Thinking about switching to Beach Club...any thoughts?

[HouCuseChickie]

We're currently booked at the Contemporary. I love the Contemporary, but I was initially thinking I'd try something different for this trip- even went between a Royal Room at POR for a while and Beach Club...well, until my girls started singing the praises of "the hotel from last trip- the one with the beach and the bath tub they love." It may sound silly and be something they really wouldn't care about in the end...but the little girlies LOVE hotels. Mind you, this trip is a surprise...so they really don't know that we're planning on going - let alone have a clue on where we might be staying, but I'm having second thoughts.

We have at least 2 days at MK (maybe 3)...and several ADRs at the monorail resorts-including our first night dinner (nonpark day) at Cali Grill...and a couple of MK pre-park opening slots. So, obviously the Contemporary would be ultra convenient for this. On the flip side- we are planning on an Epcot day, a DHS day, and have an early ADR at Cape May...so Beach Club would be good for those. Plus, while it's not nearly as convenient as Contemporary, I know plenty of people get along just fine with dining plans like this w/o staying right on top of MK...plus we'll have a our car there (although, we'd prefer to avoid driving).

Would you switch to Beach Club? or stick with the Contemporary?

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I don't necessarily have concrete reasons why but I've stayed at both and Beach Club is my favourite by far. I think part of it is the boardwalk area. The kids would probaby love having Beaches and Cream as well so that might help sell it to them if you decide to make the switch. They also get a beach and I have always enjoyed having a balcony view of Illuminations. It's really nothing more than my opinion and I'm sure others will readily disagree but I can't see me ever staying at Contemporary again unless my travel party insisted.

 

[bubbles1812]

Beach Club is great! It is my favorite resort along with the Poly. I would definitely recommend it and I always encourage the trying of new things. As Tigger said, Beaches and Cream is really fun and has excellent ice cream. The Beach Club does have it's beach area too...maybe not quite as substantial as those around the lagoon but still, it is there, and it is very nice so maybe your girls wouldn't miss Contemporary's very much. And the Boardwalk area is very peaceful...I've always found it to be one of the least crowded areas at Disney. I think your daughters would absolutely love the pool as well (best hotel pool on the property IMO). I think Beach Club really does capture the "beach" feeling...it just has that relaxed air about it. Our rooms were standard and we found them very comfortable. The convenience to Epcot and DHS is also a plus. And with your car there, I don't think you'll have any issues getting where you need to go if you suddenly became crunched for time...but since you said you'd like to avoid driving, I never found the bus service really isn't that bad either. They were generally on time and we always found a seat. It was never found it that crowded provided you got on during the "off period"...aka not between 9 and 10. Everyone at the resorts seem to want to get on the buses then.

So in summary...I'd switch, lol. Though I do find the monorail to be a bit overrated so I guess take my opinion with that in mind. I and my family just never felt we needed to have a great vacation and not riding it during a trip (or not very much) never made it feel like less of a Disney vacation. Though I know some posters put a lot of importance on the monorail. I really do think your girls would love Beach Club though and new things are always fun.

 

[NYwdwfan]

If they love the beach at the Contemporary, they will LOVE the pool at the Beach Club. Sand bottom, giant slide, aread where the sand comes out of the water right in the middle of the pool. The kids meals from the poolside QS come in a bucket and pail! The bus was not a big deal - and if the GF DVC construction disrupts the monorail service when you are there, then you won't have that benefit (although you CAN walk from the Contrmporary). The atmosphere at that resort is amazing. It's almost like you can smell the relaxation in the air.

 

[ddbowdoin]

DO it! I've never stayed at the Contemporary so I can't offer a valid comparison... but the BC is a wonderful resort. In terms of the actual rooms, they are pretty simple and basic. It is SUPPOSED to mirror a Martha's Vineyard feel, but as someone who goes there every summer it is no MV. Although it's great for what it is.

1.) amazing pool
2.) able to walk to/from EPCOT / DHS
3.) nice restaurants

 

[sgtmgd]

We're currently booked at the Contemporary. I love the Contemporary, but I was initially thinking I'd try something different for this trip- even went between a Royal Room at POR for a while and Beach Club...well, until my girls started singing the praises of "the hotel from last trip- the one with the beach and the bath tub they love." It may sound silly and be something they really wouldn't care about in the end...but the little girlies LOVE hotels. Mind you, this trip is a surprise...so they really don't know that we're planning on going - let alone have a clue on where we might be staying, but I'm having second thoughts.

We have at least 2 days at MK (maybe 3)...and several ADRs at the monorail resorts-including our first night dinner (nonpark day) at Cali Grill...and a couple of MK pre-park opening slots. So, obviously the Contemporary would be ultra convenient for this. On the flip side- we are planning on an Epcot day, a DHS day, and have an early ADR at Cape May...so Beach Club would be good for those. Plus, while it's not nearly as convenient as Contemporary, I know plenty of people get along just fine with dining plans like this w/o staying right on top of MK...plus we'll have a our car there (although, we'd prefer to avoid driving).

Would you switch to Beach Club? or stick with the Contemporary?

Beach Club...fantastic resort...better location than Contemporary...Ive stayed at both...the BoardWalk area is amazing...resturants are great....switch one of your ADR's to the Yachtsman Steakhouse right next to the beach Club...you wont regret it (if you do blame Hatter) your kids will love the pools..the beach...Movies on the beach at night...Beaches and Cream Soda shop....I could go on...

 

[wiigirl]

DO it! I've never stayed at the Contemporary so I can't offer a valid comparison... but the BC is a wonderful resort. In terms of the actual rooms, they are pretty simple and basic. It is SUPPOSED to mirror a Martha's Vineyard feel, but as someone who goes there every summer it is no MV. Although it's great for what it is.

1.) amazing pool
2.) able to walk to/from EPCOT / DHS
3.) nice restaurants

BC specifically for these three reasons!

 

[captainkidd]

Tough call. Never stayed at either. Beach Club seems like a much better resort, however, if the Magic Kingdom is your focus, you can't beat a monorail resort.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Tough call. Never stayed at either. Beach Club seems like a much better resort, however, if the Magic Kingdom is your focus, you can't beat a monorail resort.

I'll also say this:

Bus feels very private. The way it works out you're the last resort picked up headed to MK, and the first dropped off. So you don't waste time going to pick other people up, which is really nice.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Thanks guys! I think we're going to switch it. The info on the bus is pretty encouraging. That's a big factor for me...fear of waiting too long for buses, but that sounds really good if they're the first drop off and last pick up. Time is $ and sanity! We still may drive on nt 1 since I'm not sure if I want to be dealing with a cake and the bus. Yachtsman sounds like a nice idea, especially since DH and I are steak lovers, but I don't know if I can make it work this trip. It seems like an easy fit for nt 1 instead of Cali Grill, but I really wanted to watch Holiday Wishes from the deck and I'd prefer if the Contemporary bakery made our cake for that meal. And if it's a warm November, I think the girls will probably be happy that mommy took their beachy idea and gave them the option of Stormalong Bay. Thanks again!

 

[sambres8]

It seems like you're set but if you need any more confidence in your decision, Stormalong Bay (the pool) is easily the best pool on property. With all it's different areas (slide and kiddie slide, whirlpool, sandy bottom beach, secluded raised hot tubs, free tube rental for a lazy river, and snack bar) it's almost a water park in itself.

 

[s&k'smom]

I had to chuckle HouCusChickie about your comment that little girls love hotels, it's so true, my daughter LOVES hotels and can be quite picky about amenities believe it or not. Have fun.