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

[natebenma]

I thought I remember reading somewhere about a scavenger hunt at BC. Is this something for little kids? Could a family do it or is it organized by the hotel?

I still haven't seen a response to this one way or another. Help Please.

Now that Teena is back from her trip to Vero Beach, maybe she can answer this. She works as a Greeter at the Beach Club.

Teena- does the resort sponsor any scavenger hunts?

I don't see any on the activities listing.

My only contributions to this question are that I think a scavenger hunt is a component of the Albatross Cruise offered for children (for a fee) from the Yacht Club. Also, I remember a couple of years ago a poster here made up her own savenger hunt for her son.

 

[TeenaS]

They did have a scavenger hunt on Sundays or Mondays at the pool. It was fun because the families would come in and try to get me to help them with answers. They would have to run all around the YC, BC and BCV to get the answers. Recreation is the department that does the activities. Write a letter to the Resort (either to the GM or the Recreation Manager) saying you miss the scavenger hunts they had once or twice a week as a pool activity. I would imagine if enough people ask for it, they will schedule them again. I assume they just disappeared off the activities guide every month. Maybe not enough people were participating.

 

[focusondisney]

Have both lounges made the switch from Nescafe to Joffrey's coffee???

We just returned from YC Sat. They still had the same Nescafe machine in the lounge they had last year.

 

[pixarmom]

Just got home from four fantastic days at Disney's Vero Beach Resort.

Welcome Home, Teena! More Vero details, please!

If/when they do stop wanting to go with you - just wait. I raised my DS24 going to WDW - often just the 2 of us - he was also my best travel buddy. We didn't 'loose' him until after his 16th b'day trip (we did let him bring a friend for that one and they had a blast). Then, lo and behold, in his Sr year of college in Calif he calls me 3 weeks bfore spring break and asks if DH and I want to meet him and his GF in WDW. Say what??!! LOL Fastest trip I ever put together and we had the best time and got a whole week to get to know his (still) GF and fall in love with her too. They came again the following year for newest DGrDs 1st b'day trip - pretty sure they would meet us in WDW anytime they could now.
My older girls and their families are always up for meeting up at WDW with us - so hang in there if you get those in-between teen years - mine came back - and brought more WDW-loving family with them!!

Enjoy your BCV stay! And had to add that for many of us, 13 is not the end of the WDW/DL road! My brother and I have been going to DL and WDW since we were tiny, and at NO TIME did we ever waiver in our love of it all - not in our teens, or our 20s or our 30s. He's now in his 30's, but for his 13th birthday, he chose WDW: breakfast at Cape May, dinner at Tutto, and a stay at BC! As a single guy in his 20's, he never missed a chance to join us on a WDW trip. I think our three boys are headed in the same direction, and I'd love to get a call like the one bjakmom describes!

I'm in Chicago area too, so I will celebrate with you! (I looked at upgrading our YC stay to CL too but I haven't pulled the trigger. I know we don't need it, but it will be so strange NOT having it...)

I bet you'll upgrade! We usually do! And speaking of Chicago, my husband and I will be in the city for a date night early next week - anyone been to the Purple Pig for dinner? They don't take reservations ("eek!" says an ADR addict!)

Hi everyone!

I had a question for you. I am now thinking of not doing MNSSHP this year. My reasons are that we did it 2 years ago (and loved it) but not sure we would love it as much the 2nd time. Another reason is I would really love to see Wishes on one of the non MNSSHP nights (have never seen that). Also, now that we upgraded to BC CL, I really think my kids are going to want more resort time....

Since it costs our family a substantial chunk, I am really considering not. What would you do? We are there for only 4 nights/5 days with 5 day PH tickets.

Thanks!

I know it's easy for me to say, because I'm not spending the $$, but after going to MNSSHP once, it would be hard to be at WDW during a party and not go again! It's so festive and you could create a brand new set of costumes! We stayed at BC the few days before the party, but switched to CR CL the night of the party - really enjoyed the lounge, and then headed over to MNSSHP right after the evening appetizers. Good luck with your decision - it will be a great trip either way!

That's funny - that's how I justified switching back to CL - I wouldn't need the breakfat ADRs! I know exactly what you mean - you don't "need" CL but it would feel so weird without it!

And in addition to the cost of the breakfast ADRs, it's the convenience of the breakfast in the lounge! For our last stay (Poly/BWI), Poly's CL was down for renovations so we just booked GV. By our third morning, we were really ready to transfer to BWI to stay CL and have that easy breakfast ready each morning! Especially with multiple kids - when our youngest is ready to eat, my husband takes him to the lounge and they get started - then the rest of us join them as we're ready - so easy and such a relaxing way to start the day!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Yes, dee, that's it! Scotch egg!

Hmmm...I must not have been paying that close attention...I thought all kids meals at WDW were around that price point

We paid out of pocket for our meals this trip so I paid more attn to prices. They were usually $4-5, at least where we ate and what we ordered.

 

[focusondisney]

I am finally getting caught up on life after returning from BC last Saturday evening.

Here are a few notes:

We downgraded to a GV room after waiting til after 3pm for a WV with balcony. There wasn't one available, so we got $750 back and an amazing room...4606. It was huge! Here are some pics. The porch was VERY large as well!
!

Wow! What a great room! It looks like the pictures of the deluxe rooms! I think you made out better than with a wv room.

We were at YC last week too. My thoughts: I agree the resorts are needing some rehabs. We stayed club level & noticed the hallway rugs are really starting to show wear. I wondered what happened to the duvet covers they used after the last rehab? Now the beds are made up with a blanket between 2 flat sheets.

We went to the pool Tuesday after noon & while there were maybe 30 people in the pool, almost all the chairs had towels on them. Very few had personal items. It was annoying but we managed with 1 chair for the 2 of us. Later in the week, I saw a few families who were clearly leaving but left their used towels on the chairs instead of returning them. And a few families using more chairs then they had people. We've been several times in May before & have never had this much trouble getting seats. Other years CMs seemed to "police" the area a little & clear off chairs of abandoned towels, but we saw very little of that going on.

The weather was spectacular! Except for Sat, no humidity at all. It did seem more crowded than the same week last year & we have never seen so many school groups! Not that they bothered us or affected us in any way, just noticed that there were so many at every park. All seemed well chaperoned & well behaved.

Love bugs were almost nonexistant & even the flies disappeared after Monday.

We ate at ESPN too & I had a really yummy salad. DH had the chicken wings which were great as usual. We had diner at CMC on Wed for the fried shrimp but boy was that disappointing. The shrimp were tiny & mushy!! The fried cod on the children's buffet & the cold shrimp were much better. DH doesn't eat seafood & he did not like much here. Even the salads were disappointing. The lettuce is already has dressing & not that tasty.

As far as club level, CMs were friendly as always. Our housekeeper was great, room was spotless. I noticed they no longer have the veggies & dips out in the afternoon, only from 5-7 PM. Afternoon snacks are now only snacks: gummies, chips & dip, cookies & yogurt covered pretzels. And the individual servings of desserts seemed smaller since last year.

We needed to get back qickly from DTD Sat for an ADR in Epcot. After reading how many people here use cabs for this, we decided to give it a try. UGH! We got the worst cab driver! He had no idea what the Beach Club was or even where it was! I had to give him the actual address so he could put it in his GPS. DH & I actually just told him wher to turn & had to,point out the signs for him to follow. After we were in ther, I looked around & didn't see a meter. I realized then this probably wasn't a cab that was supposed to be at DTD. It was a white sedan with a "for hire" light/ sign on top. We were in such a hurry & he was the only car in the cab line, so we got in. He charged us $20. I'm thinking that was more than it should have been. Luckily we made our ARD & DH convinced me to just forget it & enjoy my lunch.

We had a few other snags too: our brand new luggage was damaged on arrival & SW refused to accept any responsibility. Blamed TSA even tho it was clear the case was not opened & nothing inside was touched. We were able to rig it up for our flight home with some help from maintance.

I upgraded our parkhoppers to APs & was charged more that I should have been. Luckily 2 absolutely wonderful CMs at City Hall in MK were able to see the problem & credit my charge card for the overcharge. Plus 1 of them insisted on giving us several fastpasses to make up for the mistake & our inconvenience.

Took advantage of the bounceback offer. Booked for both Sept & Dec coz we don't know whch week DH will be able to go. We'll be canceling 1 of them when we finally know. Can't wait to go back!!!

 

[BuddyThomas]

Can anyone tell me if the Yacht Club garden view rooms have a refrigerator? Sorry if this has been discussed before. Thanks in advance!

 

[disd55]

Can anyone tell me if the Yacht Club garden view rooms have a refrigerator? Sorry if this has been discussed before. Thanks in advance!

All the rooms have mini fridges, so yes.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Hi everyone!!
My family & I are in the process of planning our 1st WDW trip!!
We will not be certain on our dates for a few months, but, it will be in May (I THINK!!). We will be staying a total of 9 nights, doing a split stay between AoA, and just decided yesterday on YC. Most likely, it will be a 4/5 split, respectively.

I read the entire first page, and that just set it in more that the YC is where I would like to stay!!

I do have a question regarding the views. If we were to book Garden View, is the view ONLY of "something green"? Or, may it also have rooftop/parking views? I ask this because we recently stayed at Aulani in a Garden View, and I felt as if I had a Standard View with a hill in the background

Also, does anybody know what the rack rate was for May this year? Just trying to get an idea in my head of figures.

Thanks a bunch!!

Bumping.

 

[focusondisney]

I haven't stayed in a gv room so I can't comment on that. But several of the wv rooms are over the health club, salon & Steakhouse. There is a roof directly below the wv balcony, but while sitting on the balcony or looking out from the room, all you can see is the pool or lake.

Here is a link to YC room rates on Allears.net. Scroll down to find your room type & dates:
http://allears.net/acc/faq_yc.htm

 

[dizneekrazee]

I haven't stayed in a gv room so I can't comment on that. But several of the wv rooms are over the health club, salon & Steakhouse. There is a roof directly below the wv balcony, but while sitting on the balcony or looking out from the room, all you can see is the pool or lake.

Here is a link to YC room rates on Allears.net. Scroll down to find your room type & dates:
http://allears.net/acc/faq_yc.htm

Thank you!!

 

[focusondisney]

Welcome! I see you did the DL tour & Walt's apartment. We did it in Dec. So awesome, wasn't it??

 

[pixarmom]

And I see you did a Pixar Studios tour!!! I'm originally from the Bay Area and we still visit occasionally. I know it's not open to the public, but wish there would be an exception for a pixarmom!! Must have been a great tour!

P.S. See you at the DL 10K!!!

 

[dizneekrazee]

Welcome! I see you did the DL tour & Walt's apartment. We did it in Dec. So awesome, wasn't it??

It was auh-mazing!! I totally recommend it, especially those who love all things Walt

And I see you did a Pixar Studios tour!!! I'm originally from the Bay Area and we still visit occasionally. I know it's not open to the public, but wish there would be an exception for a pixarmom!! Must have been a great tour!

P.S. See you at the DL 10K!!!

It was auh-mazing as well!! Got to meet Mark Andrews!! Have you done a Disney run before? This is my first, and I will be with 2 of my co-workers, also their first.

Both of those tours were on my Bucket list. I was able to get 3 things checked off my Disney Bucket list so far this year, and working on planning next years already. In addition to my non-Disney bucket list (2 this year upcoming).

 

[Ninja Mom]

We just returned from YC Sat. They still had the same Nescafe machine in the lounge they had last year.

Well OK then... sounds like it's time for a mission. We need a volunteer to...um... shall we say, 'relocate', the Nescrapfe coffee machine to an undisclosed location so they will have to get a new Joffreys one.

C'mon people! This thing is only as large as a 2 drawer filing cabinet and weighs about a 100 pounds. One or four of you could surely drag that thing off into the sunset, never to be seen again.

Now let's think of hiding places. Nobody goes into the BCV "sofa" room so we could stash it there. Another great place could be the wedding gazebo. Coffee and nuptials make a fine combination, don't you think? Think of how peppy the Mouse Keepers would be if we donated it to their break room! How about as ballast on one of those Pirate cruises?? Finally I think we could hide it behind a washer in one of the laundry rooms.... Nobody is drinking coffee in the laundry rooms anymore, at least not on this thread....

Did I miss any spots?

~NM

 

[rea59]

Got my Mickey Mail today...woo hoo!

 

[captsparrow]

We just came back from a great week at the Beach Club. I absolutely love the scent when walking into the Beach Club Main Lobby. Does anyone know what that might be and get you get it anywhere.

 

[Sue M]

Welcome home Teena!

 

[Sue M]

I started my Pre-Trip Report
So excited 84 days away from our first Beach Cub Stay!

Pray for no hurricanes!!! The one thing that always stresses me out about going in August!

If anyone is looking to follow along our planning journey
Jersey Shore Does Beach Club! An August PTR!

I hear ya. Was watching the news today and they say the Atlantic is heating up so they are predicting a strong hurricane season I have to check, but I think my Visa has trip interruption. One yeat while we were in Ft Lauderdale the ocean was so hot, it was like getting into a bath. That was the year Katrina struck. We were flying home from MCO early afternoon the day Katrina was coming in.
If I'm going to be in a Hurricsne, Disney is a good place to be stuck. At least I'd feel safe.

I am finally getting caught up on life after returning from BC last Saturday evening.

Here are a few notes:

We downgraded to a GV room after waiting til after 3pm for a WV with balcony. There wasn't one available, so we got $750 back and an amazing room...4606. It was huge! Here are some pics. The porch was VERY large as well!





I got on the elevator one day with a maintenance man that had a roll of sailboat wallpaper in his hand. I commented that it was funny to see that he was going to hang that, b/c every time I see it in our room I think about it needing to be taken down. He said he agrees and soon the whole place is going to be "redone." He didn't give details but said he has been hanging that same wallpaper the 12 yrs he has worked there. So that is interesting!

I was really looking forward to the bfast sandwich at BCM b/c I saw a pic of it somewhere on the DIS. Well, we got there and it was very thin and served on thin white bread. I could've sworn it was served on a croissant. Not the end of the world, of course, but a let down. We ate a few flatbreads there but that is it. They were pretty good. IMHO, such a big resort should have more CS options.

We only ate at HH once. The chicken sandwich was pretty good. I thought it was crazy the kids meals are $8 just b/c they come in a bucket.

There were always people checking for room keys at SAB, until 5pm. Chair and life vest hogs were out in full force. No worries...if I didn't see someone on a chair or using a life vest for awhile, I took it off their hands. There really aren't enough little kid vests, so I would bring my own PFD next time for my youngest. We really enjoyed SAB and used it a lot!

We ate at BnC once. I think I had some version of a reuben called Rachel. It was quite good! Also had the No Way Jose. Pretty sure that is as close to heaven as we can get here on earth! We decided they need to offer a philly cheesesteak there.

We had bfast at CMC one day. It was the typical WDW bfast buffet. Nothing special. In and out quick.

I did laundry one day. Hauled it all down to the 1st floor laundry room and there was no change machine. Went to the desk to get some, walked back, and noticed the machines were half broken. Then found a map and discovered the laundry room by the pool. Of course, there was a change machine in that one.

The 2nd to last full day we put the kids in sandcastle club. We were drop ins and they accepted us last minute. We were actually standing there at 4:30 when the opened. My DS3 cried when we left but had a wonderful time. DS5 asked the whole next day to go back. We let them go back again the next night. Both nights we wandered over to Epcot and had dinner. It was great! Expensive but well worth it. Will def be using the clubs in the future!

I didn't see Teena in the lobby the whole 10 days!?

I forgot my camera this trip so it is a good thing we had the photopass+! Loved it! It was so nice not to see my trip from behind the camera for once. I was actually in some photos!

Did the Wishes dessert party for mother's day. My crew hardly ate anything. Good experience and lovely view but I prefer to keep my money and stand in front of the castle. I don't regret trying it.

Our arrival night was at YC due to availability issues at BC. We were greeted by name as we stepped off ME. It was lovely. My DS3 woke up the next am at 6am incoherent and burning up! I don't know what his temp was, but he was hotter than I have ever felt. He was saying things that made no sense. I went down to GS and the manager opened the YC gift shop so I could get some motrin and powerade. They were very accomodating.

Well, those are my thoughts. Enjoy your trips and planning!

Wow, what a great room!!
They don't have the breakfast crossiants anymore
I think I heard you can get the kids meal without the bucket? Just have to ask.
Teena was vacationing I guess during your visit!
Glad they were able to open up gift shop so you could get supplies, how scary!
I totally would move towels off chairs that don't have any personal items on them. It's so rude of people to just leave their towels, how hard can it be to put them in the return bins
I always use pool laundry rooms, much more fun to just put laundry in and have a swim, & drink
Sounds like aside from some glitches, you had a great trip

Well OK then... sounds like it's time for a mission. We need a volunteer to...um... shall we say, 'relocate', the Nescrapfe coffee machine to an undisclosed location so they will have to get a new Joffreys one.

C'mon people! This thing is only as large as a 2 drawer filing cabinet and weighs about a 100 pounds. One or four of you could surely drag that thing off into the sunset, never to be seen again.

Now let's think of hiding places. Nobody goes into the BCV "sofa" room so we could stash it there. Another great place could be the wedding gazebo. Coffee and nuptials make a fine combination, don't you think? Think of how peppy the Mouse Keepers would be if we donated it to their break room! How about as ballast on one of those Pirate cruises?? Finally I think we could hide it behind a washer in one of the laundry rooms.... Nobody is drinking coffee in the laundry rooms anymore, at least not on this thread....

Did I miss any spots?

~NM

Bottom of the lake lol!

Got my Mickey Mail today...woo hoo!

Yay! Love Mickey Mail!

 

[Sue M]

How good is the Wi-Fi coverage at the BC/YC? Do you get good reception at Stormalong Bay?

I found the wifi to be good at BC, but didn't try it out at SAB, I don't take my electronics down to the pools if nobody is staying out of the pool to watch them. Even at Disney, theft can happen.