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

[333disneymom]

Duh! 180 days!!

Our kids will be 9 and 8 but won't be much interested in the buffets and such. Our son swims over 4 miles a week so he can eat if in the mood.

What is a "TIW" or "OOP"? Still pretty new to the site and trying to get to know all of the acronyms.

I sometimes sit for ages trying to figure out what an abbreviation stands for, especially when it comes to the rides. Saw TSM this morning and took me a minute, but I'm thinking Toy Story Mania. BTMRR always throws me. I automatically think Bat Man - no idea why, especially when Bat Man isn't at Disney. But that one is Bit Thunder Mountain Rail Road.

Sorry, TIW is, like kelleigh and Marlton Mom said, Tables in Wonderland. I've never used it, but looked at it as a possibility a few times. It is available to DVC members, Florida residents and annual pass holders. It gives you 20% off your bill at most table restaurants and I think a discount at a handful of counter locations.

Feel free to ask away about the acronyms... these boards are Acronym City!

TIW = Tables in Wonderland
OOP = Out of pocket like you are paying for with with cash or a credit card and you have no special discount or plan.

For my TIW experts, If I buy a TIW card for myself can I apply that 20% discount to all 3 meals (Mine, husband and son) or do all 3 of us have to have a TIW card to get the discount on each persons meal?

TIA (Thanks in Advance)

~Marlton Mom

I've never used TIW, but from what I read on AllEars, you can use the discount from one card for up to 10 people. So, yes, all three of you would be covered if I understood correctly.

 

[TaraPA]

I'm so happy you're having a good trip!
May I ask how you worded your room request? We're staying Deluxe CL in August....

Amanda

LOL this is how I worded it - "How many boxes of Tastycakes will it take to be able to request a specific room?" It worked! I brought 8 boxes down with me & got 2557 which I wanted.

2557 & 4557 have the full balcony, 1557 is a ground floor patio & 3557 only has 2 small juliet balconies. I'm assuming the room layout is identical since they're on top of each other. I have loads of pics to post when I get back. Which sadly, is tomorrow. I don't ever want to leave BC!

I got to see Teena both days. My kids loved pin trading with her - thanks Teena!

Today is hot but not humid. We're heading out for a late lunch at Teppen Edo, then Epcot, DHS & maybe MK. Parks are still full - EMH from midnight to 3am last night was the most full EMH I've ever seen. We made it til 2am at MK last night & slept in today. Just got back from the pool & doing laundry.

 

[alliesue]

I have heard from a reliable source that bringing your refillable mug is indeed a good idea. Drinking a frozen margarita while riding Spaceship Earth proved much more enjoyable than riding sans mug.

~Marlton Mom

LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
I usually like Spaceship Earth - but this trip - I think I will LOVE it!!

 

[kinggoofy]

Add us to the YC list. We are celebrating our 19th Wedding Anniversary from Aug 14th to Aug 25th. Can't wait.

I am hearing a rumor that Woody, one of the YC greeters, has retired. Is this true ? He was from Illinois and I always enjoyed talking to him about Chicago sports.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Add us to the YC list. We are celebrating our 19th Wedding Anniversary from Aug 14th to Aug 25th. Can't wait.

I am hearing a rumor that Woody, one of the YC greeters, has retired. Is this true ? He was from Illinois and I always enjoyed talking to him about Chicago sports.

We saw Woody last week and when DH was talking to him he didn't mention anything about retiring. But, he has been there a long time, he would be missed. Many pictures over the years with Woody~

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Also wanted to add, there is a Woody-look alike. Seems he might be in training, Dh says. We ate alot at the Captain's Grill, hoping to see "the guys" in MM's food porn, hahahha, jk, and DH said he noticed that Woody was there with another greeter that looked like him. Couple of days, this guy was there alone. Maybe there is something to this rumor. Maybe not.

Perhaps Woody is like Teena and working two days a week ?

 

[smillerguy]

I also think that if you do use the TIW card there is an automatic 20% gratuity added to the meal no matter the size of the party. Is that still true? I use to bartend and wait tables but like the freedom of choosing the amount of tip I leave based on service.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

I also think that if you do use the TIW card there is an automatic 20% gratuity added to the meal no matter the size of the party. Is that still true? I use to bartend and wait tables but like the freedom of choosing the amount of tip I leave based on service.

Yes, it's an automatic 18% gratuity at all of the TS when you use TIW except for Victoria and Albert's where it's a 20% gratuity. You have the option to add more for good service, which we usually did. We never had bad service to the point of wanting to tip less so I'm not sure if you could get it removed for extremely bad service.

I'm with you as far as wanting to be able to tip based on service but I think the automatic gratuity is in place to protect servers from people who would want to tip based on the discounted price.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

I also think that if you do use the TIW card there is an automatic 20% gratuity added to the meal no matter the size of the party. Is that still true? I use to bartend and wait tables but like the freedom of choosing the amount of tip I leave based on service.

You receive a 20% discount on food & beverage using the TIW card, but the automatic gratuity is just 18%.

Unless, using the TIW at certain counter-service places (value resort food courts, POFQ food court, ESPN grille, etc.), then you receive the 20% discount but no tip is added.

Also, you are welcome to add to the automatic gratuity to increase the percentage if you choose.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I also think that if you do use the TIW card there is an automatic 20% gratuity added to the meal no matter the size of the party. Is that still true? I use to bartend and wait tables but like the freedom of choosing the amount of tip I leave based on service.

I usually leave 20% too so that would be something I would have to adjust upwards 2%. Since the tip is automatic I would know that if I had a problem with something my server was responsible for I would ask to speak to a manager ASAP in an effort to get the problem addressed.

~Marlton Mom
PS. If we have really great service and my husband isn't looking I sneak more money in the tip.... Mwa Ha Ha!!!!!

 

[pixarmom]

Hi pixarmom! I've read that about the standarized drink menus as well but am glad there are some exceptions. The last I knew, the Polynesian still served really good Mai Tais which are quite different from the ones served elsewhere in the "World." And Lapus Lapus are still there, too, I think? Natazu...love it. Not the drink which I've never had but the name.

I highly recommend the Natazu! It works just like the Sunken Treasure - ask for it, and they will usually find someone who knows how to make it! Last year, we stayed at Poly and I looked at the bar menu - that one didn't seem standardized.

I'm interested in knowing about SAB, too. We're arriving on 4/29. Has anyone heard anything about work occurring past 4/23?

I bring this up because I've seen posts by two people saying 4/30 and not 4/23.

The letter that April guests received says they anticipate the work will "be completed in late April." So I'm guessing that's why some might be saying 4/30.

@ Jybeho- if you see this message while you are still at the resort, can you check with BC Bell Services to see if they are holding onto pool noodles under the name of "Mrs. Noodle". There could be 2 Voluptuous Noodles (red and blue), 3 yellow and possibly two more.

@ pixarmom- if Jybeho does not see this message in time, I am assigning you what may be your most important, and dangerous, mission to date. Please stake out the BC Bell Services, ascertain how many noodles are being held hostage and what the ransom to retrieve them is (I assume a couple of bucks at dropoff and pick up would do) and report the results of your surveillance back to us.

This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds...

Got it! We loved hosting the noodles last August, and I'm so sorry to hear that they have disappeared. Hoping for a successful rescue mission!

Several cms have advised that the surest way not to get an upgrade is to ask. When you ask for a free upgrade you're basically saying - I'm not willing to pay for it but I deserve a better room, view, or whatever.

Sometimes pixie dust does happen - we've had 3 magical upgrades in 14 trips. When you don't expect them they truly are magical.

I would book whatever room I feel I can comfortably afford and if you get a magical upgrade that's fantastic - if not you are still at Disney and even better yet, you are still at BC or YC!

Excellent advice!

And regarding the TIW discussion, we love TIW and it's a great value for our family of five. Just as MM mentioned, you can easily add the extra 2% if you typically tip 20% instead of 18%. We usually do that - except once at Tutto, once at HBD and once at 50's when our experiences with the CMs did not warrant our usual 20% tip.

 

[Feckless]

So happy about the noodle resurgence!!! And who better to do the rescue mission than Pixarmom? Awesome.

Got our Mickey mail today!!!! This calls for a

Came home from warm Toronto to -8 C and sleet. I need SAB and a sunken treasure!

 

[JanetMom]

So happy about the noodle resurgence!!! And who better to do the rescue mission than Pixarmom? Awesome.

Got our Mickey mail today!!!! This calls for a

Came home from warm Toronto to -8 C and sleet. I need SAB and a sunken treasure!

Yay Mickey Mail!

Toronto got cold as soon as you left. The wind was bitter cold today.

 

[smillerguy]

I usually leave 20% too so that would be something I would have to adjust upwards 2%. Since the tip is automatic I would know that if I had a problem with something my server was responsible for I would ask to speak to a manager ASAP in an effort to get the problem addressed.

~Marlton Mom
PS. If we have really great service and my husband isn't looking I sneak more money in the tip.... Mwa Ha Ha!!!!!

Ha ha I've done that too At WDW I try to bring extra cash to leave if I can. i always preferred CASH!!!!!

 

[TeenaS]

The standard wisdom on the Dis Boards seems to be "book what you want & can live with". If you ask at check in, you may be quoted a price to upgrade. Complimentary upgrades are disney "magic" & don't often happen. Room assigments are done prior to you arrival & the front desk CM may have to check with the back room before changing it. Some CMs have said asking (for a comp) is a sure way not to get an upgrade.

One thing is certain: the Las Vegas $20 trick doesn't work @ WDW. Maybe Teena will have more input.

I totally agree with everything you said above and keep in mind if a front desk or concierge CM takes a cash gift/tip, they will be fired if caught.

 

[TeenaS]

Add us to the YC list. We are celebrating our 19th Wedding Anniversary from Aug 14th to Aug 25th. Can't wait.

I am hearing a rumor that Woody, one of the YC greeters, has retired. Is this true ? He was from Illinois and I always enjoyed talking to him about Chicago sports.

Yes, Woody is gone.

 

[loganpaulsmom]

teena, I will definitely see you then. We will be there for tht weekend of the 21st.. I will stop by and say Hi!!

 

[Marlton Mom]

Yes, Woody is gone.

Don't tell me they got Buzz too!!!

~MM

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Yes, Woody is gone.

What? DH said he talked to him last week!

Now I'm confused!

 

[Laffites Landing]

I've started my Trip Report!

We stayed at the YC CL March 10-17. Over the next few weeks I will be working on a Trip Report. If you care to read it, you can find it at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2900213

Fair warning - the first post is all background, so mostly text without pictures. I promise to make sure future reports contain more pictures!

I've subbed on your trip report Janet. Looking forward to it!