OLD THREAD: 2012 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Part 2- May, June and July DON'T POST HERE!

[Minnie]

Hi Minnie, I don't have any questions...just give us details!

MK this evening was simply beautiful The nicest evening weather wise so far and seats on the train station for Wishes it just doesn't get any better than that

The new Barnstrmer area is darling and the train station is a great addition can't wait for the rest to open

Scattered on the 5th floor of the resort since you are CL. As Teena said, as long as there is no water or no roofs, it's GV. However, many of the posters report (and I'm one of them) that evern if you have GV, you may get to look at the water if you look out your balconey to the left or the right.

We are in one of those rooms now

Sorry about those issues. I'm lucky that we have no food allergies. Of course my son might end up waking up all of the fifth floor with his coughing but that's different. We'll be arriving club level next Monday just as you're leaving. Too bad we will miss Star Wars weekends but hey, less crowds? (yeah right)

Hope your magical vacation continues!

Thank you hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[RWathen]

DH loves the fried chicken at 50's PT, and of course dipping the pretzel bread in the beer cheese soup at Le Cellier. We decided to try some new place this time around like Kona and Yachtsman. BTW Via is so very good. This is a must do every trip

This will be my first time at Le Cellier, so I will definitely try the pretzel bread and beer cheese soup. I think I'll check into Via. We all love Italian.

Just read about the parasailing. How fun!! My husband is a sky diving instructor, that's how we met, and even though I've done that, I would be too afraid to parasail. I was much braver when I was younger.

Is it too early to start packing?

 

[RWathen]

It depends on who you talk to. I never recommend doing on-line check-in. But that's my personal opinion. So you could talk to someone in IPO today and that person would say yes and tomorrow talk to a different person and depending on their experience with on-line, they could say no.

Teena, why don't you recommend doing online check-in?

 

[TeenaS]

Teena, why don't you recommend doing online check-in?

We have one person doing the on-line check-ins. We have about five doing the regular check-ins. The problem is when a bus arrives and let's say there are 7 people coming off the bus and needing to check-in. Three of them did the on-line check-in. They go to the on-line check-in line. The other four people go to the regular check-in line. The five CMs quickly take all the four in the regular check-in line and that line is over and done with. No more line! However, the on-line check-in line still has people waiting. So 9 times out of 10, you get quicker service at the regular check-in line. If it worked the way it is suppose to work, then the on-line check-in line would be handled by all the CMs at the desk, but it doesn't work that way most of the time. The CMs take people from the regular line first.

And, if you get a guest in the on-line line that asks a bunch of questions or wants a different room than the one assigned to them, it takes a long time before the second person in the on-line line even gets up to the on-line CM.

Now if you aren't going to ask questions about your room and you are not arriving on a bus with lots of other people that did on-line check-ins, then you would definitely get a quicker check-in experience.

If I were staying club level, personally I would prefer to be taken upstairs to be checked in even if they were busy upstairs. I would wait in the lounge SITTING DOWN having a drink while waiting for my turn rather than stand in an on-line check-in line.

 

[RWathen]

We have one person doing the on-line check-ins. We have about five doing the regular check-ins. The problem is when a bus arrives and let's say there are 7 people coming off the bus and needing to check-in. Three of them did the on-line check-in. They go to the on-line check-in line. The other four people go to the regular check-in line. The five CMs quickly take all the four in the regular check-in line and that line is over and done with. No more line! However, the on-line check-in line still has people waiting. So 9 times out of 10, you get quicker service at the regular check-in line. If it worked the way it is suppose to work, then the on-line check-in line would be handled by all the CMs at the desk, but it doesn't work that way most of the time. The CMs take people from the regular line first.

And, if you get a guest in the on-line line that asks a bunch of questions or wants a different room than the one assigned to them, it takes a long time before the second person in the on-line line even gets up to the on-line CM.

Now if you aren't going to ask questions about your room and you are not arriving on a bus with lots of other people that did on-line check-ins, then you would definitely get a quicker check-in experience.

If I were staying club level, personally I would prefer to be taken upstairs to be checked in even if they were busy upstairs. I would wait in the lounge SITTING DOWN having a drink while waiting for my turn rather than stand in an on-line check-in line.

Thanks for the answer, Teena! I know the last time we came, we were the only ones that got off the bus at the Beach Club and there was someone waiting to greet us outside. We were not CL either. Online check-in was no problem then. We have an earlier arrival time this time, but it will still be around 5:00 in the evening. I don't know if that's a busy time or not. I guess I'll decide on Sunday...our 10 day mark.

 

[WsPrincess]

We are off to the airport in about 30 minutes. Time to get the kids up! Can't wait to get to the World. BC see you Saturday. If anyone thinks of anything they want me to check on, let me know!!!

 

[NatalieMT]

I'm counting down the time until we arrive at BC! I'm not really that bothered where our room is but I'd like a full balcony. I have a fax so will be on that about a week before we leave. Still a couple of months to go but the time has been going so fast.

I'd like to do the parasailing as one member mention, I'm toying between that and the Beluga swim at Seaworld. Some research still left to do, the icy water is a little off putting!

 

[Nancyg56]

We have one person doing the on-line check-ins. We have about five doing the regular check-ins. The problem is when a bus arrives and let's say there are 7 people coming off the bus and needing to check-in. Three of them did the on-line check-in. They go to the on-line check-in line. The other four people go to the regular check-in line. The five CMs quickly take all the four in the regular check-in line and that line is over and done with. No more line! However, the on-line check-in line still has people waiting. So 9 times out of 10, you get quicker service at the regular check-in line. If it worked the way it is suppose to work, then the on-line check-in line would be handled by all the CMs at the desk, but it doesn't work that way most of the time. The CMs take people from the regular line first.

And, if you get a guest in the on-line line that asks a bunch of questions or wants a different room than the one assigned to them, it takes a long time before the second person in the on-line line even gets up to the on-line CM.

Now if you aren't going to ask questions about your room and you are not arriving on a bus with lots of other people that did on-line check-ins, then you would definitely get a quicker check-in experience.

If I were staying club level, personally I would prefer to be taken upstairs to be checked in even if they were busy upstairs. I would wait in the lounge SITTING DOWN having a drink while waiting for my turn rather than stand in an on-line check-in line.

This explains a lot. I think we will end up forgoing online checkin.

We are off to the airport in about 30 minutes. Time to get the kids up! Can't wait to get to the World. BC see you Saturday. If anyone thinks of anything they want me to check on, let me know!!!

Have fun!

Teena- would you happen to know if any of the standard view CL rooms have a patio? I requested a full balcony but while reading another thread someone described what the patio rooms are like. My family loved the patio at the Poly but I had thought the CL rooms at BC were all on the 5th floor. Now I am confused where they are situated. TIA, Teena!

 

[jcondrad]

OK, I need help from all of you Beach Club Club Level vets...

We just switched over to CL LV, and although we have stayed there before it was only on an upgrade, so I never used any of the pre-trip IPO services. Well, I am an obsessive planner, have all my ADR's and itinerary ready to go.

I am itching to send IPO an email..but I don't think I need anything!!!! Is there something that you think I might be missing that they could help me with? What do you all use them for?

Thanks in advance....
Linda

We have used them for ADR changes, special treats (like gift baskets) and even arranged a spa day. Even just for answering any questions you may have!

Hello again everyone!

I'm back on the boards and all caught up with the thread after my surgery. I've been starting out slowly, reading the BC/YC gang's trip reports and now this thread. This has kept my spirits up as I ride the roller coaster of recovery. I am very fortunate to report that I am now cancer free and with some minor concessions I am expected to make a complete recovery from a very rare type of gastric cancer.

To celebrate I have added a trip banner for my December trip. I very much look forward to reading all the questions and witty repartee as I store resort knowledge in my brain like a well fed chipmunk stores morsels in it's cheeks. I have a feeling it's time for me to make my ADR's but I will need more time for that as my brain cells slowly migrate back to the useful zone. Reading all this wonderful information is getting me primed to make the grand plan for my December trip!

In any case here is a big thank you to all who post here. Your musings and experiences and sharing are good for the soul!

~NM

Congrats on beating cancer!!! And no better way to celebrate than Disney at Christmas!! Maybe we will run into you on our trip!

Hi all! I echo Ninja Mom's feelings that it's good to be back. Took about six month hiatus from most of the Disboards due to my father's illness-he lost his battle with ALS last Sunday and we are now working on recovery of the survivors. Planning a Disney trip in August but cheating on the BC with POFQ-needed two rooms since we are now a traveling party of 4 (wasn't going to make my DM room with DH's snoring...bad enough I have to do it!). I also spent the past couple of days going through the threads and catching up and it's good to hear all of you having a great time planning and bantering back and forth! Looking forward to catching up with everything here

Sorry to hear about your father but Disney is a great place to heal. Sending some hugs your way

DD and I did the Chef's Table in November. I added the wine paring to it... so much food and drink, but it was amazing. DD fiance is a professionally trained chef so DD really wanted to do the Chef's Table and we loved it! After the Chef's Table we went on the Magic Kingdom Firework Cruise... Also amazing!!

Have fun!!
~Nannette

The more I read about the Chefs Table, the more excited I get!! Thanks!

Just FYI, someone posted a few pages back about wanting to book the Wishes Dessert Party for August... It just opened up for bookings about 10:00 am today. I booked mine for August 23!!!

We did this on our last trip, and for anyone who doesn't like to deal with staking out a spot or thick crowds, it's awesome!!

We did this on our last trip too and loved it. Although there is no possible way you could eat enough desserts to make up for the ticket price, its more paying for convenience. Our DD was 2 and staking out a spot on the street and sitting still would NOT have been an option for us. This way she was able to walk around in a small less crowded area and we got some amazing photopass pictures of our family with the castle lit up in the background!!! We definitely would do it again purely for convenience and not so much for the food

 

[mana'olana]

Here is a stupid question (again) what is IPO?

 

[mmtwinmama]

We have one person doing the on-line check-ins. We have about five doing the regular check-ins. The problem is when a bus arrives and let's say there are 7 people coming off the bus and needing to check-in. Three of them did the on-line check-in. They go to the on-line check-in line. The other four people go to the regular check-in line. The five CMs quickly take all the four in the regular check-in line and that line is over and done with. No more line! However, the on-line check-in line still has people waiting. So 9 times out of 10, you get quicker service at the regular check-in line. If it worked the way it is suppose to work, then the on-line check-in line would be handled by all the CMs at the desk, but it doesn't work that way most of the time. The CMs take people from the regular line first.

And, if you get a guest in the on-line line that asks a bunch of questions or wants a different room than the one assigned to them, it takes a long time before the second person in the on-line line even gets up to the on-line CM.

Now if you aren't going to ask questions about your room and you are not arriving on a bus with lots of other people that did on-line check-ins, then you would definitely get a quicker check-in experience.

If I were staying club level, personally I would prefer to be taken upstairs to be checked in even if they were busy upstairs. I would wait in the lounge SITTING DOWN having a drink while waiting for my turn rather than stand in an on-line check-in line.

So... If you are CL and do on line check in you have to wait in the downstairs check-in line?

 

[georgiasmom]

I read that there is a 125lb min. You can ride tandem though if one person is under the weight limit.

Thanks for this info. She'd have to go tandem she only weighs about 50 pounds. And she will be 10 when we go she is 9 now (she would be mad if I didn't correct that!)

 

[dandydad12]

So in 10 long days I will be back at the house of the Mouse and Beach Club .I went ahead and did the online check-in and entered two request and a message poped up after I submitted the request . " We are unable to honor your request at this time for further information call . . So when I made the original reservation I was able to tell CM about 2 request at that time And as of last week they were both still showing on the reservation . So will they still see this now that I have done the online check-in or sould I call that number and talk to a CM

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have one person doing the on-line check-ins. We have about five doing the regular check-ins. The problem is when a bus arrives and let's say there are 7 people coming off the bus and needing to check-in. Three of them did the on-line check-in. They go to the on-line check-in line. The other four people go to the regular check-in line. The five CMs quickly take all the four in the regular check-in line and that line is over and done with. No more line! However, the on-line check-in line still has people waiting. So 9 times out of 10, you get quicker service at the regular check-in line. If it worked the way it is suppose to work, then the on-line check-in line would be handled by all the CMs at the desk, but it doesn't work that way most of the time. The CMs take people from the regular line first.

And, if you get a guest in the on-line line that asks a bunch of questions or wants a different room than the one assigned to them, it takes a long time before the second person in the on-line line even gets up to the on-line CM.

Now if you aren't going to ask questions about your room and you are not arriving on a bus with lots of other people that did on-line check-ins, then you would definitely get a quicker check-in experience.

If I were staying club level, personally I would prefer to be taken upstairs to be checked in even if they were busy upstairs. I would wait in the lounge SITTING DOWN having a drink while waiting for my turn rather than stand in an on-line check-in line.

I agree with Teena! Especially if you staying CL. They take you upstairs and check you in at the CL desk and it's so much more personlized. These are the same cms you'll be seeing your entire stay so it's a good way to get to meet them.

I would hesitate to do online check in even for a non-cl room. If you wanted to change anything (like the location of your room, balcony, etc.) you would be slowing down all the other people who though online check in would be faster!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'm considering faxing in a room request. The last time we stayed at BC, we had a corner room, a long distance from the lobby, overlooking the service area of the resort. I had two balconies and was extra spacious. Anyone have an idea what room number / building name / room description I should put on the room request to best describe what I'm thinking of? Maybe I could call and have the folio researched to see what room I was in last time?

From what I've heard they no longer even look at the faxes. Too many people started faxing requests and it become overwhelming for the cms.
You are better just to have your request on your reservation. Also, it's usually not a good idea to request a certain room, better off requesting a general area, view or balcony type.

 

[Couchy]

This will be my first time at Le Cellier, so I will definitely try the pretzel bread and beer cheese soup. I think I'll check into Via. We all love Italian.

Just read about the parasailing. How fun!! My husband is a sky diving instructor, that's how we met, and even though I've done that, I would be too afraid to parasail. I was much braver when I was younger.

Is it too early to start packing?

It is definitely not to early to start packing. Funny thing is I always have to pull my suitcases out a few weeks in advance to get my dogs used to the idea that I am leaving on a trip ( I have one dog that gets very anxious and sad when I leave for work much less a trip). I then start slowly packing and by the time I am done she seems to be less anxious than they day I first pull the suitcases out. We still have to take her outside when one of us puts them in the car so she does not see that and then when saying goodbye, it can only be a normal pat on the head and "good girl" so she doesn't sense something is up My sister comes over and stays with them and spoils them when we are gone so they forget we are gone

Via is great. I love the calamari and the Italian brick oven pizza

Thanks for this info. She'd have to go tandem she only weighs about 50 pounds. And she will be 10 when we go she is 9 now (she would be mad if I didn't correct that!)

That's funny , My DH's b-day will be on the trip and he would be upset if I said his new age

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks for the answer, Teena! I know the last time we came, we were the only ones that got off the bus at the Beach Club and there was someone waiting to greet us outside. We were not CL either. Online check-in was no problem then. We have an earlier arrival time this time, but it will still be around 5:00 in the evening. I don't know if that's a busy time or not. I guess I'll decide on Sunday...our 10 day mark.

Yep, it would be great if it worked the way it is suppose to work. Unfortunately though as soon as one guest starts questioning the CM about room locations, changes, dining plan, etc. instead of just showing their ID and grabbing their packet/keys, the whole process gets backlogged. Personally I'd rather deal with a CM and talk to them without worrying that I'm slowing down the on-line process. And especially if I'm club level, I much prefer going upstairs to check-in.

The curbside greeters are suppose to meet and greet every single person that is checking into the resort. They then take you to the appropriate station (regular line, on-line check-in line or upstairs to club level).

 

[TeenaS]

This explains a lot. I think we will end up forgoing online checkin.



Have fun!

Teena- would you happen to know if any of the standard view CL rooms have a patio? I requested a full balcony but while reading another thread someone described what the patio rooms are like. My family loved the patio at the Poly but I had thought the CL rooms at BC were all on the 5th floor. Now I am confused where they are situated. TIA, Teena!

All the standard view CL rooms are on the fifth floor and most (but not all) have a full balcony.

 

[TeenaS]

So... If you are CL and do on line check in you have to wait in the downstairs check-in line?

Technically it is up to the curbside team as to whether or not they will put you in that line. A couple of things could happen. The curbsider CM could have your packet and just give it to you and take you upstairs. Or they could put you in the on-line check-in line downstairs or they could take you and your packet upstairs.

If you are CL and want to check-in upstairs, whether or not you did on-line, just tell the curbsider that grabs you that you are expecting to check-in upstairs even if it is crowded upstairs ... be firm and tell them you'll wait in the lounge if necessary.

 

[TeenaS]

So in 10 long days I will be back at the house of the Mouse and Beach Club .I went ahead and did the online check-in and entered two request and a message poped up after I submitted the request . " We are unable to honor your request at this time for further information call . . So when I made the original reservation I was able to tell CM about 2 request at that time And as of last week they were both still showing on the reservation . So will they still see this now that I have done the online check-in or sould I call that number and talk to a CM

If they are on the reservation, the room assignor will see them. However, please remember, requests are just requests. No request is guaranteed.