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

[bryana]

I didn't want to post a new thread about this in the theme park forums, but was wondering if someone here (Teena maybe?) could answer it, so this might be slightly off topic.

I'm debating upgrading to an AP when I go in January, as I am considering a trip for the fall too. I saw on the tickets FAQ that you must use cash or a "cash equivalent". Would a gift card be considered cash equivalent? I feel like it probably is but couldn't find a direct answer.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I didn't want to post a new thread about this in the theme park forums, but was wondering if someone here (Teena maybe?) could answer it, so this might be slightly off topic. I'm debating upgrading to an AP when I go in January, as I am considering a trip for the fall too. I saw on the tickets FAQ that you must use cash or a "cash equivalent". Would a gift card be considered cash equivalent? I feel like it probably is but couldn't find a direct answer.

Yes. A gift card can be used to buy an AP. It is a cash equivalent.

 

[vettegirl]

We are going to take full advantage of the food offerings at the Concierge Lounge...anyone replace a full meal with the afternoon and evening food they put out?

We stayed at YC CL a few years ago (whenever Harry Potter opened at Universal). I can honestly say that we did use the evening apps as our meal. We aren't real big eaters and my boys weren't teens yet, but with a bigger lunch and then afternoon snacks in the lounge and apps, we were good to go back to the park in the evening.

So, it would be possible to save a little if you did a later, bigger lunch. Just depends on appetites! I could make do with the food in the lounge my whole trip! [/QUOTE]

We were able to have dinner several times out of the CL Lounge. We had breakfast there, had a nice lunch then back to CL for the evening food offerings. A couple of nights we had dinner and just used it for apps. We arent' huge eaters either! However this trip my inlaws are joining us with the new baby and are doing the regular dining plan plus CL. I feel for 4 adults it is worth it for the breakfast and additional food, plus adult beverages. For me CL is all about the pampering and extra special attention from the staff that makes a trip to WDW even more magical. Plus I am a big resort person!!

 

[barbeml]

Hello everyone!

DH and I will be making our first visit to the Yacht Club March 1-5, 2015 (then heading to Royal Pacific at Universal for three nights).

Thanks to everyone who has posted so much helpful information on this thread, I'm looking forward to learning a lot!

 

[Jessica71]

As predicted Day III was a doozy!

We didn't even sit on the bench to wait for the AK bus, she pulled up as we walked out the front doors of YC! There were only five persons on the bus, no one to pick up at BC.

We used our three FP+ at AK, a quick early lunch at Pizzafari....and back to YC to enjoy SAB for the afternoon. Highly recommend Nemo The Musical, for any age...so visually appealing.

Our room was made up by the time we returned from AK. There were two towel animals...an AMAZING elephant (how did they know we were just on Safari!?) and a little mouse! When I figure out how to share pictures, I will post them.

Our afternoon at SAB was perfect...pool games & party is fun...great music playing. We stayed for 'the changing of the guard' (change of shifts for lifeguards)... THIS is so fun to watch!

We had an early ADR at Beaches and Cream...food is wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed the house burger (I thought I would only eat half...wrong)... too delicious. The house burger has ham, Swiss, sautéed onions, grain mustard, lettuce & tomato...I indulged, and am happy I did. I try to stay away from a negative, but....our service was not up to Disney standards (not even close). I'll chalk it up to the table of screaming babies our server was waiting on. This is the ONLY not up to Disney standards we've experienced.

After our early dinner the race was on. A quick change, that included long sleeve shirts, and we were on our way to MNSSHP. Quick wait for the bus, no more than five minutes. MNSSHP did not disappoint...a Most Magical night was had by all! The Villain Mix Show & Parade is so much fun. The Fireworks.... Ahhhh! All the sights, sounds and smells....you never want to leave! DH, DS's and friends whom joined us, enjoyed riding Space Mountain (twice), Big Thunder Mountain (twice) and Splash Mountain (three times)!

Our bus ride on the way back to YC was speedy, though, we were packed in like sardines...who cares!? We just enjoyed MNSSHP!!!!! Our beds were ready, and waiting.

I'm off to DHS to enjoy some quiet time, while DH & DS's are spending a couple hours at Typhoon Lagoon. They'll meet up with me later to use our FP+ & dinner at 50's Primetime Cafe!

Thanks, for reading my 'live' updates. Reading so many 'live' updates over the last six months has really helped my family prepare to make the most of Our Magical Time!

~Jessica

 

[cynditech]

I was the chaperone for my older son's class trip in 2012- we did the Energy and Motion class at MK and Imagineering at HS. I am going again in June with my youngest son and I think we are doing the Properties of Motion Class and the Imagineering class again.

I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts on the animation program.

I will be sure to share how the class goes I was thinking this class would be one that my son would understand, and enjoy. He loves to draw, so we figured this would be really up his alley!!!

 

[Princess Clayre]

Just wanted to say to Hi as we will be coming to stay at the Yacht Club from 24th March to 7th April next year. This thread has been amazing in helping us out with information so a big "Thank-you "

We've stayed at several of the Disney properties over the years but this will be out first time at Yacht & Beach. My son is very much looking forward to the pool and I can't wait to be in walking distance of Epcot & MGM.

 

[MickeyT]

Thanks, for reading my 'live' updates. Reading so many 'live' updates over the last six months has really helped my family prepare to make the most of Our Magical Time!

~Jessica

Thank YOU Jessica71. I love living my Disney through others!

 

[Ninja Mom]

So.... I had my first celebrity encounter last night at the Beach Club! (yes I'm staying at Pop Century but I try to live vicariously through the Beach Club even when I am not staying there...)

So it's late at night after Epcot has closed. I went to Beaches and Cream with friends and then when we were done I went to catch a cab back to Pop.

As I am waiting at the Bell desk two large vans pull up and out pops....

THE CAKE BOSS Buddy Valastro! He took one look at me and said Hey! Aren't you Ninja Mom?
.
.
.
.
.
Well, no.

Actually I was looking at him and he was dressed in a Halloween costume. It was late at night and my brain was on it's last lobe because I was so tired.

My brain starts talking to me and asking "Hey isn't that EMERIL Lagasse?" Then I'm thinking no... but I still can't make the right connection. So "Italian Gladiator guy" (my brain named him that after his costume as it was searching the data banks) comes over to me and I say:

"So did you go to the Halloween Party?" (DUH!!! The entire family is dressed in costumes!!! )

And Italian celebrity gladiator guy says "Yeah".

So I say " Did you get a lot of Candy?"

... and he laughed.

So he walks off and I ask the CM if that wasn't the Cake Boss guy and the answer was yes.

"The Cake Boss Guy"... that's as close as my brain could get

In the cab on the way home my fried neurons finally made the connection that his name was Buddy Valastro.

Back in the day I used to watch the show fer cryin out loud!

~NM

 

[Katesdad]

Thanks, for reading my 'live' updates. Reading so many 'live' updates over the last six months has really helped my family prepare to make the most of Our Magical Time!~Jessica

As MickeyT said, THANK YOU for taking the time to post these live reports. Living the Disney dream through other's experience is part of the fun of this thread. And it certainly sounds like you have had a fun-filled and very busy three days so far.

Katesdad

 

[KatrinfromGermany]

What an exciting trip!!! Driving down the east coast is fun...the Outer Banks are gorgeous! We owned a 77 Volkswagen Bus and drove it from Richmond, VA to the outer bank and camped there...took a ferry to Okracoke Island, too! But the highlight of your trip will be the 7 days at the World! I think a trip to Germany would be dream vacation! I've always wanted to see the Berlin Philharmonic live and see Beethoven's hometown!

Hi ichabody,
you owned a "Bulli" (this is how we call those cars)? Great car, love them sooo much!

I hope so much that our trip next year will be a magical vacation - I think it will be great to travel around this part of the U.S.! We are fascinated by the sea (we are from the south of Germany, so no sea around here ) and, thus, plan to drive along the coast and, of course, to take the ferry to Okracoke.

Yes, Berlin is a very exciting place (unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to see the Berliner Philharmonic live) - perhaps, some day, you can come over and experience it!

 

[natebenma]

The good news... I have some new pictures of the refurbished Beach Club Concierge Lounge

The bad news... The lounge is currently closed while the work on the 5th floor rooms and hallways is taking place















photos courtesy of saintstickets

 

[JanetMom]

Thanks for posting pictures of the new lounge.

I feel like the pictures don't really do it justice and that it would be better if I booked a trip so I could see the lounge in person.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Lovely pictures of the lounge! I really want to see in person. I would change our December GF reservation to a BC reservation in a snap if there was any availability at all.

Thanks for posting

Rebecca

 

[HockeyMomR]

NM - congrats on your celeb sighting!

 

[HockeyMomR]

Thanks for posting pictures of the new lounge. I feel like the pictures don't really do it justice and that it would be better if I booked a trip so I could see the lounge in person.

Janet- Me too! I need a BC trip before my big birthday celebration in May! Good luck getting yours scheduled

Rebecca

 

[JanetMom]

Janet- Me too! I need a BC trip before my big birthday celebration in May! Good luck getting yours scheduled

Rebecca

Mine will just be scheduled in my fantasy world for now. Fortunately I have an active imagination!

 

[TeenaS]

Lovely pictures of the lounge! I really want to see in person. I would change our December GF reservation to a BC reservation in a snap if there was any availability at all.

Thanks for posting

Rebecca

Keep trying!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

What's your arrival days like at the BC? Swim? A park? DTD?

 

[ichabody]

I have this dream of buying a restored VW camper van and using it for road trips. My husband thinks I'm insane and should plan on taking my sister.

awesome!! Keep that great alive! I'm saving up for a bus when I retire. It's too hard paying for disney vacations and kids college funds to afford one right now. They aren't to tough to maintain....I have a couple easy to read manuals for your husband so you can keep your VW runnino during your road trips!