Resort Thread Disney's YACHT & BEACH CLUB Resorts

[natebenma]

I thought I would post some of our pictures from last week.

Thank you so much for sharing these lovely pictures! I especially like this one with the hair-wrapping yarn. Very neat perspective.

 

[natebenma]

Page 558-559

Here are some answers to open questions:

Hurricane Hanna's started limited breakfast today, from 7:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; it's currently scheduled to run till Aug 13.

The pool hours are 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m.

Marshmallow roasting is on the beach, around the pit.

There are two glider swings on the beach.

Lots of chaise lounges set up on the beach.

Start date for room refurb at YC not firmly established.

Thanks so much for the info!

Just booked our first stay at the Yacht Club! Lagoon view during Food and Wine of next year. We are 489 days out, but I have two other WDW trips and one Disney Cruise between now and then, so that will help with my patience level .

I'll add you to the Be Our Guest list. October 2017?

Next month we are staying at the Beach Club for the first time, having previously always stayed at AKL or WL. So, we are going out of our comfort zone. Have we done the right thing? Eeek!!

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



I think you will be happy with your choice! It is hard to convey just how incredible the 5 minute walk to EPCOT is. And hopefully you will spend some time cooling off in Stormalong Bay.

Post 16 of this thread has some resort reviews including comparisons between the BC/YC and other resorts. I know there are a few WL comparisons, but I can't remember if we have anyone who has provided comments about AKL vs. these resorts.

 

[natebenma]

page 560-561

We're booked! DH and I said we'd never go to Disney over the Christmas/NYE holiday stretch again, since we both hate crowds. For the last 8 or 9 years, we've been going away with my high-maintenance FIL to his cottage for the full two weeks of my break. However, it's our 20th anniversary this year, and I put my foot down that I wanted to do something special, and at the very least I wasn't going to spend my anniversary making dinner for my FIL and doing his laundry. So, we've got a short cruise out of Miami, then we're driving to Disney for 5 nights at BC, then switching to the dark side (we haven't been since before the original Potter additions) for 4 nights at the HRH. DH is the best!

So, please add me to the Be Our Guest list for BC, Dec 30-Jan 4 - wahoo!

back and Happy Anniversary!

Wow! Sounds like an awesome trip! Beach Club and Hard Rock are two of my favorite resorts. We did a BC/HR split in 2013 and have stayed at the Hard Rock twice more since then.

Thanks for posting Teena. Great to hear you are keeping busy.

Booked a four night stay Jan. 26 - 30 at the WL. Waiting for the YC to open up ressies for that time slot so I can move back over to the dark side. Saw rooms at the BC were available but looking for the comfort of home. If it doesn't happen, I know the WL will not disappoint.
Katesdad

Should be a fun trip! Although if you find something at the "dark side" let us know.

Happy Fourth everyone! View attachment 179289

Cheers! YUM!

Hi All,
Just thought I would let you all know that I was able to score some of the old H2O Bath aquatics lotion they used to have in the BC, before it was replaced with the Grapefruit scent. I know it has been discontinued and it's VERY hard to find in WDW or even online, but the Disney store had some. They haven't offered it for a long time...I know many of you LOVE it like I do. I ration it out and use it when I need a Beach Club "hit", lol! I wouldn't admit that anywhere else but here.

Nice! Thanks for letting us know.

I changed our Thanksgiving plans from the BC to the AKL. We are staying in March at the BC and DD really wanted to stay at the AKL. We haven't stayed there since she was little and she's very excited. I saw it was available with the FD and made the switch. Guess I'll have to wait till March for the BC

Can you please remove me from the November list thanks so much. I will still be following along anxiously awaiting for March

Will do!

 

[bookbabe626]

page 560-561

We did a BC/HR split in 2013 and have stayed at the Hard Rock twice more since then.

We couldn't justify club level at BC, it was just too much more, so we're garden view for that stretch, but to bump up to club level at Hard Rock was only $160 more (total) so I went for it. Has anyone done club level there? How does it compare to BC club level? And is HRH really as close a walk to the park gates as it looks on the map? I was trying to get something as similar to BC in convenience as I could.

 

[natebenma]

We couldn't justify club level at BC, it was just too much more, so we're garden view for that stretch, but to bump up to club level at Hard Rock was only $160 more (total) so I went for it. Has anyone done club level there? How does it compare to BC club level? And is HRH really as close a walk to the park gates as it looks on the map? I was trying to get something as similar to BC in convenience as I could.

Here is my multi-post review of the Hard Rock from our first stay in 2013 (prior to renovation) from my Hijinks and Shenanigans (but not much Mayhem) Trip Report

Universal/Islands of Adventure/Hard Rock Hotel July 13-16


Arrival-It's a Hard Rock Life!
Room 5112

On Tour at the Hard Rock Hotel
Be Our Guest (Lobby and Public Areas)
A Few of My Favorite Things (Memorabilia)
I Melt With You (Emack & Bolios)
Twistin' by the Pool
(Rockaway) Beach Club (Poolside Bar and Restaurant)
Get Busy (Resort Activities)
Walk This Way


This is from our February 2015 trip, Hard Rock Club Level (post renovation) from the Freezing Florida trip report. We had breakfast every day which was good, but not as good as the Beach Club CL. We only got the night offerings once in our 4 night trip.



Hard Rock Hotel
Room 7103, Part 1
Room 7103, Part 2

 

[jerseygal]

We couldn't justify club level at BC, it was just too much more, so we're garden view for that stretch, but to bump up to club level at Hard Rock was only $160 more (total) so I went for it. Has anyone done club level there? How does it compare to BC club level? And is HRH really as close a walk to the park gates as it looks on the map? I was trying to get something as similar to BC in convenience as I could.

We stayed at HRH this past May and loved it. YES, it is VERY CLOSE! It literally takes about 7 min or about 12 min if you walk slowly. There is a path right by pool and we had a beautiful poolview room at the very end of the hallway, away from elevators, so in the morning we took the stairwell down and exited out to the outside of the building and didn't have to go do the elevator first, then down and walk through the pool. There is full security at the end of the path which we thought was great! We LOVED the HRH, Universal/Islands experience, Express pass included in the HRH stay is invaluable. We have previously stayed at the Portofino once, Royal Pacific twice, and chose the HRH for closest park access. Would DEFINATELY return to HRH again. GREAT vibe relaxing at the pool area as well. We were choosing between a bed and breakfast rate(2 adult buffet breakfast included in our rate at the Kitchen) versus Club Room Rate and after reading about the various offerings at the Club breakfast decided for our family that we would enjoy a full buffet breakfast instead. The breakfast buffet at the Kitchen is outstanding. We went to parks early, then came back and had a leisurely late breakfast, took a afternoon pool break to enjoy relaxing, then went back for dinner to Citiwalk and the parks later. Have read mixed reviews on the Club Level some saying that seating is crowded for breakfast, so we opted for full breakfast buffet at Kitchen, made to order omelettes, waffles, bacon, sausage, anything you could possibly want. ENJOY the HRH, you won't be disappointed and of course enjoy the BC!

 

[tsme]

Curious.....do bouncback offers ever include Villas?

 

[vicarrieous]

YAY! Just booked Beach Club Villas for Jan 17-24th. This will be our first time to Beach Club

 

[Wood Nymph]

Curious.....do bouncback offers ever include Villas?

Yes, they do. But three bedroom villas are usually excluded.

 

[tsme]

Wood Nymph - Thanks!

 

[rlahansler]

25 days and I cannot wait. Magic bands came this weekend.

 

[rlahansler]

Just booked a body scrub/massage and facial at the Mandera at the Dolphin resort. Has anyone been here? Is it worth the cost? Would Beach Club spa be better?

 

[vicarrieous]

I plan on binge reading pages 1-562 tonight but until then, what are some good key words for room request for BCV deluxe studio?

I was inclined to put High Floor/Near Transportation.

For us we would like a decent view (of what I don't care, just nice ambiance), quiet location and close to bus transportation stop. I don't plan on putting an exact room, but if you have exact locations that could guide my key words, I would appreciate it! TIA!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Hi! Haven't been on here for a while, but just made our FP+s this morning as we are 60 days out! Here's a question: For the day we check in, we'll get in around 4ish; thought we'd get a bite at HH's and let the kids swim. No park plans first night. I thought we'd either eat at A&C or CG.. any preferences? We have a resi for CG but I note there are no burgers or wings (seem to be our staple). lol . Just wondering people's opinions! Thank you!

 

[ScubaCat]

Yes, they do. But three bedroom villas are usually excluded.

No worries, BCV doesn't have any 3-bedroom units anyway

Here's a little tip on booking BCV with cash (including through that deal): If you don't quite get what you're looking for, check aggressively right at and around the 60-day mark. That's when "breakage" inventory comes available. (Search the DVC forums if you really want to know what that means.)

 

[ScubaCat]

I plan on binge reading pages 1-562 tonight but until then, what are some good key words for room request for BCV deluxe studio?

I was inclined to put High Floor/Near Transportation.

For us we would like a decent view (of what I don't care, just nice ambiance), quiet location and close to bus transportation stop. I don't plan on putting an exact room, but if you have exact locations that could guide my key words, I would appreciate it! TIA!

BCV doesn't have any premium views. You either get trees or the quiet pool, generally. There's not much "near transportation" either; that'll probably just put you closer to the elevator, which is fine. You could always request a refurbished unit if that's your preference. You can't go wrong either way, though. IMHO there isn't a bad room other than the ones NOT at YC/BC/BCV

 

[ScubaCat]

Hi! Haven't been on here for a while, but just made our FP+s this morning as we are 60 days out! Here's a question: For the day we check in, we'll get in around 4ish; thought we'd get a bite at HH's and let the kids swim. No park plans first night. I thought we'd either eat at A&C or CG.. any preferences? We have a resi for CG but I note there are no burgers or wings (seem to be our staple). lol . Just wondering people's opinions! Thank you!

Captain's Grille makes a great hamburger at lunch time. They may make it for you for dinner; doesn't hurt to ask

 

[TeenaS]

Captain's Grille makes a great hamburger at lunch time. They may make it for you for dinner; doesn't hurt to ask

Same great burger in Crews Cup Lounge .... my go-to place for a super burger and fries!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I was really liking the looks of the truffle fries and buttermilk shrimp at A&C... maybe I should check out CCL, too!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Okay, so next question and I'm done: We booked a Standard View room for our family of five. I am able to request just a few things with on line check in. Is there anyway to up our chances of having something other than a roof view? I am sure this has been covered somewhere here, but I've read and read (but I can't read 562 pages) lol. Thank you in advance for any info/suggestions/ tips!!