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

[dheinz]

Pixarmom -

Thanks so much!! I actually went back & reread the Q&A section. I think the first time I looked at it I really just glanced over it because I was just trying to decide if we would really fit in a room at BC. Now, I learned information that I am so excited about. I never knew if you might want a room change to go through regular check-in! (I have always been too nervous to ask for a change anyway)

I am thinking this time I will go through regular check-in and ask if we were given any of the room requests when I get there. Although, I am worried that I am asking for too much.
1. Crib
2. Daybed (although I think that is a requirement for us)
3. Full Balcony
4. Epcot view

I'm not sure if the crib & daybed really count against us?

 

[KB24]

Okay, DH and I were up late last night talking over whether we have the money to go to WDW and stay at the Yacht/Beach clubs. I'm a bit in sticker shock, but he said to go for it! So I think we will! First time ever at this resort or in the Epcot area!

So now we have to make the decision of Yacht vs. Beach, and whether we put down a room request. If anyone feels strongly about liking one over the other, let me know. As mentioned, we want the impossible -- proximity to things, yet not overly noisy (one can dream, can't one?).

As for rooms, I'm leaning towards saving money (again, the sticker shock), and asking for a garden view instead of a water one. Does anyone think it really, really is worth the money to get a water view?

Many questions! This seems like a wonderful thread. Makes me feel comfortable choosing the Yacht/Beach Clubs, knowing that you all are fans!

Do you have kids? If yes, beach club. If no, Yacht Club. We have now been in rooms of all types. My honest opinion is that you either get a standard view or a water. The garden view is hardly anything special in my experience. Go big for the water view or just save it all.

EDIT: After thread catching up it appears you do, I can't stress this enough esp with kids, look into club level.

 

[KB24]

WOW! I like to say, too, what a SWEET upgrade!

Love Kouzzina for breakfast! and a nice walk, not far at all~15 mins tops for us real slowbies.

Awesome upgrade! The fiance and I visited the poly for the first time last time around.

Neither of us understand what the fuss is about. It's GF or YC for us.

 

[pixarmom]

Pixarmom -

Thanks so much!! I actually went back & reread the Q&A section. I think the first time I looked at it I really just glanced over it because I was just trying to decide if we would really fit in a room at BC. Now, I learned information that I am so excited about. I never knew if you might want a room change to go through regular check-in! (I have always been too nervous to ask for a change anyway)

I am thinking this time I will go through regular check-in and ask if we were given any of the room requests when I get there. Although, I am worried that I am asking for too much.
1. Crib
2. Daybed (although I think that is a requirement for us)
3. Full Balcony
4. Epcot view

I'm not sure if the crib & daybed really count against us?

Can you remind me of how many you have in your party, ages 3 and up? If you have a full party of five (everyone is age 3 and up), then you'll have priority for a daybed. We actually do not request a daybed because we're a party of five, so they will try to find a room that fits us.

I think the crib isn't really a "room request," but something you need. But we haven't needed a crib at BC, so maybe someone else can comment.

So "full balcony, Epcot view" might be your request. As you may have read on the first page, just put your requests in order of importance so the assignors know which requests are most important to you!

 

[pixarmom]

As I contemplate upgrading our April booking from YC GV to YC GV CL, I have another question for YC CL experts!

I read on the Disney website that YC CL offers "afternoon tea" in addition to breakfast, snacks and appetizers. Is that accurate? Sounds silly, but that would actually increase the value of CL for our little guy and me - especially on the way to the airport on Saturday. Afternoon tea sounds a little more substantial than the afternoon snacks at BC or BWI.

 

[jojolove]

My family and I will be arriving at the Beach Club on March 20th for the first time. We have previously stayed at the Poly, GF, POR, AND CBR but my DH longs to be able to walk to Epcot each evening. I have been following your pages to familiarize myself with the layout of the land and I have been able to get lots of information. My Ten year old DS is a Harry Potter fanatic and we plan to spend one day at Universal for him. I am absolutely clueless about IOA and I'm trying to get as much info as possible before venturing into the unknown. We will not have a car with us, so I am trying to decide our best transportation option. Any help will be appreciated. Already have my reservations for Ohana one night. so excited. It will be here before we know it. BTW, I magically got a pin number right before I called to book our vaca.

 

[KB24]

As I contemplate upgrading our April booking from YC GV to YC GV CL, I have another question for YC CL experts!

I read on the Disney website that YC CL offers "afternoon tea" in addition to breakfast, snacks and appetizers. Is that accurate? Sounds silly, but that would actually increase the value of CL for our little guy and me - especially on the way to the airport on Saturday. Afternoon tea sounds a little more substantial than the afternoon snacks at BC or BWI.

You get breakfast in the morning

Snacks in the afternoon from about noon to 4 which is chips, dressing, cookies, and soda. i wouldnt consider it a meal replacement at all.

there are finger foods and booze in the early evening 5-7

dessert is 8-10 .

 

[KB24]

My family and I will be arriving at the Beach Club on March 20th for the first time. We have previously stayed at the Poly, GF, POR, AND CBR but my DH longs to be able to walk to Epcot each evening. I have been following your pages to familiarize myself with the layout of the land and I have been able to get lots of information. My Ten year old DS is a Harry Potter fanatic and we plan to spend one day at Universal for him. I am absolutely clueless about IOA and I'm trying to get as much info as possible before venturing into the unknown. We will not have a car with us, so I am trying to decide our best transportation option. Any help will be appreciated. Already have my reservations for Ohana one night. so excited. It will be here before we know it. BTW, I magically got a pin number right before I called to book our vaca.

someone else may have a much better answer than I, but AFAIK your options are rental car or cab. a cab fare to IOA is approximately 40 to 50 dollars from WDW from what I understand. You might also be able to arrange a town car but im not sure what that costs.

 

[natebenma]

My family and I will be arriving at the Beach Club on March 20th for the first time. We have previously stayed at the Poly, GF, POR, AND CBR but my DH longs to be able to walk to Epcot each evening. I have been following your pages to familiarize myself with the layout of the land and I have been able to get lots of information. My Ten year old DS is a Harry Potter fanatic and we plan to spend one day at Universal for him. I am absolutely clueless about IOA and I'm trying to get as much info as possible before venturing into the unknown. We will not have a car with us, so I am trying to decide our best transportation option. Any help will be appreciated. Already have my reservations for Ohana one night. so excited. It will be here before we know it. BTW, I magically got a pin number right before I called to book our vaca.

someone else may have a much better answer than I, but AFAIK your options are rental car or cab. a cab fare to IOA is approximately 40 to 50 dollars from WDW from what I understand. You might also be able to arrange a town car but im not sure what that costs.

We did the reverse last summer. We stayed at and visited "The Dark Side/Theme park which must not be named" and then spent one day at Magic Kingdom. That sounds about right on the cab fare. We arranged for a town car service and the total roundtrip was $80 roundtrip, plus tip. I believe Mears also offers a trip, but the cost is per person and the times are limited I believe, so the towncar made the most sense for us. We also were able to arrive and leave when we wanted (we called about an hour before we were ready to head back)

Here is a link about Disney-Universal transportation options from the Universal forum.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2494908

I would like to invite you to check out the last page of my trip report "Welcome Foolish Muggles". This page includes my Top Ten "Things" or Tips for IoA/WWoHP/Universal Studios. You can also go to the table of contents and read about our visits to IoA. Click on the link in my signature.


.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Robyn- I'm so sorry to hear this! Like there isn't enough High School drama! When does the school close? September?

What are your options?

Again, thoughts are with you for this unexpected bump in the road!

The school will close in Jun (short of a miraculous intervention).

Our options are:

1. Send her to the Catholic High School my older kids went to - that is the one whose tuition is three times the amount of elementary school.

2. We are looking at two other Catholic High Schools whose tuition is comparable to the one who is closing (twice the cost of elementary school).
The drawback here is it's a longer commute each day.

We decided that regardless we are still going to Disney no matter what. However we might be doing a lot more counter service meal if we end up with the higher tuition. Of course that means higher tuition for four years - for three kids!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Ugh! So sorry to hear this. Please keep us posted as you consider options.

Also, wanted to mention that our youngest is talking about you quite a bit! On Wednesday, he told his brothers that he got a "message from Robyn about the Yacht Club" and that he's really going to love it. Then when I picked him up from school yesterday, he said, "Robyn knows everything about the Yacht Club. Did I get any more messages from her?"

Tell him that there is a "secret entrance" at YC just like BC. There is a side door at the area by the wedding gazebo. We loved that area so we didn't have to traipse through the lobby in our bathing suits!

We stayed YC CL one time and loved it. We also really liked the YC waterview rooms. We were on the first floor and had a great patio view of Crescent Lake, the marina and the boat dock.

 

[pixarmom]

You get breakfast in the morning

Snacks in the afternoon from about noon to 4 which is chips, dressing, cookies, and soda. i wouldnt consider it a meal replacement at all.

there are finger foods and booze in the early evening 5-7

dessert is 8-10 .

OK, then that would be the same as BC CL and BWI CL. We're certainly not looking for a meal replacement, just wondering if the reference to "afternoon tea" on the Disney website means YC has something different in the lounge than the swedish fish, chips, cookies, yogurt pretzels and sodas in the BC club lounge. The website suggested that YC was adding something like what GF has available.

 

[kelleigh1]

Tell him that there is a "secret entrance" at YC just like BC. There is a side door at the area by the wedding gazebo. We loved that area so we didn't have to traipse through the lobby in our bathing suits!

We stayed YC CL one time and loved it. We also really liked the YC waterview rooms. We were on the first floor and had a great patio view of Crescent Lake, the marina and the boat dock.

Glad to hear there is a secret entrance at YC too.

 

[pixarmom]

Tell him that there is a "secret entrance" at YC just like BC. There is a side door at the area by the wedding gazebo. We loved that area so we didn't have to traipse through the lobby in our bathing suits!

We stayed YC CL one time and loved it. We also really liked the YC waterview rooms. We were on the first floor and had a great patio view of Crescent Lake, the marina and the boat dock.

Excellent - I had no idea YC had a secret entrance, too!!! He will love to hear about that - thanks so much!

 

[Feckless]

Made another big payment on my reservation today - looking less frightening!!! I still have to book my airfare however. Waiting for seat sales....

Still struggling with having DDP or not... I worked out the costs of the ADRs that we already have booked and it looks like it will be about $1300. This is for one TS per day - two character breakfasts, one lunch at Sci Fi, and the rest dinners. Only one (Brown Derby) is 2 TS credits. I have to call and get a quote on the DDP but it is likely to be $1750. So, about $450 extra for 10 days. We are staying CL so we hope to skip some breakfasts. We are hungry folks though so who knows! LOL. On the face of it, it sound like reasonable value, especially since the kids want refillable mugs (which we don't really need staying CL I realize!)

Anyone have any advice????

 

[MickeyT]

Super quick update from BCV. Got checked in today @ 3:30. So glad to be 'home'. No luck with early checkin on this trip. We are in room 323 overlooking the courtyard. Sitting here looking at the Solarium as I type. Did not make it to a park today. Had to get sisters and get everything checked in. We did eat at Kona tonight and rode the monorail around the resorts and over to EPCOT and back just for fun. Most fun a Disney without burning a park ticket.

Early morning hours at HS in the morning and then a real early morning Sunday with the marathon. (DW and I are doing the inarguaral relay. Only 13.1 miles each). Well off to bed and up early AM. Will try to do a better report tomorrow!

 

[dheinz]

Can you remind me of how many you have in your party, ages 3 and up? If you have a full party of five (everyone is age 3 and up), then you'll have priority for a daybed. We actually do not request a daybed because we're a party of five, so they will try to find a room that fits us.

We are a family of six. We have 13, 11, 7, 2 (at time of travel). So i guess they will automatically give us a daybed room. I will request Full Balcony, Epcot View.

I am so excited! Thanks for all of the great advice!

 

[goofyredraider]

Made another big payment on my reservation today - looking less frightening!!! I still have to book my airfare however. Waiting for seat sales....

Still struggling with having DDP or not... I worked out the costs of the ADRs that we already have booked and it looks like it will be about $1300. This is for one TS per day - two character breakfasts, one lunch at Sci Fi, and the rest dinners. Only one (Brown Derby) is 2 TS credits. I have to call and get a quote on the DDP but it is likely to be $1750. So, about $450 extra for 10 days. We are staying CL so we hope to skip some breakfasts. We are hungry folks though so who knows! LOL. On the face of it, it sound like reasonable value, especially since the kids want refillable mugs (which we don't really need staying CL I realize!)

Anyone have any advice????

I know what you mean about paying another big payment! I did that as well today!

Do you think you can eat your other meals (I'm guessing QS) for less than $450 for 10 days? Iwould definitely plan potential QS meals as well and do a mock "price out" to see what you are paying for each meal. Most of the QS prices are on allears. I know you get snacks/goodies w/ CL, but would you need snack credits in the park? If nothing less, my kids LOVED "cashing out" remaining snack credits at Goofy's Candy Store in DTD right before we left. It was a "Disney-to-go" moment, and made the magic last a little longer once we were home.

For us, we can't go w/o the dining plan. If I don't prepay for it, DH (6'2" and about 160 soaking wet) will not eat if he can help it because his eyes will go as he is paying for it each time we eat....LOL. He simply will say he isn't hungry. :/ We prefer to go on vacation having everything paid for, so we aren't hemorraging money while we are there.

 

[natebenma]

Tell him that there is a "secret entrance" at YC just like BC. There is a side door at the area by the wedding gazebo. We loved that area so we didn't have to traipse through the lobby in our bathing suits!

OK, now I need pictures!

pixarmom, tell your little guy that now that Dee has learned about this she needs him to remind you to take pictures to show us all where it is!

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Tell him that there is a "secret entrance" at YC just like BC. There is a side door at the area by the wedding gazebo. We loved that area so we didn't have to traipse through the lobby in our bathing suits!

Our room at the BC was right next to the "secret entrance"" and it made our walk to International Gateway 3 minutes
This time we are staying at the YC standard view,so are there any SV rooms near to the "secret door" for a quick get away that i could request? TIA.