2013 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Fun & Friends: Don't Post Here- New Thread Started

[HBGdancermom]

Hi everyone,


Happy Mother's Day! One of my gifts today was getting uninterrupted Disboard time. Lol

So excited to be coming with my family of 5 in Oct. Nobody knows but me, and of course you guys, that we are staying at BC CL. My DH thinks AoA. I think he will be so excited!!!

Ok, now though I am questioning some of my ADRs and would love opinions from the BC/YC peeps. My kids are DS 13, DS 11 and DD 7. This is only our 2nd trip. Last time we did Ohana.

This time I have hoop dee Doo revue, tuskar house(lunch)...thinking of moving that to Camp May?? And prime time cafe(lunch)

Any thoughts or others suggestions for my age kids?

Thanks!!!

 

[Karebear]

We (I) debated and debated about the dining plan. I had it on my original reservation but after careful calculations I made a "final" decision to cancel it. WELL, the closer my trip got and the more menus I looked at I decided to add it about a week ago. My reasoning is probably very different than everyone else's but I know my DH will totally freak out at some of the prices of meals. I honestly think the dining plan will end up costing us a little more but it is going to be so worth that money if I don't have to deal with a grumpy DH! This is our first trip, so we will see how this works out. We don't usually drink soda with our meals (water or wine) or eat desserts and I am sure we will order some appetizers, soups and salads but we have some nice meals ($$$) planned and I don't want to deal with my DH bolting from the restaurant as soon as he sees the menu! Ha!

I wanted to book the dining plan for that exact reason We booked a room with a travel agent exclusive and so Disney will not allow us to add the dining plan. We had the dining plan last time and it worked well. Hoping that all goes well on this trip without the plan!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone! Finally have a moment to get caught up on our trip. We arrived Thursday and waited until 2 for our room and alas no full balcony, which was our only request. We are on the fourth floor with a view dead on of the windmill of SAB and the lagoon beyond that. I love our room and honestly cannot see us moving back down to moderate until the baby is bigger as it is the perfect amount of space even with a stroller and pack n play. My husband has requested that I ask to be near transportation next time as we are all the way down at the end of the building. On the best plus side, we have the BEST maid. Not only is our room been spotless and perfect but….TOWEL ANIMALS. The first night we came in she had set up the pig/elephant reading the babies book and last night we have a great big birthday cake with one of the birthday buttons and older DD giraffe hanging out on it. DH and DD have been to SAB twice and our in love. Bus service has been pretty good, no complaints, although we have avoided the dreaded Downtown Disney bus. I have to thank all of you yet again for the suggestion of Garden Grill. We ate there Thursday night and had the best time and the best server, Jeffrey. The baby loved Mickey, screamed at Pluto and was indifferent to Chip and Dale, but momma inhaled two plates of the mashed potatoes so I was all good. Friday was a MK day and we truly got a lot accomplished and I felt the crowds were very easy to manage. BOG for dinner that night was amazing. I cried walking into the ballroom because it was that magical and the food was equally delicious. Saturday was AK and it was HOT and HUMID and we rode out a thunderstorm at Dinosaur, but DH and older DD were happy because they rode Everest 7 times. Dinner last night was Boma and it was another hit. I tried to be adventurous and really wanted to like the Carrot Ginger soup, but alas no go. Zebra Domes however were a huge hit for me and DH. AKL is amazing and I think we will take more time to explore it later in our trip. Today is DHS day for Mothers day and Captain’s Grill tonight for dinner. Overall I am thrilled with BC, its location, rooms, and staff. Have a great day everyone and be back soon!

We waited til after 3 on Friday and still no balcony for us either. I ended up downgrading to a GV WITH a balcony. Fine with me!
We rode out the storms in a cave on the pangini (?) trails at AK yesterday. The crowds really cleared out around 5:30 and we rode a lot after that as well. Did DHS this am. Got there at 8:40 and got a bunch done before we left at 2. Kids napping now. Trying to decide what for dinner tonight. Have dessert party at 9pm and hoping to do a bunch at MK after that...emh. Thinking maybe SAB/BNC after naps. Then head to MK at 8. Tomorrow is sleeping in, stroll Epcot, OHana dinner. Low-key day. Loving BC!

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

Would u guys do CL in YC or BC with dds 2&5?

 

[Sue M]

I wanted to book the dining plan for that exact reason We booked a room with a travel agent exclusive and so Disney will not allow us to add the dining plan. We had the dining plan last time and it worked well. Hoping that all goes well on this trip without the plan!

We've been going without the DDP our last few trips, and it's worked out well. We book our TS for lunch if the lunch menu is cheaper. And go to the less expensive TS, most of the time. But even some of the more pricy TS have some lower cost things.
Before LeCellier went to a 2 TS lunch, we'd get the burger lunch. Loved their burgers!
We have an ADR at Brown Derby, and order the Cobb Salad for our meal, and Grapefruit Cake Dessert. All for slightly more cost then a CS meal.
Sci Fi & 50's are good TS too, and not much more then CS.

I find not being on the DDP freeing! I am not stuck with a lunch dessert I don't want, and usually too stuffed to eat. And really don't want dessert after every meal. I don't drink pop either, so I'm just as happy having a glass of ice water, as ordering bottled water.

At our TS we like to share a dessert, or wait till later to grab something elsewhere.

Most days we come in at least $10 usually more, under the cost per person of what DDP cost. And we can eat how we like.

We buy a GC to use just for dining, and load it with what we think we'll spend on dining and snacks. So it's kinda like having the DDP . Just give the card to pay.

When we're on the DDP, we get that DDP mentality, and pick all the most expensive TS, and usually eat the more expensive entree, to get our $ worth! With the rising cost of the DDP, it's not the deal it once was, and ordering the cheaper menu items, you will be lucky to break even with what the DDP cost. IMO.

 

[Sue M]

Happy Mothers Day everyone

 

[Babooagain]

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Wow! I think I am doing the double digit dance today! Woohoo!,

 

[disd55]

Hi everyone,

Happy Mother's Day! One of my gifts today was getting uninterrupted Disboard time. Lol

So excited to be coming with my family of 5 in Oct. Nobody knows but me, and of course you guys, that we are staying at BC CL. My DH thinks AoA. I think he will be so excited!!!

Ok, now though I am questioning some of my ADRs and would love opinions from the BC/YC peeps. My kids are DS 13, DS 11 and DD 7. This is only our 2nd trip. Last time we did Ohana.

This time I have hoop dee Doo revue, tuskar house(lunch)...thinking of moving that to Camp May?? And prime time cafe(lunch)

Any thoughts or others suggestions for my age kids?

Thanks!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge one year and took the boat to the Fort Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservation that we had been excited about. We got there to find 100+ screaming families sitting at conjoined picnic tables, waiting for food and characters. We left immediately. That was upsetting. The characters definitely would not have had enough time to get around to everyone.

We also stayed at Beach Club, which was probably our favorite or 2nd favorite of the 4 Disney resorts we have stayed at. Do the Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast. The food is great, the atmosphere is quaint and the characters make it to every table.
BTW- Once you step into the Beach Club, you will never want to leave! The resort had the most amazing scent I've ever smelled! And the beds are the best of any Disney Resort. Its weird how after that stay, no Disney Resort has had beds like that one. The whole family never slept so well.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Happy Mother's Day!

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge one year and took the boat to the Fort Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservation that we had been excited about. We got there to find 100+ screaming families sitting at conjoined picnic tables, waiting for food and characters. We left immediately. That was upsetting. The characters definitely would not have had enough time to get around to everyone.

We also stayed at Beach Club, which was probably our favorite or 2nd favorite of the 4 Disney resorts we have stayed at. Do the Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast. The food is great, the atmosphere is quaint and the characters make it to every table.
BTW- Once you step into the Beach Club, you will never want to leave! The resort had the most amazing scent I've ever smelled! And the beds are the best of any Disney Resort. Its weird how after that stay, no Disney Resort has had beds like that one. The whole family never slept so well.

I didn't think there were characters at Hoop Dee Doo???

 

[AlohaAnnie]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge one year and took the boat to the Fort Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservation that we had been excited about. We got there to find 100+ screaming families sitting at conjoined picnic tables, waiting for food and characters. We left immediately. That was upsetting. The characters definitely would not have had enough time to get around to everyone.

Hi Happy Mother's Day to you to!

I think you might be referring to Mickey's Backyard Barbecue.

Hoop De Doo Revue is indoors without characters and is a dinner show not a character meet and greet. There are not picnic tables.

Mickey's Backyard Barbecue is outdoors, picnic tables and a character meet and greet.

We really enjoyed HDDR!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Hi! Everyone!


33 days until our BCV stay! So excited!

We just made another reservation for Cape May. We love to eat here, a family favorite.

Happy Mother's Day!!

 

[disd55]

Hi Happy Mother's Day to you to!

I think you might be referring to Mickey's Backyard Barbecue.

Hoop De Doo Revue is indoors without characters and is a dinner show not a character meet and greet. There are not picnic tables.

Mickey's Backyard Barbecue is outdoors, picnic tables and a character meet and greet.

We really enjoyed HDDR!

Oh right! Silly me. But isn't Hoop dee doo Revue also at FWC?

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Oh right! Silly me. But isn't Hoop dee doo Revue also at FWC?

Yes it is

 

[Simba's Girl]

Oh right! Silly me. But isn't Hoop dee doo Revue also at FWC?

It is but not with characters and usually not with screaming children. You should see the HDDR show at least once...

Q for those in the know...we arrive at MCO at 8pm. What time can we expect to make it to YC if we take:
1.) ME
2.) Rental car
3.) limo service

Is it possible to do airline check in and not do ME?

I know I can ask the transportation board but figured one of y'all may know as well.

 

[vicki_c]

To the person who asked, there is a balcony outside the BC CL lounge. I don't remember if we stepped out onto it or not but I remember seeing it.

 

[1971DBday]

On our last day at the BC in December 2012 we had a delicious breakfast in the Captain's Grille. It was perfect! It's a quiet place that is not "Disneyfied". This in itself is a welcome respite from all the Disney overload that one encounters on vacation and it's especially welcome in the morning before you return to human form with the addition of coffee and carbs.

The food is great because it meets the needs of all in your dining party. There is an all you can eat breakfast buffet and I think they even make your eggs to order here. Then there is the menu!

http://allears.net/menu/menu_ygb.htm

As you can see from the link they have many yummy options.

We walked up with out reservations and after a short wait we were seated with no problem. It was the perfect start to our last day on vacation. At the end of a WDW trip you are sort of tired and are looking to take it a little easier. We found the Captain's Grille to be a peaceful respite with delicious food. The all you care to eat breakfast buffet suited the carnivores in our family and the lobster lovers got their fill with that divine Lobster Omelet!

I'd dine at the Captain's Grille again in a heartbeat. I hope to drop in for dinner without an ADR on our upcoming trip in June. That all depends on where the wind takes us so to speak... Not having an ADR free's us up to concentrate on the parks. I like knowing that the Captain's Grille is the place to go on the fly. The only thing I would remember is that if you are going without an ADR, you should get there either earlier or later so as not to get caught up in the dinner rush..... but this applies to every dining establishment in WDW. The CG is also open for lunch so that is an option too!

Good luck with your planning~

Signed,
The Captain's Grille Groupie

Menu looks great! So we are used to staying at places that have better CS options, do you think CG would permit for us to order anything to go if lets say my DH stayed back at the room?

Hi everyone,


Happy Mother's Day! One of my gifts today was getting uninterrupted Disboard time. Lol

So excited to be coming with my family of 5 in Oct. Nobody knows but me, and of course you guys, that we are staying at BC CL. My DH thinks AoA. I think he will be so excited!!!

Ok, now though I am questioning some of my ADRs and would love opinions from the BC/YC peeps. My kids are DS 13, DS 11 and DD 7. This is only our 2nd trip. Last time we did Ohana.

This time I have hoop dee Doo revue, tuskar house(lunch)...thinking of moving that to Camp May?? And prime time cafe(lunch)

Any thoughts or others suggestions for my age kids?

Thanks!!!

We've done HDDR and are doing it again this year! It will be the first time for the kids (DD16 doesn't count bc she was only 1). I think your kids are a great age for it. It is very energetic and fun! Sorry - I can't help on the other two. One other place that we love with kids is Teppan Edo! Entertaining and good food!!!!

 

[dfarner]

To the person who asked, there is a balcony outside the BC CL lounge. I don't remember if we stepped out onto it or not but I remember seeing it.

Do you know what the view is? Do you remember tables being out there?

 

[natebenma]

Boat launch from DTD: if we were to use the boar launch from DTD back to a certain resort, then take bus to Epcot or DHS, which resort boat should we use? Is POR the only one? Or are there others? Which is closer to DTD?

If you take the boat loop that runs from DTD to POFQ and then Port Orleans Riverside then yes the boat always stops at POFQ first.

On the boat dock from DTD there are different routes to Key West and Saratoga Springs, sort of like what you would find with the different bus routes at a Disney park. The BUS routes (not boat) at Saratoga Springs and Key West are kind of wonky with additional "internal" bus stops so the most efficient way to do the Boat to resort then Bus to park is via Port Orleans FRENCH Quarter.

That that being said, usually in the mid day hours the BUS goes from POFQ TO POR and does the internal bus route that POR has. So it's the time of day and the luck of the draw as to whether the BUS to the parks at POFQ goes right to the park or takes the detour and goes to POR as well.

Either way the detour to POR doesn't take that long and you will more than likely have first crack at a seat on the bus. I can't speak of the conniptions that you would encounter if you took the boat to say, Saratoga Springs, and then got on the bus. I only know the POFQ/POR bus conniptions!

Hope that helps!


~NM

I think you are right, POFQ is the way to go.

The two times we have used the DTD to DTD resort to EP to BC, we have gone to Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.

The ride to OKW was really pretty but pretty long. You have to consider the boat ride as part of a calming, charming trip.

We also did the boat ride to Saratoga Springs. A little shorter, but I think we waited a bit longer for the bus to EP to show up.

 

[natebenma]

Menu looks great! So we are used to staying at places that have better CS options, do you think CG would permit for us to order anything to go if lets say my DH stayed back at the room?

I'm not sure if they will do "To Go" at Captain's Grille (you could ask) but if they say no, I bet you could order an extra meal and take the leftovers with you.

 

[dfarner]

What the main difference is between YC and BC club levels. Obviously the hotel, but what about size of lounge, view off lounge, staff, offerings? I have seen several, or maybe just a few, dislikes for the BC lounge because of size and traffic flow. YC only has a standard view open for our dates, and I think I'd rather have the nicer view from our room than a "better" lounge area. Thoughts and opinions anyone??