2011 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ

[pixarmom]

Question for fellow Illuminations fans: What's your favorite place at/near BC (but not inside Epcot gates) to watch the fireworks and hear the music?

 

[HockeyMomR]

1. Bridge over canal walking from BC toward BW
2. Our room last year - BC 5th floor

I simply love Illuminations - favorite Disney evening fireworks show & music

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We stayed at the BC in Nov. 2008. I seem to recall the beds having those white sheet type bedspreads with a throw draped at the end of the bed. (CL Lagoon View Room) Now that we are staying at the BC again in June, the pictures I've seen recently show beds with full bedspreads.

Can someone please confirm for me what the bedding looks like? Thanks so much!

 

[pixarmom]

1. Bridge over canal walking from BC toward BW
2. Our room last year - BC 5th floor

I simply love Illuminations - favorite Disney evening fireworks show & music

Me too! Seriously, I thought I was the only one who ranks Illuminations above the MK fireworks. And our pre-teen boys have a wonderfully silly "interpretive dance" to the Illuminations music that is very funny. I'm certain it won't last much longer, so I'm completely enjoying it while I can!

We had a great view of the fireworks from our 3rd floor standard view room last March - it was amazing. We booked CL garden view for August, so I'm not sure whether we would have a chance at a room with an Epcot view or not. I didn't pay attention in the lounge last month - could you see/hear the fireworks from the lounge balcony?

How did it go with hockey playoffs this weekend?

P.S. When our pre-schooler woke up this morning, he asked, "Can I get some snacks in the club lounge today?"

 

[pixarmom]

We stayed at the BC in Nov. 2008. I seem to recall the beds having those white sheet type bedspreads with a throw draped at the end of the bed. (CL Lagoon View Room) Now that we are staying at the BC again in June, the pictures I've seen recently show beds with full bedspreads.

Can someone please confirm for me what the bedding looks like? Thanks so much!

So many websites have outdated photos of the BC rooms - so frustrating! They are all the white covers with the blue throw:

Allears.net also has updated photos of the rooms - they are just as you remember!

P.S. I saw your Grand Californian stays in your signature - we stayed there last August and LOVED it!!

 

[jlw29]

Can we please be added to the July list? We will be there from July 5-12 for my DDs 16th birthday. I'm bringing the birthday girl and 3 of her friends, my other DD13 and one of her friends and one of the girls' moms is coming and bringing 2 eight yr olds - so 10 of us! I don't know whether we will be at YC or BC because I had to book through my convention and they have rooms at both. I won't find out which they put us at until I get the confirmation from WDW.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Me too! Seriously, I thought I was the only one who ranks Illuminations above the MK fireworks. And our pre-teen boys have a wonderfully silly "interpretive dance" to the Illuminations music that is very funny. I'm certain it won't last much longer, so I'm completely enjoying it while I can!

We had a great view of the fireworks from our 3rd floor standard view room last March - it was amazing. We booked CL garden view for August, so I'm not sure whether we would have a chance at a room with an Epcot view or not. I didn't pay attention in the lounge last month - could you see/hear the fireworks from the lounge balcony?

How did it go with hockey playoffs this weekend?

P.S. When our pre-schooler woke up this morning, he asked, "Can I get some snacks in the club lounge today?"

Our room last year was CL Garden view - yes, we could hear the music I do not believe you can see Illuminations from the CL lounge, although, we have not been in the lounge at that time of night. Maybe someone will jump in regarding view from the lounge.

Your pre-schooler has good taste, you must be very proud. Just love the lounge for snacks and breakfast. Enjoy your trip in August!

DS15 team lost in the semi-finals yesterday, thank you for asking. Another hockey season complete.

 

[TeenaS]

Good morning! I have a question that's a little off-topic. But I know Teena, Katesdad and others are experienced cruisers, so I thought I'd ask our group here first and then I promise to get back on topic!

We are first time cruisers and trying the 3-night Disney Dream in August. We're staying one post-cruise night at BC (CL) and we just added two pre-cruise nights at BWI. (BC was not available for our room categories with the special offer, so we're trying the next best option.)

So the question: We're taking ME to/from WDW at the beginning and end of our trip. We're doing a 1-day car rental at the Dolphin to get to the Kennedy Space Center. (We really dislike car rental, but it looks very easy at Dolphin.) As for to/from the port, we're considering DCL transfers for our family of 5 even though they are pricey. Selling points for us: the convenience of the luggage handling; the right-to-the-port service; avoiding parking, car rental shuttles and massive Dream crowds at 10am; and the DCL check-in at the resort. Also, we've never cruised before and I think the whole DCL bus with the movie would be fun for our boys. Right now, DCL transfers are about $75 more total than the least expensive rental car (when accounting for port parking, car seat, etc.) but that difference could increase as August nears. We don't want to do the 1-way car rentals and I'm a little nervous about private car companies. So is it entirely crazy to get the DCL transfers? Am I missing another good option?

No, honestly, I think it would be cheaper with all of you to go with a limo service. Everybody I know uses Happy Limo and have had no trouble. I believe it would be around $240 roundtrip. Figure out if Disney's cruise line bus is more or less expensive. You can NO longer check-in for the cruise at the resorts. This changed recently. You have to check-in at the port like a regular guest that was parking there even if you take the bus from the BC to the port. It's a short ride and the kids honestly don't need to see the movie about the cruise. You get the same thing pretty much when you order the cruise DVD.

If you go with the limo service, have them pick you up around 9:30 so you will get to the port at 10:30ish. Then you will be early to get on the ship. It's fun to wait at the Port in the terminal. You'll go right to lunch and be done in time to get into your cabin and start the fun. If you go by the bus from the BC, you'll be there around 1 PM, be in a huge crowd to get on the ship, have a late lunch, .... it's all rushed. We've done it both ways, and being there early is great. The characters are there and there are TVs with Disney stuff playing ... the kids won't be bored.

 

[Marlton Mom]

And our pre-teen boys have a wonderfully silly "interpretive dance" to the Illuminations music that is very funny. I'm certain it won't last much longer, so I'm completely enjoying it while I can!

I have always enjoyed the silliness that having a boy can bring. I like to think that my 12 year old son has Larry, Moe AND Curley all rolled into his brain as this can be the only explanation for some of the things that he does.

To wit:

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/5504592554/] Chain saw killer by Marlton Mom, on Flickr[/URL]

Marlton Mom, who sleeps with 1 eye open (Not really!)

 

[melvin1970]

We just got back from our 1st stay ever at the Beach Club. We had a standard club level room. We loved it!!!! Not sure we will ever be able to stay non club level from now on. The kids loved having access to the snacks. Saved me some money there. Also loved all the people that were working. They were so nice and helpful. The trip was wonderful and the resort was beautiful!

 

[kwork11]

does the BC CL stay open 24 hours still...for drinks?

 

[pixarmom]

Teena, thank you!!! Adding to my research list - I'm getting some heavy lobbying from the rest of the group for DCL transfers but I'm checking into this right now!

Marlton Mom - that is too funny - love it!

kwork11, when we were there last month, CL was open for coffee/drinks from the cooler "almost 24 hours!" They occasionally close down for cleaning/restocking, and they told us that might happen at check-in. Over the entire week, we only saw the lounge closed once a bit before the 5-7 snacks.

 

[Kelly in NY]

wow, just finished reading this whole thread between last night and today! and boy there were many other things i should have been doing but this puts me right in the mood to be back at BC!

teena, glad you found drs that you are comfortable with. a positive attitude is half the battle and you sure have that! you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

robyn, sorry to hear about your mom, hope things are looking up.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

So many websites have outdated photos of the BC rooms - so frustrating! They are all the white covers with the blue throw:



Allears.net also has updated photos of the rooms - they are just as you remember!

P.S. I saw your Grand Californian stays in your signature - we stayed there last August and LOVED it!!

Thanks so much, Pixarmom!

Ahhhhh, yes, the Grand Californian......positively LOVE it. Truly, truly, love it. So glad you were able to stay there, too!

 

[SolPlyr]

Jumping on board. We are staying at BCV June 14-21 for the first week of our 3-week trip this year. Looking forward to having a great time.

 

[Sue M]

It seems like it takes FOREVER for vacations to get here and then they seem to fly by so fast when we get there!!!!!!!! it doesn't seem fair does it??

Def not fair! The closer to our trip, the more I start worrying that it will be over too fast - before we even get there Crazy, huh?

 

[sjs314]

Just booked our flights Taking a fairly early flight home so we can pick up the dog at our local Best Friends so I was thinking we could grab a bite at the MarketPlace before ME Pickup perhaps.

Can anyone tell me what time the MarketPlace opens? I looked at the front of the thread and Disney.com but could not find the hours of operation listed

TIA

 

[Katesdad]

Adding to my research list - I'm getting some heavy lobbying from the rest of the group for DCL transfers but I'm checking into this right now!

Done both. Disney transfers when we did the 3-day, 4-night package out of POR and a private company (can't remember the name right now) when we went straight from the airport hotel where we stayed the night before a 4-day cruise (tacked on a one-night stay after at WL). I have to vote the private carrier. I also agree that getting there a little early before the crowd arrives is much easier on everyone, especially getting on board early.

Teena, do you still get the check-in at the resort if you are doing a land-sea package? Seems that we used the same KTTW card for both resort and ship, but it's been a while since we've done it. We are in the exploration phase right now for a family gathering on-board (probably the Magic) some time in 2012 or 2013. I figure it will take me that long to save the money to pay for all the kids, spouses and any little ones that might pop up in-between now and then.

 

[natebenma]

Just booked our flights Taking a fairly early flight home so we can pick up the dog at our local Best Friends so I was thinking we could grab a bite at the MarketPlace before ME Pickup perhaps.

Can anyone tell me what time the MarketPlace opens? I looked at the front of the thread and Disney.com but could not find the hours of operation listed

TIA

If I recall correctly, it opens at 6:30 am for coffee (maybe pastry, too) and 7 am for everything else. If someone can confirm this information, I will add it to the front page.

Thanks!

 

[sjs314]

If I recall correctly, it opens at 6:30 am for coffee (maybe pastry, too) and 7 am for everything else. If someone can confirm this information, I will add it to the front page.

Thanks!

Sounds Good Our flight is at 11:35am so I figure ME pickup 8:15-8:30, Thanks!