2011 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ

[dgbg100106]

I keep seeing all these "who is going when" lists for each month, is there one for May? I haven't seen it. I've seen March, April, and June-November, but no May.

They are always on the first page and yes there is one for may

May 2011 (dgbg100106)

BCV23, Mid- May, BCV
dgbg100106, May 25th-30th, BCV
littledreamer7, May 28th - June 4th, BC
SweetMommy, May 7th - 14th, BC
cepmom, May 22nd- 27th, BC
ocalla, May 23rd - 30th, BC
Sinderelly, May 10th -14th, BC
yolie912, May 12th - 16th, BC
DW1sttimer, May 7th - 14th, BC
PoohsFan1, May5th-14th, BCV
2gr8DisneyKids, May 21st - 25th, BC
crostorfer, May 14th - 20th, BC
NMW, ?, ?
Moonies, May 8th - 14th, BC
YCFAN, May 9th -13th, YC
Bourquefam, May 20th - 25th, BC
PittPantherFan, May 1st -8th, BC
Timon_n_Pumba, May 31st - June 7th, BC
CandiMKT, May 20th - 25th, BC
Disney Khi, May 3rd - 11th, BC
Lilo&Stitch, May 13th - 16th, BC/YC?
gottaluvPluto, May 15th - 22nd, YC CL
jcondrad, May 31st - June 7th, BC CL

 

[TeenaS]

I've been reading and reading all week. And have tentatively made a reservation for the Beach Club....I say tentatively because they told me I could switch resorts if I changed my mind and there was availability elsewhere. I saw Teena's advice that with a family of five, she said to book a deluxe room...which is what I did. I guess that automatically puts us at a club level. I hope that we will have the time to use the club level. Also, I saw a few posts stating that some were not happy with the quality of the the Beach Club Club level. Is there any reason why? Have any of you been happy? I think I saw that there would be oatmeal, fruits, desserts, peanut butter and jelly, soda, ....that would make my kids happy!

Also, when we go my kid's ages will be 7, 10, and 12. My 10 and 12 year old still like to order off the kid menu, so I didn't think paying for the dining plan would make sense for our family. I posted about this on the dining plan forum. I get nervous....am I making the right decision by NOT paying for the dining plan.

So....am I making good decisions? Beach Club? Deluxe room worth the extra cost? No dining plan?

Also, by reading I feel like I'm starting to get to know some of you! Teena, I see you work at the Beach Club and that you are now dealing a health issue. I am so sorry and wishing you all the best. In the words of Winnie the Pooh.....just remember....

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think!" ~Winnie the Pooh

Thank you!!!!
I think you will love the club level and the deluxe room. And with what you said, I think the dining plan would be overkill. I'm going to let the people here that have stayed club level give you their comments. All in all, I think you'll find you made a great choice. The only problem is once those kids experience the fun of SAB and all those activities, you might have trouble getting them to the parks.

 

[chelle11]

Thank you!!!!
I think you will love the club level and the deluxe room. And with what you said, I think the dining plan would be overkill. I'm going to let the people here that have stayed club level give you their comments. All in all, I think you'll find you made a great choice. The only problem is once those kids experience the fun of SAB and all those activities, you might have trouble getting them to the parks.

Thanks, Teena! One more question, we are planning to leave a week before Thanksgiving. I realize that weather is always unpredictable, but what are the chances my kids would be able to swim in November? Thanks again!

 

[mrsmom]

Can you add us august 7-12 at the yc? first stay there for us, i hope we like it as much as the bc. Thanks!

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks, Teena! One more question, we are planning to leave a week before Thanksgiving. I realize that weather is always unpredictable, but what are the chances my kids would be able to swim in November? Thanks again!

Obviously only Mother Nature can answer that question but if I were you, I'd bring the bathing suits. No guarantees but normally in November you can get some hot/warm days. The pool is heated too which helps.

One year at the Candlelight Processional during the second week of December, quite a few of the choir members fainted from the heat and had to be removed from the stage. That same week a year later, we were bundled up with blankets in winter coats, hats, scarves, etc. watching the show. You just never know.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

We're home after a LONG day of appointments ... starting at 6:45 AM and we got done at 4:10 PM ... didn't even have time for a soda or lunch. Since I'm so smart, I had water and crackers in my bag ... Bob demolished them.

Everything went good and I'm scheduled for surgery on 3/10. We'll go up early that day, leaving the house around 5:30 AM. We'll have to spend the night there but will be able to come home the following morning if all goes as planned.

That Mayo Clinic is amazing. I'm feeling very confident they will help me through this little bump in the road (as my surgeon there calls it). As of now, I'll start radiation about a month later locally for about six weeks, five times a week. She (my doctor) said the only side effects are tiredness and some burning (like sunburn). I will probably also have to be on that cancer drug for five years which will make me have hot flashes again ... thought I was done with them (darn it).

Thank you all for all your well wishes. It really really helped! And I know you'll help me through the rest of this. I really really appreciate it!!!!

And please, if anybody you know gets the news I got after their mammogram, please please make sure they go to a breast specialist and not a general surgeon, and also, go to a place like the Mayo that has a huge section of the hospital devoted just to breast cancer. There are plenty of great breast places out there. Don't make the mistake I did and go through what I went through for the first two months!!!! Learn by my mistake!

Teena, I'm glad everything went well. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the review of the Mayo clinic. My mom was just diagnosed with terminal cancer so this place might be an option for us.

Okay, I have 14 weeks until our YC CL vacation and I'm getting very excited!
I'm taking my mom with us this trip so she can relax and enjoy herself.

I only have one question about the pool slide. Is the slide still bumpy? For some reason, my kids say the slide hurts their back.

 

[focusondisney]

Teena, glad to hear everything went smoothly yesterday. Continued good thoughts for your recovery.


Skelooch, great job on the Stormalong Bay photo! Now my question: when was the last time anyone saw the "bubbling bay" area actually working? I think it's been over 10 years since we've seen it bubbling. We just assumed they've permanently stopped the bubbles. Or are we just not vacationing at the right time? Anyone with real story?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thanks, Teena! One more question, we are planning to leave a week before Thanksgiving. I realize that weather is always unpredictable, but what are the chances my kids would be able to swim in November? Thanks again!

We have traveled to WDW several times in November/December and have had varying types of weather, including 30 degree low temps and 90 degree highs (usually over the course of the same week!) My advice is this- if swimming is THAT important to your family, and you get a nice day to do it, than DO IT that day! You never know what the rest of the week may bring.

Also, we have never done DDP and CL at the same time (however, I am an AP holder, so we do have the TiW card that we use). If your older children will not be ordering off the adult menu, then skipping the DDP, CL stay or not, is a wise choice. Just be advised, that if you are going to any buffets/all you can eat restaurants, they will be charged the adult price irregardless of whether they eat off the children's buffet or regular buffet.

Happy planning!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think the BC Club Level offerings are great!

We are there for over two weeks and only made 3 breakfast reservations - the rest of the time we used the CL lounge and were very happy with them.


Last year was the first year that we skipped using the DDP because my two girls were now Disney "adults". We used the TIW card and they ordered kids meals at most restaurants without any problem.

This year we are splitting using the dining plan the first half (9 days) and using TIW the second half of the trip (8 days). The only reason we are doing this is because my in-laws are coming with us the first week and we scheduled a lot of buffets like Biergarten and Cape May Buffet so we have to pay adult prices for the girls anyway.

Although we don't use the evening appetizers as a substitute for dinner there were a few times that we filled up on the appetizers (they were sooo good!) and ended up just eating at Hurricane Hannah's or Beaches and Cream later on in the evening.

Teena's so right - lots of times the kids don't want to leave SAB even to go to the parks (and we have an inground pool at home so I never thought this would happen!).

Teena - sounds like you have a great plan! You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will definitely be thinking of you on 3/10.

 

[Bigkid4disney]

Hello everyone! Teena, how have you been, It's been a long time since I've posted on here! The family is returning to the Beach Club on March 20-22, and May 22-25! So we will need to meet up with you this time around. I recall last time you were visiting your family out of town the week we arrived last year in July. So hopefully this time we can finally meet. Also, my wife and I are introducing our friends to the BC during the May trip. Also, it will be their first stay on Disney property. So, I know they will love it just as much as we do! Ill PM you further info for our upcoming trips!

 

[TeenaS]

Hello everyone! Teena, how have you been, It's been a long time since I've posted on here! The family is returning to the Beach Club on March 20-22, and May 22-25! So we will need to meet up with you this time around. I recall last time you were visiting your family out of town the week we arrived last year in July. So hopefully this time we can finally meet. Also, my wife and I are introducing our friends to the BC during the May trip. Also, it will be their first stay on Disney property. So, I know they will love it just as much as we do! Ill PM you further info for our upcoming trips!

I should be there on March 20th when you check in. I normally just work Sundays and Mondays. I'll be off the weekend before that ... too close to my surgery on the 10th and they said I should take it easy for a week.

 

[haleofafamily]

I'm back from my trip for the princess half marathon and I had a wonderful time!

Highlights:
Meeting Teena - She truly is as nice in person as she is on this board. She gave us great advice on getting to the Dolphin for our massages.
Massage at Dolphin - If you ever get the chance to get the hot stone therapy massage then go for it. It was expensive but worth it.
Room 422 at BCV - We had a studio that was right by the elevators and best of all a perfect view of the Epcot fireworks. My only request was to be by the elevators so the fireworks were icing on the cake!
Finishing my 1st half marathon - The whole experience from beginning the training in June to crossing the finish line was amazing! I'm not an athlete or a runner but I feel like both now.
SAB at night - I went down one night and floated around the lazy river, went down the slide and walked/swam around the whole pool. It was so peaceful and beautiful! I felt sorry for the lifeguards because the place was so empty. Most of them were just staring at a deserted pool.
Seeing the shuttle launch from Downtown Disney - We went down there on our arrival day. As we came out of World of Disney I noticed everyone was looking at the sky. I rememered it was time for the launch so we watched as well. We got a couple of glimpses of it through the clouds. Then the whole crowd started clapping and it just felt good. It was very patriotic!

This trip was practically perfect in every way. The only problem we had was with our snack credits on the dining plan. While it was frustrating to take the time to deal with it - it all worked out in the end.

Thanks for all the advice and friendliness on this thread. Y'all are the best!

 

[Bigkid4disney]

I should be there on March 20th when you check in. I normally just work Sundays and Mondays. I'll be off the weekend before that ... too close to my surgery on the 10th and they said I should take it easy for a week.

I'll be praying for a speedy recovery! If anything we can still meet up when we check in (sunday as well) for the May trip!

 

[Bigkid4disney]

I'm back from my trip for the princess half marathon and I had a wonderful time!

Highlights:
Meeting Teena - She truly is as nice in person as she is on this board. She gave us great advice on getting to the Dolphin for our massages.
Massage at Dolphin - If you ever get the chance to get the hot stone therapy massage then go for it. It was expensive but worth it.
Room 422 at BCV - We had a studio that was right by the elevators and best of all a perfect view of the Epcot fireworks. My only request was to be by the elevators so the fireworks were icing on the cake!
Finishing my 1st half marathon - The whole experience from beginning the training in June to crossing the finish line was amazing! I'm not an athlete or a runner but I feel like both now.
SAB at night - I went down one night and floated around the lazy river, went down the slide and walked/swam around the whole pool. It was so peaceful and beautiful! I felt sorry for the lifeguards because the place was so empty. Most of them were just staring at a deserted pool.
Seeing the shuttle launch from Downtown Disney - We went down there on our arrival day. As we came out of World of Disney I noticed everyone was looking at the sky. I rememered it was time for the launch so we watched as well. We got a couple of glimpses of it through the clouds. Then the whole crowd started clapping and it just felt good. It was very patriotic!

This trip was practically perfect in every way. The only problem we had was with our snack credits on the dining plan. While it was frustrating to take the time to deal with it - it all worked out in the end.

Thanks for all the advice and friendliness on this thread. Y'all are the best!

If you don't mind me asking, how much is the Hot Stone massage at the dolphin?

 

[haleofafamily]

If you don't mind me asking, how much is the Hot Stone massage at the dolphin?

I think it was $155 plus they add on a mandatory 20% gratuity so a total of $186. Normally I wouldn't do something like that, but it was my splurge after the race

 

[DWDude]

I think the BC Club Level offerings are great!

We are there for over two weeks and only made 3 breakfast reservations - the rest of the time we used the CL lounge and were very happy with them.

Although we don't use the evening appetizers as a substitute for dinner there were a few times that we filled up on the appetizers (they were sooo good!) and ended up just eating at Hurricane Hannah's or Beaches and Cream later on in the evening.

We will be at the BC Club level in Dec.
What food did they serve during the evening appetizers?
Did they have beer and wine?

We were thinking about doing the same thing you guys did.

 

[fairyprincess1]

OK, it's March now, so I guess I have to take down the February part of the list. Fairyprincess, I added your dates! Anyone else?

Thank you!!

 

[fairyprincess1]

Teena sounds like you are in good hands!!

BTW are you still distributing buttons? If so what do I need to do to get one? We will be coming down at the end of the month!!

Thanks!!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Do you think your kids will be digging in the sand more than swimming or sliding? If so, it might not be a bad idea to pack a few small things. Then again, when they were small, my boys were as happy digging with a plastic cup as they were with sand toys we had purchased.

It is harder to keep track of the pail and shovel from the kids meals than your own stuff. You will look around and see nothing but green pails. I think a lot of people just leave them behind when their trip is over instead of packing them to bring home.

There's a picture of the kids meal from Hurricane Hannah's on the front page (dining page) and if you look at some of the pictures from SAB, especially the sand bars, you will have an idea of what kids are using in the sand.

I think my 7 year old will be enjoying the pool and slide more but my 4 year old will probably love the water/sand! Neither have ever been to the beach so they might really enjoy the experience! Thanks for your insight!

As the temporary owner of four green sand pails from the Hurricane Hanna kids' meals last month, I can tell you that our pre-schooler LOVES them. We didn't have the need for more than one and we donated them all to the "green bucket yard" at SAB at the end!

We've tried it both ways - just going with the green bucket and bringing our own toys. Last month, we decided not bring additional toys because we didn't want to take up the packing space and because it was kind of a pain when we brought them last summer. Last summer, quite a few kids tried to swipe our pre-schooler's pool/sand toys (thinking that they, like the green buckets, were for everyone, of course!) So we promoted sharing, but kids were walking away with his stuff pretty frequently! So yes, it was very difficult to keep track of his stuff! So just the green bucket was perfect this time - and it's what everyone else had, so he thought it was really cool! Hope that helps!

Here's one of our meals (Dee put this on the front page, too

I looked for a photo of the "green bucket yard" that developed at the pool on our one warm day, but couldn't find one!

Thanks so much for re-posting the picture! Yes, that does help! I think we'll just stick with the green buckets then for ease and no need to worry about hurt feelings if a child accidentaly takes their sand toys

 

[TeenaS]

Teena sounds like you are in good hands!!

BTW are you still distributing buttons? If so what do I need to do to get one? We will be coming down at the end of the month!!

Thanks!!

As long as there are buttons left, yep, I am still distributing them.

PM me with name on the reservation, which resort (BCV, BC and YC) and date of arrival.