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

[natebenma]

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.

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.

I'm not sure if the bedding situation has changed since the refurbishment work. There were only a handful of rooms with king beds in CL, I believe.

Is it worth it to ask? Depends on what your other priorities are. If a full balcony is important, then that should probably be your only request, or you could word it "Full balcony, please. King bed if possible". If you don't care if you get a full balcony, your request could be "King bed, if possible"

 

[jlundeen]

Hello All - while I prepare my trip report. (Thanks for the tips on how to do this) Wanted to share the email I just sent to guest relations to tell them how much we loved Disney World. Teary eyed writing it! Hope you enjoy...


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello team Disney!


We have made it home after an incredible 14 nights at the Beach Club Resort in Orlando and I felt it important to write back to thank the whole team and share some feedback with you.
This was a special trip for us as a family – my mother in law passed away last Fall and this was an opportunity to go with my partner, sister in law and nieces and nephew to connect as a family, remember her life and lift our spirits. We spent a lot of money to take this holiday but we achieved all of these things and more and only because of the incredible work you have all done in creating Disney World.


The Beach Club Resort


Everything about the hotel was incredible, from the moment we checked in to the Club Level were made to feel like royalty and nothing seemed liked too much trouble.
Every cast member, every day smiled, talked to us and helped us to get the most out of the stay. The newly renovated rooms overlooking the amazing storm along bay and lagoon were so comfortable and the mouse-keepers are some of the best housekeepers I have ever had on a holiday – the towel art from Stella was wonderful to see every day. Staying at Beach Club has set a new standard for my vacations and don’t think I’ll take another holiday like this for a while! The only bit of constructive feedback I would offer is the concierge desk staff didn’t all have the same level of knowledge and seemed to find the multiple systems hard to navigate – on quite a few times felt like I knew more than them!


Special mention to Lauren on Stone Harbor Club concierge desk – she is a credit to Disney and was by far the best concierge team member in terms of knowledge, ability to deal with every question we had and help us get what we needed. I will be emailing Lauren directly at the IPO Beach Club to thank her!

The Dining Plan food & Service


We took the Deluxe plan and so happy we made the choice – the food and our meal times were very memorable. This part of the trip came as unexpected as you would think going to Disney it is all about the parks but we had so much quality family time eating together, every day! 50’s prime time, Yachtsman, Le Cellier, California Grill, Garden Grill, Hollywood Brown Derby, Flying Fish, Biergarten, Royal; Table, and more all fantastic – my friends back home think I’m crazy saying the food at Disney is good but I’m a real advocate now! Everywhere we ate cast members helped us navigate the menus, got us great tables, helped the fussy children find something they would like.

Only complaint is I ate way too much good food so now I’m back on my gym sessions and healthy eating!


Special mentions to following cast members


· Brannon at 50’s prime time – our number 1 server all holiday. He created a super memorable visit, the kids loved his humour and character and made the food taste even better. (picture attached) Please tell him and his manager that we think he rocks and should keep doing what he does to make families holidays so fantastic

· Ellen at the Garden Grill – such an amazing server. Warm, accommodating – just like eating with my mum on a Sunday . Plus this what the best character dining experience for us

· Roy at the Yachtsman – what a crazy, lovely guy. Such a character and loved his job and the food

· Chris at Flying Fish – the most traditional / formal of our servers but talked to the menu with such passion and really took care of the adults and the kids

· Stephanie at Biergarten – so happy to be at Epcot, loving her experience and helped us to connect with the German dishes, drinks and entertainment

· Our server (from Norway Breakfast) – I have lost her name but very excited and proud of Norway and helped us enjoy the Princess Breakfast

· The whole team at Beaches and Cream who made ordering the Kitchen Sink such a fund experience ‘A Whole Can!”


Not a traditional dining occasion but also special mention to Bree who looked after us at our Cabanas at both Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon. She as with us every 10 mins asking to get us more food or drinks, telling us which slides to ride and how to get the best out of our day in the water parks. Without her time at the Water Parks wouldn't have been as good.


The Parks


We made time to visit Universal too and I must say that we’re not too bothered about going back there again! What they have in thrills and potter they lack in bucket loads of magic, world class service, fantastic food, cleanliness and atmosphere. I don’t think they can ever capture the feeling of that first ride on It’s A Small World, or the emotion of watching Wishes for the fifth time – the excitement of pin trading with the cast members. The joy of trying the Dole Whip and other amazing snacks or the madness of lining up for 50 mins to meet Jasmine and Aladdin in the heat. Everyone from the 7 year old to the 42 year old connected in a deep way to the whole ethos of the parks and what you have tried to create. It all started and ends with the Mouse!


Now I must get on to saving for our next visit in 2018 when I come back with my god-daughter – we can't wait to return!


Thanks again for everything – Jimmy and Curtis/Witt/O'Mara family

Jimmy, that is a beautiful letter...I'm getting teared up just reading it! I'm so happy you and your family had this very special time together!

Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Jimmy it's so nice of you to write and compliment those that made your stay so special. A really lovely, thoughtful thing to do. You made me miss Disney too

 

[mommyrosa2]

I'm not sure if the bedding situation has changed since the refurbishment work. There were only a handful of rooms with king beds in CL, I believe.

Is it worth it to ask? Depends on what your other priorities are. If a full balcony is important, then that should probably be your only request, or you could word it "Full balcony, please. King bed if possible". If you don't care if you get a full balcony, your request could be "King bed, if possible"

Thanks Dee...
Was just trying to get a feel for how many of those rooms actually had a garden view before deciding whether or not it would be worth making the request. Maybe I'll just request one and see what happens...got lucky at the YC last year so you never know .

 

[Pinkgirl]

Oh my! 251 pages. How many can we have now?

 

[natebenma]

Oh my! 251 pages. How many can we have now?

That's a great question, I have been trying to get the answer. I will probably be starting up a new thread tomorrow morning though. It is almost ready for prime time...

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Thank you for all your hard work on the thread! Never have stayed deluxe I am so grateful for this thread and all of you help and information
I can't wait. 146 days!

 

[Retro Magic]

Should I bother with online check-in? We leave Friday, but check-in to AKV Saturday & BCV Wednesday.

I want to make sure, if possible, we get a ground floor and hopefully a decent-nice view. We can check-in in person as early as whenever since we will already be there.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Just booked the Frozen Premium package for my 16 year old dd and myself. Even at 16 she is Frozen obsessed!

 

[Cluelyss]

That's a great question, I have been trying to get the answer. I will probably be starting up a new thread tomorrow morning though. It is almost ready for prime time...

SWW thread hit 400 pages today

 

[WL2000]

We just arrived at the Beach Club. We got a refurbished room with a king bed.

Hi Sue, Do you mind sharing what type of view you booked. And if you requested King and refurbished room on your reservation or if you just got lucky. Thanks in advance and hope you are having a wonderful time.

Tina

 

[hill6]

That's a great question, I have been trying to get the answer. I will probably be starting up a new thread tomorrow morning though. It is almost ready for prime time...

There is a thread for the Star Wars Weekends that is 400 pages

 

[tarak]

Jimmy, what a beautiful letter. In my experience, the comments on specific cast members do get back to them and it means a lot to them. I wrote a letter about one of the CMs at AK (my middle daughter said that meeting her was the best part of the trip). The next year we were at AK and I commented to one of the CMs about how much we loved meeting Kelah. The CM said, "that was you?" She went on to say the email made her cry and while Kelah was back at college, they got the message forwarded to her. I was so glad I sent the email.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We found the area where they are refurbishing the rooms:

They currently are working on the third floor of the BC in the area between the main elevator and the small elevator by the quiet pool. The rooms near the quiet pool appear to be finished. They put a temporary door in the hallway that prevents people from walking through the area they are working in.

We got a refurbished room that is really nice. I think we are one of the first ones staying in this room since we are so close to the work zone. My only request was a full balcony, but we didn't get it. I'm not complaining, though, since we paid for a garden view room and received a room with a view of the lake. There is also a tree there, which is probably why it isn't a lagoon view room, but I'm not complaining. The movie on the beach tonight is Frozen and I stood on my little balcony to listen to her sing, "Let It Go". It was a nice surprise to get this room. I'll post pictures after I get home.

We had an interesting ride on the Magical Express this morning. We got to the bus around 10 am and they put us on a bus that stopped at Art of Animation, then Pop Century, leaving four people for the Caribbean Beach and just DH and I for the Beach Club. Once we got to be the only ones on our private bus, we asked the driver why they changed the route like that. He said that buses are required to leave the airport after twenty minutes so they added our small group because they couldn't wait any longer for passengers for the two value resorts. The irony is that our plans for tomorrow are to go over to AoA and Pop to check it out, but the ME did it for me.

We received a text while we were still at the airport at 9:50am telling us our room was ready. It gave us the room number and the floor. A cast member greeted us at the door with her iPad and asked us if we had received a text and if we knew the room, which we did. She asked if we had any questions and then said we could go straight to our room, which we did. We did not receive that little folder with the recreation schedule and a map of the resort, like they used to give people when they checked in. I stopped at the Concierge desk to pick up the recreation schedule this evening. Our MagicBands worked and going straight to the room was great.

We discovered that the bar section of Hurricane Hannah's does not take the Tables in Wonderland card.

It's been a long day, one that started at 3am for a 6am flight.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi Sue, Do you mind sharing what type of view you booked. And if you requested King and refurbished room on your reservation or if you just got lucky. Thanks in advance and hope you are having a wonderful time.

Tina

We had booked a garden view room through Orbitz and I didn't make any room requests through them. The agent didn't know what I was talking about, anyway. But I was able to request a large balcony with the online check in, and that was the only request I made. I didn't ask for either a king bed or a refurbished room, but got them. We also got a lovely room with a great view that I'll talk more about after we get home. We didn't get the balcony, though, but I'll take the view instead.

I had been worried that we would get stuck with a really crummy room location because it was an Orbitz reservation, but that didn't happen at all. I'm relieved about that.

 

[ichabody]

Hello All - while I prepare my trip report. (Thanks for the tips on how to do this) Wanted to share the email I just sent to guest relations to tell them how much we loved Disney World. Teary eyed writing it! Hope you enjoy...


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello team Disney!


We have made it home after an incredible 14 nights at the Beach Club Resort in Orlando and I felt it important to write back to thank the whole team and share some feedback with you.
This was a special trip for us as a family – my mother in law passed away last Fall and this was an opportunity to go with my partner, sister in law and nieces and nephew to connect as a family, remember her life and lift our spirits. We spent a lot of money to take this holiday but we achieved all of these things and more and only because of the incredible work you have all done in creating Disney World.


The Beach Club Resort


Everything about the hotel was incredible, from the moment we checked in to the Club Level were made to feel like royalty and nothing seemed liked too much trouble.
Every cast member, every day smiled, talked to us and helped us to get the most out of the stay. The newly renovated rooms overlooking the amazing storm along bay and lagoon were so comfortable and the mouse-keepers are some of the best housekeepers I have ever had on a holiday – the towel art from Stella was wonderful to see every day. Staying at Beach Club has set a new standard for my vacations and don’t think I’ll take another holiday like this for a while! The only bit of constructive feedback I would offer is the concierge desk staff didn’t all have the same level of knowledge and seemed to find the multiple systems hard to navigate – on quite a few times felt like I knew more than them!


Special mention to Lauren on Stone Harbor Club concierge desk – she is a credit to Disney and was by far the best concierge team member in terms of knowledge, ability to deal with every question we had and help us get what we needed. I will be emailing Lauren directly at the IPO Beach Club to thank her!

The Dining Plan food & Service


We took the Deluxe plan and so happy we made the choice – the food and our meal times were very memorable. This part of the trip came as unexpected as you would think going to Disney it is all about the parks but we had so much quality family time eating together, every day! 50’s prime time, Yachtsman, Le Cellier, California Grill, Garden Grill, Hollywood Brown Derby, Flying Fish, Biergarten, Royal; Table, and more all fantastic – my friends back home think I’m crazy saying the food at Disney is good but I’m a real advocate now! Everywhere we ate cast members helped us navigate the menus, got us great tables, helped the fussy children find something they would like.

Only complaint is I ate way too much good food so now I’m back on my gym sessions and healthy eating!


Special mentions to following cast members


· Brannon at 50’s prime time – our number 1 server all holiday. He created a super memorable visit, the kids loved his humour and character and made the food taste even better. (picture attached) Please tell him and his manager that we think he rocks and should keep doing what he does to make families holidays so fantastic

· Ellen at the Garden Grill – such an amazing server. Warm, accommodating – just like eating with my mum on a Sunday . Plus this what the best character dining experience for us

· Roy at the Yachtsman – what a crazy, lovely guy. Such a character and loved his job and the food

· Chris at Flying Fish – the most traditional / formal of our servers but talked to the menu with such passion and really took care of the adults and the kids

· Stephanie at Biergarten – so happy to be at Epcot, loving her experience and helped us to connect with the German dishes, drinks and entertainment

· Our server (from Norway Breakfast) – I have lost her name but very excited and proud of Norway and helped us enjoy the Princess Breakfast

· The whole team at Beaches and Cream who made ordering the Kitchen Sink such a fund experience ‘A Whole Can!”


Not a traditional dining occasion but also special mention to Bree who looked after us at our Cabanas at both Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon. She as with us every 10 mins asking to get us more food or drinks, telling us which slides to ride and how to get the best out of our day in the water parks. Without her time at the Water Parks wouldn't have been as good.


The Parks


We made time to visit Universal too and I must say that we’re not too bothered about going back there again! What they have in thrills and potter they lack in bucket loads of magic, world class service, fantastic food, cleanliness and atmosphere. I don’t think they can ever capture the feeling of that first ride on It’s A Small World, or the emotion of watching Wishes for the fifth time – the excitement of pin trading with the cast members. The joy of trying the Dole Whip and other amazing snacks or the madness of lining up for 50 mins to meet Jasmine and Aladdin in the heat. Everyone from the 7 year old to the 42 year old connected in a deep way to the whole ethos of the parks and what you have tried to create. It all started and ends with the Mouse!


Now I must get on to saving for our next visit in 2018 when I come back with my god-daughter – we can't wait to return!


Thanks again for everything – Jimmy and Curtis/Witt/O'Mara family

Great letter! Wow...a 14 day trip! We have a 13 day trip coming up in June and for our family it works because we don't get to Disney World every year. So we take a long trip every 4 years or so (in between trips we have done the Tokyo parks twice and Disneyland many times) and take our time and enjoy the parks and resorts at a leisurely pace. Sounds like your trip was a dream come true...so fun to read all of your amazing experiences! That's funny that you mentioned spending time at Universal in your letter...I bet the folks at WDW who read it will get kick out of that! Can't wait for your trip report...very interested to read about how your toured the parks with your family.

 

[ichabody]

We found the area where they are refurbishing the rooms:

They currently are working on the third floor of the BC in the area between the main elevator and the small elevator by the quiet pool. The rooms near the quiet pool appear to be finished. They put a temporary door in the hallway that prevents people from walking through the area they are working in.

We got a refurbished room that is really nice. I think we are one of the first ones staying in this room since we are so close to the work zone. My only request was a full balcony, but we didn't get it. I'm not complaining, though, since we paid for a garden view room and received a room with a view of the lake. There is also a tree there, which is probably why it isn't a lagoon view room, but I'm not complaining. The movie on the beach tonight is Frozen and I stood on my little balcony to listen to her sing, "Let It Go". It was a nice surprise to get this room. I'll post pictures after I get home.

We had an interesting ride on the Magical Express this morning. We got to the bus around 10 am and they put us on a bus that stopped at Art of Animation, then Pop Century, leaving four people for the Caribbean Beach and just DH and I for the Beach Club. Once we got to be the only ones on our private bus, we asked the driver why they changed the route like that. He said that buses are required to leave the airport after twenty minutes so they added our small group because they couldn't wait any longer for passengers for the two value resorts. The irony is that our plans for tomorrow are to go over to AoA and Pop to check it out, but the ME did it for me.

We received a text while we were still at the airport at 9:50am telling us our room was ready. It gave us the room number and the floor. A cast member greeted us at the door with her iPad and asked us if we had received a text and if we knew the room, which we did. She asked if we had any questions and then said we could go straight to our room, which we did. We did not receive that little folder with the recreation schedule and a map of the resort, like they used to give people when they checked in. I stopped at the Concierge desk to pick up the recreation schedule this evening. Our MagicBands worked and going straight to the room was great.

We discovered that the bar section of Hurricane Hannah's does not take the Tables in Wonderland card.

It's been a long day, one that started at 3am for a 6am flight.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for the updates! Sounds like your trip is getting off to a great start! If you go to see Yeehaa Bob make sure to post some pics here!!! Have a great time

 

[MickeyT]

That's a great question, I have been trying to get the answer.

Bet that haunts you. (I NEED TO KNOW PEOPLE!) Thanks again for all the time you put in helping people enjoy their time at WDW.

 

[MickeyT]

It's been a long day, one that started at 3am for a 6am flight.

Let me know if you have any questions.

And......Thanks for all you do too Sue! Your information is spot on and has helped me and others a ton. Now ENJOY!

 

[natebenma]

page 250-252

Still have not activated the new thread. I tell you, this DIS snoozing until 5:30 am does not work for me AT ALL!!! I am all rarin' to go at 4:30 when it is nice and quiet here, but I have to wait. Then it start getting crazy here, and I get working on other things...

There is a thread for the Star Wars Weekends that is 400 pages

SWW thread hit 400 pages today

Bet that haunts you. (I NEED TO KNOW PEOPLE!)

I'm still a little nervous. I don't know if the limit on thread size is determined by moderators on a particular sub-forum, so even though a thread in the theme park boards is allowed to grow that large, our limit may be different.

***************************************************************************************************

Hello All - while I prepare my trip report. (Thanks for the tips on how to do this) Wanted to share the email I just sent to guest relations to tell them how much we loved Disney World. Teary eyed writing it! Hope you enjoy...

Fantastic letter, Jimmy! Thank you for taking the time to do this. It really does mean a lot to Disney to hear your comments, and especially to the Cast Members that you mentioned by name.

Jimmy, what a beautiful letter. In my experience, the comments on specific cast members do get back to them and it means a lot to them. I wrote a letter about one of the CMs at AK (my middle daughter said that meeting her was the best part of the trip). The next year we were at AK and I commented to one of the CMs about how much we loved meeting Kelah. The CM said, "that was you?" She went on to say the email made her cry and while Kelah was back at college, they got the message forwarded to her. I was so glad I sent the email.

Awesome!

Should I bother with online check-in? We leave Friday, but check-in to AKV Saturday & BCV Wednesday.

I want to make sure, if possible, we get a ground floor and hopefully a decent-nice view. We can check-in in person as early as whenever since we will already be there.

I think in your situation, it might be better to check-in at the front desk and discuss your room assignment to see if you have been given the best room available that meets your needs.

Just booked the Frozen Premium package for my 16 year old dd and myself. Even at 16 she is Frozen obsessed!

Sounds like fun for the two of you!

Hi Sue, Do you mind sharing what type of view you booked. And if you requested King and refurbished room on your reservation or if you just got lucky. Thanks in advance and hope you are having a wonderful time.

Tina

to the thread!

When is your trip? Would you like to be added to the Be Our Guest list on Page 1 of this thread?



There are a few king beds available at the resort, but I'm not sure how many or where (what view) categories they are. You can certainly request one. Make sure you list any requests you have in priority order. For example "King bed, please. Full balcony if possible"

They currently are working on the third floor of the BC in the area between the main elevator and the small elevator by the quiet pool. The rooms near the quiet pool appear to be finished. They put a temporary door in the hallway that prevents people from walking through the area they are working in.

*snip*

It's been a long day, one that started at 3am for a 6am flight.

Thanks for the arrival report. Hope you got some rest last night.

: