Boo! Your trip report can't be over!
It's been like reading a good book that you don't want to end. Plus, it's been interactive, meeting new friends. In all seriousness, thank you for taking the time to write this report and inviting us all along, it's been a lot of fun.
Now, for my mini-review on the Beach Club. I typed this a couple of days ago but the post didn't make it. It could have been user error or it could have been the 2 kids behind me distracting me while they fought over what Santa brought them!
We went for a quick trip to the BC the weekend of 12/10. We've stayed at all the MK resorts but with an AP rate, we decided to try the BC and see how the EPCOT resorts are. We figured that since we would be doing the Candlelight Processional and the Osborne Lights it would be a great location.
I loved the location! It was great to be able to walk to EPCOT in about 5 minutes via the International Gateway and to HS. You can take the boat to HS as well but it does stop at the Swan/Dolphin on the way, so its not too fast. The walkway to HS is about a mile (so someone said) but I thought it was a nice walk along the waterway. It was also noce to be able to walk thru part of the WS at EPCOT before it is open. HINT Heather: It's great to take pictures at this time!
I thought the food options at the BC are a little lacking. We did the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe and it was OK.
Not really anything that I would come from another resort for. The buffet didn't seem to have as much as the other breakfast buffets. The quick service for the BC is in their Marketplace (store) which seems it make it more hectic and they do not serve the children's chicken nugget meal. Now, this may not be a big deal but when that's the only thing your 6 year old will eat and you get sick of hearing "but there is nothing for me to eat" it becomes a big deal. Useless fact, the closest place that has chicken nuggets is the American pavillion at EPCOT.
We did venture to Stormalong Bay for a quick swim. My 6 year old wanted to see the sand bottom and I wanted to check it out as well. Now, it wasn't super warm but we made the sacrifice
I can see where this pool is a lot of fun but get really crowded during the busier times. It's actually like several pools all put around each other and there is no place to sit where you could see your child all the time. So, unless you have kids that are old enough to go off on their own for a little bit, or you are willing to move around the pool, this might not be the place for you. I would definately like to go back and spend more time when my girls are older and I don't have to stay on top of them!
Overall, I would definately stay at the BC again but I would do it on a trip where we were planning more resort time as there is a lot to do over in the BC area and there is Stormalong Bay. The rooms remind me of the GF and are about the same size as the monorail resorts.
On a side note, I took a page out of your book Heather and snuck out early in the morning while the rest were sleeping and took some pictures around the resort. I also thought of you and your Dad while I was in Mouse Gear and saw the camera straps!
I hope you do a PTR for your cruise as we are planning a cruise in October and I haven't the slightest idea of how to plan anything about the cruise. My girls are just dying to go to the kids club on board.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has a very uneventful winter! Till we "meet" again!
Christine