CL - I don't get it

[mefordis]

Not sure if I totally agree with that. We tried CL once at the Royal Pacific. It was a great price, so we jumped on it. It was worse than Disney's.

Lounge was on the 7th floor. Our room was on the 6th floor.
Upon arrival we had no bathrobes.
We never once got turndown service.
The food offerings, believe it or not, were less than Disney's.

We stayed concierge at Hard Rock, included in our package. It was a disappointment as well. Mornings people were like vultures, flocking to the bagels and muffins and taking up all the seats. The biggest downside was the staff using it as a gathering spot, chatting it up with each other and pretty much ignoring the guests.

The only concierge I was impressed with was at the Peabody Inn in Memphis. That was awesome. They had huge spreads and it wasn't crowded. The room was also great -- top floor and excellent view. That was also included with our package.

 

[jcjen519]

One other observation: we've stayed in different concierge rooms at resorts outside of WDW and they, without exception, blow the Disney club level experience away. The food, alcohol, and privileges at, for example, the JW Marriott in Cancun were just stellar. Another resort we visited in Mexico had a concierge level private pool and beach. So, if you've only stayed CL at WDW and you try it at another destination, it will probably be better and less expensive. This doesn't mean that CL isn't worth it at WDW, but I do believe there is a lot more that they could do to "plus" it.

love that place! we have had some really nice trips there!

 

[sonofanarchy]

We stayed concierge at Hard Rock, included in our package. It was a disappointment as well. Mornings people were like vultures, flocking to the bagels and muffins and taking up all the seats. The biggest downside was the staff using it as a gathering spot, chatting it up with each other and pretty much ignoring the guests.

The only concierge I was impressed with was at the Peabody Inn in Memphis. That was awesome. They had huge spreads and it wasn't crowded. The room was also great -- top floor and excellent view. That was also included with our package.

Yeah, I've read crappy reviews about Hard Rock's CL as well. We stayed at HRH last month and we really weren't happy. We usually stay at RPR and it was a big let-down. I think the Hard Rock's rooms are the most boring and poorly set-up rooms at any hotel we've stayed at in Orlando.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I've done Club Level at the Poly three times, all three times were great. The second time, I had a lagoon view room, which was spectacular.

IMO, unless you've done CL,you won't really get it. But, that's OK. We all have different needs and wants on vacation. And, really, no one should have to "prove" to anyone else why they like CL. It doesn't affect you, so why bother, KWIM? Each trip is different. I'm staying in a value resort this December( AoA) and am looking forward to this trip too.

Update- I see you have stayed CL at Universal and elsewhere..sorry you didn't enjoy your experience.

 

[CoolPool]

After this last trip, we probably won't go back to Disney without club level. It takes the hectic out of Disney for us.

 

[bluejasmine]

After this last trip, we probably won't go back to Disney without club level. It takes the hectic out of Disney for us.

This is how we feel!

 

[tarak]

When we stay at AKL, we book a savannah view. Upgrading to CL only cost about $160 for the five nights, which was about half what we paid for breakfast at Boma. The breakfast in the lounge alone made it worth it for us. I loved having that lounge to go to in the mornings and the evenings. I never saw kids running about acting crazy. It was a great opportunity to meet other guests, too. We'd chat about what we'd done, what our plans were. Then catch up in the evenings at the lounge. I'm determined to make CL work for another trip. My family loves, loves, loves AKL, but because we're a party of five (and six when our youngest turns three in a year and a half), we have to either get two rooms, or a suite. Renting DVC points is the most affordable way for us to stay at AKL.

When my sister and her husband joined us at AKL a few years ago, they hadn't bothered to set up any transportation. The CL staff helped me get them set up with ME just an hour or so before my sister and BIL arrived in Orlando. I wanted to eat at the Chef's Table for our anniversary dinner, and IPO managed to get it for us. The staff are just amazing. My daughters decided to pin trade one year and had their lanyards. Wayne, one of the CL staff, gave each of them a pin to start their collection.

If I added up each bowl of oatmeal, fruit loops, each glass of wine and plate of appetizers, I suppose it might not come to what we pay to stay CL. But that's not really why I stay there. What makes it worth it to me isn't just the amount it costs.

 

[mirage0306]

We have stayed club level at BWI, AKL, and Poly. All three had their pluses and minuses, but in general I have decided i really like club level We had 30% off at BWI and Poly so the rates were a little more reasonable.

BWI pluses:
Lounge on same floor as room--very convenient
Hard boiled eggs in am--nice to have that protein
Wonderful CMs

BWI minuses:
Lounge on smaller side
No real view

AKL pluses:
We had booked arusha savanna view already and the amount to upgrade from that to CL was something ridiculous, like a few dollars a day. However, we only had AAA discount so it was not our cheapest stay (AKL savanna views/CL seems to be excluded from discounts recently)
Large lounge
Great CMS (one tracked down a gift card with $40 on it that my DH had used to buy me a drink, but the CM hadn't returned it to him, and then hand delivered it to him)
Lounge had kid area
Beautiful view of lobby
Ability to do the amazing Sunrise safari
JUNGLE JUICE
Diverse food offerings
Quinoa at breakfast

Minuses:
Higher price tag (without a good discount)
Lounge on 6th floor, rooms on 4th
Remoteness of AKL

Poly pluses:
Lounge is HUGE
Amazing views of castle/bay lake
Tasty food offerings for apps
Kona beer
Hawaii building location cannot be beat
Pog juice!! (Same stuff as Jungle juice...i was in heaven)

Poly minuses:
Expensive
Breakfast nothing special
Lounge often mobbed (but since it was huge, not always terrible)

All in all, I think (as others have said) it occasionally pays off financially to stay CL but usually it's just the convenience that can't be beat. And the extra space of the lounge is a bonus. I certainly will go to Disney and not stay CL, but with a good discount it is often worth it for us. It's just a really nice perk.