Concierge/Club Level Information - Part III (October 2010)

[coopersmom]

We just got home yesterday from a stay at Poly CL. We have stayed Poly CL in the past, and were not happy with the changes that have taken place since our last stay. We have another trip planned for December, and we are thinking about trying BC CL. How does BC CL compare to Poly CL?

As someone with a Poly club stay coming up, can you elaborate on what you were dissatisfied with?

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

As someone with a Poly club stay coming up, can you elaborate on what you were dissatisfied with?

We always stay at the Poly, and have had many, many stays over the years. Some of them have been CL, and some have not. It has been a few years since we stayed CL prior to our stay last week. There is a huge difference in both service, and food offerings since our last stay. There were also some small issues with the condition of the room. Guests came in to the lounge in the morning in robes, and some had obviously just hopped out of bed. There were small children left unattended. One was blaring music from an MP3 player right before the fireworks started, and no one did anything to stop it.

Some of our issues had nothing to do with CL. The resort was extremely crowded. The beach was especially crowded during the fireworks. We have always loved the Poly, but the changes over the years really sadden me. Our latest stay made us realize that it is time to try a different resort.

 

[mmmears]

We just got home yesterday from a stay at Poly CL. We have stayed Poly CL in the past, and were not happy with the changes that have taken place since our last stay. We have another trip planned for December, and we are thinking about trying BC CL. How does BC CL compare to Poly CL?

We've stayed in both -- BC has the great pool and fabulous Epcot location. You can't watch the MK fireworks from the BC (or really even the Epcot ones) or the EWP. The lounge doesn't have the great views, either.

We liked the food up in the BC lounge (but it is small up there compared to the Poly lounge). The CMs were really nice. Rooms were pretty and we think the theming is fun. And we love the location.

Hope this helps!

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

We've stayed in both -- BC has the great pool and fabulous Epcot location. You can't watch the MK fireworks from the BC (or really even the Epcot ones) or the EWP. The lounge doesn't have the great views, either.

We liked the food up in the BC lounge (but it is small up there compared to the Poly lounge). The CMs were really nice. Rooms were pretty and we think the theming is fun. And we love the location.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the help! It's really hard to try something new after staying at the Poly so many times. I think we might miss some stuff at the Poly (MK fireworks, and the EWP), but we would have the opportunity to explore the Epcot area more. Thanks again!

 

[clanmcculloch]

We always stay at the Poly, and have had many, many stays over the years. Some of them have been CL, and some have not. It has been a few years since we stayed CL prior to our stay last week. There is a huge difference in both service, and food offerings since our last stay. There were also some small issues with the condition of the room. Guests came in to the lounge in the morning in robes, and some had obviously just hopped out of bed. There were small children left unattended. One was blaring music from an MP3 player right before the fireworks started, and no one did anything to stop it.

Some of our issues had nothing to do with CL. The resort was extremely crowded. The beach was especially crowded during the fireworks. We have always loved the Poly, but the changes over the years really sadden me. Our latest stay made us realize that it is time to try a different resort.

I'm just curious; what would you have liked the CL CMs to have done about things like guest attire, unattended children, blaring MP3 player and the crowded beach? These are things that the CMs really can't do anything about unless the children are actively doing something destructive or directly to another guest. CMs are in no-win situations with things like that because people who are that oblivious to other people are the same kinds of people who will yell at a CM and complain to their management if a CM tries to say anything no matter how nicely it's said. These issues are all problems with other guests and can happen anywhere.

How was the service different from previous years? You said it's declined but how? We found in August that CMs in the Hawaii building all tried to really bend over backwards for guests.

In some ways I think I'm lucky that I don't have past history to draw on for comparisson with the CL food offerings. We were there in August and quite enjoyed the food. As I said though, we never got to experience anything else so we don't have the higher expectations that Disney already set for repeat guests. I will say that the IPO folks via email left a lot to be desired but the CMs in the building were wonderful!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Subscribing!

Thanks to Rachel Tori for all her hard work on the previous CL thread! And thanks to PolyDec2008 for getting the next one underway!

As for the PJs in the lounge, I guess it really wouldn't bother me if someone stumbled down at 7am in their slippers to grab a cup of coffee. But if you are going to eat there the least you can do is get dressed! Like a PP said, would you wear your PJ's to the resort food court? I realize that the CL lounges are a lot less populated than a resort food court, but we are NOT all one big happy family either!

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

I'm just curious; what would you have liked the CL CMs to have done about things like guest attire, unattended children, blaring MP3 player and the crowded beach? These are things that the CMs really can't do anything about unless the children are actively doing something destructive or directly to another guest. CMs are in no-win situations with things like that because people who are that oblivious to other people are the same kinds of people who will yell at a CM and complain to their management if a CM tries to say anything no matter how nicely it's said. These issues are all problems with other guests and can happen anywhere.

How was the service different from previous years? You said it's declined but how? We found in August that CMs in the Hawaii building all tried to really bend over backwards for guests.

In some ways I think I'm lucky that I don't have past history to draw on for comparisson with the CL food offerings. We were there in August and quite enjoyed the food. As I said though, we never got to experience anything else so we don't have the higher expectations that Disney already set for repeat guests. I will say that the IPO folks via email left a lot to be desired but the CMs in the building were wonderful!

First off, I want to say that I in no way want to bash the Poly, or discourage anyone else from giving it a try. We have loved it for years. If we hadn't been staying there all of these years we wouldn't be bothered by these things because we wouldn't have experienced what it used to be. We aren't so upset that we will never go back. This has just given us the nudge to try a different resort.

I realize that problems with other guests can happen anywhere, and that there is little that the staff can do about it. Those things just added to our frustration.

In the past we were able to arrange to have gifts for our children in our room prior to our arrival. We could just let them know what we wanted, and it was done. They would even add extras like baloons, and a signed card from Mickey. Now they refer you to the Disney Florist.

On checkout day, we did not get an envelope on our door with our room charges printed out. I had to wait in line to get it right as we were preparing to leave. Unfortunately, it was a long wait because another guest was unhappy with Poly CL and was demanding to be moved.

The food offerings have very little variety compared to previous years. Things would run out, and were not replaced. All of these things may be a decline in Disney CL in general, and not just the Poly. That's why I was asking about the BC CL.

There were a few problems with the condition of the room. The bottom hinge on the cabinet over the refrigerator was completely broken. There were cob webs around the headboards on the bed. Turn down service was spotty. Some days we had it, some days we didn't. We did have some very interesting towel animals each day though. They changed daily, and were very cute.

None of these things were a huge deal to us, and I didn't complain about any of it. It just wasn't worth the time. The Poly will always be special to us, but it is just time to try something else.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for the help! It's really hard to try something new after staying at the Poly so many times. I think we might miss some stuff at the Poly (MK fireworks, and the EWP), but we would have the opportunity to explore the Epcot area more. Thanks again!

You're welcome. Staying on the "Epcot-side" of the "world" feels very different to me than the MK area. Not better, not worse, just different.

There are some very nice things over there, like the pools, the boats to DHS, and the back-door to Epcot. The restaurant choices are great when you figure you can walk to DHS, the BW, and Epcot from the BC.

After Illuminations, when everyone is racing towards the front to get in line for their tram/bus/monorail, you can relax, slip out the International Gateway, and be in your room before they can even exit the park.

And you can still go to the Poly beach to watch the fireworks if you want to.

I hope you like the BC, and if not, there are plenty other resorts to try out!

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

You're welcome. Staying on the "Epcot-side" of the "world" feels very different to me than the MK area. Not better, not worse, just different.

There are some very nice things over there, like the pools, the boats to DHS, and the back-door to Epcot. The restaurant choices are great when you figure you can walk to DHS, the BW, and Epcot from the BC.

After Illuminations, when everyone is racing towards the front to get in line for their tram/bus/monorail, you can relax, slip out the International Gateway, and be in your room before they can even exit the park.

And you can still go to the Poly beach to watch the fireworks if you want to.

I hope you like the BC, and if not, there are plenty other resorts to try out!

After reading some of the BC thread, and looking at the pictures we decided to make the switch. We are now booked in BC CL. I can't wait to give it a try!

 

[mmmears]

After reading some of the BC thread, and looking at the pictures we decided to make the switch. We are now booked in BC CL. I can't wait to give it a try!

I hope you have a wonderful time there!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We love BC CL.

We were there for two weeks the end of July/beginning of August. Food was always replenished quickly and the cms were super helpful and friendly.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

We love BC CL.

We were there for two weeks the end of July/beginning of August. Food was always replenished quickly and the cms were super helpful and friendly.

This is great to hear! I have been reading through the BC thread, and enjoying all the great pictures. The food in the lounge looks really good!

 

[vllygrrl]

Hi all -

DH and I will be checking into AKL CL next Sunday, at around 7:30am. Is it better to do online check in, or should we just wait until we get there? Our goal is to make it to Epcot for rope drop...

 

[kellieinwonderland]

Thanks for all the great concierge info on this thread and the last one!

We are staying in a standard concierge room @ the BWI for the first time in December (we've been to BWI before and loved it, but have never done concierge), and we're really looking forward to it!

I wonder what sort of evening hot appetizers they will offer since Kouzzina will be closed while we are there, but we will have to make sure not to fill up too much since we are on the dining plan and have TS dinners planned for each night around 7:30 or 8ish. Looking forward to breakfast every morning though

One question though - we haven't really made any requests yet to the IPO (I just booked my ADR's on my own online). Can we make a room request through them (like a Boardwalk view for example)?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for all the great concierge info on this thread and the last one!

We are staying in a standard concierge room @ the BWI for the first time in December (we've been to BWI before and loved it, but have never done concierge), and we're really looking forward to it!

I wonder what sort of evening hot appetizers they will offer since Kouzzina will be closed while we are there, but we will have to make sure not to fill up too much since we are on the dining plan and have TS dinners planned for each night around 7:30 or 8ish. Looking forward to breakfast every morning though

One question though - we haven't really made any requests yet to the IPO (I just booked my ADR's on my own online). Can we make a room request through them (like a Boardwalk view for example)?

We will be having our 2nd Club Level stay at the Boardwalk Inn this December and it will be during the time when Kouzzina is closed, so maybe we will see each other in the lounge. Anyway this is a guess but I think they will bring in food from the Flying Fish Cafe, ESPN Club or Big River Grille and Brewing Works since those are their other table service restaurants. I was also wondering the same thing when I heard the news and I guess we will need to wait until we see it for ourselves.

As for making a room request I would call the Disney Reservations Center and make them because I think they are better for doing room requests, although I guess you can call or e-mail the Boardwalk IPO and see what they can do about that.

 

[PolyDec2008]

Shameless bump to get us back to the front

 

[PamelaKay]

Hi all -

DH and I will be checking into AKL CL next Sunday, at around 7:30am. Is it better to do online check in, or should we just wait until we get there? Our goal is to make it to Epcot for rope drop...

When I stayed there I skipped the online check in. I got to the resort around 10 in the morning. There was a concierge desk before the entrance to the resort and when I gave the CM there my name, she immediately took care of me. I got a short tour of the lobby area and then was taken up to the lounge where I was offered a snack or drink and then we completed check-in.

I would skip online check in and plan to skip it in Nov/Dec when I stay at the Poly CL.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi all -

DH and I will be checking into AKL CL next Sunday, at around 7:30am. Is it better to do online check in, or should we just wait until we get there? Our goal is to make it to Epcot for rope drop...

During all of our Club Level stays since WDW has started online check-in we have never used it because after we arrived there was always a Cast Member waiting to meet us and took us up to check-in on our floor, so we don't feel it's worth it when staying Club Level.

 

[clanmcculloch]

During all of our Club Level stays since WDW has started online check-in we have never used it because after we arrived there was always a Cast Member waiting to meet us and took us up to check-in on our floor, so we don't feel it's worth it when staying Club Level.

When you do online checkin, you have to go to the online checkin line, even if you're staying CL. That means you'll be missing out on the bit of pampering you'll get with the CL checkin (escort to CL area, checkin in the CL area; hey, I'll take what I can get LOL). No way will I ever do online checkin when staying CL. When staying non-CL I'll do it every time.

 

[jenjersnap]

How did I miss a new thread? Starting to get very excited about our first CL stay at BC!