We liked the store at BC also. BC very relaxing overall.

We are in the process of planning a Disney trip and the travel agent we are working w/ said she doesn't. Recommend the GF now B/c the rooms are a bit worn. She did say the common areas have been updated recently.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the Beach Club and had a wonderful room with a view of the bay area. It was nice to walk to Epcot.

Are the beach club villas as nice as the beach club resort suites? Same? Better?

From what I understand (per reviews on Disboards) the villas are NOT as nice as the resort rooms (including suites). They have not been renovated as recently, also they have bedspreads instead of duvets on the bed (duvets with the washable covers seem cleaner than bedspreads that are used for many guests without being washed). If you book a villa through Disney on "cash" (as opposed to being a DVC member and using points) you will get daily room service. Otherwise, if you are a DVC member using points, or if you "rent points" from a member, you will only receive maid service on day 4 out of 7, or something like that. That also means no fresh towels, etc.

The villas will have a full kitchen, however. Whereas a resort suite will only have a small area with a mini-fridge, coffee maker (usually the pod-type), and depending on how large a suite, it may also have a micro/sink area. Villas will also have a washer/dryer, suites do not.

All suites will be on the concierge level (Disney calls it "club level") so you will have access to that lounge (snacks, drinks, etc all day) plus the club level staff can assist you with making reservations before and during your trip (reservations for the most "hard to get" are still not guaranteed). Also, when checking in, you will be met outside the hotel and escorted upstairs to the club level for check in--you sit down at a desk, will be offered a drink, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Floridian in the main building concierge/ club level. Its amazing!

Have you ever seen these suites? Wow! I'm the pp whose SIL stayed at the VP suite at BWI. Sounds like that was nothing compared to GF suites!

http://www.wherethemagiclives.com/suites_at_the_grand_floridian.html

Lol yes I have stayed in two of them! The on your main link page with the white a few times but now apparently it's only reserved for celebs. And then another one right below it

Oh and beaches are not really beaches in Orlando just so you know (land locked). Whatever option you chose is a man made lake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you give us more details (how many kids and their ages, how long you plan on staying, is your budget completely open, or do you have a limit, etc?) we can probably recommend stuff that works better for you.

I am a pp that recommended the suites at the Boardwalk Inn. That was good for my family because my kids are older and we planned to spend most of our time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If my kids were younger (toddler or preschool age) and we planned to spend more time at the Magic Kingdom, then Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary might have been a better choice.

Thank you for your response. We want high end so money is not a factor (not to sound arrogant but we don't take many trips so we want this to be really enjoyable for all). We will spend most of our time at magic kingdom. A resort with a beach would be nice. We also will go to harry potter since it is our first time we will spend most of our time at magic kingdom. Kiddies are 9 and 7 boy and girl.

While some of the hotels have sandy beaches, swimming is not allowed in the water. They do have boats you can rent to take out though, and of course swimming pools for swimming.

Harry Potter is at Universal's Island of Adventure--this is totally separate from Disney World, so Disney transportation won't take you there. You'll have to either rent a car or hire a taxi (or if you are driving to Florida in your own car, use that) to get there.

If I were in your position, I would get a suite at the Grand Floridian.

If you ARE intending to spend a few nights over by Universal, (where Harry Potter is) then you may want to consider the Loews Portofino Bay. It is the Universal resort's luxury option, I love it. (And yes they have shuttles etc over to Disney parks, too,)

The Floridian, but I prefer off site properties.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the Beach Club and had a wonderful room with a view of the bay area. It was nice to walk to Epcot.

Are the beach club villas as nice as the beach club resort suites? Same? Better?

We had a suite, but it was small for a luxury hotel. Also $400/nt.

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the Beach Club and had a wonderful room with a view of the bay area. It was nice to walk to Epcot.

Are the beach club villas as nice as the beach club resort suites? Same? Better?

Eat a gun and save some money. Equally as good of a time.

We stayed at the Beach Club and had a wonderful room with a view of the bay area. It was nice to walk to Epcot.

I don't think all the construction is DVC related. The new DVC property opens in October so much is already done (exterior wise). I do think maybe they are working on a pool or something at GF? Our room in December was nowhere near the DVC property and there were construction barriers around. Go to disboards for more info.

There is a lot of construction going on at the Grand Floridian right now (building a DVC resort there). I probably wouldn't pay for the GF until it goes back to being quieter and the construction barriers come down.

Loved the Poly. Very relaxed feel and so close to Mk.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who was pushing the Beach Club. It's still what I'd pick. But now I'm going to be sexist and ask whether you have boys or girls or one of each.

We took a trip a few years ago with my 6 year old son and 9 year old niece. My niece was entranced by the Grand Floridian when we went there for high tea. She loved the princessy feel, and the fact that you could eat with Alice from Wonderland. My son thought it was fine, but he thought the rest of the resorts were fine too. In fact the only resort that ever wowed him was the All Star Sports, which is in Disney's bargain group.

I'd vote Beach Club either way, because both kids loved that pool so much, and being able to walk to Epcot and try a different restaurant each night is my idea of heaven, but I think if I had a girl I might choose Grand Floridian over BLT, but if I had a boy I'd choose the opposite.

Good point... As the PP who did not care for GF, I'd agree. I am not particularly girly and really do not like floral print and I have two boys- so.... BLT is a much better fit for us!