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

[kappyfamily]

First time posting on the beach club thread, hi everyone! I got an amazing phone call yesterday from Disney reservations letting me know the port Orleans riverside- royal room (the new princess themed rooms)that we had booked for late February will be delayed in construction. She then went on to tell me they would like to give me a free upgrade to the poly.

We've stayed at the poly before and loved it, but I really wanted to try a new deluxe and we have never been to the boardwalk, so I asked if Beach Club was available instead! She said she has never had someone turn down an upgrade to the poly before!

So short story, longer, we are now staying at BC in a water view room over presidents day week for the cost of POR! ($266 a night)! How about that for pixie dust and we are not even there yet! Super excited!

--quick question-- how far of a walk is it from international gateway to kouzzina?
And kouzzina back to BC? Thanks everyone!

 

[kelleigh1]

Do we have a floor plan map somewhere of YC which includes the designations of the various room categories? I thought I had seen one, but now I can't find it and it's possible that I was just dreaming and didn't actually see it at all.

 

[nannette]

Just read that sometime early spring the TIW card will be available to DVC members... I think this is a great idea!!

~Nannette

 

[Wee Annie]

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!

 

[kelleigh1]

btw...I got a pin code yesterday. Came home to find mail from WDW and it starts off with "we're thrilled to hear you're interested in coming back to see us again. So we want to make sure you have everything you need to plan the Walt Disney World Resort visit you're thinking about in October."

Hmmm....seems that it was personalized to us.

I emailed the info to my TA this morning and asked her to take a look. We are booked with AAA right now, but when I put in the info online myself, it looks like the PIN saves us about another $200 off the cost of the trip. We shall see. I think it's only 20%, but that's better than nothing. I'd love a 40% savings, but I'll take what I can get.

 

[goofyredraider]

We love the the Guide to the Magic as well. Nate just received his new copy in the mail yesterday. It has been updated. It is a spiral book but it is too large to carry around as Dee has said.

Another book that we love is the Birnbaum Guides Walt Disney World For Kids. We got it from the library. It has a scrapbook and autograph section. Not as nice the journal section as the Guide to the Magic has though which is why we did not purchase it instead. It is full of color photos.

http://www.amazon.com/Birnbaums-Wal...=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325853604&sr=1-3



What and where is Jelly rolls? We are still planning our night out as well. Planning on using the Sandcastle Club one night. I guess I need to get my butt in gear and reserve that today before it fills up!

It's on the Boardwalk and is a dueling piano bar. We just want a few hours of "adult" time...we may end up Jellyrolls or just somewhere on the Boardwalk...I'm not sure. We budgeted for about 2-3 hours (probably closer to 2 because I'll worry the whole time and won't be able to have a good time..LOL).

 

[bookgirl]

Let me just say that I keep reading these pages, and thinking, "WOW, these people are a HOOT and have formed such good friendships!" And then I feel sad because I don't have anything to say Anyway, I hope to get to know you all better over the next few months!

We've decided not to tell the kids about our split stay and just tell them we are staying for the 6 nights. We will be at POR for 6 nights (having a HS, MK, AK, resort, and Universal day while there). We are going to "pretend" to go home (pack up, etc.) and drive around for a bit. The kids will be sad, of course, and upset that we didn't go to EPCOT. After we've stalled and convinced them our Disney trip is over...we will then pull into Beach Club! We will be there for 6 more nights.

For that end of our trip:
Right now, I've planned two Epcot days, another MK day, another HS day (Star Wars Weekends), a to-be-decided park day (wherever we decide to go), and a resort day. We reserved the Sandcastle Club for the kids one night, and plan to head over to JellyRolls (or is there somewhere else we should plan to check out?) We do plan to go back to Epcot the night before we leave in order to have dinner at Via Napoli, regardless of which park we are at during the day.

So, here's one question of many to follow...
Where do you have breakfast (QS) around BC? I noticed Hurricane Hannah's has a few things as well as the Marketplace. Is there anywhere else that I am missing? Anything in Epcot?
As far as a TS breakfast, I have Cape May Cafe' planned for departure morning.

Thanks for reading if you got this far!

We did a quick breakfast out of the Marketplace in BC. Ham egg and cheese crossiants, french toast sticks, yogurt parfaits, and they sell dry cereal and milk, fruit and pastries. This was fine for us, but it's not a traditional sit down breakfast. There are menu's on page 1 of this thread.

 

[twinmum]

I really like Guide to the Magic for Kids. It is a bit pricey, about $30, but it has really great pictures and fun information about all of the attractions. It also can serve as a journal- there are prompts to write about each day of your vacation, including a place to rate the rides you tried.

There is even a section of the book you can use for autographs, but the book is too big to bring around with you to the parks, IMHO.

Here's a link the the Guide to the Magic website where you can see some sample pages and even order the book. It is also available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

http://www.guidetothemagic.com/


And although they are not planning books, your daughter may enjoy Ridely Pearson's Kingdom Keeper novels (fiction). I have only read the first one so far, but it is about a group of middle schoolers who are the models for a new holographic technology at the Disney parks. They end up entering the Magic Kingdom in their dreams and encounter various attractions and characters coming to life.
.

Hello! I've been checking out this thread leading up to our 2nd BC/YC stay in March (YC this time!). Not sure if anyone added this, but there are now 4 Ridley Pearson Kingdom Keepers books - I bought the 4th for our 13 year old twin boys who started reading KK's when they first came out. As far as I remember, the books have now taken place in MK, Epcot, AK and now DHS - it's fun, especially if you can "see" the places you've been to. To be honest, I was the first one in our household to read the most recent book - on Boxing Day! Just note that it's not just the nice characters who are coming to life, and there are some tense scenes...

 

[Music City Mama]

First time posting on the beach club thread, hi everyone! I got an amazing phone call yesterday from Disney reservations letting me know the port Orleans riverside- royal room (the new princess themed rooms)that we had booked for late February will be delayed in construction. She then went on to tell me they would like to give me a free upgrade to the poly.

We've stayed at the poly before and loved it, but I really wanted to try a new deluxe and we have never been to the boardwalk, so I asked if Beach Club was available instead! She said she has never had someone turn down an upgrade to the poly before!

So short story, longer, we are now staying at BC in a water view room over presidents day week for the cost of POR! ($266 a night)! How about that for pixie dust and we are not even there yet! Super excited!

--quick question-- how far of a walk is it from international gateway to kouzzina?
And kouzzina back to BC? Thanks everyone!

Lucky you! Congrats!

I would say the walk from IG to Kouzzina is 5-7 minutes. And about 10 from Kouzzina back to BC.

 

[jenneth79]

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!

My two cents, as I'm not sure if you are traveling with/without children, etc.

Closer to Epcot: BC
Closer to Boat Launch: YC
Quieter Resort (Less Children) : YC
More "Family Friendly" (though one could argue all of Disney is...): BC

Now, as for the water view, it depends, do you want to spend time on your balcony each day to read / relax / etc? If so, the water view is totally worth it. (Also remember you are not guaranteed a full balcony at BC) But if you plan on spending most of your time in the parks? All of the views are fine and it can save you a lot of money.

Again, just my two cents, there are more knowledgeable people on this thread that I.

Jen

 

[msdroz]

That's a good question about the view because I'm concerned about it as well. We booked the Yacht Club so that my husband and I could have some quality time on the balcony after my son goes to bed. It will be dark and we'll be talking/enjoying wine, but I really don't want to be looking at a garbage dumpster or something unappealing, especially for all of the money we will be spending!

 

[Marlton Mom]

Originally Posted by Marlton Mom:
The people that we see in the 90 minute line for Toy Story Mania 5 minutes after the park opens are the slow and crotchety ones that can't run fast.
~MM

Careful MM, I "resemble" that remark!!

I am so there with you. It's so demoralizing when the people with the canes and walkers zoom buy us..... There is something about getting in line for that ride that makes people move better than a healing in a revival prayer meeting.

love all the chatter!

We just booked the Sandcastle Club. As an FYI, they told me it's a 24 hour cancellation and the penalty is $23 per kid (strange amount!).

Welcome and thanks for joining us!! My smilies don't seem to be working so here are a bunch of dancing letters ZZNNnnnOoOoOoTttttTTTTPpPpPpPpP !!!!

Amanda, Mike, Mike's sisters and all of our other friends running the marathon this weekend...

Have a great, safe run everyone!

Go! Go! Go!

I second that emotion and I'd like to point out that these are the people that are the first to ride Toy Story at park opening. They are so fast we never even see them! Sometimes you feel a whooshing and that would be them.

~MM

 

[Lulu'sMom]

First time posting on the beach club thread, hi everyone! I got an amazing phone call yesterday from Disney reservations letting me know the port Orleans riverside- royal room (the new princess themed rooms)that we had booked for late February will be delayed in construction. She then went on to tell me they would like to give me a free upgrade to the poly.

We've stayed at the poly before and loved it, but I really wanted to try a new deluxe and we have never been to the boardwalk, so I asked if Beach Club was available instead! She said she has never had someone turn down an upgrade to the poly before!

So short story, longer, we are now staying at BC in a water view room over presidents day week for the cost of POR! ($266 a night)! How about that for pixie dust and we are not even there yet! Super excited!

--quick question-- how far of a walk is it from international gateway to kouzzina?
And kouzzina back to BC? Thanks everyone!

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.

 

[kelleigh1]

Just got what I like to call my "Nerd of the Year Award". Every year, we get recognized at work for perfect attendance. Since I've been at this firm, I've used 2 sick days and I was only sick 1 of those days. The other day was when my Dad was in the hospital and my mother didn't want to be alone.

Anywho...I got to pick a $25 Amex gift card or movie passes. I took the Amex gift card so I can add it to my Disney spending $$. Yay me!

 

[Wee Annie]

My two cents, as I'm not sure if you are traveling with/without children, etc.

Closer to Epcot: BC
Closer to Boat Launch: YC
Quieter Resort (Less Children) : YC
More "Family Friendly" (though one could argue all of Disney is...): BC

Now, as for the water view, it depends, do you want to spend time on your balcony each day to read / relax / etc? If so, the water view is totally worth it. (Also remember you are not guaranteed a full balcony at BC) But if you plan on spending most of your time in the parks? All of the views are fine and it can save you a lot of money.

Again, just my two cents, there are more knowledgeable people on this thread that I.

Jen

We have three girls: 14, 12 and 5. I guess I'm torn between wanting BC for its slight advantage in being closer to Epcot, and wanting YC for a being a little less hectic. Really not a bad dilemma to have

Question regarding garden views for those who've had them: would you recommend them? Are they decent to look out on?

 

[Lulu'sMom]

That's a good question about the view because I'm concerned about it as well. We booked the Yacht Club so that my husband and I could have some quality time on the balcony after my son goes to bed. It will be dark and we'll be talking/enjoying wine, but I really don't want to be looking at a garbage dumpster or something unappealing, especially for all of the money we will be spending!

Even with our standard YC CL views, and they were on the top floor looking at everything, I do NOT recall any dumpster views at the YC.

So, you are A-OK to go!!!!!

 

[Music City Mama]

Just got what I like to call my "Nerd of the Year Award". Every year, we get recognized at work for perfect attendance. Since I've been at this firm, I've used 2 sick days and I was only sick 1 of those days. The other day was when my Dad was in the hospital and my mother didn't want to be alone.

Anywho...I got to pick a $25 Amex gift card or movie passes. I took the Amex gift card so I can add it to my Disney spending $$. Yay me!

Does taking 2 sick days (even if it was just 1) really count as "perfect" attendance? I'm just giving you a hard time because I WISH my company recognized perfect/near perfect attendance. I took 5 sicks days in 2011 (3 were for a surgery, so really only 2 'sick' days). The thing is, all of my colleagues took 10-13 sick days this year (and I have 2 small kids -- and they have NONE), so yeah, I'm a little bitter. I would've taken the $25 gift card for the vacation fund, too. Santa left DH and me lottery tickets in our stockings this year (just one each). DH won $15 and I won $50 -- into the vacation fund!

 

[diskids2]

Hi All!

We will be staying at the BCV for the first time and I was wondering if anyone had any pointers regarding location, etc.?

 

[nannette]

That's a good question about the view because I'm concerned about it as well. We booked the Yacht Club so that my husband and I could have some quality time on the balcony after my son goes to bed. It will be dark and we'll be talking/enjoying wine, but I really don't want to be looking at a garbage dumpster or something unappealing, especially for all of the money we will be spending!

If you are staying garden view ask for a view of the wedding gazebo... it's really pretty!!!

~Nannette

 

[kelleigh1]

Does taking 2 sick days (even if it was just 1) really count as "perfect" attendance? I'm just giving you a hard time because I WISH my company recognized perfect/near perfect attendance. I took 5 sicks days in 2011 (3 were for a surgery, so really only 2 'sick' days). The thing is, all of my colleagues took 10-13 sick days this year (and I have 2 small kids -- and they have NONE), so yeah, I'm a little bitter. I would've taken the $25 gift card for the vacation fund, too. Santa left DH and me lottery tickets in our stockings this year (just one each). DH won $15 and I won $50 -- into the vacation fund!

LOL. That's 2 sick days over 6+ years. None in 2011, which is why I got the gift card. One year I was sick on Jan. 2nd and I almost cried because I didn't want to call in and miss out on perfect attendance. Not only do we get a little gift each year (the gc is the best so far, I think), but we also get reimbursed at 50% for each sick day we don't use, so that will look nice in next week's paycheck...and will go toward our trip.