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

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hi pixarmom I got your PM, sorry we missed you too! I figured I sent my number too late.

We are currently staying at the GF but spend about an hour at the BC last night. It was so beautiful and relaxing. There is so much construction at the GF, it had really ruined the ambience.

We are staying in a deluxe room at the BC for 10 days in Sept. I had thought about changing to a split stay with 5 days at the GF but I think I may stick with all 10 days at the BC.

 

[cindydare]

Remind me please....when should my Mickey mail arrive?

Mine always seems to arrive around the 28 to 30 day mark, so it shouldn't be long for you!!

 

[ocalla]

Mine always seems to arrive around the 28 to 30 day mark, so it shouldn't be long for you!!

Thanks so much!!!!

We're all so excited. Can't wait to step off the ME bus and meet up with the greeters!!!

 

[TaraPA]

Hi pixarmom I got your PM, sorry we missed you too! I figured I sent my number too late.

We are currently staying at the GF but spend about an hour at the BC last night. It was so beautiful and relaxing. There is so much construction at the GF, it had really ruined the ambience.

We are staying in a deluxe room at the BC for 10 days in Sept. I had thought about changing to a split stay with 5 days at the GF but I think I may stick with all 10 days at the BC.

Sorry to hear the construction at GF is a distraction. I think we chatted about the deluxe CL rooms at BC before - you will love it!

 

[MaxTheHorse]

Hello, All. Just booked the YC for the first week of September (1-8).

Had thought long and hard about the Poly instead. But after reading a lot on these boards about the Poly pool getting crowded with pool hoppers, decided against that resort.

Great thread with lots of good info. Thanks to all who post and maintain it. Glad to see other people are as obsessive with their travel planning as I am!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Starting to freak out! Just over a week until our BC stay. I am getting nervous! I don't want anyone to get sick. Youngest is just getting over pneumonia.

 

[Feckless]

So, you guys know I've been posting here for 10 months, obsessing, waiting for our vacation to be here. You also know that we are travelling with another family, who I LOVE with all my heart. Only you can appreciate this though: last night, the mom of the other family texts me the following: "By the way, can you let me know the name of the resort we are staying at?"



Um, why yes, yes I can.

I thought long and hard about how to make the best holiday for us possible, and I decided that I will do the following, for members of my family and for anyone else who is going as well: *I* will be hitting rope drop at each park once in this 10 day period, plus once at Universal. Whoever wants to get up and go with me is welcome to go. If you are NOT at the bus stop in time for me to get to rope drop, you can meet me where I am at the park. I will have my phone. Text away. If you want to follow me around as I do my little touring plan, you are WELCOME. Otherwise, I'll see you by the pool later.

Sound good? I will put it in a nicer way!!! Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Best Aunt]

Try this:

I have learned from Disney experts that the earlier you get to the park, the shorter the lines are at each attraction. Therefore, I

will be hitting rope drop at each park once in this 10 day period, plus once at Universal. Whoever wants to get up and go with me is welcome to go. If you are not [NOT] at the bus stop in time for me to get to rope drop, you can meet me where I am at the park. I will have my phone. Feel free to text me if you want to join me. [Text away. If you want to follow me around as I do my little touring plan, you are WELCOME.] Otherwise, I'll see you by the pool later.

Delete the stuff I put in brackets.

You haven't mentioned what you plan to do the other mornings.

 

[pixarmom]

Pixarmom -- that was me who asked and thank you! You're such a doll. We're not gluten-free but we have a peanut allergy in the family and those items are nut free, as well. Thanks again! And glad you enjoyed your trip -- when are you going back?

Hi Music City Mama! You're welcome and I'm glad I could help a little! When we're going back is a good question. We have the Disney Alaska cruise at the end of August and then we're definitely planning a WDW trip next February. But we have APs right now and I'm always planning imaginary trips in my head. These imaginary trips involve YC in some way, because it was wonderful, and it's a good combination of relatively new but still familiar. So we'll see!!

Last full day here. Last chance to try the shark tube slide! I have done all of the others, but have not taken the "Leap of Faith"...

We have had awesome weather and my youngest son is becoming a snorkeling addict, which bodes very well for us for future trips! Snorkeling in the Digs Ruins was amazing, and a Manta Ray swam within inches of me and Nate, BUT they were algae blasting about half of the tank while we snorkeling and that part of the tank was pretty murky and loud.

Can't wait to post a few pictures and start a report!

Hope all of you are enjoying your trips this week or are gettin excitied about the ones coming up!

pixarmom- thanks once again for all of the helpful information

Tara- hope you are starting to feel better and getting past the pain.

To our friend out there- Give me a D give me a I give me a ....well you know how it goes.

Dee


Dee

Hi Dee! Have a wonderful last day and a safe trip home! I'll get around to posting the lobby and grounds photos (along with all those rocking chairs!) later. Trying to stretch it out a bit so that I can keep enjoying the memories. Can't wait to see the photos and read your report!

Dee:

I would have to be VERY DRUNK to try that leap of faith!!!! NO Way would I get on that thing!!!

If you do, We want pictures

ocalla, I'm laughing! Same here on that leap of faith and I vote for photos, too!

We are staying at the Beach Club for the first time in June. Does anybody have any suggestions for room requests? I thought about requesting a full balcony, but it will be June, so I question whether I will really want to be out there anyway.

We are a go-go-go park family, but this will be toward the end of our trip, so I imagine we will be slowing down somewhat by then (we are doing a split offsite, then onsite stay). Convenience would be a perk. I think we have a garden view category booked. 3 kids. They love to swim. Any ideas of locations that are better than others? Thanks!

Hi Megsie! We've stayed in several different locations throughout BC and find that there are benefits to each room location. We're either close to the lobby, close to Epcot or somewhere in between. (When we're close to Epcot, we hop out on the path along crescent lake to get to SAB - we don't go through the lobby.) So unless you feel very strongly about a particular location, I'd just request a full balcony and leave it at that. Even when we don't use our balcony for long periods of time, I like the feeling of the full balcony and the extra space in case someone needs to step out for a few minutes. (And I actually use the balcony in the summer quite a bit - that air conditioning is chilly and I need to warm up!)

Hooray! WE booked BC for October with our bounceback offer! Of course the offer was only good for our check in day but we will be back - October 6 - 10. So happy. We had a lovely visit at BWI last week but are really looking forward to BC in October.

Congratulations, Lisa! Now I wish I would have booked a BB too - it was such a good deal! Hope you love BC as much as we do! Will you do MNSSHP?

Hi pixarmom I got your PM, sorry we missed you too! I figured I sent my number too late.

We are currently staying at the GF but spend about an hour at the BC last night. It was so beautiful and relaxing. There is so much construction at the GF, it had really ruined the ambience.

We are staying in a deluxe room at the BC for 10 days in Sept. I had thought about changing to a split stay with 5 days at the GF but I think I may stick with all 10 days at the BC.

Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by to say hello and I hope the rest of your stay is wonderful! So glad you enjoyed your time at BC last night! I just love the music and the entire atmosphere. Were you there for just dinner or to walk around a bit?

Too bad about the construction at GF - we're trying it as part of our split stay next February and I hope the situation improves by that time - or that may prompt more RCing! I just love that BC deluxe room, but if you decide you want to split, there is always YC! (I know that sounds silly, but I'd actually do a split stay that involves both YC and BC!)

Hello, All. Just booked the YC for the first week of September (1-8).

Had thought long and hard about the Poly instead. But after reading a lot on these boards about the Poly pool getting crowded with pool hoppers, decided against that resort.

Great thread with lots of good info. Thanks to all who post and maintain it. Glad to see other people are as obsessive with their travel planning as I am!

Hi Max! Welcome! We also love Poly, but YC is a great choice, especially if you're worried about crowds at the pool. Even on hot summer afternoons, SAB is so huge that it never feels crowded to us. Hope we can help answer some questions as you plan your trip!

Starting to freak out! Just over a week until our BC stay. I am getting nervous! I don't want anyone to get sick. Youngest is just getting over pneumonia.

Hang in there! I know exactly how you feel - hope your youngest is feeling better and hopefully all the illness is behind you.

So, you guys know I've been posting here for 10 months, obsessing, waiting for our vacation to be here. You also know that we are travelling with another family, who I LOVE with all my heart. Only you can appreciate this though: last night, the mom of the other family texts me the following: "By the way, can you let me know the name of the resort we are staying at?"



Um, why yes, yes I can.

Feckless, we understand! We recently met another family at WDW for dinner and it was funny to hear about how differently people approach their trips. And I think that's pretty much the response!

We're very lucky when we travel with my parents. We give them the index card with the plan for the day and they happily come and go as they would like. Works for everyone and they are GREAT to travel with, even though they enjoy WDW in a different way than we do. (Actually, I love their way, too - very heavy on World Showcase eating and drinking time - just not a plan or pace that works with our three kids right now!)

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Feckless - here is what I did when we did our Grand Gathering.

Background: Our Grand Gathering was our gift to all our children, their spouses, our grandchildren and my mom. It was a 8 day/7 night all expenses paid trip.

When we told them on Christmas Eve that this was their gift I gave them a copy of The Official Disney Guidebook and the Unofficial Guidebook. I ask for their opinions on where they would like to eat, and told them our proposed dining schedule.

After I got everyone's ideas I made all the ADRs. Some we all ate together, some we ate alone, some we ate with one family or another.

About a week before the trip I wrote up a "manual". Not only did it include all dining reservations and such but I wrote a little narrative. I said that this was a once in a lifetime trip and that since we all wanted to still be talking to each other when we came home there were things everyone should know. One was that we could spend as much or as little time together as we wanted. We told them that we were a rope drop family and how much more we got done in those first few hours but that didn't mean they had to follow our lead. They could do the same park that we were doing, or go off on their own.

It ended up being a wonderful trip. I would say we ate about 75% of our meals together and usually at least started out together in the morning. Every family had their own room. Not only were we still speaking when we came home, we all talk about the magical memories we made.

 

[pixarmom]

Feckless - here is what I did when we did our Grand Gathering.

Background: Our Grand Gathering was our gift to all our children, their spouses, our grandchildren and my mom. It was a 8 day/7 night all expenses paid trip.

When we told them on Christmas Eve that this was their gift I gave them a copy of The Official Disney Guidebook and the Unofficial Guidebook. I ask for their opinions on where they would like to eat, and told them our proposed dining schedule.

After I got everyone's ideas I made all the ADRs. Some we all ate together, some we ate alone, some we ate with one family or another.

About a week before the trip I wrote up a "manual". Not only did it include all dining reservations and such but I wrote a little narrative. I said that this was a once in a lifetime trip and that since we all wanted to still be talking to each other when we came home there were things everyone should know. One was that we could spend as much or as little time together as we wanted. We told them that we were a rope drop family and how much more we got done in those first few hours but that didn't mean they had to follow our lead. They could do the same park that we were doing, or go off on their own.

It ended up being a wonderful trip. I would say we ate about 75% of our meals together and usually at least started out together in the morning. Every family had their own room. Not only were we still speaking when we came home, we all talk about the magical memories we made.

Robyn, I know you've talked about this before, but once again, I just love this. As the author of the "trip book" (a storybook for our youngest about each trip), "the cards" (3x5 cards with plans for each day) and the "trip binder" or "trip folder" (all the rest of the stuff) I so appreciate your "manual." I do this for all trips - not just Disney - and my parents get a kick out of it (especially when the boys wake up in the morning and ask for "the cards.") So you know I'm going to be working on the "manual" some day! Since I've planned for no more than 10 at a time, you know I'm relying on you for advice when I get to the Grand Gathering stage!

 

[WsPrincess]

Robyn, I know you've talked about this before, but once again, I just love this. As the author of the "trip book" (a storybook for our youngest about each trip), "the cards" (3x5 cards with plans for each day) and the "trip binder" or "trip folder" (all the rest of the stuff) I so appreciate your "manual." I do this for all trips - not just Disney - and my parents get a kick out of it (especially when the boys wake up in the morning and ask for "the cards.") So you know I'm going to be working on the "manual" some day! Since I've planned for no more than 10 at a time, you know I'm relying on you for advice when I get to the Grand Gathering stage!

I feel like I have found my place. For my wedding everyone got a booklet of information and at the rehearsal everyone was given a personalize itinerary for the day along with all the important contact numbers and who was in charge of each area in case there were issues. They were different sized based on if they were going to be wrapped around the bouquet or in a tux pocket (or full sized for the parents). I have to say, no one was late, confused, or asked silly questions. I did get some teasing but what are friends for and you know what, 6 months later our friends asked me to do them for their wedding!

Now that I have been given the idea from you guys for Disney I am off to make them for this trip!

 

[Feckless]

You can see my full plan in my pre-trip report; the link is in my signature. But basically, no touring plan stuff on arrival day. We have 11 mornings after arrival, including the morning we leave (that is not included in my "plan" days). I am planning 5 "commando" mornings - one for each park, and one for Universal. Except for the Universal Day (we may be doing MK EMH afterwards!) the idea is that we will get as much done as possible in the morning, and then spend the afternoons by SAB. If anyone feels like going back anywhere in the evening, we will. The other 5 days we are totally chilling out, sleeping in, maybe taking quick trips to the parks to do what we feel like. I'm sure we will do another day at a water park, but we will see - SAB might be enough. I feel like we are paying so much for BC, and for CL, that we really want to get the most out of it.

DS for sure will get up and go with me. I can't predict DD at this point.

 

[Feckless]

Feckless, we understand! We recently met another family at WDW for dinner and it was funny to hear about how differently people approach their trips. And I think that's pretty much the response!

We're very lucky when we travel with my parents. We give them the index card with the plan for the day and they happily come and go as they would like. Works for everyone and they are GREAT to travel with, even though they enjoy WDW in a different way than we do. (Actually, I love their way, too - very heavy on World Showcase eating and drinking time - just not a plan or pace that works with our three kids right now!)

So, what do you put on your index card? I have sent them a copy of the dining reservations (asked for input, but got no response mostly because of an email problem!) and have told them the basic plan (what park what day) and they said they will follow me around. They are really laid back folks who we all love - just want to make sure that we come back as close as when we left! LOL

 

[Akess]

Starting to freak out! Just over a week until our BC stay. I am getting nervous! I don't want anyone to get sick. Youngest is just getting over pneumonia.

My daughter is on a competition dance team and cheerleading team. Her second year on the dance team she was struck with a flu virus an hour before the competition began. She was not able to compete as she was tied up in the bathroom of our hotel room getting sick for the remainder of the night. It was unfortunate that she was not able to participate for her own sake and the sake of being there for her team; however, it was also unfortunate to not be able to compete after I paid approximately $200 in competition fees, another $200 in convention fees (mandatory to participate in the competition), and then about $500 in hotel fees and my gas to travel to and from the competition. Since then, I make my daughter start taking Airborne about 2 weeks-1 1/2 weeks prior to every competition. I am not sure if it really works or has been plain luck, but she has not been sick during a competition since we started that routine.

I cannot even imagine paying for a trip such as Disney and not being able to enjoy it because someone in the party is sick during the trip. In my opinion, the Airborne is worth trying.

 

[333disneymom]

Last full day here. Last chance to try the shark tube slide! I have done all of the others, but have not taken the "Leap of Faith"...

Can't wait to post a few pictures and start a report!

Dee

Can't wait to see your pics and hear if you took the "Leap of Faith"

Starting to freak out! Just over a week until our BC stay. I am getting nervous! I don't want anyone to get sick. Youngest is just getting over pneumonia.

Hope she is feeling better. I totally relate. I worry about illness and injury right before a trip.

I thought long and hard about how to make the best holiday for us possible, and I decided that I will do the following, for members of my family and for anyone else who is going as well: *I* will be hitting rope drop at each park once in this 10 day period, plus once at Universal. Whoever wants to get up and go with me is welcome to go. If you are NOT at the bus stop in time for me to get to rope drop, you can meet me where I am at the park. I will have my phone. Text away. If you want to follow me around as I do my little touring plan, you are WELCOME. Otherwise, I'll see you by the pool later.

Sound good? I will put it in a nicer way!!! Any suggestions welcome.

Sounds good. That will give them freedom to follow if they'd like or do their own thing a bit.

Background: Our Grand Gathering was our gift to all our children, their spouses, our grandchildren and my mom. It was a 8 day/7 night all expenses paid trip.


About a week before the trip I wrote up a "manual".

It ended up being a wonderful trip. I would say we ate about 75% of our meals together and usually at least started out together in the morning. Every family had their own room. Not only were we still speaking when we came home, we all talk about the magical memories we made.

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Love the planning techniques.

You can see my full plan in my pre-trip report; the link is in my signature. DS for sure will get up and go with me. I can't predict DD at this point.

Your plans sound great. I think we'll just miss being at Crystal Palace at the same time by a day.

Tara - hope you are feeling a little better.

 

[summersalt]

I'm back! After my visit to Beach Club last spring break, I dreamed of booking CL. Well, this break spring I finally did it! We got a bounceback offer this spring break and I was able to book CL at YC in a standard room. I'm so excited! I can't wait to pop over to BC and see Teena again. hahaha...

 

[MickeyT]

Hello, All. Just booked the YC for the first week of September (1-8).

Welcome aboard Max. I'll get Dee to add you to the Be Our Guest List on the front page when she returns if that's OK?

We are staying at the Beach Club for the first time in June. Does anybody have any suggestions for room requests? I thought about requesting a full balcony, but it will be June, so I question whether I will really want to be out there anyway.

Thanks!

I'd go for a full balcony. Late evenings/early mornings can be great on the balcony. If even for a few minutes (better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!)

Hooray! WE booked BC for October with our bounceback offer! Of course the offer was only good for our check in day but we will be back - October 6 - 10. So happy. We had a lovely visit at BWI last week but are really looking forward to BC in October.

Hey Lisa Would you like to be added to the Page 1 guest list? BC October 6-10?

I'm back! After my visit to Beach Club last spring break, I dreamed of booking CL. Well, this break spring I finally did it! We got a bounceback offer this spring break and I was able to book CL at YC in a standard room. I'm so excited! I can't wait to pop over to BC and see Teena again. hahaha...

Welcome back summersalt. What are your dates and will add you too!

 

[natebenma]

Hey all- preparing for our last morning out of here!

We have a 2 PM Flight to Charlotte (Mike's Neck of the Woods) and we clear customs here in the Bahamas, so we are leaving the resort around 9. Need to print out boarding passes instead of playing with the DIS!

Be back home around 8 tonight.

I so enjoyed catching up and following along in the wee hours of my trip.

We had an incredible trip!I have one or two photos to share, a trip report to conjure and a confession...

The Leap of Faith will have to wait until next time. Or Never. Not so much scared, but I just don't enjoy the steep body slides- sensation of lifting off the slide, water in the face and mouth, splash down at the end and you don't really even see anything.

Tried Abyss which was worse and I didn't love it, so my family said I wouldn't like Faith, either. Mark tried Leap of Faith yesterday and it was ok for him.

But of course, I will still have pictures of it all.

Everyone have a great day! Talk to you tomorrow.

Dee

 

[HockeyMomR]

Dee - glad you had. A great trip. Look forward to reading all about it!

Rebecca