Club Level @ Beach Club...worth the extra money? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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So we are still trying to figure out what resort to stay at in June. The only accomodations left at Beach Club are club level. I'm just curious if it it worth the extra money? Could anyone please let me know what it's all about---food, drinks,view, etc. Also, do you think it's necessary to get the Dining Plan when staying club level? We would still like to do some character meals.....I'm thinking the Counter Service plan? As you can see I need lots of help!! Thanks in advance!
I loved BC CL.
No, I wouldn't get DDP. You get a good breakfast in the CL, no need for refillable mugs, lots of drinks avail in the lounge. I did use a mug to take my coffee or ice tea to go when leaving for park, but no need to purchase a mug.
Dinner time they serve hot Appies, salads, buns, beer, wine, etc. then there's desserts with cordials.
We did have the DDP because we booked it before getting CL, and we didn't know. I wouldn't get DDP again staying CL.
When we stayed at AKL CL we didn't get DDP, and worked out much better.
We had breakfast in the CL, then booked late TS lunches. The Appies at dinner time in the lounge were good, and more then enough with having a large late lunch. Plus the desserts and cordials
We've done concierge at BC and BW. Worth it at BW, but not at BC. The concierge room was very small, not comfortable, and kinda dark. Food offerings were not that spectacular.
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My family has done CL at BC, BW and AKL and we were very satisfied. To make it worth while you need to be available. We always enjoy breakfast offerings at all the CL locations. We're up early and we always come back for a midday break and usually stop at the lounge for snacks drinks etc. Hit the pool, and stop at the lounge before hitting the parks. But for those that don't take the breaks it may not be worth it.
DDP would be OK if you did a major meal while in the parks or at the hotel. Since the regular dining plan does not include appetizers stopping there before heading out you can enjoy them there. If you did a TS for breakfast the appetizers will be nice before your QS dinner.
For character dining there are many available for breakfast and dinner and some locations for lunch so you can always mix in a few during your stay. Look at menus at the locations you are interested and crunch those numbers to see if the plan.
I love the Beach Club since Epcot is my favorite park but I personally liked the AKL CL because the offerings were from the restaurants at the resort that we love dining at.
We have had 2 great stays CL at BC, and are going back this fall! The Itinerary Planning staff are wonderful, and really do take a lot of pressure off!
This Fall we are going with QS dining. QS will probably be more than we need, however we like the convienience when in the parks. We plan on paying OOP for our Character meals. We always get breakfast in the lounge, and the other offerings at mid-day, and the evening are more than enough to make a meal of if you choose. The Mickey sugar cookies are my favorite .
We find the lounge to be very comfortable, and DD loves the TV, and seating area just for the younger ones. We have never found it to be crowded, or loud, and with the large windows it is always nice and bright. with your decision!
I've only stayed concierge at the Grand Floridian. The breakfast offerings were plentiful and they always had soda cans there. That said, I don't think it's worth the extra money because in order to get the most bang for your buck, you need to be close to the concierge area during the day.
It depends. We like CL for the service and for the locked facility it usually offers us. We are almost never at the lounge at the times food is served. We've always gone with the DDP, no matter where we've stayed - and I wouldn't do it any different!
If you're looking at it, dollar for dollar, and trying to figure out if you can substitute lounge offerings for meals, then you'll need to think really hard about it: are you willing to eat whatever is put out for each 'meal'? Are you willing to eat the same thing every day? More importantly: are you willing to make sure you get back to the resort at the times posted for food offerings? I'm not.
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Could anyone please let me know what it's all about---food, drinks,view, etc. 
Also, do you think it's necessary to get the Dining Plan when staying club level? We would still like to do some character meals.....I'm thinking the Counter Service plan? As you can see I need lots of help!! 
Thanks in advance!
Me & Tigger - WDW '11
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with your decision!
Reese
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