This is the *NEW* Yacht & Beach Club Question & Answer Forum. Yea...we're still here.

[Padre Disney]

Just back from BC.
When we arrived to check in it was 9:30 am on a Sunday morning and the entance and lobby were empty. We were told that they did not want us to park in the front even off to the side for very long. I'm sorry but check in usually only takes a few minutes and we all wanted to be a part of that special moment. So we parked off to the side and gave them our keys just in case they needed to move it.
We were only inside for about 10 minutes. After we had our room numbers we went out to unload only to be told that we could not use luggage carts. We parked in the parking lot as close to the front as we could which was still a nice walk and each grabbed as many bags as possible and headed to our rooms. We choose not to use the bell hop because we had 8 people with lots of luggage. If we would have used the bell hop and paid the minimum for the service it would almost paid for one of our meals.

We were told the resort was only booked at 20 or 30 percent. We thought maybe we would end up with a room that had somewhat of a view. We got rooms 1518 & 1520. Ours rooms were clean and comfortable and a long walk to the lobby. We were glad that our room were near one of the pools and the large laundry room. The view wasn't a big deal because we always got back late enough that it didn't matter. Never used Stormalong bay but used the pool near our room. It was great to walk out and be right on the path to Epcot. It took us about 5 minutes to walk to Epcot.
One morning we caught the bus to Mk. We only waited about 5 minutes for the bus and it dropped us at the front of MK. That night a bus was waiting at the front and we walked right on with no wait.
The boat ride to MGM was great. Had no wait either way.
Great trip. Parks almost empty and the cruise was wonderful.
Planning for 2003.
Overall we loved the Beach Club and would stay there again.

 

[EGOLIAK]

I was just quoted a price of $599.00 per night for the Yacht Club Concierge floor for the first 10 days of June 2002. Does anyone think that is too high except me? I have an AP but those rates are not being given out yet.

 

[Terry S]

Joe or anyone else.... This thread mentions that the Jr. Suite A at Beach Club (the one with two queen beds) is a "really big waterview room". Does anyone know if the Living Area is seperated from the Sleeping area by some type of door? Also is there a TV in both areas?

 

[laurenk]

We just got back from 4 nights at Poly concierge, and 5 nights YC concierge. If anyone has any questions I will be happy to answer them. We LOVED the Yacht Club. We had origionally booked only 4 nights there, but left Poly early(long story). I had a standard room at an AP rate, but asked to pay the difference for a waterview. Of course, we got a pool view. This was kind of aggrevating since the hotel was EMPTY all of the 3rd floor in both BC and YC were closed off. I kindly stated that I would like a view of the Boardwalk, if I am paying to upgrade. Well, lo and behold the room right next to the Admiral's Suite was open!! The view was unbelievable!!! Normally, I don't care about views, but with the cut hours we were in our rooms pretty early at night, and were able to watch the EPCOT fireworks, and the hustle and Bustle of the Boardwalk( really it was a ghosttown). The staff at the concierge was wonderful, and the food selections were very different then at Poly. We were intimidated about asking for Diet Cokes, but got over it. At Poly, they leave this huge cart of drinks out all day long. The resort itself is SO pretty.My kids LOVED the pool, but we were disappointed in the 7pm closing time. The walk to EPCOT is so short, I reccomend doing that over taking the boat. The whole EPCOT resort area is SO beautiful that we will probably try Dolphin or Boardwalk next. We already have tried the Swan, and loved that too. Would I pay for concierge again? Probably not. This trip was a BIG Christmas persent to us all, so future trips will probably be more cut back. I am glad that we got to experience concierge though. Any questions? i will be glad to answer them if I can. Our dates were from the 15th til the 24th.

 

[NCRedding]

Does Stormalong Bay close at 7 pm? What time does it open in the am?

 

[laurenk]

Yes the pool closed at 7 when we were there. I am not sure what time it opens, but I know it wasn't before 10am.

 

[Joe Cool]

Hey, guys...

Wow. It's been a long and busy holiday, and once again I've left y'all hanging. In the almost 3 weeks since I started to update this thread, I got the flu (again), re-scheduled my students' Holiday recital, had rehearsals, wrote and organized their parts, had the recital...and then, 2 days later ( ) went back and did it again, this time for about 1,200 homeless and underprivledged families as part of a community outreach Christmas dinner. Whew. Then came the usual holiday running around, most of which, I'm sorry to say, came at the VERY last minute. However, the week between Christmas and New Year's brought clarity and some much-needed feet-up-on-desk time. Ahhh...

Lately, I've been planning what will be done with the Forum in Y2k2. I'm sticking with Cali's plan (heh, as usual...), thus I will be reworking this place to be a companion forum to the Grand Floridian FAQ. Cali, eh...is this OK with you!? LoL! I figure we could both have links to each other's FAQ thread.

Only difference is, my thread will have most of the same information it has for the last 7 months. I am not going to change over to the FAQ format...this thread will continually be open for questions and answers, because that was the original mission. FAQ's are great, but what about the <i>In</i>frequently asked questions!? Hehe...I promise, the 2002 version will be complete, and I'm compiling info as I write this. Time-wise, I'm not worried...when I have a deadline, I don't sleep until it's done. Eh...*squirm*...right. Deadlines. OK. Yeah, right, some of you might think...this coming from the same Joe Cool who told you this thread was going to be updated in November when the information ISN'T UP YET...um, oops. I have 2 more weeks of break left, so I can work on this simultaneously with the Lit Journal I'm editing (long story short...I volunteered. Ech.).

Cali, I'd appreciate if we could trade emails about the design and layout of the new threads. Your design for the last GF FAQ was so awesome that I based this place on it. Get me at <b>bangheadthrowthings@hotmail.com</b>, but DON'T send attachments there. You can email me at <b>jdiedwardo@enter.net</b>, too.

OK. Happy New Year; I hope all of you had a safe and merry Christmas, especially you lucky DIS'ers who were in WDW over the holidays!

JC

 

[tammy]

I am one of the lucky ones that was able to spend Christmas at Disney World. We had a fabulous time there. We would definately return again at Christmas.

We enjoyed our stay at the YC, we were in room 4126 facing the front of the resort. We were able to convince a CM to let us peek at the concierge level. We may try to do that next time.

We saw LaVar Burton and Joe Namath at the resort. Both people were very nice.

Weather was cool on about 3 of the 9 days were there. Staff was very nice.

Can't wait to return.

 

[RAV]

Can you let us know if the hotel was crowded and how the crowds were in the parks during your holiday stay?

 

[laurenk]

RAV- We were at Poly from the 15th til the 19th, then switched over to YC til the 24th of December. All of the BC/YC had its 3rd floor closed. The concierge was EMPTY til the 24th. The parks were crowded, but for some reason we did not have to wait for any rides. We had GREAT weather, and enjoyed the YC tremendously. I am guessing that things will be back to normal for next year during the holidays. I hope so.

 

[kozmo]

i loved this ,very good,thanks for sharing,do we ever get discount codes for suites.?

 

[BowlingAriel]

For those of us transplanted Northerners.whining that its just not Christmas in 80 degree weather...this cool spell is WONDERFUL. I was at the Poly Dec 18th (supposed to be there thru the 21st...but changed to the BC. ) Rude Concierge people.

The parks were empty. We were at MGM on Thurs the 20th.....my husband rode ToT and Rockn Roller Coaster......when the ride was over they asked anyone wanting to stay raise your hand. Those wanting off exit to the right. I was amazed at the empitness. Everywhere was empty. It was nice though not having to wait. We walked right up to the gate in front of Canada at 9:10 and and enjoyed a breathtaking Illuminations view.

Last minute we decided to return to Disney for NY (we live 2 hrs away). So we called BC for the 30th thru the 1st. Guess what? They gave us an AP discount for CONCIERGE !! Oh yeah.
That was the only good thing.... because the empitness the week before was multiplied 10 fold. The parks were SOOO crowded almost to the point of being unpleasant, at least it wasn't swealtering heat. I loved the weather.

The 1st trip we made when we switched from the POLY we had room 1507 - EPCOT east as we referred to it. It was like 10 feet from the EPCOT bridge. The 2nd trip was Rm 5711. Both the same exact size rooms, 2Q's and a day bed.

Other than a trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge for the sunrise safari and an effort to try the Wilderness Concierge, I am never leaving home (BC) again. what was it that Dorothy said, There's No Place Like Home

 

[LBYC-19]

Would someone kindly assist me?

We were booked at the Poly originally and the Dolphin, but have always yearned to stay at the YC, and if these codes tomorrow are for the week we will be there, the family would be thrilled... I have read and re-read this thread to avoid asking a stupid question...here goes..

If we want a "quiet room" on the first floor (as I know April vacation it can get crazy there, especially in the SAB area), is it safe to request as follows: Lake view, lst floor, 2 queens, nonsmoking? Have I got this right? Thank you everyone for any help you can give me. If we got a standard room with a "garden view" is it so bad being near the quiet pool ?(this area sounds peaceful to me, but a lake view is so tempting). Help please!

 

[LBYC-19]

I just read that the new codes are not for my state, but
I guess in case of a miracle I won't reneg the question..
thanks in advance..
----------
Joanne

 

[organicb]

5 of us will be at the BC January 20-24 before leaving for a cruise on the Wonder. Is it true that you can request the nightly turn down service & a coffee maker for a standard room at no charge. Also what's the current policy for a refrigerator - charge or free? I'm also wondering if the room has a hair dryer or is this something I also have to request.
Bari

 

[laurenk]

BowlingAriel- Sorry about the Poly. We leftPoly. concierge early that same week due to issues, and checked into YC concierge earlier then planned. What a world of difference!! We checked out on the morning of the 19th to switch over.

 

[Joe Cool]

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!

YESS...this is like FINALLY my snowstorm that I asked for for Christmas, only 2 weeks late! Woo hoo!!!!!

OK...

<b>Terry S</b>, in the Type A Junior Suites, everything is in one room. These are actually called "Deluxe Rooms", which adds to the confusion. There is no divider between the living and sleeping area here...there is only 1 TV in that suite.

As far as I can tell, the YC & BC are under some kind of refurbishment right now. The front desk personnel weren't really that knowledgeable about it when I called recently, so be aware that the powers that be aren't exactly sharing much information with the guest services cast.

<b>Tammy,</b> who's LaVar Burton?

<b>kozmo</b>, eh...they don't officially discount the suites, but it DOES happen. Just not to normal yahoos like you and I.

<b>LBYC-19</b>, sounds good. Except -- the rooms around the quiet pool are considered Water View...well, there are a few on the north end that are Standard price. Check the Yacht Club floor plans for view information.

<b>organicb</b>, NO charge for a coffee maker or turn down service, but there is a change (that changes without notice) for refrigerators in the rooms.

Until later, keep checking back for updates about the restructuring of this place. Thanks!

JC

 

[organicb]

Joe Cool- Thanks for the info. 12 days to go................I've started to pack but at least I don't have to bring a hairdryer.
Bari

 

[GailT]

Joe , Thank God you got the snow and we didn't near Boston. I still wish I was at the YC, my alltime favorite resort on Disney property

 

[Joe Cool]

Gail, I'm real glad we gots da snow too...my girlfriend's school was, like the only district that got off today! I shoveled my driveway while it was still comin' down hard at 1 a.m. last night...my dad freaked out this morning, he was like, "JOE! You left the front door open last night, and someone went in the garage, got a shovel and cleared our driveway and walk!!".

Uh HUH. He was kidding, but maaaan, was he surprised when he got himself outta bed at 6 a.m. to dig us out and BAM!...mighty mouse to save the day. Heh...see what motivation of a WDW trip does...

OK, we got 14-day courtesy hold reservations at BOTH the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk Inn. AAA discount, 3 nights, 10% off. No problem. Eh...my Mom is kind of like me when it comes to making the final decision. Problem. We've been changing our mind (collectively and individually....ulp) like 3 times a day....*groan* I'm sure most of you have gone through this a ton of times. HELP! I'm like, Mr. Yacht & Beach Club here, and yet all of you get treated to my indicision diatribe when you could be reading about the new 2002 updates to the Forum.

Updates? Did somebody say updates? Nah. Nothing new to report. I'm working on it, but I want to get it all right. This may not go down until March, when I get back from WDW. I want the new design up next week, which means I may need help from some of you with converting picture files to JPG format. I...uh...still can't figure out how to do it. Email me, ok? <b>jdiedwardo@enter.net</b>.

JC