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

[jennyjinx3]

Hello everyone...hope you all had a lovely Easter Sunday! I have a question for everyone. Just today on the old WDW site (which is the only one we can get ) It finally popped up that I could do online check in. I started going through the motions to do it, but then it kicked me back out of it. I was going to try again tonight, but my question is this.

Does it really matter if I don't do the online check in? We are staying CL, so I wasn't sure if it was really necessary. Is the check in at CL part of the experience? But I do wonder about making the requests with the online check in. Will we get the daybed with us being five? If a full balcony is important should I do the online check in and request that?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Angeejoe]

I have exciting news! You guys know how my Extended family vacation was put on hold this fall because my SIL is pregnant & due near our arrival, and how sad I was. So then I told you on my bday 2 was ago that DH said that he & would go sometime this fall, which sent me over the moon ! Well in the mean time, my 60 yr old aunt (who is also my godmother) asked if I'd like to go on a vacation as her husband doesn't travel (last year we went to Vegas w/ my mom, sister, 2 aunts & cousin-this was my aunts 1st vacation out of town in 20+ yrs & now has vacation bug). So of course I suggested my beloved Disney, & my aunt was worried it wouldn't work in her budget, & I let her know Disney can fit any budget, so I suggested Pop (so sad not my beloved BC/YC, but so happy to go)! I just booked us today at Pop 5/26-5/30 w/4 days standard tickets & dining plus plan! This will be my aunts 1st trip to Disney!

My aunt had asked me last month about going on a vacation, but I didn't want to commit as DH just graduated in Dec 2012 with 2nd degree & has been looking for new job so I didn't want spend until he found new job. Well 2 wks ago he was offered new management job & all of his background screening came back on Friday & has an official start date so DH gave me the green light!! He also found out he can take vacation after 6 mos so we can go this fall!!

Problems:
1. Finding inexpensive flights
2. Finding dinner reservations as things seemed booked

So the things I am now considering:
1. Upgrading tickets to AP when I arrive
2. Booking bounce back while at Pop for fall trip w/ DH to YC or BC

Any thoughts on AP/bounce back?

Thanks for listening to my long rambling story, I just wanted to give you full background story. All of you guys answering my questions really helped me plan this, thank you!

angeejoe

 

[Hunclemarco]

Problems:
1. Finding inexpensive flights
2. Finding dinner reservations as things seemed booked

So the things I am now considering:
1. Upgrading tickets to AP when I arrive
2. Booking bounce back while at Pop for fall trip w/ DH to YC or BC

Any thoughts on AP/bounce back?

Thanks for listening to my long rambling story, I just wanted to give you full background story. All of you guys answering my questions really helped me plan this, thank you!

angeejoe

You'll have to consider the difference between the bounceback offer and the AP.
The AP rate can be as much as 30%...sometimes 40% off if booking a deluxe room if they are having any specials when you choose to go again. The bounceback offer i believe requires a ticket purchase and a room. I haven't done one, so i'm not positive on that. If that is the case, buying the ap might be moot. The AP can give you additional discounts too, if your vacation style coinsides with it...tours, some dining discounts, and shopping...generally between 10 and 20%.
Congrats on your opportunity! and your husband's new employment!

Edit to add: Continue checking on your dining reservations...especially around the 45 day mark...some people may cancel.

 

[PittPantherfan]

Just wondering if kids who qualify as "kids" for dining have access to all of the selections at the Cape May clam bake? I have kids who are adventurous eaters who would love to dive into the mussels, clams, crab, etc. and would hate to have them restricted to the mac/cheese and pizza.

 

[333disneymom]

Just wondering if kids who qualify as "kids" for dining have access to all of the selections at the Cape May clam bake? I have kids who are adventurous eaters who would love to dive into the mussels, clams, crab, etc. and would hate to have them restricted to the mac/cheese and pizza.

Yes they can. My children love the crab legs!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Angeejoe]

You'll have to consider the difference between the bounceback offer and the AP.
The AP rate can be as much as 30%...sometimes 40% off if booking a deluxe room if they are having any specials when you choose to go again. The bounceback offer i believe requires a ticket purchase and a room. I haven't done one, so i'm not positive on that. If that is the case, buying the ap might be moot. The AP can give you additional discounts too, if your vacation style coinsides with it...tours, some dining discounts, and shopping...generally between 10 and 20%.
Congrats on your opportunity! and your husband's new employment!

Edit to add: Continue checking on your dining reservations...especially around the 45 day mark...some people may cancel.

Hunclemarco for the well wishes & advice, I really appreciate it! My thoughts on Bounce back from the flyer would be 35% for deluxe offer & we would def pick a wk that was included in bounce back. Also if I got AP, DH would still need tickets, so would that work? Also DH likes deluxe dining plan & I can't seem to talk him out of it, but with TIW saving would be more I'd think because dining plan now says its like saving 15% whereas TIW would be 20%, correct?

Thanks,
Angeejoe

 

[Hunclemarco]

Hunclemarco for the well wishes & advice, I really appreciate it! My thoughts on Bounce back from the flyer would be 35% for deluxe offer & we would def pick a wk that was included in bounce back. Also if I got AP, DH would still need tickets, so would that work? Also DH likes deluxe dining plan & I can't seem to talk him out of it, but with TIW saving would be more I'd think because dining plan now says its like saving 15% whereas TIW would be 20%, correct?

Thanks,
Angeejoe

I'm not sure if when getting the bounceback offer all have to have the same ticket plan, just like reserving any other package. i'm sure someone here will have better information for you there. Again, if that were the case, then you would be required to purchase the same tickets for each person in the room.
If you went the AP route, your husband could get tickets however you'd like, and still take advantage of the AP savings.
One other thing to consider is the whole Fastpass+ scenario, and how that would work for you and your husband if you have different ticket media. That's all still up in the air for all of us as to how that works.

As far as dining, we have done both the DDP and TIW. That is a difficult decision, and unfortunately you're the only one that can determine that, all based on your eating habits. There is a spreadsheet that i'll post soon on this thread that may help you in determining what might work best for you. Personally for us, We save money with TiW. However with our trip coming up, we have a different party with us, and the DDP just happens to work out better in this case.

 

[Hunclemarco]

Here is that spreadsheet program i mentioned.... if you go to this site, you can download it there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jMDg...456VJg&index=1

 

[PrincessInOz]

Checking in for a BCV stay in Sep/Oct. My second stay here and I'm so looking forward to it.

I'll be there from 9/29 - 10/7.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Hello everyone...hope you all had a lovely Easter Sunday! I have a question for everyone. Just today on the old WDW site (which is the only one we can get ) It finally popped up that I could do online check in. I started going through the motions to do it, but then it kicked me back out of it. I was going to try again tonight, but my question is this.

Does it really matter if I don't do the online check in? We are staying CL, so I wasn't sure if it was really necessary. Is the check in at CL part of the experience? But I do wonder about making the requests with the online check in. Will we get the daybed with us being five? If a full balcony is important should I do the online check in and request that?

Any advice is appreciated.

Personally if it was me I wouldn't do on-line check in especially as you're staying club level Its so lovely to be taken from the front door, through the lobby and up to the 5th floor to be checked in by the club level staff and really adds to the experience!! Enjoy

 

[Ziggy]

Happy Easter Everyone!

We are getting very excited about our upcoming trip...just 1 week and 6 days until we are in Disney!

We are currently booked YC CL GV. This is a reservation we've had since August, and we are super excited!! But, since this morning, I've also been a little confused...and here's why...

My husband mentioned that there is a pretty good CM discount being offered for the week we are there, on a select few resorts. He found out that for a few hundred dollars more for the week we can get a Garden Suite at the BWI, which also has CL access.

So, I'm just not sure what to do. I know nothing about the BWI. We've never stayed there and I don't know much about the Garden Suites. However, it sounds like they would give us a little more room, which would be nice with a 10 year old and a 13 year old.

I would be sad to say goodbye to SAB though...

You may wonder why I'm asking a group of BC / YC fans if I should switch to a different resort. But, over the last few months, I've come to learn that you are such a friendly and honest group. And, simply put, I trust your opinion.

So what would you do? Have any of you stayed in the Garden Suites at BWI before? I'm really puzzled. I know I'll be happy no matter what, but I need some good opinions! Thanks!!

Sounds a great rate for the Garden Suites. DD is going to be a CM on the ICP I hope she gets some good rates but at the moment I just need to book somewhere, I can't leave booking a room until a few weeks before we arrive so I'm going book something on Tuesday and then cancel if she gets us a better deal, I'm climbing the walls as it is now and we don't go until the end of July, I have to know where I'm sleeping...guess I'm a control freak .

Getting back to the BWI, I stayed there with DD last August in a standard room CL. We were directly above the garden suites and they looked beautiful, the CL is great too and CM members there are so friendly. The only slight pain I would see is that to use the CL you have a short walk through the garden, its very pretty, you will then have to take the elevator to the 4th floor and there a short walk to the lounge, we were next door to the lounge so were popping in and out all the time for drinks but this wouldn't be so easy in the garden suites, however given a very good rate I'd jump at it.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My son (who is working in Mississippi) just called ME for HIS birthday! Makes you feel great when.your 25 year old still wants to talk to Mom. At least I know I did something right! It must have had something to do with all those family trips to Disney!! He and his girlfriend are going with us on the trip I'm planning now.

That's another great thing about the Epcot resort area. The Boardwalk has great entertainment for the young adults in your party and its a quick WALK back to your room!!

Happy belated birthday to your son! I totally missed all of Easter on the DIS.
I must be nuts - I had a big Easter breakfast (because one of my ds had to go to Easter dinner at his girlfriend's parents) and a big Easter dinner for everyone else!

YCFAN - you've obviously have done a lot right! I've met your youngest son and he is so sweet and polite, and from everything I've heard about your oldest son he sounds remarkable!

 

[natebenma]

This question was posted to the BC Marketplace Thread.

Does anybody know where at the marketplace do you turn in your Photopass+ voucher for the red PP+ pass? And if it is manned what are the hours?

I'm going to ask this over on the main FAQ thread- I am curious about the answer to this.

On my last trip to the BC, there was a dedicated booth? table? with a photopass CM, located in the hallway between the lobby and the Marketplace, near the elevators. Not sure if there is still a dedicated area for photopass and if so, what the hours are.

Anyone know?

 

[rea59]

Hi Everyone,

I've noticed a lot of people mention that when they stay club level they get greeted a the door and taken up to the club level for check in. This will be my 4th CL stay and that has neve happened to me. I usually go up to the concierge desk (sometimes there's even a line) and they will either call to have someone come down or they take us up for check-in. Is there some kind of trick to getting recognized as a CL guest as you walk in. This year will be our first YC CL stay June 24 through June 28. It would be great if we could go right up to CL for check-in so would could save some time.

 

[natebenma]

Hi Everyone,

I've noticed a lot of people mention that when they stay club level they get greeted a the door and taken up to the club level for check in. This will be my 4th CL stay and that has neve happened to me. I usually go up to the concierge desk (sometimes there's even a line) and they will either call to have someone come down or they take us up for check-in. Is there some kind of trick to getting recognized as a CL guest as you walk in. This year will be our first YC CL stay June 24 through June 28. It would be great if we could go right up to CL for check-in so would could save some time.

How are you arriving at the resort this year? Magical Express? By car/cab? Walk-in from EPCOT?

 

[triciari]

Hi Everyone,

I've noticed a lot of people mention that when they stay club level they get greeted a the door and taken up to the club level for check in. This will be my 4th CL stay and that has neve happened to me. I usually go up to the concierge desk (sometimes there's even a line) and they will either call to have someone come down or they take us up for check-in. Is there some kind of trick to getting recognized as a CL guest as you walk in. This year will be our first YC CL stay June 24 through June 28. It would be great if we could go right up to CL for check-in so would could save some time.

I don't know of any tricks, but just wanted to say that this has happened for us even when not staying CL. I'm guessing that it just has to do with the staff to guests arriving ratio.

 

[lobsterslayer]

Hi Everyone,

I've noticed a lot of people mention that when they stay club level they get greeted a the door and taken up to the club level for check in. This will be my 4th CL stay and that has neve happened to me. I usually go up to the concierge desk (sometimes there's even a line) and they will either call to have someone come down or they take us up for check-in. Is there some kind of trick to getting recognized as a CL guest as you walk in. This year will be our first YC CL stay June 24 through June 28. It would be great if we could go right up to CL for check-in so would could save some time.

I couldn't decide weather or not to do online check in and finally decided to do it just for this reason. I booked our trip through Disney Travel so they should know our arrival time but I think this would be one more way for them see what time we will be getting there and hopefully have someone waiting to take us up to CL.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Happy Easter Everyone!

We are getting very excited about our upcoming trip...just 1 week and 6 days until we are in Disney!

We are currently booked YC CL GV. This is a reservation we've had since August, and we are super excited!! But, since this morning, I've also been a little confused...and here's why...

My husband mentioned that there is a pretty good CM discount being offered for the week we are there, on a select few resorts. He found out that for a few hundred dollars more for the week we can get a Garden Suite at the BWI, which also has CL access.

So, I'm just not sure what to do. I know nothing about the BWI. We've never stayed there and I don't know much about the Garden Suites. However, it sounds like they would give us a little more room, which would be nice with a 10 year old and a 13 year old.

I would be sad to say goodbye to SAB though...

You may wonder why I'm asking a group of BC / YC fans if I should switch to a different resort. But, over the last few months, I've come to learn that you are such a friendly and honest group. And, simply put, I trust your opinion.

So what would you do? Have any of you stayed in the Garden Suites at BWI before? I'm really puzzled. I know I'll be happy no matter what, but I need some good opinions! Thanks!!

My biggest issue with the Garden Suites at BWI is it is somewhat inconvenient to access the CL lounge since the suites are down below and the lounge is up on 4 (or 5? I don't recall anymore). I like easy access to the lounge, especially at breakfast time, where I can run down quickly, grab something and bring it back to my room without navigating elevators etc.

Also, the Luna Pool is actually pretty small considering the size of the resort. We don't have clown issues so we don't stay away based on the slide, but rather the size. We stayed at BWI in November during a cold streak so crowding wasn't an issue, but I imagine it could be in the summer months.

Despite the extra bathroom and cost savings, I am not sure I would give up YC & SAB for BWI, but I am heavily biased towards YC CL, as it is my favorite resort anywhere on property

 

[JulieT3]

I have exciting news! You guys know how my Extended family vacation was put on hold this fall because my SIL is pregnant & due near our arrival, and how sad I was. So then I told you on my bday 2 was ago that DH said that he & would go sometime this fall, which sent me over the moon ! Well in the mean time, my 60 yr old aunt (who is also my godmother) asked if I'd like to go on a vacation as her husband doesn't travel (last year we went to Vegas w/ my mom, sister, 2 aunts & cousin-this was my aunts 1st vacation out of town in 20+ yrs & now has vacation bug). So of course I suggested my beloved Disney, & my aunt was worried it wouldn't work in her budget, & I let her know Disney can fit any budget, so I suggested Pop (so sad not my beloved BC/YC, but so happy to go)! I just booked us today at Pop 5/26-5/30 w/4 days standard tickets & dining plus plan! This will be my aunts 1st trip to Disney!

My aunt had asked me last month about going on a vacation, but I didn't want to commit as DH just graduated in Dec 2012 with 2nd degree & has been looking for new job so I didn't want spend until he found new job. Well 2 wks ago he was offered new management job & all of his background screening came back on Friday & has an official start date so DH gave me the green light!! He also found out he can take vacation after 6 mos so we can go this fall!!

Problems:
1. Finding inexpensive flights
2. Finding dinner reservations as things seemed booked

So the things I am now considering:
1. Upgrading tickets to AP when I arrive
2. Booking bounce back while at Pop for fall trip w/ DH to YC or BC

Any thoughts on AP/bounce back?

Thanks for listening to my long rambling story, I just wanted to give you full background story. All of you guys answering my questions really helped me plan this, thank you!

angeejoe

That's so exciting, angeejoe! I have booked the bounce back a few times (just booked a last month for BC this October!) and with the current offer, you don't need to add tickets. I would think that the AP would be a good investment if you are going back. If a better AP room rate comes out - they have been pretty much the same 35% off as the bounce back offers lately - you could always cancel your bounce back reservation and rebook with the AP offer. Also, we have found the TIW discount to be much better than dining plan. Have fun planning, and maybe we will see you at the BC this fall!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've always had someone meet us when we are staying CL at BC or YC.
If we are taking magical express, they are notified when you check in at ME at the airport.

When we were driving we gave our name at the gate and apparently they call it in.

The concierge desk in the lobby is more for making reservations and things for guest. Not like CL.