Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[alex9179]

As a family of 5, I do think we'd come close to getting our money's worth from the lounge. Breakfast alone would be about 1/4-1/3 of the cost, then add in the evening snacks and drinks (both non- and alcoholic)...we'd be pretty close, if not over, each day. We also have a lot of resort time built into each day just in case we need that break so we'll be there for afternoon snacks and beverages at least a couple of days.

That's not the whole reason why we booked it, though. It's for the the previously mentioned time and convenience factors.

[TJA]

On the water bottle issue, I just wanted to add that we just returned from CR CL and the CM's happily gave us the small plastic water bottles each day for the parks. Huge money saver for us. One day we got 4 bottles in the morning, then another 4 bottles before going out again in the evening. CR CL also had juice boxes which were very handy to stuff in our bag for times we ran out of water.

[Jack'sGirl5]

Originally Posted by tobin04

Just chiming in to say that we have stayed both CL and in a garden view room at GF, and both had the same toiletries. They have the H20 Spa line, where as other resorts have the H20 brand, but the spring-something-or-other line. It's all great stuff...but I did notice that we had the same toiletries at the GF regardless of whether we had CL or garden view!

Yes, this is correct. CL and non-CL at the GF both get the same H2O toiletries but CL gets a larger variety. We just stayed CL in the Royal Palm Club this past February and to the best of my recollection, we got shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, solar gel, two different types of soap and a peppermint foot cream (loved that one!) I am picky about my toiletries but I do not typically pack them when I visit the GF CL, I am very happy with what they provide.

Also, on another question -- no slippers were offered this past trip. We were given slippers years ago but not recently at any Disney locale other than when we stayed concierge on the Wonder.

[Jack'sGirl5]

Originally Posted by vicki_c

Well they did away with the small bottles of water at CL a few years ago and replaced them with the big glass bottles, supposedly because guests were taking all the bottles to take into the parks. The PP's experience seems to be an exception. I wouldn't expect them to bring back the smaller plastic bottles.

This is what we have been told by a number of CMs as well. Although from some of the other posts on this topic, it looks like the small plastic bottles of water might be making a sporadic comeback.

I do have one option to consider if having a large supply of bottled water is as important to you as it is to me. My DD has a medication that she needs to take everyday, sometimes more than once per day that needs to be mixed with bottled water so water is a must for us. What I have done in the past is ask the concierge group at whatever hotel I am staying in to arrange to send a runner to buy a case of water to have in my room and supplied a credit card that they could use to charge it. I have never experienced anything but total cooperation from the concierge in this request at hotels in the Land, the World and on the cruise ships -- in fact, they rarely ever charge me for the water.

I have always found that the Disney concierge groups respond kindly and positively to any of my requests as long as they are reasonable and made politely. Love those CL CMs!

Had to edit to say woohoo -- my 100th post!

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Originally Posted by TJA

On the water bottle issue, I just wanted to add that we just returned from CR CL and the CM's happily gave us the small plastic water bottles each day for the parks. Huge money saver for us. One day we got 4 bottles in the morning, then another 4 bottles before going out again in the evening. CR CL also had juice boxes which were very handy to stuff in our bag for times we ran out of water.

We've also been able to get apple juice boxes and chocolate milk (the Nestle bottles) when requested at all CL resorts we've used (BC, WL, Poly). A member of the Poly CL staff told us they don't put it out, but we could always request them because they're stocked in the back. That trip, it got to where they recognized the kids and brought it to them when we were in the lounge. Gotta love that service! They've started to like soda more in recent years, but they still request the milk quite a bit.

[mickeynut1]

Originally Posted by Stitch'sCousin

However, if you want a beer or glass of wine when the "shutters are closed" (which we did on a couple of days when we returned mid-afternoon), you can ask one of the CM's in the lounge (or knock on the door) and they will get it for you.

We had this same experience when we stayed WL CL. Our DSs were 9 & 11 at the time and the CL CMs were awesome and encouraged them to ask for anything they wanted anytime. Sure enough, there were a few times they wanted something that wasn't out or it was an in between time in the lounge and once they asked, they were accommodated quickly and always with a smile . Glad to see Poly CL CMs are like that as we are giving Poly CL a try in July 2013.

Originally Posted by mickeyluv'r

Thanks!

A shorter way to encapsulate the value of CL is this:

At WDW, time = money, and money = (added) time.

Since the amount of time I have to vacation is very finite, making good use of the time I have is highly valuable. If you really want to do WDW on a tight budget, it can be done. I've tried many options myself. In my experience, most penny pinching choices cost time. It's a bigger trade off than many folks like to consider. Conversely, if you spend a little more at Disney (in strategic ways)- you get something of value in return. As pricey as a WDW vacation is, sometimes spending a little extra really makes a big difference in HOW you get to spend your vacation time.

In short, I think CL is among the best kept secret ways ot maximize one's vacation. IF you are already considering a deluxe resort, then adding CL - with a good discount rate- is well worth the $ for us. Mind, if you have plenty of free time but a limited budget (retired, perhaps?)- then the opposite might be true; using extra time to save every $ makes more sense.

Originally Posted by psac

Any monetary comparison will tell you that staying club will never save you money if you are purely comparing food and drink costs.

I agree .

Originally Posted by tobin04

Just chiming in to say that we have stayed both CL and in a garden view room at GF, and both had the same toiletries. They have the H20 Spa line, where as other resorts have the H20 brand, but the spring-something-or-other line. It's all great stuff...but I did notice that we had the same toiletries at the GF regardless of whether we had CL or garden view!

Same experience here

[mars315]

"Adlergray Hi all
I have a question I hope someone can answer for me. This is my first time needing to book a suite or dlx room so I have been weighing my options. I Keep coming across a CP GV 1 bed but it doesn't seem to have CL privileges am I correct here?"

I do know that at the BWI they have deluxe rooms that sleep 6 and that are CL.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by mars315

I have a question I hope someone can answer for me. This is my first time needing to book a suite or dlx room so I have been weighing my options. I Keep coming across a CP GV 1 bed but it doesn't seem to have CL privileges am I correct here?"

I do know that at the BWI they have deluxe rooms that sleep 6 and that are CL.

If by CP you mean Contemporary (CR) then no, their Deluxe Garden Wing rooms do not come with club level access. However, there are 25 Deluxe rooms at WL that do come with CL access, as do YC (formerly 'Jr. Suites'), BC, GF (RPC) and BWI Deluxe rooms.

[Katenbeth]

Originally Posted by mchamber99

Can you still use the club lounge for the remainder of the day after you check out? For example, you check out of your room at 10 am but your flight doesn't leave until 5 pm. Can you use the club lounge until you leave for your flight?

We just came back from akv cl and asked about this. We were told we could use the lounge all day from checkout, however the cm told us that this policy was changing by the 1st September and that lounge access would only be available till 12.00 pm on checkout day

[dreamcruiser]

Originally Posted by Katenbeth

We just came back from akv cl and asked about this. We were told we could use the lounge all day from checkout, however the cm told us that this policy was changing by the 1st September and that lounge access would only be available till 12.00 pm on checkout day

Well that's a bummer! After what one pays to stay CL, it seems that one could use the facilities til departure. I hope that CM who told you that was mistaken!

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by dreamcruiser

Well that's a bummer! After what one pays to stay CL, it seems that one could use the facilities til departure. I hope that CM who told you that was mistaken!

I'm hoping so too because if that's the case, we would drop CL. That's one of the major reasons we do the CL, so we have a place to hang until our flight leaves....

[LaurieN]

Originally Posted by Katenbeth

We just came back from akv cl and asked about this. We were told we could use the lounge all day from checkout, however the cm told us that this policy was changing by the 1st September and that lounge access would only be available till 12.00 pm on checkout day

I really hope this is not true! Our fight isn't until 7:20pm and we were planning on having the lounge to go back to to rest after a few hours in the park

[Mousemommy1]

I've emailed IPO on this one....

[Angel16]

Originally Posted by nonzerosum

Are slippers (with kids sizes) and "upgraded" toiletry items included in CL?We're staying at the GF, Sugar Loaf. I'm looking to lighten my packing load in any way I can.

Also, is it frowned upon to take food back to the room to eat? Early in the morning I like my space.

We had a wonderful stay in Sugar Loaf and received upgraded H2O toiletries however I have never seen or received slippers during any of our CL stays. There were two adult robes in the closet of the room. I did ask about child size robes on our last trip and was told they don’t have them available except at the spa.

You are welcome to take food back to your room. The plates are small desert size plates which work fine for small appetites. My DH will not bring items back to the family from the lounge as it is difficult to carry any more than a plate and drink with using the elevator and the distance at times from the lounge to the room.

I thought I would share that a couple of CM's on different resort threads who have posted that the resorts are cutting back on toiletry items in the CL rooms. It was reported The Beach Club no longer gives shower caps or solar gel in their regular CL rooms. Only the suites receive these now.

I understand from many who have posted on the DIS that the Beach Club gives bottled water to guests when they request it. That is wonderful and I hope they continue to do so. However I also think normal food/drink items that are given out in the lounges should be uniform so guests know they can request certain things such as water, chocolate milk, yogurt and drink boxes etc. in all Disney CL. We are looking forward to experiencing our first Beach Club stay three weeks from today. I will come back and share our experiences after we get back.

I spoke with a CM at AKL regarding bottled water and was told they have large glass bottles of water but no plastic. They also said that Disney is getting water filter/purification systems for all their CL's. AKL has it now and they use that for water needs in the kitchen area of the lounge.

We have always either used a shopping service to have a case or two of water or stopped to purchase it using a rental car/car service. Water is very important for my family so we just prefer not to worry about policy changes at each resort or paying $2.50 a bottle in the parks. If we have water left over I am sure the CM's in bell services or the savannah guides at AKL (split stay) will be happy to receive it.

Originally Posted by mickeyluv'r

A shorter way to encapsulate the value of CL is this:

At WDW, time = money, and money = (added) time.

Since the amount of time I have to vacation is very finite, making good use of the time I have is highly valuable. If you really want to do WDW on a tight budget, it can be done. I've tried many options myself. In my experience, most penny pinching choices cost time. It's a bigger trade off than many folks like to consider. Conversely, if you spend a little more at Disney (in strategic ways)- you get something of value in return. As pricey as a WDW vacation is, sometimes spending a little extra really makes a big difference in HOW you get to spend your vacation time.

In short, I think CL is among the best kept secret ways ot maximize one's vacation. IF you are already considering a deluxe resort, then adding CL - with a good discount rate- is well worth the $ for us. Mind, if you have plenty of free time but a limited budget (retired, perhaps?)- then the opposite might be true; using extra time to save every $ makes more sense.

Mickeyluv'r this is the best explaination I have ever seen. So often we are ask if it is worth the money. You have said it here so perfectly. Thank you

Angel16

[longhorns2]

Originally Posted by mickeyluv'r

Thanks!

A shorter way to encapsulate the value of CL is this:

At WDW, time = money, and money = (added) time.

Since the amount of time I have to vacation is very finite, making good use of the time I have is highly valuable. If you really want to do WDW on a tight budget, it can be done. I've tried many options myself. In my experience, most penny pinching choices cost time. It's a bigger trade off than many folks like to consider. Conversely, if you spend a little more at Disney (in strategic ways)- you get something of value in return. As pricey as a WDW vacation is, sometimes spending a little extra really makes a big difference in HOW you get to spend your vacation time.

In short, I think CL is among the best kept secret ways ot maximize one's vacation. IF you are already considering a deluxe resort, then adding CL - with a good discount rate- is well worth the $ for us. Mind, if you have plenty of free time but a limited budget (retired, perhaps?)- then the opposite might be true; using extra time to save every $ makes more sense.

You pretty much just sold me on CL. I have spent time at CL in the GCH and LOVED it. But my sister paid for it all- love my sister! - and I didn't worry about the cost.

WDW is a different animal, and your explanation really helps. Looking at Poly CL for our next stay. With a discount rate- please!!!