Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[pixarmom]

mickeyluv'r, that's such helpful and detailed information. We're up early in the morning and can easily target off-peak times. And after doing some research here, we booked the standard Bay Lake view CL room for the exact reasons you mentioned, so you've really helped confirm our choice. Thanks so much!!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Hi all. On the other hand, I got an e-mail from the BC IPO and am so impressed. In our several stays CL at the GF I never got that.

Is there an advantage one way or the other for the TA vs. IPO? I start getting my kids ready and driving to 3 different bus stops at 6:15 and don't finish until about 8:30, so I really think I'd be better off having one or the other do it.

Also, can anyone share how the BC CL compares to the GF?

One last thing, what about the deluxe room? Has anyoned stayed in a BC deluxe and what do you think about it?

CL is my 'new' WDW love, so we've tried most now. I rate the staff at BC as the very best. (Though GF was a close second) Our stays at BC were both on the lounge floor, so I can't help you out w/deluxe rooms. I have stayed in CL rooms with five people, and we prefer to make a regular room near the lounge work for us. Being close to the lounge is my top priority, along with convenience within the resort. As such, I love the layout at BC. It has by far the best pool complex on property. Be sure to really explore the pool's nooks. (My one deluxe room stay was at AKL, we had two rooms, one non-deluxe, and I struggled to see what was different between the two. Finally realized it was the bathroom.)

The only time I used a TA, she was terrible. Maybe my experience is tainted. Plus, I HATED waiting for a middle man. Like you, I've seen prime rooms disappear within hours. I prefer to use online booking for ADR's. It let's you see everything that's available, instead of relying on another person to pick from the offerings, and make judgement calls. Unless you are going during Xmas week, I think you'd be fine doing your bookings at 8:30 am on day 180. With the new penalty fees, bookings are much easier to get than they were last year. I myself am FAR less eager to book ADR's with new cc cancel fees!

I use the IPO if we want to add ADR's after arrival. I've had great luck- even before the new fees kicked in. In August, for exmaple- we got a last minute ADR at Askershus (it's almost the only place I'd never dined) for 6ppl. We had the place to ourselves, during 'free dining' no less! I truly think many folks are like us, skipping 180 day ADRs, and taking what's available upon arrival at WDW. There are only a few bookings that fill up. I'm not saying you shouldn't make any ADR's, especially if you want the very most popular places and specific times. I just don't think you have to be pressed about most places.

My GF CL stay was Sugarloaf. GF was really nice, and we like being on the monorail...my top 3 CL are CR, BC, and GF. What makes BC in my top three is the excellent staff, pool, layout, and proximity to Epcot and HS. Even though BWK is slightly closer to the parks, we prefer BC. GF/CR puts you close to MK and close to monorail dining (plus WL at CR). BC area puts you close to all Epcot/BWK/BC/Swan dining and close to TWO parks.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

mickeyluv'r, that's such helpful and detailed information. We're up early in the morning and can easily target off-peak times. And after doing some research here, we booked the standard Bay Lake view CL room for the exact reasons you mentioned, so you've really helped confirm our choice. Thanks so much!!!

You're welcome. I sometimes worry my posts are all too long!

Early in the morning, you should have no trouble at all. I've been to WDW enough times that I've seen nearly every dining location at WDW 'packed'. So I can't say it never happens, even at CR CL...but I'm also experienced enough with WDW to say that dodging crowds isn't limited to park touring. We were totally surprised at Pop five years ago, the difference that 15minutes made one morning, when we stopped by the concierge desk then had breakfast. It went from empty to packed! Lesson learned. (And we're not generally pressed about making rope drop.)

I should stop posting the benefits of BL view or it will become even harder to book...

 

[JenniD44]

Hi Jenni! We make our own ADRs and haven't stayed at GF yet, so I can't help with those questions. But we've stayed in many different kinds of rooms at BC, including the deluxe club level room and the 2-bedroom suite. So we're not always on the same floor as the lounge. I absolutely think the extra space is worth the walk to the lounge (we're also a family of five.) And we find the lounge comfortable, so we always eat breakfast and evening appetizers right there - the only time we carry anything back to our room is the occasional dessert. My favorite BC deluxe rooms are the ones with the huge balcony - so you may want to request that if you'd like that. (We were on the 4th floor facing the quiet pool with a truly huge balcony.) Some of the deluxe rooms have the juliet-style little balconies and at least one is on the ground floor with a patio. So I just love that BC deluxe room, and hope you do too!

And I absolutely LOVE BWI/BC IPO (they share.) The CMs there are so responsive and have been very helpful in recording our requests and doing a ton of work to help put together mini customized "in-room celebrations" for our kids. Omar is particularly helpful.

As for Poly CL, we're doing a split stay in January and intended to stay Poly CL and then BWI CL. But there is no Poly CL availability in January and I've read that it's due to renovations in the Hawaii building during that time. Boo! So we're still staying at Poly, but hoping for a short delay in the renovations so that we can book CL! If anyone has any news, I'd love to hear about it!

CL is my 'new' WDW love, so we've tried most now. I rate the staff at BC as the very best. (Though GF was a close second) Our stays at BC were both on the lounge floor, so I can't help you out w/deluxe rooms. I have stayed in CL rooms with five people, and we prefer to make a regular room near the lounge work for us. Being close to the lounge is my top priority, along with convenience within the resort. As such, I love the layout at BC. It has by far the best pool complex on property. Be sure to really explore the pool's nooks. (My one deluxe room stay was at AKL, we had two rooms, one non-deluxe, and I struggled to see what was different between the two. Finally realized it was the bathroom.)

The only time I used a TA, she was terrible. Maybe my experience is tainted. Plus, I HATED waiting for a middle man. Like you, I've seen prime rooms disappear within hours. I prefer to use online booking for ADR's. It let's you see everything that's available, instead of relying on another person to pick from the offerings, and make judgement calls. Unless you are going during Xmas week, I think you'd be fine doing your bookings at 8:30 am on day 180. With the new penalty fees, bookings are much easier to get than they were last year. I myself am FAR less eager to book ADR's with new cc cancel fees!

I use the IPO if we want to add ADR's after arrival. I've had great luck- even before the new fees kicked in. In August, for exmaple- we got a last minute ADR at Askershus (it's almost the only place I'd never dined) for 6ppl. We had the place to ourselves, during 'free dining' no less! I truly think many folks are like us, skipping 180 day ADRs, and taking what's available upon arrival at WDW. There are only a few bookings that fill up. I'm not saying you shouldn't make any ADR's, especially if you want the very most popular places and specific times. I just don't think you have to be pressed about most places.

My GF CL stay was Sugarloaf. GF was really nice, and we like being on the monorail...my top 3 CL are CR, BC, and GF. What makes BC in my top three is the excellent staff, pool, layout, and proximity to Epcot and HS. Even though BWK is slightly closer to the parks, we prefer BC. GF/CR puts you close to MK and close to monorail dining (plus WL at CR). BC area puts you close to all Epcot/BWK/BC/Swan dining and close to TWO parks.

Thank you so much for your input. One thing, what are the cc fees. I've not heard of that. I know if you don't cancel within 24 hours they charge your card, but is there something else?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Thank you so much for your input. One thing, what are the cc fees. I've not heard of that. I know if you don't cancel within 24 hours they charge your card, but is there something else?

Yes, that's what I meant. I often go to WDW with a group of twelve, so the cancel fee is $120 or $240! That's just a lot of $ to pay for NOTHING. I'm pretty concientious, but it makes me unhappy and uncomfortable to risk over $200 on the chance someone makes a mistake. What if I don't get the confirmation email from the IPO (has happened), and I don't know the ADR was made...That's a big whoops!

I'll add, the staff on club level are exceptionally nice and really well informed. I don't want to make them out to be incompetant, because they are not. They are however, only human, and we've experienced mistakes.

Judging from what I've seen so far, it looks like I'm not alone. ADR's are just not as hard to get. Partly the recession has changed how people tour WDW, but the new cc fees have further cut down ADR's. Maybe thre were lots of folks double booking, but I think it's also that the new fee system is a big turn off.

 

[JenniD44]

Yes, that's what I meant. I often go to WDW with a group of twelve, so the cancel fee is $120 or $240! That's just a lot of $ to pay for NOTHING. I'm pretty concientious, but it makes me unhappy and uncomfortable to risk over $200 on the chance someone makes a mistake. What if I don't get the confirmation email from the IPO (has happened), and I don't know the ADR was made...That's a big whoops!

I'll add, the staff on club level are exceptionally nice and really well informed. I don't want to make them out to be incompetant, because they are not. They are however, only human, and we've experienced mistakes.

Judging from what I've seen so far, it looks like I'm not alone. ADR's are just not as hard to get. Partly the recession has changed how people tour WDW, but the new cc fees have further cut down ADR's. Maybe thre were lots of folks double booking, but I think it's also that the new fee system is a big turn off.

I agree the cancelation fee is a pain. IPO got my ressies today and I'm keeping the info in a safe place in case I have to cancel. I do know last trip I made several breakfast reservations that we ended up not keeping, but I was careful to cancel in case someone else needed them, although not too worried if I happened to miss one. It's a much bigger deal now. I was just afraid there was some other fee on top of that, which is probably the next step down the line.

 

[nemofans]

If you log into disney's website & look up your trip reservation, you will also see the ADRs IPO made for you.
I had IPO make some ADRs for me & they are listed under my pkg ressie. I did get an email from them too which I printed out so I can bring it w/me.

 

[psac]

Yes, that's what I meant. I often go to WDW with a group of twelve, so the cancel fee is $120 or $240! That's just a lot of $ to pay for NOTHING. I'm pretty concientious, but it makes me unhappy and uncomfortable to risk over $200 on the chance someone makes a mistake. What if I don't get the confirmation email from the IPO (has happened), and I don't know the ADR was made...That's a big whoops!

I'll add, the staff on club level are exceptionally nice and really well informed. I don't want to make them out to be incompetant, because they are not. They are however, only human, and we've experienced mistakes.

Judging from what I've seen so far, it looks like I'm not alone. ADR's are just not as hard to get. Partly the recession has changed how people tour WDW, but the new cc fees have further cut down ADR's. Maybe thre were lots of folks double booking, but I think it's also that the new fee system is a big turn off.

For the places that require cc's, I agree. However, there are still some tough to get places that don't have the guarantee.
Over time though, we've learned any ADR is gettable if you keep trying. People always cancel.

 

[dreamcruiser]

Having stayed at both I can tell you they are very different. The YC lounge is nice, I think I put my pics on the first page of this thread, but it isn't really a "destination" like the Poly lounge is. We basically just used the YC lounge as a place to eat breakfast and occasionally we sat down and had a snack in there. Rarely did we ever make a trip back to have dessert. The Poly lounge has such a beautiful view of the beach, GF, and MK (fireworks, etc) that we found ourselves just getting a drink and sitting in there instead of in our room. Especially if it was a rainy day, or we were taking a park break..... And we made special attempts to be there for dessert and fireworks if we weren't busy at a park. Now, as for the castmembers I would say we were in contact with them at the YC more because they are right there at the elevator. Every time we stood there waiting for an elevator to come they would talk to us, so I felt I got to know them more than the Poly staff. Coming in and out of the Hawaii building we really never stopped at the desks on the first floor unless we needed something. Walking through the door they would toss out a friendly greeting as we headed up the stairs, so if we wanted to stand there and talk we could have but usually we were anxious to get up to our room. As for the rooms themselves they are smaller, and of course the theme is totally different, the colors and fabrics are totally opposite. So I guess to summarize I'd say they are both very nice in their own ways but they are also very different. Hope that helps

I thought your comparison of the two lounges as for staff interaction was interesting and something I had not thought of. For us, let's say comparing Sugarloaf vs RPC, we were much more likely to stop and chat with the CMs in Sugarloaf. I don't know if it was because they were just naturally more welcoming or that the lounge area itself seemed smaller and therefore promoted interaction. At any rate, having been also at WL and AKL club level, of all 4 mentioned, I have found Sugarloaf to be the friendliest. Just my two cents on that aspect of experience...
I love club level, no matter what!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Sooooo, our split stay consists of 5 nights YC CL followed by 5 nights POLY CL.

I haven't ever relied on IPO to make my ADRs before, and being a control freak...it kind of scares me...

My ADR day is 10/20 (who's counting) and I'm thinking of turning over my ADR's to IPO. How far out do you usually give them your list?? And since I am staying CL for both parts of the stay, can I just have one IPO do the entire stay or does YC have to do the ADRs for the YC part of the stay, and Poly for Poly....does that make sense?

Thanks!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

*bumping*

 

[WDWKOOK]

Sooooo, our split stay consists of 5 nights YC CL followed by 5 nights POLY CL.

I haven't ever relied on IPO to make my ADRs before, and being a control freak...it kind of scares me...

My ADR day is 10/20 (who's counting) and I'm thinking of turning over my ADR's to IPO. How far out do you usually give them your list?? And since I am staying CL for both parts of the stay, can I just have one IPO do the entire stay or does YC have to do the ADRs for the YC part of the stay, and Poly for Poly....does that make sense?

Thanks!!!

I've been told by the IPO that when doing a split, the first IPO will make all your ADRs. If you want them to do them, email them anytime. Don't be scared, everything will be fine, but I suspect you'll make some changes

 

[Mousemommy1]

I've been told by the IPO that when doing a split, the first IPO will make all your ADRs. If you want them to do them, email them anytime. Don't be scared, everything will be fine, but I suspect you'll make some changes

Thanks kook!!!

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

Someone posted that they were offered small plastic bottles of water from BC CL. Does anyone know if they are still doing this?

 

[LoveMickeyMouse]

Only 8 more sleeps until our first CL stay at the POLY!!! I can't wait!!!! It can't get here fast enough!!!!

 

[tinkermommyof3]

Only 8 more sleeps until our first CL stay at the POLY!!! I can't wait!!!! It can't get here fast enough!!!!

You are going to love Poly CL! We can't wait to go back!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Someone posted that they were offered small plastic bottles of water from BC CL. Does anyone know if they are still doing this?

Yep, we got them in August several times...until they ran out midweek and had to restock.

 

[stephgles]

We just booked our first CL at WL for next Sept. We love WL and decided to upgrade. We are super excited.

 

[mickeynut1]

Only 8 more sleeps until our first CL stay at the POLY!!! I can't wait!!!! It can't get here fast enough!!!!

Have a great time and enjoy CL . Our first stay at the Poly was amazing and we are trying CL next year and can't wait .

We just booked our first CL at WL for next Sept. We love WL and decided to upgrade. We are super excited.

You will love CL at the WL!!!! The atmosphere is great and the CMs are some of the best . Have a great trip .

 

[PamelaKay]

We just booked our first CL at WL for next Sept. We love WL and decided to upgrade. We are super excited.

Congrats! WL CL is my favorite so far. They have the best CM's and it is such a wonderful place.