2011/2012 Beach & Yacht FAQ, Part IV- DO NOT POST- see new 2012 thread

[dcd34]

So Jaceraden,

Glad you had an awesome trip. BC CL Lagoon view for us in January. We had our doubts about whether or not to choose BCV, but for a 4 night trip, we are keeping BC CL.

Was your room near the lounge? Was the free wifi OK?

 

[GinCar]

If you really want CL, keep calling. I'd probably call every other day. It might open up.

Teena, thanks. I sure hope we get to meet you in March.

 

[jaceraden]

So Jaceraden,

Glad you had an awesome trip. BC CL Lagoon view for us in January. We had our doubts about whether or not to choose BCV, but for a 4 night trip, we are keeping BC CL.

Was your room near the lounge? Was the free wifi OK?

Thanks!

I think you made the right choice. I ended up doing laundry once and waited til the kiddies were asleep. Then it was my ME time. I used the hot tub and just had some unwind time while the laundry was going. I also snuck to Illuminations and let another Mama use the dryer ahead of me rather than pull someone's stuff out of a finished dryer. That way everyone was a winner.

The convenience of Club Level drinks and snacks was great with little ones. I cannot stress that enough. Our room was almost as far away from the lounge as you could get but we got a free view upgrade so you won't hear me complain. Also, it really was not a big deal and it meant our room was super quiet. It was easy to sneak out of the room, to the balcony, etc. once the kids fell asleep. That was a non issue. They are so tired after all day Disney that they slept like logs. The lighting in the room is really adjustable too so we weren't stuck in the dark either.

WiFi was great too. No issues there except that I get a kick out of damnyouautocorrect but I guess it is too risque and does not pass Disney's filter!

 

[Katesdad]

Word of caution: If you are in room 5675, don't sit on the commode during Illuminations!!!

I guess you could say the show was a "moving" experience in more ways than one!!

 

[TeenaS]

I guess you could say the show was a "moving" experience in more ways than one!!

Good one!!!
P.S. Got your envelope Saturday. Thank you!

 

[pas130]

Got it! Here's what I posted over there in response to that thread:


We LOVE the kiddie slide area at the base of the pirate ship!

It's located just by the stairs to the jib slide, it's not sand bottom, there are no loungers in that area (at least there were no loungers during our last stay in August.) They do have a bench in the corner overlooking the lake, and we've used that quite a bit to store our things, towels, etc. and dry off. We just bring towels over from the main pool area. One thing I love about that area is the wonderful view of the lake - very nice!

Here's a link to Stormalong Bay photos I took (mostly from our August trip) and you'll see a section regarding the kiddie slide area

Thanks, pixarmom! As you may have seen on that post, I did end up finding a photo I took from the crows nest that showed some of the area across from the slide, including the bench. But please keep in mind taking a pool level picture of that area on your next photo mission...

I also meant to respond to your question about hopping. I am a huge hopping fan, but I think for your one day trip, planning to stay at EPCOT all day with your youngest is the way to go.

Don't eat into your short visit with wasted travel time from one park to another. Especially if you are planning any resort/swim time.

I think you will find plenty to do there. Is your little guy still too young for a Kim Possible mission or would he enjoy one or two? You could spend some relaxed time at the Living Seas aquarium, Turtle Talk with crush, Innoventions, or other attractions where you may not spend much time when you are rushing from thrill ride to thrill ride with the older kids.

And as you well know, there are no shortages of eating options!

May I recommend a picnic over by the jumping water fountains near the Imagination Pavillion?

THank you so much to both of you for this info!!! I will be spending lots of time with me little ones in this area I think Meanwhile my DH and DS 10 will be exploring the jib slide Here's to hoping for warm afternoons for Spring Break!!!

I've always made reservations for Cape May breakfast even if dining early

We were able to get last minute dinner reservations at Captain's Grille last month. And Breakfast as well We have ADRs for Cape May for our upcoming trip, because the characters are a must with the kiddos

 

[dcd34]

Thanks!

I think you made the right choice. I ended up doing laundry once and waited til the kiddies were asleep. Then it was my ME time. I used the hot tub and just had some unwind time while the laundry was going. I also snuck to Illuminations and let another Mama use the dryer ahead of me rather than pull someone's stuff out of a finished dryer. That way everyone was a winner.

The convenience of Club Level drinks and snacks was great with little ones. I cannot stress that enough. Our room was almost as far away from the lounge as you could get but we got a free view upgrade so you won't hear me complain. Also, it really was not a big deal and it meant our room was super quiet. It was easy to sneak out of the room, to the balcony, etc. once the kids fell asleep. That was a non issue. They are so tired after all day Disney that they slept like logs. The lighting in the room is really adjustable too so we weren't stuck in the dark either.

WiFi was great too. No issues there except that I get a kick out of damnyouautocorrect but I guess it is too risque and does not pass Disney's filter!

Awesome....your opinions were one of the factors in our decision, and your follow-up sounds great! Thanks again. We will most likely do laundry only once as well (barring any nighttime accidents from drinking too much lounge chocolate milk right before bedtime).

One question about the layout of the 5th floor. You said you were as far away as you can get. Does the 5th floor extend all the way over to the quiet pool as far as the other floors? On the only map I can find, it looks like the 5th floor is much shorter than the others (i.e. doesn't extend very far over).

 

[bookgirl]

Plumbing:

We were there in September and didn't have a backup but had real real slow drains. We reported it and they fixed it within hours. I did notice the pipes were a little noisy but I've stayed in very few hotels (both bargin and resorts) that did not have some noise issue with plumbing so I didn't even care or report it.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks!

The convenience of Club Level drinks and snacks was great with little ones. I cannot stress that enough. Our room was almost as far away from the lounge as you could get but we got a free view upgrade so you won't hear me complain. Also, it really was not a big deal and it meant our room was super quiet. It was easy to sneak out of the room, to the balcony, etc. once the kids fell asleep. That was a non issue. They are so tired after all day Disney that they slept like logs. The lighting in the room is really adjustable too so we weren't stuck in the dark either.

Ditto! Ditto! Ditto! I seriously cannot stress how convenient CL is with little ones, either. (And pre-teens, and a husband who enjoys some down time and would otherwise overbuy junk food for the room.)

Same thing with the room size. Anywhere else, we'd like more space. At Disney, it doesn't matter as much, for the reasons jaceraden mentioned.

 

[Wuggy19]

Just returned from YC. We had an awesome upgrade to the Captian's Suite, picture taken, ballons and a nice little certificate. Wonderful surprise.

Have to say housekeeping was not its best. One day did not clean bathroom - knew because they missed their tip and the rooms were never vacummed. Picked up dead poinsetta leaves all week.

Still love the location.

 

[pixarmom]

BCV23, jaceraden and natebenma, thanks for helping with my "hop or not" dilemma. Staying put at Epcot for the day is absolutely the right choice.
Can we make it to another park? Yes! Should we? No! I must surpress the commando instinct that has developed under the very strong influence of our two older boys!

Dee, your point about food is well taken! Dining is, of course, a high priority. As a result, we're doing DxDP and made ADRs as soon as we booked our resort! We have Le Cellier for lunch (he loves the soup - and so do I!), San Angel for dinner (long story) and Chef Mickey's for breakfast the next morning. We took Chef Mickey's out of our rotation before our youngest was born, so this will be his chance!

And he does love Kim Possible missions. He will have the opportunity to hold the Kimmunicator the entire time and not have to share with his brothers, who repeatedly tell him he's "doing it all wrong!"

Dee, got the kiddie pool / alternative view photos on my next photo mission list!

 

[jaceraden]

One question about the layout of the 5th floor. You said you were as far away as you can get. Does the 5th floor extend all the way over to the quiet pool as far as the other floors? On the only map I can find, it looks like the 5th floor is much shorter than the others (i.e. doesn't extend very far over).

A real expect will pipe in if I'm wrong but unless I have got this backwards (a day of unpacking and laundry will do that to you), the fifth floor only extends a little South and then West of the Lounge. So with this map: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/yachbeachmap.htm

The lounge is basically where the AED symbol is (right of the big walkway) and the fifth floor extends to that small lower part and all of to the left of the AED symbol.

I was sitting in the quiet pool area hottub and pondering that there was no short way to get back to the fifth floor. I tried the elevator right by the quiet pool but it only went to 4.

Clear as mud?

PS. on that map, My room was around where the B on Beach Club is.

 

[branv]

Hi everyone! DH and I are staying for the first time at BC in early Feb, and I was hoping some of my more random questions could be answered.

DH and I have learned that top floors are best (no happy feet overhead at 6 am ). We booked a garden-view room -- does anyone know if any of the garden-view rooms are available on any of the top floors, or is that reserved for concierge, etc?

That being said, I don't suppose anyone can remind me how to do room requests? I've always used a TA before, so how to do it on my own is drawing a blank.

We will have a car, and do not want to pay for valet. How is the self-parking at BC -- easy, horrific, a marathon? Worse at certain times of the day?

The one time we visited, it seemed the only way to get to YC was on outdoor pathways (I freely admit, I got righteously turned around at the BC). Is this true or is there someway to go from A to B without venturing outside?

Just how well heated is SB? The one time we went during winter, it was a short stay at POP in January before a cruise. Though the temp that day was 70's, that pool felt c-c-c-cold. One toe in and we were outta there. Though, to be fair, I suspect anything colder than body temperature is too cold for us In which case, my next question is how packed the hot tubs get that time of year?

Thanks for your help!

 

[SuzieQ811]

I wanted to book a bounceback but DH (D is not for dear in this case) needs some down time before he decides that this trip was wonderful. - posted by JaceRaden yesterday. Post #233.

I really have to laugh with this one. All sorts of meanings for D pop into my head. My DH is frequently like this. Just have to be patient, the time will come!

 

[diskids2]

Hi alll....we will be staying at the Villas for the first time in the summer. Any helpful hints on room requests?

 

[dcd34]

A real expect will pipe in if I'm wrong but unless I have got this backwards (a day of unpacking and laundry will do that to you), the fifth floor only extends a little South and then West of the Lounge. So with this map: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/yachbeachmap.htm

The lounge is basically where the AED symbol is (right of the big walkway) and the fifth floor extends to that small lower part and all of to the left of the AED symbol.

I was sitting in the quiet pool area hottub and pondering that there was no short way to get back to the fifth floor. I tried the elevator right by the quiet pool but it only went to 4.

Clear as mud?

PS. on that map, My room was around where the B on Beach Club is.

Thanks....it actually is clear now! It's what I figured from looking at that one weblink to the old map of the 4th and 5th floors that I can't find right now. It seems that you can't be too far east of the main lobby on the 5th floor. The lounge is sort of the "end" of the east section of the floor.

 

[outahere]

Hi everyone! DH and I are staying for the first time at BC in early Feb, and I was hoping some of my more random questions could be answered.

DH and I have learned that top floors are best (no happy feet overhead at 6 am ). We booked a garden-view room -- does anyone know if any of the garden-view rooms are available on any of the top floors, or is that reserved for concierge, etc?

The top floor at both the BC and YC are Club Level rooms only.


That being said, I don't suppose anyone can remind me how to do room requests? I've always used a TA before, so how to do it on my own is drawing a blank.

All you need to do is call the reservation number and have them note your requests on your reservation.


We will have a car, and do not want to pay for valet. How is the self-parking at BC -- easy, horrific, a marathon? Worse at certain times of the day?

We've never self parked at the BC but did do it one night at the YC and the lot is pretty big, especially after a day of walking around in the parks. We did drive by the parking lot at BC and it looked about the same size as the one at the YC. The lots at all the resorts tend to start getting crowded late afternoon/early evening. Sometimes it's worth the $12 valet charge, especially if it's raining!

The one time we visited, it seemed the only way to get to YC was on outdoor pathways (I freely admit, I got righteously turned around at the BC). Is this true or is there someway to go from A to B without venturing outside?

I never found a way to go from one resort to the other without going outside, at least for a little way. There may be a way, but I never saw it.

Just how well heated is SB? The one time we went during winter, it was a short stay at POP in January before a cruise. Though the temp that day was 70's, that pool felt c-c-c-cold. One toe in and we were outta there. Though, to be fair, I suspect anything colder than body temperature is too cold for us In which case, my next question is how packed the hot tubs get that time of year?

Have not stayed there during colder weather, so I can't help with that one.


Thanks for your help!

Hope that helps a little.

 

[jenneth79]

I wanted to book a bounceback but DH (D is not for dear in this case) needs some down time before he decides that this trip was wonderful. - posted by JaceRaden yesterday. Post #233.

I really have to laugh with this one. All sorts of meanings for D pop into my head. My DH is frequently like this. Just have to be patient, the time will come!

I also thought this was hilarious! You can always do what I did, book the trip and just make it a "surprise" for your D(multi-meaning) H

 

[bookgirl]

Hi everyone! DH and I are staying for the first time at BC in early Feb, and I was hoping some of my more random questions could be answered.

DH and I have learned that top floors are best (no happy feet overhead at 6 am ). We booked a garden-view room -- does anyone know if any of the garden-view rooms are available on any of the top floors, or is that reserved for concierge, etc?

That being said, I don't suppose anyone can remind me how to do room requests? I've always used a TA before, so how to do it on my own is drawing a blank.

We will have a car, and do not want to pay for valet. How is the self-parking at BC -- easy, horrific, a marathon? Worse at certain times of the day?

The one time we visited, it seemed the only way to get to YC was on outdoor pathways (I freely admit, I got righteously turned around at the BC). Is this true or is there someway to go from A to B without venturing outside?

Just how well heated is SB? The one time we went during winter, it was a short stay at POP in January before a cruise. Though the temp that day was 70's, that pool felt c-c-c-cold. One toe in and we were outta there. Though, to be fair, I suspect anything colder than body temperature is too cold for us In which case, my next question is how packed the hot tubs get that time of year?

Thanks for your help!

I didn't think the parking was all that bad. It's a big lot but not ginormous, and the one time I self parked I walked in the front doors after about a minutes walk. We were in September and I never saw the lot full.

 

[Katesdad]

Does anyone know if any of the garden-view rooms are available on any of the top floors, or is that reserved for concierge, etc?

How to do room requests?.

How is the self-parking at BC?

Is there someway to go from A to B without venturing outside?

Just how well heated is SB?

Standard rooms only go to the fourth floor. But given that the fifth floor does not cover the whole hotel, you could end up on the top if you know what I mean.

Call Central Reservations and just add your request on there.

Never did it but I'd probably do valet if I were driving because I'm lazy.

Cannot get from BC to YC without a short walk under a covered patio. Go out at Cape May, pass Beaches and Cream and the Health club and enter back at the Yachtsman. Very short walk.

Never did the pool in the winter but when I was there in December last year I did see steam coming up from the pool area.

Hope that helps. Happy planning!