The 2009 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ Thread

[TeenaS]

Hi Teena. I have been reading through the many pages of this thread (thanks to all of the valuable information provided here by everyone who has contributed), and I have a question which I can't seem to find the answer We are so fortunate to be staying at the BCV (thanks to the PIN code fairy) in May and I was curious about the balconies at the villas; Teena are all of the balconies at least big enough for DH and I to sit out and enjoy our coffee? I am a bit worried because I have read that the balconies at the BC can be either non-existent or standing room only. It took some convincing to get DH on board with us staying here...he is not shall we say as Disney crazy as DD and I....anyway he enjoys relaxing on the balcony with his coffe. Also my other question is that I requested a courtyard view first and a woods view second as I figured they would be more private than a water view of the quiet pool...am I correct in this assumption? Teena thank you so much in advance and we are looking forward to meeting you in May

There are a few with real real small balconies but most are decent size. You should change your request on your reservation to read "large balcony with courtyard or woods view please".

If you get to your room and it does not have a suitable balcony, immediately come back to the front desk and tell them you went to the room, didn't touch anything and you were wondering if you could get a different room with a larger balcony. The Villas are always full so availability of a certain view, etc. is very limited. Someone has to be checking out of the same size unit you reserved. Let's say you have a one bedroom villa reserved. There might only be 10 one bedroom villas being vacated the day you check in. That means we would only have a choice of 10 to put you in ... that's not alot to work with. And we cannot create holes. I'll try to explain what a hole is. Out of those 10 villas, maybe 4 of them are staying 4 nights and 1 of them is staying 5 nights, and 2 of them are staying 6 nights and the last 3 are staying 8 nights. Since the place is always booked full, we have people coming already assigned to come into your room the day you are checking out, etc. If you are staying 5 nights, we can't move you into a room that is currently scheduled for someone else that is leaving in 4 nights, that would create a hole of 1 night. It's like a big puzzle and we have to fill in all the boxes and make sure a room isn't vacant. So, meeting all your requests is very very difficult. Since most of the units have a good size balcony at the Villas, you should be okay there but your view might not be what you are hoping for. Honestly, we really really want everybody to get what they want ... obviously it just doesn't work because we are always full and therefore very limited as to what we can give each guest. Hope this explains it ... it's so hard to actually block rooms. The CMs that do it at the Villas are amazing and they work really hard to make the whole thing work.

 

[JPN4265]

Spending the 4th of July at the Beach Club.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Ok, I'm sure all the men out there think I'm nuts, but who can tell me about the hairdryers? I simply can't remember what's stocked. Are the hairdryers the small wall-mounted little white ones that die about 1/2-way thru a dry or are they a standard full-sized hairdryer? This will determine whether I travel with my own or use YC's!
Thanks!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Spending the 4th of July at the Beach Club.

We were down for the 4th of July last summer and it was wonderful! We had dinner reservations at Rose and Crown and got a wonderful patio table to watch Illuminations. We spent the morning of the 4th of EPCOT and had lunch at Chefs de France. We spent most of the afternoon relaxing at SAB. A wonderful 4th of July!!!

Have fun.

 

[TeenaS]

Ok, I'm sure all the men out there think I'm nuts, but who can tell me about the hairdryers? I simply can't remember what's stocked. Are the hairdryers the small wall-mounted little white ones that die about 1/2-way thru a dry or are they a standard full-sized hairdryer? This will determine whether I travel with my own or use YC's!
Thanks!!!

Good question. Unfortunately I've never tried one of those dryers so I can't help you. I'm sure someone who was there recently can answer your question though. I definitely know what you mean. I take my own little one along on the Disney Magic. I absolutely hate the one in the bathroom!

See you soon!

 

[BCV23]

I don't think this is true. Some of the balconies are "Juliet" style in the studios at BCV and are very, very small. Perhaps a little bigger than standing room only but are not comfortabel with two chairs & a table out there. Other balconies ar eimmense like the one we had two weeks ago- corner room with a huge balcony big enough for multiple lounge chairs (not that we tried!) and a full sizxed table and at least 4 chairs. There is a huge range of balcony sizes. Tubes are $8010 for the whole day and $2-3 an hour I think. They won't let you use your own raft unless it is see through/clear becuase they have to able to see the bottom of the pool at all times. We had a partial view of illuminations & Fantasmic from room # 555, I think.

Did your villa have a full size table on the balcony? That must be new.

Yes, the balconies really vary a lot at BCV. However, all are large enough for two chairs and a small table. llrain posted this picture on the Y&BC/BCV photo thread. You can see the smallest balconies complete with the chairs and table:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24180087&postcount=172

Although smaller than others, as you can see they are as wide as the double patio doors. The rooms that appear to not have a balcony are 1BRS. Some 1BRs have a picture window in the master and a single balcony off the living room. Others have two smaller balconies and still others have a balcony that spans the living room and bedroom. That's my favorite configuration.

As we both said, there are some villas with very large balconies. But there aren't many.

TeenaS, nice explanation of the challenges the room assignor faces.

DisneyMomx7, that sounds like a fantastic 4th of July.

 

[JPN4265]

This will be our first time at the BC. The only negative item that I have heard about the BC, is the transportation to Epcot. I understand that you can use the back entrance, but if you are trying to get to future world when everyone else is let in at the front entrance, this puts you about 10 to 15 minutes behind them in getting to the main rides. Now, for the question, for the ones that stay at the BC on a regular basis, how do you handle this. What is your strategy?

 

[noritake1]

Hi , so not true IMO, I felt that we had a advantage they let you in WS area we get great photos with no one in WS then we walk slowly over t the rope off area at FW no large crowds no rushing or shoving a great start to a great day. We love everything about Yacht and Beach club! Hey Teena my clients asked you for directions yesterday and they said you were helpful I said to my self "that's Teena!!" To any of you on the fence about Yacht and beach club do not be it's a wonderful resort!! Jill

 

[ReggieB]

Ok, I'm sure all the men out there think I'm nuts, but who can tell me about the hairdryers? I simply can't remember what's stocked. Are the hairdryers the small wall-mounted little white ones that die about 1/2-way thru a dry or are they a standard full-sized hairdryer? This will determine whether I travel with my own or use YC's!
Thanks!!!

There was no wall mounted one in our room at YC's. It was in a small bag underneath the sink. No one in my family used it though, so I couldn't tell you it's performance levels!!

 

[TeenaS]

This will be our first time at the BC. The only negative item that I have heard about the BC, is the transportation to Epcot. I understand that you can use the back entrance, but if you are trying to get to future world when everyone else is let in at the front entrance, this puts you about 10 to 15 minutes behind them in getting to the main rides. Now, for the question, for the ones that stay at the BC on a regular basis, how do you handle this. What is your strategy?

Sometime this summer, it was announced to us that the international gateway would open exactly the same time as the front gate, thus allowing the international gateway guests to get to Soarin at the same time as the front gate guests. Some guests tell me they beat the front guests to Soarin.

 

[doconeill]

Sometime this summer, it was announced to us that the international gateway would open exactly the same time as the front gate, thus allowing the international gateway guests to get to Soarin at the same time as the front gate guests. Some guests tell me they beat the front guests to Soarin.

That's interesting, because it seems to be that the front gate guests are a lot closer to Soarin' than IG, especially since they move a fair ways in for Rope Drop. A little Google Earth action tells me that it is about twice the distance from the IG to Soarin' from approximately where you can stand at Rope Drop. From the actual turnstiles its a tenth of a mile difference.

I'm assuming IG rope drop still takes place just before the "channel" bridge to France.

The only advantage for IG guests is there are fewer of them, so it is less congested and you can move faster.

 

[66Tink]

There are a few with real real small balconies but most are decent size. You should change your request on your reservation to read "large balcony with courtyard or woods view please".

If you get to your room and it does not have a suitable balcony, immediately come back to the front desk and tell them you went to the room, didn't touch anything and you were wondering if you could get a different room with a larger balcony. The Villas are always full so availability of a certain view, etc. is very limited. Someone has to be checking out of the same size unit you reserved. Let's say you have a one bedroom villa reserved. There might only be 10 one bedroom villas being vacated the day you check in. That means we would only have a choice of 10 to put you in ... that's not alot to work with. And we cannot create holes. I'll try to explain what a hole is. Out of those 10 villas, maybe 4 of them are staying 4 nights and 1 of them is staying 5 nights, and 2 of them are staying 6 nights and the last 3 are staying 8 nights. Since the place is always booked full, we have people coming already assigned to come into your room the day you are checking out, etc. If you are staying 5 nights, we can't move you into a room that is currently scheduled for someone else that is leaving in 4 nights, that would create a hole of 1 night. It's like a big puzzle and we have to fill in all the boxes and make sure a room isn't vacant. So, meeting all your requests is very very difficult. Since most of the units have a good size balcony at the Villas, you should be okay there but your view might not be what you are hoping for. Honestly, we really really want everybody to get what they want ... obviously it just doesn't work because we are always full and therefore very limited as to what we can give each guest. Hope this explains it ... it's so hard to actually block rooms. The CMs that do it at the Villas are amazing and they work really hard to make the whole thing work.

Teena thanks so much for the detailed explaination of how the room assignments work. I am going to call and switch my request to "large balcony" with a woods view or waterview...I am leaning away from the courtyard view now after reading some different responses. Let's face it that staying at BCV is like a dream come true for me so just being there with my family will be magical and if we are lucky enought to have our room request granted then that will just make it extra special

 

[ReggieB]

Two things to show how great the CM's are.

Left my Party For The Senses glasses in my room at check out (DH's fault, but we shan't go into that!!) They sent housekeeping into retrieve them for me, who put them at the Beach Club front desk for me to pick up, as I had a Cape May Cafe ADR that night before going to the airport.

Having retrieved my glasses, I managed to lose my iPhone on my last day at either Yacht or Beach Club. Called their lost and found department. Can you believe someone handed it in (the found it in the Beach Club lobby) They UPS'd me it back. Not sure if it was a CM or guest that found it, but I am very grateful.

How great (and very lucky) is that?

 

[poohmomof3]

This will be our (Me, DH and 3 daughters - 11, 14 & 16) first time staying at the BC. We have only stayed at the moderate resorts off site before.

1. We arrive at airport at 9:30pm on Saturday, is it worth it to stay at BC that night (I have the other 7 nights booked with 4/3 deal, and I can get 40%off the one night-they quoted me $250-ouch)? We have 7 day park tickets and we leave the following Sunday morning early.

2. Will the Quick Service dining plan work well at this resort? We don't have park hopper tickets.

3. Should I make any room requests? My DH would love a balcony - is this possible with a regular room rate?

4. Any other advice would be appreciated - I usually plan one year ahead, so I feel behind

Thanks!!

 

[lucas]

Teena, I found this lovely pic on another thread!

I just discovered it, but if anyone is interested here's the link to the BC/YC picture thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1735844&page=49

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Did your villa have a full size table on the balcony? That must be new.

Yes, the balconies really vary a lot at BCV. However, all are large enough for two chairs and a small table. llrain posted this picture on the Y&BC/BCV photo thread. You can see the smallest balconies complete with the chairs and table:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24180087&postcount=172

Although smaller than others, as you can see they are as wide as the double patio doors. The rooms that appear to not have a balcony are 1BRS. Some 1BRs have a picture window in the master and a single balcony off the living room. Others have two smaller balconies and still others have a balcony that spans the living room and bedroom. That's my favorite configuration.

As we both said, there are some villas with very large balconies. But there aren't many.

TeenaS, nice explanation of the challenges the room assignor faces.

DisneyMomx7, that sounds like a fantastic 4th of July.

It was! We alternate - one year early July and the 4th and the next year later in July. We always watch the MK 4th of July Fireworks on the 3rd and spend the 4th at EPCOT and watch Illuminations at night.

Teena - perfect picture of you in the BC Lobby - I sure am homesick for it. Can't wait for July!

Poohmomof3 - I think I would do a different resort since you are arriving so late. Maybe a value or a mod.

I also would go with the regular dining plan, BC Marketplace and Hurricane Hannah's are the only quick service places at BC and they are limited. I have to say I would also invest in park hoppers because it is great to be able to walk over to EPCOT for dinner - great selection of ts restaurants!

 

[TeenaS]

Teena, I found this lovely pic on another thread!

I just discovered it, but if anyone is interested here's the link to the BC/YC picture thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1735844&page=49

Thanks!! I do remember someone taking pictures from the second floor at the beginning of the summer. I don't normally see anybody go up there.

 

[TeenaS]

This will be our (Me, DH and 3 daughters - 11, 14 & 16) first time staying at the BC. We have only stayed at the moderate resorts off site before.

1. We arrive at airport at 9:30pm on Saturday, is it worth it to stay at BC that night (I have the other 7 nights booked with 4/3 deal, and I can get 40%off the one night-they quoted me $250-ouch)? We have 7 day park tickets and we leave the following Sunday morning early.

2. Will the Quick Service dining plan work well at this resort? We don't have park hopper tickets.

3. Should I make any room requests? My DH would love a balcony - is this possible with a regular room rate?

4. Any other advice would be appreciated - I usually plan one year ahead, so I feel behind

Thanks!!

Since you are arriving so late, if it were me, I'd stay at a value, then have the value resort transfer your bags over the next day and I'd go over to the BC as soon as I woke up to start my vacation. However, I only have one child so that works perfectly. You have 3 children so that kills the value resorts. You could stay at Port Orleans Riverside in Alligator Bayou ... they sleep five. See how much the difference in price is. You have to remember too that your room may not be ready for you until 3 PM even though you will get your keys with the dining plan on them and your park passes on them when you check in (as early as 7 AM). Your bags will arrive from the other resort around 3-4 PM. This could make Sunday sort of a wasted day. If you do decide to start on Saturday night at the BC, you can just get up and start your day without worrying about when the bags will get here, when your room will be ready, etc. Only you can decide if the difference in price between a moderate and the BC for one night is worth that.

I would consider going with the regular dining plan. The only quick service at the BC is Hurricane Hannah's for lunch and dinner (a grill by the pool) and the Marketplace (the store in the lobby of the BC). If you do the math on the quick service dining plan, I don't see that it saves you that much money ... just my opinion. Now the regular dining plan is a big savings ... especially if you are smart and use the quick service for lunches and the table service for dinners. Using the table service for a character breakfast that costs around $19-20 per person is not getting your money's worth. That same table service could get you a $40+ meal at one of the great restaurants like Italy, Canada, Teppan Edo, etc. Then the counter service usually is value of around $15-18. A snack is a bottle of water or an ice cream bar, etc. that costs around $2.50 or so.

Part of the reason the BC is so popular is the many restaurant options a short walk away at Epcot. Most people at the BC do get hoppers so they can do one park during the day, come back and spend time at the pool (which since you are coming in January you might not do depending on the weather), then they go to Epcot for dinner. The hopper option can be added on to your tickets for a one time charge of $50 per person.

Your request should be "full balcony please" since that's what you want.

 

[JPN4265]

So the final answer to the question about transportation to the Epcot from the Beach Club, is......................... We really don't know, because every day is different. Right?

 

[BCV23]

The best transportation option is always the same.....your own two feet.

If you mean the manner in which the CMs handle opening IG, I think you're right. It seems to be a matter of YMMV on any given day. To us, it is not a big deal though. Even in worse case, you will just miss that first rush of guests and that's not bad IMO.