I know that everyone has their own opinions on these resorts but I would like to share mine. I was lucky enough to get really good deals on CL for all three resorts. I have never stayed CL at any resort before except AKL because I wanted to do the safari and I doubt I will ever do CL at 3 resorts again,but I did get really good deals. My first resort was AKL,I really love AKL I booked it to do the sunrise safari. I think the offerings at AKL were the best of the 3 resorts. I really love the African smoothies. I thought the staff in the lounge was really nice and helpful.The only problems I had with AKL was the fact that my room was 2 floors down and on the other side of the resort so I probably had to walk atleast half a mile to get there and then walk back to my room.They also had small plates and wine glasses and since I was traveling alone I couldn't carry much at one time.I finally asked them to put my wine in a big plastic cup instead of trying to balance 2 wine glasses and a small plate of snacks. I really feel that they should be able to assign rooms that are more convenient to their conceirge guests. I think that the DVC is now their priority. I don't mind a walk to the lounge but the distance to my room was ridiculous. I think that AKL CL is the best deal,you have great CL offerings,you get to do the safaris,stay at a great resort,and enjoy 2 great restaurants . The rate of standard CL is the best deal of any resort.
The Poly was great!!!!!I feel in love with it 2 years ago when I stayed there. I wanted 3rd floor but the resort was full so I couldn't get it. They said I could have 1st floor if I waited,otherwise I could have 2nd floor right away no balcony or patio(oh goody!!!!)I was on the same floor as the lounge but at the end of the hall.The offerings here were also pretty good.The staff was nice and accomodating.I really love the fact that they had big paper plates for you to take back to your room.(I'm sure mousekeeping loved that also). I really love the Poly, but I have a terrible sense of direction and it would take me forever to find my longhouse,especially in the dark(but that's my issue).I really enjoyed Kona Cafe and how can you beat being a monorail resort.I definetely will stay at the Poly again but would not do CL unless I get a great rate I can't pass up.
My last stay was at WL CL,I stayed at WL (woodview) a couple of unplanned nights in 2005 and loved it!!!!!I checked in and was given room 7052 it had a partial view of the castle and had a nice view of wishes. Unfortunately it also overlooked some sort of loading dock where trucks where backing in and beeping at all hours of the day and woke me up at about 5am every day.The room seemed very small. I don't remember it being that small 2 years ago but I am getting old and may have forgotten. I meet a really great CM (Mike) he kept calling me sweetie,I let him get away with it because I liked him but I am not sure how appropriate it was.The offerings in the CL were not real impressive.I also found out that they lock up the lounge for a couple of hours a day and you were not even able to get water or soda. I don't know if there is another CL lounge that locks up everything for for an hour during different intervals the day and evening but I personally think for the rates they charge I find it unacceptable to not even get a glass of water or tea.I went to get some wine the 1st night I was there and the bottles were low or empty so I just took what was available and went back to my room. The next day I was coming back from a long day at the parks (about 6:50pm )and again stopped by for a glass of wine. The wine I wanted was empty(again)a cast member said they are getting more wine so I told her great I would put my bags in my room and come back. Well I came back a couple of minutes later and the same CM shooed me out of the lounge and said they were closing up the lounge and I should come back at 8pm and there would be more wine then.I am sorry I found this unacceptable,she had just told me that someone was bringing more wine and that is why I came back if I had been told that originally I need to come back at 8pm I would have taken a beer instead.I wanted to take a shower and I wasn't going to come back after 8pm.I went down to the check in desk and asked for a manager. I explained to him that I had spent 3 nights each at AKL and Poly CL and that this is the only resort that was a dissapointment. I told him about the CM who told me someone was getting more wine and then told me 2 minutes later that I needed to come back in an hour. It's not my fault they do a terrible job of replenishing their offerings and beverages. I know a number of guests were looking for wine that night. I know that the resort was full but they should have more staff to meet their guests needs.The manager asked me what kind of wine I wanted and he would call me in a couple of minutes. I went back to me room and on my way up there I saw my favorite CM Mike,I had't seen him earlier so I let him know what had happened. He said "sweetie" I will get your wine for you!!!!Just then I saw the manager and they together got me my own bottle of wine.(I told him Mike was great and deserved a raise)My final night at WL about 12am someone pounded on my door and I was scared to death. I called the front desk and the call was forwarded and I told the person answering that someone was pounding on the door and I wasn't expecting anyone. She told me,well I don't know who it is(huh?)She asked me if I looked through the peep hole, I said no because I thought if I looked out there and there was an eye ball looking back at me I may have a heart attack. I said I was alone and afraid and she said that they probably had the wrong room and if I wasn't expecting anyone I should not worry about it. (thanks for the concern!!!!) Well next morning I went to the desk and talk to another manager,she said that call probably went to a call center and she would try and find out who the person was and tell them how to handle the call next time. I expect to be secure on a locked floor and if everyone needs a key to get to this floor they shouldn't be pounding on a door at 12 am. I think if a guest calls with a security issue,security should be sent.I really feel that WL CL is overpriced and is really not worth wasting your money on. I think that I was so dissatisified with WL , I may never stay there again. It is also the only resort I heard noise in,a couple of kids were screaming my last night of my stay and of course dad was screaming even louder at them.I was actually glad I was leaving and I was sorry it was my last resort because it was such a dissapointment. I can't understand how they can charge more for standard CL a night than AKL because they are no where near as good and I could tell by my conversation with the 1st manager I talked to that he knew there was no comparison.I plan on writing WDW and telling them about the issues at WL. I know everyone has their favorites and I respect that,but I really felt that I need to tell people about my experiences also so they have everyone's opinions. Thanks for listening!!!!
The Poly was great!!!!!I feel in love with it 2 years ago when I stayed there. I wanted 3rd floor but the resort was full so I couldn't get it. They said I could have 1st floor if I waited,otherwise I could have 2nd floor right away no balcony or patio(oh goody!!!!)I was on the same floor as the lounge but at the end of the hall.The offerings here were also pretty good.The staff was nice and accomodating.I really love the fact that they had big paper plates for you to take back to your room.(I'm sure mousekeeping loved that also). I really love the Poly, but I have a terrible sense of direction and it would take me forever to find my longhouse,especially in the dark(but that's my issue).I really enjoyed Kona Cafe and how can you beat being a monorail resort.I definetely will stay at the Poly again but would not do CL unless I get a great rate I can't pass up.
My last stay was at WL CL,I stayed at WL (woodview) a couple of unplanned nights in 2005 and loved it!!!!!I checked in and was given room 7052 it had a partial view of the castle and had a nice view of wishes. Unfortunately it also overlooked some sort of loading dock where trucks where backing in and beeping at all hours of the day and woke me up at about 5am every day.The room seemed very small. I don't remember it being that small 2 years ago but I am getting old and may have forgotten. I meet a really great CM (Mike) he kept calling me sweetie,I let him get away with it because I liked him but I am not sure how appropriate it was.The offerings in the CL were not real impressive.I also found out that they lock up the lounge for a couple of hours a day and you were not even able to get water or soda. I don't know if there is another CL lounge that locks up everything for for an hour during different intervals the day and evening but I personally think for the rates they charge I find it unacceptable to not even get a glass of water or tea.I went to get some wine the 1st night I was there and the bottles were low or empty so I just took what was available and went back to my room. The next day I was coming back from a long day at the parks (about 6:50pm )and again stopped by for a glass of wine. The wine I wanted was empty(again)a cast member said they are getting more wine so I told her great I would put my bags in my room and come back. Well I came back a couple of minutes later and the same CM shooed me out of the lounge and said they were closing up the lounge and I should come back at 8pm and there would be more wine then.I am sorry I found this unacceptable,she had just told me that someone was bringing more wine and that is why I came back if I had been told that originally I need to come back at 8pm I would have taken a beer instead.I wanted to take a shower and I wasn't going to come back after 8pm.I went down to the check in desk and asked for a manager. I explained to him that I had spent 3 nights each at AKL and Poly CL and that this is the only resort that was a dissapointment. I told him about the CM who told me someone was getting more wine and then told me 2 minutes later that I needed to come back in an hour. It's not my fault they do a terrible job of replenishing their offerings and beverages. I know a number of guests were looking for wine that night. I know that the resort was full but they should have more staff to meet their guests needs.The manager asked me what kind of wine I wanted and he would call me in a couple of minutes. I went back to me room and on my way up there I saw my favorite CM Mike,I had't seen him earlier so I let him know what had happened. He said "sweetie" I will get your wine for you!!!!Just then I saw the manager and they together got me my own bottle of wine.(I told him Mike was great and deserved a raise)My final night at WL about 12am someone pounded on my door and I was scared to death. I called the front desk and the call was forwarded and I told the person answering that someone was pounding on the door and I wasn't expecting anyone. She told me,well I don't know who it is(huh?)She asked me if I looked through the peep hole, I said no because I thought if I looked out there and there was an eye ball looking back at me I may have a heart attack. I said I was alone and afraid and she said that they probably had the wrong room and if I wasn't expecting anyone I should not worry about it. (thanks for the concern!!!!) Well next morning I went to the desk and talk to another manager,she said that call probably went to a call center and she would try and find out who the person was and tell them how to handle the call next time. I expect to be secure on a locked floor and if everyone needs a key to get to this floor they shouldn't be pounding on a door at 12 am. I think if a guest calls with a security issue,security should be sent.I really feel that WL CL is overpriced and is really not worth wasting your money on. I think that I was so dissatisified with WL , I may never stay there again. It is also the only resort I heard noise in,a couple of kids were screaming my last night of my stay and of course dad was screaming even louder at them.I was actually glad I was leaving and I was sorry it was my last resort because it was such a dissapointment. I can't understand how they can charge more for standard CL a night than AKL because they are no where near as good and I could tell by my conversation with the 1st manager I talked to that he knew there was no comparison.I plan on writing WDW and telling them about the issues at WL. I know everyone has their favorites and I respect that,but I really felt that I need to tell people about my experiences also so they have everyone's opinions. Thanks for listening!!!!
