Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[Katie's Mom]

We are staying AKL CL Nov. 13-17th.............We have had no contact with the IPO????????? I have been reading all the posts on here so I tried emailing them but have never received a reply(we are paid in full and I had confirmation info., we also made our ADR's on are own).....I called after getting no response and the woman I talked to said unless we needed them to do ADR's or other requests that there was no reason to contact them ......We have never stayed CL before so this is all new to us.

Hi! It is true that if you made your ADRs without concierges, you do not need to contact them. However, you should receive an introductory email from them in which you will find a form for ADRs and the special offerings to those staying at CL. If you want to review the email to determine if you need to reach out again, please send me a message with your email and I will forward you the email I received regarding our January stay. I did just do my ADRs because I went with s/p/d. My original plan was to do RO but they are only offering 5% off the AKL CL. Actually, I think I made the cut with the Visa card because when I checked online today it was no longer an option. Glad I made the cut!

 

[purplejulie456]

No we didnt need anything in particular .... have been reading posts that you should make contact w/ IPO to I guess introduce yourselves............just worried we hadnt done something we needed to do.

Thanks for your help

 

[summersalt]

In just 10 days, I will be staying at YC CL for the very first time. Should I do online check in today?

 

[focusondisney]

In just 10 days, I will be staying at YC CL for the very first time. Should I do online check in today?

You can but the usual thoughts are it's not necessary. You will be taken upstairs to do private checkin with the club level CMs. You can sit & relax while you check in. And they usually have most of your stuff ready anyway. We have stayed Club @ the YC many times & only once were both CMs busy. That time the CM who had greeted us took us into the lounge & actually did our check in there while we had snacks & beverages. Much nicer than standing in the lobby!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

So I made our reservation for April, and the only room available at the CR with a military discount was a club level room- poor me right?

Anyway this is our first time staying Club Level, and I have a few questions. The big one is: are the club lounges kid friendly? We will be traveling with a baby and a 3 year old, and I don't want to spend the money on the club level, and be made to feel uncomfortable by other guests if we bring our children in the lounge. I will of course monitor their behavior, and remove them if they act up, but I know there are places where children are technically allowed- but not really welcomed (the Top of the World lounge at Bay Lake Tower comes to mind).

Also how large is the concierge floor? It would be nice to be close to the lounge so we could quickly grab some food/drinks and take them back to the room. Would it be smart to request a room near the lounge, or all they all pretty close.

I'm also concerned about getting one of the handicapped accessible rooms, because with two young kids we really need the tub to bathe them. Can I request a non-HA accessible room? would that be allowed?

Ok, just a few more! Is the lounge available to guests 24 hours a day? Sometimes my son can be an early riser, so it would be nice to have a spot that I can take him to play quietly or watch some TV and let my DH and baby sleep in a little.

One more- I see that they stock the lounge with wine and beer. If we get back from the parks for an afternoon break around 3ish, could we get a beer in the lounge, or do they not serve alcohol until dinnertime. Also, I was wondering if it would be possible to bring a beer or glass of wine back to the room from the lounge?

When we are going to be there Wishes won't be until 10 pm, which will likely be after the baby's bedtime. I was thinking that DH and I could switch off nights, and one of us stay in the room with the baby and watch the fireworks from the balcony, and the other could take DS to watch from the lounge. It would be nice if the room-bound person could have a drink as well!

Thanks in advance!

 

[francie]

hi, does anyone have an opinion on what the least desirable room locations are in the main bldg gf club level? anyone ever stay in a room they had a bad view/experience with in the main bldg? tia

 

[Tigger2]

In just 10 days, I will be staying at YC CL for the very first time. Should I do online check in today?

We did YC CL in September and didn't bother do online checkin. Got there around 1:30 pm and got right in our room . I'm sure you'll love CL! Have fun.

 

[pixarmom]

So I made our reservation for April, and the only room available at the CR with a military discount was a club level room- poor me right?

Anyway this is our first time staying Club Level, and I have a few questions. The big one is: are the club lounges kid friendly? We will be traveling with a baby and a 3 year old, and I don't want to spend the money on the club level, and be made to feel uncomfortable by other guests if we bring our children in the lounge. I will of course monitor their behavior, and remove them if they act up, but I know there are places where children are technically allowed- but not really welcomed (the Top of the World lounge at Bay Lake Tower comes to mind).

Also how large is the concierge floor? It would be nice to be close to the lounge so we could quickly grab some food/drinks and take them back to the room. Would it be smart to request a room near the lounge, or all they all pretty close.

I'm also concerned about getting one of the handicapped accessible rooms, because with two young kids we really need the tub to bathe them. Can I request a non-HA accessible room? would that be allowed?

Ok, just a few more! Is the lounge available to guests 24 hours a day? Sometimes my son can be an early riser, so it would be nice to have a spot that I can take him to play quietly or watch some TV and let my DH and baby sleep in a little.

One more- I see that they stock the lounge with wine and beer. If we get back from the parks for an afternoon break around 3ish, could we get a beer in the lounge, or do they not serve alcohol until dinnertime. Also, I was wondering if it would be possible to bring a beer or glass of wine back to the room from the lounge?

When we are going to be there Wishes won't be until 10 pm, which will likely be after the baby's bedtime. I was thinking that DH and I could switch off nights, and one of us stay in the room with the baby and watch the fireworks from the balcony, and the other could take DS to watch from the lounge. It would be nice if the room-bound person could have a drink as well!

Thanks in advance!

Hello CandleontheWater! We just stayed CL at CR last weekend with our three boys, and I can share our experience, in case that's helpful. (We've also stayed CL at BC and BWI, but this was our first CR stay.)

First, we LOVED the club lounge at CR. The space was comfortable, the CMs were truly outstanding and very child-friendly and we think booking CL made a huge difference in our CR stay. It's so completely convenient with kids.

I thought the lounge was particularly child-friendly, in part because of the CMs, and in part because we were fortunate to be staying there with other very friendly guests (including other children.) The little TV in the corner featured Disney Junior or similar channels and was set up in front of a small table with little seats for the kids. Our 12- and 13-year-olds usually sat with us, but our 5-year-old liked to sit in the child seating area and make friends.

We did have a brief issue with our 5-year-old when we checked in and sat down for breakfast. He was a little too excited and yelled out at my husband. I took our 5-year-old out right away and he calmed down. He apologized to his dad and to the guest closest to him when he yelled, and she (the mom of two young kids) was as sweet as could be.

The CMs were always very friendly and great with all sorts of things, like printing out boarding passes and giving us tips for MNSSHP! They were some of the most friendly and interactive CL CMs we've met so far. They engaged with our kids and the entire stay was really comfortable.

Our room was VERY close to the lounge - 4812, I think. Just across the elevator bank from the lounge with a Bay Lake View. We thought everything was relatively close and the floor wasn't too spread out, but you could contact IPO and let them know you'd like to request a room close to the lounge. (And a room with a tub in the bathroom.) We didn't make any requests with IPO for CR, but we've done that in the past for BC and BWI. I know you can also call CRO, but I've done this with IPO in the past and it's always worked out.

As for the lounge, it's technically open 24 hours because there aren't any doors on it. And the refrigerator with juice boxes, sodas, etc. is there and open at all times. But they don't restock it after 10pm, so one of the CMs suggested that we take whatever we wanted back to our room for post-10pm. Last weekend, we did a split stay with BC, and took a cab over to CR at 6:30am. The lounge was open and serving guests at that time. The official breakfast hours begin at 7am, but coffee starts at 6:30am and I think they had everything out a few minutes early.

As for wine/beer in the afternoon, we took the same kind of break that you mentioned. My husband requested a glass of wine for me in the afternoon around 4pm, and that was no problem. We could also take a glass of wine or beer back to our room at any time.

I hope you love it as much as we did! We would definitely return to CR for part of a split stay, but I don't think we'd book there without CL - that added so much to the stay. It was so convenient and made the resort feel much more cozy and personal. Would have been less convenient to go down to the main concourse for meals, snacks, etc.

 

[jimim]

Hi everyone. I have a quick CL question. Last time we stayed CL at WL it was cause they upgraded us when we checked in so all my ADR were done already. I'm right on the phone first thing 180 days out so we get all the sign places we r used to. should i use the CL service to have them do the bookings for me or will it be better to do them myself as usual? do they do them first thing as i would be doing or is it when they kinda get to it? i don't want to miss out on the places we r used to eating at especially since this trip will be with my parents and a very good friend and his wife so we really want ot make sure this is a great trip! eating at disney in our fav places is one of the best part of all our trips.

just wondering about this from the experienced ones out there!

thanks!

jim

 

[dfnremt]

I have stayed CL at the Poly. Viewing Wishes from the lounge is amazing since they pipe the show rite into the Lounge so you get the full effect. Enjoy your stay. We are staying Beach Club CL in January. I will post a review after.

 

[mickeynut1]

In just 10 days, I will be staying at YC CL for the very first time.

Have a great trip . We are trying YC CL for the first time next summer and I can't wait. I hope you will report back about your stay .

So I made our reservation for April, and the only room available at the CR with a military discount was a club level room- poor me right?

Anyway this is our first time staying Club Level, and I have a few questions. The big one is: are the club lounges kid friendly? We will be traveling with a baby and a 3 year old, and I don't want to spend the money on the club level, and be made to feel uncomfortable by other guests if we bring our children in the lounge. I will of course monitor their behavior, and remove them if they act up, but I know there are places where children are technically allowed- but not really welcomed (the Top of the World lounge at Bay Lake Tower comes to mind).

Thanks in advance!

I can't speak for CR CL as we've never stayed there, but we have stayed WL CL and GF CL (both SL & RPC) and I have found all 3 lounges to be kid friendly. Have a great trip

hi, does anyone have an opinion on what the least desirable room locations are in the main bldg gf club level? anyone ever stay in a room they had a bad view/experience with in the main bldg? tia

My favorite view of an RPC room is of the main pool and the Poly. But with that said, that view might not be the best one at this time with the DVC construction going on. Other than that, I don't think there is a bad view at the GF, either in an outer building or the main building .

Hi everyone. I have a quick CL question. Last time we stayed CL at WL it was cause they upgraded us when we checked in so all my ADR were done already. I'm right on the phone first thing 180 days out so we get all the sign places we r used to. should i use the CL service to have them do the bookings for me or will it be better to do them myself as usual? do they do them first thing as i would be doing or is it when they kinda get to it? i don't want to miss out on the places we r used to eating at especially since this trip will be with my parents and a very good friend and his wife so we really want ot make sure this is a great trip! eating at disney in our fav places is one of the best part of all our trips.

just wondering about this from the experienced ones out there!

thanks!

jim

It's really a matter of personal preference whether or not to use IPO. I have never used IPO for any of our CL stays as making my own ADRs is part of the fun for me . But with that said, if you give IPO your information, I think they do their best to get your ADRs at the 180 day mark .

 

[psac]

Hi everyone. I have a quick CL question. Last time we stayed CL at WL it was cause they upgraded us when we checked in so all my ADR were done already. I'm right on the phone first thing 180 days out so we get all the sign places we r used to. should i use the CL service to have them do the bookings for me or will it be better to do them myself as usual? do they do them first thing as i would be doing or is it when they kinda get to it? i don't want to miss out on the places we r used to eating at especially since this trip will be with my parents and a very good friend and his wife so we really want ot make sure this is a great trip! eating at disney in our fav places is one of the best part of all our trips.

just wondering about this from the experienced ones out there!

thanks!

jim

Our 180 day mark is coming up soon, and my wife is going to make ours on our own. We've always been able to get what we wanted, and if we couldn't, she's been able to move things around so that we could. You wouldn't really get that flexibility with IPO. If you're fine doing it yourself, I would continue to do so. Some people love being hands off and letting IPO do everything. But I don't think that would be you.

 

[kathie859]

Well, my impression so far is that the Poly CL is a step under BWI CL. Our room, on the first floor, has a nice patio area and a great view of the castle. The room seems a little dark and the bathroom needs a lighted make up mirror!!!

The CL lounge decoratively is light years behind the BWI which is my only CL frame of reference. There are no fresh flower arrangements or greenery of any kind and the furnishings are dull with age. We're going for snacks before heading over to the MNSSHP, so I have no opinion on the food offerings yet. The CM's so far have been pleasant--Barbie checked us in and but our room wasn't ready until 3:30. Not too awful of a delay and our bags were delivered promptly.

We did get a slight upgrade. I'd booked one MK view and 1 garden view and we have 2 MK view rooms.

We're here until Saturday--so I'll have more observations as the week proceeds.
I will say that the GK's (9,6 and 4) really like the resort and went for a ride on the monorail while we waited for our rooms. Who knew?? We didnt have to buy tickets---the monorail could entertain them for hours

 

[pixarmom]

Well, my impression so far is that the Poly CL is a step under BWI CL. Our room, on the first floor, has a nice patio area and a great view of the castle. The room seems a little dark and the bathroom needs a lighted make up mirror!!!

The CL lounge decoratively is light years behind the BWI which is my only CL frame of reference. There are no fresh flower arrangements or greenery of any kind and the furnishings are dull with age. We're going for snacks before heading over to the MNSSHP, so I have no opinion on the food offerings yet. The CM's so far have been pleasant--Barbie checked us in and but our room wasn't ready until 3:30. Not too awful of a delay and our bags were delivered promptly.

We did get a slight upgrade. I'd booked one MK view and 1 garden view and we have 2 MK view rooms.

We're here until Saturday--so I'll have more observations as the week proceeds.
I will say that the GK's (9,6 and 4) really like the resort and went for a ride on the monorail while we waited for our rooms. Who knew?? We didnt have to buy tickets---the monorail could entertain them for hours

Thanks so much for the update! I know I'm sounding like a broken record on these boards, but we were hoping to book CL at Poly in January, and can't because they are planning on a refurb of the Hawaii building. Please let us know if you hear any rumors of a rehab delay! I asked the CMs in the CR CL lounge last weekend, but they didn't have any Poly news.

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[yolie912]

I have a quick question. Say I check out of WL CL.. Can I still enjoy snacks until my plane leaves that same day?

 

[Mousemommy1]

I have a quick question. Say I check out of WL CL.. Can I still enjoy snacks until my plane leaves that same day?

Yes. You can still use the resort amenities until midnight on your check out day.

 

[zima-cheryl]

Just e-mailed the TA & we've pulled the trigger. Changed from a regular room at the Contemporary to club/concierge (still not sure which is the 'right' term) level @ Animal Kingdom.

Got a PIN last week, and it makes the AK about $500 less.
Shocked we went from regular to club level room & dropped in price, but I'm booking it before they change their minds.

Going for my husband's birthday - we've never done this before, so I'm hoping it will make his birthday a little extra special.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Hello CandleontheWater! We just stayed CL at CR last weekend with our three boys, and I can share our experience, in case that's helpful. (We've also stayed CL at BC and BWI, but this was our first CR stay.)

First, we LOVED the club lounge at CR. The space was comfortable, the CMs were truly outstanding and very child-friendly and we think booking CL made a huge difference in our CR stay. It's so completely convenient with kids.

I thought the lounge was particularly child-friendly, in part because of the CMs, and in part because we were fortunate to be staying there with other very friendly guests (including other children.) The little TV in the corner featured Disney Junior or similar channels and was set up in front of a small table with little seats for the kids. Our 12- and 13-year-olds usually sat with us, but our 5-year-old liked to sit in the child seating area and make friends.

We did have a brief issue with our 5-year-old when we checked in and sat down for breakfast. He was a little too excited and yelled out at my husband. I took our 5-year-old out right away and he calmed down. He apologized to his dad and to the guest closest to him when he yelled, and she (the mom of two young kids) was as sweet as could be.

The CMs were always very friendly and great with all sorts of things, like printing out boarding passes and giving us tips for MNSSHP! They were some of the most friendly and interactive CL CMs we've met so far. They engaged with our kids and the entire stay was really comfortable.

Our room was VERY close to the lounge - 4812, I think. Just across the elevator bank from the lounge with a Bay Lake View. We thought everything was relatively close and the floor wasn't too spread out, but you could contact IPO and let them know you'd like to request a room close to the lounge. (And a room with a tub in the bathroom.) We didn't make any requests with IPO for CR, but we've done that in the past for BC and BWI. I know you can also call CRO, but I've done this with IPO in the past and it's always worked out.

As for the lounge, it's technically open 24 hours because there aren't any doors on it. And the refrigerator with juice boxes, sodas, etc. is there and open at all times. But they don't restock it after 10pm, so one of the CMs suggested that we take whatever we wanted back to our room for post-10pm. Last weekend, we did a split stay with BC, and took a cab over to CR at 6:30am. The lounge was open and serving guests at that time. The official breakfast hours begin at 7am, but coffee starts at 6:30am and I think they had everything out a few minutes early.

As for wine/beer in the afternoon, we took the same kind of break that you mentioned. My husband requested a glass of wine for me in the afternoon around 4pm, and that was no problem. We could also take a glass of wine or beer back to our room at any time.

I hope you love it as much as we did! We would definitely return to CR for part of a split stay, but I don't think we'd book there without CL - that added so much to the stay. It was so convenient and made the resort feel much more cozy and personal. Would have been less convenient to go down to the main concourse for meals, snacks, etc.

Thank you so much for this info! It is so helpful and is making me EVEN MORE exciting about our upcoming trip!

The IPO just reached out to us, so I'll be sure to note to them about proximity to the lounge and the tub, so thanks for the advice!

 

[athenna]

I emailed AKL CL IPA yesterday, just thought I'd post this in case it helps someone else....For the Wednesday Wine & Cheese hr @ Jiko, you have to call them because they need to secure the reservation w/a credit card # and of course, its safer to call that in than email it to them.

And they can't book you for the new DVC Sundown Mingle, you have to call DVC.

 

[jimim]

Our 180 day mark is coming up soon, and my wife is going to make ours on our own. We've always been able to get what we wanted, and if we couldn't, she's been able to move things around so that we could. You wouldn't really get that flexibility with IPO. If you're fine doing it yourself, I would continue to do so. Some people love being hands off and letting IPO do everything. But I don't think that would be you.

Thanks for that! I think I am esp since we are a large group this time. 8 adults and 3 kiddos we might have to be more flex. Usually it's just my family or mine and my parents.
Hopefully we won't have any problems with a 11 head count.

Jimi