2013 Beach and Yacht Club FAQ: Don't Post Here! New Thread Now Open

[mommakacie]

I finally took the time to do the online check-in. We arrive in 18 days. I decided to go ahead and do it because 1) We're staying CL SV, so that limits the options that I would be picky about (floor level) 2) Since our arrival is the week after Easter, I thought it would be a good idea to save time in any manner possible. I'm just excited to be staying at BC!

It seems that the options for CL were pretty much the same that are given to anyone checking in.

First it asked for your expected arrival and departure times.
Then a cell phone number for notification as to when your room is ready (if not at check in).
Then the credit card number to put charges to.
Then pin numbers for the adults. (It did ask for a pin for my 11 year old, but on the confirmation page, it doesn't show her as having charging privileges. That's how I'd prefer it, so I'm not sure why it asked for a pin.)
The options I was given were large balcony, near transportation, or lower floor. There was also a 4th button you could click on - that said "I would like my room to be ready before check in time, and understand that this would override other preferences." Or something close to that...

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with BC CL. It's just if I had to rank them, it would come in 3rd. I would stay there again in a heartbeat if YC CL was unavailable. In fact, I would stay at BC CL before BWI CL if YC CL was unavailable (but we really just didn't care for BWI as a whole, despite liking the actual CL lounge and staff).

We just really, REALLY love the YC!!

Thanks!! So excited for this trip!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Love your screen name by the way!

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






I'm honestly not sure if you have a better chance of getting your requests by checking in early or not, but I believe (someone correct me if I am wrong), that rooms are "assigned" a few days to a week before you arrive. I don't think the assigners can totally block your room until it is closer to your stay.

Our traditional advice here has been to wait until you arrive to check in so you can discuss the location of your room and whether it has a full balcony, and politely ask if something else is available if your requests haven't been met

But...

If the resort is pretty full (which seems to be the case frequently) or

If lots of people have done advanced check-in (which I also think is happening more frequently)

Not to mention some of the advantages of checking in early that may be coming down the road.

Maybe it is a good idea to check in early.

I have been trying to figure out whether the advisory to wait should be changed or if it is still a decent recommendation.

I am a conflicted soul!!!


Did that help???

Thank you. My screen name is one of my favorite movie lines.

Even if you do on-line check-in, can't you try and change your room location at check-in, if you don't like where they have you?

We did it for our trip this past June when we stayed at the Pop Century. I'll probably go ahead and do it, because it made the time between on-line check in and actual check-in seem to go faster.

In a way I just wish we knew for sure when all this new stuff was rolling out and exactly what all comes with it. However, I tell myself, they are not giving us an in-stone-date because they want to work as many kinks out as possible. At least that's what I hope they are doing?

 

[natebenma]

Thank you. My screen name is one of my favorite movie lines.

Even if you do on-line check-in, can't you try and change your room location at check-in, if you don't like where they have you?

We did it for our trip this past June when we stayed at the Pop Century. I'll probably go ahead and do it, because it made the time between on-line check in and actual check-in seem to go faster.

In a way I just wish we knew for sure when all this new stuff was rolling out and exactly what all comes with it. However, I tell myself, they are not giving us an in-stone-date because they want to work as many kinks out as possible. At least that's what I hope they are doing?

Yes, you can discuss and change your room assignment at checkin, but my understanding of on-line checkin (at least when it was 10 days out) was that it was designed to speed up the checkin process because the keys to the room would already be "cut" and your package would be prepared. So you could just grab your stuff and go, making the interaction quick for you, and for the others who choose this process.

Guests with questions or requests to make a change in the room assignment kind of defeat this purpose.

But regardless of whether you have done the advance checkin or not, the CMs will definitely work with you and do their best to satisfy you.

With the 60 day advance "registration" as it has been called, it seems like it will eventually be more than that.

I'm with you waiting (and hoping) that when this is rolled out, the process will be more (not less) smooth than it is now.

 

[Scott MC]

How close to the lobby? Like first floor close? Or close to an elevator that takes you to the lobby?

YC experts in the know (not me) suggest a wedding gazebo view because it is so pretty. Are these close to an elevator? I think some are.

"Wedding gazebo view, please. (First Floor)/(Upper Floor) if possible. Near elevator/close to lobby access".

Actually, I should have clarified. DP has a thing about first floor hotel rooms, so ground floor would be out. Gazebo would be great. Do any GV rooms overlook the main back entrance? Or are those all considered water views?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DWillowBay]

In October, we will be splitting a stay between AoA (9 days) and YC (4 days) . Does anyone have any advice about whether or not it would be beneficial to do on-line check-in for the YC part of the trip?
Thanks!!

 

[natebenma]

Actually, I should have clarified. DP has a thing about first floor hotel rooms, so ground floor would be out. Gazebo would be great. Do any GV rooms overlook the main back entrance? Or are those all considered water views?

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I believe the ones that look straight across the back entrance (you are looking at other YC rooms, not the water) would indeed be considered GV, and would presumably be close to the lobby since you would be in one of the "wings" jutting off from the lobby.

Not a bad choice. The people watching is awesome if you enjoy that sport. We did when we had a room like that on the BC side.

 

[HARASW]

Would you like to be added to the Be Our Guest list on Page 1? What are the dates of your trip?

I see you got one response, below. Pixarmom has stayed at both BWI CL and Beach Club CL (I don't think her YC stay was CL)- I know she is busy with a school project this weekend, but if she sees this post, I'm sure she will give her input.........

I would love to be added to the list. The dates are 8/18-8/23.

I will look forward to any additional input that anyone would be willing to give me. Thanks!!

 

[HARASW]

I have stayed CL at all 3 and agree with Ofinn on all of the above.

BWI really is a pretty resort, but the CL area being away from the elevator bothered me But the BWI CL staff is top notch and that lounge never seemed to be crowded.

YC lounge is smaller feeling but we never had issues with crowds either. Breakfast time was the busiest time there. With both our stays, our room was steps away from the lounge so we frequently ate breakfast on our balcony overlooking the wedding gazebo.

BC CL was nice, staff was nice, food was plentiful but it was still my least favorite CL of the 3. We just REALLY like the "dark side" better

HTH!

Thanks for the information. I guess the club lounge, even though it's smaller, will be crowded at about the same time as the others.

 

[nannette]

How close to the lobby? Like first floor close? Or close to an elevator that takes you to the lobby?

YC experts in the know (not me) suggest a wedding gazebo view because it is so pretty. Are these close to an elevator? I think some are.

"Wedding gazebo view, please. (First Floor)/(Upper Floor) if possible. Near elevator/close to lobby access".

I had a wedding gazebo view last year. it wasn't really a far walk to the elevator... and since we are now comparing walks to what we think it would be... I would say it was equal to walking from La Cava del tequila bar to the reservation desk at San Angel Inn Loved the view!

HTH
~Nannette

 

[JanetMom]

I had a wedding gazebo view last year. it wasn't really a far walk to the elevator... and since we are now comparing walks to what we think it would be... I would say it was equal to walking from La Cava del tequila bar to the reservation desk at San Angel Inn Loved the view!

HTH
~Nannette

My next room request is going to be the "closest room to La Cava del Tequila!"

 

[natebenma]

My next room request is going to be the "closest room to La Cava del Tequila!"

 

[Cinderumbrella]

My next room request is going to be the "closest room to La Cava del Tequila!"

Hmmmm........ I bet those are in the BC, perhaps near the Matthew McConaughey view rooms

 

[CT Disney]

Actually, I should have clarified. DP has a thing about first floor hotel rooms, so ground floor would be out. Gazebo would be great. Do any GV rooms overlook the main back entrance? Or are those all considered water views?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I believe the ones that look straight across the back entrance (you are looking at other YC rooms, not the water) would indeed be considered GV, and would presumably be close to the lobby since you would be in one of the "wings" jutting off from the lobby.

Not a bad choice. The people watching is awesome if you enjoy that sport. We did when we had a room like that on the BC side.

Hi Scott MC I agree with Dee...I think the rooms that look straight across the back entrance are considered GV. We stayed in one of those rooms once and it was a great location! It was a lot of fun to people-watch. And, if you like to be in the middle of the action, it feels like all the activity is going on right below you with people coming in and out of the resort, and walking to the boat dock.

 

[nannette]

My next room request is going to be the "closest room to La Cava del Tequila!"

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Howdy! Just found out today that my conference added Beach Club as an official conference hotel So while I will miss out on POR, I am excited to be at Beach Club for a week in May!!! I've stayed at the Beach club back in 2008 and enjoyed it and have stayed in the Epcot area since then but I am most excited to try out the new Hurricane Hannah's!!! This place left much to be desired back in 2008 so I'm excited to try it again.

Even though I've been to BC before, I will probably have some questions so I appreciate all the help in advance

 

[tpoo]

Ok, I have a serious WWYD.

First the players: myself, my husband, my 2 girls 4 and 21 months. Also coming my 18 yr old sister (first trip, graduation gift)

Now the situation:
We originally booked Saturday-Saturday BC deluxe club level. The price difference between flying on Friday-Saturday instead of Sat-Sat was close to $1000. Needless to say we booked the Friday flights.

The dilemma:There are no deluxe CL rooms available for Friday . Currently I have a 1 night room only at POR in a princess room. Our plan is to arrive swim and do DTD.


So do I keep the split stay, or book a CL lagoon view room for the entire trip? I think the extra space in the Deluxe CL rooms will be worth the split stay hassle. If my sister wasn't going to be with us I think a regular room would be fine. But with her going any little bit of extra space helps. What do all you wise ones think?

Thanks

 

[JanetMom]

Ok, I have a serious WWYD.

First the players: myself, my husband, my 2 girls 4 and 21 months. Also coming my 18 yr old sister (first trip, graduation gift)

Now the situation:
We originally booked Saturday-Saturday BC deluxe club level. The price difference between flying on Friday-Saturday instead of Sat-Sat was close to $1000. Needless to say we booked the Friday flights.

The dilemma:There are no deluxe CL rooms available for Friday . Currently I have a 1 night room only at POR in a princess room. Our plan is to arrive swim and do DTD.


So do I keep the split stay, or book a CL lagoon view room for the entire trip? I think the extra space in the Deluxe CL rooms will be worth the split stay hassle. If my sister wasn't going to be with us I think a regular room would be fine. But with her going any little bit of extra space helps. What do all you wise ones think?

Thanks

I think you should do the split stay. You'll have the room you want for most of your trip, and only a one day stay. It will be fine for your girls to have the princess room for a night, and fun to enjoy a different resort for one night.

You could easily pack the stuff for the first night into just one of your bags, which would mean you wouldn't have to unpack any other bags which would lessen the hassle of repacking after your first night.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We got our ME stuff in the mail today!!!!

34 days and counting until our 1st YC stay!!!!

 

[Ninja Mom]

My next room request is going to be the "closest room to La Cava del Tequila!"

THIS /\ /\

Ok, I have a serious WWYD.

First the players: myself, my husband, my 2 girls 4 and 21 months. Also coming my 18 yr old sister (first trip, graduation gift)

Now the situation:
We originally booked Saturday-Saturday BC deluxe club level. The price difference between flying on Friday-Saturday instead of Sat-Sat was close to $1000. Needless to say we booked the Friday flights.

The dilemma:There are no deluxe CL rooms available for Friday . Currently I have a 1 night room only at POR in a princess room. Our plan is to arrive swim and do DTD.


So do I keep the split stay, or book a CL lagoon view room for the entire trip? I think the extra space in the Deluxe CL rooms will be worth the split stay hassle. If my sister wasn't going to be with us I think a regular room would be fine. But with her going any little bit of extra space helps. What do all you wise ones think?

Thanks

POR is perfect for DTD and a pool day. You'll be tired from all the adrenaline expended to get to WDW so starting out slowly and keeping it easy is perfect for POR. The secret to a split stay like this is how you pack for it. Pack a separate bag with swim suits, jammies, toiletries and clothes for the next day when you check out and move to BC/YC. That way you won't have to root through all the bags looking for stuff you need for that first day/night at POR.

POR bell services will transfer your luggage to the BC/YC but keep in mind your luggage will not arrive until after 2 pm or so because room check in is at 3pm. Now keep in mind ALSO that your room at the BC/YC might actually be ready before that..... but the luggage still won't be delivered to the next resort until the afternoon.

The next day when we changed resorts we packed up the swimsuits in a separate bag. Since we were going to the parks in the morning we kept the suits in a back pack that we carried to the parks but if we had stopped at the resort first we could have asked BC/YC bell services to watch the swim suits while we dashed to the parks in the AM.

When we came back our room still was not ready so we ate lunch, got changed in the Fitness club locker room, and hit the pool at the BC/YC. It was nice keeping our street clothes in a locker at the fitness center while we swam.

WHOOP! WHOOP! BC/YC helpful tip alert!! WHOOP, WHOOP!!!

Get your Storm Along Bay wrist bands BEFORE you get changed, that way you can leave your room key card in the locker and not have to worry about it while you are swimming. Our room wasn't ready when we checked in but they did give us our room key cards and access to the Club Level lounge as soon as we checked in. They just didn't tell us our ROOM NUMBER so we wouldn't go up there and scratch on the door begging to get in while housekeeping was turning the room over after the last guest. (You know I would so be doing THAT! )

Also, the lockers located outdoors ~AT~ the pool are in terrible shape with the majority of the locks sticking and not being functional. If you need to lock stuff up, an alternate location is the lockers in the fitness center. The fitness center is virtually in the center of the resort between YC and BC and very near an pool entrance gate.

} This concludes the helpful information about the resort. We now return to our regularly scheduled, irrelevant posts {

~NM