GF Club Lvl / BC Club Lvl / or Boardwalk?

[MissionDisney]

My Family and I (3 kids - 8,5,4) are taking a trip in October 2011. We are trying to decide where to stay. We have narrowed it down to Grand Floridian-Club Level / Beach Club-Club Level / or Boardwalk. Any insight would be Great! Also.. Is it worth getting club Level, if you plan on doing the Meal Plan?

YC - 2001
Poly - 2008
Pop - 2009
WL - 2009
AK - 2010
CL - 2010

[javamama]

It all depends I think, we've done the Poly in a suite/club level with the DDP, I felt like a slob the entire trip. The first year we did it because both of my brother in laws had never been to WDW before, so we did tons of TS meals, the Castle, it was worth it, plus we enjoyed lots of cocktails that trip so the club level perk was great also. The second year at the Poly, we had such a great time and our room was like home sweet home, we did it again the DDP...again lots of TS meals--this was our Xmas trip from my parents so they love to have nice meals throughout the trip. Now last year it was just dh, kids, and I we stayed at the CR in a suite again, but not CL w/DDP it was fine(my parents went to Europe instead!) We did a few TS meals, one signature meal, but my kids are close in age to yours and really hate sitting for a long period of time unless it's a character meal. So I figure if we enjoy one non character TS meal dh and I are happy, and 1 character meal for them--my big happy medium....so we came to decide on going back to Club Level. Breakfast in the Club or room everyday, and we usually come back to go for a swim during the day so that's a perfect snack time for the kids, plus dh and I can have a cocktail before dinner, then after we're ready for the night we can get something quick at the club before heading out again. Then when we return a glass of wine for me, and some rice crispy ears for the kids and it's sweet dreams for everyone! My kids can still get away with splitting an adult meal either CS or TS, or kids meal TS for each so it's cheaper for us not to do the DDP this time, and we don't need all that food. I plan on grabbing a few pcs of fruit, a juice box, milks keep them in our room fridge for the kids(I"ll have a single stroller still just in case) Plus my kids can't go anywhere w/out their camelback water bottles, so they can fill up w/ice water/lemonade in the morning before going to the parks. Just by people watching all these trips I've learned alot. Hope you decide what's right for your family!
As for your resort choices GF is my next trip for sure, BC was my choice this time but it was booked, and BW--I have clown issues so I won't stay there ever. To me it would all depend on the monorail perk/cost vs the price difference at the BC or BW. All the Clubs are great, the pool at BC is amazing a waterpark in itself which is great for your kids. Either way you can't make a bad decesion IMO.

[BrerGnat]

We did BC-CL and loved every second of it! I loved being within walking distance to my favorite park, Epcot, and everything about the CL was above and beyond. We'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[Fastpasssteve]

My last trip down, we were on the Deluxe Dining Plan. We had soooo much food! If we had been on concierge level, I don't think we wouldn't gotten the value out of it.

The last couple of times, we have strongly considered staying at the Boardwalk Resort, so that we could stay to the very end of the night at Jellyrolls (which we love) and not have far to stumble home.

This would be the deciding factor for me: Do you spend more time at the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT? The answer to that question would help me decide where to stay. Beyond that, it's a matter of preference between Beach Club or Boardwalk.

Also consider if the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival play into your plans.

Enjoy your trip.

[Mousemates]

Can't comment on the boardwalk since it is one of the resorts we haven't done yet...but we have done club level at the GF (sugarloaf) and BC. We thought the food offerings at the GF were far superior to those of the BC. To me club level plus the dining plan would be way too much food.

As for which I would choose I would likely ask myself the question...which park will I spend the most time at....if its the MK then GF hands down. But if you love epcot and the studios (and enjoy the boardwalk area then BC is a great choice. (again can't really comment on BW since we haven't stayed there)