Can’t Decide

[Kari2684]

I’m trying to decide between a couple options for my next stay coming up the first week of August.

I frequently go to WDW, but have never stayed CL. For this trip I will be working from the resort/maybe a late meeting in the park. My nights will be spent through all parks…my park plan is generally determined by what I’m in the mood for (or at least once I tap in with the first reservation).

Right now I have a res for AKL (my favorite), Savannah view, but not CL. All of this is under an AP discount. After playing around online I can do a few things:

(1) ALK CL for 3 nights and move to WL CL for the remaining 3 night. Pros: I experience a new resort (WL), experience different CL’s, 3 days of animal viewing while working, 3 days of knowing I prefer AKL food offerings, Cons: switching resorts- which isn’t always a con, I’m just not sure I want to do that while also working.

(2) WL CL for all 6 nights. Pros: don’t have to move resorts, CL, new to me resort, I have another option for transport with the ferry. Cons: no animal views while working, about a $200 difference, WL food offerings don’t really appeal to me (I’ll eat it, but eh).

(3) stick with my current AKL res and hope availability to opens up. Pros: animal viewing while working, familiar resort, close to AK for my anticipated daily after work check in at Nomads, saving about 1k on room (debatable given the expenses without CL). Cons: can’t walk in to a lounge and grab rations or a glass of wine (obviously during serving hours) during the day between zoom meetings.

If I stick with option 3 and nothing coming up availability wise (outside of AP discount), see if I could upgrade at check in- not asking for pixie dust, I would pay.

At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter- I’ll be able to go to the parks after work. This is the first time I’ve held a job that allows for fully remote work. I’m thankful and grateful to be able to do this, let alone be deciding between two deluxe resorts.

 

[megs1313]

I've stayed CL at both AKL and WL. I preferred AKL. I'm assuming CL isn't available for your whole stay there. If it were me, I'd be tempted to just book CL at AKL and hope the second half opens up there or somewhere more appealing than WL. That way, you're moving rooms at the same resort in the worst case scenario. I did 3 resorts last trip and the transfers are a GIANT pain in the butt if you plan to be at your resort between the hours of noon and 6pm.

 

[Minnie1222]

I recently stayed at WL CL in a standard room. This was my view from the balcony while sitting. Definitely not as exciting as the AKL view.

 

[Minnie1222]

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[loves to dive]

Would you spend $1000 on food and drink without that club level? I doubt it for just 6 nights. I know it's convenient to be able to work from the CL lounge and just get up and graze. Only you can decide if it's $1000 worth it. For me, nope. I've stayed CL (free upgrade at CR) and didn't find it all that and a box of crackers. Everyone's mileage differs but if I'm solo I'm not spending $1000 on food for 6 nights.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree. Never stayed club level at any Disney resort, but the people who comment about 'saving' money on food by getting free snacks/drinks must eat a lot more then we do!! When we last stayed at Contemporary it was something like $200/day extra for Club Level. Seems we could buy a LOT of snacks/drinks for that price. Reminds me a bit of those airport lounges some airlines have. Newer furniture and free snacks/beverages. When I travel on business our company has access to them. But would never spend the extra money if paying on my own just to sit in a fancier room.

 

[RoseGold]

I really like the AKL view for working. Much better than some pine trees at WL. And IMO, AKL is much better soundproofed than WL, though I have heard some stories out of WL as well.

Maybe worth noting that Disney club level isn't the standard of nice hotels. If you're used to, say, the JW, you will be underwhelmed.

Oh, and neither have in-room dining, or at least didn't recently. This matters if you are trying to work and can't leave the room. But you can order soooo much stuff from meal delivery services and have that for a couple days. You can also order groceries at either. Heck, I got Walmart to deliver some wine.

 

[focusondisney]

So AKL is available for your first 3 nights? With the discount? If you really want AKL CL, book the first 3 night with the discount & the next 3 with out. You can keep checking for the other nights to show up as discounted, but in the meantime at least you’re saving something. I currently have YC CL booked for September, the first 3 nights with an AP rate & the next 3 at rack rate. But YC is our favorite resort & I really wanted to stay there.

I mean, it seems to me you really prefer AKL. I’ve booked resorts & then had to keep “talking myself” into staying there. It costs so much to stay onsite. I think you should stay where you’ll really be happy if at all possible.

 

[Kari2684]

I really like the AKL view for working. Much better than some pine trees at WL. And IMO, AKL is much better soundproofed than WL, though I have heard some stories out of WL as well.

Maybe worth noting that Disney club level isn't the standard of nice hotels. If you're used to, say, the JW, you will be underwhelmed.

Oh, and neither have in-room dining, or at least didn't recently. This matters if you are trying to work and can't leave the room. But you can order soooo much stuff from meal delivery services and have that for a couple days. You can also order groceries at either. Heck, I got Walmart to deliver some wine.

I’ve read Disney club level is underwhelming compared to others. It’s nice to have that confirmed.

I will be able to leave the room, my schedule is flexible. I’ve never ordered groceries to wdw, but I’ll look in to it! I figured room service still wasn’t available.

 

[Kari2684]

So AKL is available for your first 3 nights? With the discount? If you really want AKL CL, book the first 3 night with the discount & the next 3 with out. You can keep checking for the other nights to show up as discounted, but in the meantime at least you’re saving something. I currently have YC CL booked for September, the first 3 nights with an AP rate & the next 3 at rack rate. But YC is our favorite resort & I really wanted to stay there.

I mean, it seems to me you really prefer AKL. I’ve booked resorts & then had to keep “talking myself” into staying there. It costs so much to stay onsite. I think you should stay where you’ll really be happy if at all possible.

Very good points! I enjoyed YC when I stayed there a few years ago. YC CL actually popped up this morning for my dates when searching again. I might try it in future trips, I’m doing that talking myself out of my favorite resort. Worth checking if the rest of your days are available!

 

[martikus]

Since you are working I’d choose whatever doesn’t require a room change. Because on room switch day you could be without a room for several hours and that would be hard with working.

I’d also want to be closer to more parks if only doing park nights. AKL can be a haul by bus.

 

[KinsellaReed]

AKL has one of the best club levels at Disney imho. We love it there, but we are also DVC and only do it on points and are on the same floor. But worth every point in my opinion. if you can get 3+ nights there with CL at a discount, it's worth it as long as you're planning to be around the resort a lot in that time frame. Non-DVC club rooms can sometimes be a trek in the halls, but the daily offerings are some of the best of club level for the entire day. The wi-fi reception is pretty good up there and between 12-3pm, it's pretty quiet. We were just there in early March for 2 days on a stay on the same floor with DVC. And my understanding is that they will provide you with drinks, cocktails, etc before they put out the drinks for all if you just ask...we haven't tried it though. We will be there in early August as well - lucked out last minute.

If you like to swim or hang out by the pool, then I'd go with the yacht club because you can't get access to that fantastic 3+ acre pool area unless you are staying at Yacht or Beach. And the access to Epcot or Hollywood is a huge plus. Plus, you can do tons of stuff on the boardwalk without a park pass if you have a meeting(s).