2011 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ

[DawnMaree]

My husband's uncle lives in the Buffalo area. He goes down to Florida and stays with us along the way so he has a break in the middle. You might want to think of staying overnight somewhere in North Carolina if you haven't thought of that already.

We plan on leaving after my husband gets out of work on a Saturday (he works shortened days on Sats) so we'll only be traveling approximately 4½ hours. We plan on staying near the Christiana Mall area in DE. Then our next stop will be in Florence SC. I think our drives should be quite tolerable.

We are a family of 5 as well and we will be making our 5th drive to Orlando from Erie, PA- not as far as Syracuse,though! To me driving with 5 seems more palatable than flying with 5. Our kids do well - regular stops with outdoor activities, like soccer balls and jump ropes, burns the energy off. They look forward to certain landmarks like our stop-over night location, seeing the first palm tree, getting travel brochures at the rest stops and getting fresh OJ at the Florida welcome center. We have never had a DVD with us and I don't think we will take one this time either -usually just gameboys, books, coloring and homework. XM radio is a plus for the adults. Two trips I was pregnant so we had less kids but I was the one that had to stop all of the time! If you stop regularly, we don't seem to ever experience the need to find a bathroom in a hurry or to use the roadside weeds. We also always pack a picnic lunch for our first day as well as lots of snacks and beverages. When the kids were still in car seats, I liked having our vehicle with our car seats and all the other kid gear you carry around normally. We, of course, have times were the bliss is lost but overall it's a positive experience. Happy motoring!

Our van has the built-in dual DVD players. That was a BIG stipulation when we purchased it last year. And funny thing is that I seem to be the one with the "small bladder". I can't want to taste that orange juice at the Welcome Center in FL. I have seen so many people post about that, that I can't imaging NOT doing it!

 

[DawnMaree]

Also, will the kids enjoy BC? We are also looking at Poly but I am just not feeling it like I am here. Maybe it is all of you!

I don't know how old your kids are, but I first took my 2 boys at ages 2 & 4 years of age, and they loved the YC for Stormalong Bay alone. Now, my 3 kids will be 11, 10, and 7 when we go in August, and they can't wait to go to SAB and walk over to the BoardWalk.

SAB and checkout question...

After we checkout are we allowed to use SAB until DME takes us back to the airport?

Thanks.

Absolutely!! There are also changing facilities in the Ship Shape health club (I believe) if needed. You still need to show your room key, but it is good for SAB until midnight. If you get the dining plan, any credits left over are still good until the end of the day after check out. Last time we checked out and had a counter service lunch at Hurricane Hannah's until we had to leave.

 

[MickeyT]

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Also, will the kids enjoy BC? We are also looking at Poly but I am just not feeling it like I am here. Maybe it is all of you!

With a username like WsPrincess I know you will love BC. (I'm taking that as World Showcase Princess!) Welcome!

Question - if you pick up some food, like breakfast, from the Marketplace, can you eat it in the Solarium? I recall seeing tables set up but the Solarium is just such a pretty, calm place.

Ditto on what Dee said about the Solarium. One my favorite WDW early morning 'relaxing' spots. (I love WL lobby also!)

 

[travelling Indian]

Hi every one !! u seem like a great gang !

I wanted to check if one can request for a microwave in the room in BC . My twins love warm milk several times a day and it will really help .

Thanks

 

[LovintheLodge]

doccoc2002 - thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.

Amanda - so sorry that your mom is going through this too. My mom has had a pacemaker for 20 years and never had any trouble with it. My mom is going for a heart test today (I think it's a TE) to see if there is an infection or an absess in her heart. It's been a rollercoaster for us. Keeping your family in my prayers too.

Natebenma - good luck with the play!!!

Teena - you know you are always in my thoughts and prayers!!!

I can't keep up with this thread. About 40-50 pages ago I said I was going to go back and start replying, but it's just been so active (a good thing though!) that I think I have to give up now that the thread has reached 100 pages?!?!?!?!!

To Robyn, doccoc2002, Amanda, Dee and Teena~ You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

To DawnMaree - I remember you (from past posting of course!)!! That's great you are heading back to WDW this summer. I wish I had a ticker for a trip, but nothing so far...but I can't complain because my family was at the BC last August and had a FANTASTIC vacation...met Teena, (she's the best!) who we were fortunate to see on almost every day of our vacation. Another great BC CM is Pete!

To pixarmom - I think I read a post of yours the other day about being a fan of walking to DHS, even in the summer heat!! I am a big fan of walking (and that is a nice path), but it depends on what part of the day and how hot it is. Last summer my son and I got a later start (my DH and DD left earlier), around 10 am, and were drenched by the time we reached DHS! We should have taken the bus...haha.

To all of you with upcoming trips - happy planning...and have a great vacation! I loved our vacation in 2005 when we stayed at WL, but we all agreed in my family that BC was even better - location, location, location (SAB!!...and of course Teena and Pete!!).

Kerry

 

[TeenaS]

Hi everyone!

I'm leaving in 7 days for WDW! And yesterday I upgraded us from POFQ to the BC! We've stayed here once a couple years ago and fell in love with it. Okay, I'm not going to lie. We fell in love with Stormalong Bay. But the rest of the resort is awesome too. We have a standard booked - Unless we splurged and got some amazing pool/lake view, I doubt my mom or I would really spend time out there. I would like a full size balcony though so I will probably request that at check in.

Question - if you pick up some food, like breakfast, from the Marketplace, can you eat it in the Solarium? I recall seeing tables set up but the Solarium is just such a pretty, calm place.

You can definitely eat in the Solarium!
You may want to see about upgrading to a garden view since the standard view is definitely going to be a parking lot or roof view. The garden view is usually less than $10 more per night. Whatever you decide to do, do NOT wait until check-in to request the full balcony. Call right now and have "full balcony requested" added to your reservation. The computer that does the room assigning needs to see that request!!

 

[TeenaS]

Hi every one !! u seem like a great gang !

I wanted to check if one can request for a microwave in the room in BC . My twins love warm milk several times a day and it will really help .

Thanks

Absolutely. Just tell the CM that checks you in.

 

[TeenaS]

I can't keep up with this thread. About 40-50 pages ago I said I was going to go back and start replying, but it's just been so active (a good thing though!) that I think I have to give up now that the thread has reached 100 pages?!?!?!?!!

To Robyn, doccoc2002, Amanda, Dee and Teena~ You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

To DawnMaree - I remember you (from past posting of course!)!! That's great you are heading back to WDW this summer. I wish I had a ticker for a trip, but nothing so far...but I can't complain because my family was at the BC last August and had a FANTASTIC vacation...met Teena, (she's the best!) who we were fortunate to see on almost every day of our vacation. Another great BC CM is Pete!

To pixarmom - I think I read a post of yours the other day about being a fan of walking to DHS, even in the summer heat!! I am a big fan of walking (and that is a nice path), but it depends on what part of the day and how hot it is. Last summer my son and I got a later start (my DH and DD left earlier), around 10 am, and were drenched by the time we reached DHS! We should have taken the bus...haha.

To all of you with upcoming trips - happy planning...and have a great vacation! I loved our vacation in 2005 when we stayed at WL, but we all agreed in my family that BC was even better - location, location, location (SAB!!...and of course Teena and Pete!!).

Kerry

OK woman!!! You and Susan need to get a date locked down and get your families back to the BC ... I really miss you guys and what fun the two families had together!

 

[travelling Indian]

Thanks teens for replying so promptly everytime !!

Will i catch u there ?

I am beginning to feel more confident about my choice of BC .

Can anyone sugest a day plan between parks . ARRving 2nd june afternoon . leaving around 12 on 8th june .


thanks all

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks teens for replying so promptly everytime !!

Will i catch u there ?

I am beginning to feel more confident about my choice of BC .

Can anyone sugest a day plan between parks . ARRving 2nd june afternoon . leaving around 12 on 8th june .


thanks all

I might be working Saturday, June 4th, but should definitely be working that Sunday, June 5th, and perhaps Monday, June 6th. I normally just work on Sundays and Mondays but when I start radiation I have to have it Monday through Friday so the gentleman that does my job full time (Tuesday through Saturday) said he would switch my Mondays for his Saturdays. If all goes as planned with the second surgery and radiation starts on 4/26, then I will probably be on my last week of radiation that week you arrive.

Any day is a good day just spending time at the BC ... SAB is so much fun and there is nothing better than spending the day there (in my opinion). However, we also have two water parks and Downtown Disney and of course provide transportation to these places. Staying at the BC during the real hot weather is great. You can take the bus to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom in the early morning, stay until it gets really hot (lunch time) and then come back and spend the afternoon napping or at SAB. Then you can walk over to Epcot or take the boat over to the Studios in the evening when it cools off a bit. The location makes it so easy! I also tell guests if you plan to come back to nap in the air conditioning in the early afternoon, just pick up your phone before you leave in the morning to hit the parks and call housekeeping to tell them you are planning to come back at lunch time to nap and would appreciate it if they could clean your room before noon. Tell them you are leaving right now.

 

[LovintheLodge]

OK woman!!! You and Susan need to get a date locked down and get your families back to the BC ... I really miss you guys and what fun the two families had together!

I agree Teena!! We really did have so much fun with them too! Our kids got along so well, hung out at SAB and the parks without us, and had a great time!

We miss you lots too...and Susan and family as well! Tell Pete we said hello too!!

 

[TeenaS]

I agree Teena!! We really did have so much fun with them too! Our kids got along so well, hung out at SAB and the parks without us, and had a great time!

We miss you lots too...and Susan and family as well! Tell Pete we said hello too!!

I'll see Pete Sunday and will pass on your hello.

 

[pixarmom]

I did some searching on the Transportation Boards about the "Character Breakfast Bus" but did not find it mentioned although I did see it posted that the buses to the parks start running at 6:30am.

I want to do an early ADR at Mk and also Boma, but I am thinking it would be best to just take a taxi to Boma rather than a bus to AK and then a bus to AKL

I'll second Dee's advice regarding the taxi! I've been loyal to Disney transportation since childhood. Since then, I've only arrived in a Disney park via non-Disney transportation twice: 1) on a school trip to Disney with my high school in the 80's; 2) once in college when I could only afford one day in one park and an off-site motel, so I drove into the Epcot parking lot. So my family was shocked when I agreed to take a cab from BC to Poly for breakfast (I justified this because it's not a park.) It was so easy that we took a cab from BC to California Grill for dinner. Again, everyone was surprised. So I definitely recommend a taxi to any resort breakfast.

Now for an early ADR at a park, we'll still take the bus. For example, last month we took the bus to an 8am ADR at AK (9am opening.) We planned to arrive at the bus stop at 7am, but the rest of my family couldn't resist stopping by the club lounge, so we arrived at the bus stop at 7:15. I'll admit that was a little stressful. We arrived at AK a few minutes before 8am and really rushed to Tusker House. (I'm sure we would not have lost our ADR, but our older boys really wanted to be finished with breakfast by 9am.) Logically, a taxi would be a good choice for an early ADR in a park. But I'm not there yet - I do think it's good to get to the bus stop at 7am for an 8am ADR at MK or AK.

 

[Marlton Mom]

Thanks teens for replying so promptly everytime !!

Will i catch u there ?

I am beginning to feel more confident about my choice of BC .

Can anyone sugest a day plan between parks . ARRving 2nd june afternoon . leaving around 12 on 8th june .


thanks all

Hi T. I.
I can't remember how old your twins are but there is mini golf course just on the other side of the dolphin hotel, which is next to the yacht club which is next to the beach club! (I think it's Dolphin, it could be the Swan...) If you have google earth you can search on Fantasia Gardens mini golf course Walt Disney world and see just how close it is to the hotels.

~ Marlton Mom

 

[DawnMaree]

Can anyone sugest a day plan between parks . ARRving 2nd june afternoon . leaving around 12 on 8th june .


thanks all

A day between parks??

Stormalong Bay will be all you need. Of course, walking over to the BoardWalk is nice, especially in the evening!

 

[Niki in NJ]

Thanks teens for replying so promptly everytime !!

Will i catch u there ?

I am beginning to feel more confident about my choice of BC .

Can anyone sugest a day plan between parks . ARRving 2nd june afternoon . leaving around 12 on 8th june .


thanks all

How about miniature golf? We have yet to go, but we plan on trying it his time around in June when we are there (same time as you guys! 6/4-6/8).

 

[Mitch_in_GA]

August 5-14.

We booked a standard view room, and I have a quick question. In lurking around the WL threads I see that there really is a chance that your standard view might consists of some dumpsters and/or wide expanses of asphalt parking fairly close to the resort. I seem to recall that at BC however the parking is a bit further out from the resort. That said, if the worst view is of some portion of the roof, or even the parking lot at 100+ yards away, then wouldn't we be ok with standard view? Or, to be safe should I just upgrade to garden view -- seeing Epcot would indeed be pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone on this thread that posts such great information. I will be in prayer for Teena and the others that are experiencing some health issues.

 

[TeenaS]

August 5-14.

We booked a standard view room, and I have a quick question. In lurking around the WL threads I see that there really is a chance that your standard view might consists of some dumpsters and/or wide expanses of asphalt parking fairly close to the resort. I seem to recall that at BC however the parking is a bit further out from the resort. That said, if the worst view is of some portion of the roof, or even the parking lot at 100+ yards away, then wouldn't we be ok with standard view? Or, to be safe should I just upgrade to garden view -- seeing Epcot would indeed be pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone on this thread that posts such great information. I will be in prayer for Teena and the others that are experiencing some health issues.

A standard view at the BC will most likely be a roof ... a few are parking lot but most are roof and some of them are pretty darn ugly. It is usually less than $10 more per night to upgrade to a garden view and at least you'd be looking at woods, a courtyard or garden. Be sure to add the request for a full balcony if you plan on sitting outside on a balcony. A garden view at the BC will not get you a view of Epcot most likely though. Most of the really nice Epcot views are from the YC.

 

[Niki in NJ]

New to the thread - but do see there are those that are having health concerns .. stay strong and know others have you in their prayers and thoughts. My fiance's sister had breast cancer (diagnosed at 34), underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, and she is now cancer free. Of course it was a long road .. both physically and emotionally, but everything worked out. Stay positive

I am wondering if all Yacht club garden view rooms have a balcony ... I have never stayed in a room that didn't, or heard of someone I know staying at the YC who didn't have a balcony, but I suppose it's possible. Also, does anyone have recommendations for putting in a request for a certain view (we are garden view). Not sure if there are certain areas that people like best or that would be a good request. We haven't requested anything yet, mainly because we are just happy to be going!, but figured it doesn't hurt to just call and add one thing. If we get it, great .. if not, no biggie.

 

[Sue M]

Nothing is positive ... lots depends on when the baby comes. However, if the baby arrives when planned in July and the doctor allows Jeanne to go back to school for the first day/week, then I will be there to help her (as I have in the past) for the five days leading up to the first week of school and the first week of school. I'll get there on Tuesday (8/23) and we'll have the rest of the week and weekend to get the classroom ready and then I'll be off work Sunday and Monday (August 28 and 29) and school starts August 28th so I will be there that whole first week and come home Saturday, September 3rd.

If the baby comes later and since she's having a C-Section, the doctor does not give her the okay to return to school for the start of the school year, then I won't be going then ... I'll wait until she actually returns to school.

So, as I told her, the baby is already ruling her life ... welcome to motherhood.

Babys do that for sure! Hope all goes well. Very exciting time.