Wilderness Lodge vs Beach Club

[disneygirl40]

I recently booked an Aug 12-19 to WL, I'm reconsidering to the BC b/c of the pool size. Can anyone give me info on pros or cons of both hotels?
Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

BC swimming pool is definitely better.

BC is also walking distance to Epcot and Studios (or boat).

while WL is boat or bus to the MK.

which park(s) are you spending the most time?

BC has one of my favorite restuarants - cape May Cafe also Beaches & cream -

 

[disneygirl40]

Probably MK we will be at most. We got a 5 day hopper since we want to go to SeaWorld....I'm just nervous that in August the pool at WL will get real crowded. We been to Disney 8 times and decided to relax (if that's possible) on this trip and enjoy the hotel. Is there any major difference between the two? Thanks

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

If you are doing hotel time for the pool than definately BC. We were at WL in November and the pool does get very crowded. Although the BC and YC share and I can imagine that gets packed to but it is bigger. That would be a tough decesion since your main park is MK.

 

[spiceycat]

love WL - it is very relaxing.

but if it is a pool you want then BC.

It has access to 4 pools - the big one between it and Yc.

the 3 quiet pools - BC, YC and BCV.

WL has 2 - the big one, and one over at VWL. it is much smaller - but more peacefully. It also has a nice big hot tub - so you can enjoy that while your kids enjoy the pool. the main pool has 2 hot tub (not as big) one hot, the other one cold.

each of BC pools has a hot tub.

but only WL has that geyser!!!

not helping.

still if you want the MK - then I would stick with WL. the BC only has bus access to the MK - well you could go through Epcot and ride the monrail - but that is a long walk. the Epcot resorts share the bus to the MK. so sometimes you share with YC & D&S othertimes YC & BW othertimes all 5 resorts share one bus. other than in the morning rush, I don't think the buses are separate.

 

[eliza61]

These are my top two resorts. As every one else has said BC has the better pool with SAB. Unfortunately you are going during the summer in Florida (heat, heat, heat). I've been at both during this time and both pools will be very, busy. SAB is more spread out but the noise level was through the roof because of course more people are in it, especially kids. WL pool is also a bit cooler I thought because of the wooded theme of the resort, definitely had more shade than SAB. Also when we were at the WL, CM's had organized games for the kids, I never saw that at the BC. I also like where the WL's quiet pool is located as oppose to where the one for BC was.

SAB has beaches and cream right behind it. That alone could sway my decision. If your main park is going to be MK, I would stick with the WL.

 

[disneygirl40]

Agggh! Thanks for all the info....I'm soooo torn! The bus thing would probably kill me having to make all those stops. My DH thinks I'm crazy and should just leave us at WL.....just how crowded is it in Aug....I thought the kids are back by then.

 

[spiceycat]

the Southern schools have generally start back.

that say some guests staying at FW think they have the right to use the pool at WL. so they do.

since FW is alot bigger than WL - that is where a bunch of the guests using the pool are coming from.

the lifeguard don't check ID until someone complaints. then the FW guests will be asked to leave.

so if there are bunch of people there - just ask the lifeguard to please see that everyone is a WL/VWL guest.

only DVC member can pool hop. (okay sister resorts can too - but FW is not a sister resort to WL)

 

[PlutoPony]

...just how crowded is it in Aug....I thought the kids are back by then.

We were at WL last summer during the very last week of August and the pool wasn't as crowded as I expected (especially compared to our last stay at the Poly). This is afternoon thunderstorm season and all but one day had downpours mid-afternoon, which cleared out the pool nicely . Haven't been to BC so can't compare to that however.
Have a nice trip wherever you stay!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

These are my top two resorts. As every one else has said BC has the better pool with SAB. Unfortunately you are going during the summer in Florida (heat, heat, heat). I've been at both during this time and both pools will be very, busy. SAB is more spread out but the noise level was through the roof because of course more people are in it, especially kids. WL pool is also a bit cooler I thought because of the wooded theme of the resort, definitely had more shade than SAB. Also when we were at the WL, CM's had organized games for the kids, I never saw that at the BC. I also like where the WL's quiet pool is located as oppose to where the one for BC was.

SAB has beaches and cream right behind it. That alone could sway my decision. If your main park is going to be MK, I would stick with the WL.

We were there in July and they definitely had organized kids activities by the pool every day. They also were showing Disney movies on the beach each night, along with a campfire to roast smores.

 

[KJET54]

they are 2 of my favorites.
I love the beach club cause you can walk to Epcot and MGM. the pool is great but it can get very crowded.

I love Wilderness lodge because it is soooooo relaxing, not tons of people. the bike path to Fort wilderness, the smell of the leather, the large spacious lobby. the pool is also nice. the water slide is smaller so the ages of kids could play a part. Good luck, either choice is great

 

[Samsma]

We just got back from WL on Tues I am thinking seriously about changing resorts for our summer vacation. We are currently booked at YC for 8 nights because my DH loves EPCOT so much. But WL has won me over!!! We enjoyed walking to FW to eat at Trails End, the kids had a lot of fun in the pool - as long as it is water they always have fun. We got an upgrade from woods to inner courtyard, and I've never been happier with a location and view, even Waterview at YC. We had a great time at WL!!! If MK is your main destination, I'd definitely stick with WL and save some money.

 

[ihearttink]

Agggh! Thanks for all the info....I'm soooo torn! The bus thing would probably kill me having to make all those stops. My DH thinks I'm crazy and should just leave us at WL.....just how crowded is it in Aug....I thought the kids are back by then.

Oh yeah I drive DH nuts with how many times I have switched resorts I second guess all my decisions ALL the time.

We have stayed at the BC a few times and last year we finally tried the WL. WL is a nice resort, but we like BC more and the pool is one of the main reasons.

One of our other reasons for choosing BC over WL is that it is so close to Epcot and it has so many restaurants to choose from within walking distance of the resort.

 

[Philadisney]

After booking a split stay between WL & BC in the fall, I'm excited to read this thread I have never stayed at either.

 

[disneygirl40]

Thanks so much for everyone's advice....I believe 90% that we are staying at WL. I usually go to Disney every 2 years, so I figure the next trip will be to the BC. I call CRO last nite and wanted to price out a 3rd adult in my party and the CM was totally strange...she asked why in the world would I pick WL to stay.....I thought that was really weird.

 

[PKWallaby]

disneygirl40: since you plan on going again, I would say stay with your first choice. Speaking from most recent experience, I originally booked VWL since it was the only villa(aside from SSR) available 30 days out...I ended up switching to the BCV one week before we left after enough days opened up, and although we had a great time at BCV, I wonder if our trip would have been different staying at VWL. We had 3 MK days planned(between P&P party, EMH and one early day) so we spent a lot of time riding the bus between BC and MK...the sharing of buses was not a pleasant experience! Again, we loved BCV, but I did wish I kept the original ressie on a couple of occasions...guess that means another trip for us!!!

 

[auntie]

We have stayed at both..and actually had a split stay between both resorts. We spent first 5 days at the WL and the second 5 at the Beach Club. We were only two days into the stay at the Beach Club, and we switched back to the WL. It was a better resort for us at the time. The pool ...was a pool. I know that sounds nuts..but I'm probably one of the few people that didn't care for "sand" in the pool. I live on Long Island..we go to the beach quite a bit. I like the beach to be the beach..and a pool to be a pool. It also was nice..but not so private..as I didn't care for all the foot traffic that goes by on the board walk area. At the time my kids were younger. The younger two couldn't go down the slide alone and still be in my sight. Had to take them to where the slide was..which was not in the immediate area of the lounges. It got old. At the WL we could sit poolside and see the kids while they were on line and when they came down. Of course, I'm not sure of the ages of your kids..so maybe this isn't an issue. It wouldn't be for us now either, but when they are younger it was. Also our room was a HIKE from the elevators..I mean it was a LONG walk. We had my mom with us and this was an issue. The view we had was of a lower roof of the front of the resort..not much to look at. Also something to consider the BC rooms don't all offer balconies..which is VERY important to us. Some have false balconies..where they have a sliding door..but you can't actually sit out there. I didn't find that the room was especially large either, as they have a daybed in the room. I know they are supposed to be somewhat larger than the WL room, but it didn't appear that way with the daybed in it. I called Central reservations while we were at the BC, and asked about going back to the WL. They told me to speak to the manager at the Beach Club, that it was their job to make sure their guests were happy(can you tell that was a few years back. Not a chance of that happening now! ). In any case I did just that. They transferred us back to the WL. Kids were thrilled. I found that the dining at the WL was better for us also. The kids were younger and didn't always want to do a sit down meal, and options for a quick bite at the Beach Club were limited to a pool side snack area. Even Beaches and Cream was a sit down..and VERY crowded. The Roaring Forks at the WL was quick and easy, and the selections were good. We also enjoy Whispering Canyon. While Cape May Cafe(at the Beach CLub) is a favorite of ours..we prefer to visit and eat there. We prefer to stay at the WL.
If I were to get a really good rate, I would consider staying there now..but I don't have little ones..and the proximity to both Epcot and MGM is a plus. That being said with younger kids..it is WL was a better choice. I think it all depends on who you are traveling with and what parks you might be spending more time in. The WL offers the water launch to the MK..which is very convenient and a lovely way to reach the park. With kids I think WL without a doubt.

________

 

[spalady]

I just booked WL for August also and am not second guessing myself at all!!! 2 years ago when we were at disney we went over to the WL to check it out and fell in love with it. We (even my kids 15, 12) love that atmosphere so we just booked it the other day and everyone is so excited.

 

[larryz]

How many and how old are the kids? For us, the clincher at WL is the bunks. We dearly love both resorts, each for their own reasons, but our slight favorite is the WL. Walking to Epcot is offset by the boat ride to MK. Or boat to the CR and walk inside for the resort monorail. Plus, the atmosphere at WL is just so...relaxing!

It's probably the most un-Disney resort on property! It truly feels like being out West -- I'm always reminded of the El Tovar hotel at the Grand Canyon South Rim (but only because I haven't been to Yellowstone yet!).

Don't fret about making a bad choice -- between those two, you'll win at either location.

 

[mericletwins]

Also when we were at the WL, CM's had organized games for the kids, I never saw that at the BC. I also like where the WL's quiet pool is located as oppose to where the one for BC was.

SAB has beaches and cream right behind it. That alone could sway my decision. If your main park is going to be MK, I would stick with the WL.

They have games for the kids (and adults sometimes) at BC. Also, frequently playing music. Two hot tubs at the main pool. Beaches and Cream! Movies on the beach at night. I would definitely do the BC.