Beach club vs wilderness lodge

[Lexie]

Hello! Planning a trip for next year and my family has stayed at the beach club for years! Based on the size of the group we are traveling with a two bedroom villa would be ideal. Since the availability for the villas can be tough we want to have a back up plan... I was hoping to hear some good things about WL... I am a creature of habit so it will be hard to stay somewhere other than the BC!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

We were in the same situation as you last year. We are Boardwalk people, but the rooms were taken already, so we ended up at Wilderness Lodge because of all the wonderful things we'd heard about it. It didn't disappoint, it's a beautiful resort! Proximity to MK is great, you can hop right on the ferry. The dining at the lodge was very good at Whispering Canyon Cafe & Roaring Fork. I especially liked the nature trails, they were very quiet & made for a peaceful walk. You can rent bikes as well. It's a completely different vibe from staying at a Boardwalk resort, but still so nice.

We still head back to the Boardwalk when it's available, because that's just "home" to us. But I would stay at WL again.

 

[Disvillain63]

WL is our favorite resort. We've never had a disappointing stay...about every other year since it opened. We love the lobby and the pool. The EWP comes right to the dock. It's an awesome resort.

 

[coachwnh]

We love the BW area. Have stayed at BC and BW once each, and YC three times and have it booked again for Christmas. Nothing beats walking to Epcot and HS form those resorts. WL is beautiful as well. Stayed there twice as well. The boat ride to MK is great. But being able to walk to two parks does it for us. Id also recommend YC over BC. Same pool and a much quieter lobby!

 

[Disvillain63]

We're staying at BWV in September for the first time, so who knows maybe there will be a new favorite. I love the thought of being able to walk to 2 parks and have the nightlife right at our resort.

 

[bethymouse]

If MK is your park, then WL is best. The boat launch is quite nice and convenient.

 

[JeffnPa]

We love the BW area. Have stayed at BC and BW once each, and YC three times and have it booked again for Christmas. Nothing beats walking to Epcot and HS form those resorts. WL is beautiful as well. Stayed there twice as well. The boat ride to MK is great. But being able to walk to two parks does it for us. Id also recommend YC over BC. Same pool and a much quieter lobby!

I so agree, we just booked at BC again for next year, the discussion was maybe the WL something different, but the ability to walk to two parks, have the ability to watch fireworks by walking out the door, and have many dinner options at epcot always sells us at BC

 

[Lexie]

Thanks for all the feedback!! I am wondering how traveling with kids will changes things... We are taking my 1 and 3 year old... First time my family has traveled with kids since my 30 year old sister was little... I am guessing we will be spending a lot more time at MK

 

[TinkerbellKate]

These are probably my two favorite resorts. I love the Wilderness Lodge and probably stay there 9 out of 10 trips to Disney but you can't beat the Beach Clubs proximity to Epcot and DHS. I think either option is great but if your going to spend more time at MK, then the Wilderness Lodge is the way to go.

 

[disneyfan1995]

WL is a great resort to stay at! It's closeish to MK (just a quick boat ride) and has excellent theming. The lobby gives off a very "homey" feel which is nice! The pool is amazing as is the geyser that they have near the boat dock. They also have Whispering Canyon Cafe which seems to be a very popular dining location!

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

Hello! Planning a trip for next year and my family has stayed at the beach club for years! Based on the size of the group we are traveling with a two bedroom villa would be ideal. Since the availability for the villas can be tough we want to have a back up plan... I was hoping to hear some good things about WL... I am a creature of habit so it will be hard to stay somewhere other than the BC!

Staying at WL, you've got spectacular ambience, theming, wonderful Disney feel to it. Beach Club is just the same! Those are my top 2 favorite resorts at WDW so its always hard for me to choose between them. I would say WL just because you're close to MK and the boat rides are nice. WL is big, yet intimate, and has wonderful amenities. BC is very relaxing, charming, the only drawback is you share amenities with another resort, being Yacht Club. At BC, you can also use the International Gateway at Epcot, which is very convenient. As far as dining goes, they're pretty evenly match. I've stayed at both over 10+ times each so if you have any questions feel free to let me know!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

If you plan on any pool time the pool at the Beach Club is amazing! The slide is fun and I think the sand bottom part of the pool is cool. I love WL but if I had the budget to stay at the Beach Club again I would jump at the chance.

 

[luv]

I've stayed at both and liked the Beach Club rooms better, but the restaurants at WL better. Very different places, but I think it is good to try new things!

I am so NOT a fan of the boat back to WL after MK closes. We waited over an hour. It was a beautiful and peaceful ride, but that is just a ridiculous wait, standing there all tired out, in the heat, for over an hour. Maybe it was an off night. I wouldn't know. After that, I drove it.

Just another idea...Old Key West. If you like the rooms at Beach Club, you will probably like them at OKW, too. They're very similar. BWI isn't that different, either.