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

[shellbelle76]

I'm considering changing my YC reservation from a standard room to CL, and I need input from the BC/YC experts!

A little backstory: We are spending a week at Hilton Head in May, and then we are popping down to Orlando for a bit before heading home. The current plan is four nights on property. As far as the parks are concerned, DH is considering taking DS over to DHS for some Star Wars Weekend excitement. I will take our daughter to Akershus for a Princess Breakfast, and we also want to do a partial day at MK. We are very laid back about this vacation as the children are young (4 & 6) and we want to relax by the pool just as much as want to experience the parks. A character breakfast will be just as thrilling to them as visiting the parks. It's their first trip, they truly have no idea the scope of WDW.

I couldn't get four nights at YC, so I figured a split stay was a reasonable compromise. POR holds a special place in my heart since I stayed there over the Princess Half weekend. So I booked two nights at POR & two nights at YC.

Based on the numbers through the website, I've calculated the CL option will cost us an additional $252 for those two nights. I've looked at the CL thread, and with the discussions covering so many different resorts, I just don't feel like I have a good handle on exactly what I'll be getting at YC.

Can you help me understand what I'm getting with the CL at BC/YC? Maybe give me your top 5 reasons why CL at BC/YC rocks and is totally worth the extra money?

Y'all are a hilarious and creative bunch (yes, I'm lookin' at you, Marlton Mom) and I just know you'll sell me on this. Then I will need to make the sales pitch to the husband...

 

[TeenaS]

i'm considering changing my yc reservation from a standard room to cl, and i need input from the bc/yc experts!

A little backstory: We are spending a week at hilton head in may, and then we are popping down to orlando for a bit before heading home. The current plan is four nights on property. As far as the parks are concerned, dh is considering taking ds over to dhs for some star wars weekend excitement. I will take our daughter to akershus for a princess breakfast, and we also want to do a partial day at mk. We are very laid back about this vacation as the children are young (4 & 6) and we want to relax by the pool just as much as want to experience the parks. A character breakfast will be just as thrilling to them as visiting the parks. It's their first trip, they truly have no idea the scope of wdw.

I couldn't get four nights at yc, so i figured a split stay was a reasonable compromise. Por holds a special place in my heart since i stayed there over the princess half weekend. so i booked two nights at por & two nights at yc.

Based on the numbers through the website, i've calculated the cl option will cost us an additional $252 for those two nights. I've looked at the cl thread, and with the discussions covering so many different resorts, i just don't feel like i have a good handle on exactly what i'll be getting at yc.

can you help me understand what i'm getting with the cl at bc/yc? Maybe give me your top 5 reasons why cl at bc/yc rocks and is totally worth the extra money?

y'all are a hilarious and creative bunch (yes, i'm lookin' at you, marlton mom) and i just know you'll sell me on this. Then i will need to make the sales pitch to the husband...

beer

 

[JanetMom]

I'm considering changing my YC reservation from a standard room to CL, and I need input from the BC/YC experts!

A little backstory: We are spending a week at Hilton Head in May, and then we are popping down to Orlando for a bit before heading home. The current plan is four nights on property. As far as the parks are concerned, DH is considering taking DS over to DHS for some Star Wars Weekend excitement. I will take our daughter to Akershus for a Princess Breakfast, and we also want to do a partial day at MK. We are very laid back about this vacation as the children are young (4 & 6) and we want to relax by the pool just as much as want to experience the parks. A character breakfast will be just as thrilling to them as visiting the parks. It's their first trip, they truly have no idea the scope of WDW.

I couldn't get four nights at YC, so I figured a split stay was a reasonable compromise. POR holds a special place in my heart since I stayed there over the Princess Half weekend. So I booked two nights at POR & two nights at YC.

Based on the numbers through the website, I've calculated the CL option will cost us an additional $252 for those two nights. I've looked at the CL thread, and with the discussions covering so many different resorts, I just don't feel like I have a good handle on exactly what I'll be getting at YC.

Can you help me understand what I'm getting with the CL at BC/YC? Maybe give me your top 5 reasons why CL at BC/YC rocks and is totally worth the extra money?

Y'all are a hilarious and creative bunch (yes, I'm lookin' at you, Marlton Mom) and I just know you'll sell me on this. Then I will need to make the sales pitch to the husband...

Oatmeal, Cinnamon Buns, Rasperry Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert, Cheese, Sweedish Fish, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies... Mmm (I know there were some fruits and veggies somewhere, but they escape my memory right now.)

 

[shellbelle76]

beer

let me also confess that i'm an accounting professor. numbers are everything to me. forgive me for overanalyzing this.

 

[MickeyT]

Only a couple weeks until I can check in online for our first stay at BCV !! We've booked a 1bedroom - any advice on what to put on my special requests? I've never done the online check in- but thought I might try it this time! Couple things I thought of:

Near a Pool: Our DD (almost 2) will be napping during the afternoons - and I'd love to be close to the pool - so either DH or I can sit at the pool (or both if we're super close and the video baby monitor reaches) - but not sure how thick the doors are? Wondering if it would be really loud to be that close to the pool?

With a View: Do all the BCV have a full balcony? Can you see any of the fireworks from them? DD goes to bed early so we won't be able to see most of the fireworks - would be pretty cool to see them from the balcony

Any advice is appreciated!!

http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-bcv/

Hey alliesue. Here is a link that has a nice map of the the layout of the BCV's. It has some of the room views included.

As you can see from the map the pool side and the fireworks side (EPCOT side) are two differnent sides. And may I add that requesting a room on the EPCOT side does not guarantee a view of Illuminations.

And another standard piece of advice from this board. Do not do online checkin if room location is important. 1. Call resevations and get them to add your request. Choose an area that you would like (ie. near the pool)nand make one or two request related to that area. 2. Call back a week or so before your trip to make sure request is listed. 3. Do not do online checkin. When you arrive and checkin look at where your room is located before you take possesion of the room. If it does not suit ask if there is anything available in the area you would like. 4. Proceed to the room and it does not suit your need you could go back and again ask if anything to your liking is available. I've found that as long as you are nice to the CM's they will do everything in their power to accomodate.

Hope this helps

 

[Marlton Mom]

beer

I'll add home made potato chips and dip.

If you work the food and drink options with hubby he'll be on your side in a New York minute. Show him the pictures of the club level offerings. I'm pretty sure there is a link some where on page 1 of this thread.

Also having the breakfast and snacks through out the day is just the thing for little ones (and husbands) who like to graze. I can hear my husband MooOOooing now!

Star Wars weekends are the BOMB by the way. On the theme parks thread there is a great link to an informational thread about Star Wars Weekends. I got a ton of really great info from this thread for my trip last year. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2791638

Also show the gang my Star Wars Weekend pictures to wet their appetites. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/sets/72157627132661754/

Thanks for the love and save me a chocolate croissant!

~Marlton Mom

 

[goofyredraider]

I'll add home made potato chips and dip.

If you work the food and drink options with hubby he'll be on your side in a New York minute. Show him the pictures of the club level offerings. I'm pretty sure there is a link some where on page 1 of this thread.

Also having the breakfast and snacks through out the day is just the thing for little ones (and husbands) who like to graze. I can hear my husband MooOOooing now!

Star Wars weekends are the BOMB by the way. On the theme parks thread there is a great link to an informational thread about Star Wars Weekends. I got a ton of really great info from this thread for my trip last year. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2791638

Also show the gang my Star Wars Weekend pictures to wet their appetites. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/sets/72157627132661754/

Thanks for the love and save me a chocolate croissant!

~Marlton Mom

Your pics have me so excited! I can't wait!!! Thanks for sharing!
(note, this is not a Brazilian cheerleader).

 

[Marlton Mom]

(note, this is not a Brazilian cheerleader).

Yeah..... I could tell. You just weren't hairy enough.....

~MM

 

[Minnie]

I'm considering changing my YC reservation from a standard room to CL, and I need input from the BC/YC experts!
..

We are booked at the BC CL (1st time CL) in June we are no longer park commandos and enjoy our time at the resorts and the various amenities. Quick grab breakfast for little ones = maybe extra sleep for the parents.. it's worth dreaming about LOL

As much as I love the BC/YC area... I'd seriously have to rethink a split stay for a 4 day trip - even with Disney doing the luggage transfer - just the time spent on this effort would be too much IMO - ducking and running for cover

 

[cmpayton]

Paul Noodle

Posted from my Verizon wireless iphone

 

[natebenma]

Based on the numbers through the website, I've calculated the CL option will cost us an additional $252 for those two nights. I've looked at the CL thread, and with the discussions covering so many different resorts, I just don't feel like I have a good handle on exactly what I'll be getting at YC.

Can you help me understand what I'm getting with the CL at BC/YC? Maybe give me your top 5 reasons why CL at BC/YC rocks and is totally worth the extra money?

let me also confess that i'm an accounting professor. numbers are everything to me. forgive me for overanalyzing this.

OK, at the risk of being ridiculed like the last time I posted this (BTW- still waiting for my mommy intervention and the box of Grey Goose Slushies and bacon to arrive at my door)

The CL CMs will sharpen a pencil for you. That's right! During my first CL stay, my pencil was dull and when I asked where I could sharpen it, they said "We'll do it for you!"

May not seem like much, but getting waited on like that really impressed me.

Being an accounting professor and all, perhaps this is the kind of benefit that would sway you.

 

[natebenma]

As much as I love the BC/YC area... I'd seriously have to rethink a split stay for a 4 day trip - even with Disney doing the luggage transfer - just the time spent on this effort would be too much IMO - ducking and running for cover

Says the guest booked for a one-night stay... *friendly teasing*

I am required to travel for work to Orlando in April... so I worked in a 1 day vacation and booked the BC for 4/15 I'll have an afternoon and whole day to enjoy the F&G festival and the BC

As my stay is within the SAB partial closure can anyone tell me if I'm reading the map correctly and the tower section (not sure what else to call it - it's the really high section with the lounge chairs at the top) is open? This is the perfect place to enjoy the sun with a good book

BTW- bumping up the last part of your question. I haven't heard if that gazebo area you are describing will be open. It is really close to Hurricane Hanna's and provides tables that can be used to enjoy a meal purchased there, so I'm guessing it will be open. According to the birdseye view map, it looks like the this area is in between the areas of the pool that will be closed and the lazy river which will remain open, so that would also lead me to believe you will be able to access the upper deck seating.

How about Poolside Gifts? Assuming that will remain open as well.

If we don't hear an answer before the closure, could someone arriving after April 9 let us know about the gazebo and Poolside Gifts.

 

[shellbelle76]

May not seem like much, but getting waited on like that really impressed me.

Being an accounting professor and all, perhaps this is the kind of benefit that would sway you.

being waited on is certainly appealing to this mama! since adding "mama" to my resume, the "waiting on" has been fairly one-sided in the direction of DH, DS, DD benefiting. obvious exception being Mother's Day.

and yes, extremely sharpened pencils are very important to me.

We are booked at the BC CL (1st time CL) in June we are no longer park commandos and enjoy our time at the resorts and the various amenities. Quick grab breakfast for little ones = maybe extra sleep for the parents.. it's worth dreaming about LOL

As much as I love the BC/YC area... I'd seriously have to rethink a split stay for a 4 day trip - even with Disney doing the luggage transfer - just the time spent on this effort would be too much IMO - ducking and running for cover

Would anyone choose YC for just three nights over 2 at YC and 2 at POR? I can't get four during the window we can be there, but I can get three.

Star Wars weekends are the BOMB by the way. On the theme parks thread there is a great link to an informational thread about Star Wars Weekends. I got a ton of really great info from this thread for my trip last year. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2791638

Also show the gang my Star Wars Weekend pictures to wet their appetites. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlton-mom/sets/72157627132661754/

Thanks for the love and save me a chocolate croissant!

~Marlton Mom

SO helpful! Will be examining both the thread and the pics in earnest as soon as I am done teaching for the day. For your kindness, you shall have not one, not two but THREE chocolate croissants!

Oatmeal, Cinnamon Buns, Rasperry Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert, Cheese, Sweedish Fish, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies... Mmm (I know there were some fruits and veggies somewhere, but they escape my memory right now.)

Must have cookies. Nom nom nom. Thanks for letting me know your faves, JanetMom! It all sounds marvelous.

 

[TeenaS]

Would anyone choose YC for just three nights over 2 at YC and 2 at POR? I can't get four during the window we can be there, but I can get three.

What about BC? Same resort and exact same experience. Just different decor.

 

[ocalla]

What about BC? Same resort and exact same experience. Just different decor.

Different decor: check

Best CM's: check

A Tad closer walk to EPCOT: check

We Have A Winner!!!!!

 

[ocalla]

For the Accountant:

CL perks for my DD14 would be dessert in the evening, snacks mid-day (she's a teenager, what can I say), the quickest breakfast before heading out to the parks, but most importantly....................the special "key" for the elevator

I told her we weren't staying CL this year and her response was, "but then we won't get the elevator key".....aHHHH it's the little things.

CL perks for myself and my husband, the oatmeal in the morning (we are kind of health freaks). We figure if we eat a good healthy breakfast we can have a Beer or glass of wine at night Which of course is so very handy in the CL lounge!!!!

 

[TaraPA]

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.

Disney rules and regulations. Only Disney tipped positions are bellman, valet, housekeeping and of course in the restaurants.

Other CMs are allowed to take gifts as long as the gift value is not over $75 and that includes gift cards.

It makes it hard for people who do not know Disney rules and regs. They assume it is perfectly ok ... normal practice (as it is everywhere else). But it's a big no-no and I've seen CMs who have taken a $5 tip and got caught be walked off property.

Honestly, if you really thing club level would be good for your family, I'd call and book it. Especially with a family, it is really good, especially if you are spending lots of time at the resort. Breakfast alone usually makes it worthwhile money wise and then if you add in the beer/wine and after dinner cocktails, it is definitely worthwhile!

OMG thank goodness 8 boxes of Tastycakes doesn't go over the $75 rule ROFL!!!!!!

It was a pleasure to chat with you Teena. May I post a picture here of you trading pins with my kids? If not, no worries!

SAB will not allow guests/friends/relatives, etc. You must have your own room key! I can't stress enough that if you like this practice and want it enforced every hour that SAB is open, take Dee's advice!

The day my parents came to visit, they sat at the tables & chairs outside of B&C that overlook SAB & they were perfectly content to be there in the shade while watching the kids have fun at the pool. So if you have day guests there is an area to sit outside of SAb that they can still be right there. Also they were checking wristbands around 5pm (that was the latest we entered SAB this trip).

When my boss asked me what was the best thing about Disney, I said walking down the hall in the morning to get a bowl of oatmeal.

OMG I LOVED that oatmeal!! We had breakfast in the CL lounge every day expcept the one we slept in til 10:30 (after EMH at MK til 2am!) We hit the afternoon snacks & drinks every day, the dinner offerings & dessert offerings once each. We got one movie from there but couldn't figure out how to work the VCR - I felt like an idiot calling CL to ask for directions, but what they were telling me (press the output key) wasn't working either. They said to call housekeeping but by that time we just let it go & never watched it!

We loved CL, the staff was great. Check-in wasn't too smooth, not sure if the girl at the front desk was new or what. There was no one in the lobby when we walked in so we went to the front desk to check in where we were told the room wasn't ready (we knew it wouldn't be at 9:30am). She was having trouble printing keys & said to just stop back for them later. I said I'd need a key to get into SAB and the CL lounge & she said we couldn't use the CL lounge, we had to wait in the solarium if we wanted to relax. ???? Maybe the room number threw her off since we were 2557 & 99.9% of CL rooms are on the 5th floor. I said that I was told I could use the CL lounge the day of check in as soon as I checked in & she said no, sorry I couldn't. I took the bags to Bell Services & asked them, they said of course we could & walked me over to someone else at the front desk who quickly printed our yellow CL keys & gave us directions to the CL lounge on the 5th floor.

Uploading pics this afternoon...will post a few here & some on the Deluxe CL room thread - if I can find it - I think it got buried!

 

[TeenaS]

It was a pleasure to chat with you Teena. May I post a picture here of you trading pins with my kids? If not, no worries!




OMG I LOVED that oatmeal!! We had breakfast in the CL lounge every day expcept the one we slept in til 10:30 (after EMH at MK til 2am!) We hit the afternoon snacks & drinks every day, the dinner offerings & dessert offerings once each. We got one movie from there but couldn't figure out how to work the VCR - I felt like an idiot calling CL to ask for directions, but what they were telling me (press the output key) wasn't working either. They said to call housekeeping but by that time we just let it go & never watched it!

We loved CL, the staff was great. Check-in wasn't too smooth, not sure if the girl at the front desk was new or what. There was no one in the lobby when we walked in so we went to the front desk to check in where we were told the room wasn't ready (we knew it wouldn't be at 9:30am). She was having trouble printing keys & said to just stop back for them later. I said I'd need a key to get into SAB and the CL lounge & she said we couldn't use the CL lounge, we had to wait in the solarium if we wanted to relax. ???? Maybe the room number threw her off since we were 2557 & 99.9% of CL rooms are on the 5th floor. I said that I was told I could use the CL lounge the day of check in as soon as I checked in & she said no, sorry I couldn't. I took the bags to Bell Services & asked them, they said of course we could & walked me over to someone else at the front desk who quickly printed our yellow CL keys & gave us directions to the CL lounge on the 5th floor.

Uploading pics this afternoon...will post a few here & some on the Deluxe CL room thread - if I can find it - I think it got buried!

Of course you can post the picture. I loved trading pins with the kids!!

So sorry about the confusion of the lounge and checking in. We have lots of new CMs at the desk. We keep telling them if they aren't 100% sure of the answer, ASK someone. Obviously they didn't do that with you. Very sorry!!!!

 

[natebenma]

Uploading pics this afternoon...will post a few here & some on the Deluxe CL room thread - if I can find it - I think it got buried!

Can't wait to see the pics!

Here is the link to the Deluxe Room threads:


Beach Club Deluxe, Suites, VP and Presidential Rooms

 

[kelleigh1]

Hey...did I see someone Dissing the YC? Ok, maybe not dissing, but definitely touting the BC as superior. There will be none of that.


Is it wrong that I'm sorta hoping that we might be lucky with a CL upgrade? I blame it on all of you talking about all that yummy food. It's just not fair. I think I'm going to gain 50lbs on this trip. I'd better work harder on losing at least that much in the 7 months...oh wait, doesn't that thing down there say 6 months and xx days now? I think it does!