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

[LMO429]

I will be back at the beach club (villas) in 96 days!

Have not been posting very often on the Dis for some reason it has been terribly slow to load the website some days are better than others.

 

[jupers]

ddluvsdisney and DisMomAmy- thanks for sharing your memories/pictures from Storyland! Everyone else, thanks for indulging us. Storyland is a northern New England family vacation tradition, featuring some rides, Cinderella's castle (complete with a carriage ride), a very low rent Jungle tour (you ride in cages pulled by a jeep and view fiberglass animals), and some attractions based on famous stories like The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe and Heidi.



Here is a link to some pictures in a trip report (Boo to Two! by missyrose). Like Mike said, I believe the castle still turns colors for most of the evening, and the photo projections are a very small part of the pre-Wishes show:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43836181&postcount=140



Unfortunately, I don't really have any answers. I don't know how to figure out which standard views might be better than others. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to word a request to optimize a standard view view?

I just had to jump in because we go to Storyland too!!!

 

[TeenaS]

Unfortunately, I don't really have any answers. I don't know how to figure out which standard views might be better than others. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to word a request to optimize a standard view view?

Standard views are rooms that have a view that is not pretty basically. If you cannot change your reservation to a garden view now, when you get to the regular check-in desk (not the on-line check-in desk), tell them you would like to pay for an upgrade to garden view. Make sure you tell them you want to pay for it. It is usually less than $10 per night.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

What do you think of the Memories show on the Castle?

I'm curious about it but unsure. I just love the way the Castle looks with all the different colours at night, and I don't know if I will feel the same if they project pictures on the Castle.

(Just looking for things to obsess over as I count down the days )

I it!!
Don't worry the castle still looks beautiful!

 

[eeyoreland]

Can anyone make suggestions as to what I might want to request for a garden view room? Full balcony, I assume, but is there anything else I might want to keep in mind?

 

[TeenaS]

Can anyone make suggestions as to what I might want to request for a garden view room? Full balcony, I assume, but is there anything else I might want to keep in mind?

That would depend on what you want to see. If you want to see the volleyball courtyard, request that (lots of foot traffic outside). If you want to see the wooded area on the pathway to Epcot (its wild woods, not pretty flowers or gardens but hardly any foot traffic), request that.

 

[honeymom]

Standard views are rooms that have a view that is not pretty basically. If you cannot change your reservation to a garden view now, when you get to the regular check-in desk (not the on-line check-in desk), tell them you would like to pay for an upgrade to garden view. Make sure you tell them you want to pay for it. It is usually less than $10 per night.

Will they let me do that when the resort is sold out? I'm hoping the agent can just take care of. With my pin, it is actually less than an $8 night difference. The money is not the problem here. It is absolutely an agent screwup. She gets in at 10A and will hopefully be able to fix it. Hopefully the call was recorded so there is proof of how many times I said the words "garden view" and asked her to confirm "garden view."

 

[kelleigh1]

Can anyone make suggestions as to what I might want to request for a garden view room? Full balcony, I assume, but is there anything else I might want to keep in mind?

Are you staying at Yacht Club or Beach Club?

 

[kelleigh1]

Will they let me do that when the resort is sold out? I'm hoping the agent can just take care of. With my pin, it is actually less than an $8 night difference. The money is not the problem here. It is absolutely an agent screwup. She gets in at 10A and will hopefully be able to fix it. Hopefully the call was recorded so there is proof of how many times I said the words "garden view" and asked her to confirm "garden view."

I would be so frustrated (although it is Disney, so for me, that frustration doesn't last long). My TA is fantastic. She booked us and sent an email confirmation while I was talking to her on the phone to make sure everything was correct. (We also requested Garden View.) Then when she added my PIN a couple of days later, she sent another email and mailed a hard copy of the confirmation.

 

[honeymom]

I think it was a case of the agent trying really hard to just get us into the hotel when we decided so late in the game to make a switch. She said that it was literally the last room and she hoped someone else didn't get it first as she was waiting for computer to do its thing. it is possible that as it did its thing it switched from garden to standard view without her noticing since she was trying so hard just to get us in.

I've left messages for her. I'm hoping she is putting her head together with her supervisor, calling over to the hotel and basically doing whatever she needs to do to get a garden room.

 

[eeyoreland]

Are you staying at Yacht Club or Beach Club?

I'm sorry. Should have specified. We're staying at the Beach Club.

 

[TeenaS]

Will they let me do that when the resort is sold out? I'm hoping the agent can just take care of. With my pin, it is actually less than an $8 night difference. The money is not the problem here. It is absolutely an agent screwup. She gets in at 10A and will hopefully be able to fix it. Hopefully the call was recorded so there is proof of how many times I said the words "garden view" and asked her to confirm "garden view."

Just because they said no garden views were left, it could be that there were none left at the discounted rate. It's like an airline. So many seats (in this case, rooms) are released for different rates. And also, we have cancellations all the time.

As an example, if you call to see if there is a water view club level room available for May 13 and May 14 at your pin rate (which let's say is 35% off), they might tell you "no, they are sold out". What that could mean is that they only released 10% of the water view club level rooms to be sold at the discounted 35% off rate. If you call back and ask to book a club level water view room at rack rate, there might be some available. I don't know if that is the case with your dates or not. But even if the whole hotel at this very moment is totally sold out (which I doubt), there are cancellations each and every day.

So to answer your question, "yes, if there is availablility when you go to check-in and you are willing to pay for the additional charge, they will most certainly sell you a garden view room."

 

[kelleigh1]

I'm sorry. Should have specified. We're staying at the Beach Club.

That's what I thought. Most of the talk around here leans a little more toward BC. It looks like Teena probably gave you recommendations based on Beach Club.

We are staying at Yacht Club and the only recommendation I really ever see for YC is "overlooking the Wedding Gazebo". I can't wait! And I'm hoping that after we get back, I can really contribute to the YC side of this board!

 

[TaraPA]

Hi all! I am thinking about changing my reservation to concierge level. I was wondering if anyone knew the difference between the deluxe rooms vs. reg. club level rooms. I was wondering if the size of the room is different between club levels? Does anyone have a picture? Thank you !

There aren't a lot of pics of the Deluxe CL rooms - there are a few here & there on this thread, but unfortunately I don't have page numbers for you!

We have one booked for March, I will be sure to take lots of pics to bring back & post for everyone.

Here's the info I've gathered from the very fine folks here on the YC/BC thread: there are only 6 Deluxe CL rooms at BC & they have varied layouts & balcony types. I actually have a note of which rooms have which balconies, if that's important to you, in case you'd want to make a room request. 4 are over by the quiet pool, on floors 1-4, the other 2 are above Cape May Cafe, on floors 3 & 4. All are larger than a standard room - they have the same size bath as the regular rooms, but have 2 queen beds plus a small sitting area with a daybed & coffee table. We opted for the Deluxe room because space is important to our family. If you're not in the room much, just book regular CL to save some $!

 

[msdroz]

That's what I thought. Most of the talk around here leans a little more toward BC. It looks like Teena probably gave you recommendations based on Beach Club.

We are staying at Yacht Club and the only recommendation I really ever see for YC is "overlooking the Wedding Gazebo". I can't wait! And I'm hoping that after we get back, I can really contribute to the YC side of this board!

I noticed that too Kelleigh! I was wondering why the preference is for the BC. They are the same price right? I understand that children may like the beach club better but is there any other difference? A balcony room was extremely important to us which is why we went with the YC (it was guaranteed there and I didn't have to put a request in and risk not getting one). I'm just curious if I'm missing out by not staying at the BC. I look forward to giving my input of the YC as well once I return

 

[kelleigh1]

I noticed that too Kelleigh! I was wondering why the preference is for the BC. They are the same price right? I understand that children may like the beach club better but is there any other difference? A balcony room was extremely important to us which is why we went with the YC (it was guaranteed there and I didn't have to put a request in and risk not getting one). I'm just curious if I'm missing out by not staying at the BC. I look forward to giving my input of the YC as well once I return

The full balcony was probably the deciding factor for us too. We are also just two of us, no kids, and it sounds like the YC might be a little on the quieter side. I've heard the YC referred to as "stuffy" (although I don't think that was on this board), which didn't turn us off at all. I think the other draw of the BC is that it's just closer to Epcot. We love to walk, so being a little further from the IG is not a problem for us at all.

And of course, there is always the decor / color scheme difference. The BC is said to be brighter colors which the YC is said to be darker colors. I've looked at so many pictures of both and I'm drawn to the YC theme/colors. But it's funny, because a year ago, when we first started talking about the trip, I was all set on BC. But back a few months ago, when it was getting closer to the time to book, I looked at photos again and couldn't remember why the BC was the one I thought I'd wanted because the YC seemed to be calling to me.


OMG - and I forgot the most important reason why some people choose BC over YC. Teena is at BC and it seems that once you stay at BC and meet Teena, you don't want to stay anywhere else. (I just figure we'll take a walk over on Sunday or Monday to introduce ourselves.)

 

[focusondisney]

I noticed that too Kelleigh! I was wondering why the preference is for the BC. They are the same price right? I understand that children may like the beach club better but is there any other difference? A balcony room was extremely important to us which is why we went with the YC (it was guaranteed there and I didn't have to put a request in and risk not getting one). I'm just curious if I'm missing out by not staying at the BC. I look forward to giving my input of the YC as well once I return

Hi! I have stayed at both resorts many times. We actually prefer YC. The biggest differences to me are:

-The decor: I like the deep rich colors in the YC rooms over the paler BC pastels

-The full balconies. I do enjoy sitting out there almost everyday & I would worry about getting one at BC.

-Walking in to the YC lobby does seem quieter & more serene. There are still lots of people around, but usually there are groups from conferences lingering around as opposed to the families with youngsters at BC. It is just DH & I & we do enjoy watching kids have fun at Disney, but we just like the YC atmosphere better.

- The YC bus stop is first & usually less crowded. BC has the hotel & villas so they have many more people getting on there. (Shh, don't tell anyone this, keep it secret for me! ).

I don't know why it seems like there are more BC fans here, but I'm Ok with that. That way I can get my room at YC!

 

[honeymom]

Just because they said no garden views were left, it could be that there were none left at the discounted rate. It's like an airline. So many seats (in this case, rooms) are released for different rates. And also, we have cancellations all the time.

As an example, if you call to see if there is a water view club level room available for May 13 and May 14 at your pin rate (which let's say is 35% off), they might tell you "no, they are sold out". What that could mean is that they only released 10% of the water view club level rooms to be sold at the discounted 35% off rate. If you call back and ask to book a club level water view room at rack rate, there might be some available. I don't know if that is the case with your dates or not. But even if the whole hotel at this very moment is totally sold out (which I doubt), there are cancellations each and every day.

So to answer your question, "yes, if there is availablility when you go to check-in and you are willing to pay for the additional charge, they will most certainly sell you a garden view room."

In my case I switched from Poly because of the pool slide being closed with fairly little notice (i have teens - they want a slide). This was a bit of a bucket list trip of sorts - I have been battling an advanced lung cancer (not a smoker) since last June. I'd written some notes to the guest relations for WDW explaining the situation and the need for this trip to be "magical." They had called me and assigned an agent that I am specifically in contact with. She was able to apply the discount to any hotel with any availability. So when she said "last room" she meant "last room." Still I'm going to see if she can do anything because this was clearly her mistake (or a Disney computer mistake). I am just hoping that she makes it in to work today. She sounded horrible on the phone yesterday. If she doesn't call me by lunchtime, I am going to call in and see if she even made it.

In the scheme of things, this is a lot smaller than cancer. And, I had great scans on Monday. I can't even believe that I stressed over a pool slide, and now over a view. But, I really do want this trip to be special and create lots of good memories.

The good news and more important thing is that I had a terrific scan on Monday. I am on a new medicine that works well for about 70% of people with a particular genetic mutation causing their cancer (I've got the mutation). It is working well - currently no evidence of cancer.

 

[Marlton Mom]

That's what I thought. Most of the talk around here leans a little more toward BC.

This board is a lot like when you go over to your family's house for the holidays and meet up with all the relatives. The polite ones, sitting at the table, talking quietly and enjoying the sensible snacks are the Yacht Club People. The nut cases screaming at the game on TV and eating waaay to many potato chips are the Beach Club people. Those poor Yacht Club people can barely get a word in edgewise but us Beach Club people love 'em anyway!

~Marlton Mom

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Wow Good luck! I hope you have a very magical trip