CL - I don't get it

[mystery222184]

We love CL (experience at Poly and GF). After room discounts it comes closer to $100 more, not $150. When you add the many espressos, breakfast, snacks, light dinners, drinks, and for the Poly the fantastic view - all right near your room.... we think it's well worth the cost. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Are you talking about my quotes?
I love it for my family, except when ppl ask u for an opinion & then sit here & think it's ok to joke u & say things about their smartphone & just stupid stuff..to me, it's like, Well? Why did u ask?

The OP asked a question and asked for opinions. You're getting all bent out of shape because not everyone shares your opinion.

 

[mefordis]

I don't care. I'm just stating my opinion and explaining to the OP and others who are interested, what CL is all about. You're making it sound like it's so exclusive and they're doing something for you that no one else can. For some (myself included), planning is part of the fun. I like to plan our ADR's and make the reservations at the 180 day mark. If I have to change something, I do it - Online. No wait at all.

Heck, Disney even has an app to make/change/cancel dining reservations. Takes you about 45 seconds.

I want to add when you change ADRs with someone (whether they are in the lobby or at the CL lounge) you have to be there physically for them to tell you what is and is not available, "Sorry, Narcoosees is not available for 5:15 but it is available for 6:30pm." or "We have nothing available but Crystal Palace for that time. Want it?"

When you do it yourself with your laptop or smartphone, you don't have to be anywhere talking to anyone. You can do it in the comfort of your own room or anywhere really, and see the choices yourself.

Also, I've arranged all hotel activities with the Concierge desk in the lobby for free.

I think we are seeing long lines for food and people trying to get their money's worth because most people see that the food is where the value is, not the planning "extras" that you can get for free anyway.

 

[AndreaA]

Stayed CL once at WL. Would never do it again. Complete waste of money.

I'm curious about your reasons as well.

We stayed CL at WL last year and loved it. Part of our reason was because we NEEDED two rooms (bedroom and living room so we could separate from our boys to sleep) and the Deluxe rooms are all CL. We ended up loving it. I liked the extra little bit of attention, and the lounge worked well for us.

We ate breakfast there every morning (except for our two Character breakfasts) and it was plenty, especially since our picky toddlers only like dry cereal, donuts and bagels anyway! Then we came back early from the parks every day and were able to grab snacks, which was essential to keeping happy kids, and drinks for us (which was also essential, haha). Then, after dinner, once the kids were in bed, one of us would sneak up and bring down desserts, coffees and more drinks. We never encountered a single line. In fact, the place was pretty empty every time we were there, and we snagged a big table in front of the television every morning.

If our boys had been older it would have been even better, because we would have been able to leave them in the room watching television or something, while we ran up together in the evenings, or we'd have been able to send them up for their own snacks. For that reason, I can definitely see us doing it again. This time we're in a Villa and I do think I will miss the extra perks.

I did not use the planning service at all. I had all my ADRs completely planned and reserved the day after my package reservation was confirmed.

You're also totally wrong about room size and location. As I said, our room was actually more like a suite and it was not on the top floor, it was directly overlooking the beautiful pool area and lake and the views were amazing. Our balcony had normal railings since it was not on the top floor.

 

[Scott MC]

Please don't go to the lounge in your PJs Thank you

Agreed!

I think somehow Concierge has changed from what it was designed for, to a food substitution for some people.

Exactly!

OP...you clearly already have a strong opinion of what CL is and what it is not. Did you start this thread simply for validation? If it's not for you, then don't stay CL, but is there a need to make people who do feel rotten about it, or like they've done something wrong?
Also, if you've not stayed CL before, can you really be sure that it isn't worth it?

 

[jcjen519]

I want to add when you change ADRs with someone (whether they are in the lobby or at the CL lounge) you have to be there physically for them to tell you what is and is not available, "Sorry, Narcoosees is not available for 5:15 but it is available for 6:30pm." or "We have nothing available but Crystal Palace for that time. Want it?"

When you do it yourself with your laptop or smartphone, you don't have to be anywhere talking to anyone. You can do it in the comfort of your own room or anywhere really, and see the choices yourself.

Also, I've arranged all hotel activities with the Concierge desk in the lobby for free.

I think we are seeing long lines for food and people trying to get their money's worth because most people see that the food is where the value is, not the planning "extras" that you can get for free anyway.

this is not true when asking a cl cm to book dining. i would also add that i have only seen long lines at bc cl.

 

[mefordis]

If your smart phone is so amazing, why didn't you ask this Concierge question to it, so we didn't have to listen to any of your preconceived notions.

Um, actually I did use my "amazing" smart phone to post on this thread.

 

[mefordis]

this is not true when asking a cl cm to book dining. i would also add that i have only seen long lines at bc cl.

I guess we've been lucky. I've never experienced a wait when using the lobby concierge to change my dining reservations.

 

[mefordis]

I want to add that I am not attacking anyone personally for purchasing concierge. If that is how they want to spend their money, that's great. However, I fail to see the VALUE in it.

If they provided an advantage to ADRs or preferential treatment -boom - value! Bagels and goldfish that I can buy myself and keep in my room, as well as wine and water, no VALUE.

Making ADRs - no value - do it myself. Making reservations for recreation, no value. Make those reservations with lobby concierge.

AKL provides sunrise safari which would be added value. That's it.

 

[mefordis]

Agreed!



Exactly!

OP...you clearly already have a strong opinion of what CL is and what it is not. Did you start this thread simply for validation? If it's not for you, then don't stay CL, but is there a need to make people who do feel rotten about it, or like they've done something wrong?
Also, if you've not stayed CL before, can you really be sure that it isn't worth it?

Sorry if people feel rotten about it. I don't think I'm making them feel that way. I am just asking them to help me understand the value. If someone doesn't see the value of staying deluxe, which I do, I don't feel attacked.

I guess I've hit a sore spot.

 

[bluejasmine]

Uncivil and rude....

Me or that remark? I swear its a tshirt and sleep pants!

 

[bluejasmine]

I agree, but I know why people do it. It's Disney and people are always walking around the hotel in their bathing suits, no shirts, etc.

I wear a shirt promise! lol ( Im female.. just trying to make light)


As far as justifying price.. There are some things that you cant put a price on. That can mean different things to different ppl. Do we always do CL.. I wish but no.. In Dec we stayed POR.. My husband works a very very body breaking laborious job and so this is how HE chooses to relax (Im not complaining) so WHEN we can swing it, its totally worth it.

We come back around 2pm each day and grab sodas or beer and grab some snacks head to the pool, then around 430 shower and go to the lounge have a glass of wine a few appys and jump on the monorail to go back to the park.. Then in the evening we grab a cordial and maybe a dessert and sit on the balcony and watch fireworks or just relax.. It makes our trips so relaxing we aren't constantly on the go and to my DH THATS priceless

 

[ngress]

We just stayed a CL poly, and I too could not understand what the hype was all about. I was hoping that a "concierge" would've able to help with the difficult to get reservations (ie like FREE concierges at other 5 star hotels), not so much. They just connected me with disney dining line. The food at poly was awful, with the exception of sushi. No bottles of water. No CM anywhere to ask for the included beer and wine. No special services. We asked the CL "concierges" daily to let mouse keeping know that we have small kids and will be back in the room at noon for nap time, and 1 out of 7 days the room was ready before noon. We chalked it up to a live and learn, and we learned that CL was our worst purchase for the trip.

 

[amg35]

Sorry if people feel rotten about it. I don't think I'm making them feel that way. I am just asking them to help me understand the value. If someone doesn't see the value of staying deluxe, which I do, I don't feel attacked.

I guess I've hit a sore spot.

Yes, you really want people to convince you of the value of it. More like you want to convince people there is no value in it.

Some people like it, some people don't and neither will convince the other.

 

[Scott MC]

**delete**

 

[mefordis]

I wear a shirt promise! lol ( Im female.. just trying to make light)

I guess if you sleep in sweats and a t shirt you can get away with it?

 

[lbv7]

I want to add that I am not attacking anyone personally for purchasing concierge. If that is how they want to spend their money, that's great. However, I fail to see the VALUE in it.

If they provided an advantage to ADRs or preferential treatment -boom - value! Bagels and goldfish that I can buy myself and keep in my room, as well as wine and water, no VALUE.

Making ADRs - no value - do it myself. Making reservations for recreation, no value. Make those reservations with lobby concierge.

AKL provides sunrise safari which would be added value. That's it.

So I assume that the next time you check in and possibly get upgraded to Club Level you will 100% refuse it, and that you will gladly let the person standing in line behind you get the upgrade to the not worth it Club Level.

 

[wdwfan]

I love staying club level! I don't worry about justifying the cost. If I did, then I wouldn't stay club level. For me, it's not about the money, although I vacation within my budget. I'm on vacation and want to enjoy myself with things that I consider to be extra perks and pampering. If you don't like it after hearing about then don't do it. Club is not for everyone.

 

[jcjen519]

I guess we've been lucky. I've never experienced a wait when using the lobby concierge to change my dining reservations.

i have never used the lobby concierge and have no idea if there is normally a wait or not. what i meant was that when you are using the cl cm you can give them details for dining and they will book things for you. you don't have to stand there and wait. not saying this is a reason you should stay cl.

as far as a wait......bc is the only cl i have seen a line for food. i have never seen a line for food offerings other then bc cl.

 

[mefordis]

So I assume that the next time you check in and possibly get upgraded to Club Level you will 100% refuse it, and that you will gladly let the person standing in line behind you get the upgrade to the not worth it Club Level.

No, I'd take for free. However, that would not happen because we are staying in a 1 bedroom villa. I don't think CL is a possibility for that.