2010 Yacht and Beach Club FAQ, Part II---Inactive Thread--- Please do not post here!

[Claireybear]

That's not true. I have a friend from UK that booked a garden view room. Your travel agent should call Disney. It could be though that the garden view rooms are sold out for your time frame. Anyway, you can request anything you want but if you booked a standard view and request a woods view, that's not what you booked. It could be a view of a roof and woods or a parking lot and woods. You yourself can go on the Disney World website and book a garden view room.

Thanks Teena - I spoke to my travel agent today and they said they will email Disney but aren't aware of 'garden view' rooms! Hopefully they will sort it before our dates sell out!! Thanks for your help - its much apreciated,
Claire

 

[eah7]

For anybody that remembers my "Disney drama" last year - have you seen the new Southwest commercial? There's a mother and two daughters in a courtroom scene and they say how they were going to visit her mother but the daughter fractured her leg and now they charged them $150 each just to change flights! Talk about Dejavu!!!! Of course now we ALL know that Southwest doesn't have penalties if you have to change your flight and we ALL know that Air Tran has no compassion at all!!!!

We are driving down this year - I just can't stomach the thought of flying again after all our problems. Teena - since we're driving hopefully we'll be able to bring you some Jersey tomatoes in addition to the tastycakes!!!

Robyn,
The good news is Southwest now owns AirTran. One can only hope this will improve the situation with them. The bad news is Southwest is making some adjustments to a few of their policies.
Southwest isn't perfect but they certainly don't charge for changing your flight. My dd was able to purchase tickets for our dgs to come visit this summer with the savings she made for us by re-booking our flight to WDW in Nov.

 

[ClareH37]

Thanks Teena - I spoke to my travel agent today and they said they will email Disney but aren't aware of 'garden view' rooms! Hopefully they will sort it before our dates sell out!! Thanks for your help - its much apreciated,
Claire

I'm in the same situation Clare - I've booked through Disney UK and they (i.e. more than one person) told me that Disney UK only have standard and water view rooms. When I asked them what that meant they just read word for word the description as it appears on the website "Standard View: enjoy expansive views of Resort grounds from your Guest room".

I didn't want a water view room as I didn't want a room near stormalong bay, I was hoping for a view of a garden, but if I get a view of the roof top/car park I'd still take that over a view of stormalong bay (just my personal preference, having stayed at the YC before).

 

[nixieh]

Eight rooms on the fifth floor do not have full balconies.

Is this YC concierge Teena, I thought all the YC rooms had full balconies. Was gonna make my room request for close to the Concierge Lounge but if there is a chance of not getting a full balcony I will make full balcony my main request as that is why I picked YC over BC as actually prefer decor at BC but don't want to risk a standing only balcony as we spend a lot of time out there. Have stayed BC three times and YC once before and luckily had full balcony each time before so hoping for the best this time

 

[TeenaS]

Is this YC concierge Teena, I thought all the YC rooms had full balconies. Was gonna make my room request for close to the Concierge Lounge but if there is a chance of not getting a full balcony I will make full balcony my main request as that is why I picked YC over BC as actually prefer decor at BC but don't want to risk a standing only balcony as we spend a lot of time out there. Have stayed BC three times and YC once before and luckily had full balcony each time before so hoping for the best this time

This is the BC fifth floor that I was referring to. And they are spread out throughout the fifth floor. The YC has full balconies, but some are shared with your neighbors. If you go with the BC, just make "full balcony" your request.

 

[TeenaS]

I'm in the same situation Clare - I've booked through Disney UK and they (i.e. more than one person) told me that Disney UK only have standard and water view rooms. When I asked them what that meant they just read word for word the description as it appears on the website "Standard View: enjoy expansive views of Resort grounds from your Guest room".

I didn't want a water view room as I didn't want a room near stormalong bay, I was hoping for a view of a garden, but if I get a view of the roof top/car park I'd still take that over a view of stormalong bay (just my personal preference, having stayed at the YC before).

You guys at the UK, if you go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

and for instance, I put in arrival date of June 10th for six nights and put in Beach Club and all the room categories (standard, garden and water) came up ... what comes up for you? If you can book it yourself that way, then your travel agent should be able to too. Remember, these new categories ... it all changed effective 1/1/11.

 

[chimo2u]

You guys at the UK, if you go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

and for instance, I put in arrival date of June 10th for six nights and put in Beach Club and all the room categories (standard, garden and water) came up ... what comes up for you? If you can book it yourself that way, then your travel agent should be able to too. Remember, these new categories ... it all changed effective 1/1/11.

Teena, when I changed my ressie from the POLY back to the BC in October/Nov? (I believe it was), the Garden View category was available for me to book at that time, this was a Club Level Garden View....I did, however, make sure to grab it as I remembered they where going to be changing to these new categories in the New Year.

 

[MickeyT]

My family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to do a split stay, but that's what we're doing (less then 3 weeks!!!). Four nights at AKL and 3 nights at BC (our first time). Any advice on switching resorts? We will have a rental car. I'm thinking about having our bags picked up and delivered to BC. Only because we'll have fridge items. Am I correct in thinking they'll take our fridge items and keep them refrigerated? What kind of tip should I be thinking about? I assume tipping for the bellman picking up our bags at AKL and again for delivery to our room at BC. What about our room assignment at BC? We plan on spending the day (driving over to) DHS and checking in at the BC mid to late afternoon. We have a garden view. I think I requested full balcony and close to the lobby. Are the odds of getting my requests (and maybe even an upgrade ) worse or better depending on the time we check in? Any other advice you can offer? We have spent the past several trips at AKL and it took a lot of convincing to talk DH and DD16 into a short stay at BC. I love AKL, but having been to WDW a number of times, I wanted to try something different this time. We all love Epcot and after reading all the wonderful things on this thread, I knew BC was the place for us. I just hope the changing resorts thing goes smoothly since it was all my idea, and that it doesn't take away too much park time.

(Sorry for all the questions.)

I’ll give this a shot as we are frequent resort hoppers. (We stayed at 3 different ones the last trip.)

We drive so we do use a car. Personally we always take our luggage with us. Don’t know how many are in your party or what size car you will have but we feel more secure with our luggage with us. The Bell Services (capitalized on purpose in honor of their professionalism) take our luggage and place it in our car. We then eat an early lunch and drive straight to our next resort. I will then check in. Many times our room will be ready. If that is the case then we have Bell Services bring our luggage on up. You’re set. On to the parks! If not then Bell Services can store your luggage until your room is ready. Then off to the parks or enjoy the resort. They will text or call when the room is ready.

Now for the refrigerated items. Don’t think luggage transfer will accommodate this. Maybe in a cooler. They are more like the luggage folks at the airport. Tag and bag. I could be wrong…..Anyone?

And as far as the tips. I usally go at least a dollar a bag. This is something I arrange before I leave. Gotta have my tip money ready. Sometimes, like if the room is not ready the person unloading the car is not the same as the one that brings it to the room. I will tip accordingly. If someone just gets the luggage and puts it on the cart for someone else I will give them a few dollars and then tip the one that brings it to the room.

At any rate enjoy.....I am married to a wonderful 'packer' that makes this all possible. Being able to try out different resorts let you find your 'Home'.

And welcome to the Y&B Club family!

 

[ras1121]

I've read a lot of posts that describe the beach club as very crowded and at times chaotic...

is this true?

 

[Arkansan]

Teena, when I changed my ressie from the POLY back to the BC in October/Nov? (I believe it was), the Garden View category was available for me to book at that time, this was a Club Level Garden View....I did, however, make sure to grab it as I remembered they where going to be changing to these new categories in the New Year.

I don't want to burst your bubble, but I've stayed BC CL two times recently (May 2009 and 2010) and YC CL (Dec. 2010). All three times we had GV CL booked and all three times we had views over the front of the hotel and the main entrance. I'm not complaining--we are a family of 5 and so cannot book WV rooms. I'm pretty sure that--prior to Jan. 1, 2011--the only booking categories in CL were GV and WV. Since then, there are the 3 types.

 

[TeenaS]

I don't want to burst your bubble, but I've stayed BC CL two times recently (May 2009 and 2010) and YC CL (Dec. 2010). All three times we had GV CL booked and all three times we had views over the front of the hotel and the main entrance. I'm not complaining--we are a family of 5 and so cannot book WV rooms. I'm pretty sure that--prior to Jan. 1, 2011--the only booking categories in CL were GV and WV. Since then, there are the 3 types.

Before 1/1/11, there were two types of club level regular rooms and they were garden (which meant your view would be a parking lot, roof, garden, courtyard or woods) or water view. Starting 1/1/11, club level at both the YC and BC have changed to three categories: standard club level (view of parking lot or roof); garden club level (view of garden, courtyard or woods); and water club level (view of pool or lake).

Before 1/1/11, there were two types of non-club level rooms and they were standard (which meant your view would be a parking lot, roof, garden, courtyard or woods) and water view. Starting 1/1/11, non-club level rooms at both the YC and BC have changed to three categories: standard club level (view of parking lot or roof); garden club level (view of garden, courtyard or woods); and water club level (view of pool or lake).

 

[natebenma]

I've read a lot of posts that describe the beach club as very crowded and at times chaotic...

is this true?

I'm not sure if this explains all of the posts, but when I see this comment it usually pertains to the lobby and families waiting to eat at the Cape May Cafe. We stayed at the Beach Club the past two Julys and I didn't think it was noticably crowded.

 

[Minnie]

It's a garden view category now.

Thank you

 

[pixarmom]

I'm not sure if this explains all of the posts, but when I see this comment it usually pertains to the lobby and families waiting to eat at the Cape May Cafe. We stayed at the Beach Club the past two Julys and I didn't think it was noticably crowded.

I bet that's right - I've seen some of those posts, too. We stayed at BC twice last year - in March and July. In March, I recall the lobby was busy around 8am when we arrived. As Dee mentioned, it was the Cape May crowd waiting to be seated. But that was the only time I noticed much of a crowd, and it only lasted about 15 minutes - must have been lots of 8am ADRs. But I think BC gets less lobby traffic than the monorail resorts, for example.

I've also seen a few posts about the pool area, but we didn't experience crowds at the pool in either March or July either. There were lots of families at the pool in July, but we were always able to find a chair for our stuff and never didn't think it was crowded or chaotic in any way.

We've also stayed at WL, Poly and CSR several times each, CBR and Sports once each, and visited YC, BW, CR and GF several times. I think BC is easily one of the most relaxing and peaceful resorts at WDW. (Although I'll admit we all tend to be a little biased on this thread!)

 

[dfarner]

Hello all!

After a few changes and much indecision I booked last night at the Beach Club. We snagged a CL deluxe room on a discount, so we're happy. I'm worried that my 4 year old may not like the slide at SAB, but we'll see. Last year we had a fabulous stay at The Grand and we all swore it was the only resort for us, but we were there in July and December and are wanting a change for this June. I feel like I'm cheating on an old boyfriend...

 

[natebenma]

Hello all!

After a few changes and much indecision I booked last night at the Beach Club. We snagged a CL deluxe room on a discount, so we're happy. I'm worried that my 4 year old may not like the slide at SAB, but we'll see. Last year we had a fabulous stay at The Grand and we all swore it was the only resort for us, but we were there in July and December and are wanting a change for this June. I feel like I'm cheating on an old boyfriend...

I think you may have trouble looking your "Grand" old boyfriend in the eye after a few days at the friendly laid-back Beach Club. But as Pixarmom said, we are all a little biased around here.

Have you seen the pictures of the little slide on the first few pages of the thread? My kids have been age 7 and up on our trips, so I didn't even know this was there until we returned. A lot of people say even their older children enjoy using this with their younger siblings.

 

[Claireybear]

You guys at the UK, if you go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

and for instance, I put in arrival date of June 10th for six nights and put in Beach Club and all the room categories (standard, garden and water) came up ... what comes up for you? If you can book it yourself that way, then your travel agent should be able to too. Remember, these new categories ... it all changed effective 1/1/11.

Thanks Teena - I've looked on Disney Usa website and the garden view is available for our 3 weeks - now I just have to hope that our travel agent can sort it - I would change it myself if I could. If they can't I think I will call Disney reservations and see if I can add it myself - thanks for your help,
Claire

 

[Katesdad]

I've read a lot of posts that describe the beach club as very crowded and at times chaotic...is this true?

I know what you mean. Last December after dinner at Narcoossees the DW and I wanted to sit in the lobby of the GF and enjoy the Christmas time ambiance of the place before heading back to the peace and quiet of the YC (aka The Dark Side). To our horror, there was no place to sit in the lobby!!! Guess we won't be staying there any time soon!

 

[natebenma]

@ Pixarmom- seems like you have just unpacked from your last trip... When do you arrive at BC?

OT-I may have a photo assignment for you, if you choose to accept it, but it doesn't have anything to do with this forum. Do members of your family ride the Dinosaur attraction at AK? I'm looking for a picture of a poster in the gift shop at the end of the ride. I can PM if you think you will be going there.

 

[MickeyT]

I know what you mean. Last December after dinner at Narcoossees the DW and I wanted to sit in the lobby of the GF and enjoy the Christmas time ambiance of the place before heading back to the peace and quiet of the YC (aka The Dark Side). To our horror, there was no place to sit in the lobby!!! Guess we won't be staying there any time soon!

And have you been in the Poly lobby (I like saying Poly Lobby for some reason) lately. The place can be chaos with Ohana and Kona loading up.

My all time favorite lobby is the WL early in the morning but.....BC wins the overall prize hands down. Love the Atrium. <<<<<< EDIT (meant the solarium)