The 2009 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ Thread

[66Tink]

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I was on the WDW website and looked to book a cash room for my bil and family for the week we are going to BCV and there was a sign that said check refurbishment dates When I clicked on the little sign there were no dates, the field was blank when I did the same thing for AKV the little sign said the pool would be closed from....to .....so can any one shed some light on the refurbishments at BCV and the dates or is this just a goof up on the web site This is our first time there staying Memorial Week which I think would be a busy time of the year, so I am hoping there are no refurbishments during this week. TIA

 

[TeenaS]

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe I'm posting in this thread...we went to DW last year for the first time with LMT's $1 promo and stayed at CSR, and we added a second week FD at ASM. We were upgraded to SSR. I did a ton of research, and I fell in love with the beach club, especially SAB!! The only thing was that it was sooooo expensive. Normally, we can't afford a huge amount of money, but we've been saving to go back to the world. We were going to stay at coronado again, but today I got the all year pin for 45% off villas and I booked beach club villas for only $500 more.

This thread is the expert on all things BC, I was wondering if there was anything specific I should know about the villas? How far are they from epcot? Is there a specific room I should request?

Thanks!



****apparently, it's just 40% off*****
soooo....

Beach Club Villas vs. Beach Club Standard Room?

I got the pin and booked BVC because the nice CM told me it was 45% off. When I double checked, it was only 40%, making it the exact same price as the regular beach club. Which resort is better??

The things I care about are:
-being close to Epcot.
-Access to storm along bay
-comfortable rooms
-fridge in room

There are only two of us in the room, so size of the room/#of beds isn't really an issue.

We've stayed at CSR and SSR before, and we preferred CSR because the saratoga room seemed like a semi-normal hotel room. Coronado was very luxurious, and beautifully decorated.

I really appreciate the help!

My personal opinion: I like the regular hotel rooms at the BC better than the studios at the BCV. The studio has a queen bed and a queen sofa bed. Both have small refrigerators. Studio as a microwave. The BC is a regular hotel room and most of the rooms in the BC have two queens and some have daybeds too. I've stayed in both studios and regular rooms and I like the feel 100% better in a regular hotel room. I'm not a fan of the studio. However, the one bedroom villa I'd take without hesitation over a regular room at any resort!

Being close to Epcot: It will depend entirely on which room you get. You could be closer at the BCV or you could be closer at the BC ... depends on where your room is.

Closeness to SAB: BC, however, both are close. This isn't a huge resort like CSR and SSR.

At the BC, you run the chance of getting a standing balcony instead of a full balcony. Also, you could get a really ugly view of a roof if you book a standard view at the BC. One way to avoid those problems is to request a room on the first floor. Requests are just requests and there are no guarantees however.

 

[TeenaS]

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I was on the WDW website and looked to book a cash room for my bil and family for the week we are going to BCV and there was a sign that said check refurbishment dates When I clicked on the little sign there were no dates, the field was blank when I did the same thing for AKV the little sign said the pool would be closed from....to .....so can any one shed some light on the refurbishments at BCV and the dates or is this just a goof up on the web site This is our first time there staying Memorial Week which I think would be a busy time of the year, so I am hoping there are no refurbishments during this week. TIA

There is normally maintenance going on at the resorts all the time. We just got done refurbing all the rooms inside at the 3 resorts. I heard they are going to be painting outside soon so that's a possibility it will be going on when you are there. The only way to keep the resorts up to the Disney standard is to constantly maintain them. The only loud noise is done after 9 AM and before 5 PM to minimize guest inconvenience. They normally do not stop over holidays or during busy seasons. Obviously if they are painting and it involves balconies or patios, those rooms will not be sold during the days those rooms are affected.

 

[DrMomof3]

My personal opinion: I like the regular hotel rooms at the BC better than the studios at the BCV. The studio has a queen bed and a queen sofa bed. Both have small refrigerators. Studio as a microwave. The BC is a regular hotel room and most of the rooms in the BC have two queens and some have daybeds too. I've stayed in both studios and regular rooms and I like the feel 100% better in a regular hotel room. I'm not a fan of the studio. However, the one bedroom villa I'd take without hesitation over a regular room at any resort!

I like reading this since we booked a one bedroom villa at BCV! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning!!!

Amanda

 

[pixarmom]

I hope it's OK to repost this, but I'm checking in again to see if anyone had a suggestion for the bus from BC to MK. We like to be at MK for rope drop, so we usually arrive at our resort bus stop 1 hour before rope drop (but our most recent experiences are at WL) Would that plan work for BC to MK also? If this isn't the appropriate thread, sorry!

 

[bicker]

All I can tell you is that (1) this is an appropriate thread for that; and (2) I'd really like to know that, too.

I'd especially like to know whether we "must" take a taxi to make the 7:30 am start-time for the Steam Trains tour at MK, on a day when the park itself is scheduled to open at 9:00 am.

 

[jjohnson]

I hope it's OK to repost this, but I'm checking in again to see if anyone had a suggestion for the bus from BC to MK. We like to be at MK for rope drop, so we usually arrive at our resort bus stop 1 hour before rope drop (but our most recent experiences are at WL) Would that plan work for BC to MK also? If this isn't the appropriate thread, sorry!

yes that will work. Just be at the bus stop 1 hour before rope drop

 

[TeenaS]

All I can tell you is that (1) this is an appropriate thread for that; and (2) I'd really like to know that, too.

I'd especially like to know whether we "must" take a taxi to make the 7:30 am start-time for the Steam Trains tour at MK, on a day when the park itself is scheduled to open at 9:00 am.

You should be able to hop on the early morning character breakfast bus and get there in time. The problem with the taxi is that it can't drop you off at MK. It drops you off at the TTC.

 

[HelenParr]

I have taken the bus from YC/BC to MK for rope drop many times. The bus ride is pretty quick and they start running at least an hour before park opens.

Also, when at the resort, there are plenty of CMs to ask when the bus rolls.

Teena is (as always!) correct -- if you taxi to MK it actually goes to TTC, and then you still need to monorail or ferry over to MK. If you decide to taxi over, it may be faster to taxi to Contemporary and walk over to MK (about 7-10 minutes walk) rather than taxi to TTC.

 

[TeenaS]

if you taxi to MK it actually goes to TTC, and then you still need to monorail or ferry over to MK. If you decide to taxi over, it may be faster to taxi to Contemporary and walk over to MK (about 7-10 minutes walk) rather than taxi to TTC.

Great advice!

 

[BCV23]

If you have the time could you check for me if the "to go" items in the refrigerated case are considered snack credits? ie. cut-up fruit, salads, etc. TIA Joyce

Will do, Joyce. I haven't forgotten that little mission.

arilvdc, since you preferred CSR to (I assume) a studio at SSR I do think you'll be happier in a regular room at the BC. TeenaS as always summed things up very well. There are two other differences that might matter to some. The refrigerator in a studio is larger than a regular room. It is an undercounter one as opposed to the small in cabinet type in the regular rooms. It does have a separate freezer compartment. No freezer at all in the BC refrigerator.

In addition, every BCV has either a balcony or patio large enough for a table and two chairs. That isn't the case at the BC.

bicker, if you decide to take a cab (and I would just to be safe), perhaps the driver can tell the CR gate attendant where you're headed and let you get out right there. When I dropped my DH off for the Backstage Magic Tour, that's what we did. Enjoy the Steamtrain tour. Our DS1 gave me that tour as a gift about a year ago....loved it!

OK friends, I have a question. I did online checking and arrived at the BCV the first day it started last year. My room assignment was on the one floor we don't like. I looked behind me and no one else was there so I asked if there was anything else available. I wouldn't have done so if anyone else was in line as that defeats the purpose of expediting checkin as Teena explained earlier. Do you think that's acceptable? I'm completely OK taking any room if there is anyone else in that line. What say thee? I'm tough...I can take it.

Alos, I've sent the shamrock circle to some regulars on this thread but would be happy to share it with anyone who wants it. If you do, just shoot me a PM and I'll send it in a reply.

 

[bicker]

Just to be clear: I'm not going on the Steam Trains tour: Ben's going with his father and grandparents. My wife and I are taking Mikkie to the BBB, that morning, with her mom tagging along.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Oh Please help! I just booked garden view club level room yesterday as a surprise for my husband(well whole family really) for our 22nd wedding anniversary and his birthday in june/july 2010. We would be staying for 14nights (from ireland) with our 3 children (20, 12,and 3yrs) and then over breakfast was talking about holidays/rainy weather etc and dreams of summer and he said if he could ever go to disney again he would want to stay at bc and the ONLY THING he'd really love was a view of crescent lake!! What do I do? Should I cancel and try to rebook a waterview room? Can I book a crescent lake view and forgo club level (we've never stayed club level before but I thought it sounded brilliant (so maybe that bit was really for me lol). Any advice would be welcome. I dont want to cancel and then not be able to get new booking. Who'd have thought booking a surprise could be soooo stressful?

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks so much to everyone for the responses to our rope drop/MK bus question - I really appreciate it! Our three boys are awake and ready to go quite early, so the earlier we get on the bus, the better! Thanks, again - I'm really looking forward to coming back to BC!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Me again-just looked at website again and they have delux club level rooms that say they have view of crescent lake but they are out of my league even with discounts-does anyone know if you can book a deluxe view room without the club level bit cheaper? Doesnt seem to be offering that option but I thought maybe someone here would know. I've looked at yc but the waterview there says view of lake and I dont know if that means crescent lake or something else. Any advice would be very much appreciated. I,ve been trying to read the whole thread to save bothering anyone but have a very cranky 3yr old who isn't having it! Better go cuddle him he looks a bit peaky and hopefully get to check back sooner rather than later.
Thanks everyone

 

[arilvdc]

Thanks everyone for all the help, you are all amazing!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Me again-just looked at website again and they have delux club level rooms that say they have view of crescent lake but they are out of my league even with discounts-does anyone know if you can book a deluxe view room without the club level bit cheaper? Doesnt seem to be offering that option but I thought maybe someone here would know. I've looked at yc but the waterview there says view of lake and I dont know if that means crescent lake or something else. Any advice would be very much appreciated. I,ve been trying to read the whole thread to save bothering anyone but have a very cranky 3yr old who isn't having it! Better go cuddle him he looks a bit peaky and hopefully get to check back sooner rather than later.
Thanks everyone

All the delue rooms at bc are CL. We've had lovely waterview rooms at YC with a full view of Crescent Lake. You could book that (forego CL) and requested lakefront. The only thing you have to remember at BC and YC - waterview could mean a view of Crescent Lake or a view of SAB. It's only a request - but if you do book that I would make that my only request and hope you get lucky.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

All the delue rooms at bc are CL. We've had lovely waterview rooms at YC with a full view of Crescent Lake. You could book that (forego CL) and requested lakefront. The only thing you have to remember at BC and YC - waterview could mean a view of Crescent Lake or a view of SAB. It's only a request - but if you do book that I would make that my only request and hope you get lucky.

Thanks for your help. I will check availability again and cross fingers, toes and everything else I can think of and hope it helps! So excited to be going at all!

 

[TeenaS]

Me again-just looked at website again and they have delux club level rooms that say they have view of crescent lake but they are out of my league even with discounts-does anyone know if you can book a deluxe view room without the club level bit cheaper? Doesnt seem to be offering that option but I thought maybe someone here would know. I've looked at yc but the waterview there says view of lake and I dont know if that means crescent lake or something else. Any advice would be very much appreciated. I,ve been trying to read the whole thread to save bothering anyone but have a very cranky 3yr old who isn't having it! Better go cuddle him he looks a bit peaky and hopefully get to check back sooner rather than later.
Thanks everyone

There are no deluxe rooms that do not include club level. At the BC, if you really really want club level and are a family of five, you have to book a standard view (or as they call it garden view) or a deluxe room. You cannot book a club level water view if you are a party of five at the BC. The deluxe rooms are a bit more money than the garden club level rooms but less than the water club level rooms. They give you LOTS more room and staying as long as you are with 3 children, I think if it were me, I'd make the trip a day shorter to reduce the $$ and go with the deluxe room. Staying as long as you are, I really think you'd enjoy the club level lounge!

At the BC, you could book a water view (not club level) and ask for a view of the lake. Most of the water view rooms do offer a view of the lake although there are a few with just a side view of the pool.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

There are no deluxe rooms that do not include club level. At the BC, if you really really want club level and are a family of five, you have to book a standard view (or as they call it garden view) or a deluxe room. You cannot book a club level water view if you are a party of five at the BC. The deluxe rooms are a bit more money than the garden club level rooms but less than the water club level rooms. They give you LOTS more room and staying as long as you are with 3 children, I think if it were me, I'd make the trip a day shorter to reduce the $$ and go with the deluxe room. Staying as long as you are, I really think you'd enjoy the club level lounge!

At the BC, you could book a water view (not club level) and ask for a view of the lake. Most of the water view rooms do offer a view of the lake although there are a few with just a side view of the pool.

Thanks Teena-you really are the fountain of all knowledge. I think I'm going to have to confess plans to my other half and try to work it out together. Can I just check I've got this straight - I should book a deluxe club level room ? Can you give me an idea what the views are like from the deluxe rooms? I cant make the trip shorter as I've already booked flights (we fly from here to london and then connect to MCO) and the cost of changing would cancel out any savings. Think I did this a bit back to front but you live and learn as they say!!