2013 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Fun & Friends: Don't Post Here- New Thread Started

[laura428]

laura428: I think you just made the smartest choice out there!!!!

Now, can I sneak in your suitcase and join you???

Only 2 years to go, then DH and I can finally make the F & W fest!!!!

Sure! We'll take an extra bag just for you!

 

[laura428]

I really think you did the smart thing. Now if you liked the idea of paying for your meals before your trip (like you do with the dining plan), I recommend taking the money that you would have spent for the dining plan and buying Disney gift cards with it now ... that way everything for your vacation is paid for up front. Then just whip out your gift cards to pay for all food and I'll bet you end up with money left over on the cards at the end of your trip. Just remember, with the dining plan, you still would have been paying the tips out of pocket. I agree that TIW is the way to go, especially since it is good for 13 months.

Not a bad idea. I've been trying to watch for deals on them - Target has them a few times a year, right?

 

[dfarner]

Good morning Beach Club friends,

I think the realization of our trip has finally hit me! We will be checking in two weeks from yesterday! Can't wait!
Can't wait to experience SAB and Beaches and Cream. Teena, so excited to meet you as well. I don't post a whole bunch on this thread, but I've enjoyed reading your posts for years. And Robyn, we'll be club level at the same time. I think I will know you from the pics I've seen.

 

[laura428]

....One more thing, if you are going during the Food & Wine Fest, I would imagine you will be sampling so much food at Epcot in addition to your dining plan and/or CL food!!!

We are most DEFINITELY doing this! I'm getting more and more excited about CL - makes so much sense for us, especially with F&W.

 

[pamkat1820]

I just checked our count down on My Experience. We hit 70days!!!

I think I will totally freak when it hits 60 day mark.. I really haven't started my disney pile yet!

Last trip I wore just regular sandals to the park. I can NOT wear sneakers in the summer. If my feet are hot so is my body. But I want something more comfy than old navy flip flops.

any recommendations???? I ordered croc flip flops. I am soooo not a crocs person. But I trying to avoid blisters

 

[laura428]

I just checked our count down on My Experience. We hit 70days!!!

I think I will totally freak when it hits 60 day mark.. I really haven't started my disney pile yet!

Last trip I wore just regular sandals to the park. I can NOT wear sneakers in the summer. If my feet are hot so is my body. But I want something more comfy than old navy flip flops.

any recommendations???? I ordered croc flip flops. I am soooo not a crocs person. But I trying to avoid blisters

My old reliables are either my Ecco sandals or my new Keen Newport H2s. The Eccos have gotten me through three WDW trips - super comfy and reliable. I bought the Keens for our Costa Rica trip this year because I knew we'd be getting wet and needed quick-drying shoes. They were fantastic, too, although I might lean toward the Eccos for comfort (if you're not planning on getting wet).

My Sanuk flip flops are my go-to if I'm not doing a TON of walking (footbed made from yoga mats... ahhhhhhhh), but I'd go with the Ecco or Keen for a typical WDW day.

Hope this helps!

 

[TeenaS]

I'm a Crocs girl and actually got my daughter to wear Crocs Sandals. She loves them. Princess Lily has the regular Crocs like her Nanny (me) and she loves them!

 

[suetoo]

I am another huge fan of the Sanuk Yoga Mat flip Flops. I am wearing them right now and they will go with me to WDW in October as well. I can walk all day in them! Enjoy!!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

We love it there!!! It is WAY to convenient to EPCOT world showcase....prepare to be spoiled by that!!

We just returned from a family gathering at CSR, and the entire time my DH was saying "Man, it sure is far from the bus stop at EPCOT to the countries, if we were at BC, we'd be sipping an adult beverage by now!!!"

We tend to only spend one morning in Future world, so walking through that area to get to the countries was not enjoyable for me aching feet!!!

It's also great for an afternoon swim in the gorgeous SAB!!!

We find ourselves doing most of our eating in Epcot and at the Epcot resorts, so staying at the BC really cuts down on travel time. The BC's biggest asset is location. It is a short 5 - 10 minute walk to the International Gateway. There is entertainment in the evenings on the Boardwalk. SAB has two hot tubs, something the Poly is missing. And if the main pool is crowded, you can head over to the quiet pool at the Beach Club Villas. It is really nice.

I would say that the only disadvantage to the BC is that it could use a little better counter service options. But the ease of walking into Epcot for a quick meal somewhat compensates for it.

The rooms are a little smaller than the rooms at the Poly, but I feel like they are much nicer.

Just make sure you buy park hoppers.

Great and accurate replies from other posters but another tip.

If you don't want to sit through the animation film and tour part you can enter through the Animation Gallery shop. This is the store with all the beautiful Disney movie art. Just walk through the back.

Plusses only from me
Teena. If one of your 4 days is a Sunday or Monday stop by and introduce yourself. The lady is epitome of Disney warmth.

I love Illuminations. The feeling of walking over, watching the show and then watching the masses exit is the best. And then just wandering around WS as it shuts down. Then back to the room in less than 10 minutes!

to the thread, and thanks so much for the info. Best for the folks going at that time to be prepared and know what's going on.





I hope you decide to give the BC or YC a shot!!!



For me, location is the main thing- being steps away from EPCOT is wonderful, you will especially appreciate it with your dining plans.

Stormalong Bay is fun for the young and young-at-heart (won't say which one I am...)

Teena and all of the other fantastic, friendly castmembers at the resort!

As others have mentioned, there is not a food court per se, but we have always been able to find plenty to eat, and we really like getting meals "to-go" from one of the World Showcase restaurants and bringing it back to the resort.

One other drawback to the BC is that only about 50% of the rooms have a full balcony. The rest have a small, Juliet balcony that is really only big enough for one person to stand on. The Yacht Club, however, has full balconies for all rooms (except one or two)

Those are the exact dreams I have. Mostly forgetting my camera or the charger.



Thanks for the update. So who did you draw and how did it come out?

Thank you for the great info everyone!!! My DH really wanted to stay at the Poly so I decided since it's already booked and paid for and possibly the last time before construction on the DVC starts, we would stick with the Poly. I did tell him this time I want to visit BC and consider staying there next year.

 

[pamkat1820]

My 6 yr old loves crocs, me I think they are so ugly. Lol our last trip my mom bought these great croc flip flops, oh how she bragged about her crocs. We hit MK for the day. Got back to the resort and she had the croc label imprinted perfectly embedded in her heel. She never wore them again. me, I had blisters were the straps connect to the bottom of the shoe.

I want something better this year. She told me that I can try her croc flip flops she will never put them on her feet again lol. I might test drive the out before we hit the world.


I'm going to look into the brand you suggested -thanks

 

[Couchy]

Dee- I have 1 last change to our dates We are now arriving on 7/1 instead of 7/2. Check out is still 7/8 BC GV

17 more days

I am another huge fan of the Sanuk Yoga Mat flip Flops. I am wearing them right now and they will go with me to WDW in October as well. I can walk all day in them! Enjoy!!

I too love, love, love, these flip flops

 

[beebeeryan]

I just checked our count down on My Experience. We hit 70days!!!

I think I will totally freak when it hits 60 day mark.. I really haven't started my disney pile yet!

Last trip I wore just regular sandals to the park. I can NOT wear sneakers in the summer. If my feet are hot so is my body. But I want something more comfy than old navy flip flops.

any recommendations???? I ordered croc flip flops. I am soooo not a crocs person. But I trying to avoid blisters

We hit 70 days today too!!!

I usually wear sandals, I just bought a pair that have a nice cushion for long days. I wore cute ones to HS one day on the last trip and while they looked good, my feet killed by early afternoon. Comfort tops cute at WDW! I can't do sneakers in summer either. I'm worried about the boys this time, last time they lived in their crocs and it was perfect. My older DS now says his new crocs are giving him blisters and he doesn't want to wear them. Need to find something else that will work for him.

 

[PittPantherfan]

Nope. With CL you are getting the same room (but on a different floor) but you get IPO plus the lounge. With deluxe dining you probably aren't going to be using the lounge so if you are sticking with deluxe dining, I'd never do CL. If you sit down and do the math, you would probably save lots of money doing CL and no dining plan (pay money instead for your meals) or at least downgrade to regular dining plan (which at the price it is now, probably isn't that much in savings).

I concur with Teena. We chose not to do the dining plan this trip that we are sadly concluding. It had totally worked out to our benefit money wise and the feeling that we got to get all that dining in. We tend not to eat a lot either when it is hot. We have split several meals and it was plenty. For instance he sandwiches at the Diamond Horseshoe were huge. He 3 of us split 3 and it was more than enough. The kids liked those selections better than what was on the kids menu. We had ADRs at 4 of TS and that was enough for us. Won't do dining again unless they change it up that would better meet our needs.

BTW the diamond horseshoe was the best CS we have ever had at MK.
Too bad it is only opened seasonally. The food was great, the cms nice, it was organized and cool inside. Food comes from liberty tavern next door.

 

[Schmoodle]

Regarding the flip flops, I also hate wearing sneakers in the summer, and have a lowish arch and widish foot, so need support. I can't do flip flops every day at WDW though, I find it's best to switch out and usually do the flip flops on a planned shorter day or around the resort.
I had some Speedo sport thongs I loved, they have the thicker, cushier, sneaker-type soles like this:
http://www.zappos.com/speedo-sport-thong-black-hot-pink
Not a crocs girl but I did like the flip flops that were entirely made of the molded material - Athens, I think? The ones with the cloth straps rubbed me. Don't know about these, but think they are very cute:
http://www.crocs.com/crocs-womens-crocs-retro-flip-wedge/14120,default,pd.html?cid=4F7&intid=women_flip_130313
The best for me so far for all-day wear are Teva Westwaters sandals, and I think they are also very cute: but I am now very sad because I went to find a link and I guess they don't make them anymore. So many of those sport sandals are ugly, but these would have even gone with a casual skirt.
I've also got some Clarks Privos which do very well but are very ugly.

 

[Simba's Girl]

I just checked our count down on My Experience. We hit 70days!!!

I think I will totally freak when it hits 60 day mark.. I really haven't started my disney pile yet!

Last trip I wore just regular sandals to the park. I can NOT wear sneakers in the summer. If my feet are hot so is my body. But I want something more comfy than old navy flip flops.

any recommendations???? I ordered croc flip flops. I am soooo not a crocs person. But I trying to avoid blisters

From someone with super sensitive, arthritic, feet...there are some great sandals out there. Keen H2s are good (I can fit into children's sizes-so maybe try that), though mine gave me a blister a few weeks ago-just walking around town. I use them alot when we go to St. John. I can recommend the Chaco brand and I just picked up a super comfy pair of Skechers flip flops. There are lots of nice looking sandals with good arch support out there that are reasonably priced-no need to go to Old Navy (even though they are only $1 this weekend), your feet will thank you for it!!!

 

[nannette]

I am another huge fan of the Sanuk Yoga Mat flip Flops. I am wearing them right now and they will go with me to WDW in October as well. I can walk all day in them! Enjoy!!

Tell me about these and water... the reviews on Amazon say they are dangerous if wet?!? I'm all about a flip flop and I know when they get wet they can be slippery, but are these really that dangerous??

~N

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thank you for the great info everyone!!! My DH really wanted to stay at the Poly so I decided since it's already booked and paid for and possibly the last time before construction on the DVC starts, we would stick with the Poly. I did tell him this time I want to visit BC and consider staying there next year.

Take your DH out through the International Gateway one evening when you are in Epcot. Make sure it is dark enough for all the lights to be on in the Boardwalk area. Walk along the Boardwalk. Sit and watch the people and boats go by. Imagine how nice it would be to be steps away from your resort room after viewing Illuminations. Have a meal at Cape May and an ice cream treat at Beaches and Cream. All this can be his some day.

 

[laura428]

Tell me about these and water... the reviews on Amazon say they are dangerous if wet?!? I'm all about a flip flop and I know when they get wet they can be slippery, but are these really that dangerous??

~N

They definitely wouldn't be my first choice if I knew I was going to get wet. Honestly, they're not my first choice for lots of walking, either. Don't get me wrong - I'm wearing the now and LOVE them! But while they're great for running errands and shorter walks, I need more stability and support, and imagine my feet would move around a lot in them if they were wet.

Again, for good support and quick-drying ability, I gotta go with Keens.

 

[maa]

I just checked our count down on My Experience. We hit 70days!!!

I think I will totally freak when it hits 60 day mark.. I really haven't started my disney pile yet!

Last trip I wore just regular sandals to the park. I can NOT wear sneakers in the summer. If my feet are hot so is my body. But I want something more comfy than old navy flip flops.

any recommendations???? I ordered croc flip flops. I am soooo not a crocs person. But I trying to avoid blisters

I LOVE my FitFlops, but some ladies really, really don't like them. I think they give the stability and support of a sneaker without all the bulk. I swear by mine.

 

[laura428]

Ok, I have to say that I am totally using this thread as an escape today! DH is away on business, and I'm juggling Mommy to DS9 and DD7, my usual administrative day (as district mgr for a pharma company), a 2 hour live online training session (in the middle of which I had to make the kids' lunches), and just finished swim lessons. Now off to see my mom (who is having a tough time this weekend as we just lost my Dad), then running to get last minute items for DH's Fathers Day present. All the while checking in on my team to make sure we're all good - must not shirk my managerial responsibilities. But when DH is out of town, it's got to be a balancing act!

Now, off to get Slurpees for the kids as reward for a great job in swimming. And one for me, too.