Resort Thread Disney's YACHT & BEACH CLUB Resorts

[shoreward]

We just returned from 5 nights at the Yacht Club. We have been staying at Y&B since 1990 so we are very familiar with the resort.

I don't know who designed their new rooms but many aspects of them are simply horrible.

First off, no fan! The room got so warm in the middle of the night. I felt like I was suffocating.

Second, the beds are WAY to high. I can't imagine a small child having an easy time of getting in or out of them as I could barely do it myself. My senior mother would never be able to comfortably get into it either.

Third, I hate the bare floors. I understand the allergy argument and that the "industry" is going that way but I didn't like it.

The room simply lacks personality, for my tastes.

The closet redo and the walk in shower are the only things I liked.

I did speak to a manager one morning. She was walking past me and we started talking. She said the height of the beds has been mentioned by other guests as well.

The new Market is fine but the layout is weird. I imagine the area will be reworked once the entire space is completed. Actually, the best part of the Market is that it opens at 6 AM and it was busy every morning at opening. One of my biggest complaints of the Marketplace at the BC has been how late it opens.

Finally, the activity schedule has really been reduced. No campfire at all and no activities on Sunday's except for the movie, which isn't even on the beach any more. They used to have "changing of the guards" and other many other activities. It seems as if that department has been greatly reduced.

MsA

I agree with many of your objections to the refurbed rooms at the YC.

1. Many guests are complaining about the AC not working during the night, when there is no movement detected by the motion sensor. Housekeeping is delivering box fans to guest rooms, upon request. If there are two beds being used in the room or two beds + a daybed, multiple fans probably will be needed.
2. The top of the mattress is about 30" above the finished floor. For someone about 5'4" or shorter, it might be problematic. Instead of sitting on the bed, the guest will need to climb onto the bed, which could be a real issue for elderly, kids, and those who are mobility-challenged. The height of the beds in wheelchair accessible rooms is much lower, but those rooms are limited.
   
3. The hard-surface flooring in the rooms is not popular with Housekeeping. The cleaning is now two steps; unlike carpet, the new flooring must be both vacuumed and gone over with something like a Swifter. If you check under the bed, you will probably notice dust and tiny debris on the floor. The hard-surface flooring is not a good sound absorber, either, unlike the carpet/padding.

The new toiletries look very upscale. However, they are all botanical and sea-salt based. There is no other option available, even if one is requested. For those guests with allergies to botanical substances or with colored hair, I recommend bringing along your own shampoo, conditioner, and toiletries, just to be on the safe side. I have heard that sea-salt based products can strip color from colored hair. Of course, this is all on an individual basis.

I am thinking that the room design was geared toward the resort's convention guests. In doing so, it looks like they did not consider YC guests whose stay is strictly tied to a private visit/vacation with friends and family. It would be interesting to know the percentage of guest rooms at the YC that are booked for conventions.

The new Market at Ale & Compass is certainly an improvement over nothing at all. The seating is limited, though. There are about six tables with chairs, in addition to some banquette seating along a wall, with pub tables and chairs. Unlike the Beach Club, there is no overflow seating (like the BC's Solarium or its adjacent outdoor seating area) to accommodate guests who cannot find available seating in the Market at A&C.

Note: Point #2 is highlighted - is not intentional, but can't change it

 

[MommaBerd]

Note: Point #2 is highlighted - is not intentional, but can't change it

I think whenever you create a numbered list it automatically highlights every other point.

 

[Christine9125]

I for one, loved the updated rooms and will be going back next year. As for the AC, we kept the balcony door open a little for air movement which in turn the AC turned on and off at the right times. I hope they don't change the new design

 

[Lisann]

The hard-surface flooring in the rooms is not popular with Housekeeping. The cleaning is now two steps; unlike carpet, the new flooring must be both vacuumed and gone over with something like a Swifter. If you check under the bed, you will probably notice dust and tiny debris on the floor. The hard-surface flooring is not a good sound absorber, either, unlike the carpet/padding.

This was my argument on another thread. Bare floors are no easier to keep clean than carpet. I do understand the argument about "germs" in carpet. But I really don't think hard sanitary surfaces are the answer to everything.

I am thinking that the room design was geared toward the resort's convention guests. In doing so, it looks like they did not consider YC guests whose stay is strictly tied to a private visit/vacation with friends and family. It would be interesting to know the percentage of guest rooms at the YC that are booked for conventions.

I really doubt that Disney did this. There is no reason to, and they have never done this in the past.

I hate the new design in the rooms of bare bones sheeting and bare floors. Very sad.

 

[Scott MC]

1. Many guests are complaining about the AC not working during the night, when there is no movement detected by the motion sensor. Housekeeping is delivering box fans to guest rooms, upon request. If there are two beds being used in the room or two beds + a daybed, multiple fans probably will be needed.

You won't find a bigger fan of YC/BC than me, but this is completely and totally unacceptable, and if I was uncomfortable due to overheating in Florida, I'd demand financial compensation-not full, but partial. You shouldn't need a fan. Once, when staying in northern Vermont, we had a room with no ac, and it was too hot... but Florida? Unacceptable.

 

[jen7233]

I need to find that secret entrance!

It's a stairwell right near the Cape May sign on the wall that is closest to the restrooms, as if coming around the corner toward the Martha's Vineyard. It goes up near the 3700/3600 rooms. It works if your room is more on that end versus the 3600 rooms nearest the elevators. We used the elevators for going to the Marketplace and the lobby, but used the stairwell when coming up/down from the pool!

 

[Auntie_Maim]

Do the balconies at YC have screens? Since we'll be there in October, I figure opening the balcony window will keep things airy while the screen keeps the bugs out.

 

[Wood Nymph]

It's a stairwell right near the Cape May sign on the wall that is closest to the restrooms, as if coming around the corner toward the Martha's Vineyard. It goes up near the 3700/3600 rooms. It works if your room is more on that end versus the 3600 rooms nearest the elevators. We used the elevators for going to the Marketplace and the lobby, but used the stairwell when coming up/down from the pool!

Thanks for the directions. We were in room 3705 and I would have used that stairwell if I knew that it exited to a corridor. I thought it might exit into a cast area.

 

[shoreward]

Do the balconies at YC have screens? Since we'll be there in October, I figure opening the balcony window will keep things airy while the screen keeps the bugs out.

No screens, unfortunately.

 

[shoreward]

You won't find a bigger fan of YC/BC than me, but this is completely and totally unacceptable, and if I was uncomfortable due to overheating in Florida, I'd demand financial compensation-not full, but partial. You shouldn't need a fan. Once, when staying in northern Vermont, we had a room with no ac, and it was too hot... but Florida? Unacceptable.

In my mind, the BC becomes a more desirable option during hot humid weather, if the difference in room rate is not that much more. The BC rooms still have ceiling fans.

 

[Auntie_Maim]

No screens, unfortunately.

Dang. Oh well. Hopefully October won't be that hot.

Re: the motion-sensor AC - I recall in the Unofficial guide that they have that same AC system at the Contemporary. How do guests deal with it there? Is it an issue outside of the really brutal hot months?

 

[shoreward]

Dang. Oh well. Hopefully October won't be that hot.

Re: the motion-sensor AC - I recall in the Unofficial guide that they have that same AC system at the Contemporary. How do guests deal with it there? Is it an issue outside of the really brutal hot months?

I would think mid to late fall would be fine. By then the overnight temps are usually in the 60s. There have been times during the winter, that I needed the heat in the room. So, I guess we'll have to make good use out of that extra blanket in the closet.

 

[mtemm]

Wondering if the newly refurb rooms at the YC have a small fridge? We are staying standard CL.

 

[Christine9125]

Wondering if the newly refurb rooms at the YC have a small fridge? We are staying standard CL.

Yes, they do

 

[shoreward]

Wondering if the newly refurb rooms at the YC have a small fridge? We are staying standard CL.

Yes, there is a small fridge. The height will accommodate a one liter bottle of water, with a 16 ounce bottle of water above it.

 

[mtemm]

Thanks!

 

[focusondisney]

I agree with many of your objections to the refurbed rooms at the YC.

1. Many guests are complaining about the AC not working during the night, when there is no movement detected by the motion sensor. Housekeeping is delivering box fans to guest rooms, upon request. If there are two beds being used in the room or two beds + a daybed, multiple fans probably will be needed.
2. The top of the mattress is about 30" above the finished floor. For someone about 5'4" or shorter, it might be problematic. Instead of sitting on the bed, the guest will need to climb onto the bed, which could be a real issue for elderly, kids, and those who are mobility-challenged. The height of the beds in wheelchair accessible rooms is much lower, but those rooms are limited.
   
3. The hard-surface flooring in the rooms is not popular with Housekeeping. The cleaning is now two steps; unlike carpet, the new flooring must be both vacuumed and gone over with something like a Swifter. If you check under the bed, you will probably notice dust and tiny debris on the floor. The hard-surface flooring is not a good sound absorber, either, unlike the carpet/padding.

The new toiletries look very upscale. However, they are all botanical and sea-salt based. There is no other option available, even if one is requested. For those guests with allergies to botanical substances or with colored hair, I recommend bringing along your own shampoo, conditioner, and toiletries, just to be on the safe side. I have heard that sea-salt based products can strip color from colored hair. Of course, this is all on an individual basis.

I am thinking that the room design was geared toward the resort's convention guests. In doing so, it looks like they did not consider YC guests whose stay is strictly tied to a private visit/vacation with friends and family. It would be interesting to know the percentage of guest rooms at the YC that are booked for conventions.

The new Market at Ale & Compass is certainly an improvement over nothing at all. The seating is limited, though. There are about six tables with chairs, in addition to some banquette seating along a wall, with pub tables and chairs. Unlike the Beach Club, there is no overflow seating (like the BC's Solarium or its adjacent outdoor seating area) to accommodate guests who cannot find available seating in the Market at A&C.

Note: Point #2 is highlighted - is not intentional, but can't change it

Yep, I'm 5'2 & had to climb up into the bed. I was surprised as I have never stayed at any hotel with such high beds. We rode the elevator with a quite elderly couple one day & the woman commented on the lovely new rooms. After they got out I laughed to my DH & said I should have asked her if she was having any trouble getting into bed. I also think it would be very worrisome to have small kids that might fall out of bed staying there. Will be interesting to see what happens with the beds in a few years if guests are complaining.

And I agree with the floors being dusty & not totally clean. We were there in early May & I noticed it right away. I had read some folks suggesting you could slide your suitcases under the bed but I told my DH right away I'd never do that. They would come out pretty dirty.

I don't think Disney was trying to cater to the convention crowd either. I really think they were trying to make things more trendy & probably easier to keep clean. But that's not working- see above!

 

[mousefan73]

Carpeting is way more dirty and dusty. You just don't see it. Wear white socks in a typical hotel room. Digusting. I'll take visable dust over nasty other stuff stuck in carpeting.

 

[MommaBerd]

In my mind, the BC becomes a more desirable option during hot humid weather, if the difference in room rate is not that much more. The BC rooms still have ceiling fans.

I have read they are in the process of removing them from the Poly rooms. It's probably only a matter of time before the fans at BC get removed too.

 

[Scott MC]

I have read they are in the process of removing them from the Poly rooms. It's probably only a matter of time before the fans at BC get removed too.

I just don't understand the choices they are making.....

For the record, in 2015 we stayed st CR and last year we stayed at the Poly. Both rooms were frigid. Elsa would have felt at home. Literally icy blasts a 24/7 if you wanted it.
We've also split our stay with BC for the past two years and while we much preferred the resort, we vocally missed the AC at the MK resorts. Our rooms at BC have been.........ok.....in terms of temperature. Not spectacular or even good, and one year it took three trips to the front desk to get something done about it.

Again...This. Is. Florida. People.