There is a new thread:* Don't post here* 2014 BC&YC FAQ *MAY-SEPT 2014

[Wood Nymph]

Has anyone stayed at both the Swan/Dolphin AND the Beach/Yacht Club? We have the choice between the two when we travel with my husband for a work convention of his and I'm trying to decide.

Cons:
- Husband may have to walk further to get to convention activities at S/D

Questions:
- Does BC/YC charge for the 5th person?
- Any difference in buses/getting to and from parks between the two (assuming we don't rent a car)?
- Any other thoughts on the differences / convenience?

It would not be a very long walk to the convention center, especially if you stay at the YC instead of the BC.

There is an additional charge for more than two adults in a room. They don't charge per person but rather by adult.

There isn't any real difference when it comes to Disney park buses, since the Swan and Dolphin share buses with the BWI while the YC/BC just share a bus between them.

The Yacht Club rooms have balconies. About half of the BC rooms have a full balcony.

The Magic Bands are really great. It is so convenient to have the room key, the park tickets and charging privileges on the bands.

If the YC/BC is a lower cost than the Swan/Dolphin then I can't see any reason not to stay at Yacht and Beach.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Has anyone stayed at both the Swan/Dolphin AND the Beach/Yacht Club? We have the choice between the two when we travel with my husband for a work convention of his and I'm trying to decide.

Pros of BC/YC over S/D:
- Magical Express to/from airport
- Not the site of his convention (S/D is) so less busy at hotel?
- Could do Disney dining plan
- Get dining reservations a bit earlier
- Free wristbands?
- Cheaper, at least with our convention room rates
- If we rent a car, parking is free (not so at S/D)
- Food seems more allergy friendly (my son has a dairy allergy)
- Can get Garden Grocer delivery (no deliveries allowed at S/D)
- Day bed vs. a cot for our 5th room guest

Cons:
- Husband may have to walk further to get to convention activities at S/D

Questions:
- Does BC/YC charge for the 5th person?
- Any difference in buses/getting to and from parks between the two (assuming we don't rent a car)?
- Any other thoughts on the differences / convenience?

Honestly, it looks like you have about a dozen pros and only one con there. I'd go with sheer volume The walk to S/D is negligible. YC is closest though. I would say maybe 3-5 min as they are quite literally right next door. Where I stayed last year, I was at the last section of YC and that would probably be even 2 minutes taking the side exit. Magical express will save money as well. The airport is about a half hour away from Disney. Also, you will not be charged for the 5th person so long as they are under 18. There is only a charge for more than 2 adults in a room. Have fun!

 

[msdroz]

Here now and having a blast!!! Spent the am at Epcot and now we are enjoying the pool. I saw the changes regarding the lounge piggies and I am pleased to report that we were able to get two beers to take down to the pool. Checking went ok... The welcome drink was fabulous!!! However it took several workers to get our mb to work with our room. I think the issue was we used them early lastnight at Disney quest b4 we checked in- it was a hassle but now we are all set.

Natebenma- thanks for asking!! The big surprise went over sooo great! I have never kept a secret for that long but it was totally worth it. My son was giggling all day!!

Q for club level regulars... Do you leave a tip or the concierge staff before you leave? On a daily basis? All of them, some of them? Thanks!!

 

[lizhall]

If we have an 8:00 breakfast reservation at Akershus what time do you recommend we leave the Beach Club? And we can enter through the International gateway before park opening (9:00am) for a reservation, correct?

 

[TPTraveler]

Thank you but most of the respectable posters on this thread, alright the 2 respectable people who post on this thread, would probably beg you not to encourage me.

But!

Doesn't it give you a giggle that you now have a plan to upset the universe of the chair piggies?

Mwa ha ha....

~NM

Hysterically laughing at this post and picture

 

[floridagirl61]

Here now and having a blast!!! Spent the am at Epcot and now we are enjoying the pool. I saw the changes regarding the lounge piggies and I am pleased to report that we were able to get two beers to take down to the pool. Checking went ok... The welcome drink was fabulous!!! However it took several workers to get our mb to work with our room. I think the issue was we used them early lastnight at Disney quest b4 we checked in- it was a hassle but now we are all set.

Natebenma- thanks for asking!! The big surprise went over sooo great! I have never kept a secret for that long but it was totally worth it. My son was giggling all day!!

Q for club level regulars... Do you leave a tip or the concierge staff before you leave? On a daily basis? All of them, some of them? Thanks!!

No tip. We leave gift baskets as the CL concierge staff are not supposed to accept tips. We ran out of the gift baskets I had made on our trip in September so I went o Starbucks and put together some more to hand out for the staff that did a great job, which of course seemed to be all of them!!!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

No tip. We leave gift baskets as the CL concierge staff are not supposed to accept tips. We ran out of the gift baskets I had made on our trip in September so I went o Starbucks and put together some more to hand out for the staff that did a great job, which of course seemed to be all of them!!!

what do you put into the gift baskets

 

[Shaden]

just need to share with some people who will be excited too ...

Just sent in our rental request for Villas at the BC for May 2015 !!!

Now just crossing our fingers to hear back on availability !!!!

 

[db57me]

After a nice dinner in Italy, we spent a rainy evening waiting for, and then watching, IllumiNations. Awesome, and awe inspiring, even in the rain. All repacked and ready, but not willing, too check out tomorrow morning. It's been an incredible first visit, I only hope and pray there will be more - soon. However, I cannot imagine every returning in the summer.

 

[Katesdad]

If we have an 8:00 breakfast reservation at Akershus what time do you recommend we leave the Beach Club? And we can enter through the International gateway before park opening (9:00am) for a reservation, correct?

If it were me, and it wasn't raining cats and dogs, 7:30am so I could enjoy the peace and quiet as I walked around the lake to get over to Norway. It's surprising how peaceful Epcot WS can be without thouseands of your closest freinds around. And yes, you may enter through the back door (unless they have changed the policy on that in the past couple of years).

 

[Katesdad]

Doesn't it give you a giggle that you now have a plan to upset the universe of the chair piggies?

Mwa ha ha....
~NM

Been gone from this board for a few years but it is nice to see that many things (and contributors) have not changed. Thanks NM for my morning smile.

 

[tarak]

Made all my FP+ reservations last week and went through online check-in. Then promptly emailed the IPO because the choices for online check in weren't particularly helpful. Asked to be closer to the club lounge in an effort to avoid the room view in 5238.

Still debating what goodies to bring for staff and the meet-up - it's still happening, right? Hershey started selling the macadamia nut kisses at the store in Chocolate World (I think before you could only get them in Hawaii or probably eBay). They also had the half-pound peanut butter cups in stock. I keep telling my peanut allergic son they taste awful, but I don't think he believes me.

 

[littlecindy]

It would not be a very long walk to the convention center, especially if you stay at the YC instead of the BC.

If the YC/BC is a lower cost than the Swan/Dolphin then I can't see any reason not to stay at Yacht and Beach.

it is almost $100 cheaper a night! granted, that cost is covered by my DH's company but if we go early or stay late on our own dime that's a huge difference! good to know about the proximity to the convention center. my DH is a conference organizer, so i need to make sure it doesn't affect him where we stay. i figured the S&D is so big anyway, that you probably have to walk a lot even if you stay there. plus, maybe him having a room away from the convention center would be nice so he could unplug a bit more when he's in the room? now to convince him

 

[littlecindy]

can someone clarify the bus situation at the BC/YC? do they share with Swan & Dolphin or do they have their own? is this a recent change?

 

[shoreward]

littlecindy, if you want a real Disney experience, there is nothing like staying at a true Disney Resort. Both Yacht and Beach Club offer that experience, as well as provide excellent service.

I've stayed at the Swan a number of times, and it's very nice, as well. It offers the same complimentary ferry boat transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios as the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and bus transportation to the other parks; it's a manageable walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well.

The Yacht Club is a bit more reserved with fewer families booked there, while Beach Club has brighter environment, with more kids. If you decide to stay at one of them, make room requests about five days in advance (i.e. full balcony, close to EPCOT, etc.).

Benefits at Swan and Dolphin include the Magic Band, free parking at parks, Extra Magic Hours,as well as complimentary scheduled transportation to the Orlando Premium Outlets and a complimentary savings booklet (a $5 value). All of this per the Swan/Dolphin site.

 

[wdwlver]

can someone clarify the bus situation at the BC/YC? do they share with Swan & Dolphin or do they have their own? is this a recent change?

I can only speak to summer as that's when we are there but we've never shared a bus with swolphin.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Hi, guys!

We booked a "last minute" (for Disney) trip last night, to participate in the summer Frozen shenanigans at DHS. We're lucky in that our school district doesn't resume classes until after Labor Day, so we decided to take advantage of that late August sweet spot. HAD to pick YC/BC because of Stormalong Bay, since it's going to be 8000 degrees and 200% humidity, and we're northerners who don't particularly like the heat. Went with YC because it's closer to DHS and seems to have a better balcony situation.

This is a monster thread, so I've tried to read some of it, but that's a tough task. I did read the first post and some of the links on it (FAQs, etc.), but I just want to clarify a couple of things:

1. Our kids won't sleep in a bed together...are the odds pretty good to get a daybed if we request it at checkin, even if we're only a party of 4? If we don't get one, how is the cot availability?

2. What's the bathroom situation? Is there a door in the area where you'd get ready in the morning (i.e., by the vanity) or is it open to the room?

3. On arrival day, we're going to AKL for dinnner. Is the best bet to boat and/or walk to DHS, and then catch a bus to AKL from there? We won't have tickets for that day, so cutting through Epcot isn't an option...

Thanks!

 

[msdroz]

Thanks everyone for the concierge suggestions!

Spent the am at Typhoon lagoon and left around130 to avoid having to reroute to Epcot. We waited a half hour for a bus so we must have just missed one. Stopped at swan, dolphin then YC, quick 20 min ride.
Enjoying the balcony with dh and some bud lite limes while our son naps

Hs tonight!

Q of the day.. If we have 945 tusker house ressies (Ak), what do you think is a good time to head out of our room? Thanks!!

 

[SillySallySews]

can someone clarify the bus situation at the BC/YC? do they share with Swan & Dolphin or do they have their own? is this a recent change?

I just left BC this morning. We had a lovely stay and only shared busses with YC.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Q of the day.. If we have 945 tusker house ressies (Ak), what do you think is a good time to head out of our room? Thanks!!

I would give yourself at least an hour to get to the restaurant. Once you get into the park you have to walk back to the Africa section, which will take a few minutes, especially if it is crowded.