Split stay BC & I Drive, so confused!

[Claire Bear]

Hello!
I love this forum and check it everyday, however, I am now so confused! I haven't been to Disney since 2005 and I am desperate to go back. Next year I will be celebrating my 30th and it seems like the ideal opportunity, plus my DBF has never been to Florida so I really want him to experience the magic and make this a special trip.
We have to go in school holidays because I work in a school so we've decided to go August 2013. I'd love to stay onsite and get the free DDP. I have stayed onsite once at CBR in 2005 but was naive and paid silly virgin prices. I would like to try and do this holiday DIY but not sure if this is sensible or not.
At the moment we are thinking of spending 4 nights on i drive then 10 nights at Disney. I've always wanted to stay at the BC or YC but can't afford 2 weeks as we have a budget of £3500-£4000 and think staying on I drive will give us a chance to do Seaworld etc as well as eat at Golden Coral (Love going there for breakfast!). We have looked at moderate resorts but I missed having a balcony at CBR and didn't like people walking past our window all the time plus we'd like some TS meals.
The things we are confused about are that I do really like Downtown Disney and not sure if BC / YC is a bit far (We will be using Disney transport)? Also we prefer the look of BC but are concerned about possibly not getting a balcony. Do all rooms have some form of balcony even if it is just a Juliet balcony? I was hoping we could use ME but if we stay on I Drive we will have to get a taxi or transfer and one again from I drive to YC /BC? Would these be really expensive?
If we decide this is a good plan, would it be wise to book the Disney hotel soon so we definitely get free DDP and then book I Drive and flights later?
Sorry this post is so long!
Thanks in advance,
Claire

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Hi Claire

I love the Yacht and Beach club but if the balcony is important to you then don't risk it because you cannot be guaranteed one that is not Juliet

I love Yacht Club it's my favourite but you may want to consider The Boardwalk Inn too

I would totally split the stay like that but if you're thinking of doing Universal too then I'd do 5 nights then 9 nights at Disney.

Yacht and Beach is as close to Downtown Disney as you can get in a deluxe or have you considered Saratoga Springs that is very close to DTD and the rooms would have the balconies and you'd save some money, it's very popular and ticks a lot of the boxes that a deluxe does without the price tag IMHO.

 

[Claire Bear]

Thank you Sam! We don't mind if we just get a Juliet balcony, we were just concerned if we didn't have any form of balcony. I have looked at SSR and OKW but I have always wanted to stay at YC or BC as they both look lovely. I like the idea of BC having the Market Place and DBF prefers the decor there.
I like your thoughts on 5 days then 9 days as it would probably save us some money too!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Thank you Sam! We don't mind if we just get a Juliet balcony, we were just concerned if we didn't have any form of balcony. I have looked at SSR and OKW but I have always wanted to stay at YC or BC as they both look lovely. I like the idea of BC having the Market Place and DBF prefers the decor there.
I like your thoughts on 5 days then 9 days as it would probably save us some money too!

Oh then deffo go with Beach Club... Y&B was the resort I always wanted to stay in too so I know how you feel about it. It's just such a lovely way to stay at WDW

Hey what resort were you thinking about for IDrive?

 

[ben1993]

5 days on I-Drive for Universal and SeaWorld is perfect, you'll have 4 full days, then head to Disney for 9 nights, That's how we split our trips too.

I personally think the Yacht Club is way better than the BC. The rooms are gorgeous, obviously you have the balcony and the resort feels very upscale compared to the more laid back BC (upscale is what I'd want at those prices!). It sounds like you have your heart set on the BC though so price it up with the DDP and see if you can swing it!

 

[scottishgirl87]

In 2010, we stayed a week at Pop before moving over to RPR at Universal for a week. As we don't drive while in Florida we used DME from the airport to Pop. We then got a taxi from Pop to RPR and later on from RPR to the airport. I can't remember exactly (I'm sure someone will correct me) but I think RPR to the airport cost around $50 so it wasn't too bad for a one off.

Mears have a good taxi estimator on their website:
http://www.mearstransportation.com/service/taxi-fare-estimator.asp

 

[Claire Bear]

We keep changing our minds between YC and BC so maybe we should just go YC to ensure the full balcony and definitely want an upscale hotel for the price. I really want to book so I can stop deliberating!
I have only priced it up with Disney and Complete Orlando so far. Disney is coming out cheaper (By about £50) and you get the gift card on top. Do you think it matters if we just book the disney part of the holiday now and book I Drive and flights at a later date? Don't want to miss out on DDP.
I haven't spent too much time looking at IDrive hotels yet because I've just been obsessed with the Disney part, but maybe DoubleTree Hilton Seaworld. Haven't actually stayed on IDrive since I was a teenager, I just enjoyed the crazy golf and buffet restaurants!

 

[Claire Bear]

Thank you for the Mears link, it estimates $35 from MCO to Sea World and $25 dollars from SeaWorld to Epcot.

 

[paulh]

the YC and BC are basically the same hotel just different theaming,they share the same pool internally you can walk through one to the other
As your not having a car would suggest SSR for its close proximity to DTD(walking distance and a nice walk)
SSR also you can walk offsite to many restaurants at the crossroads area chillies,orlando alehouse,TGI fridays,olive garden to name a few.
The premium for YC/BC is the pool and its proximity to epcot/MGM.
Price up SSR and you might be able to do the full 2 weeks thereso benifitting from ME both ways.for flights look into flying indirect
Hope goes well for you

Paul

 

[wayneg]

Hi Claire, just wanted to say welcome to DISboards.

We will get better advise from others on YC & BC, they are beyond what I will pay for a hotel. OKW is my limit. Next summer 21 nights would be £3400 at OKW, over £5500 at YC/BC, no hotel in the world is worth £261/nt to me.

Enjoy your planning

 

[Claire Bear]

I have looked at SSR and OKW I preferred the look of OKW to SSR and based on this years prices we did think of spending 2weeks at OKW but the prices don't seem as good for next year. DBF is not sure about OKW but does like BC / YC so seen as it's a one off special trip we decided to set a budget and see what we could afford rather than focus on the price of the hotel per night, I know that's not very sensible though!
Oh and thank you for the welcome Wayneg, I don't live far from white rose so probably not too far away from you in Dewsbury

 

[paulh]

Hi Clare Disney uk has the free dinning if you book by the 20th June
so for room only with 14 day park tickets with free ddp and $200 disney spend
comes in at £2646.60(put in 10/aug-24/aug)
Indirect flights would say £1300ish comes in at just shy of £4000 in your budget
Paul

 

[paulh]

I have looked at SSR and OKW I preferred the look of OKW to SSR and based on this years prices we did think of spending 2weeks at OKW but the prices don't seem as good for next year. DBF is not sure about OKW but does like BC / YC so seen as it's a one off special trip we decided to set a budget and see what we could afford rather than focus on the price of the hotel per night, I know that's not very sensible though!
Oh and thank you for the welcome Wayneg, I don't live far from white rose so probably not too far away from you in Dewsbury

the only problem with OKW is you must have a car or relay on Disney transport
SSR more friendly to the those without a car
Paul

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Yup I agree with Paul if you're NOT doing Y&B then go with SSR over OKW for the car reason because their internal bus system I find slow

IF I had to chose between Yacht and Beach it would be a room in the Yacht Club especially now all the rooms have been refurbished.... and when we have stayed there we've still walked through to the Marketplace. Also the bus is emptier at the YC stop!

If it were me and you wanted to get that free dining in then yes I would book your Disney part now and add I-Drive and flights later but as soon as you see a good price for flights go for it and book them. For I-Drive hotels I'd wait and book direct after looking for deals etc.

I never try to justify the price of what I spend on a night in a hotel... everyone has different priorities on what they do with their money... me, I like a little splurge every now and then and if I have the money and it's a place that's on my "to stay at list" then heck I'll spend the money... I've gone years where it's a Pop Century stay for me to other years when I've languished at The Grand Floridian... all have been fun times and I've loved every resort stay for different reasons.

 

[happyj]

We stay at BC every year as DVC members. We love it. The convenience of MGM and Epcot is brilliant. As people say YC BC are connected so just the decor is different. You will also have the lake and boardwalk there. We get the bus to Dtd. Very easy. Happy planning.

 

[wayneg]

Oh and thank you for the welcome Wayneg, I don't live far from white rose so probably not too far away from you in Dewsbury

My Wife works near WR for Leeds Social Services, under 5's

Yup I agree with Paul if you're NOT doing Y&B then go with SSR over OKW for the car reason because their internal bus system I find slow

OKW bus service has been faultless on our recent visits, it used to be an issue but they had a lot of complaints, you rarely wait more than 10 mins, just once last year we had to wait longer. I totally dislike buses but can't fault OKW's service.

 

[bex7583]

My Wife works near WR for Leeds Social Services, under 5's

im in wakefield here totally of topic but i bloody hate white rose lol

 

[Disneymad]

If you like the theme of Y&BC but are considering switching to OKW or SSR then I would definitely go for SSR. Transport aside (it's sooo handy to be able to walk to Downtown Disney from there, not only for the shopping but to use it as a bus hub to resort dining should you be considering any.) the resort style is much closer to that of the Y&BC, lots of 'clean' pale colours and woody tones.

All rooms have patio's or balcony's and ofc you have the benefits of the DVC amenities so a microwave, fridge, toaster and the like if you want to have brekky in the room before you leave in the morning etc. Main difference is that your room doors are 'external' unlike the Y&BC which are inside the resort.

 

[Claire Bear]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I think we are still leaning towards YC/ BC and with everyone's comments YC seems the best option. I am going to spend some time again now pricing it up and I'll also price up SSR so I can compare then read some reviews for SSR on Trip Advisor.
Bex, I've just been to White Rose! I work at a high school in Beeston so it's on my way home. Wayneg, I liaise with social care almost daily but in relation to teenagers. Sam, I'm glad you said book the Disney part now, I can't wait to start a count down, which leads me to my next question...
I know this is probably a really daft question, but we want to go around the last two weeks of August because I have read on here about American schools going back mid August, I go back to work on Monday 2nd September, just wondered how many days people usually give themselves before they go back to work after they get back from Florida in terms of getting over jet lag?! Thinking of booking to come back on Friday 30th.

 

[wayneg]

I work at a high school in Beeston so it's on my way home. Wayneg, I liaise with social care almost daily but in relation to teenagers.

I know this is probably a really daft question, but we want to go around the last two weeks of August because I have read on here about American schools going back mid August, I go back to work on Monday 2nd September, just wondered how many days people usually give themselves before they go back to work after they get back from Florida in terms of getting over jet lag?! Thinking of booking to come back on Friday 30th.

Ah, the posh corner of Leeds (Beeston) Rather you than me working with Teens.

Everyone suffers jet lag with varying degrees, being self employed means every day I have off work I don't earn any money so almost without exception I land back one day and go back to work at 3:30am the next morning. My Wife goes back to work and Son back to school the same, we just get on with it.
We used to land back home then goto bed for 3-4 hours, thats when jet lag really hit us, we now stay awake all day (after getting as much sleep as poss on the plane) and goto bed a little earlier. Doesn't seem to be as bad that way.