2011 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ

[pixarmom]

Ok, thanks ladies! It sounds like if I request a room near EPCOT, I might get a two for one. We shall see....

Anyone know about buying the APs at the resorts?

I don't have an answer to the second part of your question, but I remember reading the same thing somewhere around here.

In the event that you are not able to purchase APs at BC, it's really easy to do at the International Gateway. It's just a few minutes walk and the ticket window outside the park at the IG serves as a Guest Relations. There is usually no wait and the CMs can do nearly everything that others Guest Relations desks can. Last year, we redeemed our Give a Day vouchers, upgraded to APs, purchased an additional AP (our youngest was too little to participate in GAD) and bought our TIW card - all at the IG Guest Relations outside the park. We've also replaced demagnatized APs there a few times. The only thing they could not do was upgrade my AP to the Premier Pass (WDW and DL) - I had to go to guest relations at the front of Epcot.

The CMs at the IG Guest Relations are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful - so it's an easy back-up!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Hi Teena - I went online and it is available.... however I think the problem is there are no other AP discount rate rooms available for the garden view for that night and no std for the last 2 nights. I also just called back reservations hoping for better luck but nothing.... I have a work meeting (not at WDW) and then the next day mom and I will check into the YC for a quick vacation

Thank you for the check in suggestion. We are more than willing to pay the extra for the garden view or just stay in the std if it's available. For a quick trip I'd prefer not to move but it's just the two of us so really no big deal if we have to.... just going with the flow this trip

We are having a similar problem. We are staying for 3 nights but on the last night are going to have to move from BC to YC since they aren't showing any rooms. I've called and nothing in any category. We are only a family of 4 so no rooms should be out of limits for us. I even tried to do 3 nights at YC instead since I didn't want to move ... but nothing! I'm a little frustrated. DH is talking about trying AK instead.... BUT I WANT BC!! We leave in like 25 days so I've been checking back over and over but I'm thinking we are out of luck at this point. It's past the 45 day mark that people would cancel. Still hoping for some pixie dust though!

 

[natebenma]

I know I have seen the answer somewhere .. but of course , can't find it when I need it.. can someone compare the size of the room from BC and Yachtclub ?? its for a family of 5... the reason I am asking is that my neighbor is going ... and he asked me if I knew anyone that has stayed at the Yacht club for info .. and I don't .. he has stayed at BC .. not sure if its availability or pricing .. but thought I would ask here .. as I know I can get answers .. thanks for all the help. he is concerned that the rooms might be smaller at the yacht club than at BC ...

I've never heard/read of the rooms being any different sizes .... other than different configurations so some rooms may be smaller/larger in size based on their location within the building.

But in general, I think all the rooms that would accoomodate 5 would include the daybed and be the same size at YC & BC.

Question intrigued me.

Decided to pull out "The Unofficial Guide" to see what that says.

A "typical" room at both the BC and YC are listed at 381 square feet.

As mentioned above, individual rooms can have different layouts and may be slightly larger or smaller than this figure.

 

[SuzieQ811]

Hi All
Maybe you folks could help me. We were at Beach/Yacht Club over Easter in 2008 - wow was it crowded! Because of that, even though we requested adjoining rooms, we could not get them. Understandable, but even so, I do not want those kind of crowds again. Does anyone know if second half of August is a less "full house" so you would be more likely to get a specific request? I heard that crowds slow down some because lots of schools start back up then. It would also be easier to get ADR's, character breakfasts, etc. when there are less people at a resort? Thanks so much!

 

[DrMomof3]

Hi All
Maybe you folks could help me. We were at Beach/Yacht Club over Easter in 2008 - wow was it crowded! Because of that, even though we requested adjoining rooms, we could not get them. Understandable, but even so, I do not want those kind of crowds again. Does anyone know if second half of August is a less "full house" so you would be more likely to get a specific request? I heard that crowds slow down some because lots of schools start back up then. It would also be easier to get ADR's, character breakfasts, etc. when there are less people at a resort? Thanks so much!

We were at BCV 8/21-8/28 last year and crowds were nice and low. We walked on to many popular rides, including Space Mtn. We had a few brutally hot days (maybe 2 or 3) and afternoon thunderstorms every day. We are returning this year from 8/27-9/3 because we liked the low crowd levels!

Amanda

 

[doccoc2002]

With all the talk on CL, I am seriously considering it. I was thinking about doing DxDP but that would cost us $688 where as if we are able to add CL it would cost us $729 and we don't have to tip out all those dinners.
My questions are
"Is it worth it? The kids are going to be 8,6&2. We will have 5 out of the nine days character breakfasts'.
What do they offer throughout the day? I know it changes but a general idea of what kinds of foods are offered from breakfast thru closing. Light lunch/dinner offerings? I am going to page one to look at pictures again.
Thanks everyone...I am thinking of spoiling myself and my family after our "adventure" we are experiencing right now! Had my biopsy today we should know the results within 24-48 hours.

 

[DawnMaree]

Yeah...well, you just knew I was going to pick it and did it to spite me! (Because we all know that is going to be the winning date!)

Nah, we're not competitive or anything.

Seriously, where is a little smileyface with his tongue sticking out? That would be perfect for this thread.

Hi All
Maybe you folks could help me. We were at Beach/Yacht Club over Easter in 2008 - wow was it crowded! Because of that, even though we requested adjoining rooms, we could not get them. Understandable, but even so, I do not want those kind of crowds again. Does anyone know if second half of August is a less "full house" so you would be more likely to get a specific request? I heard that crowds slow down some because lots of schools start back up then. It would also be easier to get ADR's, character breakfasts, etc. when there are less people at a resort? Thanks so much!

Generally speaking, the second half of August is less crowded. However, Disney has offered the free dining plan to help that situation out. While it should still be way less than, say, summer or Easter, ADRs may not always be as easy to get with a lot of people on the dining plan at that time. I personally could not get Le Cellier lunch 180 days out for my family of 5.

 

[rlahansler]

My family (DH,Myself, DS and DD) stayed at Beach Club Villas March 19th thru the 27th in a one bedroom villa. Bought a brand new camera the week before the trip, took over 200+ photos. On second to last day of our trip the memory card said no images were found. I know they were there as I had been viewing them all along, (even got a nice pic with Ms. Teena). It seems I got a corrupted memory card. Currently the camera place I bought the camera from has sent it to an offisite location as they had no luck recovering the photos. Keeping my fingers crossed. Took some really nice photos of the Beach Club. In the meantime thank God for the photo pass people, below is a link to see our great photo pass pictures.

http://s1125.photobucket.com/albums/l595/rlahansler/

 

[princesscharming]

I don't have an answer to the second part of your question, but I remember reading the same thing somewhere around here.

In the event that you are not able to purchase APs at BC, it's really easy to do at the International Gateway. It's just a few minutes walk and the ticket window outside the park at the IG serves as a Guest Relations. There is usually no wait and the CMs can do nearly everything that others Guest Relations desks can. Last year, we redeemed our Give a Day vouchers, upgraded to APs, purchased an additional AP (our youngest was too little to participate in GAD) and bought our TIW card - all at the IG Guest Relations outside the park. We've also replaced demagnatized APs there a few times. The only thing they could not do was upgrade my AP to the Premier Pass (WDW and DL) - I had to go to guest relations at the front of Epcot.

The CMs at the IG Guest Relations are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful - so it's an easy back-up!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Invisable89]

Probably a stupid question - Do the BC rooms have a shower above the bath? & Do ALL hotels at WDW have showers above the bath?

(I don't want to start a thread asking as it seems a bit pointless).

 

[DisneyMomx7]

With all the talk on CL, I am seriously considering it. I was thinking about doing DxDP but that would cost us $688 where as if we are able to add CL it would cost us $729 and we don't have to tip out all those dinners.
My questions are
"Is it worth it? The kids are going to be 8,6&2. We will have 5 out of the nine days character breakfasts'.
What do they offer throughout the day? I know it changes but a general idea of what kinds of foods are offered from breakfast thru closing. Light lunch/dinner offerings? I am going to page one to look at pictures again.
Thanks everyone...I am thinking of spoiling myself and my family after our "adventure" we are experiencing right now! Had my biopsy today we should know the results within 24-48 hours.

For us CL is definitely worth it.
We'll be at Disney for 17 nights (2 nights Poly gv cl, 15 nights BC gv cl).
We only scheduled 4 breakfasts.
Here is what they've had when we were there.
Breakfast: oatmeal with toppings, fresh cut up and whole fruit, cereal, hard boiled eggs, croissants, bagels, mini muffins, pastries, banana bread (or other fruit breads) yogurt, juice, coffee, etc.

Afternoon snacks: yogurt covered pretzels, homemade chips and dip, cookies,gummy worms (or sweedish fish), soft drinks, lemonade, ice tea.

Evening appetizers: cheese and crackers, veg and dip, hummus and bread, peanut butter and jelly cups, soft rolls, 2 hot appetizers such as: bacon wrapped scallops, duck quesedillas, potstickers, crab ragoons, mini eggrolls, chicken skewers, cold salad such as lobster salad, tomato and mozzarella, beer, wine, soft drinks, lemonade etc.

Desserts: usually three mini desserts such as oreo bonbons, fruit tarts, mini key lime tarts and cookies. Wine, beer, cordials, soft drinks.

HTH!

Wishing you the best with all your test results.

 

[pixarmom]

For us CL is definitely worth it.
We'll be at Disney for 17 nights (2 nights Poly gv cl, 15 nights BC gv cl).
We only scheduled 4 breakfasts.
Here is what they've had when we were there.
Breakfast: oatmeal with toppings, fresh cut up and whole fruit, cereal, hard boiled eggs, croissants, bagels, mini muffins, pastries, banana bread (or other fruit breads) yogurt, juice, coffee, etc.

Afternoon snacks: yogurt covered pretzels, homemade chips and dip, cookies,gummy worms (or sweedish fish), soft drinks, lemonade, ice tea.

Evening appetizers: cheese and crackers, veg and dip, hummus and bread, peanut butter and jelly cups, soft rolls, 2 hot appetizers such as: bacon wrapped scallops, duck quesedillas, potstickers, crab ragoons, mini eggrolls, chicken skewers, cold salad such as lobster salad, tomato and mozzarella, beer, wine, soft drinks, lemonade etc.

Desserts: usually three mini desserts such as oreo bonbons, fruit tarts, mini key lime tarts and cookies. Wine, beer, cordials, soft drinks.

HTH!

Wishing you the best with all your test results.

OK - I know I quote Robyn quite a bit, but I wanted to jump in to second all of this!

First, doccoc, you are in our thoughts and prayers and I'm sending more good wishes!

And we think CL is wonderful too! We have three boys (ages pre-school to pre-teen) and I never would have imagined how much we would use the club lounge. We had three character breakfasts planned in one week and we ended up canceling our last one because our boys ASKED to eat in the club lounge instead of the character breakfast! And it's not easy to get them to agree on the topic of breakfast!

I also see you have a little one who is just two years old! We loved the club lounge before dinner in the evening, and it was particularly great for our pre-schooler. We would get to rope drop each day and stay at a park until mid- afternoon. Then we'd all come back for a break (much easier to get the tweens on board with that when club lounge snacks await!) We pushed back our ADRs to 7pm or so each night (usually at Epcot.) We'd get a snack at the lounge so our boys wouldn't be hungry if we had a little wait for our ADRs. My husband and I would get a glass of wine or a beer and sit for a bit. And best of all, if our pre-schooler fell asleep at dinner, I felt better because he already ate healthy snacks in the lounge (milk, fruit, chicken appetizers, cheese, crackers, fresh veggies!) One of our favorites was the apples with small containers of caramel dip - probably for the kids, but very yummy!

At the end of the evening, we would stop in for more coffee (for me!) and the boys would take desserts and milk back to the room. They were always excited to see which treats would appear in the lounge!

It was such a special treat for all of us and I highly recommend it! We booked CL for our post-cruise night at BC and it was an easy decision this time - not just a dollar-for-dollar analysis of the food offerings, but the sense that our kids could get some healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks, that breakfast was easy and nutritious, that I had access to coffee around-the-clock, and that my husband could get the boys to agree to a break by saying, "club lounge!"

 

[pixarmom]

Probably a stupid question - Do the BC rooms have a shower above the bath? & Do ALL hotels at WDW have showers above the bath?

(I don't want to start a thread asking as it seems a bit pointless).

I'm not sure about all the WDW resorts, but we've stayed at BC, Poly, WL, CBR, CSR and Sports, and they have all had showers above the bath! I'm guessing that all WDW resorts do, but someone else may be able to confirm.

 

[Marlton Mom]

Probably a stupid question - Do the BC rooms have a shower above the bath? & Do ALL hotels at WDW have showers above the bath?

(I don't want to start a thread asking as it seems a bit pointless).

Nope, it's not a stupid question. I believe they all do although I'm not quite sure about the configuration of the shower in a handicapped accessible room.

I remember when I spent 2 weeks in the Bavaria region of Germany. I came across some pretty... um... 'interesting' bathroom arrangements so I can see why you were wondering.

Nope, us Yanks tend to plant the shower head about six feet up on a side wall with the controls closer to the bottom near the tub.


I hope that helps,
Marlton Mom

 

[TeenaS]

We are having a similar problem. We are staying for 3 nights but on the last night are going to have to move from BC to YC since they aren't showing any rooms. I've called and nothing in any category. We are only a family of 4 so no rooms should be out of limits for us. I even tried to do 3 nights at YC instead since I didn't want to move ... but nothing! I'm a little frustrated. DH is talking about trying AK instead.... BUT I WANT BC!! We leave in like 25 days so I've been checking back over and over but I'm thinking we are out of luck at this point. It's past the 45 day mark that people would cancel. Still hoping for some pixie dust though!

If you are on a discounted rate, that is probably the problem. They release so many of each type room for each crazy discount. Like an airline, so many seats are released for each fare. There might be 20 seats left on the plane at the higher price rate but for the rate you are paying, it will show no availability.

Go with the advice I gave above. Do NOT do an on-line checkin and when you get to the check-in desk, ask to speak with a manager. Tell them the problem and unless we are totally sold out, they'll work with you on it.

 

[TeenaS]

With all the talk on CL, I am seriously considering it. I was thinking about doing DxDP but that would cost us $688 where as if we are able to add CL it would cost us $729 and we don't have to tip out all those dinners.
My questions are
"Is it worth it? The kids are going to be 8,6&2. We will have 5 out of the nine days character breakfasts'.
What do they offer throughout the day? I know it changes but a general idea of what kinds of foods are offered from breakfast thru closing. Light lunch/dinner offerings? I am going to page one to look at pictures again.
Thanks everyone...I am thinking of spoiling myself and my family after our "adventure" we are experiencing right now! Had my biopsy today we should know the results within 24-48 hours.

The only meal that is offered is breakfast. During the day there are only snacks and sodas, water, iced tea, etc. From 5 - 7 PM, there are appetizers and beer and wine also. From 8 - 10 PM, they offer desserts and cordials. In my opinion, the perfect vacation is club level and the regular dining plan that consists of one table service, one quick service and a snack. You use the club level for breakfast, you use the quick service for lunch and the table service for dinner.

 

[DrMomof3]

Probably a stupid question - Do the BC rooms have a shower above the bath? & Do ALL hotels at WDW have showers above the bath?

(I don't want to start a thread asking as it seems a bit pointless).

In the BCV in the one bedroom villas there is a separate shower which is a stall shower (no tub) and then a very large whirlpool tub with no shower.
When we stayed in a 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs there was one stall shower (no tub), one large whirlpool tub (no shower), and then one shower/tub combo in the 2nd bathroom.

Amanda

 

[DisneyMomx7]

OK - I know I quote Robyn quite a bit, but I wanted to jump in to second all of this!

First, doccoc, you are in our thoughts and prayers and I'm sending more good wishes!

And we think CL is wonderful too! We have three boys (ages pre-school to pre-teen) and I never would have imagined how much we would use the club lounge. We had three character breakfasts planned in one week and we ended up canceling our last one because our boys ASKED to eat in the club lounge instead of the character breakfast! And it's not easy to get them to agree on the topic of breakfast!

I also see you have a little one who is just two years old! We loved the club lounge before dinner in the evening, and it was particularly great for our pre-schooler. We would get to rope drop each day and stay at a park until mid- afternoon. Then we'd all come back for a break (much easier to get the tweens on board with that when club lounge snacks await!) We pushed back our ADRs to 7pm or so each night (usually at Epcot.) We'd get a snack at the lounge so our boys wouldn't be hungry if we had a little wait for our ADRs. My husband and I would get a glass of wine or a beer and sit for a bit. And best of all, if our pre-schooler fell asleep at dinner, I felt better because he already ate healthy snacks in the lounge (milk, fruit, chicken appetizers, cheese, crackers, fresh veggies!) One of our favorites was the apples with small containers of caramel dip - probably for the kids, but very yummy!

At the end of the evening, we would stop in for more coffee (for me!) and the boys would take desserts and milk back to the room. They were always excited to see which treats would appear in the lounge!

It was such a special treat for all of us and I highly recommend it! We booked CL for our post-cruise night at BC and it was an easy decision this time - not just a dollar-for-dollar analysis of the food offerings, but the sense that our kids could get some healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks, that breakfast was easy and nutritious, that I had access to coffee around-the-clock, and that my husband could get the boys to agree to a break by saying, "club lounge!"

Are you my twin sister separated at birth?

This is exactly what we do. We always make our dinner ADR for between 7 and 7:30. The appetizers tide us over so that we can make the later dinner reservation.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Earlier tonight at Wendy's my family and I happened to see someone wearing a Disney Cruise Line shirt and asked how they liked it? Anyway it turns out this woman was a big Disney fan and we started talking about WDW. She then mentioned how the Yacht Club was her favorite resort and I asked how strict they were when checking everyone going to Stormalong Bay and the wristbands. Well she said during her most recent stay they didn't give out any wristbands, however the Cast Members working there were still very strict on at the entrances checking everyones KTTW cards. So is it true that they don't always give out wristbands?

 

[minnie56]

I stayed at the YC a few weeks back and each time we went into SB our room keys were checked and we were given wristbands as well...