2014/2015 Beach and Yacht Club FAQ, Friends & Fun, Sept 2014-Mayl 2015

[Wood Nymph]

We ended up having a really nice evening. Animal Kingdom was open until 7pm tonight. I made last minute dinner reservations at Yak and Yeti for 6:30 pm. We got to the BC bus stop around 4:45pm and we were the only passengers on the bus to AK. We got on the safari ride about 5:45pm and the animals were very active. The guide said they were more active when it cooled off in the evening. We had a good dinner and Yak and Yeti and then got our own private bus ride back to the Beach Club. We got some dessert at Boardwalk Bakery and made it into Epcot in time for Illuminations. It was a pleasant way to spend the rest of our day. The crowds were either at MK or DHS tonight, they both have late hours.

 

[Disney before Sally]

Sounds like you were as close to heaven as possible here while we wait. Thanks for sharing Wood Nymph.

 

[Magical_One]

Hi all! Relatively new poster but longtime lurker coming out of her shell!

I'm going back to BC in May with my mom for a 'girls trip/PhD graduation celebration' after doing my honeymoon at BC and my first anniversary at YC the past two years with my husband. It's mom's first time back to the world in almost 30 years, and I am so excited to take her around and show her everything that's changed (she didn't even realize that there are more resorts than just the 3 monorail ones, and she was sad that "Birthdayland" wouldn't be at the MK!).

Anyway, I booked this trip through Orbitz, when I usually go through Disney directly. I'd like to make some room requests, specifically a refurbished room close to the main elevators. Mom is on the cusp of being able to walk the whole day fine, and needing to use an ECV (which she absolutely does not want to do), and knowing what some of the corridors at the BC can be like, I'd like to make the hotel part of the walking as easy for her as possible. Close to the elevators is a bigger priority for us than a refurbished room is. I've put both "close to the elevators" and "high floor" on my online check in to try to get these things, but I'm also wondering if I should try to convey these requests to Orbitz. However, going through Orbitz, I fear that the requests won't get relayed back to Disney, will get lost/confused somehow in translation, or worse, that the room assigners at Disney will be passive-aggressive (paranoid of me, I know!) and give us the exact opposite of what I'm asking for.

Has anyone gotten their room requests when done through Orbitz? If so, did you make the requests through online chat or by calling? I know that I can always go up to the front desk once we're at the BC and inquire if they can move us if the room is far down the hall, but the more I can do before we actually get there, the better.

Thank you!

(PS - I know that a new BC/YC thread will be starting soon, thank you natebenma for all your hard work! If you'd rather me re-post this to the new thread when it comes out, I'd be glad to do so! )

Your best your best bet is to call the resort directly. They can add the requests to your reservation. Contacting orbitz won't help because their comments never really make it into our system at the resorts. I can tell you we do our best to meet your requests, and don't get passive aggressive and give you the opposite of what you're asking for. That's our job as room assignors, to try to meet the requests you are asking for.
The catagory you book has a lot to do with your location as well as occupancy. Room assignment is like a huge Tetris game. When we are at high occupancy where we can put you depends on who is checking out the day you are checking in, and what rooms are available. We only block rooms about 5 days prior to arrival. So it really makes no difference how or when you book. But the important thing is that the requests are on the reservation. The best way to ensure that is to call the resort directly as I said (407-934-8000). What you are asking for is not unusual at all. We get that a lot. Just please remember requests are requests not guarantees. We do our best but sometimes we just don't have what you want available. I hope this helps!

 

[Magical_One]

ADR date for our October trip is next week...can't wait!

Quick question: Anyone know how many rooms at the BC CL have king beds? Just wondering if it's worth even requesting.

Hi Rosa!
There is 1 king bed in the standard club catagory, 2 in the lagoon/pool club and new to rehab they have 2 garden view club rooms with king beds BUT they are special needs and have the catagory of Florida special garden club rooms. There is just the 2, and like I said they are their own catagory. You can request it but just know chances are slim. But it never hurts to ask, cause you never know!

 

[Magical_One]

I'm wondering about on-line check in too. We're staying at BCV and I want to request a roll-a-way bed, upper floor, and EPCOT view. The online check in only lets me request upper floor. Should I do online check in and then call prior to arrival day for the other requests? I don't want to automatically get assigned a room without the opportunity to make these other requests. I know there is always the chance I won't get my requests, but would feel better knowing that at least I made them!

There are no rollaways allowed in the villas, but housekeeping does a a few blow up mattresses you can request, but there is a fee involved with those just like with rollaway beds. The upper floor request is good but please know we don't really have Epcot view rooms in the BCV. Most of the ones that face Epcot also face Epcot Resorts Blvd. Most people do not know that. Plus the part that faces toward Epcot is Future world not World Showcase. I took pictures of the views for every single one of those villas and I can tell you most don't have a good Epcot view at all. That side is mostly woods or road. But with all room requests I recommend calling the resort (407-934-8000) 5 days prior to arrival and making sure all your requests are listed. I hope that helps!

 

[TeenaS]

We ended up having a really nice evening. Animal Kingdom was open until 7pm tonight. I made last minute dinner reservations at Yak and Yeti for 6:30 pm. We got to the BC bus stop around 4:45pm and we were the only passengers on the bus to AK. We got on the safari ride about 5:45pm and the animals were very active. The guide said they were more active when it cooled off in the evening. We had a good dinner and Yak and Yeti and then got our own private bus ride back to the Beach Club. We got some dessert at Boardwalk Bakery and made it into Epcot in time for Illuminations. It was a pleasant way to spend the rest of our day. The crowds were either at MK or DHS tonight, they both have late hours.

Sounds like a wonderful day!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Magical_One - quick question

This is the first time we booked LV/PV room at BC. We have stayef LV/PV at YC and I knew exactly what to request there, but I'm at a loss of how to make this request

Okay here is my "wish list" room. It would be a full balcony with a straight lagoon view (no roof in the way). Preferably with a day bed since we are 5. Does this room exist? What would be the best wording to request it?

Thanks (and hope to see you in our trip!)

 

[natebenma]

page 255-257

Thanks for the info. I completely forgot that the entry I'd be going to isn't the main entry. We are going sept 16-26 for my 40th birthday celebration. I haven't booked my resort yet as I'm hoping for free dining to be released but I desperately want to stay at BC.

I'll put you on the Be Our Guest list with a "hopefully BC"

Wanted to tell you guys my "secret plan" for the trip. We originally had planned to do the big Sweet 16 party for dd. Well she told us she would rather have the money for a car. Good decision but I still wanted her to have a special day So on August 26 we have s non park rest day plan. This is going to become "Kaylie Princess if the Day" day! We are going to give her breakfast in bed along with the Sweet 16 tiara we are secretly bringing. Making an appointment at Perriwigs for her hair, mani/pedi. Arranging for a photo shoot with Disney Fine Arts. Dinner that night is at CM buffet where we will have a special cake for her. We will finish up with the Birthday Illuminations Cruise! Also having a dozen long stemmed pink roses and Sweet 16 balloon delivered that day. I'm sooo excited to plan this surprise!!!

What a very special day for your daughter!!! And for all of you! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Oh, we're pretty excited here...our Travel Agent just switched us from Deluxe Studio Villa to Garden/Woods view...which is what we wanted all along, but up until now, there was no availability!

YAY YAY YAY......it will make our 40th Anniversary celebration that much sweeter!!!

so Dee, could you change our BOG listing for Oct 16-23 to be GV? Thanks!!!

Jeanne & Bruce

That is fantastic!!! I'll make the change.

We ended up having a really nice evening. Animal Kingdom was open until 7pm tonight. I made last minute dinner reservations at Yak and Yeti for 6:30 pm. We got to the BC bus stop around 4:45pm and we were the only passengers on the bus to AK. We got on the safari ride about 5:45pm and the animals were very active. The guide said they were more active when it cooled off in the evening. We had a good dinner and Yak and Yeti and then got our own private bus ride back to the Beach Club. We got some dessert at Boardwalk Bakery and made it into Epcot in time for Illuminations. It was a pleasant way to spend the rest of our day. The crowds were either at MK or DHS tonight, they both have late hours.

Sounds like a great night!

Once again, thanks for sharing reports about your trip with us.

:

 

[anjalee6]

I don't have any advice/knowledge of Kids Night Out but my DD4 did go to the Sandcastle club in Nov. and LOVED it! She played dress-up, did crafts, had dinner and had so much fun that when we got back she was sad that she only went there one night! The staff were wonderful there (and it was a crowded Sat. night during F&W) - they were very attentive and approachable. We are planning another date night this summer and will definitely use the Sandcastle Club again! (Plus as an AP holder, we had a discount!)

I am so glad to hear such positive things about the club. I was on the fence as to whether to leave our two kids while we went to dinner (our oldest is super quiet and shy) and looks like I may have to consider doing it after all.

 

[xjay]

What is the earliest time that the buses start running to MK? We have a couple of prepark ADRs that are right at 8am. What time should we be at the bus stop to be one of the first ones in line? Last trip we stayed at the CR so it was just a quick walk for us. So I'm not sure how much time I should budget. I couldn't find the info on this on the first post.

 

[Magical_One]

Magical_One - quick question

This is the first time we booked LV/PV room at BC. We have stayef LV/PV at YC and I knew exactly what to request there, but I'm at a loss of how to make this request

Okay here is my "wish list" room. It would be a full balcony with a straight lagoon view (no roof in the way). Preferably with a day bed since we are 5. Does this room exist? What would be the best wording to request it?

Thanks (and hope to see you in our trip!)

At the beach club the rooms that look straight at the lagoon are mostly standing balconies. Makes no sense to me but I didn't design the resort. If I had there wouldn't be standing balconies. The rooms looking at the quiet pool I think have some full balconies. I'll look into it more on Thursday when I return to work and let you know.

 

[jlundeen]

Today is day 180 - Got up real early and got online, and was able to get all but 1 of my ADRs exactly as I wanted them...still looking for that elusive BOG for our second evening dinner, but made one for later in the week just in case it never materializes...

Since we'll be celebrating our 40th Anniversary this trip (actually by then it will be 41st Anniversary) we decided to go full bore and do the Deluxe Dining so that we could do several Signature dining experiences that we've never done...so we have ADRs for Brown Derby, California Grill, Citricos, Le Cellier and Monsieur Paul...plus the fact that we'll be there during the Food & Wine event...it's going to be GOOD!!!

Can't wait!!!

Jeanne

 

[Lalabubbles]

Made our final ADR this morning!!! I was able to score everything we wanted at times that we wanted. I also booked the Family Magic Tour, BBB, and a portrait session at the Beach Club!! Cannot wait , only 178 more days to go.

 

[Pinkgirl]

My TA nearly gave me a heart attack this weekend. She priced up 21 nights at Yacht Club instead of 12!!!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We met Teena in the lobby this morning and had a nice visit with her. Count that as one hug for her today, so far.

We are on the bus to POR, our first visit to a moderate resort. We are checking it out for our daughter Cari - Hi Pluto.

 

[Hi Pluto]

We met Teena in the lobby this morning and had a nice visit with her. Count that as one hug for her today, so far.

We are on the bus to POR, our first visit to a moderate resort. We are checking it out for our daughter Cari - Hi Pluto.

Woohoo!

~Cari~

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

There are no rollaways allowed in the villas, but housekeeping does a a few blow up mattresses you can request, but there is a fee involved with those just like with rollaway beds. The upper floor request is good but please know we don't really have Epcot view rooms in the BCV. Most of the ones that face Epcot also face Epcot Resorts Blvd. Most people do not know that. Plus the part that faces toward Epcot is Future world not World Showcase. I took pictures of the views for every single one of those villas and I can tell you most don't have a good Epcot view at all. That side is mostly woods or road. But with all room requests I recommend calling the resort (407-934-8000) 5 days prior to arrival and making sure all your requests are listed. I hope that helps!

Thank you! I thought I had read somewhere that we could get a rollaway bed. Good to know we can't get so we can plan otherwise. We've stayed in BCV upper floor EPCOT view rooms before and I loved it. We could see the back side, top of Canada Pavilion in the distance but could also see high fireworks from Illuminations and Wishes.

 

[Pinkgirl]

We met Teena in the lobby this morning and had a nice visit with her. Count that as one hug for her today, so far.

We are on the bus to POR, our first visit to a moderate resort. We are checking it out for our daughter Cari - Hi Pluto.

POR is lovely, but you do however need to be careful in the dark that you get off the bus at the right stop!!!!

 

[jlundeen]

POR is lovely, but you do however need to be careful in the dark that you get off the bus at the right stop!!!!

The same can be said for Coronado...the paths are poorly lit, and the big building number sign is almost impossible to see at night - our last trip, we probably walked an extra 1/2 mile (or it seemed like that anyway) just looking for our building the first night...not fun...

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

Just called resort and confirmed that rollaway beds and air mattresses are NOT available for BCV studios.

I was able to make my other reservation requests even tough we are 6 days out from our check in date. Yippee!!