2013/2014 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Fun & Friends ~ Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan ~

[Pinkgirl]

3 weeks from today we leave!!!!
I made a few small purchases yesterday in preparation for WDW. I don't know where I read this tip, but it was a great one for our family: pack a small collapsible laundry hamper. For our family of 4 (2 boys-5 & 3) this made a lot of sense to me (as in why haven't I thought of this). I found one for $5 yesterday. And with 2 additional trips (2 cruises on DCL) coming up within the next year, it was a great small investment.
Also picked up a 3oz bottle that I later filled with dish soap. I also read that tip on the boards somewhere. Genius idea because I don't like washing the cups out every night with hand soap. Bleck!

A hamper is a must. I have one that lives in the suitcase between holidays, along with a hanging sweater and hanging sock storage.

 

[HBGdancermom]

3 weeks from today we leave!!!!
I made a few small purchases yesterday in preparation for WDW. I don't know where I read this tip, but it was a great one for our family: pack a small collapsible laundry hamper. For our family of 4 (2 boys-5 & 3) this made a lot of sense to me (as in why haven't I thought of this). I found one for $5 yesterday. And with 2 additional trips (2 cruises on DCL) coming up within the next year, it was a great small investment.
Also picked up a 3oz bottle that I later filled with dish soap. I also read that tip on the boards somewhere. Genius idea because I don't like washing the cups out every night with hand soap. Bleck!

Great tips!!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

NM your kid jail and husband jail had me rolling!!!!! So stealing that idea!

 

[dansdad]

dansdad or others- are there blenders available to request from housekeeping? That would be cool and the easiest solution***.

The last time we were there, yes there were.

 

[pixarmom]

Ninja Mom, what if your husband has come to believe that Disney IS "husband jail?"

 

[CableKC]

I am consider switching from CR to either YC or BC.

The trade off is losing the walking proximity to MK and quick Monorail ride from CR to Poly ( for our traditional Dinner at Ohana ) while gaining the option to go to the great BC/YC Stormaway Bay ( which the kids would love ).

I am sure that this question has been asked several times....but which Resort....YC or BC should I look into booking a room to. Any reason to book one over the other?

 

[natebenma]

I am consider switching from CR to either YC or BC.

The trade off is losing the walking proximity to MK and quick Monorail ride from CR to Poly ( for our traditional Dinner at Ohana ) while gaining the option to go to the great BC/YC Stormaway Bay ( which the kids would love ).

I am sure that this question has been asked several times....but which Resort....YC or BC should I look into booking a room to. Any reason to book one over the other?

to the thread!

Although you are giving up walking proximity to MK, you gain SAB, as you pointed out, as well as a very short walk to EPCOT.

Yes, the question about BC vs. YC is asked often. This is from the first post in this thread:

The Beach Club and Yacht Club are similar resorts in terms of service and amenities, and have equal access to the shared pool complex, health club and video arcade. Both resorts have the same management team in place.

Some minor differences have been noted by guests:

Beach Club
Lighter, beachy decor in lobby and rooms
Lobby can be active and lively with families waiting for meals at Cape May
Closer to EPCOT and Marketplace Gift Shop
Approximately 50% of rooms in all room categories have full balconies. The remaining are standing balconies.

Yacht Club
Darker woods and nautical decor in lobby and rooms
Lobby is more serene
Convention attendees are more likely to be booked at YC
Closer to Hollywood Studios and Friendship Boats
Most rooms have a full balcony


Want more details about the differences between the two resorts? Check out this awesome blog post (November 2011) from The World of Deej:
The World of Deej: BC vs. YC

Pixarmom's comparison of BC and YC


Both the Yacht Club and Beach Club have their fans. I prefer the Beach Club because of the décor, but I would be perfectly happy staying at the Yacht Club.


Please let us know if you end up booking one the resorts.

 

[pixarmom]

I am consider switching from CR to either YC or BC.

The trade off is losing the walking proximity to MK and quick Monorail ride from CR to Poly ( for our traditional Dinner at Ohana ) while gaining the option to go to the great BC/YC Stormaway Bay ( which the kids would love ).

I am sure that this question has been asked several times....but which Resort....YC or BC should I look into booking a room to. Any reason to book one over the other?

We've stayed at all three (CR, YC and BC) and would choose BC over CR or YC. As much as we love the ability to walk to MK (and I really do!) I love the ability to walk to Epcot even more! It's particularly nice because with APs or hoppers, we can spend the day in one park (MK, AK or DHS) return for a swim break and then just walk to Epcot for dinner. With dinners in and around Epcot every night, this works very well.

Between YC and BC, we prefer BC. It's primarily because we prefer the BC theme and atmosphere, the light room decor and the convenience of the BC Marketplace for snacks, shopping, refill mugs, breakfast (if not staying CL), etc. For us, the only negative at BC is that some rooms have small standing-room only balconies, while others have full balconies. We've been staying at BC for over 21 years, with our last stay in October of 2012, and we've always had a full balcony. We just add the full balcony request to our room reservation, and are willing to wait for a room with a balcony if one isn't available when we check in. But I'll admit that it's really nice to have that guaranteed full balcony at YC.

Here's a summary of the differences that I wrote after our April 2012 YC stay:

After a wonderful YC stay last week, I'll summarize our thoughts regarding the differences we saw between BC and YC (with a few BWI comments mixed in!)

1) Lobby. I think this is all about personal preference. The YC lobby is lovely, and while it's definitely darker and more formal than the BC lobby, it's not the least bit stuffy. As I've seen in the past, there are quite a few conference attendees, while BC seems to attract more families. The BC lobby tends to be busy in the morning with Cape May, and the YC lobby tends to be busy at happy hour. So while many say the YC lobby is more quiet, I actually felt like it was a wash in terms of lobby activity. At times, I could really tell YC was a conference hotel because we encountered so many conference attendees in the lobby, elevators and store, but it had less of a conference feel than either CSR or Dolphin (we've stayed at those, too - Dolphin felt the most conferency.)

Of course, we missed Teena in the lobby! (But that's because it wasn't one of her regularly scheduled work days and she's enjoying her cruise!) But we were fortunate to meet Teena and Bob's friend, Gary, who is the part-time greeter in the YC lobby. We talked with him a few times during our stay - what a nice guy and a pleasure to meet! We'll be sure to stop by the YC lobby to say hello to him in the future, even when we're staying at BC.

In the end, I prefer the BC lobby - just more my style. And I'm highly sentimental, so that's a big factor for me. Of the Epcot area resorts, I'd rank the lobbies as follows: 1) BC; 2) YC; 3) BWI.

2) Stores. Fittings and Fairings at YC opened at 9am, which was surprising to me as a Disney early bird! I'm used to the 6:30am BC Marketplace opening for coffee, and then the remaining area opening at 7am. F&F has a nice selection of merchandise (far more than at BC Marketplace, it seemed) and a small selection of grocery items (fewer than at BC Marketplace.)

In the end, F&F at YC wins for merchandise and BC Marketplace wins for everything else (including operating hours!)

For those interested in a BWI comparison, I'd rank BWI similarly to YC - it wins for merchandise, but BC Marketplace wins for everything else.

3) Food. For the first time, I was a little concerned about CS. We usually don't use CS much, but I was traveling alone with our 5-year-old and I knew he would fall asleep during at least one dinner ADR. He did, and I needed dinner #2 for him after Illuminations. BC Marketplace was perfect and the kids' meals there are a very good value (a relatively large flatbread pizza, grapes, cookie and milk for under $6.) Of course, the options are a little different at YC (and if I was looking for an evening snack and wanted to sit down, I'd definitely go to Crew's Cup.) It really wasn't a problem to stop at BC Marketplace on the way back from Epcot and they packaged up dinner #2 in a paper bag with a handle, so it was great. But I do like having BC Marketplace close to our room when staying at BC.

As for Ale and Compass, this is the second time I intended to take photos of the breakfast there, but once again, I failed. Another poster provided a photo of the small case of pastries last year, and again I just didn't feel that I could add much. We initially intended to grab breakfast at Ale and Compass at least one morning, but our 5-year-old requested Cape May and Hollywood and Vine - since it was just the two of us, I booked ADRs at both. (I recommend both for the 5-and-under crowd - even though I don't eat much breakfast, he ate very well and had such a great time with the characters that I felt they were both a good value for us in the end.)

As for TS, I love Yachtsman for dinner and Cape May for breakfast. But it's easy to get to Yachtsman from BC and Cape May from YC, so that's a wash.

For those interested in the BWI comparison, I'd rank BC/YC above BWI for CS and TS. The BC Marketplace is far more convenient for us than the Boardwalk Bakery and the CS stands on the Boardwalk. And we prefer Yachtsman and Cape May over Flying Fish and ESPN (have not been to Kouzinna.) Edited to add: We went to Kouzzina for dinner in January of this year - really enjoyed it! They are all so close to each other that I don't really think it makes much difference for TS.

4) Refill mugs. I'm a big fan of the refill mug, even when staying CL, so self-serve refill stations are very important to me. Since BC has the Marketplace, BC wins there. Ale and Compass has the self-serve coffee, but the rest is not self-serve. BWI doesn't have any self-serve refill stations, but that's not a problem if you're staying CL. Edited to add: Now BWI has a self-serve refill station at the Boardwalk Bakery.

5) Rooms. Wow - I loved that YC room so much more than I expected. It seems like it's identical to BC except: a) full balcony guarantee; b) decor - mostly color scheme; and c) the sliding glass door and large windows in our YC room were unlike any of the BC rooms I've stayed in before. Edited to add: Our BC room in October 2012 had the exact same sliding glass doors and large windows as our YC room - best of everything! But that last one isn't necessarily a difference, because I can see from the outside that BC has several rooms with sliding glass doors and large windows. It just seems (again, from the outside) that this set-up is more prevalent at YC, along with the full balconies.

So in the end, I still prefer the BC decor, with YC and BWI tied for second. When choosing between BC and YC, I'd have to decide if I prefer that decor enough to outweigh the more likely full balcony, sliding glass door and large windows. I think it does.

6) Location. Another wash. BC is closer to Epcot, but YC is close to the boat dock.

In the end, BC is still my favorite resort and our 5-year-old said the same. We had a wonderful stay at YC and I'm so glad we tried it. We're likely to continue choosing BC over YC, even with the balcony issue. Again, much of this is just personal preference and a strong sentimental attachment to BC. And when we stay at BWI, it will only be if we book CL and for part of a split stay with BC. (BWI CL is outstanding and really what will keep us going back there for a night or two either before or after BC.)

I hope this is helpful and I'm happy to try to answer any questions!

 

[CableKC]

Thanks to both of you for posting. Do both BC and YC share the same Counter Service restaurants?

I am leaning towards BC....but I like the idea of a Full Balcony. Is there a way to request one beforehand?

or

Is it usually based off of availability on check in?

Does alll BC rooms have the sliding door for the bathroom?

or

Is it just some rooms have that feature?

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks to both of you for posting. Do both BC and YC share the same Counter Service restaurants?

I am leaning towards BC....but I like the idea of a Full Balcony. Is there a way to request one beforehand?

or

Is it usually based off of availability on check in?

Does alll BC rooms have the sliding door for the bathroom?

or

Is it just some rooms have that feature?

YC and BC do share CS restaurants - Hurricane Hanna's at the pool, BC Marketplace at BC and then Ale and Compass at YC has a few continental breakfast items in the morning. But there are a number of other CS locations in the Epcot resorts area, including Picabu at the Dolphin, Boardwalk Bakery at the Boardwalk and a number of CS stands along the Boardwalk.

Yes, we always call Disney reservations to add "full balcony please" to our reservation. When staying CL, we also ask IPO to add it to our reservation. When checking in at the resort, we ask if our request was granted. We've always been fortunate - BC has granted our request for a full balcony every time. And even before we started requesting a full balcony, we always received one by chance. But if we check in and a room with a full balcony is not available at the moment, I'd let them know we're willing to wait for a room with a full balcony if one becomes available later in the day. So while we've had very good luck, we know it's always subject to availability.

The sliding glass door I mentioned is the door from the room to the balcony. Some have a small hinged door and some have a larger sliding door. Every room I've stayed in at BC (standard views, garden views, water views, deluxe CL and 2-bedroom suite) had a standard hinged door to the bathroom.

 

[HubbDave]

You can always get ice cream at Beaches and Cream at the takeout counter

Does that count as CS?

And yes, ice cream is a meal to me...yum!

 

[HubbDave]

NM, Husband Jail sounds terrifying. I hope never to be sent there

For my Wife Jail, I think she would be sent to the ESPN Club to watch golf or college football

 

[Angeejoe]

I am consider switching from CR to either YC or BC.

The trade off is losing the walking proximity to MK and quick Monorail ride from CR to Poly ( for our traditional Dinner at Ohana ) while gaining the option to go to the great BC/YC Stormaway Bay ( which the kids would love ).

I am sure that this question has been asked several times....but which Resort....YC or BC should I look into booking a room to. Any reason to book one over the other?

Hi CableKC! I see that Pizarmom told you why she likes BC, I'll tell you why I like YC more:

1st for me a full balcony is my 1st priority & I hate wasting one one my 2 online check in requests on requesting something that's just a given at YC (some will say well you can request as much as you want at call center, but they'll also say the more you you request the more confusing it is for the room scheduler). I love sitting out on the balcony to people watch & read & take in the view. We got a Juliette balcony for 1 night of our BC stay & hated it, we changed rooms.

2nd is transport, YC is the 1st pick up for the buses, so you always get a seat & you get dropped off at the resort 1st after a long park day. When we stayed at BC a lot of the time we had to stand on the ride to the parks. While BC is closer to Epcot, YC is closer to boat launch to Epcot, DHS, boardwalk & swan/dolphin- of course you can walk to any of the places too, but my DH has a bad knee so any little ways to save on walking we do.

3rd I prefer Captains Grille breakfast over Cape Mays (again with a short walk-you can go to either) it is the exact same breakfast buffet & also has a menu to order from also. It's less expensive as no characters, so it's very quiet & you can generally walk up. Were not QS people so the only thing that bothers me about not having the Marketplace is the refillable drink mugs as you can only get drink mugs filled until 11a at Ale & Compass then you need to go to Huricane Hanna's. I think they just need to put in the pop machine at the store in YC & be done with it.

4th SAB yc enterance seems a little closer to YC lobby to me than the SAB bc enterance us to BC lobby. Again a very minimal thing.

The things I like better about BC: the look of the lobby, but it's very busy as people come from all over for Cape May & spill into the lobby to wait to be seated. The ability to refill mugs at Marketplace. That Tenna works there !

Our next trip is at BC because there was no availability at YC during our stay, so I'm very open to both places, but my preference is YC mainly for full balcony & the transport proximity to the boat & better bus seating!!! You can't go wrong with either, so have a great trip !

 

[HubbDave]

We stayed at BC in August and got off the bus at YC once and walked through the resorts That was faster than finishing the ride on the bus and the walk through both resorts is enjoyable

 

[YCFAN]

I also prefer the YC. I love the BC as well but my first choice is YC.

Here are the reasons. The full balcony, of course, but I also prefer the lagoon views from YC. The bus stop is closer to the lobby and I too like that it is the first pick up and the first drop off on the route. I like the room decor better. Everyone talks about the YC being darker but that's only in the lobby. The rooms/furniture are actually lighter at the YC than at BC. I prefer the furniture in the lobby. I love Crew's Cup lounge much better than Martha's Vineyard. I like the rocking chair area just out the back entrance and just beyond that the entrance to SAB seems easier somehow.

I love seeing the lighthouse out the back (there's something very magical about that lighthouse) and the proximity to the friendship boats.

I always go over and visit with Teena, who I love and that's the beauty of the sister resorts. I would not hesitate to book a vacation at BC but I would choose YC if I had the choice.

I also prefer the selection of gifts at Fittings and Fairings over BC Marketplace but I will clarify that by saying I'm not much of a food court/counter service kind Of girl. I love the Yachtsman and Captain's Grill.

Just my two cents.

 

[Couchy]

You can always get ice cream at Beaches and Cream at the takeout counter

Does that count as CS?

And yes, ice cream is a meal to me...yum!

Doesn't ice cream count as a meal for everyone

 

[HBGdancermom]

You can always get ice cream at Beaches and Cream at the takeout counter

Does that count as CS?

And yes, ice cream is a meal to me...yum!

Works for me! I think all the food groups are there. Lol.

 

[Ninja Mom]

NM, Husband Jail sounds terrifying. I hope never to be sent there

For my Wife Jail, I think she would be sent to the ESPN Club to watch golf or college football

Excellent idea for wife jail!!!

Us wives and Moms, despite our 'saintly' demeanor, have been known to totally lose it on occasion, say for instance at the top of every hour.

~NM

 

[HockeyMomR]

We are home. Had a fabulous time at Disney and a truly wonderful stay at the YC. Thumbs up room 3051 and the secret entrance.

Even had a little Dis meet. Thanks for reporting Buzzy. I didn't see you but with your keen eyes you were a good fly on the wall.

 

[Sue M]

Teena hope you feel better soon