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

[TeenaS]

Well after a much too long hiatus, we are heading back to the BC! The good news is we get to finally stay BCV for the first time, in a 2 bedroom no less. Add us to the Be Our Guest list October 21-28 please. Last month we were at BWV and got off at the BC bus stop for a quick walk home. That brief moment passing through the lobby and smelling one of my favorite Disney scents was enough to make us change our plans from Kidani to BCV. Ahhh...I can smell it now!
You can see we frequent BWV so are used to the closeness of the two parks and eateries on the Boardwalk...I've tried to read through the pages, but are there any "not to miss" tips for the BCV? Although I consider myself a WDW and DVC veteran, I'm a newbie to BCV.

Thanks everyone, especially Dee for putting this thread together!

Welcome home and what a fantastic time to be there ... during the F&W Festival!!!

 

[MelaBella]

Okay, so far I have 2 votes for garden view.

Just for argument's sake, does the YC have better water views than the BC? It looks like the YC has more unobstructed views, but I could be entirely wrong about that.

 

[TeenaS]

Okay, so far I have 2 votes for garden view.

Just for argument's sake, does the YC have better water views than the BC? It looks like the YC has more unobstructed views, but I could be entirely wrong about that.

How much time are you going to be looking at the view? For the money difference, I'd definitely go with Garden. Personally I go with standard because after the first time I walk into the room and look out, I never look out again. Only time I'm in the room is to change clothes, sleep or shower and then the drapes are closed. I'd rather use the money on nice dinners or Hoop Dee Do or a massage. JMO.

 

[nannette]

Welcome back!!! How did you do getting around with your foot? Hope it was ok.

We have only had one dinner at Captain's Grille, but we liked it a lot. A hidden gem!

Thanks Dee! I managed with the foot... I cancelled going to EPCOT because of the foot, but I remembered that it was ok because I would be coming back! Being a DVC member puts things in a different perspective!

Welcome back nannette. You know we need details.

Not much to report Mike! Stayed at the BWV (boardwalk view) the first night... Didn't love it.. sat by the pool back to the clown... Didn't love it. There was a knock on my door at 8:15 am... I can only guess that was to clean the room I was checking out of! Moved on over to Kidani, room was ready at 9:30 ish which was great! I had lunch Thursday and Friday at Bongo's DTD.. It was sooooo goooood! Picked up my DD from MCO Friday night (love that kid!!) She decided we should eat at Sanaa... we loved it! Then Saturday we were in Tampa to watch my beloved Yankees!! They won! Saturday night we decided to try Captain's Grille... had the NY Strip loved it with a really good bottle of wine. Decided to go for breakfast at Captain's Grille Sunday and stop in and see my favorite CM! We then went back to Kidani to the pool. Then I took DD back to MCO for her flight home. I left yesterday at 8:30 am. And back to work today!!

Need another trip!!

~Nannette

 

[Marlton Mom]

How can you say the Captain's Grille isn't romantic??


Can we nibble on your ~Dessert~ by Marlton Mom, on Flickr

I mean look at these guys! They aren't wearing shirts!! What's not to like about that??? Yeah sure it's not the kind of eye candy that the fellas would like but isn't it about time us ladies had a little romantic place of our own?

If you must go with your husband be sure to ask for a table for 6....

~Marlton Mom

 

[Marlton Mom]

Thanks Dee! I managed with the foot... I cancelled going to EPCOT because of the foot, but I remembered that it was ok because I would be coming back! Being a DVC member puts things in a different perspective!


Not much to report Mike! Stayed at the BWV (boardwalk view) the first night... Didn't love it.. sat by the pool back to the clown... Didn't love it. There was a knock on my door at 8:15 am... I can only guess that was to clean the room I was checking out of! Moved on over to Kidani, room was ready at 9:30 ish which was great! I had lunch Thursday and Friday at Bongo's DTD.. It was sooooo goooood! Picked up my DD from MCO Friday night (love that kid!!) She decided we should eat at Sanaa... we loved it! Then Saturday we were in Tampa to watch my beloved Yankees!! They won! Saturday night we decided to try Captain's Grille... had the NY Strip loved it with a really good bottle of wine. Decided to go for breakfast at Captain's Grille Sunday and stop in and see my favorite CM! We then went back to Kidani to the pool. Then I took DD back to MCO for her flight home. I left yesterday at 8:30 am. And back to work today!!

Need another trip!!

~Nannette

The Mystery Guest at my Captain's Grille dinner had the NY strip.... see:


HOT AND JUICY! by Marlton Mom, on Flickr

HUBBA HUBBA!

~MM

PS Did you have the Lobster Omelet for breakfast??? Swooooon.....

 

[maminnie]

As all can see from PirateFrank's display of the red area that has been confirmed as being closed in April, it really minimizes not only the swimming area but the seating area drastically. SAB is generally crowded to begin with yet alone with at least 50% of it closed.

For those going the week after Easter week who have expressed the high rates they are paying, please bear in mind that those coming in the second week of the closure may not be paying 'holiday rates' but I believe they are playing 'peak rates' which are also extremely expensive. So for all coming during the two weeks, which includes me, it is equally disappointing.

We personally also constantly hit closures during Winter months as well of pools, slides, and attractions and pay 'peak' rates for the timeframe we come. Probably 50% of the time either a pool, slide, and/or hottub is closed and there are usually a variety of attractions closed as well. Not ideal but what can we do except vacation someplace else. Unfortunately we were not given the opportunity to make an educated decision not to come or move to another resort as there was no notice and there isn't too much available. Oh well we will just have to deal with it and make the best of it but I must admit I am getting pretty irritated with all the closures almost every time I come.

 

[vinotinto]

We're here to support you no matter what your decisions are, but I can say from our last trip we probably only got about 3 hours total at SAB....they were fun hours, but did not make our whole trip.

Just my opinions....

On our last trip in October it poured all but our arrival and departure day and we probably also spent less than 3 hours. I'm still returning to BC/YC for our next trip in October because the location next to Epcot/near DHS and the restaurants in the area are so wonderful. Epcot is our fave park and it's so nice to be able to stroll over. Despite the crazy rain and not being able to use the pool, we still had a good time. I hope ya'll have a good time on your vacation, whether you stay at BC/YC sans half of SAB or whether you decide to change resorts!

 

[TeenaS]

The Mystery Guest at my Captain's Grille dinner had the NY strip.... see:


HOT AND JUICY! by Marlton Mom, on Flickr

HUBBA HUBBA!

~MM

PS Did you have the Lobster Omelet for breakfast??? Swooooon.....

Excuse me ... that was the ribeye!!

HUBBA HUBBA is right ... talking about HUBBA HUBBA ... did you all see Cheryl's partner on Dancing last night? WOW is all I'm going to say!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Welcome home and what a fantastic time to be there ... during the F&W Festival!!!

Oh I know! It is seriously our favorite time to visit WDW. We tried Christmas 2 trips ago but that was not fun. We have decided to stick to long trips in October...especially after discovering our Vegas touring style this past trip- sleep in, hit the pool, do parks at night.

 

[PirateFrank]

For those going the week after Easter week who have expressed the high rates they are paying, please bear in mind that those coming in the second week of the closure may not be paying 'holiday rates' but I believe they are playing 'peak rates' which are also extremely expensive. So for all coming during the two weeks, which includes me, it is equally disappointing.

Just an FYI, with respect to those paying for their accommodations with DVC points, there's zero difference between the week before easter or the week after. It's top rate, regardless.

 

[Best Aunt]

Teena the Great will surely keep us posted.

Oh, dear, I didn't realize that this was the proper title for Princess Lily's grandmother! I'm afraid I did not address her correctly when I saw her on Sunday!

Teena - it was great to see you. Sorry my nieces were so shy. I had told them about you in advance. Here's how the younger one described you to her mother: "This girl is really nice, but she doesn't work every day."

 

[kelleigh1]

Oh, dear, I didn't realize that this was the proper title for Princess Lily's grandmother! I'm afraid I did not address her correctly when I saw her on Sunday!

Teena - it was great to see you. Sorry my nieces were so shy. I had told them about you in advance. Here's how the younger one described you to her mother: "This girl is really nice, but she doesn't work every day."

I just feel like she has gone above and beyond the last few days with gathering all the info regarding the SAB emergency renovations. I can't even imagine how stressful it must be, and for her to do this to share the info with the board...well, to put it mildly, I think it's simply GREAT!

 

[TeenaS]

Oh, dear, I didn't realize that this was the proper title for Princess Lily's grandmother! I'm afraid I did not address her correctly when I saw her on Sunday!

Teena - it was great to see you. Sorry my nieces were so shy. I had told them about you in advance. Here's how the younger one described you to her mother: "This girl is really nice, but she doesn't work every day."

That's so funny. They were adorable!!!

 

[bookgirl]

How can you say the Captain's Grille isn't romantic??


Can we nibble on your ~Dessert~ by Marlton Mom, on Flickr

~Marlton Mom

um......why is the guy on the end wearing a XL mickey head sticker on his abs.....are you trying to imply something or is he just a really big WDW fan....

 

[BlovesC]

We're staying at BC for the first time ever starting on May 12th. I sure hope the SAB work is finished by then, because we booked this as a "poolside relaxation" vacation getaway to celebrate the end of our semester. We don't even plan on going into the parks, with the exception of strolling into Epcot for food. I'll be crushed if our first exposure to SAB is incomplete!

 

[TeenaS]

I just feel like she has gone above and beyond the last few days with gathering all the info regarding the SAB emergency renovations. I can't even imagine how stressful it must be, and for her to do this to share the info with the board...well, to put it mildly, I think it's simply GREAT!

Thanks ... honestly I just want all of you to be able to make the best choice possible. Everybody's vacation is different (some people actually only do the parks) and my feeling is you need as much information as possible so you can make the best decision for your vacation. Obviously I'd prefer for everybody to stay at the Y&B and love it. I know how disappointed some of you are and if I could get good old Tinkerbell to spread that pixie dust over SAB I would. She's just getting harder and harder to control!! I just hope that if any of you decide to stay with the Y&B knowing what's going on at SAB, you will have made peace with it and therefore still have a fantastic vacation. And after the vacations are done, you can all compare notes on how you felt about the scary clown slide over at the Boardwalk.

 

[TeenaS]

We're staying at BC for the first time ever starting on May 12th. I sure hope the SAB work is finished by then, because we booked this as a "poolside relaxation" vacation getaway to celebrate the end of our semester. We don't even plan on going into the parks, with the exception of strolling into Epcot for food. I'll be crushed if our first exposure to SAB is incomplete!

Heaven help us all. I sure hope it's done in the two weeks they anticipate. I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed! I'll be away part of the time it's being worked on but I promise that when I get back from my Disney cruise, I'll do plenty of visits to the area and get reports for you all. But I only work two days a week (as Best Aunt's nieces know). I can always email my friends that work five days a week to get the latest reports. Doubt they'll go out and spy on the progress but they can at least ask questions when they see anybody from recreation.

 

[maminnie]

Just an FYI, with respect to those paying for their accommodations with DVC points, there's zero difference between the week before easter or the week after. It's top rate, regardless.

I believe the same holds true for those paying with cash; the week before Easter and the week after are 'holiday rates'. One of the weeks the pool is closed is neither of these two 'holiday' weeks but those coming in that second week of the closure are still paying 'peak rates' whether cash or with DVC points.

So for all coming in either of the weeks SAB is closed, all are paying a lot or using a lot of points whether categorized 'holiday or peak'. I only bring this up as some have said "couldn't they have just waited one more week?" No matter what week, it is very disappointing for those that are there. Obviously many have never experienced all of the closures in February and March... I can't even begin to count them all over the years we have gone to Disney and we pay peak rates for the time we generally go!

Unfortunately we are now going to experience one in April too!

 

[DrMomof3]

Now for a water question of a different kind -

In past trips, we have ordered cases of water from Costco and it works out really well. Shipping to a convention resort, though, feels like a bigger hassle (and added expense). Has anyone shipped a case of water to YC (or BC)? Was it a pain to get it?

What about the walk to the Hess Station? Far?

Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

We bought a stroller from amazon.com and had it shipped to BC. We had to walk to the Convention Center at YC and pay (I think?) $10 for package pick-up. The guy at the package center was awesome and helped us assemble the stroller and then took care of the trash for us (we tipped him). I don't think it would be worth it for water. We usually order from garden grocer.

Amanda