2014 Beach & Yacht Club FAQ, Friends & Fun *DO NOT POST HERE- FIND NEW THREAD*

[mariamouse]

We have stayed at 4 resorts during hard goods refurbs and each time we had no idea they were going on. Twice I only found out when doing the survey while checking out they specifically asked if the the refurb bothered us in any way. The other 2 times I overhead CMs talking about it. The resorts usually do a very good job of keeping guests away from the areas they are working on.

Soft goods took about 9 months for each building I believe...might have been longer. This is going to be longer from what I hear. I'd estimate around a year for each resort. I'd say the only newly renovated room you might get in mid-January 2015 would be club level (fifth floor) and even that is a long shot.

All noise work is done between 9AM and 5PM (when people are at the pool or at the parks). As far as seeing anything ... very little if any.

Personally I would never NOT book a room at a Disney resort because they are having renovations done. If you are a regular Disney guest, you have probably been at a Disney resort during renovations and didn't even know.

Thank you both so much for the information and for putting my mind at ease! I was more concerned with whether or not the rooms would be renovated by January than the disruption, although it sounds like our timing will just be a little too early since we don't typically stay CL. That's fine, though, since I actually still like the room décor at the BC and don't find it as outdated as some others. Can't speak to the condition of the rooms, but we will just have to be prepared for that if we do choose to return to the BC. Thank you both again for your help!

Something triggered my Disney bug and have started thinking about our next trip. Just starting to keep an eye on this board because we are really thinking about staying at BC. (Always been a MK resort area girl). We would hope to stay club level, wondering if thee club level renovations would be done by May 2015. Anyone with any thoughts?

Judging from Teena's description, you should be in the clear since CL will be the first thing to get updated. I doubt that would extend beyond March 2015.

 

[helenb]

My 60 day window opened up today and I was able to make our FP+ reservations! So close!

 

[amg35]

Thanks for your comment! People are so scared the rehab will disrupt their stay.

We arrive (knock wood) October 21, so I'm sure the rehab will have started, but sounds like I have nothing to worry about!
And I'm trying not to get my hopes up about my room request - Courtyard/Lakeside. I'll be happy with anything...but I really would like that room view!

Doesn't really matter to me anyways, we are only springing for a garden view, no club levels!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I am planning a family trip for 2015
We have never stayed in a deluxe before and I want to stay at BC because of the pool. My kids are fish. My question is. I can afford to do Deluxe Dinning or Club Level. Which is the better choice. Again I know nothing about the deluxe resorts. Also, is it a long bus ride to MK ?

Thanks,

 

[Alli76]

I am planning a family trip for 2015 We have never stayed in a deluxe before and I want to stay at BC because of the pool. My kids are fish. My question is. I can afford to do Deluxe Dinning or Club Level. Which is the better choice. Again I know nothing about the deluxe resorts. Also, is it a long bus ride to MK ? Thanks,

My choice would be club... Here is why.... Deluxe dining in my opinion is a lot of time in restaurants. For my family we would rather spend the time doing other things. We love having access to the snacks in the afternoon and a quick breakfast in the morning. I am sure you will hear other opinions but in the end only you know your family.

 

[TeenaS]

I am planning a family trip for 2015
We have never stayed in a deluxe before and I want to stay at BC because of the pool. My kids are fish. My question is. I can afford to do Deluxe Dinning or Club Level. Which is the better choice. Again I know nothing about the deluxe resorts. Also, is it a long bus ride to MK ?

Thanks,

In my personal opinion, if I was going to be spending a lot of time at the resort because of swimming, I'd do club level and if any dining plan, only the regular dining plan. Between the two, you'll be set! I imagine you will eat most of your quick service meals at Hurricane Hannah's by the pool or at the parks if you are there. You'll have a nice breakfast every morning in the lounge, and then have dinner in a nice sit down restaurant every night. That would be the ultimate vacation with both club level and regular dining plan. However, you may want to consider just club level. The price of the dining plan has increased to the point that you barely break even nowadays. And it forces you to have a dessert at every meal. A lot of people that in the past purchased the dining plan have stopped because of the price now and what you get for it. If you do the math and price out what you really would order at every meal versus what the plan makes you order, you will probably see that it is cheaper to not do the dining plan at all.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

In my personal opinion, if I was going to be spending a lot of time at the resort because of swimming, I'd do club level and if any dining plan, only the regular dining plan. Between the two, you'll be set! I imagine you will eat most of your quick service meals at Hurricane Hannah's by the pool or at the parks if you are there. You'll have a nice breakfast every morning in the lounge, and then have dinner in a nice sit down restaurant every night. That would be the ultimate vacation with both club level and regular dining plan. However, you may want to consider just club level. The price of the dining plan has increased to the point that you barely break even nowadays. And it forces you to have a dessert at every meal. A lot of people that in the past purchased the dining plan have stopped because of the price now and what you get for it. If you do the math and price out what you really would order at every meal versus what the plan makes you order, you will probably see that it is cheaper to not do the dining plan at all.

I am hoping for free dinning when we go. If that does not happen that will throw off my budget planning.
Also, what is the #1 thing I must know doing CL with 2 girls under between the ages of 6-9?

 

[floridagirl61]

I am hoping for free dinning when we go. If that does not happen that will throw off my budget planning.
Also, what is the #1 thing I must know doing CL with 2 girls under between the ages of 6-9?

Usually you can get a room discount that works out better than the free dining. It depends on your party size and ages.
We went last September and did the CL and paid OOP for our meals. We had breakfast in the lounge, we usually had a TS for lunch, then had Appetizers at the lounge. We had to cancel several of our Dinner TS meals because we were still full from our lunches and the club offerings. We even planned on doing CS if we were hungry at night when we didn't have a ressie, but we were never hungry. I really don't think I will do the dining plan again and I would never do it with a CL stay. It's just too much IMO.

We actually saved around $1000 between the cost for the plan and what we actually spent. We were a party of 6 adults, a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We were also using the TIW card.

 

[jmkrat]

I am planning a family trip for 2015
We have never stayed in a deluxe before and I want to stay at BC because of the pool. My kids are fish. My question is. I can afford to do Deluxe Dinning or Club Level. Which is the better choice. Again I know nothing about the deluxe resorts. Also, is it a long bus ride to MK ?

Thanks,

My choice would be Club level. They have several offerings per day and snacks out. We're doing club plus Reg. dining, a deluxe plan would make us have to be in too many restaurants taking time away.

 

[Lalabubbles]

33 days till we are at our happy place!!!! It cannot come soon enough for our family. We all need a vacation from school & work. Hoping the time goes by fast. I can't wait to get our magic bands and Mickey Mail. Hope everyone has a magical day

 

[HParr]

Just purchased a nautical "anchors" themed tankini for our trip... can't wait to use it at SAB woohoo!!!

Nice!

 

[natebenma]

page 199-201

FYI- I am trying to do my best to keep the latest info about the upcoming BC (and eventual YC) renovations at the very beginning of this thread under the "Breaking News" banner. I haven't made many changes to the info lately since we still don't have definitive info about the start date or timeline. It looks like late summer/early fall for the start on the BC club level lounge renovation, followed by work on the rooms.

Teena! Be there at YC in 2 days!!! Georgia already pulled out her pins. When are you working?

So close!!!

Have a fantastic trip!

Hi Happymomof1 we have a split stay YC/gf too!! We are going in August! You are going to love the gf!!

I just checked the Be Our Guest list and didn't see you listed, so I will add you for August.

Something triggered my Disney bug and have started thinking about our next trip. Just starting to keep an eye on this board because we are really thinking about staying at BC. (Always been a MK resort area girl). We would hope to stay club level, wondering if thee club level renovations would be done by May 2015. Anyone with any thoughts?

to the thread!

Let us know if you book over here!

I am planning a family trip for 2015
We have never stayed in a deluxe before and I want to stay at BC because of the pool. My kids are fish. My question is. I can afford to do Deluxe Dinning or Club Level. Which is the better choice. Again I know nothing about the deluxe resorts. Also, is it a long bus ride to MK ?

Thanks,

Let us know if you book a trip.



I'm going with everyone else and voting for Club Level over Deluxe Dining. We did the DxDP once, and although my family really likes to eat, it was WAY too much food and too much time spent dining.

I love the convenient breakfast in the lounge- a quick but satisfying meal before hitting the parks early.

On most of our trips we had dining plan and liked it, but on our last trip in July we went without and the flexibility (to split large entrees and to spend more time at quick service places) was good for us.

 

[TeenaS]

Usually you can get a room discount that works out better than the free dining. It depends on your party size and ages.
We went last September and did the CL and paid OOP for our meals. We had breakfast in the lounge, we usually had a TS for lunch, then had Appetizers at the lounge. We had to cancel several of our Dinner TS meals because we were still full from our lunches and the club offerings. We even planned on doing CS if we were hungry at night when we didn't have a ressie, but we were never hungry. I really don't think I will do the dining plan again and I would never do it with a CL stay. It's just too much IMO.

We actually saved around $1000 between the cost for the plan and what we actually spent. We were a party of 6 adults, a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We were also using the TIW card.

You are absolutely correct ... a room discount works out better than the free dining!!!!!

And the TIW card (that you purchase and is good for 13 months) is the best deal out there. A much better deal with the dining plan!!!! You get to order and eat what you want, not what the plan makes you ... hate that you MUST order dessert!!! I prefer appetizers!

 

[DawnMaree]

In my personal opinion, if I was going to be spending a lot of time at the resort because of swimming, I'd do club level and if any dining plan, only the regular dining plan. Between the two, you'll be set! I imagine you will eat most of your quick service meals at Hurricane Hannah's by the pool or at the parks if you are there. You'll have a nice breakfast every morning in the lounge, and then have dinner in a nice sit down restaurant every night. That would be the ultimate vacation with both club level and regular dining plan. However, you may want to consider just club level. The price of the dining plan has increased to the point that you barely break even nowadays. And it forces you to have a dessert at every meal. A lot of people that in the past purchased the dining plan have stopped because of the price now and what you get for it. If you do the math and price out what you really would order at every meal versus what the plan makes you order, you will probably see that it is cheaper to not do the dining plan at all.

I agree with Teena. We have done with basic Disney Dining Plan and Club Level. It was more than enough food, and the breakfast in the lounge was absolutely perfect for our family.

You are absolutely correct ... a room discount works out better than the free dining!!!!!

And the TIW card (that you purchase and is good for 13 months) is the best deal out there. A much better deal with the dining plan!!!! You get to order and eat what you want, not what the plan makes you ... hate that you MUST order dessert!!! I prefer appetizers!

It depends on how many people are in your family and the ages on which discount is better. One year, we had 4 "adults" as 2 of my sons were 10+, and then my daughter too, making it a family of 5. Doing the math, the free dining was definitely cheaper for us.

I thought you could only purchase TIW if you were an AP holder or DVC?? Please tell me if I'm wrong about this, as I think I would totally buy it.

 

[HBGdancermom]

I am planning a family trip for 2015
We have never stayed in a deluxe before and I want to stay at BC because of the pool. My kids are fish. My question is. I can afford to do Deluxe Dinning or Club Level. Which is the better choice. Again I know nothing about the deluxe resorts. Also, is it a long bus ride to MK ?

Thanks,

My choice would be club... Here is why.... Deluxe dining in my opinion is a lot of time in restaurants. For my family we would rather spend the time doing other things. We love having access to the snacks in the afternoon and a quick breakfast in the morning. I am sure you will hear other opinions but in the end only you know your family.

In my personal opinion, if I was going to be spending a lot of time at the resort because of swimming, I'd do club level and if any dining plan, only the regular dining plan. Between the two, you'll be set! I imagine you will eat most of your quick service meals at Hurricane Hannah's by the pool or at the parks if you are there. You'll have a nice breakfast every morning in the lounge, and then have dinner in a nice sit down restaurant every night. That would be the ultimate vacation with both club level and regular dining plan. However, you may want to consider just club level. The price of the dining plan has increased to the point that you barely break even nowadays. And it forces you to have a dessert at every meal. A lot of people that in the past purchased the dining plan have stopped because of the price now and what you get for it. If you do the math and price out what you really would order at every meal versus what the plan makes you order, you will probably see that it is cheaper to not do the dining plan at all.

Just like Alli and Teena said, I am in the CL camp! For us, we loved having the convenience of not having to find breakfast somewhere and also the snacks/drinks and appetizers. My family is not one to enjoy sit down meals everyday so that is why CL works so well for us. We always try and take advantage of the RO discount too. The main thing I would warn you about CL and your girls is that they might be forever spoiled by it. Now my kids are...

33 days till we are at our happy place!!!! It cannot come soon enough for our family. We all need a vacation from school & work. Hoping the time goes by fast. I can't wait to get our magic bands and Mickey Mail. Hope everyone has a magical day

 

[TeenaS]

I agree with Teena. We have done with basic Disney Dining Plan and Club Level. It was more than enough food, and the breakfast in the lounge was absolutely perfect for our family.


It depends on how many people are in your family and the ages on which discount is better. One year, we had 4 "adults" as 2 of my sons were 10+, and then my daughter too, making it a family of 5. Doing the math, the free dining was definitely cheaper for us.

I thought you could only purchase TIW if you were an AP holder or DVC?? Please tell me if I'm wrong about this, as I think I would totally buy it.

Florida Residents, Disney Vacation Club® Members and Annual/Seasonal Passholders ... most of my guests are either DVC or Annual Passholders. So many of them come to WDW twice a year and the annual pass is the way to save them money.

 

[DawnMaree]

Florida Residents, Disney Vacation Club® Members and Annual/Seasonal Passholders ... most of my guests are either DVC or Annual Passholders. So many of them come to WDW twice a year and the annual pass is the way to save them money.

I was hoping they changed it, and then I was all over it! LOL

 

[TeenaS]

I was hoping they changed it, and then I was all over it! LOL

Don't you come to WDW every year? Ever think of coming like 11-1/2 months apart so you could get an annual pass and save?

 

[tarak]

Just like Alli and Teena said, I am in the CL camp! For us, we loved having the convenience of not having to find breakfast somewhere and also the snacks/drinks and appetizers. My family is not one to enjoy sit down meals everyday so that is why CL works so well for us. We always try and take advantage of the RO discount too. The main thing I would warn you about CL and your girls is that they might be forever spoiled by it. Now my kids are...

This is us. When we've stayed CL, we don't bother with any dining plan. We'd have a nice breakfast in the lounge, eat a QS in the parks (or at the hotel if we weren't venturing out that day), have a few appetizers at night. We're not big eaters for dinner. If anyone wanted a bit more than the appetizers, we'd order a pizza or something like that (if we didn't have an ADR somewhere). My son was upset last time we went to Disney because we weren't going to visit the "place with the cheerios." We were renting DVC points that trip. We have a great room discount for this trip, so we're staying CL. And he hasn't a clue we're even going.

 

[TeenaS]

This is us. When we've stayed CL, we don't bother with any dining plan. We'd have a nice breakfast in the lounge, eat a QS in the parks (or at the hotel if we weren't venturing out that day), have a few appetizers at night. We're not big eaters for dinner. If anyone wanted a bit more than the appetizers, we'd order a pizza or something like that (if we didn't have an ADR somewhere). My son was upset last time we went to Disney because we weren't going to visit the "place with the cheerios." We were renting DVC points that trip. We have a great room discount for this trip, so we're staying CL. And he hasn't a clue we're even going.

So happy for you!!! When are you telling your son?