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

[MickeyT]

Hello fellow BC fans! It's been a while since I checked in with the DIS. We had an amazing trip to BC in December but I don't think I posted anything about it as we headed straight from there to Xmas celebrations and then the business of a New Year. I will post some thoughts soon.

I had been trying to wean myself from Disney because our school calendar came out for 2012-13 and our usual 2 week Xmas break was drastically cut to about a week. I told the kids that our annual pre-Xmas trip to Disney was off due to the calendar, but I just heard that the state may roll back some requirements for the school year so we may get those days back! I am all for education but they were essentially adding five more days for students, taking away teacher work days and not giving any funds for it. Not the way to help our schools IMHO. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can return this December.

In the meantime, we are also looking forward to sailing on the Dream March 2013!

Welcome back west&east. This happened to us this past year. We had booked BCV's at 11 months out for December. Then our daughters school calendar came out and completely gutted our plans. She is just below you in SC (Lancaster Co) and she had only one week off. If anyone deserves a break and a chance to catch their breath it is our teachers.

Can't wait to hear your December thoughts and BC memories.

 

[mbtohill]

We are a "Disney Family", myself, DW and 2DD's 11 and 9. We own a timeshare off property at the Sheraton Vistana Villages and have been going every year in May since 2005.

This year I decided to split our trip between our home timeshare and a Disney resort. Rented points and was originally booked into a 1 bedroom at BWV and put on the BCV waitlist. Well, I got an email yesterday and we are now in the BEACH CLUB!!!!!

The best part is it is going to be a surprise to my girls, they won't know until the morning we switch resorts.

Suffice it to say I am pretty excited.

I do have a couple questions, as we are "Disney Pro's", but not "Disney Resort Pro's".

1. What are the chances of getting upgraded to a 2 bedroom Villa at Check-in? Im guessing slim to none, but has anyone had any luck? Early May isn't a Peak time so I'm hoping, just maybe.

2. I plan on checking in at 7am. Will we be able to use the facilities on the day of check-in prior to getting our room?

3. I have read the some rooms at the Beach Club do not have FULL balconies. Is that true with the Villas or just Beach Club Inn??

Thanks

 

[MDChris]

About to leave for our first trip to the Beach Club! See you in a few hours Beach Club!

 

[Greyhound22]

About to leave for our first trip to the Beach Club! See you in a few hours Beach Club!

Congrats to you. We leave next Friday (16th) and we can't wait!!!

 

[Feckless]

OMG Love Bugs. My DD is pretty terrified of bugs. I thought they were only in September! I am really not happy about this...

 

[Katesdad]

I do have a couple questions, as we are "Disney Pro's", but not "Disney Resort Pro's".
1. What are the chances of getting upgraded to a 2 bedroom Villa at Check-in? Im guessing slim to none, but has anyone had any luck? Early May isn't a Peak time so I'm hoping, just maybe.
2. I plan on checking in at 7am. Will we be able to use the facilities on the day of check-in prior to getting our room?
3. I have read the some rooms at the Beach Club do not have FULL balconies. Is that true with the Villas or just Beach Club Inn??Thanks

The basic comment on the BCV is it is always full. Do not count on an upgrade unless you book it now. When you check in you are given full access to SAB and everything else on the property. Same as with the day you check out, you have until midnight that day to use the poperty's amenities. As for #3, I'll pass as I do not have direct knowledge of this.

 

[Avenger117]

This thread is so awesome! I have recently started some preliminary planning on a WDW honeymoon. My fiancee and I were originally looking at AKL, but we started seeing pictures of Yacht Club and read up on this resort. Now we are pretty sold, we like the theme and the location a lot.

Our trip won't be until late July or early August 2013, but I wanted to know how far out should I book my trip? Thanks.

 

[msdroz]

Congrats to you. We leave next Friday (16th) and we can't wait!!!

Have a great trip both of you, and take lots of pics to share

 

[DisMomAmy]

OMG Love Bugs. My DD is pretty terrified of bugs. I thought they were only in September! I am really not happy about this...

Yuck! I thought the same thing... We visit Disney a lot in April & have never seen them during that time. I have seen them a few times in late Sept/early October and they are so annoying!

I hope they come & go quickly!

 

[kelleigh1]

This thread is so awesome! I have recently started some preliminary planning on a WDW honeymoon. My fiancee and I were originally looking at AKL, but we started seeing pictures of Yacht Club and read up on this resort. Now we are pretty sold, we like the theme and the location a lot.

Our trip won't be until late July or early August 2013, but I wanted to know how far out should I book my trip? Thanks.

We are staying at YC for the first time in October, so hopefully I'll have a trip report and plenty of photos to share with you while you plan.

As for when to book, my rule of thumb is pretty much as soon as I know what I want, I book the trip. I believe that with WDW, you can't book more than 399 days out (or is it 499)? I'll find that for you. That being said, if you were to book July or August 2013 at that earliest possible date, you would get rack rates as that would be the only thing available. Then you play the waiting game of looking for deals, pin codes, etc. (Speaking of which, I recommend that you go to disneyworld.com and that you price out some trips and save them (you'll need to create a free account). Also order the planning DVD's. This gets you on the mailing lists and improves your chances of getting a PIN code.

I work with a AAA Travel Agent (she is fantastic) for all my Disney trips. When I received a PIN code, I just sent her the info and she had it applied. So I started out with a AAA discount rate, then my first PIN saved me a little bit of $$, but the 2nd PIN I got saved me even more. She had no problem applying them. Just to give you an idea, I booked our end of Oct trip on Jan. 3rd. I could have booked earlier, but January is Disney Month with AAA and there are usually some benefits to booking then - however, this year was a bust.

 

[donnaf516]

About to leave for our first trip to the Beach Club! See you in a few hours Beach Club!

Have a great trip!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

About to leave for our first trip to the Beach Club! See you in a few hours Beach Club!

Have a great time!

 

[mousiemom]

Have a magical vacation and take lots of pics to show us! love the beach club!

 

[Avenger117]

We are staying at YC for the first time in October, so hopefully I'll have a trip report and plenty of photos to share with you while you plan.

As for when to book, my rule of thumb is pretty much as soon as I know what I want, I book the trip. I believe that with WDW, you can't book more than 399 days out (or is it 499)? I'll find that for you. That being said, if you were to book July or August 2013 at that earliest possible date, you would get rack rates as that would be the only thing available. Then you play the waiting game of looking for deals, pin codes, etc. (Speaking of which, I recommend that you go to disneyworld.com and that you price out some trips and save them (you'll need to create a free account). Also order the planning DVD's. This gets you on the mailing lists and improves your chances of getting a PIN code.

I work with a AAA Travel Agent (she is fantastic) for all my Disney trips. When I received a PIN code, I just sent her the info and she had it applied. So I started out with a AAA discount rate, then my first PIN saved me a little bit of $$, but the 2nd PIN I got saved me even more. She had no problem applying them. Just to give you an idea, I booked our end of Oct trip on Jan. 3rd. I could have booked earlier, but January is Disney Month with AAA and there are usually some benefits to booking then - however, this year was a bust.

Thanks, thats great I can't wait to read your trip report! and thats what I was wondering, if it was ok to book that far ahead of time. I do have a Disney account and this year's DVDs. We got a pin 2 years ago so I'll cross my fingers! We're pretty excited, I haven't stayed at one of the deluxe resorts since I was a kid, we usually go to Corando or All star.

Also I did plan on using a travel agent, I looked at Magic Travels and Kingdom Konsultants, But I'm not sure which one yet.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

We are a "Disney Family", myself, DW and 2DD's 11 and 9. We own a timeshare off property at the Sheraton Vistana Villages and have been going every year in May since 2005.

This year I decided to split our trip between our home timeshare and a Disney resort. Rented points and was originally booked into a 1 bedroom at BWV and put on the BCV waitlist. Well, I got an email yesterday and we are now in the BEACH CLUB!!!!!

The best part is it is going to be a surprise to my girls, they won't know until the morning we switch resorts.

Suffice it to say I am pretty excited.

I do have a couple questions, as we are "Disney Pro's", but not "Disney Resort Pro's".

1. What are the chances of getting upgraded to a 2 bedroom Villa at Check-in? Im guessing slim to none, but has anyone had any luck? Early May isn't a Peak time so I'm hoping, just maybe.

2. I plan on checking in at 7am. Will we be able to use the facilities on the day of check-in prior to getting our room?

3. I have read the some rooms at the Beach Club do not have FULL balconies. Is that true with the Villas or just Beach Club Inn??

Thanks

On rented points, I don't think there is any reason to believe you would get an upgrade. As PP mentioned, BCV are full most of the year so you get what you reserve. Upgrades are more likely in the BC resort as things may need to be moved around to accommodate another party or a particular category is oversold so someone ends up with a lucky upgrade. This is not meant to happen in the Villas. Not that someone hasn't gotten such an upgrade in the past ... but would say it is rare and more likely to happen to someone staying on a cash reservation.

As PP mentioned, yes you are able to use facilities from time of check-in not just when room is available.

And the BCV do have full balconies or a patio. The Juliet type balconies are part of the BC resort.

 

[333disneymom]

Shannon, I can't provide any info specific to Easter day, but we're arriving at WDW on Tuesday of that week. Long story, and I would not have selected this crazy busy time of year to go, but this is one of our WDW stops "on the way to the airport" from my parents' condo in SW Florida. So our plan is definitely to get to rope drop, spend a few hours in the park and likely bail after lunch. In the evening, we'll probably return to Epcot, but avoid MK and DHS. Especially during busier times, we like to have ADRs for both lunch and dinner to ensure that we'll won't be waiting in long lines with hungry kids!

We went during Easter weekend in 2004 and it was not bad at all. We did spend Easter Day in Epcot and mostly just did attractions rather than rides, but honestly, we didn't think it was crazy busy! Not sure if crowds have picked up a lot more over the years. But even the days before and after were not bad. But, we do tend to go more in the morning and evening hours.

Sitting here on my huge balcony overlooking islands in the sea sipping my coffee. All is well!
Finally good nights sleep after 39 hours awake. But hotel delivered champagne and choc strawberries just after we fell asleep.
Snorkled yesterday so so. My main camera died. Fortunately brought backup. Not as nice but it will do. Rainforest this morning. Have a great day all!

Wow! 39 hours. Hope you have a great time at the Rainforest.

Just got home from welcoming the Fantasy to its home. I sent videos of it to MM and hopefully she can post them so you can all see. The fireworks as the sun was rising ... it was incredible!!!!

Sounds terrific!

Normally they are here in late April, early May and then again in early September. They sleep disappear as soon as it starts getting dark at night and then appear around 10 AM in the mornings. I HATE THEM!

Hate them too. There were a lot last year when we went the first week in May. The window on ME was covered in love bugs!

The best part is it is going to be a surprise to my girls, they won't know until the morning we switch resorts.

1. What are the chances of getting upgraded to a 2 bedroom Villa at Check-in? Im guessing slim to none, but has anyone had any luck? Early May isn't a Peak time so I'm hoping, just maybe.

I've read that they only do upgrades if rooms are taken out of inventory for maintenance or if a category is overbooked.

 

[valkate]

Please help me mentally prepare for the bus transportation for our upcoming trip to the YC. What resorts will we likely be sharing buses with during Spring Break (March 17-22)? It has been almost 10 years since my last stay at YC, and that trip we shared a bus with all 5 Epcot resorts and the trips seemed endless. That was an off season trip. Can I dare to hope for a YC/BC only bus this time since it's a busier time of year? We have several dinner reservations in the MK area, so I am thinking a rental car might be in order.

 

[TeenaS]

Please help me mentally prepare for the bus transportation for our upcoming trip to the YC. What resorts will we likely be sharing buses with during Spring Break (March 17-22)? It has been almost 10 years since my last stay at YC, and that trip we shared a bus with all 5 Epcot resorts and the trips seemed endless. That was an off season trip. Can I dare to hope for a YC/BC only bus this time since it's a busier time of year? We have several dinner reservations in the MK area, so I am thinking a rental car might be in order.

It all depends on the time of day rather than off season or busy season. For example, if it is the beginning and end of day, the buses probably will be just Yacht and Beach. However, during the middle of the day (when there are very few people using the buses because they are already at the parks) sometimes the bus will stop at all the resorts around the lake. Same thing over at the resorts around Magic Kingdom.

Parking at some of the resorts is a real pain unless you valet (which can get real expensive). For example, the parking lot at the Grand is really far away.

On days you are eating dinner at the MK area resorts, I would plan on spending the afternoon at MK. Lots of guests that are spending the afternoon at the pool and have dinner reservations at other resorts take the boat over to the Studios and then hop on the bus that goes right to the resort where they have dinner reservations.

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks, thats great I can't wait to read your trip report! and thats what I was wondering, if it was ok to book that far ahead of time. I do have a Disney account and this year's DVDs. We got a pin 2 years ago so I'll cross my fingers! We're pretty excited, I haven't stayed at one of the deluxe resorts since I was a kid, we usually go to Corando or All star.

Also I did plan on using a travel agent, I looked at Magic Travels and Kingdom Konsultants, But I'm not sure which one yet.

I'm always cautious with travel agents. I went to a AAA office once to speak to them about the first Disney trip that hubby and I were planning and I knew more than they did. I couldn't wait to get out of there. When someone referred me to the one I use now and several other people also recommended her, I knew I'd be safe. She really knows her stuff when it comes to Disney, and I think that's very important.

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks, thats great I can't wait to read your trip report! and thats what I was wondering, if it was ok to book that far ahead of time. I do have a Disney account and this year's DVDs. We got a pin 2 years ago so I'll cross my fingers! We're pretty excited, I haven't stayed at one of the deluxe resorts since I was a kid, we usually go to Corando or All star.

Also I did plan on using a travel agent, I looked at Magic Travels and Kingdom Konsultants, But I'm not sure which one yet.

I deal all day with guests that booked with travel agents that really messed them up. The other day a guest came in, mother, father and 3 children under the age of 10, never been to Disney World. Their travel agent told them they only needed to come for four days ... that's all it took to see everything. The first day they arrived at 4 PM. They were sold the deluxe dining plan. Are you kidding me? And the travel agent never told them to make dining reservations. First, they will spend most of their 4 days eating if they find somewhere to eat and second, they had no idea we even had SAB. When the kids saw that, they didn't even want to go to the park.

Anyway, a good Disney travel agent is a must unless you book direct with Disney yourself. I send people to Fred Wagenmann at Seize The Day Travel. He knows Disney as well as I do and the best thing about him is that if you book something nine, twelve, or two years in advance, the second a discount comes out for the time you are going, he'll call you and change your reservation to get you the discount even though it means less commission for him. So many people I've sent to him have sent their friends to him ... he is amazing. If anybody wants a good Disney travel agent, his number is 717-805-6113.