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

[Sandy321]

Thanks a lot for your understanding and help!

Normally, I wouldn't be worried too much about renovations etc., but reports about the situation at Poly really sound alarming.

Furthermore, because we are from Germany (and flights to the U.S. are quite expensive) we don't have the possibility to go to WDW very often - quite frankly it probably will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Background: For me, it is not my first trip to WDW, but it will be for my boyfriend. In 1997, when I was 17 years old, my parents took me to WDW and we stayed at the Beach Club. This trip to WDW is the most memorable journey of my childhood - it meant so much to me!! (in Germany, being a huge Disney-fan is not common. Especially for teens it is quite uncool).

Now, as a grown-up, I want to repeat this trip, this time with my wonderful partner and boyfriend.
And, of course, staying at a construction site is not very nice in my opinion, especially, when you travelled for soo many miles to come over to the U.S. Therefore, I try to organize and gather as many information as possible.

Perhaps we are "on the safer side" when choosing Yacht Club for September 2015. Originally, I would have preferred Beach Club, in memory of the great trip with my parents in 1997. But I really want to enjoy the resort where we stay in its full splendor, without contruction walls or the like.

I can only imagine how much your planning must be! Reading this post of yours, and how others added their thoughts and opinions - I say - BEACH CLUB!

Polynesian is such a mess because they are adding the DVC units, Beach club already has DVC units. Polynesian is rehabbing the pool, from what I've read they need to add a safety type fence, SAB has that, so I do not foresee huge renovations at all at Beach Club, simple renos yes, but I do not think it would interfere with your memories!

Go book Beach Club, and I'm sure you will continue to debate your choice, as I have debated my choices... but I picked Beach club for many of the same reasons you have, and now when I read things about Yacht Club, I realize it wouldn't be the experience that I want, so those posts reinforce that I'm happy with Beach club!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

9 days!!!

and I got my package for my February trip! I can't wait!

 

[cjhinch]

25 days until I'm at the beach club!!! Is this real life?!?!

24 days for us!!! I can't wait!

 

[zela02]

Hi all! We are booked at the Beach Club from January 27 - Feb 3, 2015. We generally stay at the Contemporary (TPV), but the new discounts pushed us to try something new. We (myself, husband, and two kids 6 & 11) are looking forward to staying so close to Epcot.

 

[cynditech]

Hi everyone We are staying at BCV from Oct 24th to Oct 30th (soooo excited).

I do have a question I was hoping you guys might help me with - or at least talk me down from fretting over.

We check in on the 24th of this month into a studio - it's just me, DH and DS8. Then on the 26th, we check out of that room and into a 2 bedroom that day - where it will be a group of eight of us.

On that same day, the 26thth - I'm taking the kids to a homeschool class at HS - and then we have MNSSHP that night.

So, basically I'm freaking out about doing everything on the same day. What are the chances that our 2 bedroom villa will be ready early? I need to get the kids settled down after class, and then get everyone dressed for the party. I'm just in panic mode, LOL!!!

Thanks for any advice We are really looking forward to staying here this year!

 

[WDWHereWeeeCome]

Sorry I didn't keep up with live reports last week, after the first two days I got into lazy vacation mode. I am hoping to post a small review of our trip in the next couple days. Every one going soon enjoy your trips. We had fantastic weather and hope it holds up for all of you!

Teena it was great to meet you and my girls really enjoyed pin trading. I sent you a pm when you have a moment.

 

[TeenaS]

Hi everyone We are staying at BCV from Oct 24th to Oct 30th (soooo excited).

I do have a question I was hoping you guys might help me with - or at least talk me down from fretting over.

We check in on the 24th of this month into a studio - it's just me, DH and DS8. Then on the 26th, we check out of that room and into a 2 bedroom that day - where it will be a group of eight of us.

On that same day, the 26thth - I'm taking the kids to a homeschool class at HS - and then we have MNSSHP that night.

So, basically I'm freaking out about doing everything on the same day. What are the chances that our 2 bedroom villa will be ready early? I need to get the kids settled down after class, and then get everyone dressed for the party. I'm just in panic mode, LOL!!!

Thanks for any advice We are really looking forward to staying here this year!

I'd say honestly very unlikely. The BCV are always 100% occupied. So for you to get into your two bedroom would mean the person in it on the 26th would have to have checked out around 6 AM. Not likely. I would not count on getting your room before 4 PM. Once you check out of the first room on the 26th and store your things with Bell Services, you can get to your suitcases all day long. So after the class at HS, if the room is not ready, we can get you into the storage area and you will have access to the costumes. I would pack them on top where they will be readily available. Then you could change in the restrooms and store the other clothes you had on with Bell Services and head to the party.

 

[TeenaS]

Sorry I didn't keep up with live reports last week, after the first two days I got into lazy vacation mode. I am hoping to post a small review of our trip in the next couple days. Every one going soon enjoy your trips. We had fantastic weather and hope it holds up for all of you!

Teena it was great to meet you and my girls really enjoyed pin trading. I sent you a pm when you have a moment.

It was wonderful meeting you too!!! I answered your PM.

 

[cynditech]

I'd say honestly very unlikely. The BCV are always 100% occupied. So for you to get into your two bedroom would mean the person in it on the 26th would have to have checked out around 6 AM. Not likely. I would not count on getting your room before 4 PM. Once you check out of the first room on the 26th and store your things with Bell Services, you can get to your suitcases all day long. So after the class at HS, if the room is not ready, we can get you into the storage area and you will have access to the costumes. I would pack them on top where they will be readily available. Then you could change in the restrooms and store the other clothes you had on with Bell Services and head to the party.

Thank you Teena - that's what I was kinda figuring. And I'm assuming that we probably cannot get a late checkout from our studio room? I really need somewhere to change the kids, but in particular, my DS8 with special needs.

 

[TeenaS]

Thank you Teena - that's what I was kinda figuring. And I'm assuming that we probably cannot get a late checkout from our studio room? I really need somewhere to change the kids, but in particular, my DS8 with special needs.

No, they do not allow late check-outs in the Villas. Your only other choice would be to try and keep the studio an extra night ... you can call and see if there is availability.

That's a Sunday. What time are you checking out of the studio and heading over to HS?

 

[cynditech]

No, they do not allow late check-outs in the Villas. Your only other choice would be to try and keep the studio an extra night ... you can call and see if there is availability.

That's a Sunday. What time are you checking out of the studio and heading over to HS?

We planned on checking out Sunday around 7am. I have to have the kids to HS by 7:40am.

 

[mrsd1]

Sorry I didn't keep up with live reports last week, after the first two days I got into lazy vacation mode. I am hoping to post a small review of our trip in the next couple days. Every one going soon enjoy your trips. We had fantastic weather and hope it holds up for all of you!

Teena it was great to meet you and my girls really enjoyed pin trading. I sent you a pm when you have a moment.

So glad you had good weather after all the recent rain stories! We will be there in less than 2 weeks for our first time at Beach Club. So looking forward to it. Life has been stressful and I am ready for a break. Looking forward to your trip report.

 

[TeenaS]

We planned on checking out Sunday around 7am. I have to have the kids to HS by 7:40am.

Sending you a PM.

 

[Jessica71]

Day II


Excellent second day....Pixie Dust courtesy of Mother Nature~ Bye Bye Thunder & Lightning. Beautiful Day!

We booked an ADR for breakfast at The Crystal Palace. We arrived at the YC bus stop for MK at 9:06, bus arrived at 9:12. The bus stopped at the BC (now, I understand why some folks decide to walk to the YC to catch the bus), arrived at MK at 9:32. Breakfast (ADR for 10:15, seated early at 10:00) and eight rides later...DS's decide they want to stop by Epcot on our way back to the YC, so we opted for the monorail...not a time saver (MK monorail to transfer station, change to Epcot monorail, then boat to YC) 40 minutes. Nice change of scenery from the bus, if you have the extra time.

Our room was made up, and there was a great towel turtle (very intricate) on one of our beds!

Enjoyed a quick swim/hot tub at SAB, then an enjoyable dinner at Cape May Cafe - 7:05 ADR, seated at 7:25.

DH & DS's now enjoying the arcade.

I am a fan of FP+ & Memory Maker/Photo Pass...

Big day tomorrow ~ AK in the morning, SAB in the afternoon...then MNSSHP in the evening!
Wish my legs luck..lol.

~ Jessica

 

[Wood Nymph]

Day II


Excellent second day....Pixie Dust courtesy of Mother Nature~ Bye Bye Thunder & Lightning. Beautiful Day!

We booked an ADR for breakfast at The Crystal Palace. We arrived at the YC bus stop for MK at 9:06, bus arrived at 9:12. The bus stopped at the BC (now, I understand why some folks decide to walk to the YC to catch the bus), arrived at MK at 9:32. Breakfast (ADR for 10:15, seated early at 10:00) and eight rides later...DS's decide they want to stop by Epcot on our way back to the YC, so we opted for the monorail...not a time saver (MK monorail to transfer station, change to Epcot monorail, then boat to YC) 40 minutes. Nice change of scenery from the bus, if you have the extra time.

Our room was made up, and there was a great towel turtle (very intricate) on one of our beds!

Enjoyed a quick swim/hot tub at SAB, then an enjoyable dinner at Cape May Cafe - 7:05 ADR, seated at 7:25.

DH & DS's now enjoying the arcade.

I am a fan of FP+ & Memory Maker/Photo Pass...

Big day tomorrow ~ AK in the morning, SAB in the afternoon...then MNSSHP in the evening!
Wish my legs luck..lol.

~ Jessica

Thanks for the live update. We had good luck with the MK bus when we were at the YC last month. I don't think we ever waited more than ten minutes for it.

We never did get a towel animal during our YC stay, except for the regular welcome Mickey towels. Maybe it was because we didn't have kids with us.

We prefer to walk from the YC to the International Gateway instead of taking a boat. It only took us about 8 minutes to walk there from the lobby, which is a lot faster than the boat.

Tomorrow sounds like a fun day.

 

[mystery222184]

Finally under the 10 day mark! Funny how you wait for months, counting down every day...then the trip finally comes up on you fast and I feel like there's still much to do. Can't wait to try the YC!

 

[KatrinfromGermany]

Hi Katrin,
We stopped at the Poly for lunch last month and it truly is a construction site. There are construction walls and heavy equipment and the place is a real mess. The Beach Club room rehab isn't anything like what they are doing at the Polynesian. At the Beach Club they are rehabbing the guests rooms, putting new carpet, wall paper and paint in the halls, and replacing furniture. The furniture in the Beach lobby lobby has already been updated and some of it is very blue! They close off a floor or a section of a floor at a time and most people won't even know that work is being done unless their room is above, below or near the work. There won't be any heavy equipment or construction walls like there are at the Poly, since the two types of rehabs are different.
As far as whether or not the work will be done by September, we really don't know that. But, if they have started to work on the fifth floor and it is expected to be done by the end of November, and if they plan to continue working on the rest of the floors until they are all finished, then I would guess that they would finish a lot of rooms by September.
Storm Along Bay is usually rehabbed in January. That is when most of the pool work at the resorts is done. There are exceptions, of course, like at the Polynesian and the Wilderness Lodge, where their main pools are closed for extensive construction right now. But that is a different situation. Storm Along Bay has recently had the pool bar, Hurricane Hannah's, completely remodeled. The pool is already fenced in, unlike the pools at the Poly and WL, There is no way of knowing what will happen next September, but there are three quiet pools between the YC/BC/BCV's and if the main pool were to be closed, they usually let guests use the main pool at the Boardwalk.
The YC is very nice and we had a good stay there last month. But we really missed the convenience of having the Beach Club Marketplace nearby. Either resort is a good choice. And I wouldn't worry so much about the room rehab that is being done. Most guests aren't even aware that it is being done.

Thanks for posting this. I keep meaning to say that I don't believe the situation at the BC will be like what I hear about the Poly. As far as I know they are just doing the interior of the resort. Outside work was done at the BC/YC in 2012, I think. Plus, it is not like the planned refurb includes construction of actual buildings, like is happening with the Poly villas.

(1) We do not know. I personally think they will be almost done ... the top three floors will definitely be done I would think and maybe the whole place. No way of knowing since they just started.

(2) Lobby is done as far as I heard ... all that was done was the furniture was redone with different fabrics.

(3) All SAB "scheduled" rehab is done in the months of January, February and early March. Sometimes emergency repairs are needed to be done and there is no way of knowing when that could or would happen. There is no way of knowing if your car will break down and need a part ... you do all scheduled maintenance on your car but things happen that are not expected. So I can for sure tell you in the more than ten years I've been there, they have never scheduled normal maintenance or rehab of SAB in any months other than winter. And when rehab is going on at SAB, they divide it into three parts so part of SAB is always open during normal rehab.

(4) Possible.

(5) Yes, you are worrying too much IMO. This is not a whole lobby rehab with the Poly. Each and every room is having expensive rehab but they only take part of the floors out at a time. I've stayed at many Disney resorts during routine rehab ... it happens every so many years at every Disney resort ... and it has never ever made my stay any less magical. Because of the way they do it, unless the whole lobby where you must walk is being torn apart, you wouldn't even know it was happening. All "noise" work is done during the day when 99% of the guests are either at the pool or at the parks.

Just my personal opinion.

I can only imagine how much your planning must be! Reading this post of yours, and how others added their thoughts and opinions - I say - BEACH CLUB!

Polynesian is such a mess because they are adding the DVC units, Beach club already has DVC units. Polynesian is rehabbing the pool, from what I've read they need to add a safety type fence, SAB has that, so I do not foresee huge renovations at all at Beach Club, simple renos yes, but I do not think it would interfere with your memories!

Go book Beach Club, and I'm sure you will continue to debate your choice, as I have debated my choices... but I picked Beach club for many of the same reasons you have, and now when I read things about Yacht Club, I realize it wouldn't be the experience that I want, so those posts reinforce that I'm happy with Beach club!!

Thank you so much for all your help! I couldn't be more useful and helpful!

Obviously, I am worrying way too much. Routine rehab seems to be nothing like what is going on at Poly at the moment, so it probably won't be a problem at all.
I am so excited about being in WDW in September 2015. All my life I wanted to come back and now it will happen! Soooo great!

But lots of planning is still to be done, because we are planning to fly to Washington and to drive down to Florida (we call it our East coast road trip), with stops at Virginia Beach, the Outer banks, Charleston, Cedar Key (or, alternatively, New Smryna Beach - just can't decide) and then, to top it all off, two days at Universal and seven days at Disney!!!

Sooo exciting....

 

[natebenma]

But lots of planning is still to be done, because we are planning to fly to Washington and to drive down to Florida (we call it our East coast road trip), with stops at Virginia Beach, the Outer banks, Charleston, Cedar Key (or, alternatively, New Smryna Beach - just can't decide) and then, to top it all off, two days at Universal and seven days at Disney!!!

Sooo exciting....

What a fantastic trip you have planned!!!

 

[Pinkgirl]

Day II


Excellent second day....Pixie Dust courtesy of Mother Nature~ Bye Bye Thunder & Lightning. Beautiful Day!

We booked an ADR for breakfast at The Crystal Palace. We arrived at the YC bus stop for MK at 9:06, bus arrived at 9:12. The bus stopped at the BC (now, I understand why some folks decide to walk to the YC to catch the bus), arrived at MK at 9:32. Breakfast (ADR for 10:15, seated early at 10:00) and eight rides later...DS's decide they want to stop by Epcot on our way back to the YC, so we opted for the monorail...not a time saver (MK monorail to transfer station, change to Epcot monorail, then boat to YC) 40 minutes. Nice change of scenery from the bus, if you have the extra time.

Our room was made up, and there was a great towel turtle (very intricate) on one of our beds!

Enjoyed a quick swim/hot tub at SAB, then an enjoyable dinner at Cape May Cafe - 7:05 ADR, seated at 7:25.

DH & DS's now enjoying the arcade.

I am a fan of FP+ & Memory Maker/Photo Pass...

Big day tomorrow ~ AK in the morning, SAB in the afternoon...then MNSSHP in the evening!
Wish my legs luck..lol.

~ Jessica

Wow Jessica, sounds like you are having a blast. We twice did the monorail route back to Yacht Club, it takes a while, but its fun.

 

[Hopefully]

Finally under the 10 day mark! Funny how you wait for months, counting down every day...then the trip finally comes up on you fast and I feel like there's still much to do. Can't wait to try the YC!

Us too!!! We arrive 10/26 to the BCV. Since it is a DVC stay during F & W I booked it at exactly 11 months out. It has been a long count down and I too still have tons to do.