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

[pixarmom]

I'm just starting to work on two new things in preparation for our February 2011 trip:

1) ideas for a surprise gift for my parents' room (they are joining us for the first three days of our trip - they haven't been to WDW with me in a long time - never with our two younger boys - and the last time they were at BC was 19 years ago!!) Any thoughts? Looking for something practical they can use during/after the trip. Maybe a tote with some snacks?

2) I already made all our ADRs for the trip at the 180 day mark (or 183 for some because we already had our BC reservation!) and we know that we want to stick with our kids for mealtimes. But while my parents are with us, we might go out for a drink after the kids go to bed one night. We usually don't pay much attention to those late-night options, though! (Other than swimming at SAB, Beaches and Cream, refill mugs at the BC Marketplace!) Unfortunately, we won't have any evening EMH at EPCOT while my parents are available to stay with the kids after bedtime. We would want to stay in the EPCOT resort area - we're thinking like an hour or so out after they go to bed. Any ideas?

 

[pixarmom]

Yes it's been a go for quite some time. The Airline Check-in Counter closes at 1 PM and I mean 1 PM. It is not operated by Disney and if you are in line at 1 PM, tough ... it closes! Since the buses pick you up 3 hours before your flight, you should check your bags in at least 3.5 hours before your flight if you are leaving in the morning. Otherwise, we suggest when you get up and prior to checking out at 11 AM, check-in your bags. You can leave any carry-ons you might have with Bell Services and then retrieve them before boarding the Magical Express.

I just wanted to mention how wonderful and helpful the front desk and bell services are with these requests. I called the front desk the day before departure and mentioned that we wanted to do on-line check-in with Southwest. They said "no problem - we can take care of that for you."

The next morning, when we arrived at the front desk (6:30am - we were heading out for DHS EMH at 8am) they already printed our boarding passes and had everything ready to go. Bell services took all of our luggage. This took literally less than 3 minutes! And retrieving our bags in the afternoon was just as easy. My husband took care of that in a flash while the boys and I were chatting with Teena.

 

[jlhay]

I just used memoriesbybetsy.com for gift baskets for my DSs. I liked it cuz I could pick exactly what she put in -- refillable mugs, kooky pens etc. So things the boys would have probably asked for anyway and will definitely use.

Haven't been but heard Jellyrolls is fun for late night activity. Maybe louder than you were thinking ?

I'm just starting to work on two new things in preparation for our February 2011 trip:

1) ideas for a surprise gift for my parents' room (they are joining us for the first three days of our trip - they haven't been to WDW with me in a long time - never with our two younger boys - and the last time they were at BC was 19 years ago!!) Any thoughts? Looking for something practical they can use during/after the trip. Maybe a tote with some snacks?

2) I already made all our ADRs for the trip at the 180 day mark (or 183 for some because we already had our BC reservation!) and we know that we want to stick with our kids for mealtimes. But while my parents are with us, we might go out for a drink after the kids go to bed one night. We usually don't pay much attention to those late-night options, though! (Other than swimming at SAB, Beaches and Cream, refill mugs at the BC Marketplace!) Unfortunately, we won't have any evening EMH at EPCOT while my parents are available to stay with the kids after bedtime. We would want to stay in the EPCOT resort area - we're thinking like an hour or so out after they go to bed. Any ideas?

 

[jlhay]

8 days and I'll be at YC for my Disney Institute training! Sure it's a work trip with no family along but hey it's Disney and YC/BC!!!!

 

[cocoabean1]

Phew! I'm all caught up! Thank goodness for a slow work day so I could catch up on the 60 pages I missed.

Now that we've gotten past our Labor Day mini-vacay at Dragon*Con (we're geeks), we can finally focus on our next big trip.

katesdad - please add us to your December list. We'll be at YC 11/27 - 12/4. I'll be sending you a PM for a pin too, Teena.

I do have a question too and hope someone can help me out. I'm on a very strict diet and I'll be doing my best not to stray too far from it on this trip. (See my ticker! I'll hit 75 in the next week or two, w00t!) It will be tough and there will be many special treats that I won't partake in this trip. Oh, Grand Marnier slushie, how I will miss thee! You too, School Bread!

.... *drool*...

Anyway, I'm trying to figure out the best place for me to grab some breakfast. All I want is some toast or a bagel and a diet soda w/ caffeine. DH doesn't eat breakfast, so the simplest/quickest/cheapest option is what I'm looking for. I got an omelet croissant once at BC Marketplace last year, but that's definitely out for me. I've read about the Ale & Compass's continental breakfast, but fear that might be overkill for me since all I want is a bread and I don't know their setup for one person dining and the other not. Cape May Cafe is completely out for the same reasons. We are on the DDP, but won't be using it for my little breakfast unless it's just a snack credit.

I have considered just buying a loaf of bread at BC Marketplace and having that in the room, but I would really prefer to have it toasted. I know, it's such a minor thing, but it feels less "sad" that way, to have toast instead of a piece of bread. haha

CONGRATULATIONS on yourweight loss- keep up the good work!!!!!

 

[to be tink]

We went to Jellyrolls in Feb. 2010 and had the BEST TIME!!!!

 

[pixarmom]

I just used memoriesbybetsy.com for gift baskets for my DSs. I liked it cuz I could pick exactly what she put in -- refillable mugs, kooky pens etc. So things the boys would have probably asked for anyway and will definitely use.

Haven't been but heard Jellyrolls is fun for late night activity. Maybe louder than you were thinking ?

First, I saw the Disney Institute website - what great programs - which one will you attend?

Thanks so much on the tip regarding memoriesbybetsy - love the idea of creating your own!!!

I haven't been to Jellyrolls either, but it sounds like it has a little bit of old Pleasure Island flavor! I remember as a kid at the Poly, my brother and I watched the old equivalent of the "Stacey show" and thought Pleasure Island looked so cool - we loved the nightly countdown to midnight! Finally got there in college in the early 90's - fun! But you're right - we're thinking something very quiet and possibly even romantic!

 

[janloz]

See you on Sunday!

I will look for you in the lobby, can't wait to meet you!

Have a magical trip!

Excellent have a great time!! Can't wait to hear about it all!!

~Nannette

Thanks, I will have a laptop with me so I will try to give you a live update.

We are all packed, everything is in the car ready to go. Just have to get a good night sleep and we are off.

 

[pixarmom]

We are all packed, everything is in the car ready to go. Just have to get a good night sleep and we are off.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[pixarmom]

In my earlier post, I forgot to mention the third issue I'm working on - which I always seem to be working on for each trip (especially since hanging out on this thread!) That's the question of whether we should switch our reservation to CL.

Quick recap: I was about to do it for our July trip, and lost AP rate availability in my moment of hesitation. So if new AP rates come out for February, I'll be ready with a solid decision this time. Our three boys are getting older, eating more, love snacks, and while we'll still do rope drop every morning, we aren't always choosing the EMH parks each morning like we did in March and July - so that means time for breakfast at 7am. Parks close earlier in February, so we'll be back to grab some dessert before the lounge closes at 10pm.

There IS a question in here! I'm wondering whether they only have coffee out in the morning, or could I get coffee in the evening, too?

P.S. Dee, great link to the photos of the lounge and the food on the first page - very helpful!!! Thanks, again, for all your work on this thread.

 

[natebenma]

There IS a question in here! I'm wondering whether they only have coffee out in the morning, or could I get coffee in the evening, too?

P.S. Dee, great link to the photos of the lounge and the food on the first page - very helpful!!! Thanks, again, for all your work on this thread.

Hi! Thanks for the kind words about the photos and the thread.

There is a Nescafe machine in the lounge- you can make coffee, espresso, hot cocoa, lots of choices. You operate it yourself, one cup at a time, so I believe you can get coffee any time the lounge is open.

So here is a confession from the self-appointed queen of coffee and photos. I didn't take a picture of the machine! WHAT?????? But I think I have one stashed away that someone else took so I will post it when I have time.





Question for Teena- how did the 24 hour CL experiment go? Still going on? Took off like a lead balloon? Haven't heard any comments from guests.

 

[momof3cuteboys]

This time tomorrow we should be checked into the BC!

Have a wonderful time. I'll be lounging by SAB two weeks from today and I can't wait to pick up my pin.

 

[Tykels]

Anyone want to add their name to this ever growing list?

TiggerFan3590 BC 11/30 - 12/07
Liltoot BC 12/01 – 12/05
MUNUmom BC 12/02 – 12/08
Counselormom BC 12/03 – 12/11
Pamelasu1 BC 12/03 – 12/08
Diseverestfan BC 12/04 – 12/11
KB24 BC 12/06 – 12/13
Crazy4wdw BC 12/09 – 12/16
Ilovejsparrow BC 12/12 – 12-18
Cwnhokie BCV 12/11 – 12/15
Katesdad YC 11/29 – 12/04
Sophie832 YC 12/02 – 12/12
Pamelasu1 YC 12/08 – 12/13
Alisaheather YC 12/09 – 12/15
Coopersmom YC CL 12/09 – 12/15
Cocoabean1 YC CL 12/10 – 12/19
BLTLDZ YC 12/12 – 12/17
Arkansan YC CL 12/16 – 12/21

TyKels BC CL 12/12-12/18

 

[hill6]

Yes it's been a go for quite some time. The Airline Check-in Counter closes at 1 PM and I mean 1 PM. It is not operated by Disney and if you are in line at 1 PM, tough ... it closes! Since the buses pick you up 3 hours before your flight, you should check your bags in at least 3.5 hours before your flight if you are leaving in the morning. Otherwise, we suggest when you get up and prior to checking out at 11 AM, check-in your bags. You can leave any carry-ons you might have with Bell Services and then retrieve them before boarding the Magical Express.

Thanks for that info. I knew it closed early in the day. Do you know if I can check my bags there early in the day for our 6 pm flight?


Also is there one in the Yacht Club too. Or is there only one in the Beach Club Lobby?

 

[TeenaS]

Hi! Thanks for the kind words about the photos and the thread.

There is a Nescafe machine in the lounge- you can make coffee, espresso, hot cocoa, lots of choices. You operate it yourself, one cup at a time, so I believe you can get coffee any time the lounge is open.

So here is a confession from the self-appointed queen of coffee and photos. I didn't take a picture of the machine! WHAT?????? But I think I have one stashed away that someone else took so I will post it when I have time.





Question for Teena- how did the 24 hour CL experiment go? Still going on? Took off like a lead balloon? Haven't heard any comments from guests.

It's still going on and hopefully will continue forever. It will depend on the guest feedback. If enough people rave about it, it should stay.

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks for that info. I knew it closed early in the day. Do you know if I can check my bags there early in the day for our 6 pm flight?


Also is there one in the Yacht Club too. Or is there only one in the Beach Club Lobby?

Both sides have their own. If you are staying at the YC, you have to go there. If you are staying at the BC, you have to go to the BC. You can check in your bags any time before 1 PM ... doesn't matter if your flight is at midnight.

 

[MNfamilycruiser]

Yes it's been a go for quite some time. The Airline Check-in Counter closes at 1 PM and I mean 1 PM. It is not operated by Disney and if you are in line at 1 PM, tough ... it closes! Since the buses pick you up 3 hours before your flight, you should check your bags in at least 3.5 hours before your flight if you are leaving in the morning. Otherwise, we suggest when you get up and prior to checking out at 11 AM, check-in your bags. You can leave any carry-ons you might have with Bell Services and then retrieve them before boarding the Magical Express.

Yikes!
We won't be able to check our bags at all for the return flight

We have an EARLY 7:45 AM flight, so we will be picked up at 4:45 AM - I was hoping to check our bags the night before.....
(I know! - so early - we had a hard time getting a direct flight - our other choices were LONG layovers.)
There is some rule that it is supposed to be no more than 12 hours early right?

At least I know enough ahead of time that I can plan for it.....

 

[BCV23]

Linda, you're right about the rule that you can't check your bags more than 12 hours before your flight....at least that's what the sticky on the transportation forum says.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

We usually check our bags around 8 or 9am for a late afternoon flight. Love RAC.

Janloz, I hope you're having a great time...anyone else there or going soon as well. I've given up trying to keep up with this thread.

 

[LovintheLodge]

My DH and I went to Jellyrolls one night during our recent vacation. We had a GREAT time! The (dueling) piano players are wonderful. They take requests from the audience. They switch every hour. There is a $10 cover to get in, but it was a wonderful evening and well worth going (just a note that mixed drinks are watered down)! We heard such a variety of music, and at times we sang along. We heard it gets very crowded, but we went on a Sunday night (I think) and got there around 10:00 and stayed for a couple of hours and no one had any problems getting a seat. I've heard it's standing room only on the weekends. There was a mixed crowd too of young and old when we were there. I highly recommend going there for a nice night out!

 

[cjnix29]

My hesitation about the YC is the lack of quick service dining options. So our last day, we leave early. So I was thinking of room service. How early can we get it? Thanks!!