2012/2013 Beach and Yacht FAQ- Closing Soon- New Thread Started- Don't Post Here

[DisneyMomx7]

Hello everyone,

We just booked our trip to WDW for May and will be doing a split stay with 2 nights at POR and 5 nights at BC. This thread has been super helpful in making our decisions. This trip will be only the second time we have stayed on site and first time for a deluxe resort. With the specials I found I couldnt pass up the opportunity to be so close to Epcot and HS and right at the Boardwalk too! I honestly never imagined we would ever splurge on a deluxe but I think with three little kids the convenience is going to be well worth it.

I have one question (for now) has anyone had a child do the pirate treasure hunt thing mentioned in resort activities? Just wondering what it entails and how much it costs.

Thanks!

Heather

My kids and my grandsons have done the Albatross Cruise and loved it! In fact my kids liked it even better than the Pirate Cruise they did at the GF and my grandson told everyone it was the best part of his trip to Disney!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Decisions, decisions.

I usually go to WDW at least once a year but am considering skipping this summer in order to do more "extras" during our big 2014 family trip.

We'll have a minimum of 12 people. Right now the plan is to do CR, YC, and AKL. I've always wanted to stay in the Presidential Suite at YC and that will definitely happen this trip if at all possible. I was considering five nights but am thinking about only two and the rest in a LV CL room. I figure I could throw one heck of an Illuminations party for my friends for the difference. Then again, I could skip this summer all together and save for the room........hmmmm.

I know a lot of people who really don't care about view or room but its just something I've always wanted to do. I've already stayed in the Presidential at AKL and my sisters still talk about that trip!

So, fewer nights in the suite or one less trip? Thoughts? I know my BC/YC frequent visitors will understand.

I would definitely go with fewer nights in the suite and keep all the trips

 

[JanetMom]

Decisions, decisions.

I usually go to WDW at least once a year but am considering skipping this summer in order to do more "extras" during our big 2014 family trip.

We'll have a minimum of 12 people. Right now the plan is to do CR, YC, and AKL. I've always wanted to stay in the Presidential Suite at YC and that will definitely happen this trip if at all possible. I was considering five nights but am thinking about only two and the rest in a LV CL room. I figure I could throw one heck of an Illuminations party for my friends for the difference. Then again, I could skip this summer all together and save for the room........hmmmm.

I know a lot of people who really don't care about view or room but its just something I've always wanted to do. I've already stayed in the Presidential at AKL and my sisters still talk about that trip!

So, fewer nights in the suite or one less trip? Thoughts? I know my BC/YC frequent visitors will understand.

Fewer nights in the suite!

More trips always sounds good.

 

[mariamouse]

What are the best spots around the YC/BC that could serve as an alternative to the ESPN Club? My dad will be spending a decent amount of time at the resort while mom and I are in the parks and might not want to brave the crowds at ESPN during sporting events. Any nice TV/lounge options?

TIA.

P.S. 13 DAYS!!!! Look how close Mickey is to that tree!

 

[dfarner]

Lots of new and returning friends!!!




It's all good! Your family will have a fabulous time!

I'll add you to the Be Our Guest list.

Thank you! We will be there from 5/30-6/8.

 

[Twinkler]

If I'd like to make request for my room, do I contact BC directly or do I call just talk to WDW?

We'd like to request a daybed.

 

[kristen2276]

Deep breath!

We've been to WDW countless times and have NEVER had a snake in our room. That being said, if you don't need a ground floor, request an upper floor to decrease (the already very small) chance of an unwanted critter.

yeah, I have been numerous times and never saw one ANYWHERE- so if I saw one in my room, I would die, lol! I don't like ground floors regardless, so I will ask for an upper floor, !

 

[dfarner]

You are going to MORE than okay, especially since you are going "dark side"

Hope all the surprises work out for you. You are going to have a great trip.

Thanks! I am terrible at keeping surprises though. I'm a newbie, but I'm thinking the "dark side" is referencing the YC(?). Both resorts are beautiful, but I like knowing we will have a balcony, so that tipped the scale for me a bit. I'm excited about being on the 5th floor-I've seen some really nice pics from GVCL rooms. In my daydreaming this morning I finally realized that we won't be in an outer building, like we were at Poly and GF. They are fabulous resorts, without a doubt, but I'm wondering how being in the main building will compare. Any thoughts on that?

 

[natebenma]

Hello everyone,

I have one question (for now) has anyone had a child do the pirate treasure hunt thing mentioned in resort activities? Just wondering what it entails and how much it costs.

Thanks!

Heather

My son has done the Albatross Cruise twice. He loved it both times. It was around $35 when he did it.

They cruise the waters around the area and search for clues for treasure. At one point they go into Epcot when World Showcase is closed and actually get off if the boat and go into one of the countries. This was his favorite part, being in World Showcase virtually alone. They chase a pirate at the end. They also have a snack when they find the treasure. He would keep doing it if they would let him but he's 12 now. It was a wonderful experience for him.

My kids and my grandsons have done the Albatross Cruise and loved it! In fact my kids liked it even better than the Pirate Cruise they did at the GF and my grandson told everyone it was the best part of his trip to Disney!

I just added the info below to Page 1 (Under Resort Amenities- Marina).

Robyn and Amanda- hope you don't mind, but if you do let me know and I can remove the info. YCFan, I may add your comments as well.

Albatross Treasure Cruise Reviews:


Pirates Cruise Review- At World's End

Mmrules:
Last summer I sent my sons ages 4 and 6 on this cruise and it was one of the highlights of the trip!!! The woman "pirates" were awesome! They played the parts well and made boarding the boat very easy for my boys (the 4 year old doesn't socialize easily). They heard the legend of the treasure, docked at Canada in Epcot (while it was empty) and found treasure there. THen they chased the bad pirate on their boats. They also got some "loot" when the cruise was over. It was great and I am going to sign them up again next summer when we go!!! He would love it!!!

Disneymomx7:
My kids and my grandkids have done the Albatross Cruise and LOVED it. My kids like it even better that the Pirate Cruise from the GF and my dgs said it was his favorite part of his Disney trip!!!!

Drmomof3:
My children did it in August, 2010. Jessica was 4 and Nathaniel was 6. There were plenty of "solo" children on the cruise and they both made friends. It was definitely a highlight of the trip for them and it gave me some quality time with my neglected 3rd child (he wasn't old enough).
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38106511&postcount=193
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38106807&postcount=196

 

[natebenma]

If I'd like to make request for my room, do I contact BC directly or do I call just talk to WDW?

We'd like to request a daybed.

You call the WDW reservations line to add a request like "Daybed, please" to your reservation.

Please review the recommendations for checkin in the FAQ section of this thread (Page 1). We recommend that you do not do the online checkin so that you can determine in person that you have a room with a daybed before your room keys are prepared.

If you do not get a room with a daybed, and there are no rooms available when you check in that have one available, you may either request a change in rooms as soon as one becomes available during your stay. Or you can request a rollaway cot, which we have heard are very comfortable, and it will be provided free of charge based on availability.

 

[jennyjinx3]

I'm a platinum member of Disney Cruise Line so I know how wonderful Disney cruises are. However, 3 night cruises in my opinion are a waste of time. You unpack and the first night they will be handing you your paperwork to fill out for departure. You never get the "true" cruise experience. Although I don't recommend them, 5 nights is the absolute shortest cruise we will do on Disney. To compare a 3 night cruise to 9 nights at the YC and club level too, NO COMPARISON. You absolutely did the right thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is off topic...sorry
As a platinum cruiser it sure sounds like you know your stuff Teena. We are booked on a 3 night in November for after our wdw trip then. I could only get DH to agree to a 3 night. It kind of sounds like this might not be the best way to get him to like a cruise! Maybe I should rethink this one.

I am wondering if we will love the Beach Club enough to stay there in November too! When does the lobby get decorated?? We may be there too early for it. The dates are currently Nov 16 - 21. Thanks!

 

[Mousemommy1]

This is off topic...sorry
As a platinum cruiser it sure sounds like you know your stuff Teena. We are booked on a 3 night in November for after our wdw trip then. I could only get DH to agree to a 3 night. It kind of sounds like this might not be the best way to get him to like a cruise! Maybe I should rethink this one.

I am wondering if we will love the Beach Club enough to stay there in November too! When does the lobby get decorated?? We may be there too early for it. The dates are currently Nov 16 - 21. Thanks!

You mean stay at BC the whole time instead of cruise...

Hi Jen

So fun we're over here together!

 

[jennyjinx3]

You mean stay at BC the whole time instead of cruise...

Hi Jen

So fun we're over here together!

Hi Candace!! I really don't know what I mean. I just want to do the right thing about the cruise/WDW trip in November.

Yes now that May is all set, I have to turn my attention to something else right???

 

[dfarner]

I'm a platinum member of Disney Cruise Line so I know how wonderful Disney cruises are. However, 3 night cruises in my opinion are a waste of time. You unpack and the first night they will be handing you your paperwork to fill out for departure. You never get the "true" cruise experience. Although I don't recommend them, 5 nights is the absolute shortest cruise we will do on Disney. To compare a 3 night cruise to 9 nights at the YC and club level too, NO COMPARISON. You absolutely did the right thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Teena. I am hoping to see you when we are there. We have been to WDW many, many times, but have only stayed in the Boardwalk area at the Dolphin. I am looking forward to the YC, and SAB with the kids. My girls are fish, so I know they will love it.
I have enjoyed reading Lily's trip report. She is absolutely beautiful. I miss my babies being that age. Time goes by tooooo fast!

 

[YCFAN]

Thanks! I am terrible at keeping surprises though. I'm a newbie, but I'm thinking the "dark side" is referencing the YC(?). Both resorts are beautiful, but I like knowing we will have a balcony, so that tipped the scale for me a bit. I'm excited about being on the 5th floor-I've seen some really nice pics from GVCL rooms. In my daydreaming this morning I finally realized that we won't be in an outer building, like we were at Poly and GF. They are fabulous resorts, without a doubt, but I'm wondering how being in the main building will compare. Any thoughts on that?

This is one of the reasons I LOVE YC/BC the most!! Being under one roof you don't have to worry about going out in the rain to get to lounges, on-site restaurants, lobbies, arcades, etc. in fact at the YC you barely get wet going to the bus stop!!

 

[YCFAN]

Dee: you do such a great job keeping everything so up to date on this thread! Thank you so much. always feel free to use anything of mine including any pictures that I may post.

 

[suetoo]

I just had to chime in and thank Dee and Teena and Pixarmom and everyone else for all the fabulous info and pics on this thread. We are still in the planning stages of an Oct 5-12 trip this year...first time to BC. After staying DVC at SSR or AKV and at POFQ over the past several years, I am now trying to learn everthing about a new resort!!!!
Believe it or not, my biggest debate is what my DS9 will eat for breakfast He is very picky and while Cape May Cafe will be great for one meal, the rest will be CS, I assume at BC Marketplace.

Here's my question: Are French Toast sticks still on the menu? They are not listed on the updated WDW or Allears menus, but on the WDW site, it mentions them in the narrative about the Marketplace. My son doesn't eat eggs, so it will literally make it or break it for him at breakfast...and therefore make my day go either way
Has anyone eaten there recently???
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[momdmd]

Thank you for your help and input. I can't believe how close the room is to the lobby from the stairs. I'll tell my travel agent to put those requests in. Hope fully I will get it. Thanks again pixarmom for the beautiful photos.

 

[pixarmom]

This is off topic...sorry
As a platinum cruiser it sure sounds like you know your stuff Teena. We are booked on a 3 night in November for after our wdw trip then. I could only get DH to agree to a 3 night. It kind of sounds like this might not be the best way to get him to like a cruise! Maybe I should rethink this one.

I am wondering if we will love the Beach Club enough to stay there in November too! When does the lobby get decorated?? We may be there too early for it. The dates are currently Nov 16 - 21. Thanks!

Hi Jen!!! I know this was directed toward Teena, but I too have a husband who was not the biggest fan of the cruise idea so I thought I'd share our experience. The whole thing started the summer of 2010 when we were talking to Teena and she was telling our boys they would love a cruise. On ME to the airport, it was all they could talk about. My husband was not convinced. Then I saw the Alaska itinerary and I thought it would be the perfect mix of new adventure and Disney. But to commit to that expense, I thought we should try a short cruise. My husband really enjoyed the 3-night Dream cruise (and it was during a hurricane, so we missed Castaway and were never able to leave the ship!) and we all LOVED Alaska. So much that we wouldn't do a 3-night again. Much more party focus and a bit of rude guest stuff on the 3-night Dream, but it certainly didn't ruin our time and the 3-night was a good start. It's just that after you do a 7-night (especially on a smaller ship, in my opinion) it's hard to go back.

As for whether you'll like BC enough to return in November, I hope so! As many know, we usually either stay at BC or split our stay between BC/YC and new resorts. I really hope you love BC it as much as we do and will enjoy many return stays!

Here's my question: Are French Toast sticks still on the menu? They are not listed on the updated WDW or Allears menus, but on the WDW site, it mentions them in the narrative about the Marketplace. My son doesn't eat eggs, so it will literally make it or break it for him at breakfast...and therefore make my day go either way
Has anyone eaten there recently???
Thanks in advance!!!

Hello! I updated the BC Marketplace photo thread during our October 2012 stay, and french toast sticks are no longer on the menu - sorry! Not sure why the Disney site mentions the french toast sticks or includes that photo of produce that looks like something out of Pike's in Seattle! Here's the link to the BC Marketplace photos I took (primarily in October 2012, with the updated menu.) http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3007564

We have a super picky eater among our three boys and he likes the croissants, the pop tarts in the grocery section and the donuts in the grocery section. In other words, if your son eats french toast (which our picky eater does not) there must be something somewhere in the Marketplace that he would enjoy for breakfast!

 

[TeenaS]

OK, here's all the latest from my drilling everybody at work today.

Hurricane Hannahs has NO new opening date. NOT a big deal because Martha's Vineyard is still up and running and very convenient. People seem to really like the food there. I got the impression when I pushed for a new possible opening date that they honestly do not have one. So personally I'd be surprised to return from my cruise at the end of January and find it open.

The pool closings. According to everybody I talked to, here's the scoop. The pool (SAB) is having NO rehab this winter. Only the slide will be down for a short time in January. The slide will not be down at the same time the clown slide at the Boardwalk is down. So, the area where our slide dumps into the water ... that water will be there and you can swim in it. You just can't use the slide during that period of time.

Don't know if this was reported anywhere else but I'm really excited about this. You know the bounceback "thing" that is in the rooms during bounceback offering times? Well, no more clock or cutout or paper or anything sitting somewhere in your room. Instead, the bounceback (which is good for lots of dates through December 2013) is a pull-out (the back of the offer is a beautiful poster which I'm sending Lily) inside the new booklet that is given out at check-in called "BE OUR GUEST GUIDE". It's the best thing EVER!!!!! The Guide itself has wonderful information about EVERYTHING (dining, resorts, parks, transportation) and best of all is the BOUNCEBACK. Not sure when these started being given out but I heard there was a 3 hour wait to make reservations today. Still the same rules: "Book Before You Check Out and Save!" The deluxe resorts and villas are at 35% off! Unfortunately I do not have a scanner (actually I do but I don't know how to use it). So, if anybody wants dates, just ask and I'll be sure to answer. I'm working again tomorrow so during the day will away from the computer.