2011 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone,

My mom and I returned home today from our 4 nights at the BC, standard view club level. This was our second time staying at the BC (first also was CL). The resort itself is as gorgeous as I remember it being. My absolute favorite thing about the resort is SAB - which we did not get to use the last 2 days of our trip because of weather. But it was fun while it lasted. Our room was kept very clean and always made up when we returned in the afternoon. We had a different towel animal everyday, which I just thought was cute and my mom loved them They honored my requests of a full balcony, near the lounge. We were in 5668, pretty much right over the entrance to the resort, BCV to the right. We could see a lot of the high Illuminations fireworks from our room, if you looked to the right and leaned a smidge, and if I looked the right way through a tree, I could see Wishes as well. I noticed when we entered the room (which was ready at 12 noon when we arrived), that all of the pillows were not on the bed. So as we were heading downstairs, I mentioned that we did not have our pillows and they were brought up almost instantaneously.

The lounge itself was well kept - they were always clearing plates. I did notice they would only put out one tray of someting at a time which seemed odd, but things were replenished rather quickly. We were always able to get a seat in the lounge for breakfast and the one time we ate the appetizers in the evening. Afternoon and night time snacks were always taken back to our room. I will say, that I was a little disappointed with some of the guests. At least the ones I observed while in the lounge. There seemed to be many feelings of "entitlement" among some of the guests and many spoiled children. I don't book CL because I think I'm better than anyone else, but apparently these people do think that. But it made for some entertaining meals while in the lounge. I do have to say that there is a strong possibility that I would not stay club level again at this resort. For the extra cost, I just don't know if its worth it, especially comparing it to some of our other CL experiences (Poly stands out as head and shoulders above the others). I would however not hesitate to return to the BC, especially if our trip had a lot of Epcot and DHS planned.

Feel free to ask any specific questions. I know I'm not a BC veteran, but I was just there so ask away!

 

[Best Aunt]

Hi Best Aunt. Was this your first BCV stay or are you a veteran? How are things at BCV?

Third trip to BCV. I just love it there. I particularly like to relax in the beach area at the end of the day. I watch the people on the surrey bikes and wonder how they have the energy to ride around the lake after walking around a theme park all day.

One of the things I like about the villas is having the washer/dryer in the room. I can do laundry on the last night, throw the clean clothes in our Owner's Locker, and they're ready and waiting for us when we return.

 

[sndral]

Anyone have any theories for why YC standard & garden view would be booked 12/4 - 12/16?
I tried pricing out 10 days starting @ 12/4, @ 12/5, @ 12/6 and @ 12/7 and all that showed as available was water view or CL. Beach club had gv available for those dates.
If I check for 10 days starting 12/11 (and ending 12/20) I can get YC garden view.
Any reason YC would be more heavily booked than BC that anyone can think of?

 

[YCFAN]

Our celebration will be a dual one, with DW reaching a milestone birthday (she'd probably be embarrassed if I revealed which one) and DD18 graduating from high school. DD has had alternative learning issues her whole life, so the fact that she's going to college in the fall is a very special achievement. Is there a "Happy Graduation" button or something like it that I can request for her?

They have "I'm Celebrating" buttons and I've seen people take a black sharpie pen and write "Graduation" under it just like they write names on the birthday pins.

 

[ocalla]

Anyone have any theories for why YC standard & garden view would be booked 12/4 - 12/16?
I tried pricing out 10 days starting @ 12/4, @ 12/5, @ 12/6 and @ 12/7 and all that showed as available was water view or CL. Beach club had gv available for those dates.
If I check for 10 days starting 12/11 (and ending 12/20) I can get YC garden view.
Any reason YC would be more heavily booked than BC that anyone can think of?

I think I remember someone saying that YC was a convention resort. There may be a big company gathering at that time.

Not sure if you have stayed at YC, but dont' let the fact that it is a convention resort steer you away, we LOVED it there last year. Didn't see any "suits". You will really enjoy the peacefulness of it.

 

[beachclub]

From a DVC member the last 2 trips to the Beach club we have been able to get a one bedrrom villa within our wih7 month window
2-3 years ago it was impossible to get a studio, nevermind a one bedrroom.
A few things have contributed to the availabilty of this room.
#1. Econony that stinks. 2. Animal Kingdom Lodge is now fully open. And most of all the fact that Bay Lake Towers is now fully operational. Alot of members were (past tense) very excited for BLT so with the availability
of more, what we call, inventory, It is becoming easier to get a Beach Club villa period, nevermind what type of room.

We have found it very easy well within the 7 month window to get a one bed room twice and even more impressive is that we were able to get them during the busiest DVC time, Food and Wine festival.

We are very happy that we are experiencing this and hope it continues

Wow! I'm surprised to hear that. I guess all hail my TA, then, since I'm not a DVC member and she got us a 1-BR villa at BCV for a week in late May, for a pretty good rate compared to what I was trying to book myself. We had similar good luck with a 1-BR villa at OKW in 2006....now checking the folds of my clothes for pixie dust...

 

[summersalt]

I have booked Cape May for breakfast one morning during our stay. I also have dinner booked for our arrival night. However, now I'm having second thoughts and I'm considering Captains Grill instead. Which do you prefer? Also, could you recommend some places around 'our' area to get counter service breakfast besides Marketplace? TIA

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I have booked Cape May for breakfast one morning during our stay. I also have dinner booked for our arrival night. However, now I'm having second thoughts and I'm considering Captains Grill instead. Which do you prefer? Also, could you recommend some places around 'our' area to get counter service breakfast besides Marketplace? TIA

Are you considering Captain's Grille for breakfast or dinner??

Besides the Marketplace, Boardwalk Bakery has some great options IMO.

 

[lymah]

I have booked Cape May for breakfast one morning during our stay. I also have dinner booked for our arrival night. However, now I'm having second thoughts and I'm considering Captains Grill instead. Which do you prefer? Also, could you recommend some places around 'our' area to get counter service breakfast besides Marketplace? TIA

If you don't need the characters, I would recommend Captain Grille breakfast buffet. We(me, DH,DD20,DD18,DD16) ate there twice this month. Everyone was happy.The price was almost half that of Cape May, b/c for $16.99 your beverage was included.

 

[sunshineNJ]

How is the make your own salad @ the Marketplace?

 

[nannette]

Hi Puneeta- I have (finally) added you to the June list

To the list keepers: I have gone through the thread since you last edited- here are some of the new guests for you to add when you get a chance:

pixiedust247, June
travelling Indian (Puneeta & family) June 2-8 BC
circus gird June ??? BC CL LV

MickeyT, July
discorsner July 1-4 BC

MickeyT, Aug
polyforme Aug ??? YC

MickeyT, Sept
Elissa14, end of Sept BC

dgbg100106, Oct
LMO429 Oct 27-Nov 4 BC

Everyone else- check the lists on page 1 to make sure you are there if you want to be.

Also, a reminder: if you want one of the pins displayed on the Community page, you must PM TeenaS, even if you are on the guest list.

Thanks!

Dee

Got it Dee!! Thank you!

~Nannette

 

[summersalt]

Are you considering Captain's Grille for breakfast or dinner??

Besides the Marketplace, Boardwalk Bakery has some great options IMO.

I was thinking about Captain's Grille for dinner and Cape May for breakfast. We have a first timer with us that wants to see the characters even though she's 15.

 

[natebenma]

I have booked Cape May for breakfast one morning during our stay. I also have dinner booked for our arrival night. However, now I'm having second thoughts and I'm considering Captains Grill instead. Which do you prefer? Also, could you recommend some places around 'our' area to get counter service breakfast besides Marketplace? TIA

I can answer this exact question of CM vs CG for the first night dinner.

In 2009 we booked Cape May for our arrival dinner. In 2010, we ate at Captain's Grille on our first night. We then had a mid-week dinner at the Cape May.

It was so much better having the arrival dinner at Captain's Grille! When we ate at the Cape May on our first night, we were so tired from an early travel day and a busy first day at the parks that we did not have the energy to deal with the buffet and did not fully appreciate the meal.

It ROCKED being waited on at the Captain's Grille on that first night. The dinner later in the week at Cape May was excellent because we were not too exhausted to enjoy it.

 

[Mom3girls]

Just checked the Aug list to see if I was added. We are staying Aug 11-17. We are listed as Aug 11-19th. I wish we were staying for two more nights!!!!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I was thinking about Captain's Grille for dinner and Cape May for breakfast. We have a first timer with us that wants to see the characters even though she's 15.

Oh okay then. I would recommend you do exactly that. Love the Cape May breakfast but you should definitely make a point to go to Captain's Grille! So I definitely recommend dinner there. Sooo yummy!

 

[PittPantherfan]

I was just seeing what types of rooms were still available during our stay and it looks like there is no availabilty for the first couple weeks of May starting with May 3rd. I guess that means we can expect big crowds and a busy hotel? We did not expect early May to be busy as we have been to Disney at that time and it has been nice. Or could it mean that there is just something going on around the Beach Club like a convention?

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[nannette]

Welcome home Teena!! Hope you are getting plenty of rest. So happy the Dr thinks he got everything this is good news!! Feel better and rest lots.

~Nannette

 

[MickeyT]

Just checked the Aug list to see if I was added. We are staying Aug 11-17. We are listed as Aug 11-19th. I wish we were staying for two more nights!!!!

Well we tried . I always feel like if I could just stay two more nights,,,,,,,,

 

[MickeyT]

Hi everyone,


The lounge itself was well kept - they were always clearing plates. I did notice they would only put out one tray of someting at a time which seemed odd, but things were replenished rather quickly. We were always able to get a seat in the lounge for breakfast and the one time we ate the appetizers in the evening. Afternoon and night time snacks were always taken back to our room. I will say, that I was a little disappointed with some of the guests. At least the ones I observed while in the lounge. There seemed to be many feelings of "entitlement" among some of the guests and many spoiled children. I don't book CL because I think I'm better than anyone else, but apparently these people do think that. But it made for some entertaining meals while in the lounge. I do have to say that there is a strong possibility that I would not stay club level again at this resort. For the extra cost, I just don't know if its worth it, especially comparing it to some of our other CL experiences (Poly stands out as head and shoulders above the others). I would however not hesitate to return to the BC, especially if our trip had a lot of Epcot and DHS planned.

Welcome back Wonders10. Don't feel elitist or privileged about your comments. Your exact sentiments are echoed on other trip reports from the BC. We stayed at the Poly CL once and I could tell some stories about the families running wild inside and outside the lounge. I think BC does get more than it's share of these 'families' because of the draw of SAB. Poor parenting does not stop at the door.

 

[hill6]

Teena glad to hear your surgery went well and surgeon is confident. Speedy recovery