Sorry guys - don't mean to stir the pot here.
Realistically, the cost difference between non -cl and cl is $1600. About $100 a night for 8 nights for 2 rooms. So maybe what I am really looking for is am I going to get my money's worth? DH drinks beer. We drink coffee, very little pop, no wine, no cordials, no exoticy type foods and no seafood. Mainly I would like to use it for breakfast in the morning so I don't have to deal with spilled milk everywhere in the hotel rooms, water bottles for the parks, and some cookies mid-afternoon. DH likes the way "club level" sounds. After reading this thread and looking at the pics of offerings I am seriously doubting we are going to see a lot of benefit to it. Also, we are not doing the dining plan but will buy mugs and have TIW card.
I love this thread. I think it's really helpful. Maybe I'm just a little defensive today because I've long felt that Disney should do better when it comes to giving guests water. I mean, as far as costs to WDW go, tap water is basically free.
Club level is amazing! it's not for everyone, but I think it's one of WDW's best kept secrets. In short, CL is a break from lines!
A big part of why I love CL is just what you say- it makes mornings easy. Everything is laid out. Maybe some kids overindulge, but the kids in our family are often the opposite. they need a little time to think about what they want. In a food court, mom or dad has to make multiple trips. Every trip =s standing in line. CL is safe enough that the kids can walk over and get a few things themselves if they need it. Not running wild, but you can let down your guard just a tiny bit, since CL is a secure area. On
DDP, you always have to think about what items are included and what is not. It usually falls on me to explain to my parents for the umpteenth time that coffee is included with their breakfast. It can be great for what it is, but it's also a chore. Breakfast in the lounge is much faster: closer to your room, and no lines.
Another amazing thing about CL, especially with a group, is that the lounge is extra space. If someone wants to nap, everyone else can go to the lounge.
Another plus is coffee in a real coffee cup, with real milk. Refillable mugs are crude. There's only a rinsing station in the food courts; all week in the summer heat, and those things never see a dishwasher! Also, I HATE fake creamer. I would almost stay CL for the latte machine alone!
One push of a button, and voila!
Again, thinking of CL with kids....We used to go all day at WDW. CL encourages you to stop by mid day. We still don't do it every day, but it's very relaxing to come back and find a simple tray of cookies laying out beside a pitcher of ice water, lemonade, and chips. (Also cold beer) Best of all, there's no line.
Speaking from experience, CL plus DDP is food overload for us. Last time we did it w had tons of credits left over, we mostly skipped desserts- at meals and in the lounge. If you would normally get your adult beverages in a WDW bar, or Table serve- then simply getting them from the lounge instead- goes a good ways to paying the cost of CL. But a grocery store is clearly less $.
Wow $100 per day for two rooms- that's a good deal!
The other thing that makes CL such a treat- and this is hard to describe- but the extra level of service. Granted your requests have to be within reason- but checking in is a breeze, and the CM's are almost always very well informed. Generally, most CM's at WDW are great. And some of the best I've ever had were at one of the value resorts- but at most of WDW, if you need help of any kind, you have to stand in a line. CL is a tiny break from that tedium.
Upon arrival - if all goes well - you are escorted to a private desk. Instead of standing in a line, you sit in a comfy chair. that tiny detail can make a big difference. I don't usually need much from the staff, but if you need to know the fastest way to get somewhere- they know it. If you need a taxi, they have the number handy.
The downside of CL, is that you have to be in the lounge to access it. I just don't see - given all WDW has to offer - that most folks are spending their entire vacation gorging themselves in the lounge. I dunno, I don't give it all that much thought when I'm there. WDW is a place to have fun.
I think some folks have legitimate questions/concerns and they are pure, not looking to overindulge. What we've noticed is that club level in WDW is different than Club level elsewhere and I think that's where the confusion lies. For example, we stayed club level at a hotel in Montreal recently and what they offered at night was more variety and quantity than what I would expect for an entire meal. And there were very few people on club level at that particular time. So, we ended eating a "meal's worth."
but if they have eggrolls one night they will eat those.
The CL CM's have given my boys entire trays of cookies without them even asking. They are always nice and encouraging us to eat and drink whatever we want. In May at the YC CL dear Shakira was handing my DH a beer every time he walked down the hallway and saying "are you sure you don't want two??" 
However I have seen people abuse the lounge, it does happen and it is pretty gross. 
I don't mind if someone fills up their plate, but I have seen people load coolers before like they are preparing for a picnic. That really bugs me!
