Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[bizeemom4]

Are the "gold" KTTW cards still given for CL guests?

We stayed WL CL last month and we got a regular blue KTTW card, and I am wondering if that's because we did OCI and checked in downstairs instead of at the CL desk.

We keep our KTTW cards for scrapbooks and I had been looking forward to the "gold" card...if its because of the way I did check in, I don't want to make that mistake in April. Thanks!

Yes! Club level room keys are supposed to be Gold.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Yes! Club level room keys are supposed to be Gold.

Darn! Well, next time I am definitely not doing OCI and I will be asking to check in at the CL desk.

I thought I should ask, but then I felt a bit dorky asking so I didn't.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Darn! Well, next time I am definitely not doing OCI and I will be asking to check in at the CL desk.

I thought I should ask, but then I felt a bit dorky asking so I didn't.

I've done OCI for CL 5 times now and I've still been checked in by the CL CMs (either at the CL desk or in the lounge) and gotten gold keys every time.

I wouldn't want to do OCI for CL either if it meant I had to go to the regular OCI line. I wonder why you had to do that?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Are the "gold" KTTW cards still given for CL guests?

We stayed WL CL last month and we got a regular blue KTTW card, and I am wondering if that's because we did OCI and checked in downstairs instead of at the CL desk.

We keep our KTTW cards for scrapbooks and I had been looking forward to the "gold" card...if its because of the way I did check in, I don't want to make that mistake in April. Thanks!

OCI wasn't the problem. I did OCI for BWI/CL in March and we were greeted out front and escorted to the Innkeeper's Club. In 2010, we stayed at YC/CL and we weren't greeted outside and a bellman told us just to go to the downstairs check in. I knew this wasn't right, but at that moment, a CL runner overheard and said she would escort us upstairs and apologized for not seeing us arrive.

The problem was that you checked in downstairs not that you did OCI. They do have yellow cards downstairs, but you have to ask them to use them. It could have been the CL runner didn't know when you were arriving or they were upstairs escorting a guest when you arrived or the guard. In the future, all you have to do if you're overlooked is come inside and tell someone you're staying CL and they will call someone to escort you to check in upstairs.

 

[Mousemommy1]

OCI wasn't the problem. I did OCI for BWI/CL in March and we were greeted out front and escorted to the Innkeeper's Club. In 2010, we stayed at YC/CL and we weren't greeted outside and a bellman told us just to go to the downstairs check in. I knew this wasn't right, but at that moment, a CL runner overheard and said she would escort us upstairs and apologized for not seeing us arrive.

The problem was that you checked in downstairs not that you did OCI. They do have yellow cards downstairs, but you have to ask them to use them. It could have been the CL runner didn't know when you were arriving or they were upstairs escorting a guest when you arrived or the guard. In the future, all you have to do if you're overlooked is come inside and tell someone you're staying CL and they will call someone to escort you to check in upstairs.

Thanks! I'll know better to just suck it up and ask next time!

 

[psac]

Thanks! I'll know better to just suck it up and ask next time!

Yeah, same with us our last stay at BC, the greeter brought us to the regular desk, so we mentioned we were staying club and she apologized profusely and brought us up to the club area. Anyone staying club should NEVER check in at the regular desk.

 

[mickeynut1]

Yeah, same with us our last stay at BC, the greeter brought us to the regular desk, so we mentioned we were staying club and she apologized profusely and brought us up to the club area. Anyone staying club should NEVER check in at the regular desk.

It's funny how people experience different check in procedures for CL stays. Our first CL stay was at the WL and since we didn't know anything about separate check in since we had never stayed CL before, we went to the front desk of the resort and attempted to check in like normal. Once the CM saw we were CL, she called upstairs. She then said someone would be down to take us upstairs to do check in since that's where all CL guests go for check in.

 

[Mousemommy1]

It's funny how people experience different check in procedures for CL stays. Our first CL stay was at the WL and since we didn't know anything about separate check in since we had never stayed CL before, we went to the front desk of the resort and attempted to check in like normal. Once the CM saw we were CL, she called upstairs. She then said someone would be down to take us upstairs to do check in since that's where all CL guests go for check in.

The CM who checked us in did notice that we were CL, but that was already half way through the check in process. She did personally bring us upstairs to the 7th floor where we were greeted by a CL CM and shown around. Like I said, lesson learned.

 

[mouseCT]

Hi All,

Thank You all for a great website and board with tons of information!

I am New to this board and would like to introduce myself, I am husband to a wonderful wife and a father of four beautiful children ages 12,14,15,17. We have been to WDW 7 times- 2 off site, 2 @ All-star Movie, 3 times @ Coronado Springs.
We just booked the Ambassador suite at the Polynesian for the Christmas holiday. It was a huge nut to swallow but we only go around once.
I will be emailing the CL with my dinning wishes and have them perform their magic after I get my reservation numbers from my travel agent.
Looking for any information and hints that could help me on this dream vacation ours. I also see that the rooms have been updated a year or so ago- pictures? Should I request the first or second floor?
Any of your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nonzerosum]

We will be staying at the GF CL (outer bldg) and am wondering how early we can access the lounge on the day of check-in? We will be arriving at the GF on check-in day at about 7am after a long overnight international flight. I know the room won't be available until later in the day, but it sure would be nice to have a place to sit ourselves and refresh prior to hitting the park that morning. Also, are CL rooms typically ready at around 3pm, as the regular rooms are?

 

[nemofans]

We won't have the option of checking in upstairs in CL b/c we will be arriving in the evening. I am a little disappointed by it, but that's the situation. So I just ask for the gold cards at front desk? Should I introduce us to a CL CM in the morning so they know who we are?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Just back. Happy to report CL at BC had new room keys. tey are still gold, but BC has gone to a new swipe system. It's very similar tot eh old system, but the new keys don't have to be inserted like before, you hold them in front of the card reader. They are also a slightly different color from the old room keys.

As for the greeter expereince. My luck has been about 50/50 on getting a front door greeter. It's not likley to happen if you arrive via rental car.


Also, I've ogttne conflicting messages on checking in at front desk vs. upstairs at different resorts. Generally, you do go to club level, but there's no reason why front desk can't help yo as well. The way I see it, CL gives you more options. There are times when talking to the front desk is easier, and many times when talking to CL is easier. I don't think it's helpful to impy that CL guests should never use the front desk as an option.

That said, if you wish to cancel/change dining- you should talk to CL staff.

In my experience, CL rooms don'ttned to be ready early. I'd guess that CL guests are MOST likely to request LATE check out, even if they have to pay for it. Even if your room is not ready, you can still sit in the lounge.

One more option if your room is not ready- consider the pool area locker rooms. You can get a locker (sometimes free), take a shower, change, etc. I was pleasantly surprised this trip to discover the BC locker room, located in the hotel gym. It was right off the pool area, and had free water-cooler water, nice lockers, a hair dryer, even shampoo and conditioner!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We won't have the option of checking in upstairs in CL b/c we will be arriving in the evening. I am a little disappointed by it, but that's the situation. So I just ask for the gold cards at front desk? Should I introduce us to a CL CM in the morning so they know who we are?

You won't need to introduce yourself to CL staff, they greet you. No matter where you stay, the CL staff only works in normal length shifts. So it won't be the same person always. If you get your pakcet at check-in, then you only need to stop by the desk if you want help with something.

 

[Brit17]

What view can you get with a Garden View CL room at the YC? ... The view is not of the parking lot and/or rooftop, is it? ... Also, do all the Garden View CL rooms at the YC have a full balcony? ... Thanx

 

[travelgoddess]

This is our first time staying in a club concierge category and we are very excited about it, we're not arriving til Thanksgiving, just had a few ?'s

-Can we grab a bottled water or soda and take to our room?
-Do the hot food offering change daily? The only one I've seen is scallops, I am allergic to shellfish, will there be other offerings aside from shellfish?
-We are currently booked in club-standard, I keep checking daily for garden or a water view. If we can't get a better room category, I was told the view would be of a rooftop?Are the standard view rooms all the small balconies?
-Are there any king beds in standard? Which views have fireworks view?
Sorry so many questions, when we booked it was over 300 days out, now we're at 85 days so we're starting to really get anxious.

Thanks so much

 

[abk96]

This is our first time staying in a club concierge category and we are very excited about it, we're not arriving til Thanksgiving, just had a few ?'s

-Can we grab a bottled water or soda and take to our room?
-Do the hot food offering change daily? The only one I've seen is scallops, I am allergic to shellfish, will there be other offerings aside from shellfish?
-We are currently booked in club-standard, I keep checking daily for garden or a water view. If we can't get a better room category, I was told the view would be of a rooftop?Are the standard view rooms all the small balconies?

We just stayed BC CL in June and you can always get soda from the fridge and take back to your room. Even at night the lounge doors are open and there was always soda in the fridge.
Bottled water was never out when we were there but the CM's told us that we could just ask and they would be happy to give us bottled water. We did just that and were happy with the service.

I believe that you can tell the CL about your allergies and they should be able to accomodate you. Maybe someone else can help with this one.

We also had a standard view and had a full balcony. We had a view of SAB if you looked to your left but if you looked out straight and down it was a rooftop, room 5677. Didn't bother me at all.

Enjoy your trip. We loved the BC CL. It was our first time doing CL and now we are hooked.

 

[pld5]

February 2013 will be our first club level stay at WL (second time at WL, but first time club level). I have been working my spreadsheet for several weeks and planning what ADR's we wanted to get, but decided to give up some of my control and let the IPO make our reservations this morning (our 180 day mark). I faxed our planning questionnaire to them last Friday, got confirmation on Saturday, called them with credit card information for those ADR's that required it, then called them again yesterday to change one ADR time and add an entire new ADR (for CRT no less).

I woke up this morning to find out that they sent me an email at 620am that all of my ADR's have been made, and they also pointed out that I am over my dining plan limit, but am able to pay for any of those ADR's outside of the dining plan while I am there. I have to say it was a nice feeling to know someone was "working" on my behalf while I got a chance to hit the snooze button.

Each email and fax has been answered in less than 24 hours and each phone conversation (all 2 of them) have been very pleasant, and they continue to ask if there is anything else they can help with. I have asked about and been provided with information on renting bicycles while there. I have also asked whether they would be able to put any items in our room for my DS's birthday if I ship it to the resort. They informed me that they can, and just asked me to let them know what day and what time of day they should plan to do that.

I didn't know what to expect but have thus far been very pleasantly surprised.

 

[mickeynut1]

We will be staying at the GF CL (outer bldg) and am wondering how early we can access the lounge on the day of check-in? We will be arriving at the GF on check-in day at about 7am after a long overnight international flight. I know the room won't be available until later in the day, but it sure would be nice to have a place to sit ourselves and refresh prior to hitting the park that morning. Also, are CL rooms typically ready at around 3pm, as the regular rooms are?

You can use the lounge and all other resort amenities as soon as you check in . There is a chance your room won't be ready until later in the day, but there's also a chance it will be ready when you get there, it just depends on how busy they are at the time. The SL building is keyed access and a CM should take you to that building to check you in, so as soon as you get your KTTW cards, you will have access to the building/lounge. Have a great trip .

 

[PittPantherfan]

We stayed at the BC CL GV in May 2011. We have a family of 5. Our room was perfect, large day bed and dormer/full balcony. I had talked to the CL CMs about the layout of the floor. They told me then that there were 8 CL rooms with GV - all down the wing headed to the newport suite, hall to the right of the CMs desks if you are facing the desks. I was excited with this piece of info because they also said that all of those rooms had full dormer balconies. So, I think, great the next time we come I won't need to worry about the balcony issue because I will go for GV CL. I am an extreme creature of habit!

Well, I go to start reseaching our reservation for next year and now in the room descriptions, parties of 5 cannot be booked into GV. The only view for CL parties of 5 is standard. So now I begin to worry about getting the juliet balcony - I really enjoy sitting on a balcony on vacation. I guess they always gotta keep you guessing.

Does anyone know out of all of the BC SV CL rooms, how many may have the dreaded juliet balcony? I've been to the BC board and no clear info there.

 

[barbliny]

We won't have the option of checking in upstairs in CL b/c we will be arriving in the evening. I am a little disappointed by it, but that's the situation. So I just ask for the gold cards at front desk? Should I introduce us to a CL CM in the morning so they know who we are?

I don't know what time frame you are referencing as evening, but the BC CL desk staff does not leave until 10 pm.

As for the greeter expereince. My luck has been about 50/50 on getting a front door greeter. It's not likley to happen if you arrive via rental car.

Our experience last week - we arrived via rental car - we were greeted by name when we pulled up. However, I was being directed to the regular desk. A quick mention to the person walking me over that we were staying club level, and we were walked right up to the 5th floor. So, yes I do think that it is more likely you 'are missed' as a CL guest if you are not arriving on ME.

In my experience, CL rooms don'ttned to be ready early. I'd guess that CL guests are MOST likely to request LATE check out, even if they have to pay for it. Even if your room is not ready, you can still sit in the lounge.

We checked in on Wednesday 8/15 at 11:00 am and our room was ready and waiting for us. This was also the case for the 3 or 4 other groups that were checking in right before and after us.

This is our first time staying in a club concierge category and we are very excited about it, we're not arriving til Thanksgiving, just had a few ?'s

-Are there any king beds in standard? Which views have fireworks view?

Thanks so much

I see that most of your other questions were answered. This one I didn't see ...

I can't speak as to whether there are king beds in standard view.
I can tell you that our garden view CL room at BC had a view of the fireworks at Epcot from our balcony (those that made it high enough to go over the roofs opposite us). From what I understand there are less than 10 GV BC CL rooms - they are hard to get, but I would keep checking if that's what you want. Our room looked over a landscaped courtyard and volleyball court - and you could see a large part of the lagoon and all the wonderful lights on the Boardwalk.

Have fun.