The 2009 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ Thread

[DisneyFamily123]

Planning my next Disney Trip either last week of October or first or second week of Dec. 2010..... if I can wait that long! I'm just starting to read.... what are the big differences between YC, BC, and BW?

I liked our recent stay at the Polynesian because of the convenience and access to other resorts for restaurants and activities, plus easy access to Magic Kingdom. Looking for something different.

Seems like YC, BC, and BW are easy to get to one from the other... and easy to get to Epcot. We would like to go to parks during the day, come back to the resort to relax for 2 to 3 hours, then head out for a nice dinner most nights. I think YC or BC would be more for us with a 5 yr old and the pool seems nicer. I see that YC and BC share the Stormalong Bay Pool -- is it heated in cooler weather?

Thanks for any information you can share, and I look forward to reading this thread!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

Planning my next Disney Trip either last week of October or first or second week of Dec. 2010..... if I can wait that long! I'm just starting to read.... what are the big differences between YC, BC, and BW? Is Stormalong Bay heated in Dec.?

I liked our recent stay at the Polynesian because of the convenience and access to other resorts for restaurants and activities, plus easy access to Magic Kingdom. Looking for something different.

Seems like YC, BC, and BW are easy to get to one from the other... and easy to get to Epcot. We would like to go to parks during the day, come back to the resort to relax for 2 to 3 hours, then head out for a nice dinner most nights.

Thanks for any information you can share, and I look forward to reading this thread!

My favorite places to stay are BC and BW- for different reasons: so here they are...
if you love EPCOT,like we do, you can't beat being able to walk in and out of the park- it's wonderful!! You can do this from either BC or BW in the same amount of time. I have found BC to be a fantastic place to stay with our kids. They love SAB and the resort is very family friendly and comfortable. As a couple, when we've traveled without our kids, my husband and I love the BC. It's just as close of a walk to EPCOT, but has a much more romantic feel. The pool is still good for kids, but in my opinion, it's a better place for an adult vacation.
We've stayed at the Poly too- and liked it, but for restaurants and convenience you can't beat either BC or BW. We like MK too, but usually end up walking through EPCOT to get monorail to MK. For us BC/BW stay almost eliminates bus transportation. Don't forget from these resorts you get boat/walk to DHS too.

 

[TeenaS]

Sorry for the stupid question, but here goes.

We will be driving up to WDW from South Florida and checking into the BC. When we get there, should we just park the car in the lot first and then roll the luggage into the lobby?

Or pull up front and have the luggage unloaded for us? But if we do that, can we leave the car right out front while both dh and I check-in and then move the car when we are finished? (Both dh and I like to go to the desk together to check in - that's part of the excitement!)

P.S. Last time we stayed at the BC, we arrived by taxi so we didn't have to worry about the car.

You should pull up to the front, have valet unload your luggage and they will keep it for you, then you go park the car and the two of you come in and register. If your room is ready, the bellman will take your bags up to the room with you. If it is not ready, the valet/bellman will store your bags until later in the day when the room is ready. You are not suppose to leave your car out front while you check-in. However, there is short term parking for check-in across from the bus stop but it is easier in my opinion to just do it like I said in the beginning.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

HI - I am debating whether to stay at the Beach Club for New Years Eve next year. We are currently booked to stay there earlier in Dec before we go on a Disney cruise, and had planned to spend NYE with relatives at their villa.

Our relatives are no longer visting Orlando, so I am contemplating returning to Beach Club after the cruise to try and make NYE a bit special.

Our 2 sons will only be 3 and 6, and therefore we don't want to attempt to go to a crowded theme park, so we were wondering if anyone has ever been to BC for NYE, and do they do anything special for the children/families to make it a special night? We will unlikely ever get to WDW again for the holidays and wanted to make it as perfect as possible.

I quite like the idea of spending NYE on the beach watching a movie and hearing the Epcot fireworks - but do they even do that on NYE??

Many thanks for any info!!

Hi again! - I wasn't sure whether no one has any idea about activities for NYE or whether my post has just got overlooked - so thought I'd give it another go!!

Teena (or indeed anyone else!!) - are there any special BC events for NYE and do they still do the poolside movie??

Many thanks for any info!!

 

[tinkbyday]

Planning my next Disney Trip either last week of October or first or second week of Dec. 2010..... if I can wait that long! I'm just starting to read.... what are the big differences between YC, BC, and BW?

I liked our recent stay at the Polynesian because of the convenience and access to other resorts for restaurants and activities, plus easy access to Magic Kingdom. Looking for something different.

Seems like YC, BC, and BW are easy to get to one from the other... and easy to get to Epcot. We would like to go to parks during the day, come back to the resort to relax for 2 to 3 hours, then head out for a nice dinner most nights. I think YC or BC would be more for us with a 5 yr old and the pool seems nicer. I see that YC and BC share the Stormalong Bay Pool -- is it heated in cooler weather?

Thanks for any information you can share, and I look forward to reading this thread!

All of these resorts are within an easy walk to Epcot and a short boat ride to DHS. The BW has the atmosphere in the evenings that is carnival like with performers and carnival games - it is quite fun. The rooms are very nice as well.

We have stayed at the YC in Jan and will be heading back this Dec - I love the dark woods and the general feel of the place - the BC is beautiful as well and has pastel colors and a "beachy" feel to it. The only differences that I can think of is really the decor - both resorts were recently renovated and they share all of the amenities.

I think you will be happy with any of the choices! Have a great trip.

 

[lucas]

You should pull up to the front, have valet unload your luggage and they will keep it for you, then you go park the car and the two of you come in and register. If your room is ready, the bellman will take your bags up to the room with you. If it is not ready, the valet/bellman will store your bags until later in the day when the room is ready. You are not suppose to leave your car out front while you check-in. However, there is short term parking for check-in across from the bus stop but it is easier in my opinion to just do it like I said in the beginning.

Thanks Teena!

 

[TeenaS]

Hi again! - I wasn't sure whether no one has any idea about activities for NYE or whether my post has just got overlooked - so thought I'd give it another go!!

Teena (or indeed anyone else!!) - are there any special BC events for NYE and do they still do the poolside movie??

Many thanks for any info!!

As far as I know they still have movies on NYE.

Magic Kingdom right now is scheduled to be open until midnight, the Studios are scheduled to be open to 3AM, Epcot is scheduled to be open to 1 AM and Animal Kingdom only until 7 PM (the animals really don't care to celebrate NYE). These hours are subject to change.

Unfortunately I never work past 5 PM so I'm not there to experience the nighttime activities. I have not seen anything yet at our resort that lists the holiday activities. Sorry. We normally have activities the month of December in the lobby, like characters, Santa, small choirs, etc.

 

[BCV23]

We will be staying at the BeachClub Villas (2 bedroom) on January 22 for 7 nights. Can you tell me which rooms are better for seeing Illuminations? I'm assuming the 4th and 5th floors, but what room numbers?

I have never stayed in the villas before, but have stayed at the Yacht Club several times.

Is the second bedroom with the sofa the same size as having 2 beds in the bedroom or is it smaller

Is there a website for the grocers on property?

It's funny but I don't think the floor matters all that much for Illuminations. We've been on that side of the villas many times and each villa has afforded a decent view of the high effects. Even on the 5th floor, you can't see the lower fireworks. So I would just request the Epcot side if it were me. There aren't that many villas and they stay pretty full according to reports so it's not as if the assignor will have that many options for you anyway in all likelihood.

It could be that the 2 BRs with 2 Qs are a bit larger but I've never seen that documented. I doubt it is a huge difference.

There are no grocers on property. BC Marketplace has a decent selection. Many people use Garden Grocer and one other service whose name escapes me right now. Hopefully, someone else will chime in. Both services deliver to WDW resorts. We've never used them so no personal experience.

Have fun....we love BCV.

 

[DrmWvr1299]

We used Garden Grocer for the first time when we stayed at AKL in January (we are staying at YC for the first time in January ). They delivered to hotel and everything was there we ordered. We even ordered a few things that needed to be refigerated and they put it in the frig for us. I went to gardengrocer.com and there is a shopping list to send to them.

 

[lucas]

We will be there 12/11 - 12/14.
Will they be doing movies on the beach? If so, what time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TeenaS]

We will be there 12/11 - 12/14.
Will they be doing movies on the beach? If so, what time?

Thanks in advance.

We don't have the December recreation schedule yet.

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

Does anyone have information on Handicapped Rooms at BC? Just booked a HC room with a Roll in Shower for a vacation in Apr and was wondering the locations of these rooms(standard view) and do they have King size beds? We would like to be closer to the EPCOT walkway and was hoping some of them would be over there.

 

[TeenaS]

Does anyone have information on Handicapped Rooms at BC? Just booked a HC room with a Roll in Shower for a vacation in Apr and was wondering the locations of these rooms(standard view) and do they have King size beds? We would like to be closer to the EPCOT walkway and was hoping some of them would be over there.

Unfortunately I'm not sure where they all are but the ones I'm aware of are all close to the main elevators (the lobby) and have two queen beds in them.

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

OK Thanks TeenaS Queen beds are good. I'll have to check where the elevators are and maybe request an upper floor not too picky about a view just dont want to watch trash trucks from my balcony.

 

[TeenaS]

OK Thanks TeenaS Queen beds are good. I'll have to check where the elevators are and maybe request an upper floor not too picky about a view just dont want to watch trash trucks from my balcony.

The ones I'm thinking about mostly face the courtyard. However, there could be more. You can always call WDW and ask to speak to the back office of the BC and ask them where the roll-in shower rooms are located. They could tell you where all of them are.

 

[eva]

We used Garden Grocer for the first time when we stayed at AKL in January (we are staying at YC for the first time in January ). They delivered to hotel and everything was there we ordered. We even ordered a few things that needed to be refigerated and they put it in the frig for us. I went to gardengrocer.com and there is a shopping list to send to them.

Thanks for reminding me of Garden Grocer. I was just about to ask where we can get basic breakfast items or CS breakfast items in the YC area. I may be tempted to pack some items (like coffee) in one of our checked bags too. We normally drive and stay at BCV. So we have plenty for breakfast. Now I need to worry about feeding DH and DGD a quick light breakfast at the YC.

 

[tinkbyday]

Thanks for reminding me of Garden Grocer. I was just about to ask where we can get basic breakfast items or CS breakfast items in the YC area. I may be tempted to pack some items (like coffee) in one of our checked bags too. We normally drive and stay at BCV. So we have plenty for breakfast. Now I need to worry about feeding DH and DGD a quick light breakfast at the YC.

There is a place in the lobby - I think it's called the Al & Compass or something like that - they have breakfast items in the morning like bagels, croissants, muffins and coffee and juice.

 

[Palm_Tree]

Our family (DD 10 DS 8) will be staying at the BCV for three nights next Spring. I have a few questions about transport from BC which I am hoping someone can help me with.
I have read that that the boat that goes from BC to DS can be a bit slow as it stops at other resorts along the way. I am wondering which resorts exactly the boat stops at and in which order. Is it the same on the way back from DS to BC? I have read that this ride takes about 15 -20 minutes - is that accurate?
We plan to watch Fanstasmic at DS and wonder if there is often a line for boat transport back to BC if we leave the park immediatly after Fantasmic?
Lastly, it seems that the bus from BC to DTD can take awhile as well as many stops along the way. Is it the same amount of stops returning back to BC?

I know these questions are pretty particular and any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[TeenaS]

Our family (DD 10 DS 8) will be staying at the BCV for three nights next Spring. I have a few questions about transport from BC which I am hoping someone can help me with.
I have read that that the boat that goes from BC to DS can be a bit slow as it stops at other resorts along the way. I am wondering which resorts exactly the boat stops at and in which order. Is it the same on the way back from DS to BC? I have read that this ride takes about 15 -20 minutes - is that accurate?
We plan to watch Fanstasmic at DS and wonder if there is often a line for boat transport back to BC if we leave the park immediatly after Fantasmic?
Lastly, it seems that the bus from BC to DTD can take awhile as well as many stops along the way. Is it the same amount of stops returning back to BC?

I know these questions are pretty particular and any feedback would be appreciated!

The boat isn't the fastest boat in the world. If you pick it up at the Y&B to go to the Studios, it stops at the Swan & Dolphin and then goes to the Studios. It probably takes 15-20 minutes for the entire ride. It can be very crowded after Fantasmic and sometimes you have to wait for a second boat. You can walk back if you are not too tired. It's a little over a mile.

The bus routes are funny. They change depending on the hour of the day. They also change as to the amount of stops depending on the hour of the day.

There are alot of lights from the Y&B to Downtown Disney and two of the lights in particular are sooooo long. Just driving it in my car takes 15-20 minutes depending on the lights.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

As far as I know they still have movies on NYE.

Magic Kingdom right now is scheduled to be open until midnight, the Studios are scheduled to be open to 3AM, Epcot is scheduled to be open to 1 AM and Animal Kingdom only until 7 PM (the animals really don't care to celebrate NYE). These hours are subject to change.

Unfortunately I never work past 5 PM so I'm not there to experience the nighttime activities. I have not seen anything yet at our resort that lists the holiday activities. Sorry. We normally have activities the month of December in the lobby, like characters, Santa, small choirs, etc.

thanks ever so much for replying Teena! I currently still have my booking for mid december, and I think I might hold onto that - I love the idea of Santa and choirs in the lobby!! - many thanks!