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

[Music City Mama]

Honestly, it's decided on a number of factors. Time of the year, weather and crowds. I have no idea how they decide the times or when they make that decision. Sorry I don't have definitive information for you on this. But keep in mind, the quiet pools are open any time you want.

Oh, no worries, I was just curious -- 10:00 would be fine with us (and like you said, if we're up really early, we'll hit one of the quiet pools).

We did the same thing, my daughter (26) & I stayed at WL in January. First time without the DDP. Was a bit worried, but felt with the price increases, the DDP just isn't the bargain it once was.

So we put the amount it would have cost us in Disney Gift Cards, and used that for our dining. It worked very well, and even though we still did 1 CS & 1 TS every day, we still had money left on the card.

I loved it. Gave me much more flexibility. I'm not a pop drinker, and so order water anyway. I don't want a dessert with every lunch, esp those yucky cakes in a cup So I can have a lunch at Back Lot, and go to Starring Rolls for their yummy cupcakes! Or have a dinner at Kona, and go downstairs to have a Dole Whip for desert if I want! Or my daughter and I can share one dessert at dinner.
We've also split some lunches. At Sci Fi the sandwiches are huge, so you can easily split.

Not doing DDP this Aug either. Putting aside the cash on Gift cards is just like having it prepaid, and easy to not have to worry about carrying around cash for food.

Works out great, doesn't it?!

 

[vinotinto]

SAB is different. Every single guest (ages 3 and up) must show a room key that says they are staying at the BC, BCV or YC to get into SAB.

However, friends are allowed at any of the three quiet pools at the Y&B.

And to add to what Teena has said. Every guest must show a room key and the attendant will give you a wrist band that you have to wear while using SAB. They change the color of the wrist band daily. Other places we have stayed at WDW have not required wrist bands.

 

[alliesue]

Hello BC/YC/BCV experts!
Staying at BCV and have a couple questions for any wine lovers out there!
1- is there a corkscrew in the BCV 1 bedroom kitchen or do I need to bring one?
2- where is the most affordable place in walking distance of BCV to buy decent bottles of wine? We do have a TiW card - so it may be cheaper to buy bottles somewhere that accepts it - as opposed to the France, Italy or Germany in the World Showcase. We have a DD who goes to bed very early and DH and I figured we'd like to enjoy some adult beverages in the evenings!

Thanks!! So excited - just over a month to go!

 

[Minnie]

Most of the standard view club level rooms have full balconies but not all. You should add "full balcony" as a request on your reservation.

SAB's hours are different depending on the time of the year. I believe when I was there in August it opened at 9 AM but I'm not totally sure about that. The three quiet pools are open 24/7. You cannot get into SAB unless it's "open".

Great news on the balcony - I'll ask them to add "full balcony" to my reservation and just hope it happens - but we'll be happy either way

I don't know about "reliable" sources but Marlton Mom provided photos of the BC merchandise after her OMDD trip. They appeared on the previous thread and are also on page 5 (post 71) of the thread below:

Beach Club Marketplace Photo and Information Thread

Fabulous pictures and the merchandise looks fun can't wait and hope it's still available for our trip

 

[DLFan123]

Hi all,

Just wanting to chime in that we finally got our letter about the closure of the slide as well as a portion of SAB that will be closed during our trip. I'm sure it is the same letter seen by others; doesn't really say exactly how much of the complex will be closed. We have basically been in hysterics since we found out about the pool closures (on this site as well as another unofficial site). We have been so stressed about the possibility of trying to change our trip dates, reservations, flights, dinner reservations...or stay at a different resort (which would mean missing out on a lot of specific dinner reservations/park days etc). I think Disney really failed us all by not notifying us sooner. We have put so much money and time and energy into planning these vacations, and letters shouldn't be titled in a way that indicates they are delivering good news, when in fact they are only delivering bad news. That being said, I spoke with 5 different people today, all in different areas of Disney (some sitting at the beach club) and I have 5 different versions of what areas of SAB will be closed while we are there. Also, the 5 versions differ from what Teena has shared with us on this site. So I have no idea what to believe. Of course I know no one is intentionally giving out the wrong information; it simply seems that no one actually knows what will be happening. We have decided to stick with the BC and try to make the best of it. We want to be excited and looking forward to our trip again instead of feeling the dread and uncertainty we have been feeling. I really do think those of us staying at the BC should be compensated in some small way, since we are paying deluxe rates for this hotel and were not informed until 3 weeks before our trips about the construction work. If the closure it really very small and limited only to the slide (as one CM told me today), then that is no big deal. But if most of the SAB area that is usable as a pool is closed (or all of it, as one supervisor told me today), then we should be compensated in some way to make up for this immense disappointment and expense. One CM today actually suggested I cancel my trip if it really did upset me that SAB would be under refurbishment. I am still so disappointed and am going to try to move on and just look forward, but I thought everyone should know the multiple versions of what exactly is closed are still out there, and still creating more confusion and upset among those of us affected by this. Disney could put specific diagrams in the letters, or give real details, or could have called to inform guests directly, rather than leaving us all to resort to this guess-work that is taking place here. It has been very frustrating and a little lacking in magic.

But I've said enough. Letting it go, hoping not much will be closed and preparing in case most of it is. We really liked the quiet pools last time we stayed at the BC; I just hope they aren't packed this trip.

 

[Angel16]

My advice . . . Whatever the dining plan would cost you, put that amount on a Disney gift card (I actually do several with $200/each on them in case I lose it). Since the dining plan isn't that much of a cost savings and more of a convenience thing, you will still have enough money to eat AND here's the best part . . . You can eat how you want to eat -- i.e., split meals, order an appetizer for a meal, not get dessert, etc.

We did the same thing, my daughter (26) & I stayed at WL in January. First time without the DDP. Was a bit worried, but felt with the price increases, the DDP just isn't the bargain it once was.

So we put the amount it would have cost us in Disney Gift Cards, and used that for our dining. It worked very well, and even though we still did 1 CS & 1 TS every day, we still had money left on the card.

I loved it. Gave me much more flexibility. I'm not a pop drinker, and so order water anyway. I don't want a dessert with every lunch, esp those yucky cakes in a cup So I can have a lunch at Back Lot, and go to Starring Rolls for their yummy cupcakes! Or have a dinner at Kona, and go downstairs to have a Dole Whip for desert if I want! Or my daughter and I can share one dessert at dinner.
We've also split some lunches. At Sci Fi the sandwiches are huge, so you can easily split.

Not doing DDP this Aug either. Putting aside the cash on Gift cards is just like having it prepaid, and easy to not have to worry about carrying around cash for food.

We are going to be at the Beach Club in late September, our first visit. I have been debating what we should do regarding the DDP. Currently we have it added on, but I'm seriously considering dropping it. If I remember from a couple of years ago the tax is included with the DDP, not the tip but the tax is covered. Is that correct?

I am trying to figure out what would be best for us. My DH is a big eater and can certainly eat a desert with CS and TS, however I would rather just have what I want when I want it. Maybe a nice treat from one of the candy stores or such. What does everything think of using the Tables in Wonderland card? Does it pay to buy one of these with meals?


Angel16

 

[Feckless]

The frustration that guests must be feeling!!!! I completely get it. Our stay starts May 1st and I'm trying not to worry about it but it's hard... Peak rates or not, we are coming from a large distance and have very expensive airfare on top of the cost of CL at the BC. As well, we probably wont be back for a number of years. No matter when they do the repairs, someone will be upset and will lose out! However, I understand why this has to be done, and I'm sure we will still have a magical vacation, even if the closure extends beyond the projected dates. I just wish that all the CMs were as well informed as our Teena!

Finished my course here in Toronto. Hanging out until Sunday. There are several sunken treasures with my name on them waiting for me at SAB!!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Hello BC/YC/BCV experts!
Staying at BCV and have a couple questions for any wine lovers out there!
1- is there a corkscrew in the BCV 1 bedroom kitchen or do I need to bring one?
2- where is the most affordable place in walking distance of BCV to buy decent bottles of wine? We do have a TiW card - so it may be cheaper to buy bottles somewhere that accepts it - as opposed to the France, Italy or Germany in the World Showcase. We have a DD who goes to bed very early and DH and I figured we'd like to enjoy some adult beverages in the evenings!

Thanks!! So excited - just over a month to go!

Hi I dont remember a corkscrew in the room (we brought our own) but I do think they sold them in the marketplace? We bought some decent red wine there but the name escapes me now-I might have had more than my share Hope this helps

 

[DrMomof3]

Hello BC/YC/BCV experts!
Staying at BCV and have a couple questions for any wine lovers out there!
1- is there a corkscrew in the BCV 1 bedroom kitchen or do I need to bring one?
2- where is the most affordable place in walking distance of BCV to buy decent bottles of wine? We do have a TiW card - so it may be cheaper to buy bottles somewhere that accepts it - as opposed to the France, Italy or Germany in the World Showcase. We have a DD who goes to bed very early and DH and I figured we'd like to enjoy some adult beverages in the evenings!

Thanks!! So excited - just over a month to go!

The villas are supposed to have a corkscrew but I've found that it isn't always there. I bought one on a trip a few years ago and now I keep it in my "Disney box" and bring it - just in case.
The Marketplace will have some drinkable wine. At DVC resorts in general I think you can buy a decent bottle of wine for a reasonable price.

Amanda

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello fellow BC/YC lovers! We stayed at the Beach Club last summer, for a week at the end of July, and we loved it! I apologize for never posting on this thread to express my love. That said, I had decided that with our four year old son, I wanted to be closer to the MK on our next trip, which happened to be this past February. Nothing against the Beach Club, it was simply a matter of location. Or so I thought.

With an AP discount, we ended up at the much-adored Poly. I kept looking at pictures and thought it would be beautiful. I heard that CMs there were among the best on property. Oh, and being so close to the monorail and all those restaurants would be so fantastic.

And then we arrived. Yes, the Great Ceremonial House is lovely and the grounds immediately surrounding it are breathtaking. Our arrival was just "eh;" no one really greeted us or anything. Just didn't feel the same way when we arrived at the BC. And then we went to our room...and discovered many issues (and believe me, I'm not a big complainer).

For one thing, the comforters are the old-style, scratchy ones, not the white linens they have the BC. Now, I knew this was the case before we booked and I tried to tell myself it didn't matter. Oh, but it did! Also, the automatic exterior door to our room did not work and kept coming off its track. There were a lot of paint chips on the exterior of the building and the furniture was in rough shape. So much so that our bed had a piece of plywood under the mattress to try and "fix" something that was wrong with the foundation. On top of all of that, none of the CMs were particularly nice or friendly and we did not get a towel animal, nor were Max's stuffed animals ever arranged in some artistic way.

We also realized we'd much rather be close to EPCOT, which truly is our favorite park. And that I missed how light and bright everything is at the BC. I missed the double sinks in their own vanity area outside the rest of the bathroom. I missed being greeted everytime we came back inside the resort.
I missed the towel animals and the amusing arrangements of Max's cars and stuffed animals.

And...OH MY GOD...did we miss Storm Along Bay! The pool at the Poly is incredibly small and the volcano slide was being refurbed while we were there, but given the size, I don't think it would have mattered all that much. Where was my lazy river? Where was the kiddie slide on the pirate ship? Where was the hot tub? Where was the sand bottom section?

I suppose that we were truly spoiled at the Beach Club...and after this past trip, my usually frugal husband, who I thought would have been happy to go back to a mod, swears he never wants to stay anywhere but at the BEACH CLUB!

 

[WDW4us2006]

These are definitely the days I dream of lying by SAB with a sunken treasure!

I have bad news, ladies...the Sunken Treasure is officially off the drink menu at Hurricane Hannah's I, like you, dream of sitting in the sun at SAB, Sunken Treasure in hand. When I was there last week, I went to order one, and the bartender said, "Oh, we don't make those anymore, but seeing that it's an oldie but goody, I will make you one." I couldn't believe it, but one look at the drink menu sign, and he was right. He said that occasionally people still ask for it, and he would be happy to make it for anyone who asked him to. Hoping that every bartender there feels like he does. Naturally, I felt the urge to have as many as possible during my stay, in case it was my last.......

 

[natebenma]

Hello fellow BC/YC lovers! We stayed at the Beach Club last summer, for a week at the end of July, and we loved it! I apologize for never posting on this thread to express my love. That said, I had decided that with our four year old son, I wanted to be closer to the MK on our next trip, which happened to be this past February. Nothing against the Beach Club, it was simply a matter of location. Or so I thought.

With an AP discount, we ended up at the much-adored Poly. I kept looking at pictures and thought it would be beautiful. I heard that CMs there were among the best on property. Oh, and being so close to the monorail and all those restaurants would be so fantastic.

And then we arrived. Yes, the Great Ceremonial House is lovely and the grounds immediately surrounding it are breathtaking. Our arrival was just "eh;" no one really greeted us or anything. Just didn't feel the same way when we arrived at the BC. And then we went to our room...and discovered many issues (and believe me, I'm not a big complainer).

For one thing, the comforters are the old-style, scratchy ones, not the white linens they have the BC. Now, I knew this was the case before we booked and I tried to tell myself it didn't matter. Oh, but it did! Also, the automatic exterior door to our room did not work and kept coming off its track. There were a lot of paint chips on the exterior of the building and the furniture was in rough shape. So much so that our bed had a piece of plywood under the mattress to try and "fix" something that was wrong with the foundation. On top of all of that, none of the CMs were particularly nice or friendly and we did not get a towel animal, nor were Max's stuffed animals ever arranged in some artistic way.

We also realized we'd much rather be close to EPCOT, which truly is our favorite park. And that I missed how light and bright everything is at the BC. I missed the double sinks in their own vanity area outside the rest of the bathroom. I missed being greeted everytime we came back inside the resort.
I missed the towel animals and the amusing arrangements of Max's cars and stuffed animals.

And...OH MY GOD...did we miss Storm Along Bay! The pool at the Poly is incredibly small and the volcano slide was being refurbed while we were there, but given the size, I don't think it would have mattered all that much. Where was my lazy river? Where was the kiddie slide on the pirate ship? Where was the hot tub? Where was the sand bottom section?

I suppose that we were truly spoiled at the Beach Club...and after this past trip, my usually frugal husband, who I thought would have been happy to go back to a mod, swears he never wants to stay anywhere but at the BEACH CLUB!

home, Tina!!!

If you would like to be added to the Be Our Guest list on Page 1, let us know the checkin and checkout dates of your trip

Dee

PS- your husband is a wise man!!!

 

[natebenma]

I have bad news, ladies...the Sunken Treasure is officially off the drink menu at Hurricane Hannah's I, like you, dream of sitting in the sun at SAB, Sunken Treasure in hand. When I was there last week, I went to order one, and the bartender said, "Oh, we don't make those anymore, but seeing that it's an oldie but goody, I will make you one." I couldn't believe it, but one look at the drink menu sign, and he was right. He said that occasionally people still ask for it, and he would be happy to make it for anyone who asked him to. Hoping that every bartender there feels like he does. Naturally, I felt the urge to have as many as possible during my stay, in case it was my last.......

Thanks for that info. Pixarmom experienced the same thing, I think on her August trip (during which one of her missions was to photograph the Sunken Treasure for the first page of the thread, Community/Be Our Guest post). They gave her the same spiel. No longer on the menu, but if you get a bartender who knows how to make one, he or she will.

We have the ingredients of the ST listed on the front page- put it on an index card, laminate it and bring it to Hurricane Hanna's just to be on the safe side!

Sunken Treasure: The unofficial beverage of the Beach and Yacht Club FAQ forum:

Thanks, pixarmom, for the photo!

Fans, take note: this drink is no longer on the menu at Hurricane Hanna's, but if you ask the bartenders, and he or she knows how to make one, you may still be in luck.

Contents: Malibu Rum, Midori, orange juice, pineapple juice and Sprite with a splash of BOLS Blue Curacao.
Served in a souvenir cup for an additional $2.00 - $7.50

.

 

[BCV23]

Morning all!

As a newbie DVC owner at BCV, I am fast discovering how popular this place can be!

I currently have reservations on a 2BR villa from August 19-26. Good news is I can think about moving our vacation up since plans fell through with my side of the family so we're taking my in-laws instead. Bad news is trying to get a 2BR at BCV anytime in July or even early August is like winning the lottery. I already have waitlist requests on in July, but someone please tell me that we still have a chance at going earlier! I've been checking online daily, and while there are other resorts open, I keep backing away. It's BCV or bust (well, at least until August 19)!

Congratulations and Welcome Home!!! I find it easier to check availability online for villas on the DVC website. It's faster than calling and works very well. It's a great enhancement....finally! Good luck finding your dates.

Hello BC/YC/BCV experts!
Staying at BCV and have a couple questions for any wine lovers out there!
1- is there a corkscrew in the BCV 1 bedroom kitchen or do I need to bring one?
2- where is the most affordable place in walking distance of BCV to buy decent bottles of wine? We do have a TiW card - so it may be cheaper to buy bottles somewhere that accepts it - as opposed to the France, Italy or Germany in the World Showcase. We have a DD who goes to bed very early and DH and I figured we'd like to enjoy some adult beverages in the evenings!

Thanks!! So excited - just over a month to go!

As Amanda said, there should be a corkscrew in the kitchen. If not, call housekeeping and they will bring you one. Like Amanda, we bring our own.

I can't think of anywhere in the Epcot resort area that you can use your TiW to buy a bottle of wine other than the full service restaurants where the markup will more than erase any savings. For us, one of the many delights of BCV is the ability to purchase wine in "France" and bring it back to the villa. We personally haven't enjoyed the wines available at the Marketplace the couple times we've tried that route.

 

[BCV23]

We are going to be at the Beach Club in late September, our first visit. I have been debating what we should do regarding the DDP. Currently we have it added on, but I'm seriously considering dropping it. If I remember from a couple of years ago the tax is included with the DDP, not the tip but the tax is covered. Is that correct?

I am trying to figure out what would be best for us. My DH is a big eater and can certainly eat a desert with CS and TS, however I would rather just have what I want when I want it. Maybe a nice treat from one of the candy stores or such. What does everything think of using the Tables in Wonderland card? Does it pay to buy one of these with meals?


Angel16

Hi Angel. Yes, tax is included in the DDP but not tip.

We love TiW. It works very well for us although you'll have to do a bit of math to figure out if it will pay off for you. Happy planning!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

As the kids got older and started being "Disney Adults" (where else would a 10 year old be considered an adult?) we found the TIW worked better for us.
I do miss the days though when the appetizer and tip were included in the DDP!

Dee - I will definitely be bringing the laminated "sunken treasure" card with me in July. Maybe if we all do this they'll put it back on the drink menu!

 

[Sue M]

Yeah! I miss those days too. Tip, Appy and Dessert! Now the DDP is more of a break even thing, not the value it once was. Esp with price increases.

I think with TIW the break even point for an AP holder is $375 as to weather you'll realize a savings. If you don't have an AP the break even is $400. (AP holders get a $25 discount on TIW ).

 

[Sue M]

Back to reality! Our 2 week Spring Break is almost done. Had a wonderful week in Whistler. Now is't time to hit the road and go home today.

 

[pixarmom]

Please have a Sunken Treasure for me, too!

Definitely - so that's two Sunken Treasures - got it!

I think we need a "sunken treasure club" for all the mothers involved in the projexts for the kids' "fairs".

Sign me up!

I am trying to figure out what would be best for us. My DH is a big eater and can certainly eat a desert with CS and TS, however I would rather just have what I want when I want it. Maybe a nice treat from one of the candy stores or such. What does everything think of using the Tables in Wonderland card? Does it pay to buy one of these with meals?
Angel16

Angel16, we love the TIW card - we had one for our trips in March 2010, July 2010, January 2011 and February 2011. In August 2011, our APs had expired and we are not FL residents, so no TIW for us - we missed it so much! So next month, we're getting APs again and a TIW card. Our boys are ages 5, 11 and 12, so we have two "Disney adults." Our 11-year-old always orders from the kids' menu, I usually order an appetizer instead of an entree, we never eat dessert at the same time as our meal, and we love signatures but don't always want all the food that comes with the DDP. But I think it's important to sit down with a list of your ADRs and the menus, see what you think you'll actually order and then decide which is a better value. For us, it's TIW by far, but I know it can work out differently for different families.

Thanks for that info. Pixarmom experienced the same thing, I think on her August trip (during which one of her missions was to photograph the Sunken Treasure for the first page of the thread, Community/Be Our Guest post). They gave her the same spiel. No longer on the menu, but if you get a bartender who knows how to make one, he or she will.

Hi Dee! The first time I noticed the Sunken Treasure missing from the menu was in February 2011, and that's when I took the photo. (I had to ask the bartender to add the cherry to make the photo a little more interesting!) That time, the bartender was a little hesitant about the ingredients, but it looked right and tasted good! In August, the bartender knew right away how to make it and was very happy to meet a Sunken Treasure fan! He was so happy about it that it was really fun - I wish I remember his name. I know I posted it when we returned, but I'm not sure how buried that old thread is by now.

I remember reading that the drink menus throughout WDW were standardized a while ago, and I think that's part of it. I read about a special drink at AKL that's not on the menu (something like a Natazu, I think - say it out loud and you'll get it!) So I think all the specialities are gone.

But I LOVE your idea of bringing the card - copying the ingredients onto my 3x5 mission list card right now!

We love TiW. It works very well for us although you'll have to do a bit of math to figure out if it will pay off for you. Happy planning!

Hi BCV23!

Back to reality! Our 2 week Spring Break is almost done. Had a wonderful week in Whistler. Now is't time to hit the road and go home today.

Hi Sue! Always happy to hear about your good times in Whistler!

 

[jaceraden]

WOW!

Page 52 of a new thread since I've been here last.

I just came in to say hi to all the awesome BC/YC peeps and let you know that DH says we can do another BC trip sometime before our #3 in the making is 2 years old. I'm so excited!!!