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

[RRZJ]

Could someone please point me in the right direction to see the pictures of the updated club level lounge at Beach Club? Thanks!! Also, do you know if all of the club level rooms there have been updated at this point? I know they are mid refurbishment, but recall someone saying club level was first and would be done. We aren't traveling until August ...

 

[pas130]

Could someone please point me in the right direction to see the pictures of the updated club level lounge at Beach Club? Thanks!! Also, do you know if all of the club level rooms there have been updated at this point? I know they are mid refurbishment, but recall someone saying club level was first and would be done. We aren't traveling until August ...

BC CL is completed! As are the 5th floor rooms. On the BC/YC FAQ there are some great pics!

 

[Dispro1]

Being the gigantic planner that I am, I'm outlining my days and I'm hoping we arrive to GF just in time for tea time on our first day there!! Are the sticky buns at breakfast? I think I may plan one or two ADRs for breakfast (Kona and 1900 PF) and then use CL for the rest of our breakfast plans and I would love to have sticky buns every morning!!

Thanks for the heads-up about the late check-out as well

The sticky buns are at breakfast, but I often wrap up a couple of them in napkins on a plate and put them in the refrigerator for later. Of course, that may be why I often put on a couple of pounds while staying there (or any CL really since we have appetizers and desserts every night... Good thing I walk so much at Disney).

 

[HockeyMomR]

Could someone please point me in the right direction to see the pictures of the updated club level lounge at Beach Club? Thanks!! Also, do you know if all of the club level rooms there have been updated at this point? I know they are mid refurbishment, but recall someone saying club level was first and would be done. We aren't traveling until August ...

As mentioned by PP above, please go to the FAQ Y&BC thread. Wealth of information there. See link below.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/20...faq-friends-fun-sept-2014-march-2015.3326031/

I also have many pictures of the BC CL lounge from our December visit. Here are few to get you interested. We are really looking forward to our return to BC CL in May!

 

[Dispro1]

We went to a Memphis Grizzlies game the other night, and parked valet at the Westin across the street. Of course, this caused a conversation about tipping at Disney. There is a tipping thread I found, but it only discussed tipping for valet and bell services. I already know the standards for tipping those, but I would like to know what everyone else tips on average in club level. For example, we used to tip the person who escorted us to our room, but then we were told by one of them that they aren't allowed to accept tips. We have always tipped the lounge staff servers that go out of their way to do a good job for us, but is this okay? On the tipping thread, many said they tip housekeeping, but some said housekeeping doesn't expect it at Disney. If you request a song from the band at GF, do you tip them? If so, how much? A friend in the GF RPC once told me he tipped the band $100! Do you usually tip the concierge in CL? I know what I usually tip, but I don't want to be cheap and I don't want to offer a tip to someone that shouldn't be accepting it, so please share your thoughts on tipping in CL.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Hey everyone!!!! Sorry I've been MIA, I've been over on the live report board this week. I think i have our guest list updated on page 1, if anyone else wants to be added let me know.

I checked out of Kidani yesterday and I'm up in The Villages helping my Mom house hunt. Then she and I are going back to WDW at the end of this week before heading home. Can I just tell you how much I love Florida????? Today was beautiful and sunny, back home it was cold and SLEETING it makes me never, ever want to leave.

I need to get busy planning our June trip, I was over at the GF yesterday and had the opportunity to talk to the manager and come to find out we went to the SAME HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! Seriously what are the chances of that??? I told him I love his hotel and I'll be back in June, he said to come find him so we can talk more. Should I ask him for a job??? Maybe I can help him run the GF????

Can I say once again how much I love it here???!!!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We went to a Memphis Grizzlies game the other night, and parked valet at the Westin across the street. Of course, this caused a conversation about tipping at Disney. There is a tipping thread I found, but it only discussed tipping for valet and bell services. I already know the standards for tipping those, but I would like to know what everyone else tips on average in club level. For example, we used to tip the person who escorted us to our room, but then we were told by one of them that they aren't allowed to accept tips. We have always tipped the lounge staff servers that go out of their way to do a good job for us, but is this okay? On the tipping thread, many said they tip housekeeping, but some said housekeeping doesn't expect it at Disney. If you request a song from the band at GF, do you tip them? If so, how much? A friend in the GF RPC once told me he tipped the band $100! Do you usually tip the concierge in CL? I know what I usually tip, but I don't want to be cheap and I don't want to offer a tip to someone that shouldn't be accepting it, so please share your thoughts on tipping in CL.

Club level CM's are not allowed to accept cash tips. They can accept gifts and/or gift cards, food items, basically anything that isn't cash.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Could someone please point me in the right direction to see the pictures of the updated club level lounge at Beach Club? Thanks!! Also, do you know if all of the club level rooms there have been updated at this point? I know they are mid refurbishment, but recall someone saying club level was first and would be done. We aren't traveling until August ...

The photos of the Beach Club lounge on page 1 of this thread are recent and do show the new setup.

 

[McMonsters]

Hello! We are looking at staying BC CL in the fall, 3 adults 3 kids under 5. Would we be cramped in one room? Also how is CL with food allergies, any experience? This is going to be an exceptional trip for us and CL looks like it will be the icing on the cake!

 

[Jen7079]

We went to a Memphis Grizzlies game the other night, and parked valet at the Westin across the street. Of course, this caused a conversation about tipping at Disney. There is a tipping thread I found, but it only discussed tipping for valet and bell services. I already know the standards for tipping those, but I would like to know what everyone else tips on average in club level. For example, we used to tip the person who escorted us to our room, but then we were told by one of them that they aren't allowed to accept tips. We have always tipped the lounge staff servers that go out of their way to do a good job for us, but is this okay? On the tipping thread, many said they tip housekeeping, but some said housekeeping doesn't expect it at Disney. If you request a song from the band at GF, do you tip them? If so, how much? A friend in the GF RPC once told me he tipped the band $100! Do you usually tip the concierge in CL? I know what I usually tip, but I don't want to be cheap and I don't want to offer a tip to someone that shouldn't be accepting it, so please share your thoughts on tipping in CL.

We do tip the CL staff. I make up envelopes with their names on the outside. I slip cash inside and seal the envelopes. When I give them their envelopes I tell them to open them at home. This is what I was told was teh best way to ensure that they get to keep their tips instead of pooling them for a pizza party.

 

[Dispro1]

Hello! We are looking at staying BC CL in the fall, 3 adults 3 kids under 5. Would we be cramped in one room? Also how is CL with food allergies, any experience? This is going to be an exceptional trip for us and CL looks like it will be the icing on the cake!

I will say that the monorail resorts have larger rooms than BC, but whether or not you are cramped probably depends on how old your kids are. I only have two, but they are both girls, now 11 and 16, and even I am a bit concerned about space... But my 16 year old packs a ton of stuff (I'm pretty bad about taking too much stuff too). We stayed in moderate resorts when my girls were younger and didn't have a problem with space (and those rooms are smaller than BC). We've just been spoiled by the deluxe rooms at GF for years now, but we are about to go to BC and I think we will be fine. We don't spend much time in the room. BC is really nice.

As for the allergy thing, I don't think you could find a better place to vacation than Disney! My brother in law has Celiac disease and cannot have any gluten or dairy! He is Very sensitive to gluten. Although he hasn't stayed club level with us yet, I just talked to the chefs in charge of CL food at both Poly and GF, and they said it wouldn't be a problem at all...they do it all the time. They will work with you specifically. You just have to make sure you note it when you make your reservation, and someone will contact you.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We do tip the CL staff. I make up envelopes with their names on the outside. I slip cash inside and seal the envelopes. When I give them their envelopes I tell them to open them at home. This is what I was told was teh best way to ensure that they get to keep their tips instead of pooling them for a pizza party.

A castmember was fired at the BC for accepting cash, I don't think it's worth the risk of losing their job if someone caught them.

 

[gwynne]

A castmember was fired at the BC for accepting cash, I don't think it's worth the risk of losing their job if someone caught them.

Thank you for posting this. I hope the word gets out that gifting cash to the lounge CM's is not a good idea, and could result in a very sad situation.

 

[Dispro1]

A castmember was fired at the BC for accepting cash, I don't think it's worth the risk of losing their job if someone caught them.

Really? I thought you were referring to the concierge people that sit at the desks. But you mean you can't tip the people that get you a glass of wine in the middle of the day (every day...it's vacation) either?? I certainly don't want to get anyone fired... Or even reprimanded.

 

[Mywishes3]

Club level CM's are not allowed to accept cash tips. They can accept gifts and/or gift cards, food items, basically anything that isn't cash.

Thank you, this is informative. Gift cards could be a good idea...

We always tip mouse keepers, (this is our first CL). Dd used to draw a picture and thank the mousekeepers, we've always enjoyed how they take dd stuffed critters and rearrange them... We usually tip $5 a day, each day as mousekeepers do rotate.

 

[Dispro1]

Thank you, this is informative. Gift cards could be a good idea...

We always tip mouse keepers, (this is our first CL). Dd used to draw a picture and thank the mousekeepers, we've always enjoyed how they take dd stuffed critters and rearrange them... We usually tip $5 a day, each day as mousekeepers do rotate.

I agree. This is news to me too. Evidently, I've been breaking the rules for years! The gift card thing could work since it's not much different. Anyone have any gift card ideas? Target, Starbucks, etc?? Thanks for the confirmation on tipping mouse keeping. That seems pretty standard (most say $1 per person per day).

 

[baler31]

A castmember was fired at the BC for accepting cash, I don't think it's worth the risk of losing their job if someone caught them.

This, all it takes it someone reporting it. Disney is very serious about this. I have seen CM's and college program CM's at concierge that were termed for this very thing. They have a procedure for how they are supposed to handle this, if pushed multiple times they will accept and turn the money over to the manager.

We just usually do gifts for the CM's that we know quite well so we have an idea of what to get them or a basket with locally made food or specialty items.

 

[baler31]

I can't link the post for some reason but here is a post from a CM

Please do not tip non-tipped positions.
. . . Front Desk
. . . Concierge
. . . Club Level people
. . . Host/Hostess (showing you to a table)
. . . etc
3) If caught taking a tip, and not turning it isn't, termination can result.
4) However, definitely tip
. . . bellmen
. . . parking valets
. . . bartenders
. . . waiters

1) Non-tip CM's can take money after three refusals.
2) Then, they MUST turn it into managers.
3) If caught by a "shopper" they can be fired.

4) Bellmen are in a tipped position.
5) However, at some resorts, the bell service is actually Front Desk CM's
6) They are not supposed to take luggage tips.

NOTES:
a) There is a memo to the union agreement that lets Front Desk CM's take tips for handling luggage to/from the room ONLY when bellmen are not around.
b) For DME luggage, bellmen are paid directly by Disney, so they are not allowed to be tipped in addition.
c) For conventions, where the fee for bellmen is included in the convention fee, bellmen can't take a tip.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Where does the BC CL Lounge face?? the parking lot like YC or the Pool?

 

[abk96]

Where does the BC CL Lounge face?? the parking lot like YC or the Pool?

Neither. The lounge is right off the elevator so it faces toward Epcot facing the inner courtyard where you go in the back of the resort.

Now I'm second guessing myself. It's been a while since I've been there. Having memory failure right now.