Just back from YC

[constanze]

We just got home last night...we had so much fun we didn't want to leave...and my husband despises amusement parks Next time we'll stay longer. Anyway, we stayed at the YC May 24-31, so if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer.
--Lisa.

 

[simba51104]

Hi, how was the transportation? Did the buses take forever and did you have to share with the other Epcot resorts? What time did Stormalong Bay close? Thanks!

 

[constanze]

The busses were amazing! We NEVER had to wait. It was crazy. For Magic Kingdom the only stops were YC and BC. For Animal Kingdom and DTD if the bus wasn't full, we did also stop at the Swan and Dolphin. But most of the time, it was just us. They were great at keeping the busses coming so you never had to wait in line. We walked to Epcot and took the boat to MGM. SAB closed at 9 pm.

 

[brergnat]

Were you there with kids? Curious as to how "child friendly" the YC really is. I'm considering it with 2 toddlers. How did you find the quick service dining options? Also, did you miss not having a "front gate" transportation to Epcot?

 

[constanze]

I have a ds 10 and a dd 6. The hotel was soooooo kid friendly. They have these "old" guys dressed as captains that greet the kids whenever they come in, and bring them to this huge globe in the center of the lobby, and ask them if they can find the "hidden mickey". Other times there's CM's giving out mickey stickers. Really nice people. We didn't have any issues. The kids LOVED it. As for counterservice. There is Hurricane Hannah's, but that doesn't have breakfast. They do have two sit down restaurants, and then a place right off the lobby where you can get a continental type breakfast. If you're on the DDP, they count as snacks I believe. I never visited the counter service at BC, but they also have "breakfast" type items for counter service.

As for the EPCOT front gate. It is a lot of walking if you're coming from the gateway to get to space ship earth. But my 6 year old never complained, and we didn't have a stroller. With toddler's I'm sure you'd have a stroller, so the walk wouldn't be an issue for your little ones.

If we left the hotel at 5:30, it only took us 15 minutes to walk all the way from the room to dinner reservations at the Coral Reef...just to get an idea.

Our favorite part, besides SAB, honestey was the walking distance to Epcot. And after Illuminations, it was AMAZING to be able to just walk out of the park, while the rest of the crowd had to fight their way to the front.

 

[7/24soccer]

I have a ds 10 and a dd 6. The hotel was soooooo kid friendly. They have these "old" guys dressed as captains that greet the kids whenever they come in, and bring them to this huge globe in the center of the lobby, and ask them if they can find the "hidden mickey". Other times there's CM's giving out mickey stickers. Really nice people. We didn't have any issues. The kids LOVED it. As for counterservice. There is Hurricane Hannah's, but that doesn't have breakfast. They do have two sit down restaurants, and then a place right off the lobby where you can get a continental type breakfast. If you're on the DDP, they count as snacks I believe. I never visited the counter service at BC, but they also have "breakfast" type items for counter service.

As for the EPCOT front gate. It is a lot of walking if you're coming from the gateway to get to space ship earth. But my 6 year old never complained, and we didn't have a stroller. With toddler's I'm sure you'd have a stroller, so the walk wouldn't be an issue for your little ones.

If we left the hotel at 5:30, it only took us 15 minutes to walk all the way from the room to dinner reservations at the Coral Reef...just to get an idea.

Our favorite part, besides SAB, honestey was the walking distance to Epcot. And after Illuminations, it was AMAZING to be able to just walk out of the park, while the rest of the crowd had to fight their way to the front.

How long of a boat ride was it to MGM?
Where is the best place to view Illuminations?
Favorite TS dining?

 

[constanze]

The boatride to MGM was about 15 minutes. I think if you walk it's about the same.
Illuminations: We watched the view from the bridge at Mexico one night. It was aweseome. You can either watch it from there, or there's a counter service restaurant right there that has tables right along the water. We also watched it one night from the Canada/England area. That was good too. Kind of where you'd walk into the Le Cellier restaurant. Being on that side is nice, because that's where you can exit quickly after Illuminations is over and beat the crowd.

Favorite TS dining was Flying Fish. Amazing. Then I'd say Le Cellier...their NY strip was incredible! My husband got their special a filet mignot with mushroom sauce...but we both agreed that the NY strips were to die for. We also ate at the Coral Reef. It was just alright, however the kids loved the entire atmosphere of the restaurant. Plus, I had one of the divers hold up a happy birthday sign for my son, so that was pretty cool. However, this restaurant seemed super loud. It bothered DH, he couldn't wait to get out of there. We also ate at, Sci-Fi dine in theatre, the food there wasn't very good, but again the atmosphere was so fun, it didn't matter. Crystal Palace is where we ate at the Magic Kingdom. It was good for buffet food. We also dined at Marrkesh...it also was okay. Next time, we will definitely do Flying Fish and Cellier again, however.

 

[daneenm]

Thanks so much for posting your info. We are headed to YC 7/23 - 8/3 and the more I read about it, the more excited I get!

Did you go t either water park? I am just wondering how long it takes on the bus to get there.

Thanks!
Daneen

 

[brergnat]

Thanks for the reply! We would have strollers so the walking would not be an issue for the kids.

I think my main concern would be breakfast time. With little ones, it's mainly cereal and milk, which I guess we could do in the room, or we could just get room service if we wanted pancakes or something and we didn't want to eat at a sit down.

I am really torn between the YC and the Poly. We don't even have our dates yet, but it will be sometime early next year, we hope! Our kids will be almost 4 and 2. I know the monorail is great and all, but we honestly won't spend too much time at MK, since we are Disneyland AP holders (we live a 15 min drive away and go ALL the time). DH's favorite park is Epcot, and it's also mine, and I think our boys would love to explore a "new" place instead of the same old same old Magic Kingdom. I like how the YC is more centrally located in the "world" and SAB looks SO cool and both my boys love to swim and play in the sand, and if they could do both at the same time...HEAVEN!!

Thanks for your input. It really helps!

 

[Hopefully]

brergnat,
Given your love of Epcot, I think the YC would be perfect for you.
The walk to the International Gateway is just wonderful and it is so convenient. We have both walked and taken the boat to MGM, depending on what we felt like doing. The walk is a little longer, but we just take our time.
SAB would be wonderful for children your ages. There is the "Kiddie" area with sand and a shallow pool they can just walk into.
We love the Epcot area resorts and really don't want to stay anywhere else.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Did you have a standard or waterview? What was your room location and how was the view?

We have a waterview booked June 28-July 12. Last year we had a lakefront view, first floor, right across from the laundry room, and near the side door entrance. I loved that room and am hoping for the same area, but you never know.

Glad you had a great time!

 

[Corinne]

So glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at the YC! Before we became DVC members, we always stayed there. Now we stay at the BCV, which of course, has all the amenities as the YC. I love the proximity to the BW, Epcot & MGM.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Forgot to ask - are the refillable mugs now all the YOAMD style? Are they the fat mugs or the travel style mugs? Thanks.

 

[constanze]

Thanks so much for posting your info. We are headed to YC 7/23 - 8/3 and the more I read about it, the more excited I get!

Did you go t either water park? I am just wondering how long it takes on the bus to get there.

Thanks!
Daneen

We were planning on doing waterparks...but loved SAB so much we never made it....so unfortunately I'm not sure about the transportation for those.

And also the refillable mugs...I knew I'd get a question on this...again I'm a loser, I can't answer that either. We never ended up getting the mugs. I actually forgot all about it! I'm a dork.

 

[constanze]

Did you have a standard or waterview? What was your room location and how was the view?

We have a waterview booked June 28-July 12. Last year we had a lakefront view, first floor, right across from the laundry room, and near the side door entrance. I loved that room and am hoping for the same area, but you never know.

Glad you had a great time!

We had a waterview, 4th floor and truly amazing!!!! Stormalong Bay and the Lagoon view...truly breathtaking. I wish we could have that view everytime!

 

[constanze]

Thanks for the reply! We would have strollers so the walking would not be an issue for the kids.

I think my main concern would be breakfast time. With little ones, it's mainly cereal and milk, which I guess we could do in the room, or we could just get room service if we wanted pancakes or something and we didn't want to eat at a sit down.

I am really torn between the YC and the Poly. We don't even have our dates yet, but it will be sometime early next year, we hope! Our kids will be almost 4 and 2. I know the monorail is great and all, but we honestly won't spend too much time at MK, since we are Disneyland AP holders (we live a 15 min drive away and go ALL the time). DH's favorite park is Epcot, and it's also mine, and I think our boys would love to explore a "new" place instead of the same old same old Magic Kingdom. I like how the YC is more centrally located in the "world" and SAB looks SO cool and both my boys love to swim and play in the sand, and if they could do both at the same time...HEAVEN!!

Thanks for your input. It really helps!

If the kids just need cereal and milk, they also serve that down in that continental breakfast area. They count as snack credits on the DDP or we paid OOP. It's a little room right off the main lobby.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Ok - now I don't know what to do. Like reading the great trip report about the YC. We have ressies for a 1 bedroom at OKW but love the idea of a more centralized resort like the YC. My DH is going to not like this...off to do more research. We have 3 kids so we thought the extra square footage of a villa would be better but love reading reports from BC or YC. The villas at BC were booked...didn't check BWV (seems too busy for us).

 

[Rustysmom]

Sounds like you had a great time! We're staying at the BC next door in November and I can't wait!

 

[weluvslinkydog]

just wondering if you ate by the pool at all for lunch? if so, how were the food selections and how is it set up? I thin kthe restaurant is right there at the pool with tales by the pool? Thanks! Jen

 

[constanze]

The poolside restaurant is Hurricane Hannahs. We actually ate there almost every day, since we were by the pool every afternoon. The food quality is decent, a little above fast food. They have burgers/cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, chicken wraps and salads I think. Fries, fruit, ice cream bars, that kind of stuff. You can either go to the counter and order and sit down at the covered umbrella tables they have there, or take it back to your chairs. However what we did...they have CM's in blue shirts come along and take your order for you, if you're on the DDP or charging it to your room it's super easy. They actually have a travelling cash register with them. They bring your food or beverages of choice to you. Very nice.