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

[luvdisney00]

I am writing this from the lobby of the beach club, having checked in yesterday for our first ever visit here. It is as beautiful as everyone says - I love to room, the view, the staff and the facilities. I do have one complaint though in respect of computer access. Wi fi is only available in the lobby and the $10 daily charge, which I am quite happy to pay, is only for one computer. I have an iPad and by husband has a laptop so we have to pay $20 per day to get access AND I can only get access in the lobby. In this day and age, Disney needs to move with the times in respect of Internet access.

Do either of you have a smartphone? We used the mobile hotspot to get wifi for my iPad in our room at the BC. It worked great and was much cheaper than paying Disney $10/day for internet access. Verizon charges $20/month for mobile hotspot, but if you turn it on just for a week, they will pro-rate it and refund you the difference the next month (works out to less than $1 a day). HTH!

 

[jmamom]

I might need to book Captain's Grille for our trip too. The pics look so good.

Our first night is Super Bowl Sunday. I bet we end up with room service. Unless there is a better suggestion. I am not sure about ESPN with a 8 year old.

Captain's Grille was great, I highly recommend it, but my kids' favorite restaurant in all of Disney World is the ESPN club (they are 14, 10, and 7). I don't think I'd brave Super Bowl Sunday at ESPN, but don't rule it out for another night of your trip. It's totally family friendly and the food is really good. They also love all the games and performers along the Boardwalk. It a nice relaxing evening, and so great that you can just walk back to the hotel, no boats or buses to contend with!

 

[rusty4]

Thanks for your post!!! It made me smile! I'm glad I could help.

Yes, I posted the arcade pics, but they were taken by aprilsis.

As you may know, my oldest son (13) is named Nathan (Nate) and he is a Go! Go! Go! park tourer, too.

We loved the name Nathan and when we learned that it means "Gift from God" we were totally sold. We learned in subsequent years, however, as he was approaching teenhood, that the name actually means "God's Gift" At least that it what Nate thinks!!!

Your family will LOVE the Beach Club!!!

Now you brought tears to my eyes!! Nathan is our third boy. Our oldest 2 are 23 and 22. Nathan was a . We had the hardest time finding a name that fit. When we saw that Nathan meant "gift from God" we stopped searching. It fit what we were feeling about him. Of course it shows in how spoiled he is!! He has been to Disney many more times than the other 2. They have commitments that keep them from being able to travel when we go. Both are on their own now. BTW, we are dreading the teen years. Nathan already acts like one with having the older brothers.

I just booked Kona for the night that I had mentioned. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[eangel12]

Quick question...does online check-in save time?? We rented points from a DVC member and will be staying in the Villas. I know check-in is at 4pm...we are scheduled to arrive at 1pm if no flight delays!! (fingers crossed!!) I was going to do online check-in, but wanted a 5th floor room if possible. I will be calling in a little while to add it to our reservation, but will it be looked at if I do online check-in. What was your experience??

 

[rusty4]

Captain's Grille was great, I highly recommend it, but my kids' favorite restaurant in all of Disney World is the ESPN club (they are 14, 10, and 7). I don't think I'd brave Super Bowl Sunday at ESPN, but don't rule it out for another night of your trip. It's totally family friendly and the food is really good. They also love all the games and performers along the Boardwalk. It a nice relaxing evening, and so great that you can just walk back to the hotel, no boats or buses to contend with!

ESPN does not take reservations, right? I am afraid of what it would be like for Super Bowl. If I am lucky they won't like either of the teams and we can immerse in all things Disney that first night. We actually prefer not having locked in reservations so that might be a nice fit for another night or even lunch for us.

 

[jmamom]

ESPN does not take reservations, right? I am afraid of what it would be like for Super Bowl. If I am lucky they won't like either of the teams and we can immerse in all things Disney that first night. We actually prefer not having locked in reservations so that might be a nice fit for another night or even lunch for us.

Yup, no reservations. I don't think Big River Grille takes reservations either (but I'm not 100% sure), so that's an option too.

 

[Feckless]

Do either of you have a smartphone? We used the mobile hotspot to get wifi for my iPad in our room at the BC. It worked great and was much cheaper than paying Disney $10/day for internet access. Verizon charges $20/month for mobile hotspot, but if you turn it on just for a week, they will pro-rate it and refund you the difference the next month (works out to less than $1 a day). HTH!

Problem with me and the OP would be data roaming charges because we are both from outside the US. I looked into data roaming packages which reduce the cost but they are still really high...

I agree that everyone should do the survey. It seems like the most common complaint with all Disney resorts. Not sure why they wouldn't require it of their outside contractor given the customer service they seem to exemplify in all other areas...

 

[doccoc2002]

8 days!!!!

I just changed one of our non-park days around so that was fun with our ADR's.

I am just finishing up packing and getting everything in order.

Trying to figure out how to surprise the girls?! I think we will tell them the night before...They love the Mickey pizza commercial, so I am going to try something like that...Any ideas?

Can anyone give me the pros/cons to online checkin for CL? We did online checkin last year at CBR and it wasn't any faster and our room wasn't ready til later in the day. Does online checkin really matter with CL?

 

[dgbg100106]

8 days!!!!

I just changed one of our non-park days around so that was fun with our ADR's.

I am just finishing up packing and getting everything in order.

Trying to figure out how to surprise the girls?! I think we will tell them the night before...They love the Mickey pizza commercial, so I am going to try something like that...Any ideas?

Can anyone give me the pros/cons to online checkin for CL? We did online checkin last year at CBR and it wasn't any faster and our room wasn't ready til later in the day. Does online checkin really matter with CL?

For us, we like the whole CL checkin experience, seems like they just take care of you from start to finish, so for us NO online checkin.

Congrats on getting everything rearranged and making your ADRs work for you. Hope the surprise is a wonderful one!

 

[natebenma]

8 days!!!!

I just changed one of our non-park days around so that was fun with our ADR's.

I am just finishing up packing and getting everything in order.

Trying to figure out how to surprise the girls?! I think we will tell them the night before...They love the Mickey pizza commercial, so I am going to try something like that...Any ideas?

Can anyone give me the pros/cons to online checkin for CL? We did online checkin last year at CBR and it wasn't any faster and our room wasn't ready til later in the day. Does online checkin really matter with CL?

You don't need to do the online checkin for club level. As you know, someone will greet you as you get off the ME bus/enter the resort (since it is still a surprise at this point, you should try to get off the bus first, tell your family you are going to get a headstart on checkin and whisper to the greeter that it is a surprise to your family). They will take you up the elevator to the 5th floor and you will check in there. There are nice seats at the desk where you will check in.

Do you have a favorite pizza place where they know you well? Can you ask them to make a Mickey Pizza??? One large circle and two ears? One Valentines Day I sent a heart-shaped pizza to my DH at work.

 

[DawnMaree]

Us too! We saw Teena before she left, we were still on the POR part of our trip, but we stopped in to see Teena at BC before she left.

We also got an upgrade to CL loved it. The guy from Brooklyn in the lounge was hilarious. I think BC may be my new fav resort! We loved it.

I occasionally think I should try a different resort, but the Yacht Club holds my heart.

 

[doccoc2002]

For us, we like the whole CL checkin experience, seems like they just take care of you from start to finish, so for us NO online checkin.

Congrats on getting everything rearranged and making your ADRs work for you. Hope the surprise is a wonderful one!

You don't need to do the online checkin for club level. As you know, someone will greet you as you get off the ME bus/enter the resort (since it is still a surprise at this point, you should try to get off the bus first, tell your family you are going to get a headstart on checkin and whisper to the greeter that it is a surprise to your family). They will take you up the elevator to the 5th floor and you will check in there. There are nice seats at the desk where you will check in.

Do you have a favorite pizza place where they know you well? Can you ask them to make a Mickey Pizza??? One large circle and two ears? One Valentines Day I sent a heart-shaped pizza to my DH at work.

Thanks I won't do the online check in...I guess I'm just itching for something to do. The waiting is killling me

Dee-The restaurant I work at does brick oven pizza's...I may ask them to do it or maybe take a pizza box from work and make my own.
I keep going back in forth on when to tell them. DH wants to tell them in the morning. I like the idea of telling the greeter ahead of time that it is a surprise for the whole family but DH would not be too happy if I left him stranded with 3 kids...3 excited kids!!! I sent a letter to IPO and told them that DH didn't know and they said they will meet us right off the bus...I hope so!

 

[PittPantherfan]

You couldn't do this on a ground floor.

As for that other thread where BC Club level is getting slammed, I agree with egdanger1 when they say "take some negative threads with a grain of salt".

To each his own and we will never really know the reason why CR has the views that they have, other than the stated reasons, so we shouldn't project our thoughts or opinions on their beliefs and experiences. Everybody has their expectations and if BC club level didn't meet their needs then they were right to make the switch.

Marlton Mom

Pardon me, but just catching up after being away for a week. I agree and you need to gather opinions from many sources and figure most experiences are somewhere in the middle, usually more to the positive. They say that people with complaints are more likely to make their dissatisifaction known whereas, people with positive experience usually aren't as likely to voice it.

As posted earlier, CR is very active averaging 19 posts per day since 2006. CR posted yesterday almost every hour form 1pm-midnight -very committed to getting the opinion out.

 

[Marlton Mom]

As posted earlier, CR is very active averaging 19 posts per day since 2006. CR posted yesterday almost every hour form 1pm-midnight -very committed to getting the opinion out.

I think 'committed' is an excellent description but it wouldn't be right if I used it in the sentence that I have in mind....



~MM

 

[bookgirl]

ITA with this. Even the most craptacular motels around here have WiFi. I do not mind paying in the least - just have it available! I'm going to have serious iPad withdrawal in May! Does anyone know why this is?

Upgrading from wifi only to 3G--$100

Monthly AT&T 2 gig data plan--$25 ($300 annual if I don't go over)

Metophoric 'up yours' to every $200+ a night resort I stay at--Priceless


Is it wrong that my decision to go for the 3G model was in part the expensive hotel privelage of CHARGING me for wifi when LaQuinta and crappy Days Inn will give it to me for FREE?

 

[bookgirl]

OH!

Dude, 1 week from today I'll be checking into Beach Club



Hey Dee, should I take a picture of the Phone Book for the front page?

 

[nannette]

Just back from moving my DD to Dallas Texas... flying home yesterday was horrible (dark sunglasses all the way... many tears Changed DD plane ticket so she is flying from Dallas to Orlando direct and will arrive 30 mins before me... it will be the first time I get to see her since she moved to Texas ;o) Now I need to call Disney to give all the flight information since it's all set now.

Thanks Dee for keeping this list up to date for me. Below is what we have on page one and page 2 list. Anyone else want to be added?? Anyone need changes made?? Let me know!!

We are so close now and I for one can't wait!!


YACHT AND BEACH CLUB NOVEMBER 2011 LIST

jazzgirl Oct-27-Nov 4 BC CL
LMO429 Oct 27-Nov 4 BC
travelgoddess Oct 28 - Nov 5 YC CL (20th Anniversary)
Mississippianna Oct 29 - Nov 5 BC
Cinderumbrella Nov 1 - Nov 6 BC CL
ClareH37 Nov 8 - 14 BC CL
LuvLuvLuv Nov 11-15 YC CL (Disneymoon!!)
cocoabean1 Nov 11 - Nov 18 YC CL
micknme Nov.13 - 19 BC CL LV (split stay)
weswife Nov 13 - Nov 20 BC CL
Mommato2boyz Nov 17-19 YC CL (following Dream cruise)
Avonlady1001 Nov. 17 - Nov. 20 BCV
Nannette Nov 17 - Nov 27 YC (platinum plan)
Barnhill9586 Nov 18 - Nov 26 BC
smithgrandchild Nov 19 - Nov 25 BCV
tiggersmyguy Nov 19-25 YC GV CL
Texasfan Nov 19 - Nov 26 BC
Sukhakoli Nov 22 - Nov 27 YC (split stay)
LaurieN Nov 24 - Dec 3 BC
gumby013 Nov 25 - Dec 1 BC
WendyWuWu Nov 25-Dec 3
Jaceraden Nov. 26-Dec. 3 BC
kraeurb Nov 27 - Dec 4 BC
Luvmarypoppins Nov 28 - Dec 4 BC
bowbat Nov 29 - Dec 1 YC CL

 

[scottmel]

I think 'committed' is an excellent description but it wouldn't be right if I used it in the sentence that I have in mind....



~MM

 

[Marlton Mom]

Just back from moving my DD to Dallas Texas... flying home yesterday was horrible (dark sunglasses all the way... many tears

Chin up Nannette.

In this day and age we have the internet and cell phones to keep us closer than ever before. You are only a plane ride away from the one you love. I know it's hard but it's only distance. You are still as close as two hearts can be.

In the state you're probably in I'd warn you to stay away from bars and the animal shelters. Ya never know who you might bring home for a cuddle, whether it be man or beast. I'd hate to see you on an special "Crazy Cat lady" episode of "Horders"!

In your situation chocolate is the only reasonable thing that can help. I'd start with Hershey's Kisses and go easy.

Feel better.... and make lots of plans together. I hope that helps!

~ Marlton Mom

 

[nannette]

Chin up Nannette.

In this day and age we have the internet and cell phones to keep us closer than ever before. You are only a plane ride away from the one you love. I know it's hard but it's only distance. You are still as close as two hearts can be.

In the state you're probably in I'd warn you to stay away from bars and the animal shelters. Ya never know who you might bring home for a cuddle, whether it be man or beast. I'd hate to see you on an special "Crazy Cat lady" episode of "Horders"!

In your situation chocolate is the only reasonable thing that can help. I'd start with Hershey's Kisses and go easy.

Feel better.... and make lots of plans together. I hope that helps!

~ Marlton Mom

Lol! I knew I could count on you to lift me up!! Thanks for the pep talk!

~Nannette