Disney's YACHT & BEACH CLUB RESORTS Information & Questions

[Wood Nymph]

We also learned that umbrellas turned out to be much better than ponchos. It got really old pulling ponchos off and on each time we got in line for a ride. They put CMs there to remind you to remove them. On/off/on/off/on/off, just a PITA to pull it over our head. And umbrella turned out to be so much easier. I had them to use as shade anyway so we just kept a Disney shopping bag to put them in when we got in a line.

We are bringing umbrellas, too. I've included some four gallon trash bags to throw the wet umbrellas in when we aren't using them. It isn't as hot as a poncho either. I just hope I don't need to use them very often during our upcoming trip.

 

[natebenma]

I just printed our boarding passes for Southwest. Got awesome position with EBCI. A30-34. We are so excited!!

For anyone who is there now how has the rain been?? My XH has a friend that is there and he said that they said the rain is horrible and non stop. I know it rains in August. I expect it and plan to trek through it. But he made it sound unbearable.

Excellent!!!

I checked in this morning and got A60, B1, B3 and B25 (me).

Boo on the rain!

We are bringing umbrellas, too. I've included some four gallon trash bags to throw the wet umbrellas in when we aren't using them. It isn't as hot as a poncho either. I just hope I don't need to use them very often during our upcoming trip.

Great idea!

:


Here is the way I deal with ponchos (I have this info in the Other Useful Info Post on Page 1)



Can you explain "String-Bag Theory" to me?

Well, I am no physicist, but yes I can!

Some of you know that I have an unhealthy obsession with string bags and Ziplocs.

1) On days when we don't need ponchos, we try to only bring what we can carry through in our hands or pockets. Folded backsack(s) in back pocket. Cell Phones and small point & shoot cameras in shorts pockets or larger camera hanging around neck (no camera bag)- extra memory cards/batteries in pockets. Carry bottles of water.

Once you are through bag check, you can take the folded backsack out of your back pocket and empty the things in your pockets, plus the drinks, into the sack to make it easier to carry.

2) This is how we packed our ponchos for the Disney parks last July.

We rolled our ponchos into a large (2 or 2 1/2 gallon bag). Any other stuff we brought into the parks, like moleskin, extra memory cards, camera batteries and journals for notes, went into another, smaller plastic bag. We also carried another empty large ziploc to keep everything dry if it rained. We would wear the ponchos and then the string bag and contents would fit into the bag. When it stopped raining, we tried to wring out the ponchos, roll them up and place them back in their bag so they didn't get everything else wet.

It was great going through bag check. We had two clear see-through bags that the checkers didn't even have to open- just look and give a quick squeeze. Someone else carried the deflated string bag in their pocket. Once past that point, the two bags went back into the string bag.






PS- my bag was custom made by DISer Mickeystoontown. She often adds a Mickey Head outline decoration to the bag but I preferred to have mine without one.

PPS- the observant reader may notice that some of these bags are Hefty, not Ziploc. A rose by any other name...

 

[loves to dive]

I have a quick not so bright question. Are there DVD players in the room? I try to work out when travelling and generally I use DVDs. I can go down to the fitness room if necessary but frankly, I don't like all those good shape people seeing my old lumpy self.

 

[AngiTN]

Here is the way I deal with ponchos (I have this info in the Other Useful Info Post on Page 1)



Can you explain "String-Bag Theory" to me?

Well, I am no physicist, but yes I can!

Some of you know that I have an unhealthy obsession with string bags and Ziplocs.

1) On days when we don't need ponchos, we try to only bring what we can carry through in our hands or pockets. Folded backsack(s) in back pocket. Cell Phones and small point & shoot cameras in shorts pockets or larger camera hanging around neck (no camera bag)- extra memory cards/batteries in pockets. Carry bottles of water.

Once you are through bag check, you can take the folded backsack out of your back pocket and empty the things in your pockets, plus the drinks, into the sack to make it easier to carry.

2) This is how we packed our ponchos for the Disney parks last July.

We rolled our ponchos into a large (2 or 2 1/2 gallon bag). Any other stuff we brought into the parks, like moleskin, extra memory cards, camera batteries and journals for notes, went into another, smaller plastic bag. We also carried another empty large ziploc to keep everything dry if it rained. We would wear the ponchos and then the string bag and contents would fit into the bag. When it stopped raining, we tried to wring out the ponchos, roll them up and place them back in their bag so they didn't get everything else wet.

It was great going through bag check. We had two clear see-through bags that the checkers didn't even have to open- just look and give a quick squeeze. Someone else carried the deflated string bag in their pocket. Once past that point, the two bags went back into the string bag.






PS- my bag was custom made by DISer Mickeystoontown. She often adds a Mickey Head outline decoration to the bag but I preferred to have mine without one.

PPS- the observant reader may notice that some of these bags are Hefty, not Ziploc. A rose by any other name...

But how do you deal with taking them off and on all day long? That's why I went to an umbrella. We've always done the string bag travel style. DH wears cargo pockets for a reason

As for bags, we have those in spades. I pack DGD's clothes in full outfits in bags. That way, each morning I just toss her a bag and she can get herself dressed. And we are left with zip lock style bags for anything we need during the trip.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Got awesome position with EBCI. A30-34

That is totally awesome! This was my first time buying early bird, I hope it pays off. I did it both ways but really it's for the way home when I don't want to have to worry about it! We fly Friday so I guess I get my passes Thursday? Safe travels!

 

[ocalla]

Looking forward to all of the upcoming trips for everyone!!!!

DH is going through some weird Cupcake obsession? Everytime I mention food posts in The Dis he asks of its a cupcake??!!?? So if anyone happens to see some unique cupcakes please post them!!!

 

[gwynne]

But how do you deal with taking them off and on all day long? That's why I went to an umbrella. We've always done the string bag travel style. DH wears cargo pockets for a reason

As for bags, we have those in spades. I pack DGD's clothes in full outfits in bags. That way, each morning I just toss her a bag and she can get herself dressed. And we are left with zip lock style bags for anything we need during the trip.

I'm not a fan of the drippy poncho, either. We've found we like having very lightweight (not lined) windbreakers handy. We fold them up, pop them in a Kipling Hip Hurray tote. It's just the right size (oblong), weighs next to nothing, and is easy to put over the shoulder. If the day is coolish, and we're wearing the jackets, the tote zips into a little pouch. The tote is also nice to put purchases in. I usually wear a small/med cross body bag.

I don't worry about the bag check. I've found the trick is to carefully select the line. I avoid lines with strollers, lots of ginormous back backs and so on. It works for me, I'm through very quickly. (And I always have my bags unzipped before I get to the security person.)

 

[AngiTN]

I'm not a fan of the drippy poncho, either. We've found we like having very lightweight (not lined) windbreakers handy. We fold them up, pop them in a Kipling Hip Hurray tote. It's just the right size (oblong), weighs next to nothing, and is easy to put over the shoulder. If the day is coolish, and we're wearing the jackets, the tote zips into a little pouch. The tote is also nice to put purchases in. I usually wear a small/med cross body bag.

I don't worry about the bag check. I've found the trick is to carefully select the line. I avoid lines with strollers, lots of ginormous back backs and so on. It works for me, I'm through very quickly. (And I always have my bags unzipped before I get to the security person.)

The only bag check that I find bothersome is at Epcot's main entrance. It's so small and always has a back up. I think the rest move people through very fast and rarely gets a back up. The new selfie stick ban has made them check bags a bit more closely than they had been. I found as long as they didn't feel something that seemed like a stick they barely looked in the bag

 

[shoreward]

After getting caught at AK last summer in a horrendous downpour, I now bring along a pair of lightweight, inexpensive water shoes to change into, just in case. They are not the greatest for lots of walking, but good enough to slosh through the large puddles, so that your good shoes don't get wrecked. They are more substantial than wearing just sandals or flip-flops.

A very large mass-retailer carries different styles that are very inexpensive...so much so, that you can toss them at the end of the trip, if they got a good workout.

 

[AngiTN]

After getting caught at AK last summer in a horrendous downpour, I now bring along a pair of lightweight, inexpensive water shoes to change into, just in case. They are not the greatest for lots of walking, but good enough to slosh through the large puddles, so that your good shoes don't get wrecked. They are more substantial than wearing just sandals or thongs.

A very large mass-retailer carries different styles that are very inexpensive...so much so, that you can toss them at the end of the trip, if they got a good workout.

We all wear water friendly sport sandals at Disney. Keens, Merells, Teva, Chaco, etc. They can take a sloshing and keep right on walking
I added Vionics this year, which are awesome! They make 1 style (at least) of their flip flops that are water friendly. Not cheap but man are they great for walking

 

[natebenma]

But how do you deal with taking them off and on all day long? That's why I went to an umbrella. We've always done the string bag travel style. DH wears cargo pockets for a reason

As for bags, we have those in spades. I pack DGD's clothes in full outfits in bags. That way, each morning I just toss her a bag and she can get herself dressed. And we are left with zip lock style bags for anything we need during the trip.

When the rain stops, we take them off and wring them out as best we can, then roll them up and put them into the Hefty/Ziploc. If it starts to rain again, we unroll them and the inside is still dry.

Let's hope all this discussion is for nothing for the next few weeks!

Worst (wettest) trip for us was our Fayecation, during TS Faye in August 2008. I know there are some other survivors of that one here. I still haven't dried out from that trip!

:

 

[AngiTN]

When the rain stops, we take them off and wring them out as best we can, then roll them up and put them into the Hefty/Ziploc. If it starts to rain again, we unroll them and the inside is still dry.

Let's hope all this discussion is for nothing for the next few weeks!

Worst (wettest) trip for us was our Fayecation, during TS Faye in August 2008. I know there are some other survivors of that one here. I still haven't dried out from that trip!

:

I hope it's all for naught too. But mostly I meant going on and off rides while it's still raining. That's where we got so fed up with them. Every time we went in a ride the CMs preached "Off with the ponchos"

 

[Beth06015]

Another lifetime TP user here. (Anyone remember Tourguide Mike?)

Now I use them but don't let them dictate which park. I like the historical numbers on TP. So I use TP and I pull in/chart easywdw on my spreadsheet and come to a happy medium.

And there is a cutoff. Two weeks out seems like it may be good choice in your circumstance. And don't fret it too much. After your cutoff just accept the attitude that the park I'm in today is the BEST EVER!

Thanks. I think because of the BOG 8am breakfast I have, I can't switch the day in particular I'm looking at. This balance is what will work best for our trip I just don't like ending up on red days! I think that because the Halloween party is going on some nights those end up as preferred days to visit the park--but we also want to see fireworks and full day. It's only a different in 2 vs 1 crowd levels so I think I need to relax lol. It may not be the best day of the week to go but it's the best day in OUR week to go! First day there, pre park opening BoG, fireworks to end the day if not for the BoG reservation though I'd be trying to move things around I think.

 

[Ninja Mom]

All this talk of rain has me thinking that you all are leaving out the best strategy for dealing with it. I too am not a fan of dealing with soggy ponchos or umbrellas. Jackets are too hot for the heat of summer so when it rains I just ditch everything and go nekked. The advantages are that you dry off a LOT quicker and everybody gets out of your way everywhere you go, even in line. The downside is that you have to be fast enough to outrun security, which at my age, can be a major challenge.

~NM

 

[kimmy85]

BCV Refurb news (sort of)....just found this online:

"According to a Disney Vacation Club spokesperson, the extensive refurbishment of Disney's Beach Club Villas will not begin until some time in early 2016.

At the Condominium Association Meeting in December 2014 executives shared plans for the Beach Club renovations. The "hard goods" refurbishment was to commence in March 2015 and last approximately 3 months as all guest rooms are outfitted with new furniture, flooring, appliances, linens and more. Plans also call for the addition of a twin-size sleeper in all Deluxe Studio villas, raising maximum occupancy of those rooms to 5 guests.

The Spring 2015 issue of DisneyFiles Magazine listed a timeline of late-March to late-June for renovations to all 208 villas.

No explanation was given for the delay with the Disney representative stating only that project planning is ongoing."

Note: There are unconfirmed rumors that BCV is being delayed so that Villas @ Wilderness Lodge can be worked on first.

Oh well....I'll still be at Disney!!

 

[White Rose]

I hear you on that! I came home from one trip with pneumonia and I just got off the antibiotics on Thursday. Felt lousy on Friday, but have been much better since then. I leave Wednesday for Florida. I feel ready. I hope you have a similar successful recovery!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I got sick on my way to vacation once. We were going to California and doing San Diego, Anaheim and Hollywood...wound up getting bronchitis and gave it to my hubby. I was very sick the first part of the trip, and getting better at the end, and he was sick the second part...It hit me during plane depressurization when we landed in San Diego...ugh spent the whole trip sick. At least I got it now and not when on the trip. I will have plenty of time to pack and do last minute things.

7 days from now we will be on the plane to Orlando!

 

[jerseygal]

BCV Refurb news (sort of)....just found this online:

"According to a Disney Vacation Club spokesperson, the extensive refurbishment of Disney's Beach Club Villas will not begin until some time in early 2016.

At the Condominium Association Meeting in December 2014 executives shared plans for the Beach Club renovations. The "hard goods" refurbishment was to commence in March 2015 and last approximately 3 months as all guest rooms are outfitted with new furniture, flooring, appliances, linens and more. Plans also call for the addition of a twin-size sleeper in all Deluxe Studio villas, raising maximum occupancy of those rooms to 5 guests.

The Spring 2015 issue of DisneyFiles Magazine listed a timeline of late-March to late-June for renovations to all 208 villas.

No explanation was given for the delay with the Disney representative stating only that project planning is ongoing."

Note: There are unconfirmed rumors that BCV is being delayed so that Villas @ Wilderness Lodge can be worked on first.

Oh well....I'll still be at Disney!!

Was on the phone yesterday with MS about something else and asked if there is any additional information in terms of projected start.
She replied that there is NO additional information, only that it has been delayed.

 

[jerseygal]

FEEL BETTER White Rose...ENJOY your trip!

 

[FunkyDuckToo]

These are the instructions I put together for making Fast Passes for the groups going on our class trip, but probably more instructive is the link I have that shows step by step, with pictures, how to make FP reservations. If anyone sees anything that is not correct in my list, please let me know.


Making New Fast Pass Reservations for a Group

1. Sign in- look for Welcome *** at top, center (in blue)
   
   
2. Chose My Disney Experience (top right)
   
   
3. Under Plan and Manage, select Fast Pass Plus
   
   
4. Click Fast Pass Plus/New Day
   
   
5. Select ALL (top, blue) - click on Green Next Button
   
   
6. Select Park then Day then click on Green Next Button
   
   
7. Click on 3 attractions. Note: You may only choose Soarin OR Test Track at EP and Toy Story OR RockNRollercoaster at Hollywood studios. .
   
   
8. You will get four options for times- you can select the set that is most preferable to you. You will have an opportunity to change times based on what is available if you wish. Hint: If you know the times you want, then select times away from your preferred times and then modify the times to what you want.
   
   
9. Click on Done to set the Fast Pass times
   
   
10. If you want to modify the times, start with the one for the most popular attraction (for example, RockNRollerCoaster or Expedition Everest)
    
    
11. Click on Modify
    
    
12. There will be an Arrive Between drop-down option. Select the new time you want. After you see the green checkmark, click on *UPDATE* to select the new time.
    
    
13. Repeat with other two times if you want to change them.
    
    
14. Count the people listed in group and compare to Walking Group Spreadsheet
    
    
15. Close
    
    
16. Signout

Here is a link to a step-by-step instructions, with pictures, for making Fast Pass Plus reservations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sSH9eUhzrZ4S9eBVwqlRq67OzCCkyfcAR3Jpu5DEkks/edit?usp=docslist_api

Thank you so much for this!!! Feeling better about midnight!!

 

[AngiTN]

All this talk of rain has me thinking that you all are leaving out the best strategy for dealing with it. I too am not a fan of dealing with soggy ponchos or umbrellas. Jackets are too hot for the heat of summer so when it rains I just ditch everything and go nekked. The advantages are that you dry off a LOT quicker and everybody gets out of your way everywhere you go, even in line. The downside is that you have to be fast enough to outrun security, which at my age, can be a major challenge.

~NM

Well, you are a ninja so you have the skills to run around nekked