2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part II

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Thanks for making me feel better . I do not leave my kids alone anywhere for fear of all the terrible things that can happen to unattended children. Yes, it is WDW, but things can happen anywhere. So we will be very vigilant and they wont' be out of arms reach. I have only stayed there once before and it was prior to children, so I wasn't aware of the pool stuff regarding children. I think my boys will be fine with playing in the kiddie area and if they go in the pool we will rent lifejackets and get some pool noodles. However, we will steer clear of the whirlpool area!

Just adding that our kids have spent hours playing in the sand area, building sandcastles, splashing one another, floating in the shallow water while we sat on the loungers nearby...including ones in the shade. We love hanging out in this area, on the YC side near the door that goes in by Yachtsman Steakhouse.

When they tire of that, we'll all head over to the main pool for a swim near the rocks/waterfall (hot tubs) as it is usually less crowded. Or use the noodles in the lazy river. And when they first started going down the slide, one of us would wait where the slide comes out while one of us went up to the top with the kids. The kids went down first where the other parent was waiting. The slide is fun for grown ups too.

They have life jackets you can borrow while you are there. Check at the "gift shop" at the pool. They should be there. If not, the marina will have some but you should be ok. Just return at the end of your stay. I don't think they can be worn down the big slide though, so check with a lifeguard.

It definitely sounds scarier on here than it really is, although I have seen the lifeguards jumping in on several occasions. Luckily not for mine, but so glad they are there. Have fun!

 

[fundisney]

We have a 2 day heat wave here in RI also hope its not the start to the summer, heat during the week and rain on the weekends.

 

[Momtomouselover]

OH BOY!!! My boys are 4 and 6 and not really swimmers at all...more like waders. This makes me so scared! I have a huge fear of pools and will be a nervous nelly the entire time. I am hoping I can keep them in the kiddie pool area and they probably won't want to go alone on the slide. I don't like the fact that I can't go down with them or wait at the bottom. I will just have to reinforce pool safety rules.

We have 28 days to go , but I have yet to receive my Magical Express tags. The luggage is out, starting to pack and I am stressing over those darn tags!!!!!

We have always been able to wait at the bottom of the slide for our son (3 trips to BC). You can't wait directly under the slide but you can wait just to the side and move-in when they come down or reach an arm out or call to them. This year my son could make it to the side without help but in previous trips someone from our family was always in the water waiting. Also, I would walk him over to the steps of the slide. He would go up to the top and then holler "hi mom" and then I would go over to where the slide enters the water to wait for him if I was alone (had to move quick though!). Or, you can go up the slide with them, go down first and the life guard at the top of the slide will tell them when they can go down. If this all makes you nervous though the little slide area behind the big slide is an EXCELLENT place for them to have fun in a small contained area

Also, we just returned (will write more on our trip later..all good though!) and saw several kids with life vests on going down the slide so that appears to be an option too.

 

[Momtomouselover]

Teena - I know you have left now to help your daughter but I just wanted to say it was awesome to meet you in person. I hope you enjoy your time off and take a little bit of time to relax too. You were so sweet to talk to my son and I for so long. He also really enjoyed flipping through the pin book you showed us at the concierge desk

As I mentioned while we were talking, BC really felt like our "home" resort this time so it may be difficult for me to ever stay anywhere else. Thanks again for all the questions you answer and the kindness you show to us on the DIS!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I thought we could also book 180 +10 days out but it will not let us online. We would like to eat at the BEACH CLUB is there a trick I'm missing? TIA
Jen

You can book 180 days out from the start of your vacation. Then you are allowed to make the rest of your vacation ADRs up to 10 days (i.e., day 2 of your vacation would be 181 days out, and you could still make ADRs for that day and beyond.). Hope that helped?

It's also possible that the Disney website is just being dumb. It may make you re-enter your hotel confirmation number in every time you try to add an ADR and the site could also be having some leftover maintenance problems from yesterday. If it is your 180 day mark today, I would just call the dining number and book the BEACH CLUB restaurants (and w/e else you want) that way. That's what I ended up doing in April.

 

[Tinkerbell's mama]

This is the dryer that was in my room at the YC in December:

Is this just at the YC? When we were in a SV at the BC in October we had the ones in the wall (I was glad I brought mine). If they are in a bag now that would be great

 

[Tinkerbell's mama]

You can book 180 days out from the start of your vacation. Then you are allowed to make the rest of your vacation ADRs up to 10 days (i.e., day 2 of your vacation would be 181 days out, and you could still make ADRs for that day and beyond.). Hope that helped? [/QUOTE]

It does, THANK YOU I guess we misunderstood, we thought we could book 190 days (10 days early) oops. I guess I will get up at midnight on our 180 day mark to get what we want. I have already seen no availability on one of ours BC is one of the ones we would like to get so keep your fingers crossed

 

[MMrules]

Just adding that our kids have spent hours playing in the sand area, building sandcastles, splashing one another, floating in the shallow water while we sat on the loungers nearby...including ones in the shade. We love hanging out in this area, on the YC side near the door that goes in by Yachtsman Steakhouse.

When they tire of that, we'll all head over to the main pool for a swim near the rocks/waterfall (hot tubs) as it is usually less crowded. Or use the noodles in the lazy river. And when they first started going down the slide, one of us would wait where the slide comes out while one of us went up to the top with the kids. The kids went down first where the other parent was waiting. The slide is fun for grown ups too.

They have life jackets you can borrow while you are there. Check at the "gift shop" at the pool. They should be there. If not, the marina will have some but you should be ok. Just return at the end of your stay. I don't think they can be worn down the big slide though, so check with a lifeguard.

It definitely sounds scarier on here than it really is, although I have seen the lifeguards jumping in on several occasions. Luckily not for mine, but so glad they are there. Have fun!

Thanks for the tips!!! I didnt' think parents were allowed to wait at the bottom of the slide. I am not sure my boys will be brave enough to go down the big slide anyways, but it is good know that we can wait for them. They will love the kiddie slides though. Last trip we stayed at CBR and the boys loved the kiddie area there so the smaller slide and great sandy play area should keep my kids happy. I will probably be beaching myself in the kiddie pool as we are there in July

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I havent started the survey yet, but in regard to the cabana, last month when we did our triple split stay, we did see the cabanas at the GF and I guess we are in the minority here, but my dh and I thought, gheesh, what a waste of money.

One family did have balloons, so I am sure it was tied to a special event, one guy was getting a neck massage, one lady reading a book etc.

I am sure it would be easy to fit them in somewhere around SAB.

I am just trying to think of what I will say in the survey. Only problems as I said was our room always being made up so late and also with the ramp on the friendship boat for the wide wheelchair. I always had to get out and walk etc. Food was good etc. etc.

Oh and I forgot the one funny thing that when we checked in I think we went swimming and then went to shower. When I was in the shower I realized there was no soap. Hmm, I guess I figured that was something that should have definetely been there. Oh well, dh to the rescue with the hand soap from the sink. (I didnt want the shower gel then).

And as others have said, yes the lifeguards do a great job. My ds is a guard at home here and last year I was talking to one of the SAB guards about what they do training wise etc.

 

[DawnMaree]

It does, THANK YOU I guess we misunderstood, we thought we could book 190 days (10 days early) oops. I guess I will get up at midnight on our 180 day mark to get what we want. I have already seen no availability on one of ours BC is one of the ones we would like to get so keep your fingers crossed

Don't bother getting up at midnight. Online dining for your 180-day mark won't accept until after 6 a.m. EST.

 

[Tinkerbell's mama]

Don't bother getting up at midnight. Online dining for your 180-day mark won't accept until after 6 a.m. EST.

Thank you I would have gotten up and then not been able to sleep wondering when they would let me make them.

 

[Kona65]

Didn't see a response in yesterday's postings so I thought I'd take a shot. If you want some local action, the YC/BC has "special" events (choral groups, decoration making, etc.) going on usually beginning the first weekend in December. The schedule will be in your room packet. Teena is always pushing the gingerbread house kits that the local chef sells in the BC lobby that time of year. One of our favorite activities is walking around Epcot's WS and listening to the stories being told by that country's version of St. Nick. They are really interesting and informative of that country's local Christmas customs. If you are not consumed with being in the parks every minute they are open there is a really great "behind-the-scene's" tour that shows and explains the displays in two parks and two resorts as well as takes you to Disney's Christmas warehouse (it was worth the four hours it took to do the tour just to see the warehouse). Of course you have to visit your old stomping grounds of GF and WL as well as the CR and our very own YC/BC for the resort decorations. Don't miss the special Christmas shows in Epcot's FW as well as over at DHS which you don't have to pay exta for like the MVMCP activities in MK. Then, at least for my DW, there is always the special Christmas shopping in DTD that we have to do every year for the kid's stocking stuffers.

Have fun planning!

Thanks for the info. We seem to move so quickly, they we miss a lot of the simple things.

 

[Tinkerbell's mama]

Didn't see a response in yesterday's postings so I thought I'd take a shot. If you want some local action, the YC/BC has "special" events (choral groups, decoration making, etc.) going on usually beginning the first weekend in December. The schedule will be in your room packet. Teena is always pushing the gingerbread house kits that the local chef sells in the BC lobby that time of year. One of our favorite activities is walking around Epcot's WS and listening to the stories being told by that country's version of St. Nick. They are really interesting and informative of that country's local Christmas customs. If you are not consumed with being in the parks every minute they are open there is a really great "behind-the-scene's" tour that shows and explains the displays in two parks and two resorts as well as takes you to Disney's Christmas warehouse (it was worth the four hours it took to do the tour just to see the warehouse). Of course you have to visit your old stomping grounds of GF and WL as well as the CR and our very own YC/BC for the resort decorations. Don't miss the special Christmas shows in Epcot's FW as well as over at DHS which you don't have to pay exta for like the MVMCP activities in MK. Then, at least for my DW, there is always the special Christmas shopping in DTD that we have to do every year for the kid's stocking stuffers.

Have fun planning!

Do they only do the special events the first weekend in December? I know my kids would love to do things like you said at the hotel. We are surprising them with this trip so the more we can surprise them the better!

 

[OThopeful35]

I have good news and bad news The good news is, I WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE RN program at my school!! Bad news is, I have to re-plan whole vacation I totally did not expect to be accepted, they had 700 applications for 41 spots So now we will have to go at the end of July. Is it horribly crowded at the end of July, early August? I HAVE to go to Disneyworld this year!

 

[jmamom]

I know, I know, but this one is for the Yacht Club! Page 1 references that a few Yacht Club rooms share an extra large balcony with another room. How few is few? Is it worth adding "private balcony" as a request? We booked a water view room, and I really want a lake view, but a private balcony is way more important to me. Thanks!!!

Don't mean to nag, but this thread moves so fast I didn't want to get overlooked . Anyone know about the balconies at the Yacht club? Thanks!!!!!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I have good news and bad news The good news is, I WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE RN program at my school!! Bad news is, I have to re-plan whole vacation I totally did not expect to be accepted, they had 700 applications for 41 spots So now we will have to go at the end of July. Is it horribly crowded at the end of July, early August? I HAVE to go to Disneyworld this year!

Congratulations! I'm going to be like you next year-all of the audiology programs I'm going to apply to have 100+ applications for 15 or so spots. According to Touringplans.com, the crowd levels are expected to be around 7-8 out of 10 for that time frame. That is overall, not park specific though. Hopefully the YACHT AND BEACH CLUBs won't be too crowded!

 

[focusondisney]

Don't mean to nag, but this thread moves so fast I didn't want to get overlooked . Anyone know about the balconies at the Yacht club? Thanks!!!!!

Hi! Sorry nobody answered you yet.

We have probably stayed at the YC 12 -15 times in the last 10-12 years, always water view. About half club level , half regular rooms. We have always had a private balcony. I do like to sit out there & look around. Can't remember ever even seeing a shared balcony actually. So I think they are pretty rare.

If you were going to put in some other request, I wouldn't worry about this. If the worst happens & you end up with a shared balcony, just go back to the front desk & ask to be moved.

Have a great vacation! Hope you enjoy the YC as much as we do!

 

[natebenma]

Hi! Sorry nobody answered you yet.

We have probably stayed at the YC 12 -15 times in the last 10-12 years, always water view. About half club level , half regular rooms. We have always had a private balcony. I do like to sit out there & look around. Can't remember ever even seeing a shared balcony actually. So I think they are pretty rare.

If you were going to put in some other request, I wouldn't worry about this. If the worst happens & you end up with a shared balcony, just go back to the front desk & ask to be moved.

Have a great vacation! Hope you enjoy the YC as much as we do!

I totally agree with this advice. I think there are very very few and I'm not sure which ones are at club level and which are not, but I don't think you need to specifically request "private balcony". Only one slight alteration to the above suggestion- when you checkin, ask if you have a private balcony, before even taking your keys- in the unlikely event that you do have a shared balcony, ask for a room change.

Go through the regular checkin instead of the advanced on-line checkin which is designed for people who will just grab their keys and go.

 

[Mississippianna]

I am trying to work my way through this thread, and I'm around page 83, but I have a quick question I hope someone can answer and I hope hasn't been asked too too much already ...

Does anyone know what our odds might be off a king room with a daybed at a BC standard view? It's DH and I with our DD who will be 4, and that would be our ideal arrangement.

I'm planning on Oct. 29-Nov. 5 and thinking about booking now, and it's down to BC or our beloved Poly. I'm afraid we will miss the monorail b/c we love being at the MK as much as possible, but it should be warm enough to swim and I think DD will LOVE SAB! We'll also be there for F&W and I want to try some restaurants in the Epcot resort area. I walked over to the BC for the first time this past December to see the lobby carousel when I was down with a friend for a girls trip and I about cried when I realized how close it really is!!

Anywho, y'all seem like a fun bunch! TIA! Back to page 83 to keep on catching up ...

 

[jmamom]

Hi! Sorry nobody answered you yet.

We have probably stayed at the YC 12 -15 times in the last 10-12 years, always water view. About half club level , half regular rooms. We have always had a private balcony. I do like to sit out there & look around. Can't remember ever even seeing a shared balcony actually. So I think they are pretty rare.

If you were going to put in some other request, I wouldn't worry about this. If the worst happens & you end up with a shared balcony, just go back to the front desk & ask to be moved.

Have a great vacation! Hope you enjoy the YC as much as we do!

Thank you so much!!!!!