CL - I don't get it

[WMorganS]

From reading this thread, CL seems hard to evaluate objectively because PART of its value is just time, convenience, and niceties. If you have the time, don't need the conveniences, and/or don't care for the niceties.... well... then all your left with is the snack value ;-)

 

[samnbilly]

No kidding! Its even more efficient to go on the smart phone and do them on the way to the parks! If you dont have a smart phone you can buy one with the money you save not staying cl, and have enough left for some goldfish abd bagels. Lol!

If you feel like I'm being the most defensive, perhaps its your rude comments. Other posters are trying to show you how starting this thread when youre doing nothing but trying to prove how there's no value in CL.
You've made snide comments in regard to my posts about your smartphone and goldfish and bagels.
If you want to start a thread and be able to see everyone's opinions regarding the subject, thats great, but when ppl disagree with your point of view, you have some snide remark about it. The funny thing, is that you say things about CL and ADR's and what their capability is, but you really don't know and when ppl try and explain it to you, you get rude

 

[sonofanarchy]

I feel like your bent out of shape because I don't feel the way you do. We are all giving our personal opinions & experiences. I'm not trying to convince anyone to go Concierge, but to insult me because you don't feel the way I do is just ridiculous. If you don't feel it's worth it, that's great for you! I don't ever tell ppl that their choice, whether it be All Stars or GF is not worth their money or anything else.
We choose it because it fits our needs!
I don't think my personal opinion is trying to shove CL down anyone's throat & I certainly wasn't saying that anyone's vacation would be more/less without it. I was simply stating my opinion & I don't appreciate the rude remarks regarding my choice. TY

How did I insult you?

You're taking this WAAAAY too personally.

 

[Dis703]

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

Sorry, but I did this a few times. I mean its a t shirt and long pants nothing inappropriate. Our room was right outside the lounge and with one bathroom and 3 adults and 3 kids no way was I waiting to eat until everyone was able to shower and dress.

 

[Dis703]

For a family of 6, did you stay in a villa or get two rooms?

Just one room. My twins were only two so we counted as 5 plus an infant.

 

[mefordis]

If you feel like I'm being the most defensive, perhaps its your rude comments. Other posters are trying to show you how starting this thread when youre doing nothing but trying to prove how there's no value in CL.
You've made snide comments in regard to my posts about your smartphone and goldfish and bagels.
If you want to start a thread and be able to see everyone's opinions regarding the subject, thats great, but when ppl disagree with your point of view, you have some snide remark about it. The funny thing, is that you say things about CL and ADR's and what their capability is, but you really don't know and when ppl try and explain it to you, you get rude

Are you telling me they no longer serve bagels and goldfish?

 

[aaarcher86]

Oh my gosh, you sound upset. Someone previously posted that people are being made to feel rotten about their cl choices. I am just asking where they find the value. I don't believe anyone has insulted anyone else in this thread. And you seem to be the most upset of all the posters, for whatever reason.

We understand, you like CL! Great! No one is insulting you. No need to be so upset. But so far no one has proven to ME (maybe others, but not to ME) that CL is worth the $$. Therefore I will not be staying CL unless I am upgraded for FREE.

To answer your question on where I stay that is worth the $$, you can see below. All were on discounts, free dining, 30% off, though. And I didn't really feel YC was that much better than POR as a resort. However the location made up for it.

.... Great?

People get it. YOU don't see the value in CL so YOU won't stay there. Sounds like the perfect combo. OTHER people enjoy CL for their own reasons and feel that it's worth the money so OTHER people will stay there. I don't think anyone is trying to prove to you that CL is worth it. After giving their reasoning you come back with your own as to why that's not good enough. Clearly it's not you're style. If you don't want to book it then you're just one less person in the competition pool for them.

I don't and won't stay CL because I don't feel it's worth it for my family's vacation style. Why in the world would I care whatsoever why or who is filling the CL rooms when it has nothing to do with my vacation?

Honestly thread thread comes off semi tantrum-esque.

 

[Dis703]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a quick question. A few of you have mentioned grabbing bottles of water to take to the parks. The first time we stayed CL (6 years ago) we could do that, but since then I haven't seen it. They've had the large bottles of Evian. Has this changed again? Or do they have bottles to go but you have to ask for them?

As I understand it few still do this but BC, which is where we stayed, still does.

 

[mefordis]

.... Great?

People get it. YOU don't see the value in CL so YOU won't stay there. Sounds like the perfect combo. OTHER people enjoy CL for their own reasons and feel that it's worth the money so OTHER people will stay there. I don't think anyone is trying to prove to you that CL is worth it. After giving their reasoning you come back with your own as to why that's not good enough. Clearly it's not you're style. If you don't want to book it then you're just one less person in the competition pool for them.

I don't and won't stay CL because I don't feel it's worth it for my family's vacation style. Why in the world would I care whatsoever why or who is filling the CL rooms when it has nothing to do with my vacation?

Honestly thread thread comes off semi tantrum-esque.

I agree i dont feel its worth it either.

 

[Marthasor]

I think "value" as it pertains to CL is a bit subjective. If we are strictly talking $$, yes, there probably is not a cost savings (unless, as a PP pointed out, you are a family of 5 as opposed to a couple and are taking full advantage of the offerings). I think people stay CL for many different reasons and none of those reasons, most likely, include saving money.

I can only share how our family has found value in staying CL and why we choose, on some trips, to stay CL and, on other trips, not. When my DH travels, he doesn't care how much anything costs - he wants whatever he perceives to be high-end, top-of-the-line service, so if he goes to WDW with us (which is rare nowadays), I know I have to book deluxe CL. Do I complain? No, but, I'm the penny-pincher in the family (using a discount and my disney reward points I was actually able to get GF RPC down to a "reasonable" cost on my DH's last WDW trip) and don't necessarily think this expense is necessary. But if it makes my DH, (who wouldn't go to WDW with us otherwise) happy, that's what we do.

I often travel alone with my DS5 who has a disability. When he was younger and I would take him to WDW alone, staying CL was a lifesaver for me. I could not navigate a CS or a buffet alone with him, so having a CL lounge made our breakfasts and mid-day snacks very, very easy. It also gave him a chance to socialize a little with other children.

My DS5 and I are traveling alone to WDW in a few weeks and I actually downgraded us from BC-CL to BC, standard just last week because I can now navigate CS and buffets with him and he wants to do three character breakfasts, so I didn't see the value of CL for this particular trip.

To each his own! Value is in the eyes of the beholder.

 

[Ofinn]

Maybe CL can be compared to renting a cabana at one of the water parks (which I'm considering). You can get a chair, get food for yourself, etc. at no extra charge. But the cabana sounds sweet to have for the day!

I think Club level is a added luxury. I guess you could compare it to renting a cabana, flying first class, and a lot of other things that may not make a lot of financial sense, but they enhance your vacation.

I would consider renting a cabana at a water park a waste of money, but I love club level. We are all different in how we spend our money. There is no right or wrong answer here.

 

[toodycat]

I've stayed CL at the GF a bunch of times---both Sugarloaf and RPC. We also stayed CL at GC when we visited Disneyland and CL at AKL for DH's 50th birthday. I never broke down the cost to determine if it was financially worth it dollar for dollar. Our first stay back in 2000 was GF CL and after that, we booked CL whenever we could.

When DS was small, we did character breakfasts, so the CL continental breakfast wasn't necessary. Sometimes we would eat it and then plan our character breakfast for 11, so it was more like lunch. But, the convenience of returning to the resort and being able to have snacks for DS in the late afternoon was great. The same is true of the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails before dinner. This allows you to stay later at the parks, come home and have a snack and then make an ADR at a restaurant where you can view the fireworks without worrying that everyone in your family will be starving by 9 p.m.

At Disneyland's Grand Californian, CL means a separate lounge where you can watch the fireworks. It was lovely.

When DS got older, we did have more flexibility, but CL still had some awesome features. The CL CMs at the GF got us the best seats for La Nouba ever. When my parents vacationed with us at GF, we stayed RPC as it made for less walking. They are older and arthritic.

For DH's 50th birthday, the AKL CL outdid themselves sending gifts and goodies to our room. The Sunrise Safari was one of the high points of our visit.

We just look at CL as a trenendous convenience factor. The CMs have also acted as our advocates for tickets and ADRs. If you are so inclined, it has its advantages; if you are not, Disneyworld is still quite magical.

 

[penel3]

We are a family of three, we try to stay club level everywhere we go.......you don't like it, don't do it...no sweat off my back

too many WDW trips to mention, 2007 Wonder Concierge, January 2013 Wonder Concierge, WDW AKL Concierge Nov 2013, March 2014 Walter E. Disney Suite (finally!!!!)

 

[teentoddlermom]

Paid for cl during a few stays from 2003-05, when my kids were younger. Was upgraded for free during a trip to BC in 2011. During the '11 stay, I must say, it depressed me. The CL was a madhouse, adults were acting mostly like spoiled children. There were not enough seats, clean tables, and there was a lot of table hogging, like in a starbucks. At first I was so psyched to be upgraded, then as the trip went on, I decided that if I had paid for it, I would have really felt ripped off. The deluxe resort prices are really outrageous now, and to add CL on top of that is just too much money. I hate to feel that I am throwing money away. I stay value or moderate now because it just puts me in a better mood during my trip because if we have a few problems, at least I haven't paid four to six hundred a night for it. And for those who say they get great deals, I say wow! I haven't found a good deal since the 4 for 7 deals in the mid 2000's. To each his own though! I would like to stay in the RPC once.

 

[catflorida]

I have stayed club level at all the deluxe resorts over the past four years and I am not going to do it anymore. I don't find it a luxury at all. At Animal Kingdom Lodge the Club Level was on a different floor and in another wing of the building. Easier to just order room service for what you want. At the Grand Floridian we had a second floor Deluxe King in the main building and had to go to the third floor for Club Level. I don't believe in going to the lounge in pajamas so we had to be shaved, showered and made up before we could walk out the door to get a cup of coffee. It is just being civilized.

The food is so disappointing all around. Breakfast is all carbs and just pure junk. There is some fruit, but so what. The Grand Floridian had Salmon Cream Cheese, and a selection of cold meats and cheeses but I could live without it. Appetizers were uninspiring and there was just cheap wine and regular beer.

This is how I have done the Deluxe Resorts for two adults for the same money as Club Level.

1. Book a Deluxe room with a good view. Book all tickets and dining reservations at home before you go. You won't need the Concierge if you are organized and they are not that great at getting last minute dinner reservations during busy times.

2. Stock bottled water in your room refrigerator.

3. Order room service for breakfast and coffee to be delivered 7:00 am pronto and you will have a more elegant and delicious breakfast without having to get dressed and leave the privacy of your room.

4. Afternoon snacks are just chips, goldfish and cookies and you can find that all over the place at Disney.

5. Appetizers and drinks are best done in the lounges at the resorts when and if you want them. The Crew Cup lounge at the Yacht Club is a warm and cozy wood paneled room with a great selections of drinks and good appetizers like sliders, steak bites, dips, etc. There is a good selection of appetizers in Mizner's Lounge at the Grand Floridian and you can listen to music playing in the lobby. The lounge is really nice at the Boardwalk Inn, also. They all have a great selection of drinks and appetizers that far surpasses what you can get Club Level.

In between have a reservation each day for a good restaurant for lunch and dinner and you are all set.

This is a good itinerary for adults. For kids I would still order room service for breakfast because there is a much better selection. Same with afternoon snack. Order room service while they nap.

Again, just my opinion after doing club level many times.

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for your input! Really helpful. We always order room service for the kids. They can eat a healthy breakfast while dh and I get ready. I think the price comes to about $35 a day, maximum.

I have stayed club level at all the deluxe resorts over the past four years and I am not going to do it anymore. I don't find it a luxury at all. At Animal Kingdom Lodge the Club Level was on a different floor and in another wing of the building. Easier to just order room service for what you want. At the Grand Floridian we had a second floor Deluxe King in the main building and had to go to the third floor for Club Level. I don't believe in going to the lounge in pajamas so we had to be shaved, showered and made up before we could walk out the door to get a cup of coffee. It is just being civilized.

The food is so disappointing all around. Breakfast is all carbs and just pure junk. There is some fruit, but so what. The Grand Floridian had Salmon Cream Cheese, and a selection of cold meats and cheeses but I could live without it. Appetizers were uninspiring and there was just cheap wine and regular beer.

This is how I have done the Deluxe Resorts for two adults for the same money as Club Level.

1. Book a Deluxe room with a good view. Book all tickets and dining reservations at home before you go. You won't need the Concierge if you are organized and they are not that great at getting last minute dinner reservations during busy times.

2. Stock bottled water in your room refrigerator.

3. Order room service for breakfast and coffee to be delivered 7:00 am pronto and you will have a more elegant and delicious breakfast without having to get dressed and leave the privacy of your room.

4. Afternoon snacks are just chips, goldfish and cookies and you can find that all over the place at Disney.

5. Appetizers and drinks are best done in the lounges at the resorts when and if you want them. The Crew Cup lounge at the Yacht Club is a warm and cozy wood paneled room with a great selections of drinks and good appetizers like sliders, steak bites, dips, etc. There is a good selection of appetizers in Mizner's Lounge at the Grand Floridian and you can listen to music playing in the lobby. The lounge is really nice at the Boardwalk Inn, also. They all have a great selection of drinks and appetizers that far surpasses what you can get Club Level.

In between have a reservation each day for a good restaurant for lunch and dinner and you are all set.

This is a good itinerary for adults. For kids I would still order room service for breakfast because there is a much better selection. Same with afternoon snack. Order room service while they nap.

Again, just my opinion after doing club level many times.

 

[HBGdancermom]

I think Club level is a added luxury. I guess you could compare it to renting a cabana, flying first class, and a lot of other things that may not make a lot of financial sense, but they enhance your vacation.

I would consider renting a cabana at a water park a waste of money, but I love club level. We are all different in how we spend our money. There is no right or wrong answer here.

Totally agree!!!

 

[toodycat]

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.

 

[darkwing818]

OP some people get it (prefer the CL) Others don't get it & never will.
Just as Simple as That.

 

[sonofanarchy]

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.

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.