EXPIRED: Part ONE of 2015 CLUB LEVEL (CL) INFORMATION and HELP Thread DO NOT POST HERE!!!

[The Sunrise Student]

I've stayed CL at AKL four times. Once at Poly CL and once at YC CL. My favorite CL experiences by far have been at AKL. Now it's been a few years since we stayed there (fall 2011). We stayed at YC this past August. YC had the guarded wine. It didn't bother me, to be honest. No one gave me attitude. I asked one CM if I could put my wine in a to-go cup. She said, "I don't know where you go that cup." She then proceeded to refill my glass, knowing I was dumping the contents in a to-go cup to head for the pool. My issue with YC was really the shape of the lounge. It just seemed a lot smaller to me because of the way the room is set up.

What I loved about AKL? Wayne, for one. An amazing CM who always went out of his way to make my kids feel special. One example - when he saw my son had a pin lanyard but no pins yet (we had just decided to give it a whirl that day), he let Liam pick a pin from his collection so he'd have one to start. We also ran into the same folks in the morning and evening. We enjoyed it because our kids made friends and we got to chat about how everyone's day went. We never noticed any issues with folks hogging the food. When my sister's flight was delayed to the point she wouldn't arrive until an hour after the lounge closed, I asked if I could take a glass of wine and some cookies back to the room for her. The staff asked what kind of wine she liked and proceeded to bring out a whole bottle for me and a box of desserts to take back to the room (the dessert hour hadn't even started yet). Now maybe things are different now, but I keep trying to justify going back to stay CL at AKL (we'll be a party of six our next trip, so it's a good chunk of change to do it).

The only CL lounge where I noticed people hoarding the food was at the Poly. I remember one gentleman in particular with his plate piled high enough. His food threatened to fall to the floor. It was ridiculous. I also noticed more children there just behaving badly - running amok, leaving trash everywhere. I understand that some of the lounges no longer have places where you can bus your tables. But back then, there were at least two trash cans but I overheard one group being instructed to just leave things at the table - someone was paid to pick up the garbage. Well, yes, there was. But it wouldn't have killed them to clean up for the next family that might want to sit down. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I remember, but we had a split-stay with AKL and we just loved AKL so much, the Poly really suffered by comparison. That said, I'm giving the Poly another shot this August (unless the main pool isn't finished for some reason) for a trip with my sister and two of my kids.

Hi Tarak,

Your experiences at the AKL is what I would hope for. We know that they can not accommodate everyone but if an effort is put forth for special times like what happened with your sister that is what I am looking for, that is what I expect from CL. I don't expect to be waited on hand and foot and I certainly have no problem cleaning up after myself even if I am not supposed to (leave the world in better condition that what you found it Mom would tell us, and it stuck).

It is just My BF and I so paying for this wasn't unreasonable, however IF we find our schedules are too commando-ish we worry it's not worth it...

We are "Marching for the Mouse" as us 501st people call it when volunteer and the march in the Star Wars Weekends parades at Disney Hollywood Studios so our schedules will be all jacked up... however once and a while if I could bring back an extra bottle of water to the room while we change after marching or, even a snack, that would be all I am asking for. Maybe, and I would NOT abuse it, but if we know we are going to miss a certain time if we would be allowed to take things to our room like you did for your sister that would be awesome but again I wouldn't expect it, hope, but not abuse. I think good graces have been abused in the past and that's why people are seeing changes (like your volcano high food hoarder at the polly).

I think after reading everyone's issues I plan on doing a full trip report, not one to do those normally do them but with this being my first CL experience plus some of our weird schedule issues maybe people might be interested in seeing how the CMS and CL treat us.

Thank you so much for replying tarak, I am really excited about this trip. Not only is this my first CL stay but my first AKL stay as well.

 

[Disneymomma0783]

Just curious on how long it takes for IPO's to get in contact with you? We don't have a ton of requests or anything by any means, but there are a couple things I would like to "have on file" for our stay in September

Thank you!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Hi mickeyluv'r,

My BF and I aren't new to WDW, or deluxe resorts, just Club Level.
Thanks for clarifications, and tips...

Sure you can take items to your room.

One limit you will face is that foods are only out during certain hours. Read the first post in this thread about AKL. Coffee at 6:30am, breakfast is 7am-10 am (I think). So no grabbing breakfast items at 4pm. You might want to try to hold out until 7:15am departure, and/or try to take a break of some kind at some point before 10pm.It doesn't take long to eat a yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal, then bring an apple or banana in the car.

Juice is served from a glass decanter, along with glass serve ware. I don't think any canned juices, just soda.

We always stop for a case of water, and often now add something like one box of granola bars. I'm not a big fan of eating food that's been in a backpack all day, but if we stay out very late, a tiny snack in your room is handy.

This last trip, we combined WDW with a deep south arrival near the Everglades. They are amazing! Deep southern FL is also home to amazing tropical fruit stands. Many exotic fruits can be sold under-ripe. So this trip, we had a pile of odd fruits in our room: papaya, black sapote. Some we kept in the car. It was like that saying, "Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink." We had tons of fruit, but not a bite to eat, since nothing was ripe. We're now enjoying the fruits of our labor! The only fruit we goggled on site was the mango. The best I've ever tasted!

Upon arrival, you should be escorted to the CL. If not, talk to bell services, and they will get someone to escort you. You can't access the CL check-in without an escort, and your packet is supposed to be at the CL desk. As soon as you are done checking-in, you'll be invited to breakfast.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The only CL lounge where I noticed people hoarding the food was at the Poly. I remember one gentleman in particular with his plate piled high enough. His food threatened to fall to the floor. It was ridiculous. I also noticed more children there just behaving badly - running amok, leaving trash everywhere. I understand that some of the lounges no longer have places where you can bus your tables. But back then, there were at least two trash cans but I overheard one group being instructed to just leave things at the table - someone was paid to pick up the garbage. Well, yes, there was. But it wouldn't have killed them to clean up for the next family that might want to sit down. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I remember, but we had a split-stay with AKL and we just loved AKL so much, the Poly really suffered by comparison. That said, I'm giving the Poly another shot this August (unless the main pool isn't finished for some reason) for a trip with my sister and two of my kids.

Like I aid, I don't usually notice how much food others take. Maybe guys like the one you describe - I don't know- maybe he did eat it all- are getting food for their kids. If we go to WDW with extended family, and I bring a few cookies to the room (to save for later) they are often gone in seconds. (Argh! Go get your own cookies!)

Having had plenty of service jobs, including waitressing, I'm naturally inclined to always bus my table. Each lounge is unique. Some lounges expressly ask guests to leave everything on the table! Drives me nuts, but there's sometimes no choice.

AKL still has a table to allow busing. WL has a place to bus tables, but staff actually told us not to bus. CR no longer has a spot for dishes (just trash). GF does not want guests cleaning tables.

 

[tarak]

Like I aid, I don't usually notice how much food others take. Maybe guys like the one you describe - I don't know- maybe he did eat it all- are getting food for their kids. If we go to WDW with extended family, and I bring a few cookies to the room (to save for later) they are often gone in seconds. (Argh! Go get your own cookies!)

Having had plenty of service jobs, including waitressing, I'm naturally inclined to always bus my table. Each lounge is unique. Some lounges expressly ask guests to leave everything on the table! Drives me nuts, but there's sometimes no choice.

AKL still has a table to allow busing. WL has a place to bus tables, but staff actually told us not to bus. CR no longer has a spot for dishes (just trash). GF does not want guests cleaning tables.

I usually don't notice, either. I think I only noticed him because he was sort of obnoxious in a few other ways (really loud after having enjoyed a few of the beer selections). We are going back in August, so I'll have a chance to see it at a different time of year. Hopefully, I won't long for AKL this time around.

 

[psac]

I usually don't notice, either. I think I only noticed him because he was sort of obnoxious in a few other ways (really loud after having enjoyed a few of the beer selections). We are going back in August, so I'll have a chance to see it at a different time of year. Hopefully, I won't long for AKL this time around.

I wonder how much time of year does play into things. Our last two club stays were also AKL and Poly, and Poly was a madhouse in comparison, but AKL was in April (non-spring break/Easter time), while Poly was for July 4th week. So of course Poly was much busier. But it does seem like the Hawaii building holds many more people than AKL has Club at any time.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I usually don't notice, either. I think I only noticed him because he was sort of obnoxious in a few other ways (really loud after having enjoyed a few of the beer selections). We are going back in August, so I'll have a chance to see it at a different time of year. Hopefully, I won't long for AKL this time around.

Ah yes, I notice that as well!

Ironic that I recently experienced such conduct at AKL.

Call me what you will. I find cursing loudly around small kids to be unclassy.

I don't mean letting one slip in the midst of an injury, I mean repeated crass casual cursing around a group of young kids, especially other families.

Especially, as you say, when accompanied by additional boorish behavior.

 

[mevelandry]

OHMIGAWWWWDDDDDD

I got a salary raise and DH and I just booked the Wilderness Lodge - Standard CL for 1 night.

I was wondering how is the Standard CL view? Bad or "slightly better than standard "standard" room?

Thanks in advance!

 

[trishadono]

OHMIGAWWWWDDDDDD

I got a salary raise and DH and I just booked the Wilderness Lodge - Standard CL for 1 night.

I was wondering how is the Standard CL view? Bad or "slightly better than standard "standard" room?

Thanks in advance!

I was just there! They only have std view for cl at WL. Go to KOOKs Wl thread page one for great info!!

Basically the rooms are set up in a U shape. Left outer side faces MK and CR ( I had) and we could see wishes from our room. The inside U is the courtyard. The right side of the U faces the Villas.

Congrats! You will love it

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I wonder how much time of year does play into things. Our last two club stays were also AKL and Poly, and Poly was a madhouse in comparison, but AKL was in April (non-spring break/Easter time), while Poly was for July 4th week. So of course Poly was much busier. But it does seem like the Hawaii building holds many more people than AKL has Club at any time.

AKL - 55 club level rooms and 19 suites (some are DVC) (74)
BC- 73 club level rooms and 22 club level suites (95)
YC - 67 club level rooms and 22 club level suites (87)
Bwk - 37 club level rooms and 20 club level suites (57)
CR - 53 club level rooms and 27 club level suites - BUT they are divided into two different CL's. (80)
CSR Business- all of building 9B (?)
GF- 156 club level rooms and 25 club level suites - BUT they are divided into two different CL's. (181)
Poly - 102 club level rooms and six club level suites (108)
WL - 67 club level rooms and 11 club level suites (78)


I would not have thought that Bwk's CL was the smallest.

 

[mevelandry]

I was just there! They only have std view for cl at WL. Go to KOOKs Wl thread page one for great info!!

Do you have a link?

I'm sure we will love it. We are so excited.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Sure you can take items to your room.

One limit you will face is that foods are only out during certain hours. Read the first post in this thread about AKL. Coffee at 6:30am, breakfast is 7am-10 am (I think). So no grabbing breakfast items at 4pm. You might want to try to hold out until 7:15am departure, and/or try to take a break of some kind at some point before 10pm.It doesn't take long to eat a yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal, then bring an apple or banana in the car.

Juice is served from a glass decanter, along with glass serve ware. I don't think any canned juices, just soda.

We always stop for a case of water, and often now add something like one box of granola bars. I'm not a big fan of eating food that's been in a backpack all day, but if we stay out very late, a tiny snack in your room is handy.

This last trip, we combined WDW with a deep south arrival near the Everglades. They are amazing! Deep southern FL is also home to amazing tropical fruit stands. Many exotic fruits can be sold under-ripe. So this trip, we had a pile of odd fruits in our room: papaya, black sapote. Some we kept in the car. It was like that saying, "Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink." We had tons of fruit, but not a bite to eat, since nothing was ripe. We're now enjoying the fruits of our labor! The only fruit we goggled on site was the mango. The best I've ever tasted!

Upon arrival, you should be escorted to the CL. If not, talk to bell services, and they will get someone to escort you. You can't access the CL check-in without an escort, and your packet is supposed to be at the CL desk. As soon as you are done checking-in, you'll be invited to breakfast.

No bottles drinks or canned soda? Hmmmm How do you get such things... I guess we better check the menu and figure this out. And you are in a CL room and have to buy a case of water?! WHAT?!

I was thinking I wouldn't do a refillable mug this time because were were Club Level now it looks like I will. This is all just baffling to me....

PS UPDATE: I just looked through the first few pages and saw canned sodas but no bottle water. I also am wondering about Jumba Juice Merosas... I have heard great things about these awesome drinks, are they offered at AKL CL?

 

[mevelandry]

One more question...

We currently have a reservation for 'Ohana happening at the same time as the 5-7 PM service at Wilderness CL Lounge.

Should we keep it or should we push the 'Ohana ADR after 9:00 PM to make sure we can take advantage of it?

(It will depend on what are the offerings).

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: After seeing a CL menu... We came to the conclusion that it would be too much food and decided to cancel our 'Ohana ADR. We love it but we had to make a choice (+ the money we save will pay 75% of the amount we paid for the CL).

 

[anjalee6]

No bottles drinks or canned soda? Hmmmm How do you get such things... I guess we better check the menu and figure this out. And you are in a CL room and have to buy a case of water?! WHAT?!

I was thinking I wouldn't do a refillable mug this time because were were Club Level now it looks like I will. This is all just baffling to me....

PS UPDATE: I just looked through the first few pages and saw canned sodas but no bottle water. I also am wondering about Jumba Juice Merosas... I have heard great things about these awesome drinks, are they offered at AKL CL?

When we stayed AKL CL in November there was canned soda, but no bottled water. They did have a big jug of water though that you could fill cups with, just no water bottles to go.

The Jumbo Juice Mimosas are wonderful. Really refreshing.

 

[gwynne]

No bottles drinks or canned soda? Hmmmm How do you get such things... I guess we better check the menu and figure this out. And you are in a CL room and have to buy a case of water?! WHAT?!

I was thinking I wouldn't do a refillable mug this time because were were Club Level now it looks like I will. This is all just baffling to me....

PS UPDATE: I just looked through the first few pages and saw canned sodas but no bottle water. I also am wondering about Jumba Juice Merosas... I have heard great things about these awesome drinks, are they offered at AKL CL?

Most of the CL's are not supplying water bottles. I asked a couple of CM's about this, (different resorts) and they both said there had been a lot of waste, large numbers of unused bottles left in resort rooms. (Just passing on what I was told.)

AKL Cl does have soda and juices, wine and beer in the evenings. With dessert they add cordials.
The Mimosas are lovely. We really like AKL CL. We will be there in less than 2 weeks, can't wait!

 

[pas130]

Most of the CL's are not supplying water bottles. I asked a couple of CM's about this, (different resorts) and they both said there had been a lot of waste, large numbers of unused bottles left in resort rooms. (Just passing on what I was told.)

AKL Cl does have soda and juices, wine and beer in the evenings. With dessert they add cordials.
The Mimosas are lovely. We really like AKL CL. We will be there in less than 2 weeks, can't wait!

 

[psac]

AKL - 55 club level rooms and 19 suites (some are DVC) (74)
BC- 73 club level rooms and 22 club level suites (95)
YC - 67 club level rooms and 22 club level suites (87)
Bwk - 37 club level rooms and 20 club level suites (57)
CR - 53 club level rooms and 27 club level suites - BUT they are divided into two different CL's. (80)
CSR Business- all of building 9B (?)
GF- 156 club level rooms and 25 club level suites - BUT they are divided into two different CL's. (181)
Poly - 102 club level rooms and six club level suites (108)
WL - 67 club level rooms and 11 club level suites (78)


I would not have thought that Bwk's CL was the smallest.

Interesting info! Yeah, BW has way less rooms than the others. Maybe that's why we really enjoyed it!

So then yes, Poly has the most rooms for a single lounge. It does have the top floor of the lounge (3rd floor) as a separate balcony seating area, but it's small and I wouldn't really count that. Although we did find ourselves there often because the main area was full. And that's not really a good thing.

(We still liked Poly CL though and would still go back. I think BC is only one we would have said we wouldn't go back to, but that was before the refurb!)

 

[DeborahB]

Hi,
we booked a Deluxe Room with CL at BC for May... Would you be so kind to post some pictures from the Deluxe Room???

Can't wait to read your impressions on the Deluxe Room.... It will be the first time CL and Delux room for us

That would be awsome!

Thanks a lot in advance

I'll be happy to! I'll be at WDW until May 7 but I'll post from there if I can.

When does your trip begin?

 

[DeborahB]

Go ahead and contact them. I rarely get a welcome email anymore. Probably only about 25% of the time, if even that. There's no reason to wait.

They never did contact me for either the GF RPC or the BWI CL (going Next week). I can't say that I am impressed.

Just wanted to say I was contacted by IPO 3 days after booking my room.

Babsy, hope you have a great trip! GF RPC is lovely!

 

[pixarmom]

One more question...

We currently have a reservation for 'Ohana happening at the same time as the 5-7 PM service at Wilderness CL Lounge.

Should we keep it or should we push the 'Ohana ADR after 9:00 PM to make sure we can take advantage of it?

(It will depend on what are the offerings).

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: After seeing a CL menu... We came to the conclusion that it would be too much food and decided to cancel our 'Ohana ADR. We love it but we had to make a choice (+ the money we save will pay 75% of the amount we paid for the CL).

That's exactly what we're doing in the future after our AKL CL/Boma experience. (Our oldest teen guaranteed that there was no end to his eating capacity, but he was wrong!) Good choice!

Just a note: no bottled water in recent CL stays (other than the large bottle to take back to your room) except for GF RPC. We stayed there earlier this month and they provided individual water bottles upon request. If one of us asked, the CM would bring out four every time (as we were a party of four for that stay.)