about 1 room at Port Orleans? Would this work with the daybed for the 5th person??? Also you would still get the reg. FD too, And their pools are way better than the values plus they have the TS Restaurant & the lounge....

I'm thinking it might be cheaper too...

 

[MMS1125]

I'd choose beach club too if you could swing it. The only thing vs the suites is you are giving up a bathroom and the extra space so it would really depend on what was more important to you. If you are going to be in the rooms a good bit I'd probably go with AoA since the pool looks awesome.

I would maybe try and keep pricing out/calling and see if POR opens up for your dates for FD. It would be cheaper than ASMu suite and already have upgraded dining without having to pay extra for that. Looks sold out with FD for your dates but you can try calling and see if they have any rooms. I'd book a pkg now and call/check online every week or so and see if there's been any cancellations.

 

[nolanboys]

I'm going to be a little different - I would skip BC. Why? I think it would be tight with 5 people and would stay there in warmer months for the pool, but not in December when you most likely not be swimming. Of the other 2 options, I would probably pay the extra for AoA- new resort that looks cool. It will also give you room to spread out a little. We had to make a similar decision before becoming DVC members - 2 rooms at a moderate, FW cabin, OKW 2 bdrm or 2 bdrm at BCV. We went with the 2 bedroom at OKW for the size and cost compared to BCV. Good luck with your decision. Your family may do great being close together, with our 4 boys, we need the space!

 

[Ninja Mom]

My husband and I were Googling a walking path between DHS and the Boardwalk area ESPN restaurant. When my husband saw that pool at the Yacht Club and Beach Club it was all over as far as staying anywhere else.

By staying at the BC/YC you can walk/take a boat to Epcot and DHS so no buses to half of the parks!

Read the excellent information about these two resorts found here and you will really get a sense of all this resort offers: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2932091

Also don't forget to Google the resort area so you get a sense of how close you are to all the action.

Good luck!

~NM

 

[wdw71]

Beach Club is my dream resort. So I would pick it if the cost is not too much for you.
That being said you could save money to spend doing other things by staying at AoA or ASM. Since AoA is new it would be great to say you stayed there in its inaugural year. You might find you have more room in a suite versus a regular BC room too.

 

[Couchy]

Ninja mom is right on
BC is so convienent to so much. In fact I type this as I walk on the walkway to DHS. If anyone in your house is a sports fan ESPN is on the boardwalk and is a great way to catch a game and a bite to eat SAB is out of this world

 

[Tink415]

If I only had the choices you listed

1. I'd choose BC if I didn't think another opportunity would come along in the next couple of years to stay there. BC is only going to get more crowded as your kids get bigger.
2. I'd choose AoA if we were planning another trip in a few years. AoA is only going to be new this year.
3. I'd choose ASMu if I'd rather use the extra cash for something else, like spending money, during the trip.

 

[canopynut66]

IMO would do BC or POR is a moderate and you would get the MYWD there included and they have a trundle or Murphy bed so would give you enough room.

 

[AliceIn]

For us it was about the separate sleeping space for the adults and the second bathroom. BC/YC looked great from our adult point of view, but my kids thought it looked sort of boring. We picked AoA over BC/YC after a lot of thought. The fancy pool just isn't an issue for us, as we belong to a very nice recreation center at home where the pools blow away anything but the water parks at Disney.

 

[cmdg]

Beach club! The pool is great, the location to Epcot and HS is ideal and the restaurants are great too. My family has stayed with 5 in a room (3 teenagers!) and it was totally fine.

 

[jenrose66]

for a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 7, and 4) during free dining (travel dates December 10-17).

1. All-Star Music family suite. Cost with MYW tickets and free QS dining: $3322.74.

2. Art of Animation family suite. Cost with MYW tickets and free QS dining:
$3708.62

3. Beach Club standard room. Cost with MYW tickets and free regular dining:
$4574.94.

For each of the first two options, the cost to upgrade from free QS dining to regular dining is $389.97. So, with regular dining, ASMu is $3712.71 and AOA is $4098.59. Alternatively stated, with regular dining, BC is $476.35 more expensive than AOA (and $862.23 more expensive than ASMu) and AOA is $385.88 more expensive than ASMu.

As another point of reference, a Ft. Wilderness cabin with MYW tickets and free dining is $4029.34 (but we are not really interested in this option, nor are we interested in two separate rooms).

Finally, we will probably spend 2 days at each of MK and EP and 1 day at each of HS and AK. Also, the kids really enjoy swimming at the resort in the afternoon (even when outdoor temperatures are cool to moderate).

I would do AoA with the QSDP. I would choose this option because I don't like being tied to reservations so I prefer to just do quick service foods. Also, you stated your kids like to swim and the new pool at AoA looks awesome.

I have stayed at All Star Music (not in a family suite though)...it was the least favorite out of the Disney resorts I've stayed at (POFQ, POP, AsMo, AsMu). I didn't like the layout of the lobby and even though I love music (I was a music major in college), I didn't care for the execution of the theme, especially in the foodcourt/lobby area...plus I found the food court to have not the best food as far as quality.