1 Bedroom Villa Vs. Club Level

[oceanmarina]

Hi all,

Will be staying at WL Villas next month (am very happy with our free dining bounceback deal that we got last year). We usually do a 1 bedroom villa; we love, love the extra space, the washer/drier in room so I can pack lighter and of course the fridge in the room is great for when the kids want a late night snack of cereal and milk, etc. (Don't love the pull out couch the 1 bedroom villas have as its very uncomfortable.)

Out of curiosity, I looked at the August Disney deals on Expedia. They had a Grand Floridian Club Level room for what seemed like a good price. This would be a regular room, I like the idea of having 2 queen beds. (Did I mention that I hate the pull out sofa in the villas?) I'm not thinking of changing my plans for this trip, just thinking about the following trip.

I'm wondering if it's harder to go back to a standard room after staying in a villa?

Also, if we didn't do a meal plan, CL would be good as there is extra food available. I'm curious about the benefits of club level as we have never stayed in club level.

I was interested in what people thought - haven't really considered club level before.

Thanks, Marina

 

[Janed]

We've stayed in Old Key West Studios when the 2 DDs were in elementary school. We then moved to Port Orleans French Quarter when they were in middle school. Stayed at AKL two BR suite once when they were in their 20s and their BFs came with us. Since then we've stayed exclusively at the Boardwalk in a two BR suite (We go specifically for the EPCOT F&W Festival). All accommodations have been perfect for the specific trip. My dream is Club Level, but have been spoiled by the space in the suites. We'd need two CL rooms, one for us and one for DDs and their guests.

At any rate, I guess it depends on how old your children are, how much privacy they and you need, and who is paying. We typically pay for rooms and meals. Travel and park tickets are on them. Of course now they arrange some special event for our entire party each trip. Please let us know your decision and how it worked out for your family.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Out of curiosity, I looked at the August Disney deals on Expedia. They had a Grand Floridian Club Level room for what seemed like a good price. This would be a regular room, I like the idea of having 2 queen beds. (Did I mention that I hate the pull out sofa in the villas?) I'm not thinking of changing my plans for this trip, just thinking about the following trip.

I'm wondering if it's harder to go back to a standard room after staying in a villa?

We have stayed in two bedroom villas four times now but only when traveling with extended family. The villas are great for all the reasons that you mentioned. But I never worried about the comfort of the pull out couch because DH and I always slept in the king bed. The pull out was for the kids, even if they were adult kids.

Our most recent trip earlier this month was with extended family and we booked regular rooms at the Beach Club because there wasn't a 2 br villa available at BCVs for our dates. It wasn't as convenient as a villa. I think I missed the common area/living room the most. But it worked out fine. We had connecting rooms for two of the three family groups and our room had a king bed, sofa bed and wet bar, which made it extra nice. So to answer your first question, when traveling with family it isn't too hard to go back to a standard room after staying in a villa. If we could get a villa for the same price as a standard room then I would book a villa every time. But a standard deluxe room is nice, too.

We aren't big fans of club level. We have stayed club level once and that was at the WL. We had gotten a great deal at Orbitz, which was why I booked it. I think club level is okay if you get a great discount, have kids and will take advantage of the breakfast offerings and snacks. And you don't need the dining plan if you stay club level. If you could get GF CL for the same price as a villa then I would give it a try.

 

[rwdavis2]

Club level is not really that good for a meal substitute. Probably just breakfast. The rest of the food is not usually substantial enough to have for dinner. We stayed CL at AKL a few years ago and really did not use the amenities except for breakfast and a rare snack. I would go for more space.

 

[Babsy]

Staying CL is nice because you have the lounge to use as a common area outside of your bedroom. So, it does give some version of the extra space advantages of a villa. Plus you do get breakfast plus drinks/snacks throughout the day. Anything other than breakfast depends upon you being at your resort rather than out in the parks, so it is not always convenient to take advantage of the offerings. I would not do a dining plan with CL. Way too much food, IMO.
At GF SL you will have a nice afternoon tea as well as early evening hors d'oeuvres and later evening desserts if you are around at the appropriate hours.

You do not have a washer/dryer except the public one shared at the GF in the next building (Conch Key, I believe).

If you are going back to a standard room after a villa, going GF CL would be a nice way to try it!!!

Enjoy!