2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part II

[bellebookworm9]

ODD QUESTIONS:

1. Refill mug....any fresh brewed ice tea available? I know it is available in Club Level lounge but wondered if this was available at the "food courts" either at YC or on property elsewhere/.I can't recall if fresh brewed ice tea is popular at WDW...

2. 24 hour lounge for drinks...I assume lounge is still operating at 24 hours? August trip....

thanks! mel

Not sure about fresh brewed, but there is a "Gold Peak" dispenser shown in pixarmom's photos from quite a few pages back.

 

[pixarmom]

You can see Illuminations over the tree tops from rooms 2512, 2514, 2516, 2518, etc. I believe you could also see the top of the fireworks from 2630, 2632, 2634 and those same rooms on the third and fourth floors. I think they are all garden view. You can't really see Epcot from those rooms. In fact, even from the water view rooms, you don't have any real great views of Epcot, maybe the top of one of the buildings, but that's it. You get better views from the YC ... because of where that is around the lake, but I would assume the Epcot views are also water views.

Maybe guests that have actually stayed in rooms at the BC that they could see the fireworks from will answer your questions too. There are some rooms that are standard view that you can see over the tree tops the fireworks from Magic Kingdom. But they face the front of the BC.

Remember, it was only on 1/1/11 that the rooms changed categories and a garden view room category was added. Before that there were only standard and water so even if a guest stayed in a room and saw fireworks, they might not know what that room is (category) now.

Here's the view of the Illuminations fireworks from room 3512:

This was March 2010, so as Teena mentioned, we're not sure whether this would be standard or garden now. But if I had to guess, it really looks like garden - during the day it was entirely trees and greenery with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The "secret entrance" near 1501 was right below us and to the right a little. Great room!

 

[pixarmom]

Not sure about fresh brewed, but there is a "Gold Peak" dispenser shown in pixarmom's photos from quite a few pages back.

I'm not sure if this is the right kind of tea either, but here's the photo!

 

[pixarmom]

I have a question for Downtown Disney fans! We skipped DTD on our last four visits for several reasons, including but not limited to transportation. Transportation to DTD from anywhere always seems dismal, but the memory of the DTD bus has faded since our last experience in March 2010. Has the bus been any better recently? Should I just give in and take a cab? Any idea how much? Another option is to stop there after Typhoon Lagoon one afternoon.

P.S. I'd take Dee's route in a minute, but we won't have park tickets for this pre/post-cruise trip.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I have a question for Downtown Disney fans! We skipped DTD on our last four visits for several reasons, including but not limited to transportation. Transportation to DTD from anywhere always seems dismal, but the memory of the DTD bus has faded since our last experience in March 2010. Has the bus been any better recently? Should I just give in and take a cab? Any idea how much? Another option is to stop there after Typhoon Lagoon one afternoon.

P.S. I'd take Dee's route in a minute, but we won't have park tickets for this pre/post-cruise trip.

We took....THE CAB!!!, well we took the resort bus to DTD but we took the Cab BACK from DTD.

I spoke with the bus driver on the way over to DTD about the trip back. He said that by the time the bus gets to YC/BC, it is at the end of it's run through the various resorts before it goes to DTD.

For our trip, sure enough, BC was the last pick up before the bus actually headed off to DTD.

As for the trip back the driver said that the bus has to go to like 6 stops and BC is at the bitter end of those stops. He said that it would probably take 45 minutes and possibly more if he had to load scooters or experienced other delays.

So we took the cab back from DTD! If you look at the DTD map they have 2 bus stops and 2 cab 'stands' on the map. Nothing is too far for walking but keep in mind the cab stands are not in the same area as the buses.

The Cabs can be passenger car types or 7 person vans and the trip back was around $16 with tip for 3 people in a car type cab.

It was so hot out that we wound up taking the cabs a couple of different times with out any regrets. We took a cab to the MK so we could get in early (7:50am) for an 8:30 ressie at the Crystal Palace. I loved taking pictures in a virtually empty MK before it was time to hit the restaurant. Since it was so early it was worth the 17 dollars for that extra time in the morning to get ready and the extra time in the empty MK!

We also took a cab to Poly for an O'Hana dinner ressie. Again the extra time, ease of transportation and the ability to keep cool and get there quickly trumped the hour plus time they tell you it may take with the buses. We wound up taking the cab back from O'Hana because the weather was turning stormy.

Do not be afraid to use cabs. The convenience trumps the cost,especially when you consider all the money you are paying to spend time at Disney World.

I hope that helps....

~Marlton Mom

 

[LMO429]

I have to agree with Marlton mom, we take cabs many times while staying at the beach club (or any other resort for that matter) for pure convenience factors. We have stayed at the beach club 4 times in the past 5 years, only during one of those trips did we find the bus service from the bc to be sub-par all other times we found the buses to run quite quickly and smoothly. even during the dreaded after wishes crowd, the bus was yc/bc guests only and we returned back to the bc fast

However personally when I am on vacation I try to make things as convenient for myself as possible. Instead of renting a car for the week (which usually is about 250 to 300 bucks for the week) we take cabs when need be and the cost is actually considerably less than having to rent a car for the week for the amount of times we personally actually need it.

Our last trip I spent roughly $70 bucks in cab fare, for the week.

Here are the scenarios we took cabs:
After wishes - we walked to the contemporary and took a cab back to the beach club

We had breakfast at AK at 8am we took a cab to sleep in a little bit more and not have to wait for bus

A cab to and from universal

Took the bus to downtown disney but took a cab home back to the beach club.


so pixarmom def plan a trip to downtown disney but I would suggest taking the bus there and a cab back as well I think it was about 15 to 18 bucks with tip

You can use this taxi fare calculator that can give you an estimate as well:
http://www.mearstransportation.com/services/taxi-fare-estimator.asp

 

[natebenma]

We took a cab to the MK so we could get in early (7:50am) for an 8:30 ressie at the Crystal Palace. I loved taking pictures in a virtually empty MK before it was time to hit the restaurant. Since it was so early it was worth the 17 dollars for that extra time in the morning to get ready and the extra time in the empty MK!

~Marlton Mom

Where did the cab drop you off?

Can't wait to see the empty Main Street MK photos!

 

[LMO429]

Where did the cab drop you off?

Can't wait to see the empty Main Street MK photos!

A cab to the MK would drop you off at the TTC, you would then have to monorail or boat it over to the MK.

We usually take a cab to the Contemporary and walk over to the MK its about a ten minute walk..

one time we cabbed it to the GF just to see the lobby then it was one stop on the monorail to the MK

 

[pixarmom]

Marlton Mom and LMO429, great idea to bus there and cab back. And thanks for the reality check on the ride back - it always seemed bad and then I started thinking that maybe it really wasn't so bad!

I held out for years and years - too loyal to Disney transportation - and then I broke down and we took a cab to two resort ADRs in February and from Dolphin to AKL last month. My family was very surprised that I agreed to cab. But it sounds like the 1/2 Disney transport and 1/2 cab is the way to go! Thanks again!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We are loyal Disney transportation fans too pixarmom, but sometimes it is just easier to take a cab!

Last summer we took a cab - to and from DTD, to our dinner reservation at Narcoossee's at the GF, to our dinner reservation (and back) at the Wave at the Contemporary, and the girls and I took one to our afternoon tea at the GF.

 

[BC/YC Pool Noodles]

I paid $32.67 for a XBOX 360 and my mom got a blah, blah, blah... I will never again pay expensive retail prices at stores. I am an idiot

Now You listen here mr spidy for brains! You leave my BC/YC people alone with your corned beef hash posts about buying junk from some crock of a web site. Most of the people who post/read here have more sense than to patronize your crooked establishment... and besides, we are saving up for our next Disney Vacation and we have no need for any other form of entertainment. We are too busy being placed on hold for ADR's or figuring out how to use a spreadsheet again to plan every minute of our Disney Day to play video games!

I'm sorry regular readers but it really pops my bubbles when I see lame attempts at hash being put on our beloved forum.

I'll go back to the pool now and cool off! I can hear the Lazy River calling my name..... (paul, Paul, PAUL!!!!). Oh wait, that's Pastina. Gotta run!

Paul Noodle

 

[Marlton Mom]

Where did the cab drop you off?

Can't wait to see the empty Main Street MK photos!

Well, it was really early in the morning and I was more than a little brain dead from lack of Coffee so we told the cab driver to take us to MK and he did exactly what we asked and took us to the TTC! For those of you not in the know, cab's can't take you to the MK like where the buses go so we should have said "Take us to the Contemporary" and hoofed it from there.

I realized my mistake when we got to the TTC but the ferry and Monorails were running so we just jumped on them. DH and DS cherish any chance to ride the monorail and, on this trip there weren't many, so they were happy.

~MM

 

[pixarmom]

We are loyal Disney transportation fans too pixarmom, but sometimes it is just easier to take a cab!

Last summer we took a cab - to and from DTD, to our dinner reservation at Narcoossee's at the GF, to our dinner reservation (and back) at the Wave at the Contemporary, and the girls and I took one to our afternoon tea at the GF.

Happy to see additional confessions! We did BC to Ohana breakfast, BC to California Grill and back in February and then the Dolphin to AKL that I mentioned in May. My husband was particularly happy with the cab and it was absolutely the way to go for each of these trips. Still can't take a cab to a park - we were on the fence for an early ADR at Tusker House - but the bus pulled up the moment I was about to give in!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

A quick hello to all my BC/YC friends! The BC is beautiful! I ran into the Noodle Family, so they are staying with me for a few days! Off to dinner at Captain's Grille. Not sure if I'll write again while here. This is a new phone & it is difficult to see the screen. Best regards all.

 

[bellebookworm9]

I've been reading with interest the discussions about the Downtown Disney bus situation. We are planning to head over there for a few hours on our last day. We have Cape May breakfast at 9:45am, and I expect ME to pick us up around 4:15ish. I'm planning to allow 2 hours to get back to BC via bus (think that will be enough?), but if we are having lots of success with shopping maybe I'll just spend a little extra to catch a cab...

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

We took....THE CAB!!!, well we took the resort bus to DTD but we took the Cab BACK from DTD.

I spoke with the bus driver on the way over to DTD about the trip back. He said that by the time the bus gets to YC/BC, it is at the end of it's run through the various resorts before it goes to DTD.

For our trip, sure enough, BC was the last pick up before the bus actually headed off to DTD.

As for the trip back the driver said that the bus has to go to like 6 stops and BC is at the bitter end of those stops. He said that it would probably take 45 minutes and possibly more if he had to load scooters or experienced other delays.

So we took the cab back from DTD! If you look at the DTD map they have 2 bus stops and 2 cab 'stands' on the map. Nothing is too far for walking but keep in mind the cab stands are not in the same area as the buses.

The Cabs can be passenger car types or 7 person vans and the trip back was around $16 with tip for 3 people in a car type cab.

It was so hot out that we wound up taking the cabs a couple of different times with out any regrets. We took a cab to the MK so we could get in early (7:50am) for an 8:30 ressie at the Crystal Palace. I loved taking pictures in a virtually empty MK before it was time to hit the restaurant. Since it was so early it was worth the 17 dollars for that extra time in the morning to get ready and the extra time in the empty MK!

We also took a cab to Poly for an O'Hana dinner ressie. Again the extra time, ease of transportation and the ability to keep cool and get there quickly trumped the hour plus time they tell you it may take with the buses. We wound up taking the cab back from O'Hana because the weather was turning stormy.

Do not be afraid to use cabs. The convenience trumps the cost,especially when you consider all the money you are paying to spend time at Disney World.

I hope that helps....

~Marlton Mom

Have a few questions regarding transportation to DTD...

It's a long story, but we're doing a split stay between AKV and BCV this Aug because we had to change dates due to a family wedding so we had to split our stay...

So - we are transferring from AKV to BCV on Sunday morning. We plan to spend most of that day at DTD. We have paid reservations for the Gospel Brunch at The House of Blues at 10:30.

Since we're transferring resorts, should we just leave AKV and go to DTD; or should we stop first at BCV to check in? (We'll have our things transferred by Disney, so no problem there.)

Just don't know how to go about it. Either way is fine with me...

Also from what I gather, it will be better to take a cab back to BC from DTD. Seems like the trip from BC to DTD is ok by bus. Does anyone have any idea if the same holds true for AK? Or should I post on that board?

TIA!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Have a few questions regarding transportation to DTD...

It's a long story, but we're doing a split stay between AKV and BCV this Aug because we had to change dates due to a family wedding so we had to split our stay...

So - we are transferring from AKV to BCV on Sunday morning. We plan to spend most of that day at DTD. We have paid reservations for the Gospel Brunch at The House of Blues at 10:30.

Since we're transferring resorts, should we just leave AKV and go to DTD; or should we stop first at BCV to check in? (We'll have our things transferred by Disney, so no problem there.)

Just don't know how to go about it. Either way is fine with me...

Also from what I gather, it will be better to take a cab back to BC from DTD. Seems like the trip from BC to DTD is ok by bus. Does anyone have any idea if the same holds true for AK? Or should I post on that board?

TIA!

I can't speak for certain, but I would just go from AK to DTD for brunch, then to BCV, since if you don't take a cab, you'd have to transfer somewhere anyway.

We took the bus from AKV to DTD last May. It wasn't too long of a ride, but the driver was awful. We were staying at Kidani, but had breakfast at Mara and so got on at Jambo House, meaning we still had to stop at Kidani anyway. Since it was in the AM, we also stopped at Typhoon Lagoon, then the Marketplace, and then I'm assuming it went to the PI stop. On the way back we had quite a wait from the Marketplace stop, though the ride itself wasn't too long.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When it comes to the buses for Downtown Disney we happen to have a car everytime we are at WDW and always use it when going there, so for us t usually takes 15 minutes of driving ourselves. For whatever reason the Downtown Disney byses for any of the Deluxe Resorts seem to be worst ones and I think part of it is all the sharing combinations it does between several resorts. So it doesn't matter if your staying in the Magic Kigdom Resort Area or Epcot/Hollywood Studios Resort Area.

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

Just wanted to add my two cents regarding heather's gallbladder surgery. I am an anesthetist. I put people to sleep for a living. Unfortunately, the type of "twilight sleep" you're talking about, dgbg, isn't possible for gallbladder surgery. To remove the gallbladder, the patient must be completely paralyzed and placed on a ventilator, during the surgery. In my experience, slow wake ups are either related to the patient receiving quite a bit of narcotic (pain meds), or is related to their physical make-up (i.e.,some drugs are hydrophilic while others are lipophilic, thus, those of us who have quite a bit of adipose tissue or fat, keep drugs "on board" longer than those who are thinner in body habitus.) I hope that makes sense. At any rate, good luck with surgery and I totally understand your concern, heather.

I am so feeling the love on this board. Your alls kind word are very encouraging!

I live in Louisa, Ky. I asked for a surgent out in ashland that works out of Kings Daughters. Not a real fan of Three Rivers Hospital. I finally found out I have an appointment with a surgent on July 12th. At that point I will find out if I am getting the surgery. My pain comes and goes. I try to watch what I am eating but things still hurt.

I had a breast reduction in Dec. 08 and it was an out patient surgery. I wish it wasn't. I remember that the nurse told me to wake up and I told her I did not want to wake up it hurt to much. It wasn't my chest! My stomach was killing me. She kept trying to wake me up and I begged her to let me sleep! I was still in and out when they moved me back to the room wear my husband and mom where. They kept telling me to wake up and get ready to go, that people have to go home. My surgery lasted longer because they took alot off of me. I begged them to let me sleep and leave me alone because my stomach was killing me. They kept pushing me to wake up. Well as soon as I got forced to sit up I got sick on both ends violently! They cleaned me up put me in a wheel chair and sent me home. I lived about 30 miles away. I got sick the whole way home and the first night was horrible. I was sick and sore and couldn't open my eyes. I WISHED THEY WOULD HAVE KEPT ME THAT NIGHT!!!!

Now if I have to have the surgery, every one says it is an out patient sugery like my reduction. Honestly that scares the P*** out of me. We live about 40 miles from the hospital and I have to either climb up 14 stairs or go around and climb the side of the hill to get in the house. If I get as sick as I did last time there is no way I will make it! I am hoping that if I am that sick that my husband will push the issue of me staying a night at the hospital!

I don't have stones but my output of my gallbladder is 0% anything below 40% is not normal. I had a Hepatobiliary scan and my gallbladder filled with in the 60 min. even though it was slow and waited to show up during the 48min. And then during the contractions nothing left. They think I have gallbladder dyskinesia.

I am a pooh sized woman so what you said makes total since! I just ate at logans tonight. I had a salad with ranch and hate half of my prime rib and never touched my sweet potato, one roll. Boy am I sorry tonight. Went to go to the Disney store at the mall (sale days) and walked. My stomach blew up like a balloon and got hard as a rock. Then I started have those contraction like pains. Poped a pain pill and sat down till I could get a hold of my self. I just want to have a normal meal and day out with my family without them having to take care of me! Pain is back tonight a little too! Hopefully pain pill will work and I will get sleep tonight.

Thanks for all the care and concern, I feel like I have this extended family who is wrapping big mickey arms around me!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks for the head's up bellebookworm (another Gretchen & from Bflo, eh?) and CR Fan 4 Life - those cabs are sounding like a GREAT idea!
Sending you best wishes for your GB surgery, Heather. Be well.
Gretchen