2012 Beach and Yacht FAQ ~ March, April and May ~Do Not Post Here-Old Thread

[outahere]

Just back from a great 4 night stay at YC CL, and were surprised that SAB was completely open when we checked in on Monday. We would have stayed longer, but we were touring colleges at the beginning and end of the week with our DS (high school junior). We ran into several CMs that we met during our stay in August, and they remembered us and were very pleasant and helpful, as always. Since we bought APs during our February trip we didn’t feel like we had to be on the go constantly. It was nice to just wander around the parks without feeling like we had to hit every ride or attraction, just to get our money’s worth out of regular park passes. We did quite a few things that either we’ve never done (Illuminations, boat ride at Epcot, etc.) or things we haven’t done in years (Backstage tour at HS).

All in all it was another nice trip to the “World” and we are looking forward to our short stay in August, and again next February.

How is it around 8pm at beaches and cream? We will be arriving around 7:30 pm and we need a place to eat. We won't be going to the parks, so we need a place right there close to BC. After a 15 hour drive we won't want a long wait with the girls!

We tried to go there around 8:00 one night last week and it was a 30 - 45 minute wait. If you don't want to wait, Hurricane Hannah's serves a pretty good burger.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Thank you to all you have made this such an informative thread. We stayed at BC in March and thanks to this thread we were able to beat the rain walking back from Epcot by using the side door. Our kids absolutely loved the pool and all the photos really helped. We ate a Beaches and Cream twice. The only draw back for us during our trip was the monorail was being repaired during the day so we did not get to use to park hop.
One last question, does anyone know if you can buy a candle or air freshen to smell like the lobby? I loved that smell.

 

[natebenma]

Dee, The pics with their "expressions" cracked me up! I love it!! That place looks amazing. I didn't know that this was your second trip there. Do you plan on going back again?

We went for 5 nights in Feb 2009. Stayed at Atlantis Beach Towers then. This time we were at Comfort Suites. About $2,000 cheaper. We had amazing views last time, not so much this time, but the walk was even closer this time. Weather was awesome, too. It was a bit on the cool side when we went in Feb.

We would definitely return there for a trip. Maybe in a couple of years.

How is it around 8pm at beaches and cream? We will be arriving around 7:30 pm and we need a place to eat. We won't be going to the parks, so we need a place right there close to BC. After a 15 hour drive we won't want a long wait with the girls!

Just back from a great 4 night stay at YC CL, and were surprised that SAB was completely open when we checked in on Monday. We would have stayed longer, but we were touring colleges at the beginning and end of the week with our DS (high school junior). We ran into several CMs that we met during our stay in August, and they remembered us and were very pleasant and helpful, as always. Since we bought APs during our February trip we didn’t feel like we had to be on the go constantly. It was nice to just wander around the parks without feeling like we had to hit every ride or attraction, just to get our money’s worth out of regular park passes. We did quite a few things that either we’ve never done (Illuminations, boat ride at Epcot, etc.) or things we haven’t done in years (Backstage tour at HS).

All in all it was another nice trip to the “World” and we are looking forward to our short stay in August, and again next February.


We tried to go there around 8:00 one night last week and it was a 30 - 45 minute wait. If you don't want to wait, Hurricane Hannah's serves a pretty good burger.

Thanks for the review on your trip! I'm so glad you had a great time!

I was going to suggest Hurricane Hanna's too. I just checked the hours on the DIS menu site and it says 11 am to 6 pm. Does anyone know if that is accurate?

My suggestion is to see what the wait is like at B&C when you arrive. If it is too long, grab something at the BC Marketplace. The lounges actually serve food as well. I have looked at some of the menus in the past, and there is some interesting stuff offered.

 

[vinotinto]

OK, here is a question for all of you past, present and future guests of YC/BC:

We learned first-hand last year (when we visited for Columbus Day) that October can be quite rainy, being one of the most active tropical storm months (after September). We had pouring rain for more than half of our time. This year, we are visiting at the exact same time-frame and I want to be more prepared for the rain. I have tentatively planned a "pool day" mid-week to let us re-charge. We tentatively plan to hit MSEP/Wishes in the evening, but we don't want another full park day. So, any of you have relaxing ideas for a rainy non-park day at BC/YC? At what time do the kids activities begin? It'll be me (39), DH (39), DM (65), DS (7) and DD(4).

 

[Wee Annie]

Well, we are back! What an absolutely wonderful, incredible stay at the BC!!!!! Seriously, I can't rave enough. We truly loved it. It, um, didn't hurt that we got some incredible pixie dust sprinkled our way and were magically upgraded to concierge! What a way to start off a vacation!

I now see why everyone here has so much love for this place. Everyone was so incredibly nice and helpful, the place is so cheery and beautiful, and the location can't be beat! Even without concierge, I can't imagine not falling in love with this resort. And SAB opened our second day there, which was an absolutely wonderful surprise. When my oldest daughter saw that, she literally started jumping up and down and dancing (and she's 14 and, well, not the easiest to enthuse at her age).

Honestly, this was such a better trip than Elke's Make-A-Wish trip two years ago. Don't get me wrong -- that was magical in its own way. Getting automatic admittance to every fastpass line was incredible. But that automatic admittance comes with a price, and in Elke's case, it was severe pain, nausea and fatigue from her cancer treatments. Two years ago we could only "do" the parks after giving Elke morphine and anti-nausea drugs most mornings. And she just couldn't last that long.

This trip -- what a difference! Put it this way: I got a GAC allowing us to use her wheelchair as a stroller in lines, due to severe bone and nerve damage in her legs. We NEVER used it. We did use the stroller constantly to get her to the rides and around the parks, but we always parked it and walked in like "regular" folks. And boy did that feel good If anyone here has ever felt jealous about others using GACs, all I can say is it was the most wonderful feeling in the world not to use ours!

We always hit the parks first thing in the mornings, had a plan, and utilized fastpasses, and we never waited more than 20 minutes for anything (and only did that once, I think). Strangely, we didn't feel like having BTMRR down had much of an effect on Splash Mountain. I think we must have ridden Splash Mountain 4 times. We also rode Expedition Everest at least 4 times, and I now know that I have a thrill seeker for a youngest daughter! She would raise her arms in the air and clap her little hands together in excitement as we went up and down.

Also liked Mission Space (green side, though), which doesn't seem to have been affected by Test Track being down (didn't wait long).

Best experience was literally walking onto Soarin' at 9:15 pm, as they are keeping the Land Pavilion open until 10 pm due to the TT closure. I'm sure once word truly gets out the waits will get longer, but we did this twice (also rode it twice in the morning).

LOVED being able to walk into Epcot. Just loved everything about BC. Everything.

Best meal? Sanaa for dinner. Also loved Tusker House lunch.

Thanks so much to everyone here. Honestly, the regular posters on this board exemplify the incredible warmth we felt at BC. We were "home."

Finally, we truly hit the jackpot and met Teena right before we left yesterday morning. Teena, you are truly a wonderful person. The BC is so lucky to have you for a greeter. And so are we all.

 

[vinotinto]

One more question:
Has anyone had the oatmeal at the Marketplace? Is it unsweetened? My mom is coming with us this trip and she is diabetic. She usually has oatmeal w/ nuts in the morning and puts splenda on top. I was thinking how lucky it was that it was listed in the Marketplace menu, until I thought about whether it would be pre-sweetened. Also, do they have nuts to go with it?

bumping! Anyone back recently who ate the Marketplace oatmeal?


And for those of you who placed a room-service requests for breakfast, any of you has ordered the night before and requested delivery at a particular time? Did it arrive on time? I've ordered room service breakfast in the morning and it took a while to arrive. We had to pack, so it was not a big deal to wait. But, if the Marketplace oatmeal doesn't pan out, we may need to order room service for my mom on a few days when we want to be early at the parks. We certainly don't want to wait 30-40 minutes for oatmeal, so I'm curious about ordering the night before. Has anyone had the room service oatmeal? Was it pre-sweetened? TIA!

 

[natebenma]

@ Wee Annie- What a wonderful post!!!

I am so thrilled that you had a magical trip!!! Congrats on the upgrade- you guys sure deserve it.

I can just imagine your DD dancing about the pool being open. I remember you posting about how much your family loves to swim. I know it takes quite a bit of pixie dust to make a teenager smile!

 

[Wee Annie]

Btw, two more things to report:

for those taking buses to the MK from BC, we did it two days and found it to be very efficient, with limited waits.

And finally, several of you spoke of the chocolate croissants at the BC marketplace. Even though we were concierge, my oldest daughter really wanted one for breakfast one day, so I gave her some money and let her go down to purchase one. She returned and said there were none. The kicker was that she then just bought several regular croissants, even though the concierge lounge was stocked with them! We didn't let her live that one down for a while ("Why get it for free when you can buy them???" as she winced).

I went down and checked later, and didn't see any either.

 

[ocalla]

Wee Annie Sounds like you had a fabulous time!!!

Sanaa is one of our favorite meals, can't wait to go back.

So glad you were able to meet Teena!!!

My DD14 feels the same way about SAB. She looks forward to that as much as the parks.

 

[natebenma]

Just a couple of comments I wanted to add. I just ordered a Canon Eos T3i SLR rebel off of Amazon and I hope that someday I may be able to be 50% the photographer that Dee and PixarMom are! Wow, great shots!

Anyway, thanks for the new photos of the Yacht Club lobby. I'm so looking forward to laying mine own eyes on it and your pictures, PixarMom, make me happier that we are going to this resort.

Dee, love the pictures of Atlantis. Might need to find a way to get down there some day. Not sure how we will do it coming from the West Coast but it looks really fun!

Thanks for the very kind comments about my pictures. I'll give you my number one secret photography tip as long as you promise not to tell anyone...

Take a gazillion photos. Only share the good ones.

Ignore the comments from your family about all the pictures you are taking.



I look forward to seeing your pictures after the trip.

The Lumix point and shoot I mostly used was new to me- I had just purchased it a couple of weeks before the trip because my Canon died in Puerto Rico. I was pleased with the performance. I used the Olympus Tough for a backup camera. Both are rated for underwater use.

 

[BCV23]

Wee Annie, what a wonderful report. Thanks for sharing. Cute story about your DD purchasing croissants. BTW, the chocolate croissants are not traditional croissants. More like a twisted bit of chocolately goodness. pixarmom probably has posted a photo somewhere. I hope they aren't truly gone.

Dee, I too love the first photo of your sons. What a great "brothers" shot. Enjoyed all the photos.

bumping! Anyone back recently who ate the Marketplace oatmeal?


And for those of you who placed a room-service requests for breakfast, any of you has ordered the night before and requested delivery at a particular time? Did it arrive on time? I've ordered room service breakfast in the morning and it took a while to arrive. We had to pack, so it was not a big deal to wait. But, if the Marketplace oatmeal doesn't pan out, we may need to order room service for my mom on a few days when we want to be early at the parks. We certainly don't want to wait 30-40 minutes for oatmeal, so I'm curious about ordering the night before. Has anyone had the room service oatmeal? Was it pre-sweetened? TIA!

We've never ordered the oatmeal either place so can't help with that. However, we have used the card to preorder and have always been very happy. Breakfast arrives hot and within the half hour time frame requested. Knowing how good Disney is about food requests, I would be surprised if you couldn't get it unsweetened.

My2Crazygirls, like others, we've always had good luck being seated right away when B&C opens. In general, the waits seem much better at lunch than dinner and beyond. And I second the burgers at Hurricane Hannah's. These day they are truly the same as those at B&C although no Kitchen Sink there.

 

[georgiasmom]

OMG Now it really is the Happiest Place on Earth!

Starbucks coming to Disney

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20459764/starbucks-open-disney-properties

 

[msdroz]

How is it around 8pm at beaches and cream? We will be arriving around 7:30 pm and we need a place to eat. We won't be going to the parks, so we need a place right there close to BC. After a 15 hour drive we won't want a long wait with the girls!

Are you able to make an ADR for Beaches and Cream?

 

[andreajb]

We are back from our trip as well. I also can't say enough good things about the BC. Everyone was so incredibly nice and the place was beautiful!!

We did Cape May for the character breakfast and for the clam bake dinner. I preferred the breakfast with the characters , but mainly because I like more fish & shrimp seafood and not crab legs and steamed mussels. My husband loved the dinner though. We also did a character meal at Garden Grille over in Epcot. It was so much fun. Mickey got around to our table twice along with all of the other characters. Character meals are definitely the way to go to get pictures and autographs

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We went for 5 nights in Feb 2009. Stayed at Atlantis Beach Towers then. This time we were at Comfort Suites. About $2,000 cheaper. We had amazing views last time, not so much this time, but the walk was even closer this time. Weather was awesome, too. It was a bit on the cool side when we went in Feb.

We would definitely return there for a trip. Maybe in a couple of years.





Thanks for the review on your trip! I'm so glad you had a great time!

I was going to suggest Hurricane Hanna's too. I just checked the hours on the DIS menu site and it says 11 am to 6 pm. Does anyone know if that is accurate?

My suggestion is to see what the wait is like at B&C when you arrive. If it is too long, grab something at the BC Marketplace. The lounges actually serve food as well. I have looked at some of the menus in the past, and there is some interesting stuff offered.

Dee - when we've been there in July Hurricane Hannah's was usually open until 8 - HTH!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Are you able to make an ADR for Beaches and Cream?

Unfortunately, no.

We've had a lot of luck going for lunch when they first open.

We FINALLY did the Kitchen Sink last summer. After all the times we were at BC we never got around to until last year. It was fantastic!!!!

 

[ocalla]

We are back from our trip as well. I also can't say enough good things about the BC. Everyone was so incredibly nice and the place was beautiful!!

We did Cape May for the character breakfast and for the clam bake dinner. I preferred the breakfast with the characters , but mainly because I like more fish & shrimp seafood and not crab legs and steamed mussels. My husband loved the dinner though. We also did a character meal at Garden Grille over in Epcot. It was so much fun. Mickey got around to our table twice along with all of the other characters. Character meals are definitely the way to go to get pictures and autographs

Welcome back!!! We also have ADR's at Cape May for dinner and breakfast and also Garden Grill. we have done CM for dinner 3 times already......never for breakfast. Can't wait to try it. Garden Grill will be a first for us also. Last time we dined there it was called something else ?? That was long ago!!!

 

[Wee Annie]

We did Garden Grill for our first dinner and really liked it too! A wonderful, slower-paced character meal.

That's one reason I really liked BC -- the ability to easily walk into Epcot for dinner. My family is really, really tired by dinner, so accessibility is huge for us.

 

[pumpkinfish]

One week from today and I finally get to make our ADR's which means we'll be at that 180 day mark.

It's been a rough few days, interspersed with a little good stuff. But it started with finding out from hubby that he may not be able to go on our June vacation - which is our anniversary trip to Chicago and then to southern IL for my niece's graduation. Needless to say, I am not happy especially since it's paid for. And all along it's been my fear that because his boss is pregnant, they'll try to make him change his Oct vacation too - which is our Disney trip and that will really set me off.

Friday was a better day because I was at the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park. I love baseball, as you might guess from that little guy in my signature. I've been to thousands of games and have been a Sox fan forever, so to be at the 100th Anniversary was a thrill.

Saturday I learned about TL going down for rehab 1 day after we arrive, so there was some rearranging of plans. Then yesterday, I learn that the Test Track rehab is scheduled to last through November so it will still be closed when we are there. We had thought it was going to reopen well in advance of our trip, but alas, no. So that's a bummer.

So now, with just a week until ADR's, I'm hoping for no more major changes/disappointments this week.

So even though you are a red sux fan, I'm sending you some ! It stinks when we put a lot of time, money, energy into planning trips and they don't quite go as planned. Thanks for the heads up about TT as I hadn't read it was being pushed back (the opening). Look on the bright side, maybe Be Our Guest will magically open before we arrive and will be a bright spot on the horizon! Good luck on your ADRs next week!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Anyone who has been there in the last couple months.....was Hurricane Hannah's open until 6 or 8 or? Thanks! How far is it to walk to the Fountain?