Conference koolit::disney

According to the MKC Travel Center this weekend Disney's Yacht Club Resort is
scheduled to open on 9-Nov-90, and Disney's Beach Club Resort on 15-Nov-90.  Or
maybe it was the other way around.

Anyway I asked if there was any kind of Dinner Show planned for these
properties. (I had read somewhere about a clam bake.)  There aren't.  But there
will be a resturant that features a clam bake on the menu.

It looks like this might be a good place to use my "resort lunch/breakfast"
coupons during an Epcot day.

    Has anyone received any detailed information on the Yacht & Beach Club
    Resorts yet? I have some on order from MKC, but while I'm waiting if
    anyone knows the following I'd appreciate an answer:
    
    	1) How big are the rooms? I'd imagine they're about the same size
    	   as the Poly/Contemporary, with 2 queen size beds and a sofa, but
    	   I've seen nothing to confirm this.
    
    	2) Do the rooms have any kitchen facilities at all? All we really 
      	   need is a refrigerator. I know the Grand Floridian rooms have
    	   a frig, but haven't heard for sure about the new resorts.
    
    	3) Which of the 2 resorts is physically closer to Epcot?
    
    Moderators, perhaps a dedicated note should be started for these new
    resorts.

    I have a brochure on the Yacht and Beach Club which shows 2 
    large beds and a table and chairs in the room.  However, nowhere
    does it indicate whether or not there is a refrigerator in the
    rooms.  I am going Nov. 18-21 and can update this note when I
    return.

    My mother sent me a full page ad that was in the Orlando Sentinel
    on October 7.  It basically reads:
    
      New England... Disney Style
    At a special introductory offer!
              $99
    
      Picture of the hotel with a couple walking around the marina
    
    Come aboard Disney's all-new Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
    
    from $99* per night!
    
    So grand, so fine, so close! Just a short walk or cruise from
    Epcot Center and the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, with the
    Magic Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon and Pleasure Island just moments
    away!
    
    Disney's Yacht Club Resort is impressive from stem to stern.  Rich
    hardwood floors, finely-crafted millwork and brass.  Dine on prime
    cuts at the Yachtman's Steakhouse.  Quaff a brew in the Crews Cup
    Lounge.
    Disney's Beach Club Resort is a holiday haven on palms and beaches.
    Fresh seafood delicacies at Ariel's.  Sizzling clambakes at the Cape
    May Cafe.  
    
    Discover Stormalong Bay!  Plunge into three acres of snorkling, sliding
    and a sensational shipwreck!
    
    Old World charm, first class service, state of the art comfort and
    convenience.
    
    All this for $99* a night - for a limited time!
    
    This special introductory rate is effective for arrivals November 5
    through December 22, 1990.  Advance reservations required; offer is
    subject to availability, some restrictions apply.
    
    There's only one thing better than visiting Walt Disney's World Resort.
    Staying there.
    
    For reservations, call your travel agent or (407)W Disney, (934-7639)
    extension 72.
    
    
    *plus tax
    
    
    

    We spent two nights at the Yacht Club Resort.  Although the decor
    is beautiful and the hotel is very convenient to Epcot Center, we
    felt it was too classy for us.  This was confirmed by the chamber-
    maid who said that once the convention center is operating (just
    completed it last month), they expect to see mostly business folks
    and very few families at the two resorts.
    
    The Yacht Club is the gray building and the Beach Club is the
    blue building.  They join together in the middle, behind Stormalong
    Bay (the swimming pool, water slide area).  The area where the
    buildings join contains a health club (looks large), the ice-cream
    shop and possibly some other stuff.
    
    The interior of the Yacht Club is done mostly in shades of blue
    and white.  Our room had wallpaper with a small blue pattern on a
    white background with a blue, white and burgundy border.  I thought
    it had a calming effect.  The bathroom was set up similar to the
    CBR but had more classy fixtures and the sinks were behind a
    partition so you couldn't see them from the beds.  Our room had
    two beds (seemed larger than the ones at the CBR), an armoir, a
    dresser, a table and chairs and another chair.  There was also a
    closet and a balcony with a table and chairs.  The armoir contained
    the TV, some drawers and the mini-bar.  I entered some mini-bar
    info in note 227.13.
    
    We had a view of the roof which looked out over Stormalong Bay,
    toward France in Epcot Center.  I was able to hear Illuminations
    and could see most of the fireworks from the balcony.  I think the
    rooms are similar to those at the Contemporary Resort, the Poly
    and the Grand Floridian.  The services provided are similar to
    what I've experienced at the Contemporary but have the class of
    the Grand Floridian (I assume).
    
    Tram service is provided to the World Showcase entrance to Epcot
    Center though it is much quicker to walk over.  The order of the
    stops is 1) Epcot Center 2) The Dolphin and Swan and 3) The Yacht
    and Beach Clubs.  The water taxis aren't operating between the
    resorts and Epcot Center yet.  The walk from the Yacht Club to
    the entrance is shorter (or at least seems to be) than the walk
    from Spaceship Earth to the World Showcase entrance.
    
    Water taxis are operating between the resorts and MGM.  The boats
    go very slow so the ride takes quite a while (similar to the
    monorail loop from the Magic Kingdom resorts).  The order of stops
    is 1) MGM 2) The Dolphin and Swan and 3) The Yacht and Beach Clubs.
    
    The Beach Club is physically closest to Epcot with the Yacht Club
    coming in a close second.  The Swan and Dolphin are quite a bit
    further away if you plan on walking.  At the Yacht and Beach Clubs,
    the transportation stops are closer to the Yacht Club - the water
    taxis are a short distance from the lobby, the tram and bus services
    are at the end of the Yacht Club.  I'm not sure about the Dolphin
    and Swan transportation stops but the tram and water taxi stops
    seemed to be located right between the resorts.
    
    There were a few negatives.  They really seem to push valet parking.
    If you park your own car, you have to walk quite a ways to the the
    lobby.  There are laundry services in each building but they are not
    shown on the resort map.  There were only two washers and dryers at
    the Yacht Club - my husband ended up taking our stuff over to the
    CBR.  We also didn't see any signs of vending machines which made
    the mini-bar prices even more of a rip off.
    
    Ruth

    
�    There were a few negatives.  They really seem to push valet parking.
�    If you park your own car, you have to walk quite a ways to the the
�    lobby.
    
    I think I have a general grip about this.
    
    Places like the Contemporary have always been this way.  But on our last 
    trip we noticed that at the Grand Floridian, they totally eradicated all 
    the self parking up towards the front (which we used in '88) and pushed
    it *across the road*.
    
    Valet Parking bothers me, not because of the cost, but because of the
    hassle every time you need to use your car.  And I suppose I don't 
    trust strangers with the car (yes, I'm a door ding paranoid).
    
    The Disney Inn has good parking for the self-parkers.
    
    SEAN/BEER=LABATTS

    Rep to Note 228.7 by BEATLE::REILLY "Pull my finger..." >

>    The Disney Inn has good parking for the self-parkers.

    Actually the  best  for  self-parkers were the Villa's, the treehouse I
    had back in  '84,  we parked about 80 feet from the door, otherwise I'm
    in agreement with Sean on the Disney-Inn
    
    Claude

    Maybe it's me but it seems more and more like the CBR is the best deal
    in town...erh in The World.
    
    Mike

    re: .8

�   Actually the  best  for  self-parkers were the Villa's.

    Sorry Claude, Ft. Wilderness has that beat.  You can park your car
    right in front of your rental trailer, three feet from the door.  Once
    or twice I wasn't too careful and actually parked closer than that.

    If you bring your own RV, you get to sleep *IN* your own vehicle.  (Is
    that zero feet?)

        I just made reservations for late summer under the $99 annual
        passport holder's special.  Both the Yacht Club and the Beach
        Club were available and I chose the Beach Club pretty much at
        random.  I reserved a lagoon view room (normally $245/night).

        Within this resort, has anyone been able to form a preference
        for either the Yacht Club or the Beach Club?  I could easily
        change my reservation to the Yacht Club.

        From Ruth's note (228.6) it seems the Beach Club is closer to
        EPCOT, but the Yacht Club is closer to the buses.  We
        generally do not use the buses very often, but since we drive
        our car a lot, we are interested to know if either is more
        convenient to the parking lots.   Also, Ruth says that her
        room had a balcony.  I assume this is similar to the
        Polynesian (for example) where your balcony is private.  I
        like this better than the CBR (for example) which is more
        "motel like" since people walk by your windows and look in. 
        Does anyone know the layout of the Beach Club in this regard?
        Also, does the Beach Club have several stories and if so,
        should I request a certain floor?

        For any of you who have stayed at this resort, how do you feel
        it compares to the other resorts?   We have stayed in the
        Polynesian (lagoon view) and the CBR (lagoon view) and we
        liked both a lot (with a slight edge to the Polynesian).

        /Jim Pappas
    

        I called WDW and got answers to some of my questions, but I
        would still like to hear from those with first hand
        experience.

        The major difference between the two resorts is in the decor. 
        The Yacht Club has a nautical theme with millwork, brass
        accents etc.  By contrast Beach Club resort was described as
        being much softer and themed after a 1870's grand seaside
        resort.  The actual building, rooms, facilities are very
        similar.

        Both resorts have 5 stories with the top two reserved for
        concierge service.  The fifth floor contains the suites. 
        After June, the 4th floor will no longer be a concierge level.

        The Beach club is physically closer to EPCOT's International
        Gateway.  Each resort has its own parking lot at about equal
        distances and each has valet parking available.  The buses
        stop at both of the resorts.  The Beach Resort is closer to
        the sand beach.  Actually, it is right on the beach.

        The rooms in the two resorts are laid out the same and have
        either 2 Queens, 1 King, or 2 Queens and a daybed.  Since
        there are 5 of us, we requested the later.  Once again, the
        Yacht Club has a nautical theme, the Beach Club has a grand
        seaside resort theme.

        The upper floors have the best view (we requested 4th floor)
        and both resorts have private balconies with beach tables and
        chairs.  I was told the balconies were slightly smaller than
        the ones at the Polynesian.  I was also told that each room
        had a safety deposit box in the closet wall and a mini-bar in
        the room.

        There is a mini-waterpark between the two resorts that has
        slides, snorkeling among fish, etc.  I was told that Disney
        has restricted this area to guests of the Yacht and Beach
        Club.  This is unlike the rest of the park where any WDW
        resort ID will get you into any of the resort's recreational
        facilities.

        I think I will stay with the Beach Club Resort, 4th floor,
        lagoon view, non-smoking room with 2 Queens and daybed.  Also,
        unless I hear bad reports about the Y&B Club resorts, I think
        I will cancel the reservation I made for the Polynesian.  I am
        looking forward to try someplace new and this sounds nice.  At
        $99/night, I can even afford it.
    
    

    re: .11, .12
    
    Jim,
    
    The information you got from Disney seems to be accurate.
    
    Our room was on the third floor and overlooked part of the roof
    toward the water park section of the resort.  We had reserved a
    parking lot view so the view was better than expected.
    
    The rooms were very similar in layout to the ones we've stayed in
    at the Polynesian and Contemporary but are supposedly on a par with
    the Grand Floridian in terms of elegance and service.  We like the
    resort but found it to be a little too formal for our tastes.  If
    you're into valet parking, bellhops and not doing laundry, the Yacht
    Club is for you.  If you're into doing everything for yourselves
    (CBR style) then the Yacht Club may not be for you.
    
    It is hard to discuss the convenience aspects of the resorts as
    that is pretty much determined by the location of your room.  You
    must take elevators to get to the upper floors of the Yacht Club.
    There are stairways but are apparently intended to be used in
    emergencies only.  Once you get out of the elevators, you must
    wind your way through a maze of twisty passages, all alike to get
    to your room.
    
    I'd want an upper floor, lagoon view room fairly close to the
    elevators for convenience but not too close to prevent noise
    problems.  I think I'd chose the Beach Club over the Yacht Club
    because:
        o It's closer to Epcot.
    	o It seems to be a little more casual than the Yacht Club.
        o The convention facilities are at the Yacht Club end of the
    	  complex (I don't remember any being at the Beach Club end).
        o Parking should be easier, especially if the convention
    	  facilities are only at the Yacht Club end of the resort.
    	  I suspect most visitors to the resort (those not actually
    	  staying at the hotel and those trying to avoid the crowds
    	  exiting Epcot after Illuminations) park at the Yacht Club
    	  since you get to that lot first.  We did have some trouble
    	  parking during our Christmas week stay.
    
    Ruth

    Ruth, 

    Thanks for all of the info.  I am looking forward to staying at the
    Beach Club and trying something new this time.  I will cancel my
    reservation at the Polynesian.

    Speaking of parking, last summer we parked at the Swan one evening when
    we were going into EPCOT for dinner.  I realized afterwards  that day
    visitors who park here do not have to pay for parking.  I am wondering
    if this is going to be a problem with the Y&B Club resorts since they
    are so close to EPCOT.

    Right now, I've got reservations for the last week of September for the
    Polynesian (Ann. PP special).  I chose the Poly over the Y&B club
    because of its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, but Y&B sure sounds
    nice.  Just how inconvenient is it if you want to pop over to the Magic
    Kingdom for some quick rides?
    
    We have a 10 year old and a 2.5 year old.
    
    -Ken

    
    	Regarding the earlier note that said that the Disney Beach and
    Yacht Club have begin restricting access to their " Storm-a-long Bay "
    wate recreation area, I called the front desk at the Beach Club this
    morning and got the following clarification :
    
    	 Yes, Disney * IS * considering restricting access to " Storm-
    a-long Bay " due to its popularity with WDW visitors. As of right now,
    the water recreation area is STILL be open to WDW resort guests. That 
    may change sometime this summer. 
    	 As of today, if you are staying at one of WDW's resort hotels, you
    can use " Storm-a-long Bay. " However, the staff of the Disney Beach
    and Yacht Club ask that you bring your WDW resort ID with you when you 
    arrive at the hotel to use the pool. You'll need to show your ID to the
    pool's staff if you want to snag one of their " complimentary " beach
    towels.
    
    	I'll be down at WDW this weekend myself, so I'm going to try to
    swim at " Storm-a-long Bay " before they start sealing the place off
    to those of us not " hoity-toidy " enough for the Beach & Yacht Club.
    Ah -- the curse of popularity ...

    I too have reserved an annual passport special for the last week of
    September.  I chose the Yacht Club based on the recommendation of a
    friend who stayed at the Beach Club and thought the decor was "too
    feminine".  You have to make a choice somehow.

    However, unlike Jim and others, they would not guarantee a room type. 
    They said I would get whatever was available at check-in.  I might get
    a parking view, or I might get a Concierge Room.  (I did make them add
    a request for a lagoon view room to the reservation record.)  I asked
    about folks who's confirmations said "Lagoon View", and was told that
    they too would get whatever was available, regardless of what was on
    the confirmation.  I called the CRO and asked the same question three
    times and got the same answer each time.

    I hope we each get the best room in the house. I know we deserve it.

    BTW the new confirmations do not include the room type, only a two
    letter code labeled "category".  This is the same code that used to
    precede the reservation number.

    We walked through the resorts when we were there last November.  The
    hotels are only connected backstage, and the room layout is very
    similar in each.  To get between the two you walk through a covered
    outdoor common area that has a couple of restaurants and the arcade.

    The Yacht Club is closest to the boat dock (transportation to MGM), and
    marina.  The Beach Club is closest to the beach and Stormalong Bay.  It
    is also a little closer if you are walking to the International Gateway
    entrance to EPCOT Center.  There is apparently no easy way to get to
    the main entrance of EPCOT.  Buses run from both directly to the Magic
    Kingdom.

    re: .14, Jim
    I think day guests parking at the resorts will be a problem.  However,
    I bet it is worst at the Swan and Dolphin since they are the first
    lots you come to on the access road.  The next lot you come to is
    the Yacht Club's so I think that would be the second worst leaving
    the Beach Club's lot as being the easiest to park in.  As I mentioned
    before, we did have some minor problems with parking in December.
    We always found a space but many cars were illegally parked which
    made it hard to navigate.  I think this is due to the distance from
    the parking lot to the lobby.  It's not too bad but you do have to
    walk quite a way.  I'm not good at distances... it's maybe five or
    six hundred feet.  Len can you help here?
    
    re: .15, Ken
    If you have a car, hopping over to the Magic Kingdom is a matter
    of a 5 to 10 minute drive (maybe 15 to 20 on a very crowded day).
    Otherwise, you'd have to take a bus from the resort.  The convenience
    of the buses will depend on how often they run and how many stops
    they make before going to the Magic Kingdom.  Does anyone know how
    often the buses run (every 15 minutes?) and the bus route?  I would
    guess the average trip by bus would take about 1/2 hour.
    
    1/2 hour may sound terrible but that's about how long it takes to get
    to the Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian.  Monorail service for the
    hotels is extremely slow.  For example, once you board the monorail
    at the Polynesian, you have to wait until the train is cleared to
    leave the station.  Then the train goes over to the Grand Floridian
    and waits outside for clearance to enter the station.  Then the train
    enters the Grand Floridian, unloads and loads passengers, and then
    waits for clearance.  Then the train goes over to the Magic Kingdom
    and waits outside for clearance to enter the station.  Finally, the
    train is cleared to enter and you get to exit.  It is generally
    faster and less frustrating, though less convenient, to walk over
    to the TTC and either take the express monorail or the ferry to the
    Magic Kingdom.
    
    Ruth

    
    Ruth,
    
    If you're a Poly guest you can walk down to the end of the dock and hop
    the power launch to the GF and MK its quick and a nice little ride.
    It's realy great after the firewoks and every other mode of
    transportation is swamped, this was the only time our exact hotel was
    checked.
    
    your resort ID don't leave your room without it
    
    steve

    As with most of the bus service at WDW the frequency varies time of
    day, and perhaps the time of year.  That is, there are more buses
    running at peak times.

    The day we visited DBC for lunch we took the bus from there to the MK,
    and then the boat back to Ft. Wilderness where we were staying.  DBC
    was apparently the last stop among the EPCOT resorts, because we went
    directly to the MK station.  We waited about 10 min. for the bus, and
    the trip took about 10 min.

    Since all of the resorts now have direct transportation to the MK, that
    station is among the best transfer points when going from resort to
    resort.  You only have to make a maximum of one transfer.

    For those of you who plan to stay at the Yacht or Beach Clubs, I'm
    entering the price list for the mini-bar.   In an apparent attempt
    to maintain that aura of poshness, the items in the mini-bars cost
    more than their CBR counterparts, more hoity-toity items are stocked
    (such as Toblerone) and most important, the mini-bar itself is
    called a Private Pantry.  Fortunately, the Private Pantry is
    concealed in the armoir which makes it fairly easy to resist the
    temptation to consume all those goodies.  The mini-bars at the CBR
    are part of the room's decor and have a window in them so they can
    boldly display their contents.
    
    Ruth
    
    Here's the price list as of December 28, 1990 (the quantity of each
    item is listed in parentheses):
    SOFT DRINKS
        Coca-Cola Classic (4)		$1.25
    	Diet Coke (2)			$1.25
    	Sprite (2)			$1.25
    	Ginger Ale (1)			$1.25
    	Club Soda (1)			$1.25
    	Tonic Water (1)			$1.25
    	Vittel (2)			$2.45
    JUICES & MILK
        Apple Juice (2)			$1.85
    	Orange Juice (2)		$1.85
    	Milk (2)			$1.85
    	Chocolate Milk (2)		$1.85
    SNACKS
        Pudding (2)			$1.25
    	Snickers (2)			$1.25
    	M&M Plain (1)			$1.25
    	M&M Peanut (1)			$1.25
    	Premium Chocolate (1)		$3.65
    	Peanuts (1)			$4.75
    	Pretzels (1)			$2.25
    LIQUORS
        Absolut (3)			$4.25
    	Chivas Regal (2)		$5.00
    	Jack Daniels Black Label (2)	$4.25
    	Bacardi Rum Silver Label (2)	$4.25
    	Canadian Club (2)		$4.25
    	Grand Marnier (1)		$5.00
    	Couvoisier (1)			$5.00
    	Tanqueray (2)			$4.25
    	Bailey's Irish Cream (2)	$5.00
    BEERS
        Michelob (3)			$3.65
    	Miller Lite (3)			$3.65
    	Heineken (3)			$4.25
    WINES
        Chardonnay (1)			$4.25
    	White Zinfandel (2)		$3.65
    	Wine Cooler (2)			$3.65

	Re: .19

	Do they cook that Power L(a)unch in the firewoks?!?!


	Now that that's out of my system......


	Sorry.

Tom

        RE: 228.7  Valet Parking

        > Valet Parking bothers me, not because of the cost, but because
        > of the hassle every time you need to use your car.  And I
        > suppose I don't trust strangers with the car (yes, I'm a door
        > ding paranoid).

          We don't use valet parking very often, but we certainly
          don't consider it to be a hassle.  In our limited
          experience, they have been extremely quick at getting the
          car (quicker than we could ourselves) since they have the
          best parking spots.  Additionally, when we get our car, it
          is already starting to cool down providing we left the AC on
          high.

          Our best use of valet parking was at the Polynesian on July
          4th last year.  The parking lot was jammed, with parking on
          the grass etc.  We had dinner reservations at the Papeete
          Bay and used valet parking.  After the fireworks, the
          monorail was all backed up but we got onto the first boat to
          the Poly and then into our car which was brought to the
          front door.  This was anything but a hassle.

        > Places like the Contemporary have always been this way.  But
        > on our last  trip we noticed that at the Grand Floridian, they
        > totally eradicated all  the self parking up towards the front
        > (which we used in '88) and pushed it *across the road*.

          I agree about the GF.  If we were staying there, we would
          probably use the valet parking rather than self park.   If
          the Y&B is similar, then we will probably use valet parking
          more.

          As far as costs,  I was wondering what the accepted tip is
          for valet.  In the past I have given a couple of dollars but
          today I heard that $1 is customary.  I'll have to check our
          travel books for the acceptable guidelines.  Maybe we need a
          note on tipping.

        I called the CRO a couple of days ago and found out the
        following facts about the Y&BC resort.

        Both the Yacht and Beach Club have cut back on the number of 
        concierge rooms.   They both had concierge rooms on the 4th
        and 5th floors.  Now, only the 5th floor of the Yacht Club and
        none of the Beach Club has concierge service.

        I am pretty sure that all of the suites are on the top floor
        of both hotels.  In the past I thought the entire 5th floor
        was all suites but that does not seem to be true.  There are
        regular rooms on the 5th floor.

        I also found out (from Len) that adjoining rooms are not the
        same as connecting rooms.  Only the later necessarily have a
        door between them.  Adjoining rooms could be across the hall
        from each other, or could be adjacent but without the
        connecting doorway.

        So, I have now modified my reservations to request 5th floor,
        connecting, non-smoking, lagoon view rooms in the Beach Club.

        My parents will be in the other room and we are hoping to get
        the connecting rooms so they can babysit at night without
        being in the room with the kids.
    

        We just returned from spending 2 weeks at the Beach Club using
        the $99/night annual passport special and we thought it was
        absolutely fantastic.  It was by far the nicest Disney resort
        that we have stayed at.  So far, we have stayed at the Poly,
        Caribbean Beach Resort, Contemporary, and Beach Club.

        Ruth's comments in earlier replies are quite good, but for us
        we did not find the place to be too fancy or elegant, but
        definitely somewhat up-scale from the other places we tried.
        The Yacht Club and Beach Club are very similar, but the Beach
        Club is a little more relaxed.  Especially at night, we found
        the Beach Club to be brighter and more cheery.

        I think Ruth's comments about room location are especially
        valuable.  The corridors are very long and twisty and you
        could get a room quite a distance from the lobby/elevators. 
        We had originally requested 2 connecting lagoon view rooms
        (one for us, the other for my folks) overlooking Stormalong
        Bay, but when we found out that our rooms would have somewhat
        obstructed views, we had our rooms changed.  The woman who
        checked us in was extremely helpful and full of advice on the
        best rooms to get. We ended up with connecting lagoon view
        rooms in the "volleyball court" section of the hotel.  It was
        very nice and we were only 6 rooms away from the main
        elevators (very convenient).  In the Yacht Club, I think the
        comparable section would be "Croquet Lawn" section.  Directly
        out of our window we could see the Chinese theater in MGM and
        we could watch the Sorcery in the Sky Fireworks from our room
        (I never did see what time they deflate the giant Mickey).  We
        were on the 3rd floor, which is the designated "no smoking"
        floor.

        Indeed, as Ruth reported, the convention center is on the
        Yacht Club side of the resort.  From my perspective, the Y&BC
        resorts did not have the feel of a convention hotel.  For the
        most part, the people there were vacationers.

        The rooms are definitely smaller than the ones in the Poly or
        Contemporary, but a little larger than the CBR.  With 2 queen
        beds, the daybed, and the table, our room was somewhat
        cramped.  Our in-room babysitter said the Y&BC rooms were
        larger than those at the Grand Floridian but I can't imagine
        the room being much smaller with the amount if furniture in
        the room.  Since the CBR has double beds (vs. queen) and no
        daybed, it didn't feel as cramped even though it is smaller.

        The childcare center is called the Sand Castle Club and is
        located in the Beach Club.  I will report on that in the
        "babysitting note" (140.*).

        The staff at the Y&BC seem to be having a friendly competition
        claiming that their resort is nicer than the Grand Floridian.  
        I heard from several of the staff that they always get
        compliments from people that stayed at both places and prefer
        the Y&BC.  In my opinion, the GF has nothing to worry about. 
        The Y&BC is so remote that practically no one will ever see
        them.  By contrast, the GF is viewed by everyone going to and
        from the MK.  Also the GF has that grand lobby that dwarfs the
        Y&BC.  However, the upside is that the Y&BC gets very little
        day guest traffic and therefore does not get busy like the GF. 
        The Y&BC may be as nice as the GF, but the GF will still be
        the premier resort.

        The walk from the Beach Club to the International Gateway of
        Epcot is very short.  I would say less than a 5 minute walk.

        Stormalong Bay closes at 7:00 which I think is a shame. 
        However it is nice to sit out there in the evening without all
        of the splashing and excitement of the day.  At the end of
        both the Yacht and Beach Club hotels are smaller pools and
        spas that are open till midnight.   We would often use the
        spas at night which would relax all those tired muscles and
        ensure a good nights sleep. I would especially avoid getting a
        room overlooking these "quiet" pools because they were not at
        all quiet at night.

        Stormalong Bay is the best hotel pool I have ever seen.  The
        area is huge, and very interesting.  The "Whirling Waters" was
        a big hit.  it is a circular section of the pool that has
        water jets causing a whirlpool like effect (no funnel).  Once
        you swim into this area, the current spins you around within
        the circular area.  Close by is "Bubbling Bay" which has lots
        of air bubbles rising from the bottom of the pool creating a
        "boiling water" type of feeling.  This is similar to a spa,
        except that the water is not hot.  There are 3 hot water spas
        in the area (plus one at each of the quiet pools).  There is a
        fairly good sized water slide which originates atop the
        shipwreck on the shore.  It is not too wild, but is fun.  You
        have to be 48" tall to use the slide.  The shipwreck also has
        a smaller slide and pool for the young kids.  The entire pool
        complex has sand bottom pools which is unique.  They do not
        use chlorine in the pools.  I asked the lifeguard and he said
        they use ozone gas instead (don't ask me, I'm not a chemist).
        There is a section of Stormalong Bay that has a current that
        will carry you around an island.  The pump was out of order so
        the current was turned off.  This is also the area which is
        supposed to have live fish eventually.  You are supposed to be
        able to snorkel in this area among the fish.

        For good sundaes, try Beaches and Cream Ice Cream Shop which
        is located between the Yacht and Beach Club.  They have some
        larger group sundaes.  One day we ordered their biggest one
        (about $8 or $9) for all 5 of us to share.   6 scoops of ice
        cream, 2 whole bananas, 6 scoops of toppings etc.   Lots of
        fun.

        As I mentioned earlier, the receptionist at the front dest was
        extremely helpful.  She asked if we were celebrating any
        special occasions and I told her it was our anniversary.  She
        typed that into her computer and during our stay, we returned
        to our room to find a bottle of "champagne" (non-alcoholic
        bubbling grape juice), 2 glasses, a note, and a rose.  It was
        a nice surprise.

        The service was exceptional overall.  On our first day, when
        we returned to our room for our afternoon naps, the maid was
        just getting to our room.  We told her to just leave some
        towels and forget about housekeeping that day.  She said that
        she would request late housekeeping for us after our naps
        (after 4:30 when she left) and informed us we could specify
        what time we would like our room cleaned each day.  We 
        requested 10am and then when we came back to the room every
        afternoon, the room was always complete.  Also, the hotel has
        a turn down service every evening so when we would come back
        to our room every night, the beds would be re-made, turned
        down, the kids stuffed animals would be tucked in, and there
        would be mints on our pillows.

        I hope we get to stay here again.  The $245/night regular
        price is outside our budget, but if they ever offer another
        $99/night AP special when we are going in the future, then we
        will pick the Y&BC over the CBR, PO, or DL in a minute.

    just got back from a weeks stay at the Yacht club. Very nice place.
    Last year we stayed at the Grand Floridian. The Yacht club compares
    well to the Floridian, only lacking some of the special touches such as
    complimentory transportation to and from the Golf courses. ( with an
    early tee time the busses aren't running yet ). Other things like the 
    comfy robes, and magnificent lobby are also missing. Room size is
    practically identical to the Grand Floridian. We selected a 4th floor
    room overlooking a quiet pool. With the heavy sliding doors closed we
    had no problems with any noise at any time. It was dissapointing that
    the pool section with the fish wasn't open, but the rest of stormalong
    bay was fun. Remember to bring your own snorkel and mask though, they
    are not available at the hotel.
    Beaches and Cream restaurant was fantastic. It reproduces a turn of the
    century soda fountain complete with sundaes , malts, frappes, hot dogs,
    hamburgers, and some ice cream creation called a collosal ! Prices were
    reasonable ranging from $2.75 for a malt to $8.25 for the collosal.
    We timed te walk to Epcot, and it was roughly 5 minutes (depending on
    how long your legs are I guess ! ) They also offer a tram ride to
    Epcot and a ferry ride to MGM. These made both Epcot and MGM very
    convienent. 

    re: .25
    
    >>  This is similar to a spa, except that the water is not hot.  
    
    When we were there in late June and early July, we were told that they
    kept the water temperature at 88 degrees F, because the guests liked it
    that way (I'd call that hot... ;^>).  With the air temp at 95 and the
    humidity at 95%, I would have preferred the water to be a little cooler
    (this is from someone who usually takes about a half an hour to get
    into the water).
    
    >>  This is also the area which is supposed to have live fish eventually.  
    >>  You are supposed to be able to snorkel in this area among the fish.
    
    We just got a letter from the BCR stating that they had to abandon
    their plans to have live fish in the pool.  Seems that whenever they
    put in some fish, they weren't live fish for very long...
    
    >>  For good sundaes, try Beaches and Cream Ice Cream Shop which
    
    I loved their sundaes.  I also liked their "Fenway Park Burger".  But
    usually, they were so big that I had room for one or the other, but
    never for both at the same time.
    
    --Jay
    

	We spent a couple days at the Yacht CLub on the Annual Passholders
	Special.... It was a very nice place.... Almost all of the WDW hotels
	now have conference centers (G. FL; Contemp; Yacht/Beach; Swan; Dolphin
	so I don't think this will be much of an issue; the Conference center
	at Yacht/Beach Club didn't look that big; so it doesn't appear that it
	can host massive conferences...

	Most of the people we saw there were vacationing.

	We had a room on the third floor (non-smoking) looking directly out on
	the water/lighthouse. We had a kingsize bed; so there was plenty of
	room. It had a nice balcony....

	We had a couple minor problems; the first night we arrived; we were
	tired and back to the room early; so when turn down service came around
	we said no. well the person took that to mean no for the entire
	stay; and we had to call to get turn down service reinstated. Then
	we were accidently checked out after the first night; and they list
	the passholders special as a package; so our Credit card was charged
	for the entire package after the first nights stay. When they "checked
	us back in"; they didn't credit us the remainder of the package price
	that we got charged the first night; and had the wrong check out
	date. Since I had gone down to check out what we had as room charges
	we caught the problems and got them fixed before checkout day.

	Pools - The "quiet pools" (thats what they call them); are probably
	only quiet during the day; because everyone is at Stormalong Bay;
	after 7pm; the quiet pools are the only pools :^)..... Stormalong
	Bay is interesting! I felt the water was too hot!; Was impressed
	with the number of lifeguards on duty; Stan tried the waterslide;
	the bubble area is neat; but it fills the bathing suit with
	sand :^(, the  bay is actually divided into several areas that aren't
	connected. One section goes from 4' up to 8'; The bottom is
	sand thats neat! and there seemed to be plenty of loungers/chairs
	around.

	Exterior wise; the Beach Club side had the sandy beach; and some
	neat swings; the yacht club side had the dock and boats (sail;
	paddle; etc, no sprites).

	The Yacht club people refer to the Beach club as their sister resort;
	The two are connected; but not from the inside; you need to swing
	around the restaurant in the Yacht Club exit by the Steermans Restaurant
	and walk along the porch to reenter the Beach Club near Ariels.

	The restaurant in the Yacht club( I forget the name?) had a really
	good buffet for Breakfast; The Ship Shape Shop was quite large; and
	included alot of Nautilus equipment and aerobic equipment (stair
	steppers, etc). Beaches and Cream was great; Stan and I split the
	Bundt Cake Sundae; that was great!

	Transportation from the Yacht/Beach Club to :

	 Epcot - Tram/walk.... The tram is located on the faaaaaarrrr
		side of the Yacht Club (closest to the Dolphin)... So
		from the Beach CLub is easier to walk and probably the
		same from most of the Yacht club; unless you need to ride.
		This takes you to the entry to Epcot between Gr. Britain
		and France.... There is only one drawback to this.. If you
		want to make reservations first thing for one of the restaurants
		you have to walk to the restaurant or walk up front to
		Space Ship Earth... and I do mean walk

		- The World Showcase Stations are not operating first thing
		 in the morning; (Worldkey or whatever they call them); we
		 tried to use one; and pressed for restaurant reservations;
		 and got a message saying the service was not available at
		 that time from this station; go to Space Ship Earth; they
		 probably have it set up that way to handle the influx of
		 people coming in the front.

		- The water shuttles are sitting on the Canadian/Mexican
		  side; waiting to ferry people across to the far side
		  of the lagoon; it didn't get across till about 9:20..

		- The double-decker buses don't start making their rounds
		  till 9:20ish also...

	   We walked around from France to Norway and made our reservations
	   there.... So make your reservations the night before; and plan
	   on browsing in France/Great Britain if you don't feel like hiking
	   first thing in the morning!
	   The Tram started about 8:30.

	MGM - Water Shuttle - every 25 minutes or so between YBC and MGM.
	   first one was at 8:30; you can hear the horn as it comes under
	   the bridge; so that gives you some warning to get down to the
	   dock; it also sounds the horn as it is ready to leave the
	   dock; a little late to run and catch it; unless you are already
	   on  the dock.

	MK - Bus directly to the MK bus area; It stops at the Swan; then
	   Dolphin; then Yacht; then Beach club...

	Typhoon Lagoon/MArket place/P.I.; bus directly there.....

	To get to the TTC first thing in the morning; you would have to take
	the MK bus to the MK bus area and then take the monorail or ferry
	over to the TTC. Also early in the morning you cannot get to
	some of the hotels from the TTC; you have to use the buses from
	the MK area....

	We have 17 days reserved at CBR	for late March 1992 (15th Anniv.)
	now maybe there will be another eannual passholders special and
	we an stay at the YAcht Club again; or split it between Yacht and
	Poly.

		- Annie

    We'd happily stay at the Yacht Club any time we're at WDW. Proximity to
    the things we want to do most, decor, restaurant choices (including
    Beaches and Cream, yum!), and Stormalong Bay made the Yacht Club the
    perfect place for us. By the way, if anyone out there likes chili,
    the jalepeno pepper-topped chili (available in the Crew's Cup Lounge
    and the Yacht Club Galley) is fantastic!
    
    The fish were placed in the snorkeling pool on the day we left. That
    section of the pool wasn't opened that day to allow the fish to
    acclimate.

Wow!  That must be what the receptionist meant when I talked to the
desk at Beach Club.  That's 25% off the lowest rack rate there!

Bill

    QUESTION:
    
    Anyone try out the Clambake listed in the "bible" ?
    We're thinking of adding it to our itinerary as 
    one of our plan meals.
    
    Thanks
    PASCO
    

    Just got back from spending Sun.-Tues. at the Beach club. As soon as I
    wake up :-) I will give some report on my stay. Sorry I did not try the
    Clambake.

    I just spent 10 days (8/16-8/25) at the Beach Club, and my family and I 
    had a blast.  The Beach Club is so much fun that I had to drag the kids 
    away from the pool a couple of times to take them into the MK!  This
    was our fourth trip, and we have stayed at the Contemporary during two
    of our previous trips, but we will be returning to the Beach Club
    during our next trip.  
    
       Jim Pappas'note 228.25 is pretty definitive about the hotel, but allow 
    me to add a few updates and opinions:
    
    o Stormalong Bay was open until 10:00 every night.  This pool is indeed
      amazing - water slides, water falls, bubble pools, whirlpools, tidal
      pools, sand on the bottom, hot tubs - not much more you could ask for.
      The lifeguard I talk to said that they had given up on stocking the
      pool with fish - seems they were either dying or being taken home for
      souvenirs.  Worth the price of admission alone.
    
    o Yacht club vs. Beach club - almost a moot argument.  We walked
      through the lobby of the Yacht club, and found as many bathing suits
      in there as in the lobby of the Beach club.  The decor is a little 
      more formal in the Yacht club, but we found both clubs equally
      appealing.  The restaurants or so close to each other that staying in
      one hotel so that you can be near to a certain restaurant is not
      worth considering.
    
    o YBC vs. GF - we spent a hot afternoon touring the Monorail hotels, 
      specifically to see the GF which was under construction during our
      last trip.   It is an impressive hotel, and I'm sure the amenities
      are wonderful, but the YBC is secluded enough from the tourists eyes
      (like ours!) so that it has a much more peaceful and relaxed
      atmosphere.  I'll take the YBC anyday.
    
    o Transportation: 5 minute walk to EPCOT international gateway.  The
      tram is not for Beach Club residents - it stops at the Yacht club, 
      and it is a 5 minute walk from the Beach club away from EPCOT to pick up
      the tram.  If you need a ride, stay at the Yacht club.  15 minute
      water taxi ride to MGM which is peaceful going, but a long wait at
      night - we closed the park twice, and it was about a 45 min wait both
      times to get on a boat.
    
      The MK bus runs very frequently - seems that the longest wait at the
      hotel was 10 min or so.  The ride is 10 minutes to the MK, 20-25 min 
      return trip (and maybe 2-4 min shorter for Yacht club residents).  The 
      wait was 30 minutes on the nights when we closed the park, 15 min max
      during the day.  We missed riding the monorail, but the bus alternative 
      was not unbearable.
    
    o Restaurants - Ariel's and the Steersman were a little too expensive
      for our tastes - seems we would have spent the same in Germany or
      the HDDR and gotten a show as well.  We passed.  However, the Galley 
      in the Yacht club serves a very nice lunch and a la carte breakfast,
      and the Cape May Cafe has a great Character Breakfast (Adm. Goofy,
      Pluto, Chip & Dale) and the Clam Bake at night.  The Clam Bake is OK
      by Disney food standards, but I've had better in Mass.   The price
      includes steamers, corn on the cob, sausage, ribs, salads, dessert,
      but does not include a lobster.  My advice - if you are from New England, 
      skip it; if not, give it a try.
    
      Our favorite restaurant is Beaches and Cream, with their Fenway     
      burgers (single, double, triple, and home-run) and a great assortment 
      of ice cream sundaes, etc.  The problem is that it is very small
      (3 booths, 8 small tables) and, as it is the only restaurant open
      after 10:00, it is always crowded.  We waited over 45 min at
      11:00 pm just to be seated.  The manager told us that there were plans
      to convert the game room next door into more restaurant space, and
      quietly suggested that I include this comment in my Customer
      Questionaire, which I did.  By the way, for a quick breakfast, you
      can get bagels, croissants, coffee, juice, etc. here cafeteria style,
      and the wait is very short.  Nice place to pick up breakfast and
      take it poolside to discuss what the day's events are to be.
    
       OVERALL, this was a luxury hotel in every way.  The atmosphere was 
    definately Disney, but because it was off the beaten path, it was very
    relaxed and serene.  Service was excellent, rooms were adequately
    sized (we stayed in the Logan Hilton the night before to catch an early
    flight, and the Beach Club room was definately bigger than the Hilton),
    and housekeeping was superb.  Stormalong Bay is an attraction by
    itself, and there are a number of small boats available for rental at
    the Yacht club as well.  We can't wait to return to Disneyworld, and
    when we do, we will be staying at the Beach Club.

    My family and I went to WDW from 8/30-9/8.  We spent the first five
    days in a condo in Kississmee and the last four (Labor Day Weekend) at the 
    Beach Club.  I can't say enough good things about it.  My kids, 6 and
    10, would have spent the entire time at the pool if we had had let
    them.  All the positive reports describing this hotel are very
    accurate.  I just want to add a word or two about the health club and
    Ariels restaurant.
    
    One rainy afternoon, my kids went to the arcade and I went to the
    health club.  My husband stayed in the room to rest.  In any event, the
    health club costs $5.00 per visit for hotel guests or $15.00 for the
    family (any one 13 yrs. or over) for the length of your stay.  The club
    consists of several circuit(?) and nautilus machines, various types of
    bicycles, free weights, steam room, sauna and a nine-person jacuzzi.  I
    also understand that exercise classes are offered.  It also had locker
    rooms with showers and an attendant was there to assist you with your
    workout.  Towels and keys to the lockers were provided.  All in All, I
    thought it was more than adequate for a good workout during a vacation.
    
    Turning to Ariels, we had one adult dinner there while the kids were at
    the Neverland Club.  The service was excellent, but I don't remember
    much about the food.  It was good, but I don't think it was
    outstanding.  Our bill was about $55.00, with no alcohol or dessert 
    (we went to Beaches and Cream for dessert!).  Also, the CApe May clam
    bake may be a good deal for those families with children 6 yrs and
    under because they eat free.  So even though the food is not gourmet or
    up to New England standards, we thought it was a reasonable dinner with
    one child eating for half price and one free.  
    
    We will stay at the Beach Club again and I hope they keep the arcade
    room.
     
    
         

    Just got back from a week at the Yacht club. No problem going back
    there again. The place is beautiful. My wife says this is the best
    vacation we ever had. Beaches & Cream has not changed and the video
    games are still intack. I would stay at the Yacht & Beach club over any
    other Disney hotel even the GF. There is more to see and do at the Y&B
    club.

    
    I've just made reservations for January 94 for the Beach Club but have
    a question about the room.  It's a standard parlor room with a pull
    down king size bed called a Sico bed.  Has anyone ever seen one of
    these rooms?  I'm a bit nervous about this.  With the 30% MKC discount,
    it's $147 a night.  I've no idea what to expect.  Any input is most
    appreciated!
    
    thanks,
    Rose

    Here's a question for those of you familiar with Beaches N Cream.
    
    This is one place I have yet to visit and with little effort have been
    convinced it has burgers and sundaes I and my family shouldn't miss.
    (Right Mike S?)  :)
    
    I'll be renting a car (will ALWAYS rent a car) and I'll be staying at
    the CBR.  Where should I park to be closest to Beaches N Cream?
    And, what is the quickest route there once I've parked?
    
    Any advice would be appreciated.
    
    Kathy_190_days_away!
    

    We drove from the CBR (which is where we too were staying) directly to
    the Y&BC parking lot, walked in through the nearest lobby, and wandered
    around the pools for a while.... but the fastest way to get to BnC is
    to get to the main corridor/walkway behind either hotel and walk towards 
    the center area between the Yacht Club and the Beach Club. You can't
    miss it, and any castmember could easily direct you.  
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    I do remember passing Ariel's Restaurant along the way.
    
    Walking through the Yacht Club and the Beach Club is neat...unless
    you're really dying for a single, double, triple, or Home Run burger
    from B&C.
    
    When you find Stormalong bay you'll also find B&C.
    
    Mike

    Is B&C within (reasonable) walking distance from the rear entrance
    at Epcot?

    >Is B&C within (reasonable) walking distance from the rear entrance
    >at Epcot?
    
    Yes.  I'm not very good with distances so maybe someone else can
    give a better estimate.  I think it's about the same distance as
    walking from the MK turnstiles to the castle.

    re: .3
    
    �Is B&C within (reasonable) walking distance from the rear entrance
    �at Epcot?
    
    
    It is very reasonable, unless you've been walking for hours in 95
    degree heat and 95% humidity.  Then take the tram.
    
    To walk, go out of International Plaza towards the canal.  There is a
    pedestrian walkway under the tram bridge.  When you come out of the
    walkway, you are at the far end of the Beach Club.  When you come to
    the main path to the rear entrance of the Beach Club lobby, go a little
    farther to the entrance into Stormalong Bay (the stairs up to the
    waterslide will be just to the left).  Walk along the inside of the
    pool; when you get to the sinking sands (just past the whirlpool and
    the bubbling waters), you should be just about to Beaches 'n Cream.
    
    If you take the tram, the 2nd stop is at the far end of the Yacht Club
    (which is not much closer than EPCOT was, but you've just had a nice,
    relaxing ride and most of the walk can be done inside, where it is air
    conditioned).  Enter the Yacht Club and walk down the corridor to the
    lobby.  Pass through the lobby, go past the Galley Restaurant to the
    corridor and follow it to its end.  Go out the door and follow the
    walkway a short distance to Beaches 'n Cream.  You will notice the
    tiles change when you get to the Beach Club side, and Beaches 'n Cream
    is right after that.
    
    --Jay
    

    It's been a while since anyone has written a note here.  I've got
    reservations at the Beach Club for October.  Has anyone out there
    stayed at the Beach Club this year...1995?  Everything I've read in
    this note is very encouraging and I'm really looking forward to staying
    there but I was just wondering if anyone knows of any major/minor
    changes since the last note was entered in 1993.
    
    Thanks in advance...
    
    Carol
    

I didn't stay but I went there for dinner three times in January.  It
looked like everything is in order... in fact we're going to stay there
next month.

THe only thing that would deter me is major construction.  At this time,
there's no note of any construction except at the Contemporary. My wifer
has access to SABRE, and disney posts a lengthy update of closings and
construction there.  We just reviewed it and saw nothing for the Beach Club.
You can also get the same info by calling the Disney info #.

Enjoy!

Bill A.

    RE:.45
    From what I heard there was radical construction right by The Y & B
    club due to a new development known as Disney Boardwalk. This supposed
    to be opening in Fall of 95 directly across from the resorts. Maybe
    someone could clarify this for us.

Yes, Boardwalk is under construction across the lake from the Beach and
Yacht Clubs.  It does not interfere with guest areas at all.  I went by
several times, all during active work, and did not think the noise level
was anything to worry about.  It's kind of fun to watch.

The one effect this construction has is that the Tram cannot be used to
transport guests from the Swan and Dolphin to EPCOT.  They've added boat
service instead.  One route goes EPCOT - SWAN/DOLPHIN - BEACH/YACHT - EPCOT
and the other (as always) goes MGM - BEACH/YACHT - SWAN/DOLPHIN - MGM.

If you drive around to the Beach Club, use the main part of EPCOT Resorts
Drive that goes past the Swan and Dolphin.  The "back" way that comes out
by the MGM entrance is often obstructed by the construction traffic of
Boardwalk.

Bill A.

    Thanks for the info on the construction, Bill.  I'm glad to hear that
    it won't be much of a disturbance.  
    
    You mentioned in a previous note that you ate at the Beach Club three 
    times in January.  Any recommendations?  I've read a lot about Beaches 
    and Cream in this note and plan to go there.  We're not purchasing any
    food plan so I'd be interested to know what the price ranges are like.
    
    Also, we requested a room on the fourth floor because a book my cousin
    read said that these rooms may be a little larger since they used to be
    used as concierge rooms.  Does anyone know if this is true?
    
     

>    Thanks for the info on the construction, Bill.  I'm glad to hear that
>    it won't be much of a disturbance.  

I hope I don't have to eat my words, but I'm going in May so you may have
the satisfaction I got myself into it if there's any noise.
    
>    You mentioned in a previous note that you ate at the Beach Club three 
>    times in January.  Any recommendations?  I've read a lot about Beaches 
>    and Cream in this note and plan to go there.  We're not purchasing any
>    food plan so I'd be interested to know what the price ranges are like.

Beaches & Cream -- Best for the ice cream stuff, food is average in my 
opinion.

Cape May Clambake -- long a favorite since it's a fixed price buffet and
I love clams.  There's also BBQ ribs and chicken, corn, salads, potatos,
and desserts.  The price (I think) is $24.95 a person plus drinks.  Lower
price for kids of course.  It's not any New England clambake -- but since
I live in Rochester ANY clambake is a good clambake.

Ariel's -- I first ate there this past January, and when my wife tries it
this May I expect it will be a serious challenge to our current favorite
(which is Narcoosee's at Grand Floridian).  Ask for a view of the Kitchen
(which we saw people turn down!) so you can watch a master chef at work.
Try the Lobster Nantucket -- Chunks of fresh lobster in a cream sauce that
you will remember for a long, long time.  The service is excellent -- ask
them to tell you about the special and you will learn more about a Wahoo
fish than you could imagine.  Notice that the carpeting is the same pattern
as the china.  Am I running on?  Dinner's steep, but it's one place worth
splurging at.  We spent $100 for two with drinks and dessert, $80 with 
cheaper drinks and less pricey entrees the second time. 

Reservations are helpful at Cape May, almost mandatory at Ariel's except
in the way off season.
    
>    Also, we requested a room on the fourth floor because a book my cousin
>    read said that these rooms may be a little larger since they used to be
>    used as concierge rooms.  Does anyone know if this is true?
    
Good theory.  The yacht club has a fifth floor concierge, but please tell
us if you think it's true.     

Bill A>

    The Slide at the Y&BC is closed thru Mid-June.  We were down last
    week.  The slides were closed on Monday April 24th for repairs to the
    stairs, railings and some other rusty areas.  We were told the
    renovations would take 45 days.  Lots of POd guests! 
    
    As far as the construction across the bay, you could see some people
    working but really didn't hear them.  
    
    Beaches & Cream - love that Mud Slide.
    
    Ariel's was very elegant, the desert was the Tower of Terror - yum

    I was just reading through the 1995 trip reports and one person felt
    there was an air of pretentiousness at the Beach Club.  This was the
    first negative thing I've heard about the BC.  Has anyone else out
    there felt this way?
    
    Carol (152 days!)

I'm a very casual type of person and the Beach Club is a very comfortable
place to me.    I think it provides 4-star service without any
expectations of its guests.  The restaurants have no dress code; we go
casual to Cape May and Ariel's.  This is why we go back here over and over.

On the other hand, the Grand Floridian does make me a little uncomfortable
because a lot of people observe traditions like getting dressed up in
the evening (except at Narcoosee's, where people are dressed both dressy
and casual).  In fact, the Grand Floridian has an official no shorts in
the lobby after 6pm request -- but I haven't been thrown out yet... :-)

I think that the comfortable and casual resort standard has been raised by
Wilderness Lodge.  WHen I stayed there, I felt more at a home away from
home than anywhere else -- even the Vacation Club.  The rustic feel, the
sitting nooks with fireplaces, and those crazy servers in Whispering
Canyon all make it worthwhile.

Bill A.

    We just got back from staying at the Beach Club and I agree with Bill,
    "very comfortable".  We stayed there last year also.  This year we had
    reservations for the Yacht Club now that place just wasn't for me and
    none in my family--whole different atmosphere.  Glad we were able to
    be moved over the the Beach Club.
    
    The Y&BC Pool - they now rent for $3/hour tubes and funoodles.  Also
    had a small water volley-ball net set up in one area of the pool.  They
    also had small footballs, not sure if they had a rental fee.  I bet
    this will change -- these are things that can't be done with a crowded
    pool.  Saw one little guy get beaned, knocked down and ended up
    scraping his knee.  The father was loudly talking to the lifeguard. 
    This is not the lifeguards problem it's the hotels management
    responsibility to set some type of limits for the lifeguards to follow. 
    Oh well, we'll see what happens.
    
    Julie

    I agree with the previous notes.  We stayed at the Beach Club for our
    honeymoon and I always felt comfortable.  We were always squooshing
    through the lobby in wet swimwear and tee shirts after spending time at
    TL or RC.  Noone ever looked twice at us.  
    
    I did find the Yacht Club's decor to be a little more intimidating, but
    certainly not the people.  We were always treated like kings at the
    Y&BC.  I would stay there every time if I could afford to!
    
    Kristen
    

    Does anyone know if the Beach Club will allow us to use diving masks in
    the pool?  Also do they supply towels at the pool or do we have to
    bring our own?  If they do supply towels, do you have to show your ID
    card to get one?
    
    Carol
    

    re: 55
    
    We've used goggles, so I'm sure that masks would be allowed as well.
    You will need your Beach Club ID (or Yacht Club) to get towels.  They
    now also rent tubes and noodles (those new things that bend into all
    sort of shapes) for the outrageous price of $3.00 or $3.50 per hour.
    However, people were renting them, so the price wasn't outrageous to
    them.
    
    --Jay
    

    Thanks for the info, Jay!
    
    Carol