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

[wannabee]

Does anyone have first hand experience getting a massage at BC? Is it good or should I book at the Mandara Spa which is a little more expensive?

 

[nannette]

Does anyone have first hand experience getting a massage at BC? Is it good or should I book at the Mandara Spa which is a little more expensive?

My DD had 2 massages on our last trip 11/11. She was booked for one at the YC/BC Ship Shape Club and one at SSR. She had the first one at YC/BC with Charity... she loved it so much she asked to have Charity again at YC/BC. I went down spoke to Charity and she said that she travels to all the spas, but would be at YC/BC on X day and would be more than happy to book DD that day. She called and changed everything. So my DD loved her. DD has also had massages at GF, SSR, AKL and her review of Charity was great.

Hope this helps.

~Nannette

 

[wannabee]

My DD had 2 massages on our last trip 11/11. She was booked for one at the YC/BC Ship Shape Spa and one at SSR. She had the first one at YC/BC with Charity... she loved it so much she asked to have Charity again at YC/BC. I went down spoke to Charity and she said that she travels to all the spas, but would be at YC/BC on X day and would be more than happy to book DD that day. She called and changed everything. So my DD loved her. DD has also had massages at GF, SSR, AKL and her review of Charity was great.

Hope this helps.

~Nannette

Thanks, so much!!!

 

[elsiemoo]

Thank you so much, girls, for your info on your teens and their activities. I expect my DGD to be mesmerized by the whole place, and not have nearly enough time to scratch the surface in five days, huh? I'm wondering if she will want equal time in each park, or if she'll want to spend more time in some than others ... hmmmmmmmmmmmm ... we'll see. Thank you all again!

 

[333disneymom]

I must be the other evil step sister then because we have no intention of going to B&C.

I have a good reason, though! As much as I'd love to go there, our 4 year old has peanut and tree nut allergies and I just don't feel comfortable taking him somewhere where there could be a lot of loose nuts, etc. around.

Which reminds me . . . Pixarmom, last year I posted on your BC Marketplace photos thread that they sell allergen-free snacks in a basket by the cashier (we've never stayed there, but we visited) and you were kind enough to take pictures your next trip for the thread. I've read on the Disabilities Board that they've changed the products recently (changed companies -- they no longer carry Divvies or French Meadow). When you go on your next trip (around April, right?), would you mind taking some photos of what they carry now? I would greatly appreciate it!

We skip B&C for the same reason - family member with peanut allergies. We went to the Beach Club Marketplace in December and they did not have French Meadow or Divvies. They did have items from a place called "OMG...it's gluten free." The label did not say peanut-free, but nothing with peanuts was listed. I contacted the company just to be sure it is safe and was told it was, and that the new labeling would state peanut-free as well. Of course, you know, we always double check each time, but this is what I was told when I contacted them in December. Hope this helps.

 

[kelleigh1]

I have some notes from a while ago about accessing Epcot from International Gateway for park opening, even though World Showcase doesn't open until later. Is it still the same, that you can enter at IG?

Also, what about an early breakfast at Akershus before Epcot opens. Can we do that through International Gateway or do we have to go via the main entrance?

Thank you!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

FOr the early morning breakfast you can go right through the IG.

They have a list with names of people who have reservations. Once you give your name you can walk right through. It's really neat seeing WS with hardly anyone there.

We always make the earliest breakfast reservation for Norway and then send DH to get our Soaring fastpasses while I pay the bill.

 

[natebenma]

I have some notes from a while ago about accessing Epcot from International Gateway for park opening, even though World Showcase doesn't open until later. Is it still the same, that you can enter at IG?

Also, what about an early breakfast at Akershus before Epcot opens. Can we do that through International Gateway or do we have to go via the main entrance?

Thank you!!!

Here's the info from the FAQ section on Page 1. The only exceptions I know about are people who need to meet for tours or marathon runners who need to be at the front gate of EPCOT prior to park opening. They may need to take a taxi from the YC/BC/BCV to the front entrance of EPCOT in order to arrive in time.

How do I enter EPCOT at rope drop/park opening?

Guests who enter EPCOT through the International Gateway prior to the park opening time should proceed on the walkway outside of UK and Canada. Cast members are stationed along the way (bridge to France being #1) to guide you through UK and Canada. After you pass the last little cart coming out of Canada you are directed onto the small pathway that leads toward the Fountain of Nations. There you will experience a real rope with CMs and characters milling around. Across from you, maybe forty yards away, are the guests that arrived from the front entrance.

After the countdown, the rope is removed and CMs will escort you to Soarin’ in an orderly fashion. Usually, you will arrive at Soarin' either at the same time or just a moment or so after those who enter through the main gates.

If you have a pre-opening breakfast scheduled at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, you will provide your name and/or reservation to a CM at the International Gateway. You proceed through UK and Canada as described above, then continue past Mexico to Norway.

 

[lala3291]

2 weeks from today until our BC stay!
Silly question....what is the usual ME route from the airport to the BC? Just curious what hotels we may stop at before we get there.
Thanks!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

2 weeks from today until our BC stay!
Silly question....what is the usual ME route from the airport to the BC? Just curious what hotels we may stop at before we get there.
Thanks!

I am trying to remember exactly, but I think the DME bus only shares with BWI, YC and BC. I think it depends on time of day and how many people are arriving as well.

We landed at MCO last June at just after 9am and made it to YC in time to have a quick snack before CL took the breakfast food away at 10:30 am. (And then promptly rushed down to B&C for 11 am opening )

 

[disprincessatheart]

2 weeks from today until our BC stay!
Silly question....what is the usual ME route from the airport to the BC? Just curious what hotels we may stop at before we get there.
Thanks!

I don't know if this is the usual route or not, but last month we stopped at port Orleans, then the boardwalk before beach club. On our way back to the airport we stopped at boardwalk.

 

[kelleigh1]

FOr the early morning breakfast you can go right through the IG.

They have a list with names of people who have reservations. Once you give your name you can walk right through. It's really neat seeing WS with hardly anyone there.

We always make the earliest breakfast reservation for Norway and then send DH to get our Soaring fastpasses while I pay the bill.

Here's the info from the FAQ section on Page 1. The only exceptions I know about are people who need to meet for tours or marathon runners who need to be at the front gate of EPCOT prior to park opening. They may need to take a taxi from the YC/BC/BCV to the front entrance of EPCOT in order to arrive in time.

How do I enter EPCOT at rope drop/park opening?

Guests who enter EPCOT through the International Gateway prior to the park opening time should proceed on the walkway outside of UK and Canada. Cast members are stationed along the way (bridge to France being #1) to guide you through UK and Canada. After you pass the last little cart coming out of Canada you are directed onto the small pathway that leads toward the Fountain of Nations. There you will experience a real rope with CMs and characters milling around. Across from you, maybe forty yards away, are the guests that arrived from the front entrance.

After the countdown, the rope is removed and CMs will escort you to Soarin’ in an orderly fashion. Usually, you will arrive at Soarin' either at the same time or just a moment or so after those who enter through the main gates.

If you have a pre-opening breakfast scheduled at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, you will provide your name and/or reservation to a CM at the International Gateway. You proceed through UK and Canada as described above, then continue past Mexico to Norway.

Thank you ladies! I figured it was on the front page when the question popped into my head on my commute to work this morning, but by the time I got here, I totally forgot about looking and just posted the question.

 

[natebenma]

2 weeks from today until our BC stay!
Silly question....what is the usual ME route from the airport to the BC? Just curious what hotels we may stop at before we get there.
Thanks!

I am trying to remember exactly, but I think the DME bus only shares with BWI, YC and BC. I think it depends on time of day and how many people are arriving as well.

We landed at MCO last June at just after 9am and made it to YC in time to have a quick snack before CL took the breakfast food away at 10:30 am. (And then promptly rushed down to B&C for 11 am opening )

I think our two trips on ME to BC (July, 10 am), we stopped at POR, BWI, YC & BC (for some reason, I don't remember stopping at YC, so maybe there wasn't anyone on the bus going there). I think we were at the BC between 11 and 11:30 both times and strolling down Main Street USA before 1 PM both times.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm pretty sure you will still be greeted at the door by name even if you drive to the resort. The lobby CMs will know you are there. Don't ask how they know. It's magic. But if you are not greeted, just ask a lobby greeter or one of the CMs at the desk.

I can't really think of an advantage of doing the on-line checkin for club level. Anyone have a differing opinion?

Just returned from a CL stay. We were greeted upon arrival at 8:30 pm. The CM got our folder from the "regular" desk and then took us up to the 5th floor. She introduced us to the CMs on the CL and they showed us around. It was our first time on CL and I really enjoyed it. My hubby had a hard time enjoying the "adult beverages". He couldn't get over the fact that they were comp ! The breakfast really helped out and we had afternoon snacks one day. We were only there for 4 nights, and I had made our ADRs so I can't really speak to that part of the service. For sure if possible I would go that route again! I did the online check in. There was absolutely nothing else required when we got there, not that signing in is a big deal, but it was nice to be able to go straight in!

We drove from the airport for the first time last year, and I had let IPO know approximately when we would be arriving. The guard at the tower had a parking pass for us and then he must have buzzed the CL desk, because we were greeted at the curb and taken up to the 5th floor to check in.

I have never done on-line check in when staying CL.

DisMomAmy, I agree with Dee - we rarely do on-line check-in, but would definitely skip it with a CL reservation. We've stayed at BC four times over the past two years - two CL and two non-CL. Here's a summary of our most recent experiences:

Arriving by rental car, non-CL: We were greeted by name and directed to the check-in desk. I think that's because when you drive in, they ask for your name at the guard stand. So they know to expect you when you walk in.

Arriving by Magical Express, non-CL: We did on-line check-in for this short visit and just bee-lined to the on-line check-in desk.

Arriving by Magical Express, CL: Teena was there that day, so we received the most wonderful greeting! But even before we entered the lobby, Bret from CL was outside the Magical Express bus greeting us by name, bringing us inside to say hello to Teena (and my mom, who was waiting for us with Teena.)

Arriving by DCL bus, CL: This was a little different, and I think it's because there is no way to track us (either by giving your name at the BC guard stand when driving, or Magical Express registration.) There was no greeter in the lobby at that time, so we just found a CM and asked about CL check-in and they called someone down to get us. No problem!

Thank you to everyone who answered my question!! I didn't even think about the fact that we would be going through the security gate & they could inform the CMs of our arrival! That makes a lot of sense.

I won't bother with online check-in. I assume it wouldn't matter much either way since there are so few GV CL rooms. I put in our room request with IPO & they noted it on our reservation. We'll just have to wait & see what happens. I'm sure we'll be happy with any room, I'm just hoping we aren't right next to the noise of the elevators/lounge.

Only about 2 months to go!! I can't wait!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've had two different routes when using ME:

1. CBR, BWI, YC and then BC.
2. POR, BWI, YC and then BC.

HTH!

 

[natebenma]

Thank you ladies! I figured it was on the front page when the question popped into my head on my commute to work this morning, but by the time I got here, I totally forgot about looking and just posted the question.

No problem!!! I know exactly where to look. Plus, the info probably bears repeating for some of the newer folks here.

 

[travelgoddess]

BC-Club Category-Standard for 11/22-12/1.
This is our first time at BC, and first time in Club Category.
Just me and my DH, we will be 47&53 at the time. We'll be there for 9nts, will probably have 3 non park days just to relax at the pool and check out all the Xmas decorations at all the other resorts.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Hi I'm hoping someone here will be able to answer my question Is it possible to request a toaster for the room? Just thinking if cape may is shut this summer the marketplace may be crazy at brealfast time and it would make life easier if I could toast bagels in the room for breakfast.
Thanks for any help. Love reading along on here

 

[ocalla]

BC-Club Category-Standard for 11/22-12/1.
This is our first time at BC, and first time in Club Category.
Just me and my DH, we will be 47&53 at the time. We'll be there for 9nts, will probably have 3 non park days just to relax at the pool and check out all the Xmas decorations at all the other resorts.

Welcome!! I can always tell when someone is from Up North, when I read about them using the pool during November/December

this little Cajun, would be WAY too cold to even consider doing that.

Enjoy your visit, you will LOVE BC.

 

[natebenma]

BC-Club Category-Standard for 11/22-12/1.
This is our first time at BC, and first time in Club Category.
Just me and my DH, we will be 47&53 at the time. We'll be there for 9nts, will probably have 3 non park days just to relax at the pool and check out all the Xmas decorations at all the other resorts.

Sounds like a fantastic trip!!! I'll add you to the Be Our Guest List.

Hi I'm hoping someone here will be able to answer my question Is it possible to request a toaster for the room? Just thinking if cape may is shut this summer the marketplace may be crazy at brealfast time and it would make life easier if I could toast bagels in the room for breakfast.
Thanks for any help. Love reading along on here

That would be news to me. Although I have heard microwaves are available (free of charge, based on availability) I have not heard the same about toasters.