2011 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ

[sjs314]

Marlton Mom - Yes, hard to believe, but there is a "BC didn't impress me" thread.

The strangest part was a poster who had NEVER even been to BC but "knew it wasn't really kid friendly".

I really have to stay away from that thread before I find myself banished!!!

I have not stayed at BC, October will be my first time although we did stay at YC years ago and I had to bite my tongue and move away from the keyboard for fear of posting something that might land me in trouble

Definately seemed like a lack of research on the OP's part. I have to say I have enjoyed every resort I have ever stayed at and switched from CR to BC for our next trip. DH and I both have wanted to stay at CR for a long time but the more I looked at the decor and thought about location going during F&W Fest and remembering how much we enjoyed walking to Epcot when we did stay at the YC it was the smart choice to make when we switched.

 

[maddog17361]

Hello all,

Need your opinion on something. My DS turns 9 during our trip in August and I have planned breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch at Liberty Tree, dinner in the castle, and then Pirates and Pals at night. Am I missing anything I should be doing for his b-day? Thanks for your help.

Chris

 

[Katesdad]

Hi , would u remember the room number ! thanks Puneeta

Puneeta, who was this addressed to?

 

[Katesdad]

That doesn't mean that I will just let the boys go and not look for them. But I know they'll be enjoying the slide and other places of the pool that I thought that bit of independence would be good for them.

No slams, just remember when you were first let to go on your own. Have to give them some rope sometime. As a parent, we all just hope they don't swing too far from the tree.

 

[Katesdad]

I was 100% sure of my resort choices, but after reading the "I Hate the Beach Club" thread I was having second thoughts!!!

Actually, we shouls be happy about that BC thread explaining why people aren't happy about it. Maybe rooms will open up for those waiting for a particular view or location!! Also, it definately helps others who are doing their research to see what BC/YC doesn't have so they can go to GF or AKL or WL and leave more rooms for us. It is funny though what some people consider to be important, like going on a morning run and being able to bring breakfast back to the family in the room. To each their own.

 

[Katesdad]

My DS turns 9 during our trip in August and I have planned breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch at Liberty Tree, dinner in the castle, and then Pirates and Pals at night. Am I missing anything I should be doing for his b-day? Thanks for your help. Chris

Chris, sounds like a full day to me. I'm assuming you booked him on the Pirates cruise out of the BC/YC dock for the day before or the day after?

 

[packofprincesses]

If you have doubt, change your resort. Go somewhere you know you'll be 100% happy.

Everybody likes different things. Thank goodness!! Otherwise, we would have only one type of resort ... they would all be identical! Obviously the Y&B is not the best resort for everybody. Obviously the Poly and Grand are not the best resorts for everybody. We had a guest a few weeks ago that got upgraded to the Beach Club from Pop Century because they were overbooked. The mother was livid. Can you imagine? But she loved Pop Century!!! If the posters on that "hate BC thread" had done their homework, they wouldn't have even booked the Y&B. If you are a planner and do your homework, you will only book a resort that has what is important to you (like a crowded, loud, crazy with pushing guests, food spilled all over the place food court or a pool where you can see your children no matter where they go). Only you can decide what is important to you. Do you like being in one building or would you prefer walking ten miles to different out buildings? Do you like the monorail to take you to Magic Kingdom (and waiting 10 minutes for it every time and then the wait when it stops for "traffic") or would you rather walk into Epcot in 4 minutes? Would you prefer to take a bus to Hollywood Studios or a boat? Personally I prefer the bus ... I hate the boats. Are you going nonstop and only sleeping in your room or will you plan on spending lots of time at the resort and partake in the numerous activities around the resort?

There is a perfect resort for everybody and it is not the YC or BC or BCV. Thank goodness!!! Otherwise, the Y&B lovers would never get a reservation. However, on this thread, you will find out the answer to most of your questions about the Y&B so you can make an educated decision on what resort is best for you and your family.

My husband worked at the Contemporary for two years as a greeter. If he won a trip there, he wouldn't allow us to stay there. We hate that resort. I'm telling you that so you don't think I'm just talking good things about the Y&B because I work there. That is not true. I love the BC and do not care at all for the YC. They are the exact same resort ... same GM, same CMs, same amenities. However, the decor and guests are different over there. Some people love the Y&B but really do not care for the BC. One is dark woods and lots of adults and convention guests ... it's very quiet and serene. One is light, breezy, full of activity and kids and noisy (probably because I'm talking non-stop in the lobby). Different strokes for different folks. I just booked two rooms for Bob and me and Jeanne and Brian for next week at the BC. If it wasn't available, I would not have booked at the YC ... even though they basically want to stay there just for the pool. I just don't care for the "feeling" of the YC and refuse to spend that kind of money to stay somewhere that I don't 100% love. Again, different strokes for different folks.

Hope this helps!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! I really appreciate your words. From many of your posts, I can tell you care tremendously for others. It's so refreshing!

I have been researching for MONTHS and MONTHS and MONTHS. We booked POR last August with free dining! But it just never felt right. I have never stayed anywhere onsite except WL (stayed with a DVC member for free...can't beat that!). We always rent a house. I switched to ASMu Family Suite in early March. My kids will love it and we'll love the space. I KNEW I wanted to stay at BC or the Poly after visiting them both on my last trip, but we could not afford either one for 9 nights. Since we are a "legal 6" this will be our last time to fit in a standard size room so we decided on the split stay. It will be the best of both worlds for us without breaking the bank (well too much anyway...ha).

We booked a garden view room (with the room only discount), but then after reading this thread my DH thought CL would be good for us since we won't have the dining plan for our BC stay. We plan to use the lounge to the fullest!

Honestly, I'm still torn between BC and Poly. If we switch to the Poly we will not do CL, but we will save a little $$. (And I can eat a LOT of dole whips with that saved money...lol!). My DH doesn't see the need to change our resort again. I guess I keep thinking that we won't be able to stay at the Poly again, but we could and WILL rent DVC points to stay at BCV.

I have 2 possible itineraries planned right now. Gay Days will be going on during our stay so we are going to try to avoid those bigger crowds at the "park of the day" so we are working around that. We WILL have a rental car all but the last day of our stay. (I cut/pasted this from Excel...yes...I'm THAT person...ha!) We will have done our hard core park times all ready, so we will take full advantage of the resorts during these last 4 days. We will probably only do short park visits.

CHECK OUT OF ALL STARS and CHECK INTO BEACH CLUB
3-Jun Magic Kingdom Girls Only; BBB at 11:30; 1900 Park Fare 4:40 p.m. (Grand Floridian)
4-Jun Epcot/ Swim; Camp May Café 8:05 a.m. (Beach Club)
5-Jun Return Rental Car to Disney Car Care Center
5-Jun HS or MK/Swim Dinner at Beaches and Cream
6-Jun Departure Day
CHECK OUT OF ALL STARS and CHECK INTO POLY
3-Jun Magic Kingdom Girls Only BBB at 11:30; 1900 Park Fare 4:40 p.m. (Grand Floridian)
4-Jun Epcot/Swim
5-Jun Return Rental Car to Disney Car Care Center
5-Jun Magic Kingdom/Swim/Wishes (from beach!) Breakfast at O'Hana 10:20 a.m. (Polynesian)
6-Jun Departure Day


Thanks for listening to my rambling! Any advice from you veterans would be much appreciated!!!!!!

 

[jennb]

Hi, all! We are booked for a BC GV CL room as the final part of our split stay (6 nights ASMu and 3 nights BC). Give me your 100% HONEST opinion of how easy/hard it will be to manage the 4 kids at Stormalong Bay? I heard someone on another thread alude to the "fear mongers" that make all of us parents think we are going to lose our kids at SAB!

My kids ARE young.....2, 5, 8, 9. My 9 year old is a fairly strong swimmer but the rest of them are not. We normally stick very close together in the pools. I'll be right with them. They are not at all adventurous. Am I going to be able to relax in the pool or will I be a nervous wreck? We are looking for a peaceful end to our trip!

Please give me your honest opinion!

Thanks so much!!!!

Since my DDs are 5 years apart and different swim abilities, my DH and I split up with the kids. DH will go to the slide/deeper pool with DD9 and I'll stay with DD4 in the sandy pool. A lot of times DD9 would come over and build sandcastles with her sister, too. There are loungers around the sandy pool. A lot of adults hang around the edges of the sandy pool (or in the pool as its very shallow) watching the kids.

Since I have two girls, I keep a pretty close eye on them, but not too close, if you know what I mean. No matter that we're on vacation and so is everyone else at the pool, bottom line, they are strangers in my book. While the lifeguards are there to watch, too, its still my job as a mom.

Jennifer

 

[maddog17361]

The Pirates and Pal cruise is from the docks at the Contemporary.

 

[ocalla]

AMEN TEENA!!!


Why couldn't I have been the one who was upgraded from Pop to the BC last December? I would of sprinted, luggage in hand from the exit of Pop to the entrance of the BC in world record time!

Jay

Heck if I would have been upgraded on our ONE AND ONLY All Star Movies stay, to BC or YC they could have had my luggage!!!!!

 

[egdanger1]

Why do people come up with such silly excuses for downing a resort that gets a lot of praise from other posters:

" The flat screen TV's were thick"

" I wouldn't stay at that resort because it is dark"
(unfortunately, I have actually used this one, for no other reason than to be picky, trying to find something wrong.)

" I was not greeted properly"

" The pool is too big"

I know that people praise the fact that a person shares their "Honest Opinon" about a resort. But I am different. Your obsessive negatvity can sway a family from bookiing and enjoying a particular resort, based on their NEEDS and LIKES not yours. I have been guily of this in the past. But I am changing my ways...........

 

[packofprincesses]

Actually, we shouls be happy about that BC thread explaining why people aren't happy about it. Maybe rooms will open up for those waiting for a particular view or location!! Also, it definately helps others who are doing their research to see what BC/YC doesn't have so they can go to GF or AKL or WL and leave more rooms for us. It is funny though what some people consider to be important, like going on a morning run and being able to bring breakfast back to the family in the room. To each their own.

I noticed this morning that some garden view rooms were available during our stay for the room only discount that weren't there yesterday!!! Go snatch 'em up everyone!

 

[doccoc2002]

My apologies to all of you who are waiting with baited breath for Dee's mathematical magic, I am not going to post any additional room information about the club level room types than has already been given on the thread.

The information is really not necessary for anyone who is trying to maximize the enjoyment of their upcoming vacation- the original advice on this thread still remains:

Book the room and view category that will make you happy.

Figure out what the most important request(s) to your family for a room are.

Limiting the requests you have will increase the chances that your requests can be met.

Don't do on-line checkin if you prefer the flexibility to inquire about whether it is possible to change the room you were assigned to one that meets your needs more closely.

And... It doesn't hurt to believe in pixie dust

I totally agree!!! Great tips!

No, there are only 5 garden view club level rooms over there so your hand would probably be worse.

I was going to ask the same questin just beacause they were out of GV so I had to book SV at YC...maybe I should call and ask for BC but that full balcony is important to me...I don't care about anything else we will be at Disney and I will be a Survivor!

If you have doubt, change your resort. Go somewhere you know you'll be 100% happy.

Everybody likes different things. Thank goodness!! Otherwise, we would have only one type of resort ... they would all be identical! Obviously the Y&B is not the best resort for everybody. Obviously the Poly and Grand are not the best resorts for everybody. We had a guest a few weeks ago that got upgraded to the Beach Club from Pop Century because they were overbooked. The mother was livid. Can you imagine? But she loved Pop Century!!! If the posters on that "hate BC thread" had done their homework, they wouldn't have even booked the Y&B. If you are a planner and do your homework, you will only book a resort that has what is important to you (like a crowded, loud, crazy with pushing guests, food spilled all over the place food court or a pool where you can see your children no matter where they go). Only you can decide what is important to you. Do you like being in one building or would you prefer walking ten miles to different out buildings? Do you like the monorail to take you to Magic Kingdom (and waiting 10 minutes for it every time and then the wait when it stops for "traffic") or would you rather walk into Epcot in 4 minutes? Would you prefer to take a bus to Hollywood Studios or a boat? Personally I prefer the bus ... I hate the boats. Are you going nonstop and only sleeping in your room or will you plan on spending lots of time at the resort and partake in the numerous activities around the resort?

There is a perfect resort for everybody and it is not the YC or BC or BCV. Thank goodness!!! Otherwise, the Y&B lovers would never get a reservation. However, on this thread, you will find out the answer to most of your questions about the Y&B so you can make an educated decision on what resort is best for you and your family.

My husband worked at the Contemporary for two years as a greeter. If he won a trip there, he wouldn't allow us to stay there. We hate that resort. I'm telling you that so you don't think I'm just talking good things about the Y&B because I work there. That is not true. I love the BC and do not care at all for the YC. They are the exact same resort ... same GM, same CMs, same amenities. However, the decor and guests are different over there. Some people love the Y&B but really do not care for the BC. One is dark woods and lots of adults and convention guests ... it's very quiet and serene. One is light, breezy, full of activity and kids and noisy (probably because I'm talking non-stop in the lobby). Different strokes for different folks. I just booked two rooms for Bob and me and Jeanne and Brian for next week at the BC. If it wasn't available, I would not have booked at the YC ... even though they basically want to stay there just for the pool. I just don't care for the "feeling" of the YC and refuse to spend that kind of money to stay somewhere that I don't 100% love. Again, different strokes for different folks.

Hope this helps!

Totally Agree!! That way you are never dissapointed!

I agree with everything Teena said (big surprise)!

We have stayed at BC, YC, GF and the Polynesian. We had a great vacation at all these resorts. For years we thought we would never stay anywhere other than the GF. It was the first resort we stayed at when we started bringing our younger kids. We loved being on the monorail with strollers.

Then we tried the Polynesian and also had a wonderful vacation. We had a great TPV room and really enjoyed relaxing there.

When we started staying at the BC/YC though we really found our home.
For us the convenience of walking to EPCOT (and for us we walk to DHS too), SAB, Beaches and Cream and the whole BC experience screams vacation to us!

Everyone is different. We stopped at Pop Century once just to see what is was like. We got a drink in the food court and DH said - no way would we ever stay here. It was messy, crowded, and although I'm sure this doesn't happen all the time - there was a lot of people in dripping bathing suits and bare feet - totally turned us off.

We tried to save money one trip and booked POR. Now I know tons of people love POR. We lasted about an hour before DH went over to the GF
and changed our reservation.

So for us the food court isn't a big deal. When we stayed at the GF we used ate at Gasparilla's a few time. It was okay - not terrible, but the arcade is right in the food court. We like Capt Cook's (dole whips!) but it always had a wierd smell in there so we would take the food outside anyway.

It all depends on what a deal breaker is for you. For us we don't like exterior corridors and we love room service.

To each their own, but I do wish people would research the resort BEFORE they get there to see if what that resort offers is what their family wants or needs.

We couldn't stay at value either. We loved POR but CBR not so much due to transportation issues. I know that once we stay Deluxe we will never want to go back...but will if that's all the budget can afford!

Hello all,

Need your opinion on something. My DS turns 9 during our trip in August and I have planned breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch at Liberty Tree, dinner in the castle, and then Pirates and Pals at night. Am I missing anything I should be doing for his b-day? Thanks for your help.

Chris

That to me seems like a busy day and you may not be able to do too many rides...Have you thought about breaking up the meals. Do breakfast & dinner one day and lunch & cruise another. Disney always celebrates b-days even if it'ds not your actual B-Day. If you wanted to celebrate his birthday at every meal during your trip you could!
Just keep in mind that 3 full meals and a cruise may be too much in one day to really enjoy a day at MK!

 

[ocalla]

If you have doubt, change your resort. Go somewhere you know you'll be 100% happy.

Everybody likes different things. Thank goodness!! Otherwise, we would have only one type of resort ... they would all be identical! Obviously the Y&B is not the best resort for everybody. Obviously the Poly and Grand are not the best resorts for everybody. We had a guest a few weeks ago that got upgraded to the Beach Club from Pop Century because they were overbooked. The mother was livid. Can you imagine? But she loved Pop Century!!! If the posters on that "hate BC thread" had done their homework, they wouldn't have even booked the Y&B. If you are a planner and do your homework, you will only book a resort that has what is important to you (like a crowded, loud, crazy with pushing guests, food spilled all over the place food court or a pool where you can see your children no matter where they go). Only you can decide what is important to you. Do you like being in one building or would you prefer walking ten miles to different out buildings? Do you like the monorail to take you to Magic Kingdom (and waiting 10 minutes for it every time and then the wait when it stops for "traffic") or would you rather walk into Epcot in 4 minutes? Would you prefer to take a bus to Hollywood Studios or a boat? Personally I prefer the bus ... I hate the boats. Are you going nonstop and only sleeping in your room or will you plan on spending lots of time at the resort and partake in the numerous activities around the resort?

There is a perfect resort for everybody and it is not the YC or BC or BCV. Thank goodness!!! Otherwise, the Y&B lovers would never get a reservation. However, on this thread, you will find out the answer to most of your questions about the Y&B so you can make an educated decision on what resort is best for you and your family.

My husband worked at the Contemporary for two years as a greeter. If he won a trip there, he wouldn't allow us to stay there. We hate that resort. I'm telling you that so you don't think I'm just talking good things about the Y&B because I work there. That is not true. I love the BC and do not care at all for the YC. They are the exact same resort ... same GM, same CMs, same amenities. However, the decor and guests are different over there. Some people love the Y&B but really do not care for the BC. One is dark woods and lots of adults and convention guests ... it's very quiet and serene. One is light, breezy, full of activity and kids and noisy (probably because I'm talking non-stop in the lobby). Different strokes for different folks. I just booked two rooms for Bob and me and Jeanne and Brian for next week at the BC. If it wasn't available, I would not have booked at the YC ... even though they basically want to stay there just for the pool. I just don't care for the "feeling" of the YC and refuse to spend that kind of money to stay somewhere that I don't 100% love. Again, different strokes for different folks.

Hope this helps!

This is so funny, because we LOVED the YC last year, (and I promise we are not stuffy people at all) and can't wait to give BC a try!!!

The one part about that crazy thread, is that someone mentioned that BC/YC wasn't Disney Themed. Now correct me if I'm wrong (but don't tell DH if I am actually wrong, I have to keep him thinking I'm perfect) the ONLY resort that is "Disney THEMED" is All Star Movies??? The other resorts may have Theme Park Views, or have the Monorail, but that DOES NOT make it Disney Themed? Not even the Nemo bedding at CBR makes it Disney Themed. Am I missing something there.

But to actually Hate the BC/YC resort is mindboggleing (or is it Mind Boggleing) ......whatever it is has really boggled my mind, because I can't even spell it!!!!

Well, I just wanted to get that off my chest, because after reading the post yesterday it has just made me crazy.

Good Day!!!

 

[JanetMom]

There is no such thing as a bad parent when that parent is letting their child carefully spread their wings in a well supervised setting. Only the parent of a particular child would be in a position to "judge" whether that child is capable of some level of independence. Listen to what other people have to say but don't be intimidated or allow yourself to feel judged. Just try to think of it as another source of info that you may want to consider when making your decision. Only you know your children the best.

Just my 2 cents....

Marlton Mom

Well said, Marlton Mom! Only a parent can truely know when to let your child spread their wings. If the child is ready for some independence SAB seems like a great place for it. Plenty of lifeguards and only hotel guests are allowed in.

When my son was 10 we allowed him to wander a bit at Blizzard Beach. It was so nerve-wracking but we knew that our son was a strong swimmer and was highly unlikely to have any interaction with a stranger. The worst part was would he check in with us in time to make it to our dinner reservation. He did check in regularly and all was well in the end.

A parent knows when they can trust their child.

And just because being on the BC/YC forum makes me happy...

 

[ClareH37]

I have a question for all you YC/BC experts

I've stayed at the YC before and, contrary to perhaps popular opinion for a solo adult traveller, I just wasn't 'feeling' it at the YC, lovely resort but just not 'me', I then gravitated to the BWI which I adore, but this trip I'm booked at the BC, I love the decor of the rooms and the general 'happy' feel (from when I've visited before), but this will be my first time staying BC CL.

I've got a standard view CL room booked (Disney UK only had standard or lagoon view but as I really didn't want a room overlooking stormalong bay I'm happy with the view, or lack of ), I'd appreciate some advice please on room location, view really isn't important to me this trip, but I'm after some R&R so a 'quiet' room location would be fantastic.

Any suggestions of what to request?

Thanks

 

[littledreamer7]

If you have doubt, change your resort. Go somewhere you know you'll be 100% happy.

Everybody likes different things. Thank goodness!! Otherwise, we would have only one type of resort ... they would all be identical! Obviously the Y&B is not the best resort for everybody. Obviously the Poly and Grand are not the best resorts for everybody. We had a guest a few weeks ago that got upgraded to the Beach Club from Pop Century because they were overbooked. The mother was livid. Can you imagine? But she loved Pop Century!!! If the posters on that "hate BC thread" had done their homework, they wouldn't have even booked the Y&B. If you are a planner and do your homework, you will only book a resort that has what is important to you (like a crowded, loud, crazy with pushing guests, food spilled all over the place food court or a pool where you can see your children no matter where they go). Only you can decide what is important to you. Do you like being in one building or would you prefer walking ten miles to different out buildings? Do you like the monorail to take you to Magic Kingdom (and waiting 10 minutes for it every time and then the wait when it stops for "traffic") or would you rather walk into Epcot in 4 minutes? Would you prefer to take a bus to Hollywood Studios or a boat? Personally I prefer the bus ... I hate the boats. Are you going nonstop and only sleeping in your room or will you plan on spending lots of time at the resort and partake in the numerous activities around the resort?

There is a perfect resort for everybody and it is not the YC or BC or BCV. Thank goodness!!! Otherwise, the Y&B lovers would never get a reservation. However, on this thread, you will find out the answer to most of your questions about the Y&B so you can make an educated decision on what resort is best for you and your family.

My husband worked at the Contemporary for two years as a greeter. If he won a trip there, he wouldn't allow us to stay there. We hate that resort. I'm telling you that so you don't think I'm just talking good things about the Y&B because I work there. That is not true. I love the BC and do not care at all for the YC. They are the exact same resort ... same GM, same CMs, same amenities. However, the decor and guests are different over there. Some people love the Y&B but really do not care for the BC. One is dark woods and lots of adults and convention guests ... it's very quiet and serene. One is light, breezy, full of activity and kids and noisy (probably because I'm talking non-stop in the lobby). Different strokes for different folks. I just booked two rooms for Bob and me and Jeanne and Brian for next week at the BC. If it wasn't available, I would not have booked at the YC ... even though they basically want to stay there just for the pool. I just don't care for the "feeling" of the YC and refuse to spend that kind of money to stay somewhere that I don't 100% love. Again, different strokes for different folks.

Hope this helps!

that is so well said! I have never been a Polynesian fan, I like it, it's nice but it isn't where we love. So many people say they love it so I almost booked a room there again just because i thought I was the weird one, I didn't because i decided to just be me I didn't even see the other thread, don't have much time to be on the boards, but everyone is entitled to their opinion and I learned a long time ago, you can't please everyone and everyone likes different things. It's what makes this world unique.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

If you have doubt, change your resort. Go somewhere you know you'll be 100% happy.

If the posters on that "hate BC thread" had done their homework, they wouldn't have even booked the Y&B.

I don't completely agree, and I was one of the posters in that thread. In theory, Beach Club has what we like. We like the seashell decor. We like the laid back vibe around the resort and the energetic lobby. We like being near the Boardwalk, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. We have no issue with the BC Marketplace - in fact, we really like its food offerings, as well as the food at Hurricane Hanna's. And of course, the pool is the best by far. But we've had issues with service and bizarre room allocations that we would've never expected, even after making medical requests. This has happened twice in a row, during completely separate trips. Not even the most thorough planner could preempt something like that, especially when they expect to like most aspects of the resort.

During our first trip at CR, we had booked a view of MK. We were 'upgraded' to concierge with a view of the lake. We were so upset because we had only booked CR for the MK view. We gave CR another chance, and now it's proven to be one of our favorites. If we had just brushed off CR because of one negative experience, we would've ended up missing out. Likewise, by repeatedly giving Beach Club second chances to remind us why we liked it in the first place, we've wound up disappointed. There's no way to be 100% certain on a resort, because of conditional factors that only take effect after you check in.

 

[pixarmom]

I checked in on the anti-BC thread for a while (didn't quote Robyn, but laughed when I saw that we posted regarding BC counter service three minutes apart!) But I agree research helps a lot. I know no resort is perfect, but it really helps to know and understand the pros and cons and make sure it's the right fit. I've stayed at BC, Poly, WL and CSR several times each and at Sports and CBR once each. BC is my favorite, I also love Poly and WL and CSR is a really nice moderate, etc. Different resorts fit at different times.

As for SAB, our three boys range in age from pre-school to pre-teen and it's interesting to see occasional strong negative comments about managing kids of different ages. I don't expect to sit down between now and the time the time our boys all move out of the house! (Exception: Anniversary trip to Mexico last fall.) In fact, I'm standing as I type this. So at any pool (SAB, volcano pool, WL pool, pool near home) we use one chair for our stuff and I'm either by the side of the pool taking pictures or in the water with the boys. It helps a ton when my husband is there, but I take the boys to pools on my own too.

Our older boys do have some freedom (with those swimshirts that Dee mentioned - I LOVE the orange ones) but they need to check in with us to say exactly where they will be. Even given this freedom, they often choose to hang out with their little brother in the zero depth sandy area or in the kiddie pool/slide near the base of the pirate ship. That kiddie slide is fun for everyone, rarely crowded and well-guarded by a dedicated lifeguard. I checked my photos for depth, and I can't tell the exact depth. Our pre-schooler can't stand at the base of the slide, but we take turns catching him. Our pre-teens can easily stand there, but it does come to mid-shoulder on them (and they aren't very tall.) We've been using a speedo swim vest for our pre-schooler lately and that helps, too.

Two other things: 1) in addition to the zero depth/sandy area and the kiddie pool/slide at the base of the pirate ship, SAB includes a traditional circular wading pool for really tiny kids that is entirely separate; and 2) contrary to some reports, all of these areas are entirely separate from the lazy river. So little kids cannot possibly be "swept away" into the lazy river unless they are already in the deeper part of the pool OR they get out of one of the kiddie areas and jump into the lazy river.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I checked in on the anti-BC thread for a while (didn't quote Robyn, but laughed when I saw that we posted regarding BC counter service three minutes apart!) But I agree research helps a lot. I know no resort is perfect, but it really helps to know and understand the pros and cons and make sure it's the right fit. I've stayed at BC, Poly, WL and CSR several times each and at Sports and CBR once each. BC is my favorite, I also love Poly and WL and CSR is a really nice moderate, etc. Different resorts fit at different times.

I also just read the 1st post of that thread again and the biggest thing which jumped out at me is how the OP said they paid over $450.00 a night. Well I know WDW offered room only discounts during that time where the Deluxe Resorts was between 30% - 35% off. Now incase the discount wasn't offered for their dates if they were members of AAA they can get 10% - 20% the rack rate. So I call that another mistake of not looking to see if there were any discounts available, because I can see how paying so much for a room and not having your expectations meet can make you disappointed with your decision to stay there.