Resort Thread Disney's YACHT & BEACH CLUB Resorts

[Farro]

hi all!

Just wanted to say we are on our last day at Polynesian, and while we liked it here, we missed our normal stay with Beach/Yacht TREMENDOUSLY! The ease of Epcot, the beauty of the hotels is just too hard to top.

Will talk to you in 2020!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Post on Twitter from @SouthwestAir:


There was a very small window, early, this morning, when flights were bookable into August. It's the great Southwest IT, again!

I hit that very small window. I was purchasing tickets for us including son and grandsons, and hit the pay button. I got an error but the purchase went through. I’m glad to hear that it was an official glitch and not a “cookie thing. “

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

So day 2 at Yacht Club today. Took a Minnie van this morning to MK for a PPO BOG breakfast, and the car arrived within 5 minutes of the request around 7:25 a.m. Tried to take a Minnie van when we left MK around 11:30 but none were available so took a bus. Morning at MK was ok -- 7DMT wasn't open so we headed over to Peter Pan and rode when the park opened, then went over to Big Thunder, but it was closed too (along with Splash of course), so rode Haunted Mansion and a few others instead.

Haven't seen any dogs yet. Planned on going to SAB this evening but it was also closed around 7:30 p.m. and not sure why.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Haven't seen any dogs yet. Planned on going to SAB this evening but it was also closed around 7:30 p.m. and not sure why.

Dogs. They've obviously taken over SAB. But really, who can blame them?

 

[gottalovepluto]

My grand adventure of taking my family to WDW for their first trip starts mañana! We have some other stops before we hit WDW but we're all SO EXCITED!! While I want to keep gushing about how excited I am for Beach Club and F&W and overall Disney Magic I should probably stop DISboarding now as I've been, uh, . (Turns out there's another upside to vacation- can't leave that open wine at home un-drunk!)

 

[Momoftwins+1]

Well, now that I have personal experience with this thing, I'm sorry I even brought up this "devil's device!" Not only does the pads kill the knees, it's unsteady, and hard to control on inclines. And there are so many cracks and bumps in the side walks, I flipped the one I was using, landing on the knee of the leg with the bad foot. I ended up putting my other leg/knee on it , and pushing along with the injured foot, which worked pretty well since all my weight was off it...however, my good leg knee suffered.

I finally parked this evil monster in a corner of the room and covered it so we don't have to look at it!

My toes are doing better, so I'm able to hobble along fairly well.

Very sorry to hear about your injury due to the contraption! I also had it tip slightly, which threw me off balance and I started to fall which caused the reaction to put my foot down...the one with all the tendons etc snapped in my ankle...not one of my most shining memories in life...a lot of interesting words came with that situation. Crutches suck and hurt but the knee scooter isn't much of a better option unless you are using it in like a house for mobility etc.

 

[LinnyNad]

Just got back from a 5 night stay at YC, we were room 2114 which was the second floor front corner room. There are 5 of us so we had 2 queens and a couch/daybed.

The 'TV' side of the room had 2 windows on it which was nice but the downside was that corner was right near maintenance and I could frequently hear them early in the morning. Not enough for me to complain though.

I am pretty sure that corner room might be 1' or so wider than normal rooms based on the pictures. There was a lot of space between the beds and the dressers.

I really liked the renovated rooms but that flooring can get annoying with the sand and everything else you track in your room. I noticed my feet were black from dirt and the only time I didn't wear shoes was in the room.

No dogs to be seen in the resort. Saw a few service dogs outside and around the boardwalk but I expect that anywhere.

I found the YC market to be a bit lacking in options compared to BC. Multiple times I walked over to the BC market for items like: Mickey Waffles, Bottle of Wine/alcohol(YC doesn't have full white bottles), better snack selection, etc. With that said YC had some higher end food choices like a Cheese platter and a charcuterie platter. YC also had 'action stations' each night with a different food item prepared.

It was pretty cold when we were there and interestingly on the chilly days there were no wristband checks at SAB. When it was nicer, they were checking.

All in all, our second trip to Disney in 8 months. We did an easter trip for 7 days at Contemporary. While I loved the walk to MK from Cont. I think I actually like YC better. The pool, the location to Epcot and Hollywood, the boardwalk, all combined make it a great spot for us and our kids.

Oh yeah, I also took about 8 minnie vans, so if you have questions on that, I am well versed on them.

Happy you had a nice trip........I do have a question about the Minnie Vans. We plan on taking one to get to HDDR for a 6pm ADR. I've heard that time of day can be tricky with the vans as most people are using them to get to dinner.......any advice on this. Also- this one seems bizarre..........buttttt.......we are going to HS on an Early EMH day, but want to be there early as to try and get my kiddos signed up for the Jedi training, waiting for boat OR taking a Minnie Van, what would you suggest? I'd like to not walk as this is our first trip without a stroller for the kids, so I don't want to wear them out too early in the day.......eh!

 

[Bmath]

Happy you had a nice trip........I do have a question about the Minnie Vans. We plan on taking one to get to HDDR for a 6pm ADR. I've heard that time of day can be tricky with the vans as most people are using them to get to dinner.......any advice on this. Also- this one seems bizarre..........buttttt.......we are going to HS on an Early EMH day, but want to be there early as to try and get my kiddos signed up for the Jedi training, waiting for boat OR taking a Minnie Van, what would you suggest? I'd like to not walk as this is our first trip without a stroller for the kids, so I don't want to wear them out too early in the day.......eh!

There was one time where I didn't see any Minnie Vans on the map but I still requested and one eventually popped up at AK and was 10 minutes away. Still beat the next shuttle.

My recommendation is start looking when you are in your room. If you know you are under 10 minutes from departure, keep an eye out and request, it usually takes them a few minutes to get to you.

As for the HS recommendation, I took the boat but it was later and I had to wait for 2 boats and multiple stops. Unless you see a boat right there, chances are the Minnie Van will be quicker.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Dogs. They've obviously taken over SAB. But really, who can blame them?

The good news about the resort dogs ~completely*~ taking over Stormalong Bay is that they don't need a pool tube so there is more tube availability for the Stormalong Bay Olympic, Synchronized, Pool Tube team practice.
*"completely" because as long as we are overreacting about the resort dogs we might as well overstate the pool infestation (non) problem.

The downside is that the dogs do try to bite the beach ball used in the volleyball game. (Nom, Nom, Nom)

The upside is that the dogs are especially savvy at answering the trivia questions asked during the pool games.

The downside is that the dogs love to prank people at the pool by running off with their flip flops. The Recreation Manager found a huge stash of partially chewed flip flops over on the island in the middle of the lazy river.

The upside is that no self respecting dog would ever consider taking a shower in the new Stormalong Bay shower room near the game arcade.

The downside is that you have some mighty frizzy dogs walking around after a dip in the pool.

The upside is that Ninja Mom has trained the resort dogs to scan Magic bands and remove towels placed on lounges by chair hogs.

The downside is that resort dogs have discovered the hot tub and they refuse to exit after 15 minutes. The Recreation Manager has threatened to call the dog catcher if they don't get out when it's time for the pool to close for the day. I prefer to throw milk bones over the fence and watch the mass exodus but why do it the easy way....

The upside is that the resort dogs will let children go ahead of them in line for the pool slides.

The downside is that the Pugs chicken out at the top and have to go back down the steps.

So when considering resort dogs at Stormalong Bay I guess you could say that it's a wash...

~NM

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

View from our Yacht Club room 2091 (looking off to the right - the wedding gazebo is right in front of the room).

 

[gumbo1009]

Hello everyone. Looking for some advice...

We have reservations at BCV in August (we are renting points). On arrival day, I do not plan on hitting the parks until early evening (AFTER we settle into our room).

Our ideal location is whatever area of BCV is closest to the marketplace (so my DD has quick access to the refillable drinks).

Since I'm not sure whether the online checkin would give us an option like this, I'm thinking it might be best to just wait and check-in the day we arrive...

I want to ask folks: What are there downsides to this approach? Is there a better strategy?

Thanks!!

 

[dansdad]

Hello everyone. Looking for some advice...

We have reservations at BCV in August (we are renting points). On arrival day, I do not plan on hitting the parks until early evening (AFTER we settle into our room).

Our ideal location is whatever area of BCV is closest to the marketplace (so my DD has quick access to the refillable drinks).

Since I'm not sure whether the online checkin would give us an option like this, I'm thinking it might be best to just wait and check-in the day we arrive...

I want to ask folks: What are there downsides to this approach? Is there a better strategy?

Thanks!!

The downside is that rooms are assigned 2-3 days before you arrive. And the Villas tend to run at a very high occupancy rate so the chances of getting a different room once you arrive are small. I suggest asking the owner you are renting points from to make a room request for you.

 

[PCFriar80]

The downside is that rooms are assigned 2-3 days before you arrive. And the Villas tend to run at a very high occupancy rate so the chances of getting a different room once you arrive are small. I suggest asking the owner you are renting points from to make a room request for you.

Whichever way you go, from a request standpoint if you want to be closest to the Marketplace then I would request a room closest to the main elevators / lobby of the BCVs.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Hello - quick and weird question. We usually rent points to stay at Boardwalk and are currently looking at that option for late January but I'm guessing not much will be available. While scrolling through AP rates in late January I came across the Yacht Club for $277. Compared to other Epcot resorts this was half the price or more than half. Is this a normal AP rate? Am I missing something big? Is there major refurb going on? Thanks for any info! Never stayed at the Yacht Club but very tempted now.

 

[etail]

The upside is that Ninja Mom has trained the resort dogs to scan Magic bands and remove towels placed on lounges by chair hogs.


~NM

I had totally missed that in addition to dogs and bed bugs there was also a pig/hog/porcine infestation at Storm Along Bay. Feels suddenly like Animal Farm may be the next themed resort. Or perhaps Charlotte's Web. Has Disney optioned either?

 

[natebenma]

I had totally missed that in addition to dogs and bed bugs there was also a pig/hog/porcine infestation at Storm Along Bay. Feels suddenly like Animal Farm may be the next themed resort. Or perhaps Charlotte's Web. Has Disney optioned either?

All resorts are created equal, but some are more equal than others.




ETA:



Animal Farm was one of my favorite books from high school. I was a reading nerd and read my dad's copies of both 1984 and Animal Farm on my own, before they were assigned in high school. When my brother and I were in Junior High, ages 13 and 14, my dad took us to the movie theater to see what he believed was Animal Farm. Turns out it was John Belushi's Animal House that was playing. A bit of different experience than my father expected...

 

[gumbo1009]

The downside is that rooms are assigned 2-3 days before you arrive. And the Villas tend to run at a very high occupancy rate so the chances of getting a different room once you arrive are small. I suggest asking the owner you are renting points from to make a room request for you.

Whichever way you go, from a request standpoint if you want to be closest to the Marketplace then I would request a room closest to the main elevators / lobby of the BCVs.

You folks are wonderful! Thanks! (I will definitely send a room request to the DVC folks.)

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hello - quick and weird question. We usually rent points to stay at Boardwalk and are currently looking at that option for late January but I'm guessing not much will be available. While scrolling through AP rates in late January I came across the Yacht Club for $277. Compared to other Epcot resorts this was half the price or more than half. Is this a normal AP rate? Am I missing something big? Is there major refurb going on? Thanks for any info! Never stayed at the Yacht Club but very tempted now.

We got a really cheap rate for the BC with the AP discount at the end of January, which was a surprise. It is a time of year with low attendance and low room rates.

 

[juliekzp]

Can someone please tell me where exactly on the 5th floor is the Stone Harbor Club? I'm sending in my room request and would like to be close to the concierge room, but I don't know where it is!

 

[jlundeen]

We arrived on Saturday. ..got the perfect room assignment...for us...woods, ground, close to quiet pool.

Unfortunately, the very first night in the room, I caught my toe on a c I rner, and I'm pretty sure if it's my pinky toe isn't broken, it's sprained. Went to front desk yesterday after hobbling around Magic Kingdom and, theyes were able to find a rental knee walker for me. It arrived last night, so we'll see how AK is with this cute little set of wheels. More later!

Follow up to our first post...checking out today. We were in room 1556, woods view, no daybed, but even thought it's on the main path, and right next to the ice room, it was still pretty quiet.

Loved our stay st BC...all the CMs were vety helpful and friendly.

Here are some patio photos for those interested...with the little fence around it, it felt pretty quiet. Dee, feel free to use whatever of these photos you want.