2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part III- DO NOT POST HERE- Summer/Fall

[beachmom14]

We just landed at home about an hour ago.

Overall, we really liked the Beach Club Villas.

Room: We had studio 321, which is part of a 2 bedroom lock-off. It overlooked the courtyard between the Solarium and the BCV entrance-a very nice view. The room was perfect for the two of us. I really liked the clothesline in the shower, and the fact that the sofa bed was all one unit and the blankets and pillows could be stored in the bottom. A minor complaint was that the table and chairs were at awkward heights with one another. The room seemed well soundproofed, both to the interior hallways and the sliding doors to the balcony.

Villas in general: They were very nice. We hung out in the Breezeway for a bit on the first day while waiting for our room. We did not use the Villas pool or hot tub. I used the laundry room twice and have pictures that I will post.

Cast members: Excellent. We were greeted with a "Welcome Home" when we stepped off the bus and escorted to the front desk. Every CM we encountered from that point on was very friendly. We did not get a chance to meet Teena. The lobby was not on our destination list on Sunday, and Monday we glimpsed her twice, but we were on our way to/from the pool or lunch reservations so didn't stop to chat.

Transportation: We didn't use this a lot. We went to Epcot for two days and walked both times. Super short walk, obviously. We took the boat to DHS for a resort transfer yesterday and it was just pulling up to the dock as we were walking down. The ride was not very long at all. Took the bus back from MK after the Halloween Party last night and it was waiting when we got to the stop. Only two stops were YC & BC. We went to Downtown Disney this morning and decided to brave the bus despite the horror stories here! We waited a bit for it to pick us up at the hotel, but a CM had come out to monitor the situation and one came within 20 minutes. It then stopped at Boardwalk. Returning, it was waiting at the stop! It then went to Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon, Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC, and then was continuing on to the Boardwalk. The whole thing took less than 45 minutes.

Restaurants: We found the Marketplace to be adequate. We got breakfast there 2/4 days and everything was very good. The refillable mug beverages would sometimes run out and only be dispensing (gross) water. It never seemed overly crowded. Beaches and Cream was awesome! We "opened" the restaurant, the food was sooo good, and the staff was very nice. We did Cape May for breakfast and dinner and enjoyed both, but to me, neither was something I'm in a rush to do again. Check out my dining reviews for more info.

Recreation: Stormalong Bay was nice. I liked the lazy river and the whirlpool. I did take advantage of a hot tub one afternoon and that was nice as well. The pirate slide was nice and long and curvy, but it hurt my back from the seams. I did spend about half an hour one day just lounging on the beach. We also walked over to the Boardwalk twice and rode a surrey bike-quite an adventure!

I have lots of pictures that I will post in the next few days. If anyone has any questions (especially about the villas-it seems we don't have a ton of villa-goers here) feel free to ask.

How is the dresser space in a studio? Looking at pics it doesn't seem to have a lot of room for your clothes. It looks like you have the closet and whatever draws that are by the tv. We will be staying at a studio in BCV in May 2012. Thanks for your help.

 

[sndral]

If the parade @ AK starts @ 3:45 add @ least 1/2 hr. to watch the whole parade. Factor in that a lot of people leave after the parade, so walking out to your bus, then waiting for your bus, then loading your bus, riding your bus w/ stops then arriving at Epcot, getting through the bag check, turnstile and then walk to Garden Grill. For all of these w/ a 5:15 reservation you've allowed 1 and a half hours - frankly I can't see this happening even if everything times out perfectly. But perhaps buses and I don't get along - it always seems when I've cut the time tight something goes awry.

 

[figment82]

You can checkin for everyone. I'm not sure if you can leave the keys or not. Just wanted to answer before your post gets buried. Hopefully, someone else will know for sure.

Just confirming you can definitely do this, we did it on our last trip at POR. Friends got there 3 hours earlier than us, checked in, and left to head off to the race expo for wine and dine.
We got in, and I got in the online checkin line while hubby got in the concierge line (race!) He made it to the front first, so concierge printed our keys out for us, gave us a map to the room, and we were off.

You can also set up separate magic express pickups/dropoffs if that is relevant.

 

[bellebookworm9]

How is the dresser space in a studio? Looking at pics it doesn't seem to have a lot of room for your clothes. It looks like you have the closet and whatever draws that are by the tv. We will be staying at a studio in BCV in May 2012. Thanks for your help.

There really isn't a lot of dresser space. However, the closet is pretty big. Mom and I each took two drawers and that was enough space for 5 days, but if we had been there any longer we would have been living out of the suitcases!

 

[jaceraden]

...

I read what this said originally. I can't say that I really understand what happened but I don't think it's been an issue here.

 

[JanetMom]

If YC CL is good enough for Buddy, it is good enough for me!

 

[vinotinto]

I think Buddy is presenting at F&W, it makes sense that he would stay at an Epcot resort.

All this talk about buses reminded me that the only area that we thought the YC (and the other Epcot resorts) could improve is bus transportation. We went to MK on Friday, which had a 9:00 am opening and arrived at the bus stop around 8:10 am. The bus that came around 8:20ish, had people in it from Swolphin. It stopped at YC, then at BC, then at BW! I think at that time of the day and going to MK, stopping at 4/5 resorts is waaaay too much. We got to MK and went through the turnstiles right as they were starting the rope drop ceremony. On the return at MK closing, there were separate buses, one for YC/BC and one for BW/Swolphin. That was much better. So, leave yourself a lot of time to reach your destination when using the buses.

 

[jaceraden]

Hey. I just noticed today is my 45 day mark!

 

[pixarmom]

Would a 5:15 reservation work or do you still think that would be pushing it? I have no idea how long it takes to get back from AK to BC/Epcot. Do they have a bus that would go direct to Epcot from AK?

Hi rusty! I agree with sndral - 5:15pm would be tight. It might be fine, but we always like to build in extra time so that we don't feel rushed. Does Garden Grill have a 6pm ADR available? You can take the direct bus from AK to Epcot, and Garden Grill isn't that terribly far from the entrance. And if you have extra time, you can always ride the Land or stop at Mouse Gear. By the way, we always have an ADR for either 6:30 or 7pm and never have difficulty with our lower level request for a party of 5.

 

[Mouseturtle]

subbing

 

[nannette]

Hey. I just noticed today is my 45 day mark!

and your 45 day mark means it's my 35 day mark!

~Nannette

 

[Sue M]

I vote for WL. We love that resort and the boat ride to MK is so nice. I'd pick WL just to be close to the MK.

Thanks! After much agonizing this morning I phoned and switched to WL. Wish I could go back to BC, we loved our Aug stay, but it's a budget trip in Jan We enjoy the boat ride to MK too. And watching the Electric Water parade from the beach.

 

[rusty4]

Thanks! After much agonizing this morning I phoned and switched to WL. Wish I could go back to BC, we loved our Aug stay, but it's a budget trip in Jan We enjoy the boat ride to MK too. And watching the Electric Water parade from the beach.

We have never stayed at the WL but last year went past there on the bus many times. It looks beautiful! Have a great trip.

Hi rusty! I agree with sndral - 5:15pm would be tight. It might be fine, but we always like to build in extra time so that we don't feel rushed. Does Garden Grill have a 6pm ADR available? You can take the direct bus from AK to Epcot, and Garden Grill isn't that terribly far from the entrance. And if you have extra time, you can always ride the Land or stop at Mouse Gear. By the way, we always have an ADR for either 6:30 or 7pm and never have difficulty with our lower level request for a party of 5.

I think right now they do have other times. I think I will change it. I just wish Superbowl wasn't that night! It is totally getting in my way. I just need to book and they will need to deal with it. It is DS's bday and I want it to be special and not be rushed. UGH! I may change it Cape May for that night and then do GG the next night. Sounds like that may work better. We have been busy with end of the season baseball tournament games every night this week so we have not been able to talk about it yet. Thanks for all of your insight.

 

[TeenaS]

We have never stayed at the WL but last year went past there on the bus many times. It looks beautiful! Have a great trip.



I think right now they do have other times. I think I will change it. I just wish Superbowl wasn't that night! It is totally getting in my way. I just need to book and they will need to deal with it. It is DS's bday and I want it to be special and not be rushed. UGH! I may change it Cape May for that night and then do GG the next night. Sounds like that may work better. We have been busy with end of the season baseball tournament games every night this week so we have not been able to talk about it yet. Thanks for all of your insight.

I think Cape May would be a good choice. The last few years we've had the super bowl on in the solarium and had a huge crowd in there ... people had room service delivering food throughout the game and kept running over to marketplace for sandwiches and stuff too. Some brought coolers of beer, some purchased them at Marketplace (???? wow). It was a fun atmosphere!

 

[Miabug]

Just saw some comments about the buses and now I'm getting worried.....are the buses really slow at BC? We have many Breakfast reservations and planned on doing MK rope drop....do not want to be late. help?

 

[HelenParr]

On bus speed, I have been to YC/BC countless times (well, I haven't counted in a while, but let's say many, many times). We have always made it to MK rope drop and/or early ADRs using the bus, no problem.

Part of the bus "issue" at YC/BC is perception, or perhaps better said as comparison with other resort transportation. Personally, we have had great experiences. Satisfaction probably correlates with what you are used to (or expect).

For early morning ADRs, if you are not sure, check with the front desk concierge to be sure you are using the best means of transportation.

Have a great trip!!

 

[rusty4]

I think Cape May would be a good choice. The last few years we've had the super bowl on in the solarium and had a huge crowd in there ... people had room service delivering food throughout the game and kept running over to marketplace for sandwiches and stuff too. Some brought coolers of beer, some purchased them at Marketplace (???? wow). It was a fun atmosphere!

Thanks for your input, Teena. I changed it to Cape May. I made reservations for both Tusker House for lunch and Cape May for breakfast so he can have a character meal on his actual bday. I will cancel one of those once he lets me know which he would prefer. We have never done the Cape May breakfast so I am leaning toward it. We have done Tusker House for breakfast and it was crazy but not their new lunch which sounds good.

Now I need to see if we can get a cake or something special for that night at Cape May for him.

 

[cindydare]

Wow.....two weeks since I've been on and now I'm finally caught up!!! I've been in the post-Disney blues, plus we've been slammed at work. DH and I have been discussing an August 2012 trip, so hopefully I'll have a new ticker soon!

Teena----glad to hear your good news from the doctor!!! Love the new pic of Princess Lily! Samantha and Hunter say "Hi"! They're ready for us to plan that next trip!

Cindy

 

[bellebookworm9]

Our villa:

Villa foyer:

Vanity:

Bathroom:

Closet:

Kitchenette:

View of the room from kitchenette:

View of room from sliding door:

Queen bed:

Sofa bed folded:

Sofa bed unfolded:

Television:

View looking straight:

View looking left:

View looking right:

 

[bellebookworm9]

Hand towels in the public bathrooms (fancy!):

Volleyball court at Beach Club:

Drawing Room at the villas:

Breezeway at the Villas:

View of the Villas from the Solarium:

Villas Laundry Room (4th Floor, off the main elevator area)-Washers:

Dryers:

Sitting area:

Folding table, TV, change machine:

Soap/bleach/dryer sheets dispenser:

Me with the Noodles:

Dee, take any pictures you would like for the front page info posts!