Staying deluxe without club level. Help me do it, or not??

No real advice, but I can totally sympathize with your dilemma. Prior to kids we only stayed offsite. Then we went once with ODS and did POFQ and was kind of meh about it really. Then this year I was in desperate need of a fabulous vacation so we splurged big time and made the jump to CL at BC. I NEVER thought I would stay deluxe much less CL but with a 35% discount we felt it was worth it for a once in a lifetime type of vacation.

We are looking to return one more time before my twins turn 3 and we bought APs for that purpose. In reality our budget allows for a mod but not a deluxe so we are going from a CL experience with a fabulous location to a mod without either and I'm afraid its going to be very disappointing. Although whatever we do I plan to go in with the attitude of just enjoying every minute because I'll still be at my favorite vacation spot!

We did use the CL lounge A LOT on our recent trip. It helped that our room was literally 15 feet from the lounge so we popped in on our way in and out all day. And we went back for naptimes so we were often there during snack or app time as well as back to get the kids to bed most nights while desserts were out. I could see if you didn't have the convenience of a close room or if you plan to be at the parks from open to close how it might not be as worthwhile.

Good luck with your decision!

We were super close to the lounge at YC and used it a lot more than the one at WL. But that is because when we stayed at WL, we also had the DDP, so just not enough time for the lounge.

I am leaning towards just doing a deluxe with no CL. I know in my head, it makes sense....it just makes my heart sad...:sad:
 
:)I love this thread, thanks for starting it! We are staying Deluxe and CL for the first time and I am so excited! We are not going to the parks and plan on taking full advantage of CL....Lots of relaxing, taking in AKL pools and the CL lounge experience! We may or may not do it again...cost wise it is a splurge, but it's just hubby and I and we decided to go all in!!:)

:wave2: You will love it!!! I hope you don't become too addicted. :goodvibes
 
Mousemommy1....Thank you! :) Disney is so addictive in itself whether you are at value or CL! I'm sure I'll be back at value (Pop is my favorite one) soon enough!;)
 
Mousemommy1....Thank you! :) Disney is so addictive in itself whether you are at value or CL! I'm sure I'll be back at value (Pop is my favorite one) soon enough!;)

Well, as you know...I am staying at POP this September after two CL stays, I love POP!!
 


I have no advice for you on this one as we've only stayed moderate and deluxe - non CL. However, I just wanted to say thank you for giving me a reason to NOT try CL anywhere :rotfl:! I've always been afraid that if we went CL, we'd not want to go NON-CL ever again! I think we'll just stick with booking our "regular" Deluxes and occasional mods! :goodvibes
 
Our first CL stay was a surprise, free upgrade at YC. We really enjoyed it. The next trip we didn't stay CL, and I missed it. Since then, if we are at YC, we stay CL. So far, that is the only CL at which we have stayed.

I think I'd be OK staying at a different deluxe without CL, but not one I've known and enjoyed.
 
My question to you OP is why aren't you a DVC'er ;)

We have never stayed CL, just never really wanted to or saw the need for it.

We usually combine our DVC stays with other resorts and personally I would much rather have the CR MK view than the CL. BTW, that view blows away the one from the WL ;)

If your family are big breakfast eaters, then use this opportunity to go to some character breakfasts or eat at a different CS restaurants every morning. Or how about breakfast at the parks? As for snacks, you can get loads of them at DtD or at your resorts store and make your own little lounge in your room!
 


Do you know what would be cool and add value to CL? Club lounges in the parks for CL guests. Your gold KTTW card would give you entrance to a lounge with cold drinks and light snacks in each park Am I right?!
 
We were super close to the lounge at YC and used it a lot more than the one at WL. But that is because when we stayed at WL, we also had the DDP, so just not enough time for the lounge.

I am leaning towards just doing a deluxe with no CL. I know in my head, it makes sense....it just makes my heart sad...:sad:

Candace, I know what you mean! I've never not had club level.....and truly have become dependent on it, I just love it! I think I know you, and I think you might really miss club level. I know your family fell in love with the whole WL CL experience -- why mess with a good thing??? why not go back to what you know and love?? I too, am having a hard time deciding -- Oct / Nov 2014, or Jan/Feb 2015 (most likely the month I choose as it's cheaper than Oct/Nov) -- but I am trying to decide between Kidani 1 BDRM and NO club level!! (BOOOO) and BWI Deluxe room, with Club level. with 2 teens, I am thinking club level will be the definite way to go/ plus location of BWI - can't be beat! for some reason, I'd feel better with the teens going off on their own at BWI than bussing it everywhere at KIDANI/AKL . It's tough to give up Club Level when you've come to love it!!!
I personaly don't think I could.
I'd say stay with what you love and do Club Level. or try POLY CL, you can get some good prices there, and I think you'd like it.
I understand the whole dilema though -- once bitten by the club level bug, it's hard to resist!!!!
 
We have stayed at WL (non club) and LOVED IT, CBR (did not love it), BWI CL (liked it okay) and AKL (non club) and the *only* reason we are staying CL again at AKL this year are because you can do the Sunrise Safari. Oh, and because it was already $$$$$ to book AKL anyway because they weren't included in the summer promo, upgrading from Arusha Savanna view to CL was hardly anything. We knew the kids would love it (they loved the lounge so much at BWI, and we are keeping the CL part of the trip a surprise--they think we'll never do CL again). But if it weren't for the Sunrise Safari, really, we would just do regular old AKL and be fine with it.

But, I think we've had different experiences than you, as in we did not fall in love with CL and don't feel the need to stay that way every time (we are also staying at POP this next trip). I honestly think some of it may have been WL. I am not kidding...that resort is magical and I don't know a single person who has stayed there and not loved it. Do you think it was the CL that you loved so much? Or was it WL? (I don't know that there's a right answer...just asking!)

For our next next trip (DH is ready to throttle me) we will almost definitely be at the Poly. (I am hoping we love POP so we can do another split.) The Poly is the only other deluxe that we both really want to try. But unless our AKL CL experience is totally different from our BWI CL one, I can't see us shelling out the money for it again.

Just some thoughts!
 
Yes, plus it seems really competitive for food. I even read a TR where someone got scolded by another guest for taking two eggrollls instead of one! What!?

I mean, $150 a night + tax can buy a lot of great things! I'm not talking just gummy bears and goldfish either. No competition for them, either.

We gave up CL long ago... Just isn't worth the high cost , and poor discounts, for nuts and crackers anymore.... Plus having to be at the resort to enjoy it.... Parks are more fun to waste time in... Not a crowded, filthy overrun CL lounge...

We take that saving, up grade to a deluxe resort, go a grocery / alcohol stop and load up our room with better offerings served anytime we want... We prefer to hang at the pool when we're at the resort... We make picnic lunches, adult beverages in our cooler... Resort room is for sleeping....

CL is a lot of extra money, for what ? Rooms are the same as regular, I can still get turn down service if I want... Other than the token food offerings, I eat at the food court better for breakfast and dinner cheaper paying OOP than CL money cost...

Nope, sorry... CL has gone so far down hill from its past glory, pocket the savings and go regular... No more personalize service !
 
Yes, plus it seems really competitive for food. I even read a TR where someone got scolded by another guest for taking two eggrollls instead of one! What!?

I mean, $150 a night + tax can buy a lot of great things! I'm not talking just gummy bears and goldfish either. No competition for them, either.

We paid less than $80 more a night for CL from what we were paying for a standard and for 6 people, 3 of them adults, with breakfast, snacks, dessert and alcohol it was well worth it.

We also did not experience being scolded by anyone for food, lol. There was plenty to go around. The CMs even gave us extra of things like the special GF cookies and beer to keep in our room. I can't even imagine what my reaction would be if a guest scolded me about how much food I out on my plate. The nerve of some people.
 
Parks are more fun to waste time in... Not a crowded, filthy overrun CL lounge...
You are kidding, I hope. Crowded, filthy, overrun. Come on! Because if you aren't, this is an over exaggeration of a statement that is nowhere near the truth. I also agree with a previous poster - my idea of a vacation is not to buy food to bring back to my room to eat. Or are the parks too crowded for you to enjoy eating there?
 
I have no advice for you on this one as we've only stayed moderate and deluxe - non CL. However, I just wanted to say thank you for giving me a reason to NOT try CL anywhere :rotfl:! I've always been afraid that if we went CL, we'd not want to go NON-CL ever again! I think we'll just stick with booking our "regular" Deluxes and occasional mods! :goodvibes

:rotfl2: Very wise choice!!!!!

My question to you OP is why aren't you a DVC'er ;)

We have never stayed CL, just never really wanted to or saw the need for it.

We usually combine our DVC stays with other resorts and personally I would much rather have the CR MK view than the CL. BTW, that view blows away the one from the WL ;)

If your family are big breakfast eaters, then use this opportunity to go to some character breakfasts or eat at a different CS restaurants every morning. Or how about breakfast at the parks? As for snacks, you can get loads of them at DtD or at your resorts store and make your own little lounge in your room!

We have considered DVC, however, we get really great rates with the military discount so we have said that if that ever gets discontinued, we would consider DVC again.

Truth be told, I don't love the decor at the villas versus the resort, so that's a stumbling block too with DVC. :duck:

Do you know what would be cool and add value to CL? Club lounges in the parks for CL guests. Your gold KTTW card would give you entrance to a lounge with cold drinks and light snacks in each park Am I right?!

Now that would be a perk!!! pixiedust:

Candace, I know what you mean! I've never not had club level.....and truly have become dependent on it, I just love it! I think I know you, and I think you might really miss club level. I know your family fell in love with the whole WL CL experience -- why mess with a good thing??? why not go back to what you know and love?? I too, am having a hard time deciding -- Oct / Nov 2014, or Jan/Feb 2015 (most likely the month I choose as it's cheaper than Oct/Nov) -- but I am trying to decide between Kidani 1 BDRM and NO club level!! (BOOOO) and BWI Deluxe room, with Club level. with 2 teens, I am thinking club level will be the definite way to go/ plus location of BWI - can't be beat! for some reason, I'd feel better with the teens going off on their own at BWI than bussing it everywhere at KIDANI/AKL . It's tough to give up Club Level when you've come to love it!!!
I personaly don't think I could.
I'd say stay with what you love and do Club Level. or try POLY CL, you can get some good prices there, and I think you'd like it.
I understand the whole dilema though -- once bitten by the club level bug, it's hard to resist!!!!

Yeah, you know me. And we would totally go back to WL CL except that would interfere with our mission to stay at every Disney resort. :rotfl2:

I do think I would miss it. I know that DH would say he was fine not booking CL but then repeatedly ask if I have upgraded our reservation yet... :rolleyes2

We have stayed at WL (non club) and LOVED IT, CBR (did not love it), BWI CL (liked it okay) and AKL (non club) and the *only* reason we are staying CL again at AKL this year are because you can do the Sunrise Safari. Oh, and because it was already $$$$$ to book AKL anyway because they weren't included in the summer promo, upgrading from Arusha Savanna view to CL was hardly anything. We knew the kids would love it (they loved the lounge so much at BWI, and we are keeping the CL part of the trip a surprise--they think we'll never do CL again). But if it weren't for the Sunrise Safari, really, we would just do regular old AKL and be fine with it.

But, I think we've had different experiences than you, as in we did not fall in love with CL and don't feel the need to stay that way every time (we are also staying at POP this next trip). I honestly think some of it may have been WL. I am not kidding...that resort is magical and I don't know a single person who has stayed there and not loved it. Do you think it was the CL that you loved so much? Or was it WL? (I don't know that there's a right answer...just asking!)

For our next next trip (DH is ready to throttle me) we will almost definitely be at the Poly. (I am hoping we love POP so we can do another split.) The Poly is the only other deluxe that we both really want to try. But unless our AKL CL experience is totally different from our BWI CL one, I can't see us shelling out the money for it again.

Just some thoughts!

You could be onto something, because the WL is absolutely magical all around. pixiedust: we did love their CL though. They had real food in the evenings....chili, meatballs, chicken (wings and on a stick), scallops wrapped in bacon, etc...

We did not fall in love with YC CL. The CMs were friendly but not as friendly. The food items were all fried puff pastry something or others...:crazy2:

From what I've seen, I think I would like Poly CL's food items but am worried about looking at construction...:worried:
 
You are kidding, I hope. Crowded, filthy, overrun. Come on! Because if you aren't, this is an over exaggeration of a statement that is nowhere near the truth. I also agree with a previous poster - my idea of a vacation is not to buy food to bring back to my room to eat. Or are the parks too crowded for you to enjoy eating there?

You do and see what you want... For our perspective, they were scattered with food on the floor , hence filthy, most items not replaced , overrun, and crowded to a point of no seating left.... Exaggeration, I don't think so...and if making a sandwich is beyond your princess attitude, sorry... Restaurant food just is not that good in WDW for everyday but then again, you probably haul food into the parks...

No, we're carefree and spend wisely, CL. is not wisely... I'll bow out of this debate now, have a nice day !
 
We have considered DVC, however, we get really great rates with the military discount so we have said that if that ever gets discontinued, we would consider DVC again.

Truth be told, I don't love the decor at the villas versus the resort, so that's a stumbling block too with DVC. :duck:
:

Oh I totally get what you are saying! The WL is a perfect example! I hate the decor in the villas yet the regular rooms there are nice IMHO. But, when we stayed there for Xmas, the decor didn't bother me. The poor condition of our room is another story lol.

But, the other DVC villas are beautiful. Have you seen the GFV?:lovestruc

I can understand why you go for CL when you get such a good military discount!

So then I guess I should ask, why not just stay with CL? Why do you have to give it up?
 
Oh I totally get what you are saying! The WL is a perfect example! I hate the decor in the villas yet the regular rooms there are nice IMHO. But, when we stayed there for Xmas, the decor didn't bother me. The poor condition of our room is another story lol.

But, the other DVC villas are beautiful. Have you seen the GFV?:lovestruc

I can understand why you go for CL when you get such a good military discount!

So then I guess I should ask, why not just stay with CL? Why do you have to give it up?

I have seen GFV and yes....:lovestruc

And to answer your question....I think we may just stay with CL. I just ran down the options with him and he wants CL....wouldn't want to let him down....;)

I was trying to be more frugal, but really our vacations are the only things we splurge on. Both DH and I work hard, and make a good living. We have substantial savings and we pay 100% in cash and have no credit card debt at all. We live in a modest (but perfectly nice) house and don't have fancy cars...we have been splurging on our vacations but not to our financial detriment so I think we deserve it.

I have not come away from a CL experience thinking it wasn't worth it, even YC CL, because I was happy to have experienced it. And we are paying less than rack rate for a regular room with our discount to stay CL. For us, that's worth it. ::yes::
 
Yay! So you have your answer! Now which resort?? :rotfl:

I vote for the CR CL with an MK view! :cloud9:

My reasoning? There may be construction going on over at the Poly. The GF Sugar Loaf CL has too many mixed and bad reviews for my tastes. You have already done the YC and WL, the BC to me would be too similar to the YC and the AKL is too far away from the parks. That leaves the BW & CR. The restaurants & monorail sway me to the CR.
 
CL is a magical experience. Last time we visited WDW we stayed at the Poly CL with castle view. That was two summers ago. This summer we are staying at All Star Sports standard room, and their food court will be down during our whole stay. We're planning on having a fun time, and I'm sure we will. But.... Club Level is amazing!!!!
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top