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

[Wood Nymph]

I have Garden View at BC booked for January, couldn't get the 35% off rate for Standard or Garden View at YC, which I was hoping for to get a full balcony. I am wondering what room request to make? I searched for a hotel floorplan/numbered rooms layout, I know I've seen it before, but could only find that for the Villas. Does anyone have a link? What should I make for a room request...just a balcony? Floor level high for a better view? Corner room? Near Epcot to use that sneaky back way out of BC since we will be spending most walking time in that direction for WS food, food, and more food? I don't want to make too many requests. Any advice from the experts here is appreciated!

Here is the link to the BC room layout. The view categories have changed since they made this chart.

http://web.archive.org/web/20110709015029/http://www.disneyzone.net/bcresort.htm

Most of the garden view rooms face toward the Epcot side of the BC or toward the villas. I would put full balcony as my first request and then maybe add near Epcot, too, although the garden view rooms mostly are near Epcot.

As far as which floor to request, we usually like a lower floor so we can use the stairs rather than the elevators. There are a lot of staircases which will get you to the outside without having to walk through the corridors to an elevator. You might be able to see the highest fireworks with a high floor, but maybe not. There are a lot of trees better BC and Epcot for the garden view rooms.

 

[HBGdancermom]

Just back from my conference at WDW. I stayed at the AKL in a standard room, but they upgraded me to savannah view. I really enjoyed the hotel, and it was cool to look at the animals. If I were to choose between the AKL and the BC/YC, it would definitely be the BC. My thoughts:

1. Rooms at the AKL seem a lot smaller. I'd say they are comparable to a moderate size-wise. The bathroom and the furnishings are like the other deluxe resorts. I wasn't thrilled with the look of the bedspread, but as the nights were chilly, the extra warmth at my feet was nice.

2. The pool is nice, but fairly small. The slide was a real let down. We have much better pools and slides at our community center here at home. Stormalong Bay leaves the Uzima pool in the dust.

3. Two very small hot tubs - for the size of Jambo House I felt the hot tubs were a bit inadequate. I tried using them twice, but both times there was no room for any more people. The BC/YC has lots of hot tubs, and you can usually find room in them even when the hotel is sold out.

4. Restaurants - I think AKL has the upper hand for the Mara. I really liked that food court, and it is much more spacious and more offerings than the Marketplace. The Epcot area has so many different choices for restaurants close by that for sit down service, you can't really beat the location.

5. Transportation - No contest. AKL has buses everywhere. They drop off at Kidani first, so it seemed to take a long while to get back from the parks. The ride back from Magic Kingdom seemed to take FOREVER.

6. Mousekeeping - The BC housekeeping was far superior. I don't know if this was because I stayed CL last time. The AKL housekeeping was spotty.

7. The staff. BC wins because they have Teena. I stopped by to see her while I was at the conference and got to meet her and her boss. So cool to see you again, Teena!

I had a real blast visiting by myself. I really went super commando at the parks. I used my very best touring plan advice that I've gotten from the DIS and EasyWDW and I managed to do a ton in the short time I was able to spend in the parks. I'm SO glad I upgraded my ticket to an annual pass when I was there last month. I had no idea I'd be back so soon. The pass has paid for itself already.

So glad you had a great time! Thanks for the comparison too. . We leave in 9 days for our first on property stay and will be at the BC. So excited!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Hello Y&BC friends! Having a blast here!

Checked into YC yesterday morning and got a great CL room overlooking back entrance. Stopped at Hurricane Hanna's for my first Sunken Treasure...yummy! On to Food & Wine for some sampling. Saw Sugar Ray last night and Edwin McCain tonight...what a blast! The weather has been gorgeous the last two days...The CMs are loving the 'cool front' haha. Today we sadly left the YC (but made sure to go back for a little break for drinks and appys) and checked into the Swan. We are in a boardwalk view balcony room...very nice! We just love the Epcot resorts area.

Tomorrow we have dinner at Biergarten with our friend from the YC. Magic Bands working well so far.

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Sounds awesome Kerry! I love Edwin McCain. Too cool!

NM- Just might write these tips on marriage down. Lol. We will celebrate 18 in April and might need to spice it up with your ideas for the next 18. Lol. Hilarious!

 

[Angeejoe]

I'm on the countdown to BC trip this month! park tickets arrived for DH & our MNSSHP tickets came last week. Our magic bands came tue. I have activities picked for the magic bands everyday except MNSSHP as we plan to have a non park day until the party. I'm so excited to go!!! I have a couple of questions:

1. I still haven't figured out how to add the fast pass BOG lunch, every time I go to the link someone recently provided I get an error message after I log in. Any advice?

2. I preordered the photo pass CD today, but how do I link them to my magic band? I've seen a lot of people talk about redeeming a voucher, but my receipt did not say a voucher would be sent? I know that photo pass has had a major overall in last month so maybe new orders don't get voucher? I thought I'd put in confirmation code from prepurchase, but there's no where to put it in? . So confused

Updates:
1. I already told you I finally got BOG fast pass (if you need help let me know)

2. I figured out that I bought the reg fast pass & not fast pass plus. I did send an email to the photo pass dept & got this response if it helps anyone else:

My original message:
Hello!

I preordered my photo pass CD for my 10/28-11/3 trip to WDW. *How does
this link to my magic band, I'm staying at Beach Club & I am
participating in the magic band test? *Others have stated prior to the
new photo pass process that started 9/4/13 they had to redeem a voucher,
will I get a voucher & will have to redeem it prior to use or is it
automatically on my magic band? *My confirmation number for photo pass
is ****** if this helps.

Thanks,
Angela

Response:

Dear Angela,

Thank you for contacting us regarding your account at
DisneyPhotoPass.com.

When you pre-purchase your Disney PhotoPass Archive Disc, you will have
a Disc credit waiting for you in your shopping cart.
You do not have to redeem any vouchers, all you need to do is have your
photo taken by any of our Disney PhotoPass photographers and have them
scan your Magic Band. If you end up getting Photo Pass card, you will be
able to add them to your account.

Disney PhotoPass Service has opened the doors to a new online
experience for Walt Disney World Guests. If your most recent vacation
started after September 4th, your Disney memories will be viewable on
MyDisneyPhotoPass.com. From time to time, we make adjustments to our
offerings. Guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort can now link
their MyDisneyExperience.com account with their Disney PhotoPass photos
in MyDisneyPhotoPass.com if their most recent vacation started after
September 4th. Please let us know if you are still unable to view your
photos after logging into MyDisneyPhotoPass.com
https://mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com/ .

Sincerely,

Gaspar Goodhawk
Guest Support Team
Disney Photo Imaging
Phone: 407-560-4300

I thought it was interesting to use magic band! No photo pass card to lose!

 

[luvallprincesses]

Here is the link to the BC room layout. The view categories have changed since they made this chart.

http://web.archive.org/web/20110709015029/http://www.disneyzone.net/bcresort.htm

Most of the garden view rooms face toward the Epcot side of the BC or toward the villas. I would put full balcony as my first request and then maybe add near Epcot, too, although the garden view rooms mostly are near Epcot.

As far as which floor to request, we usually like a lower floor so we can use the stairs rather than the elevators. There are a lot of staircases which will get you to the outside without having to walk through the corridors to an elevator. You might be able to see the highest fireworks with a high floor, but maybe not. There are a lot of trees better BC and Epcot for the garden view rooms.

Thank you, thank you!

 

[DisneyMomChristine]

Dimndgal1, thanks for the tips! I'm not afraid to ask for an item to be left off my plate, or to substitute this for that, so I will be *that girl* at restaurants. My concern about speaking with a CM about making me a special meal is that a) i don't eat GF baked goods (buns, breads, etc), and 2) with 2 young daughters, I'm simply not willing to wait the 45 minutes or so that I've heard off for a chef/cook to make me something.

I know that deluxe resorts aren't know for their QS options, but I'm in love with everything I've seen and read about BC...and the location is to die for!!! Can't wait for our vacation!!!

 

[AussieAngel]

Does anyone know if the Marketplace sells laundry powder? We don't want to have to bring our own box all the way from Australia!

 

[natebenma]

page 124-126

Just a few more days and we will be WDW bound!!! Finishing up our packing tomorrow, except for the few things that have to be packed day-of.....like phone chargers and hair brushes. Been watching the forecast too....looks like mid 80's and very little chance of rain woo hoo!

Have a great trip!!!

Next Monday I will be sitting at BC relaxing. Can't wait!! I really need this short vacation & so many of my family are joining me. First time ever!! Might even try a sunken treasure!!

Hope your trip is magical!!!

Does anyone know if there is a Yacht Club map that shows where the different room views are located. I've seen a WL map like that. Hoping one exists for the YC.

There is no up-to-date map showing the layout of the YC with room views. There is an outdated map posted on Page 1 of this thread (in the Yacht Club Room Section, post 9 or 10). It was created before the Garden View category existed, so it only indicates standard view and water view rooms. All of the rooms at both YC and BC have been reviewed and possibly recategorized since then.

Check the YC Room Post for the link to the Disney Zone map.

After a lot of back and forth, we are currently booked for BC for our trip next year - for our group, the chance of a daybed is great and the extra space a must.

I was wondering if anyone had noticed any difference in the room catagory and the likelihood of a full v. Juliet balcony? I have seen so many different pictures and angles of BC and some sections look like they have more balconies than others... just wondering if there's a way to try and hedge our bet!

TIA!

I definitely would but we really are hoping for the daybed so that my friend doesn't have to share a bed with older DD, so that's out priority 1 request. I am hoping that since we are going during a slower time (September before F&W), it won't be an issue... I prefer the decor of BC to YC, but have been checking for YC SV rooms and will switch over if it's available to secure the balcony and just have the daybed request.

That said, not having a balcony isn't a total deal breaker to me - with three adults I know we can take turns on who stays in the room with the baby and swap off SAB time... just would be nice to have that extra space and relax!

Hope that a room at YC opens up for you.

If you stick with BC, then your request could be "3 non-related adults, daybed please. Full balcony if possible"

You can also request a daybed which will be provided free of charge if there is not a room available at checkin, but I know you indicated space in the room is important too.

Did the magicband really work to unlock your door a BC? Will be there on Monday with magicbands in hand. I've been explaining to Mom that I think the room will just unlock when she gets to the door of the room. Also, we're moving to WL at end of week and I assume that same bands will work there.

I don't have you on the Be Our Guest list, so I will add you for next week.

We will arrive at the Boardwalk in 7 days for one night then head to the Yacht Club for 4 nights. When I first made reservations only the YC was participating the the MB's so I customized them and then about a month ago the website said I could make FP+'s for my 1 night at BWI. So I customized my bands for the BWI. My BWI bands arrived 1st then the next day my YC bands arrived. So I do have 2 sets. I guess I'll have to wait 7 days to find out if I can use the same ones for the entire trip. But hey at least I have 2 colors and now I can color coordinate with my wardrobe.

I agree with others- nice split stay!

I'll add you to the Be Our Guest list.

My Family and I will be staying at BC June 1-7 2014! It's my first time at one of the EP resorts and I am super excited. Will be Me, DD14, my DM who lives with us, and my Finace. It's her first time going to DW and we are SO excited to show it to her. From the look of this thread, the pictures, etc. I couldn't have picked a better resort for her first time!

I'll add you to the Be Our Guest list.

The Beach Club is a great resort and I suspect the proximity to EPCOT's World Showcase will be a great advantage for you all!

Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

[javail]

I'm quite interested in one of the -606 rooms, and will make that my only request upon checkin. We have booked Garden View, so at least we're in the right category.

I wondered if anyone had any photos of one of the 606 rooms, patio, or balconies?

A quick search of the boards on my phone wasn't too productive, so I figured I'd just ask!

Thanks

 

[Wood Nymph]

Does anyone know if the Marketplace sells laundry powder? We don't want to have to bring our own box all the way from Australia!

They have a machine in the laundry room which sells single load packages. But I am one of those cheap people who will pay a lot for a resort room, but don't want to spend a couple extra dollars for laundry detergent. In the past I would make single load plastic bags of powdered laundry detergent, one baggie per load, and scatter them in my luggage. They are light and don't take up much room. But now that the stores have been selling the laundry pods, I bring a few of those instead of the powder.

 

[TeenaS]

I'm quite interested in one of the -606 rooms, and will make that my only request upon checkin. We have booked Garden View, so at least we're in the right category.

I wondered if anyone had any photos of one of the 606 rooms, patio, or balconies?

A quick search of the boards on my phone wasn't too productive, so I figured I'd just ask!

Thanks

At least one of them is standard view because it overlooks a roof.

 

[nannette]

Does anyone know if the Marketplace sells laundry powder? We don't want to have to bring our own box all the way from Australia!

Yes they do.

~N

 

[javail]

At least one of them is standard view because it overlooks a roof.

Ah, bummer. I was going off of the info on the link recently provided. Guess I confused Standard and Garden View!

http://web.archive.org/web/20110709015029/http://www.disneyzone.net/bcresort.htm

I guess Garden views aren't displayed on this link. Back to the drawing board!

Thanks Teena

 

[TeenaS]

Ah, bummer. I was going off of the info on the link recently provided. Guess I confused Standard and Garden View!

http://web.archive.org/web/20110709015029/http://www.disneyzone.net/bcresort.htm

I guess Garden views aren't displayed on this link. Back to the drawing board!

Thanks Teena

I know one is garden view (first floor) and maybe another one. They are my favorite rooms. Unfortunately there are only 4 total. One has a huge balcony too. Not sure which floor that one is.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Two weeks from today we will be waking up at AoA and catching a taxi over to check in for the very first time at the Yacht Club!!!! WHOO HOO!!!! I cannot wait!

 

[vettegirl]

Beach Club Club Level Review from last month!

I finally have found the time to give you guys my review of the Beach Club CL from our 6 night stay last month. We stayed the last week in September and it was our first stay at the BC and in Epcot Resort area in general. I have to admit I didn't know what to expect and was kind of nervous. However once we stepped into that resort I knew I had fallen in love. We were escorted by a very friendly gentleman that escorted us to the 5th floor where we were both offered wine/beer at check in! Allison checked us in and then showed us to our room, which was a standard view, which IMO was not bad at all!



The room was so beautiful and cozy! The beds are super comfy!! I felt it was nicer than the rooms at the GF as the bedspreads were light with a duvet. The ones at the GF are so darn ugly



Loved all the space in the vanity area.



Onto the more of the CL. These CM's here were amazing. Their attention to detail and genuine kindness was made our trip one of the best we have ever had. Whether it was supplying us with bottle water for the parks, helping check out a movie, or changing an ADR, they always had a smile on their face I had read how small the CL lounge is but I liked how cozy it was. The food offerings were great and we loved going down for breakfast every morning.













We loved the location of this resort, being able to walk to WS in like 3 minutes was amazing. I even put on a load of laundry, went for a drink at the F&W, walked back to put the clothes in the dryer and back to the festival I went My only compaint was that our room was across from the service area for the maids and every morning we were awaken to banging glasses. Good grief, it was annoying. So next time I will make sure to ask for a room far away. The maid service was tops and loved the turndown service every night. One perk of staying CL is you can schedule the time for your room to be serviced. Also we were celebrating our wedding anniversary and one of the evenings we came back to find this!!!!



I am sold on this resort and already going to book for the same time next year CL for the F&W, but this time add a few more days to spend at the pool. We loved the pool!! I even tried the Sunken Treasure, the bartender was asked me how do you know about that drink it has been off the menu for years! I told them I have my secret ways The icing on the cake of our stay was meeting Teena the day we checked out. What an awesome person, I swear I could talk to her all day. The next time I come on a solo trip I will have to stop by and see her. On my solo trips I can't afford to stay at the BC, normally stay value or moderate, but hey I could win the lotto and come every other week to the BC Thanks again for this thread and hope you enjoy my review!

 

[Mousemommy1]

vettegirl - Thanks for the awesome review!!! We actually decided to switch to BC CL yesterday, so this makes me feel good about the switch! We got a GV room though, and I really like your Std. view!

 

[dimndgal1]

Dimndgal1, thanks for the tips! I'm not afraid to ask for an item to be left off my plate, or to substitute this for that, so I will be *that girl* at restaurants. My concern about speaking with a CM about making me a special meal is that a) i don't eat GF baked goods (buns, breads, etc), and 2) with 2 young daughters, I'm simply not willing to wait the 45 minutes or so that I've heard off for a chef/cook to make me something.

I def understand, but will say that at POR, they whipped up my GF options in less than 10 minutes and brought it to me so that DH and DD could start eating their meal while it was hot. I hope it all works out for you and you're able to enjoy some great meals!!!

p for you.

If you stick with BC, then your request could be "3 non-related adults, daybed please. Full balcony if possible"

You can also request a daybed which will be provided free of charge if there is not a room available at checkin, but I know you indicated space in the room is important too.

AWESOME suggestion - I like the 3 non-related adults; that might help a ton! And we're going to bring an air mattress just in case. *fingers crossed*

 

[PNO4TE]

Ninja Mom’s Tips for the newly married woman.

In honor of Missy’s impending nuptials I thought I would throw some tips her way. These tips are designed to help those bashful brides navigate the morass that is marriage.


Tip #8 The holidays are really a game of tug of war between your two families. Until a teleporter is invented that will instantly transport you between the two households get used to a lot of driving. If you want to stay home for the holidays then the best way to end the traveling is to have children. When you have children the Grandparents will beat down your door to get inside and you will have to get a restraining order and 3 pit bulls to keep them out. At least you will be staying home for the holidays.



~NM

NM ~ As an old married woman of 40 years I completely agree with all your commandments... er, tips! I have one amendment, however...

#8 ~ Plan to spend Christmas at WDW every year. That way, if the grandparents want to see the kiddies you still have your own room to escape to. And, they will often pay for some of the meals...

 

[vettegirl]

vettegirl - Thanks for the awesome review!!! We actually decided to switch to BC CL yesterday, so this makes me feel good about the switch! We got a GV room though, and I really like your Std. view!

You made a great decision! I hope you guys enjoy as much as we did.