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

[ichabody]

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] cool! Thanks! I think we might do late lunch early dinner and the hit up the lounge later.

 

[bryana]

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

Thank you! In my head, a gift card is definitely "cash equivalent" but sometimes common sense things aren't always the way businesses decide to do things lol.

 

[natebenma]

page 67-69

Thanks for adding me! Our checkout date is Feb 27...129 days and counting!!!!

Got it! Thanks!

I feel like our February group is sooo tiny LOL

More elbow room for you!

The Feb listing should pick up.

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.

Or your DISfriends! How cool would THAT be?!?

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!

I'll add you to the Be Our Guest list we keep on Page 1 of this thread.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

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

Thanks again for your update!

It has been great coming along on your trip and I'm glad we had some resort fun today.

I can help you post pictures when you get back if you need it- I am useless with live photos though.

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!!!

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.

I'll add you to the Be Our Guest list.

The location of the resort can not be beat!!!

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...)

*snip*

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".

*snip*

~NM

As someone who must hide her celebrity by lounging at the resort and touring the parks in your ~Ninja disguise, that is not entirely an out-of-the-question question.

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

Check in. We have been fortunate that our room has been ready at 11:30 on each of my family's 3 visits. Check out room, dump carryons, take pictures of room. Take bus to MK- we are usually strolling Right Down the Middle of Main Street, USA by 12:30 or 1 pm. Lunch (CHH). Enjoy a few things at MK. Take monorail to EPCOT. Enjoy a few things at EPCOT. Dinner. Crash.

 

[natebenma]

OK...so we dropped the DDP and extended our stay at BC, club level for 6/6-6/18. In the middle of our trip we are going to go to Universal to check out Harry Potter land and my oldest son is a space nut so a visit to the Kennedy Space Center is a must! I think we'll try buying GCs at Target and use those for meals...save a little $$$ by using our Red Card (5% discount).

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? LOL! Love this thread...it's been a great resource!!

Just noticed as I was updating the Be Our Guest list that I will be at the World during your trip for my son's class trip. Not staying at BC, though

I will be over at All Star Movies.

 

[Wood Nymph]

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?
.

I have no idea who the cake boss is, but seeing a celebrity is really cool. We had heard a rumor that a celebrity singer was staying at the BC during our March stay. When I saw a huge stretch limo pull up, I hoped that we were about to see her. Unfortunately, it was just a bride. What a disappointment.

By the way, we always visit the BC when we stay at the WL. Besides the ADR at Cape May, we like to walk around the boardwalk and just enjoy the atmosphere there.

 

[NavyDad]

I have no idea who the cake boss is, but seeing a celebrity is really cool. We had heard a rumor that a celebrity singer was staying at the BC during our March stay. When I saw a huge stretch limo pull up, I hoped that we were about to see her. Unfortunately, it was just a bride. What a disappointment.

By the way, we always visit the BC when we stay at the WL. Besides the ADR at Cape May, we like to walk around the boardwalk and just enjoy the atmosphere there.

When we stayed at BC in June 2013 Drew Brees and his family were there as well. They were just a normal family with tired and excited kids. We shared an elevator and I chatted with Drew briefly. He asked if I was a Saints fan and I said "NO" with quite a bit of conviction. His wife seemed to think that was pretty funny.

When I got back to our room I told my wife about meeting him. She was enjoying the Beach Club but was still a bit grumpy about her experience trying to get laundry done that day. She had a vague idea of who he was and remarked: "Well, I guess if this place is good enough for him it's good enough for us". LOL

We saw them a few other times around the resort enjoying the pool and such. I was pleasantly surprised that no one seemed to be bothering them our hounding him for autographs. They seemed to be having a great time and so did we!

 

[tarak]

Or your DISfriends! How cool would THAT be?!?

That would be fabulous! I could take a road trip and pick up dis folks from all over and then end up at Disney!

 

[NavyDad]

We really enjoyed our stays at Beach Club there were a couple of things I think could be improved upon:

1. We really enjoyed our time at SAB like everyone else. The one issue was every time we tried to eat at HH's it was almost impossible to find a table. We tried everything we could think of: eating at off times, waiting until we saw an open table before ordering. Well, nothing worked. I believe there are less than 10 tables right there by HH's. There are plenty of other tables spread around the pool area. The problem was that no matter what time we were there other guests were using the tables as storage areas for towels, cloths and sun screen. We rarely every saw anyone eating at the tables - just plopping their stuff down and leaving. One afternoon we sat in lounge chairs next to a group of 3-4 tables. For the 5 hours we were there the stuff sat on the table and no one returned to the table to use it in any way. I asked the CM's in the pool area and at the desk if there was any way they could make sure the tables were available for people to actually eat. I was told there were adequate tables next to HH's (this was obviously not the case) and that the other tables were provided for all guests use. I would like to see the tables grouped together with signage saying "for use of dining guests" similar to the signs I have seen at the water parks.

2. The other issue we had was the layout of the Market Place quick service area. Each time we went there the line was only about 6-7 people but it took us nearly an hour to get our food. Once you did get your food it was basically a free for all to get to the payment counter. Because of the layout you really could not stand in line for a register without being in someones way. Other guests were clearly frustrated with the slowness and poor layout and would basically just jump ahead of people so they could pay and get out of there.

Both of these issues have a lot to do with what I believe to be poor behavior by other guests but I think the BC could be more pro-active in making both the QS locations more convenient and efficient.

 

[cocoabean1]

I just read this on another site Orlando Theme Park News: Hopefully the info here is wrong!!!

Teena what do you think???


10/18/2014 08:00:00 AM | Posted by OTPN administrator


One of the most luxurious Walt Disney World Resort hotels will soon receive a major facelift that should last almost two years. In fact, Cast Members working at various locations around Disney's Beach Club Resort have recently been alerted about a major refurbishment project. The official advisory stated that the hotel would be "undergoing refurbishment through the next 20 months." If you plan on visiting the hotel, make sure to take note of this.

 

[TeenaS]

I just read this on another site Orlando Theme Park News: Hopefully the info here is wrong!!!

Teena what do you think???


10/18/2014 08:00:00 AM | Posted by OTPN administrator


One of the most luxurious Walt Disney World Resort hotels will soon receive a major facelift that should last almost two years. In fact, Cast Members working at various locations around Disney's Beach Club Resort have recently been alerted about a major refurbishment project. The official advisory stated that the hotel would be "undergoing refurbishment through the next 20 months." If you plan on visiting the hotel, make sure to take note of this.

Yep, it's true. We've been discussing our rehab here for a year. It started last week on the fifth floor. The rooms are being totally redone. This is done at every Disney resort on a regular schedule. I've stayed at the BC, the Grand Floridian and two other resorts during rehab and it was fine. The lobby furniture has already been done. The lobby rehab at the Poly was/is extreme and nothing like that is happening at the Y&B. All rehab noise work is done during the day when guests are either at the pool or at the parks. Only sections are taken out and worked on at a time and of course all rooms in those areas are out of inventory. Right now the entire fifth floor is out for rehab.

Personally a rehab like this would never deter me from staying at a resort. If you're a regular visitor to WDW, you have most likely stayed at a WDW resort during rehab and never knew it was going on.

The BCV will be next and will start while the rehab is still going on at the BC. Once the BC is done, they will start at the YC. The BCV will be in the middle and overlapping.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Keep trying!

Everyday I am trying. I would so like to be at BC for our anniversary! I am going to keep trying May just need to wait until next spring to view the lovely new lounge.

Rebecca

 

[deezeealum]

Yep, it's true. We've been discussing our rehab here for a year. It started last week on the fifth floor. The rooms are being totally redone. This is done at every Disney resort on a regular schedule. I've stayed at the BC, the Grand Floridian and two other resorts during rehab and it was fine. The lobby furniture has already been done. The lobby rehab at the Poly was/is extreme and nothing like that is happening at the Y&B. All rehab noise work is done during the day when guests are either at the pool or at the parks. Only sections are taken out and worked on at a time and of course all rooms in those areas are out of inventory. Right now the entire fifth floor is out for rehab.

Personally a rehab like this would never deter me from staying at a resort. If you're a regular visitor to WDW, you have most likely stayed at a WDW resort during rehab and never knew it was going on.

The BCV will be next and will start while the rehab is still going on at the BC. Once the BC is done, they will start at the YC. The BCV will be in the middle and overlapping.

Teena,
Any idea how long the fifth floor will be closed? I know the lounge is finished and closed since the rooms are being redone. WE will be visiting in January and was just wondering.

 

[TeenaS]

Teena,
Any idea how long the fifth floor will be closed? I know the lounge is finished and closed since the rooms are being redone. WE will be visiting in January and was just wondering.

Last word I got was they were hoping fifth floor would be open in December.

 

[natebenma]

Teena,
Any idea how long the fifth floor will be closed? I know the lounge is finished and closed since the rooms are being redone. WE will be visiting in January and was just wondering.

Last word I got was they were hoping fifth floor would be open in December.

Thanks, Teena. I was just going to post that we have heard the expected timeframe for the lounge opening if things stay on schedule is early December.

FYI- we keep any information we have in the very first post of this thread and try to keep it updated with the latest news as we receive it.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

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

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

Just wanted to join these guys in adding my thanks Love reading along with your trip

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.

Like your thought process

That would be fabulous! I could take a road trip and pick up dis folks from all over and then end up at Disney!

Can I come too? Pretty please

 

[Sandy321]

Yep, it's true. We've been discussing our rehab here for a year. It started last week on the fifth floor. The rooms are being totally redone. This is done at every Disney resort on a regular schedule. I've stayed at the BC, the Grand Floridian and two other resorts during rehab and it was fine. The lobby furniture has already been done. The lobby rehab at the Poly was/is extreme and nothing like that is happening at the Y&B. All rehab noise work is done during the day when guests are either at the pool or at the parks. Only sections are taken out and worked on at a time and of course all rooms in those areas are out of inventory. Right now the entire fifth floor is out for rehab.

Personally a rehab like this would never deter me from staying at a resort. If you're a regular visitor to WDW, you have most likely stayed at a WDW resort during rehab and never knew it was going on.

The BCV will be next and will start while the rehab is still going on at the BC. Once the BC is done, they will start at the YC. The BCV will be in the middle and overlapping.

Teena I just want to express my thanks that you take time to post logical, reasonable, joyful, kind.... I just look forward to seeing you respond to so many posts!

With all the hysteria over ebola (which I am way more concerned with whatever is taking ahold of children! some paralysis, all breathing problems!) I HATE to run amok here with my worries...

I'm going to be at BCV during June! g I thought for sure it would have no impact on "our" visit.... Crazy me!

So thank you for updating, I promise not to run like a chicken with her head cut off, and I know, thanks to your cool, calm, posts that all will be well, and we'll be where we want to be... its been too long (Jan '12 for dh and me, MUCH longer for dd) since we've been in the magic... It will still be there! (because of beautiful people like yourself! Thank you! )

 

[TeenaS]

Teena I just want to express my thanks that you take time to post logical, reasonable, joyful, kind.... I just look forward to seeing you respond to so many posts!

With all the hysteria over ebola (which I am way more concerned with whatever is taking ahold of children! some paralysis, all breathing problems!) I HATE to run amok here with my worries...

I'm going to be at BCV during June! g I thought for sure it would have no impact on "our" visit.... Crazy me!

So thank you for updating, I promise not to run like a chicken with her head cut off, and I know, thanks to your cool, calm, posts that all will be well, and we'll be where we want to be... its been too long (Jan '12 for dh and me, MUCH longer for dd) since we've been in the magic... It will still be there! (because of beautiful people like yourself! Thank you! )

 

[ichabody]

Just noticed as I was updating the Be Our Guest list that I will be at the World during your trip for my son's class trip. Not staying at BC, though

I will be over at All Star Movies.

Our original plan was to stay there, but since this trip is for my daughter's 16th bday (and she is the Disney nerd of the family) we decided to splurge a bit...plus she really wanted to stay at one of the resorts that could use SAB. The day we head to US I could slip you my Magic Band so you can use the pool! Just don't go charging some Sunken Treasures on our account!

 

[natebenma]

Our original plan was to stay there, but since this trip is for my daughter's 16th bday (and she is the Disney nerd of the family) we decided to splurge a bit...plus she really wanted to stay at one of the resorts that could use SAB. The day we head to US I could slip you my Magic Band so you can use the pool! Just don't go charging some Sunken Treasures on our account!

You chose wisely!!!

In addition to the pleasure of chaperoning 130 13-and-14-year-olds, we agree to do so without the benefit of alcohol! And virtually no free time.



(I honestly can't wait! )

 

[JanetMom]

That would be fabulous! I could take a road trip and pick up dis folks from all over and then end up at Disney!