2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part II

[MIDisFan]

I'm assuming you'll be CL? Not sure if turn-down is available if you aren't as I've never asked for it(Tenna, any thoughts?). However, a few posters have suggested leaving two envelopes, one for mousekeeping and one labeled for "turn-down" service. Hopefully the mousekeeper doesn't get greedy and take both.

Yes, we are staying in a SV CL room. That was my concern about leaving 2 envelopes in the morning. I would hope that wouldn't happen but it would be in the back of mind every time we leave them. I was wondering if we could call up housekeeping and make some type of arrangement.

 

[MMrules]

Prayers to you and your family during ths difficult time. I hope your time at WDW helps in your healing process after your loss. Last August I lost my mother to cancer. We went to WDW 2 weeks later and it helped I think to get my mind off "things".
I just lost my father unexpectedly on May 10. I find immersing myself into planning my Nov/Dec trip to WDW helps. Best wishes to you and your family.

Thanks to all for the well wishes....

Wendy, I am sorry for your losses too. Sounds like you are having the same kind of year as us....Not only did we lose our MIL but on May 19th I had to put my beloved Labrador Barnum to sleep after only 8 years due to an aggressive cancer (didn't know til we brought him to the vet and he didnt' get to come home ). So we have had a very sad 2 months. I am hoping that this vacation will finally make us all smile again and keep away the tears for 10 days....well only tears of joy. I know the BC will put a smile on my face and I hope we get to see Teena

 

[MMrules]

We discovered this little secret when we rubbed a bottle that had washed up on the shores of Crescent Lake. A genie popped out, hit us over the head with the bottle and said:

How to make housekeeping work for YOU!

Step one. Pick up the phone and hit that button on there that says 'housekeeping'.

Step two. Tell them what time you would like to have your room made up. Perhaps you would mention that you will be out of the room from this time period to that time period and that you would really appreciate if the room could be made up during your absence. You can even ask for certain requests like more pillows or extra hangers. At one point we had 31 hangers in the room being put to good use thanks to housekeeping.

Step three. Be sure to say please and thank you!

Step four. Cram the genie back in the bottle before he decides to hit you over the head again. He's a little chubby, so expect a struggle. If you have a 'Zebra Dome' handy, cram that in the bottle first. The genie is partial to them and will go after it like a fly on horseradish.

Step five. Put that bottle in recycling! Don't even think about trashing up that lake!!

I promise you this will work.... and housekeeping will LOVE you for it. You can call any time of day and a member of the staff will make sure they get the message. Housekeeping starts answering their phones at about 7 am, at least from what I experienced.

We communicated our needs frequently to housekeeping, whether it be for more towels or pillows or hangers or even for a "Sharps" container for my medication needles. They very happily and quickly accommodated our requests.

I will mention that we did not have the same person making up our room each day. When I picked up on that, I realized that I COULD LEAVE A NOTE WITH MY REQUESTS ON THE TIP ENVELOPE I WAS LEAVING EACH DAY. This worked for things like extra wash cloths and stuff that they were putting in the room everyday like the shampoos, etc..

So the key here is to find a genie.

That genie will tell you to communicate your needs to housekeeping.

Only then will they know how to specifically make YOU happy and they will do that to the best of their ability!

I promise.

Marlton Mom

Great advice!!! I have one question though and not sure if you will know the answer. This is our first stay in in a villa through DVC. I know they dont' clean everyday which is fine. I have a 1BR b/c I need the washer/dryer. My son is a bed wetter. I am taking a rubber protection shield to help keep the pull-out sofa bed dry. I was wondering when can I ask for extras sheets for that sofa b/c I know I will be washing sheets and I know I will need extra. Do I do this at check-in???I did on-line check in so I am not sure how to get more???
Thanks,
Tracy

 

[DisneyMomx7]

creativeamanda - I totally agree with you about 10 year olds and the dining plan. The funny thing is I have 12 and 13 year old dd's who STILL eat like an 8 year old. When we have the DDP (sometimes we just use TIW) I pay for the adult DDP but only use it for them at buffets and certain restaurants that won't let you order a child's meal for anyone over 9. At the other places I order a kids meal for them, pay OOP with a TIW discount for their meals, and save the adult credits for a breakfast or a signature meal.

Marlton Mom is absolutely right about mousekeeping. As soon as we are in our room I call mousekeeping and tell them that we are out of the rooms early each day and come back in the afternoon for a rest. I request that the rooms be cleaned anytime between 8 and 11 and they always are.

I also leave a note with the tip envelope if we need any special requests - usually just extra REGULAR (not decaf) coffee for my early, early morning, before CL is open, coffee.

In our experience mousekeeping has been very good about noticing which toiletries need to be replace.

I am a "neat freak" and never have had any issues with BC mousekeeping - did have issues one time at the GF though.

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY WE LEAVE . . . . .

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks to all for the well wishes....

Wendy, I am sorry for your losses too. Sounds like you are having the same kind of year as us....Not only did we lose our MIL but on May 19th I had to put my beloved Labrador Barnum to sleep after only 8 years due to an aggressive cancer (didn't know til we brought him to the vet and he didnt' get to come home ). So we have had a very sad 2 months. I am hoping that this vacation will finally make us all smile again and keep away the tears for 10 days....well only tears of joy. I know the BC will put a smile on my face and I hope we get to see Teena

Hang in there ... so sorry for your losses. See you soon!

 

[Hillbeans]

We are just back from a long weekend at BCV, and just wanted to let anyone know who may need the info that they allowed my 5 YO to wear his life vest down the Pirate Slide. I wasn't sure it was allowed before we left, but it was not a problem. He is still learning how to swim so this made me feel more comfortable.

The kids dragged me on the slide at least 6 times, after the 4th or 5th time I was exhausted walking up all those stairs... . We had a wonderful visit, can't wait to go back!

 

[TeenaS]

Yes, we are staying in a SV CL room. That was my concern about leaving 2 envelopes in the morning. I would hope that wouldn't happen but it would be in the back of mind every time we leave them. I was wondering if we could call up housekeeping and make some type of arrangement.

One way of doing it is to leave the envelope every morning for the regular mousekeeper and then at the end of your stay, give an envelope to one of the housekeeping managers with instructions that it is for the turn down mousekeeper and to please split it up with whoever turned down your room during your stay.

Although it might not be fair, the way we have handled this in the past is simply we leave every morning and have the one envelope in the room. On days we come back to use the pool or freshen up before dinner, we leave another envelope marked for the turn down mousekeeper. On days we don't get back to the room during the day, we just don't leave something for the turn down mousekeeper. When we stay CL at the Y&B, it seems like we 99% of the time do end up coming back because (1) we want to use the pool during the day and (2) we want to have appetizers before dinner.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Does anyone happen to know if BCVs ever open up?

We have connecting rooms booked at BC for late August, but it would be great if we could get a 2BR Villa.

Alas, they are all booked up.

Any tips or tricks or magic words to snag one?

Just thought I would try this again.....thanks

 

[doccoc2002]

Can I tell you how excited I am that Fantasmic will be going on everyday of our trip!!!! I was trying to figure out how we could go and see it on the one day it was showing during our entire stay(well the one day we were entering parks!)...

Checking out my ticker, cause I'm so excited...

Thanks for the mapmyrun.com cause I just started wakling my normal route and always wondered how long it was...Last night I had to cut it short cause my stomache started to bother me...since I am still healing...I just hope I will be good by September. I'm up to about 2 miles a day but hurting by the end of it.

Update...I start my therapy at the end of the week...I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer and I really need a Disney Vacation at the YC with CL!!!! The Mastectomy with TRAM Flap procedure went great and looks very good...I'm very pleased, look like a new women I even cut off about 12 inches and sent it to Locks of Love...it will help make some kid with cancer very happy since it is extremely curly hair!!!

Thanks for the tip about turn down service...We don't have to request it right? They just automatically come in and do it?...I know you can request it when you are just staying as a non-CL guest. 83 more days...I just need to find a cute dark swimsuit to cover my scars so they don't get burned...

 

[creativeamanda]

Just thought I would try this again.....thanks

I was just talking to my DVC contact today and he told me that it is difficult for a cash customer to get a 2BR villa at BCV because it is a highly sought purchase even among DVC owners. My guess at this time is that unless someone cancels at 45 days out (or 30 days), it would be highly unlikely.

 

[Sue M]

MarltonMom great info for mousekeeping. As we will be back in our room early afternoon for our Aug trip for the mid day break, to change, and spend some noodle time at SAB. It would be nice if our room was made up.

I haven't done this yet during past stays at other WDW resorts, and our room was always made up by afternoon. But it's our first stay at BC.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I was just talking to my DVC contact today and he told me that it is difficult for a cash customer to get a 2BR villa at BCV because it is a highly sought purchase even among DVC owners. My guess at this time is that unless someone cancels at 45 days out (or 30 days), it would be highly unlikely.

thanks for the info.....that makes sense

I will try at the 45 day mark and maybe get lucky. It's actually $10 per night cheaper than the 2 adjoiners I have booked also so it would be a double win!

I know at 45 days prior payment is due, but what is the 30 day mark and why is that significant?

 

[WDWKOOK]

We will be checking in at the YC in a few weeks and I was wondering how to handle tipping for turn down service. Last year at the Poly we made it back to the room in the middle of the day and left the tip. Since it was the last part of a spilt stay we didn't hit the parks as much. I don't think we will be able to make it back to the room before turn down service.

Last August when I stayed at the YC/CL, we returned to our room after mousekeeping had been there and our tip had been taken. Later in the day, I left a tip on the bed for turn-down and when we returned after the turn-down service, our tip had been left near the chocolates on the bed.

 

[MIDisFan]

Last August when I stayed at the YC/CL, we returned to our room after mousekeeping had been there and our tip had been taken. Later in the day, I left a tip on the bed for turn-down and when we returned after the turn-down service, our tip had been left near the chocolates on the bed.

Same thing happened during our stay at the POLY last July. The tip was sitting right were I left it. The mousekeeper was a few doors down so my wife took it to her. I think I will follow Teena's advice since I don't think we will make it back to the room during the day too much.

 

[disneysnowflake]

Never mind. I found what I was looking for.

 

[Aliceacc]

Update...I start my therapy at the end of the week...I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer and I really need a Disney Vacation at the YC with CL!!!! The Mastectomy with TRAM Flap procedure went great and looks very good...I'm very pleased, look like a new women I even cut off about 12 inches and sent it to Locks of Love...it will help make some kid with cancer very happy since it is extremely curly hair!!!

Thanks for the tip about turn down service...We don't have to request it right? They just automatically come in and do it?...I know you can request it when you are just staying as a non-CL guest. 83 more days...I just need to find a cute dark swimsuit to cover my scars so they don't get burned...

This thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2224699&page=210 was a TREMENDOUS help to me in the days following my mastectomy. I recommend the wonderful people there to everyone I know who is facing one, whether or not Disney is in their future.

Something small: During the time I was facing reconstruction/ radiation and recovery, I constantly referred to my right side as my Heffalump. (During the time I was out, the Seniors woriking with my freshman homeroom allowed them to name themselves the Heffalump, not knowing the nature of my surgery. So, 2 weeks after returning to school, I was at the Freshman Fall Festival wearing a hot pink shirt with "HEFFALUMP" written across my chest.)

Needless to say, my 2009 trip to WDW saw me purchasing a Heffalump ornament for the Christmas tree, and a stuffed one that lives on my bureau.

SIncere wishes for your good health and speedy recovery.

 

[BC/YC Pool Noodles]

Never mind. I found what I was looking for.

If you see my reading goggles give me a holler. Usually when I find them they are sitting on top of my head but even Pastina says she doesn't know where they are...... and she doesn't miss a thing!

Paul Noodle

 

[jerseygal]

Anyone know the status of construction at BCResort? Have heard this mentioned and would love to know specifics.

Perhaps Teena can give some insight? Teena, hope you are doing as well as possible!

Much thanks for any status on Beach Club Construction....Does it affect Beach Club Villas as well?

MUCH THANKS!

 

[TeenaS]

Anyone know the status of construction at BCResort? Have heard this mentioned and would love to know specifics.

Perhaps Teena can give some insight? Teena, hope you are doing as well as possible!

Much thanks for any status on Beach Club Construction....Does it affect Beach Club Villas as well?

MUCH THANKS!

As of Monday, outside rehab (siding) is still in progress at the Beach Club. The Villas was completed last year. When the BC is done, they move over to the YC. No idea when BC will be done. Actual work is done between 9 AM and 5 PM only. Marlton Mom and a few others were just there and can tell you how it affected their stay if that will ease your mind any.

And thanks ... I'm doing much better. Can't wait until I can get back in the sun -- beginning of August is the time they gave me to be able to "live normally again".

 

[Jasminetigger]

We just returned from our first stay at the Beach Club. It was a most memorable experience. We were there from 6/18 - 6/24/2011. Our crew consisted of me, DH, DD13, DD18 and my mom. Everything was perfect from start to finish. We arrived on Saturday at about 11:15 a.m. We were greeted downstairs by a wonderful CM who wisked us up th the 5th floor. To our surprise our room was ready. We were in room 5636. It was a perfect room, right down the end of the short hallway from the lounge. It was the last room on the hall so we only had neighbors on one side. The view was beautiful. It was a garden view. We were on one of the inner courtyards. We could see the volleyball courts and to the right we could see the lake and the Boardwalk. I was surprised our first night that we had an excellent view of the fireworks. The staff on the 5th floor was absolutely amazing. They were so friendly and helpful and always had a smile. I never found the lounge too crowded. There was always plenty of food. They did a good job of keeping it restocked. Anything that wasn't out there all you had to do was ask. They were very accomodating. One morning my husband was talking with several of the CM's. They were joking and talking and he said he wished they had grits in the morning instead of oatmeal. Well lo and behold they brought him a bowl of the most wonderful grits. And not just the one day but every day we were there. They would laugh when they saw him and say I am going to get your grits your highness. We were even surprised in our room one evening with chocolate covered strawberries.

I was nervous about having 3 adults and two teenagers in the room but we were fine. The room was very spacious. The day bed was nice for extra seating. We never felt we were on top of each other. We had a full size balcony which was a nice extension of the room. Our room was very clean when we arrived and it stayed that way the entire time. Mousekeeping did a great job everyday. When we arrived the CM who checked us in asked us what time we would like our room cleaned each day. I think we had 3 choices, 9-12, 12-2, 2-4. I thought that was neat. We picked the early cleaning and our room was done every day when we came back for our break. Our first day I noticed our refrigerator wasn't getting cold. They came up and fixed it right away.

I was also nervous about staying at the Beach Club. We had stayed at the YC before and loved it. Right up until the time we left I tried to switch to the YC. I am so glad I was not able to. I love, love love the BC. We are now BC converts. Oh and thanks everyone for the heads up about the side entance for 1501. We used it all the time.

The pool was great, never over crowded at all. No matter what time of day we went down we were always able to find chairs and even chairs in the shade. I miss my lazy river. I left our noodles at the desk and asked them to please pass them on to some nice family that could use them.

We had the funniest neighbor to our right. She seemed to be an older lady and she would sit on her balcony and just sing and sing and sing. I never recognized any of the songs but she just sat there and sang most of the time. It was very endearing. My girls got an eyeful one morning as they were sitting on the balcony and a man walked in front of his open window naked.

Every CM we encountered in the resort and in the parks were super. Never encountered a rude guest. Saw a few melt downs with parents and kids but that is to be expected.

All in all this was a fantastic week. My mom had a blast which is the most important thing. This was her first vacation since my dad passed away. It was wonderful being with family.