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

[ocalla]

Well we've been here at CSR for 2 nights now.....I really miss BC. This place is way too big!!!!

No matter where you want to go, it's a hike!!!!

Can't wait for July!

 

[kurdav]

I was discussing online check in with my Disney buddies today. They asked what we can request. I tried looking through the disboards but couldn't find the answer. Any and all help appreciated.

 

[roydavid7771]

40 days until we're home again! I know this probably isn't the right spot to ask this question, but do any recent guests have any more info on the Magic Bands and/or Fastpass+? The more I read about this new Fastpass system, the less I like it....

 

[Angeejoe]

This Oct 28- Nov 3 will be DH & my 1st Food & Wine Fest, do you guys find you end up there most nights for dinner or just 1-2 nights? I know 1 night for sure we have MNSSHP so that night's out for FW dinner. DH & I like to get up early go to parks when slower, go back to room after later lunch at park to swim, nap or have drink at bar, then hit a park in evening for dinner until closing. I just wonder if dinners will be at Epcot food booths!! We have lots of restaurants we really like, so not sure if I should have dinner ADRs or eat at FW?

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Ok in all our visits we have yet to hit a waterpark -- SAB has kept the kids pleased enough til now but this is the year!

We will be staying at AKL (1st stay) for 3 nights after our BC stay -- our vacation from our vacation -- so I am planning to hit Blizzard Beach one of those days.

I just took a peek at the BB menus over on Allears and I saw Grey Goose Slushies listed at Frostbite Freddie's! Seriously?!

Anyone have first-hand knowledge?

3 weeks from today we'll be at BC ... Can't wait!

 

[Missyrose]

40 days until we're home again! I know this probably isn't the right spot to ask this question, but do any recent guests have any more info on the Magic Bands and/or Fastpass+? The more I read about this new Fastpass system, the less I like it....

Disney is conducting a limited test with guests for MagicBands and FP+ the third week of June. You have to be staying at CR or AKL (not DVC) and checking in and out on certain dates to be eligible. The interesting early news from the tests (via someone who was picked for the test), they were given the option to reserve FPs at three attractions at the park they intended to visit each day with no tiers for the attractions, which is a change from previous tests. Who knows what that means or if it will continue that way? Disney still has given no public information about the official roll out of the program.

 

[Missyrose]

This Oct 28- Nov 3 will be DH & my 1st Food & Wine Fest, do you guys find you end up there most nights for dinner or just 1-2 nights? I know 1 night for sure we have MNSSHP so that night's out for FW dinner. DH & I like to get up early go to parks when slower, go back to room after later lunch at park to swim, nap or have drink at bar, then hit a park in evening for dinner until closing. I just wonder if dinners will be at Epcot food booths!! We have lots of restaurants we really like, so not sure if I should have dinner ADRs or eat at FW?

We like to do lunches at the F&W kiosks and TS ADRs for dinner. We'll typically do one or two evenings at F&W in addition, especially if there are concerts we want to see. But the nice thing about lunch at the kiosks is it's much less crowded than the evening. And the best advice I can give is avoid the weekends if possible, too crowded for words.

 

[nannette]

This Oct 28- Nov 3 will be DH & my 1st Food & Wine Fest, do you guys find you end up there most nights for dinner or just 1-2 nights? I know 1 night for sure we have MNSSHP so that night's out for FW dinner. DH & I like to get up early go to parks when slower, go back to room after later lunch at park to swim, nap or have drink at bar, then hit a park in evening for dinner until closing. I just wonder if dinners will be at Epcot food booths!! We have lots of restaurants we really like, so not sure if I should have dinner ADRs or eat at FW?

I'll be there around the same time frame 10/30-11/4 at AKL CL. What I did was make a few dinner reservations and then the nights I don't have dinner reservations will be nights spent at F&W. DH just might be forced into a mandatory retirement as of September 1 (this is a good things) If this happens he'll join me for F&W. Some of the menu items for F&W look really good!! Just remember that weekends it gets crowded so try and plan to do things during the week as opposed to weekends. Learned this the last time I was a F&W 2 years ago!

HTH
~Nannette

 

[roydavid7771]

Disney is conducting a limited test with guests for MagicBands and FP+ the third week of June. You have to be staying at CR or AKL (not DVC) and checking in and out on certain dates to be eligible. The interesting early news from the tests (via someone who was picked for the test), they were given the option to reserve FPs at three attractions at the park they intended to visit each day with no tiers for the attractions, which is a change from previous tests. Who knows what that means or if it will continue that way? Disney still has given no public information about the official roll out of the program.

Thank you for the information Missy. I guess we'll just roll with the punches once we arrive.

Another question......

I was never one to request a specific room location, but with my brother and his family coming along, I need to be a bit more aware of everyone else's needs. I have already checked in online, but how and/or when can I add a specific request other than the options listed? Again, my eternal thanks to you all...

 

[333disneymom]

Ok in all our visits we have yet to hit a waterpark -- SAB has kept the kids pleased enough til now but this is the year!

We will be staying at AKL (1st stay) for 3 nights after our BC stay -- our vacation from our vacation -- so I am planning to hit Blizzard Beach one of those days.

I just took a peek at the BB menus over on Allears and I saw Grey Goose Slushies listed at Frostbite Freddie's! Seriously?!

Anyone have first-hand knowledge?

3 weeks from today we'll be at BC ... Can't wait!

I don't know the answer to your question, but please report back after your trip. We are doing the same split, but in reverse - AKL then BCV. We are also trying the water parks for the first time.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

I don't know the answer to your question, but please report back after your trip. We are doing the same split, but in reverse - AKL then BCV. We are also trying the water parks for the first time.

How exciting!

Will definitely post after our trip. Still deciding if we'll do both water parks or just one this time.

We did a quick visit at AKL on our way out of town last year, had lunch at Mara and a quick look around. Decided it would be a nice way to unwind from the parks before heading back home. Plan to spend time at the pool and doing activities around the resort, viewing the animals.

I love that we've been so many times and we're still trying new things each & every time.

 

[natebenma]

I was discussing online check in with my Disney buddies today. They asked what we can request. I tried looking through the disboards but couldn't find the answer. Any and all help appreciated.

Here's the info I have in the Other Useful Info post on Page 1:

60 Day Online Checkin/My Disney Experience

Confirm arrival and departure times

Pick PIN numbers to use for park and resort purchases

There is also an option of clicking a box which said they would possibly allow early entry to a room prior to 3 but it might override room requests.

Request for a day bed does not appear to be an option you can request through on-line checkin.


Beach Club 60 Day Check In:

Room Request Options- Choose 2 of the three listed:

Large balcony
Lower floor
Near transportation

Yacht Club 60 Day Check In:

Lower Floor
Near Transportation


Beach Club Villa 60 Day Check In:

Room Request Options-Choose 2 out of the four listed:

Near Elevator
Lower Floor
Woods View
Larger Balcony

Info from Andre on the POR subforum (March 2013)

The main benefits of 60 day checkin are:

You can register your credit card and create a PIN number for all your key-to-the-world cards in advance;
(however, you may want to wait until you check in at the resort to pick your PIN if you are apt to forget it)

Nothing to take up time at the front desk (your welcome pack, key-cards and room number will be put together a few hours before your stated arrival time, so it's all there waiting for you even if you are checking in quite late);

When MagicBands are introduced, they will have been pre-made for you in your chosen colours and with your names on (otherwise you'll get generic grey ones set up at the front desk);

You might even get 'Mobile Lobby' checkin service, where they can check you in using an iPad, rather than even needing to queue for the desk at all.

The room assignment team suggests it too by the way, they say it generally speeds the whole process up for you.

40 days until we're home again! I know this probably isn't the right spot to ask this question, but do any recent guests have any more info on the Magic Bands and/or Fastpass+? The more I read about this new Fastpass system, the less I like it....

I am trying to compile info as I find it about FP+ and Magic Bands. Here is what I have so far (some of this will look familiar to Missy!)- posted to the Other Useful Info on Page 1.


What do you know about Magic Bands? How is FP+ going to work? When is this all happening???

ARGH!!! Your guess is as good as mine. Much like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand, I haven't really been paying much attention to what is going on.

But as I find info or links, I'll post them here. Let me know if you find anything interesting or definitive on the subject.

Pictures and Description of MagicBands by missyrose and pixeldust

First Look: My Disney MagicBand+

***MyMagic+ & FastPass+ Official Information & FAQ Thread***

Guest Test of Magic Bands, June 2013

 

[natebenma]

Thank you for the information Missy. I guess we'll just roll with the punches once we arrive.

Another question......

I was never one to request a specific room location, but with my brother and his family coming along, I need to be a bit more aware of everyone else's needs. I have already checked in online, but how and/or when can I add a specific request other than the options listed? Again, my eternal thanks to you all...

For the resorts, you can call the Central Reservations Office to add requests to your reservation, anytime between now and your trip. If you made a reservation through a third party, you may need to ask them to add the request.

Not too familiar with the DVC stuff, so I don't know if there is a different process for making a request when you are staying at the villas. Hopefully someone will chime in if there is a different procedure.

 

[Willows909]

Hello all you BC/YC gurus...I've changed Resorts again. And I am now going to stay at the Beach Club Standard Room CL....I've looked on the map..and I can't figure out just where those rooms are in relation to SAB. Could someone give me a clue where they would be? Thank you!

 

[Angeejoe]

We like to do lunches at the F&W kiosks and TS ADRs for dinner. We'll typically do one or two evenings at F&W in addition, especially if there are concerts we want to see. But the nice thing about lunch at the kiosks is it's much less crowded than the evening. And the best advice I can give is avoid the weekends if possible, too crowded for words.

Thanks for the advice Missyrose, I will try to do F&W during the week. My only thing with lunches is that I'd like to do the other parks during day & then have relaxing night next door at Epcot with walk back! Anyone know if F&W slows down when it's MNSSHP? Maybe less people at Epcot??? (fingers crossed!)

I'll be there around the same time frame 10/30-11/4 at AKL CL. What I did was make a few dinner reservations and then the nights I don't have dinner reservations will be nights spent at F&W. DH just might be forced into a mandatory retirement as of September 1 (this is a good things) If this happens he'll join me for F&W. Some of the menu items for F&W look really good!! Just remember that weekends it gets crowded so try and plan to do things during the week as opposed to weekends. Learned this the last time I was a F&W 2 years ago!

HTH
~Nannette

Thanks Nannette! I will hope for the early retirement for your DH! Where did you find the menu for the fall? Where are your reservations for thus far?

 

[333disneymom]

How exciting!

Will definitely post after our trip. Still deciding if we'll do both water parks or just one this time.

We did a quick visit at AKL on our way out of town last year, had lunch at Mara and a quick look around. Decided it would be a nice way to unwind from the parks before heading back home. Plan to spend time at the pool and doing activities around the resort, viewing the animals.

I love that we've been so many times and we're still trying new things each & every time.

Sounds like a good plan. We feel the some way about trying new things each time.

For the resorts, you can call the Central Reservations Office to add requests to your reservation, anytime between now and your trip. If you made a reservation through a third party, you may need to ask them to add the request.

Not too familiar with the DVC stuff, so I don't know if there is a different process for making a request when you are staying at the villas. Hopefully someone will chime in if there is a different procedure.

DVC members can email or call Member Services to add a request.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[BringingUpDisney]

I've used the TIW card for several years now. I even bought the AP once when I was only going for one visit one year just so I could get TIW.

I suppose it really matters how you and your family eat. We like two TS meals a day, sometimes three if there's a character breakfast in there. We enjoy the mid day break in an air conditioned restaurant. We like to have wine and/or drinks with dinner. We've also had up to 8 people on the bill.

I hope it works out for you. It's my favorite way to go.

We like two TS a day as well. Most important is that we prefer to share a few apps and avoid the big entrees. TIW will let us eat that way and get adult beverages too!

 

[Ninja Mom]

Today was a banner day! We took the boys over to Bay Lake and rented a pontoon boat and water mice. If you have an annual pass they are giving a 30% discount on boat rentals. I tried to 'up' the discount on the boats by talking them into adding the discount from my Tables in Wonderland card.... but they weren't buying my claim that "water tables" were also included in that discount.

The boys really liked the boats and no wild life was harmed from their not so smooth driving of the boats...... but a couple of ducks did give us some dirty looks! Ninja Mom was driving the boat when the Marine Patrol very nicely raced over and informed her she was in the fishing area of the enormous Bay Lake and my kind of boat was not permitted in that area. I'm sure my picture is on the 'naughty' bulletin board at Marine Patrol head quarters with all the people who were caught "Making a large wake in the no wake zone" and "giving the Herons a headache" from all the yelling I did directing the boys in the water mice so they didn't take out any of the ferries.

We then went over to Hollywood Studios to take in the last gasps of Star Wars Weekends. We just love this event and seeing the people dressed up in Star Wars costumes as they tour the parks just adds another level of fun.

Now for traffic and weather! You got the (Boat) traffic report but I will tell you we cabbed it back and forth to the Contemporary. It was hot and sunny with pop up showers everywhere but where we were. My husband looks like a crispy critter from where his shorts ended (the long kind, sorry Mickey T!) until where his crew socks started. The man doesn't get out much and his outdoor activities begin and end with him running ~from~ the car into the house and then back out to the car to go to work.

Tomorrow we have a hot date with Epcot and lunch at Le Cellier. Then we are going over to the Captain's Grille where we are going to kidnap a random cast member and drag her off to dinner. Don't worry, we'll pick one that looks lonely and hungry!

Also Buzzy the fly found me at the outdoor lunch snack bar at the Contemporary and INSISTED on joining me. He also brought some friends, family members and a flock of french fly stealing birds. I looked like I was having a seizure, continuously swatting at the birds and tiny little invisible flies. The good news was that no one else wanted to get near the crazy lady so all the tables near us were free and clear of people. I've decided that I'm going to fake it and start swatting imaginary things while I'm waiting in the standby line for rides to see if I can get to the front faster.

~NM

 

[TeenaS]

Hello all you BC/YC gurus...I've changed Resorts again. And I am now going to stay at the Beach Club Standard Room CL....I've looked on the map..and I can't figure out just where those rooms are in relation to SAB. Could someone give me a clue where they would be? Thank you!

A standard view room is a room that has a view of a roof or parking lot. Therefore, they are pretty much scattered throughout the whole building. The nearest standard view room to an entrance to SAB would be a room close to the lobby. So if that is what you are hoping for, add "close to lobby" as a request on your reservation. If a decent view (something other than parking lot or roof) is important to you, you might want to consider changing your reservation to a garden view. It normally around $10 per night higher than a standard view.

 

[JanetMom]

Today was a banner day! We took the boys over to Bay Lake and rented a pontoon boat and water mice. If you have an annual pass they are giving a 30% discount on boat rentals. I tried to 'up' the discount on the boats by talking them into adding the discount from my Tables in Wonderland card.... but they weren't buying my claim that "water tables" were also included in that discount.

The boys really liked the boats and no wild life was harmed from their not so smooth driving of the boats...... but a couple of ducks did give us some dirty looks! Ninja Mom was driving the boat when the Marine Patrol very nicely raced over and informed her she was in the fishing area of the enormous Bay Lake and my kind of boat was not permitted in that area. I'm sure my picture is on the 'naughty' bulletin board at Marine Patrol head quarters with all the people who were caught "Making a large wake in the no wake zone" and "giving the Herons a headache" from all the yelling I did directing the boys in the water mice so they didn't take out any of the ferries.

We then went over to Hollywood Studios to take in the last gasps of Star Wars Weekends. We just love this event and seeing the people dressed up in Star Wars costumes as they tour the parks just adds another level of fun.

Now for traffic and weather! You got the (Boat) traffic report but I will tell you we cabbed it back and forth to the Contemporary. It was hot and sunny with pop up showers everywhere but where we were. My husband looks like a crispy critter from where his shorts ended (the long kind, sorry Mickey T!) until where his crew socks started. The man doesn't get out much and his outdoor activities begin and end with him running ~from~ the car into the house and then back out to the car to go to work.

Tomorrow we have a hot date with Epcot and lunch at Le Cellier. Then we are going over to the Captain's Grille where we are going to kidnap a random cast member and drag her off to dinner. Don't worry, we'll pick one that looks lonely and hungry!

Also Buzzy the fly found me at the outdoor lunch snack bar at the Contemporary and INSISTED on joining me. He also brought some friends, family members and a flock of french fly stealing birds. I looked like I was having a seizure, continuously swatting at the birds and tiny little invisible flies. The good news was that no one else wanted to get near the crazy lady so all the tables near us were free and clear of people. I've decided that I'm going to fake it and start swatting imaginary things while I'm waiting in the standby line for rides to see if I can get to the front faster.

~NM

Banner day indeed! Sounds like you packed an entire trip into one day.

I'm guessing your photo is up on a few bulletin boards, so why not add the Marine Patrol board t the list.

Have a great time with the cast member.