Club Level and Concierge...

[*wdwvirgin*needhelp]

Is "Club Level" the same thing as "Concierge"? Or are they the same? I am thinking that Club Level is for DVC members, but anyone can upgrade to concierge, which has the extra food and beverage hours?

Also, I've read TONS of reviews on allears.net but curious to know your personal experiences, good and bad, with concierge.

Thanks!!

 

[Seahunt]

Club level and Concierge at the resorts is the same thing - it used to be called just concierge, but then Disney started naming the concierge levels at the resorts. For example the concierge/club level at the WL now is the "Old Faithful Club", YC is "Regatta Club", AKL "Kilimanjaro Club", BWI "Innkeepers Club" etc.

Value-wise everyone has to determine their own situation as to paying (at least) an extra $100+++ per night is worth having the extra perks like a continental breakfast, afternoon snacks, and planning services.

I have read many posts both ways, some feel that the WDW CL is not as good as other hotels, others appreciate any perks that they can get, and I am one of those people especially as I get older

The only advice I can give is that once you go CL it is hard to go back

 

[lovetoscrap]

Since this is about the Resorts I am going to move it to that forum. You will probably get a better response over there.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

Yup, club level and concierge are the same thing. It used to be called concierge by Disney, and they're trying to switch over to the term "club level." I think a lot of us are just used to saying "concierge" and haven't made the switch. There is a "Concierge Information" thread that has just about everything you could ever want to know about concierge: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=679928. (It's attached to the Resort FAQ sticky thread at the top of the page, too.)

I did a few days at the BWI club level on my last trip, and I really enjoyed it. I thought the planning service was nicely done, and the service in the lounge was great. We enjoyed the snacks and hors d'oeuvres. I think it added something nice to the vacation, but I don't think it will be something we pay for every time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Club Level is the new same for some of the specific floors and buildings of the Deluxe Resorts that offer Club Level service.

In all the Resorts they changed the name of the Guest Services desks in the lobby to the Concierge desk.

 

[nascargirl]

We have stayed CL once on an upgrade @ the Beach Club. The other times was have stayed CL at the BWI. Some have been free upgrades, others we have paid ourselves. Like the other poster said, once you try it, it is very hard not to go back. We have made wonderful friends with the castmembers from the BWI Innkeepers Lounge. They make our stay very special each time. The food is great as well. We just came back from another wonderful trip. We are headed back over the 4th of July but not staying CL as they will begin their renovations.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Club Level is the new same for some of the specific floors and buildings of the Deluxe Resorts that offer Club Level service.

In all the Resorts they changed the name of the Guest Services desks in the lobby to the Concierge desk.

Yup, so in Disney-speak, they're similar but not exactly the same.

 

[Cool-Beans]

It is the same thing. Disney changed it to better reflect the level of service given. It is more "club level" than true concierge-type service.

The person in the lobby isn't a real concierge person, either. It is just a second line to stand in if you want Hoop-Dee-Doo tickets or whatever.

 

[bluwater]

I have to chime in that I think this forum hypes up Club Level more than is normal in travel circles. I have a luxury villa travel company - and I have never seen more hype for Club level than I see here.

That being said, I also think Disney makes you pay for things via booking into Club level that many/most lux resorts will provide free of charge. Having a skilled and effective concierge should be a Deluxe resort's pleasure, not something you pay an extra $100/nt to have access to. But, as I have said before, Disney Deluxe category is about location, not amenities.

As far as the snacks and beverages go, those are normally free at a lux property. Manager-hosted cockatil receptions are typical - and free.

I am definitely not knocking Disney. If they can get people to pay an extra $100nt for it, they get my pat on the back for being marketing geniuses. And, if folks here can afford it and find pleasure in it, all the better! But, if you cannot afford it - or ar on the fence about it - DO NOT feel bad about skipping it.

In the travel business, Club level is often reserved for repeat clients and/or VIPs who are comp'd to that level - and they do not pay for it.

I would never pay for it. I would like to be invited to it - and I would appreciate it...but paying for it out of my own pocket is not something I would consider.

Please do not feel obliged to feed into the Club-level hype. On the other hand, if you are a Club-level fan, please do not feel offended by what I am saying.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I have to chime in that I think this forum hypes up Club Level more than is normal in travel circles. I have a luxury villa travel company - and I have never seen more hype for Club level than I see here.

That being said, I also think Disney makes you pay for things via booking into Club level that many/most lux resorts will provide free of charge. Having a skilled and effective concierge should be a Deluxe resort's pleasure, not something you pay an extra $100/nt to have access to. But, as I have said before, Disney Deluxe category is about location, not amenities.

As far as the snacks and beverages go, those are normally free at a lux property. Manager-hosted cockatil receptions are typical - and free.

I am definitely not knocking Disney. If they can get people to pay an extra $100nt for it, they get my pat on the back for being marketing geniuses. And, if folks here can afford it and find pleasure in it, all the better! But, if you cannot afford it - or ar on the fence about it - DO NOT feel bad about skipping it.

In the travel business, Club level is often reserved for repeat clients and/or VIPs who are comp'd to that level - and they do not pay for it.

I would never pay for it. I would like to be invited to it - and I would appreciate it...but paying for it out of my own pocket is not something I would consider.

Please do not feel obliged to feed into the Club-level hype. On the other hand, if you are a Club-level fan, please do not feel offended by what I am saying.

ITA. I no longer pay Disney their $100+ a night for that crap.

It REALLY used to piss me off when they called it "concierge" service. Now that they re-named it, I'm less pissed. If people want to pay it, at least they know what they're getting.

And the fact that they don't do turn-downs unless you pay the $100+ (or call them and ask them to) says a great deal about their hotels and their service. Not that I want turn-down. I don't. I always re-make the bed so I can sit on it without getting the sheets ookey. But, still.

When you compare Disney to truly good hotels, Disney is always worse and more expensive.

But, again, LOCATION and theme. They don't have to be good; they're right by the parks.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yup, so in Disney-speak, they're similar but not exactly the same.

That's how I would put it.

 

[*wdwvirgin*needhelp]

Thank you SO MUCH for the info/help!! I do appreciate it and it clears up many things that I've read, and will keep the info in mind.

DH would rather stay off-site and rent a car to see many other places and not just a Disney trip. BECAUSE we are taking the niece and nephew and we are NOT accustomed to driving with kids in the back seat (from the day she was born, my niece LOVES to scream) I am not a fan of this plan...

We all know that the passenger becomes the all-knowing map-holder, kid-pleaser, instruction-giver, weather-man, mom, find-the-toy-on-the-floor, food-passer-outer, under-appreciated, and let's face it-GOD of the trip. (I'm not a mom, by the way, but I know how it is!)

BECAUSE OF THAT is why I am researching the concierge level stay. I could use the planning assistance and any other luxuries available, even if they should just be freebies for the price of "club level".

Another question: daily access to the fitness center is included in the rate, correct?
In the past, during free dining, does that usually start the third or fourth week in August?
According my tentative Aug. 2009 dates, my niece will be 4 days shy of her 4th birthday - and all of the hotel childcare says children must be at least 4 - do you think they'd make an exception to this?



DISers are such a great source of help for wdwvirgins!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If your staying at a Resort with a fitness center it's free to use for guests staying at the Resort it's located at. Also all the Deluxe Resorts have a fittness center, although the Polynesian does not have one. However they share with the Grand Floridian, so if you stayed there you can use their fitness center for no extra cost.

 

[NJBILL]

I read on another thread today that the AAA discount is not applicable to club level..does anyone know if this is correct? Planning on CR Club but need the discount..
Thanks.

 

[John's Mom]

I read on another thread today that the AAA discount is not applicable to club level..does anyone know if this is correct? Planning on CR Club but need the discount..
Thanks.

We are doing our first split stay in December--The Poly and AKL--both club level. We received a AAA discount at both.

 

[NJBILL]

We are doing our first split stay in December--The Poly and AKL--both club level. We received a AAA discount at both.

 

[earthelves]

We are doing our first split stay in December--The Poly and AKL--both club level. We received a AAA discount at both.

WTG I Was Offered AAA Discount Too But I Found It Much Cheaper To Go Through Expedia...Looking Forward To My Vacation AKL Club Level

 

[sfbank]

We stay Club Level at the BWI and love it. The perks and preplanning are nice but we love the staff at the Innkeepers Lounge. They have become like a second family to us and one of the reasons we keep going back. Also a reason we do not try other resorts. Just got back from another great stay and can't wait to go back next July!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...DH would rather stay off-site and rent a car to see many other places and not just a Disney trip. BECAUSE we are taking the niece and nephew and we are NOT accustomed to driving with kids in the back seat (from the day she was born, my niece LOVES to scream) I am not a fan of this plan... ...According my tentative Aug. 2009 dates, my niece will be 4 days shy of her 4th birthday - and all of the hotel childcare says children must be at least 4 - do you think they'd make an exception to this?...

First plan, work on niece to get her to stop screaming in the car. If you wind up taking buses, you surely don't want to be thrown off the bus because she can't be quiet. And if you are riding any boat-type attraction or boat transportation, same thing. Screaming, other than while riding on Rock N Roller Coaster is pretty much a no go. Plus the other guests in the resort you finally choose will also appreciate it.

As for the childcare rules, they are pretty hard and fast because of state licensing rules.

 

[megveg]

Can I book my land sea package through AAA for the room discount and get my cruise through them too? or do I have to book seperate for the room discount for club level?