Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[imobsessedwithdisney]

So excited we just changed our reservation from YC Standard room to BC GV CL!! Leaving in 2 days. May 15-18. So here's my question. We will probably be gettin to the BC around 10:30 do u think the lounge will still have breakfast out or should we grab breakfast instead at the airport?

 

[bowbat]

So excited we just changed our reservation from YC Standard room to BC GV CL!! Leaving in 2 days. May 15-18. So here's my question. We will probably be gettin to the BC around 10:30 do u think the lounge will still have breakfast out or should we grab breakfast instead at the airport?

I think most CLs have breakfast food out until 10:30, so I'd recommend grabbing something at the airport.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We will probably be gettin to the BC around 10:30 do u think the lounge will still have breakfast out or should we grab breakfast instead at the airport?

If getting 'breakfast food' specifically is very important to you, then maybe grab it at the airport. Otherwise, I say wing it. If the lounge is not open when you arrive, it will re-open with cookies and such at 11:30. You probably can also get drinks and a bit of fruit upon arrival (orange, apple, banana). You could always ask the CM's if they'd be willing to grab a banana for you.

All that said....I find it always takes me longer that I expect to get from the airport to WDW. You don't say what time you plane lands, but I can say, often enough it's taken me a solid two hours past my scheduled plane landing to get to my WDW hotel.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Would you do yacht club or beach club club level with dds 2&5

As others have said, they are very similar in many ways- like the shared pool. Disney effectively considers them one resort- as in they share a central kitchen (at least in terms of room service), mostly the same staff, and the main pool.

The differences/important points I see: YC is a bit quieter, room décor (BC is more floral, YC is less frilly), similar room layout, YC is more toward the Dolphin/HS, BC is slightly more towards Epcot. Rooms are the same price-unless you want a certain view that's not available. I find the staff at BC CL to be slightly more friendly, but both are excellent. Both have kids, but I would say BC is slightly more kid oriented, and YC is slightly more adult. I think it's that the theming of BC is a bit more whimsical.

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

If getting 'breakfast food' specifically is very important to you, then maybe grab it at the airport. Otherwise, I say wing it. If the lounge is not open when you arrive, it will re-open with cookies and such at 11:30. You probably can also get drinks and a bit of fruit upon arrival (orange, apple, banana). You could always ask the CM's if they'd be willing to grab a banana for you.

All that said....I find it always takes me longer that I expect to get from the airport to WDW. You don't say what time you plane lands, but I can say, often enough it's taken me a solid two hours past my scheduled plane landing to get to my WDW hotel.

Thanks so much! Our plane lands at 8:45am. I don't care much about breakfast but I know my girls will be hungry. Do u know if there isn't food in the lounge will there still be bagels & fruit in the hotel marketplace?

 

[AliceIn]

Has anybody used the IPO to book the Wishes Dessert Party? Did you need to request it close to the date, or did the IPO just arrange it when they open up the reservations?

 

[Mousemommy1]

Has anybody used the IPO to book the Wishes Dessert Party? Did you need to request it close to the date, or did the IPO just arrange it when they open up the reservations?

I gave them available dates ahead of time in order of preference and they monitored for the dates to open up and booked that day! They even got our 1st choice!

 

[AliceIn]

I gave them available dates ahead of time in order of preference and they monitored for the dates to open up and booked that day! They even got our 1st choice!

That's great news Did you enjoy the show? We're also doing an Illuminations Cruise. I've never actually managed to see Wishes, and it's been 20 years since I've seen the Epcot fireworks.

 

[Mousemommy1]

That's great news Did you enjoy the show? We're also doing an Illuminations Cruise. I've never actually managed to see Wishes, and it's been 20 years since I've seen the Epcot fireworks.

OMG. Wishes is one of my favorite things in the World (the whole world, not just Disney).

Literally, if the only thing I managed to do on a whole trip is see Wishes I would be happy. I'm doing a trip this year in Sept just to see HalloWishes because DH thinks its sad that I have only seen it on YouTube. I've seen regular Wishes many times and watching it from the Tomorrowland Terrace was really neat because Tinkerbell flies right over you.

IllumiNations is my 2nd fave fireworks show at Disney.

 

[TaraPA]

OMG. Wishes is one of my favorite things in the World (the whole world, not just Disney).

LOL Candace - I feel the same way about Illuminations! If I went to Disney & didn't see it I'd be soooo upset! I've actually spent more time park hopping & racing around to get to see Illuminations 2-3+ times every trip. I just have to! It's my happy spot LOL!

Speaking of Illuminations - can you hear any of the music from the BWI CL lounge - or just see the high fireworks?

 

[iheartjuppy]

Just back from our stay! Cross-posted to the AKL thread. Sorry a few were blurry - I was trying not to be "that girl" obviously snapping pics of everything!

I also shared a few pics of the room amenities and the view. We were in 4437 which was right by the Mara elevators. A bit of a hike to the Club level elevators. We requested a quiet room due to light-sleeping children, and this was DIRECTLY in front of the elevators as well as directly above the overlook area where people were loudly congregating several times a day, so if you're looking for a quiet room, I would not suggest 4437! When we first arrived, I was disappointed at the largely treetop view of the savannah, but over the week, more and more animals came our way, so it all worked out. We could see the highest fireworks at the treeline - I'm assuming it was Wishes.

Here's the album of CL/room stuff:
http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/iheartjuppy-DIS/library/AKL Club Level - May 2013

The Club Level staff were fantastic and went above and beyond for us on several occassions. Our faves were Hans and Sam! I can't recall all the beers they had but there were about 5 kinds and included Tusker and Yeungling for certain. Maybe Bud Light and Heineken too? I didn't pay attention to the wines since we don't really drink it but people were enjoying it.

There were only about 3 dessert offerings a night, and two hot appetizer offerings, and there were quite a few "repeats" during our five nights. When we stayed at WL there were always far more offerings at each service, nd I didn't see any repeats in evening offerings. I was very surprised at the "slim pickings" at AKL CL. The only service that had quite a few options was at the breakfast service (though the offerings were identical every day).

We had a great time and appreciated the great service but food/snack-wise, I thought the variety and quantity of offerings at WL was far superior to AKL. I prefer AKL as a resort, but if you're doing CL for the snack offerings, you may be a bit disappointed at the lack of variety.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I have 57 days to go until our first Poly CL stay!! I did online check in... But found it redundant! Was it ok to have done it?

 

[karmacats]

Has anybody used the IPO to book the Wishes Dessert Party? Did you need to request it close to the date, or did the IPO just arrange it when they open up the reservations?

We did it a few months ago and our reservation got completely messed up (IPO booked a date we didn't want and charged our card w/o our permission, and said there was no availability on our chosen date when there clearly was). I posted about it in detail in response to a similar question, I think somewhere earlier in this thread. To be fair, I think it was an isolated incident - IPO was otherwise wonderful, and other people have had their dessert parties booked by IPO with no problem - but a couple of takeaways:

1. If your date is set in stone, tell them. Or if you're flexible, tell them that. Best would probably be to give them a list of dates, in order of preference.

2. If you find out your month has opened, drop them a reminder email or call them if you didn't get notice from them that they booked it for you. Lately bookings have been opening the first day of the month before - so if you want to attend the party in november, all november bookings would open october 1. in that case, i'd get on the horn with IPO sept 30 to remind them to book your party.

Good luck, and have fun. The party is great!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I have 57 days to go until our first Poly CL stay!! I did online check in... But found it redundant! Was it ok to have done it?

Sure. Like you said, with CL it's a bit redundant. The wait to check-in for
CL is always minimal.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Has anyone here ever stayed CL at a Universal resort? How do CL amenities compare to WDW, roughly speaking?

 

[mmmears]

Has anybody used the IPO to book the Wishes Dessert Party? Did you need to request it close to the date, or did the IPO just arrange it when they open up the reservations?

We had IPO book it for us. I asked them way in advance and they got it for us, but if you want to ask them early and then gently remind them closer to the date (if you are worried) I am sure that would be ok as well.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Sure. Like you said, with CL it's a bit redundant. The wait to check-in for
CL is always minimal.

Can't wait to actually check in - 55days to go!!!!

 

[Miss Potts]

I'm 132 days out!! I don't want to wish away the summer but I'm just so excited!!!!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

I'm 132 days out!! I don't want to wish away the summer but I'm just so excited!!!!

I am the same way as you. We are 125 days out and I just can't wait. Love the summer, but I think I love Disney more

 

[Anonomom]

Oh, I keep logging in to mention this and getting distracted. We were at the CR's Atrium Lounge this past week and they had bottles of water available for the asking. One of the lounge staff also volunteered to take my kids' sippy cups into the kitchen and fill them with filtered water.