Club Level AKL - Can You Sneak In?

[madalex]

Admission for four persons goes along with the CL villa booked by the OP (actually 5 plus one under 3 but who's counting?!).

The OP is entitled to more than four spots in the lounge and plans to use four spots. Nothing sneaky about it whatsoever -- just good planning.

What is the basis for these statements? Booking a CL room gives access to the CL lounge for all members of the party that booked the room. If there are 4 people in a party, then 4 people have access to the lounge; if the party consists of only 2 people, then 2 people have access to the lounge. There is absolutely no basis for the notion that simply because a room can accomodate 4 people, that booking such a CL room means that one is then entitled to 4 "spots" in the lounge (and that one can then bring additional people who are not part of the party into the lounge in order to use those extra "spots").

 

[madalex]

Because I booked my 1 bedroom CL a few months ago, and 2 days ago I booked the deluxe SV studio for my parents (birthday gift )- and there wasn't availability for CL for them. (actually, there was barely availability at all!)
That being said, my husband and I want the space the 1 bedroom has to offer, as we typically stay in the room and take our time and hang out.
My parents are out the door at the crack of dawn, and would use the lounge for breakfast and whatever.

I totally agree with the poster who stated something about a family reunion type thing were EVERY person was in the lounge- that IS ridiculous.

Ok, so where do we draw the line between "it's only two people, so it should be allowed" and "it's a family reunion with lots of people; that is ridiculous"? It's either allowed or it's not; you can't have it both ways.

 

[lookingforward]

Just ask and enjoy! Or add them if they are going to join you more than once, imo. You booked a suite so Im sure you can add them. You will like the AKL concierge. I do agree with a previous poster who stated that club services have been cut since the deep discounting began. I see it everywhere at disney (food wise) but its still a nice service and enjoyable!

We brought two friends to the RPC club when we were there for a quick drink and dessert one night WITH permission. They were welcomed with kindness and wound up upgrading for their next trip. A win win for Disney.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

One of the worst things to happen to GF RPC was the decision to provide exactly the same offerings to Sugar Loaf that were being offered to GF RPC. This did not raise the level of the offerings in SL. No, it lowered and reduced the offerings in GF RPC.

I think that was a smart decision because all Club Level guests at the Deluxe Resorts should get the same food offerings, even if their Club Level rooms are less expensive and maybe others don't want to pay the cost of Royal Palm. So by staying in Sugar Loaf they get the same service and etc for less then that. Is it the fault of the Sugar Loaf guests that the Grand Floridian decided to give them the same things even though their rooms are less expnensive.

 

[Momtomouselover]

Actually, if I'm being honest, I'd have a problem with you attempting to do anything to "sneak" your parents into CL. The fact that you used "sneak" in your thread title implies that you know this is wrong.

I'm staying at AKL in August, and I paid extra to have access to club level services. I wouldn't think it right to sneak anyone into the lounge who hasn't paid to be there or been (luckily) upgraded to CL.

No one can stop you from bringing your parents some edible goodies from the lounge, but I honestly hope that the CMs turn them away from actually entering the lounge, and I think that putting them under your name when they're not paying for the CL room is sneaky.

I'm sorry if this offends you, but you're asking opinions, and that's mine.

I haven't read all the comments under this thread but when I got to this response it just hit me as selfish and unkind. I mean for goodness sakes the OP has payed for two rooms and one of them is CL level. She could easily put everyone on the one room and then there would be no violation, right? So what is the big deal if her parents go into the lounge? Disney charges a fairly hefty fee to stay at CL level I know and I myself do not want others that haven't paid for it taking advantage but there are exceptions. This person has a CL room!! This person is not talking about taking a huge family in unpaid for or for that matter even more than the room's capacity so what is the big problem here? Why are people so concerned that they are trying to be strict when everything is not black and white. I'm just confused by this.

 

[sfbank]

Nascargirl & I had been talking and seriously, why keep complaining about the food that was served 3 months ago, 6 months ago, or whenever, since the offerings have changed? If you didn't like things post it once or a couple of times until you feel better, and don't go back to that resort. If you don't feel Club Level is worth it anymore-don't stay. Does it have to be a weekly or sometimes daily ritual to complain sometimes about EVERYTHING?

 

[maxiesmom]

I haven't read all the comments under this thread but when I got to this response it just hit me as selfish and unkind. I mean for goodness sakes the OP has payed for two rooms and one of them is CL level. She could easily put everyone on the one room and then there would be no violation, right? So what is the big deal if her parents go into the lounge? Disney charges a fairly hefty fee to stay at CL level I know and I myself do not want others that haven't paid for it taking advantage but there are exceptions. This person has a CL room!! This person is not talking about taking a huge family in unpaid for or for that matter even more than the room's capacity so what is the big problem here? Why are people so concerned that they are trying to be strict when everything is not black and white. I'm just confused by this.

So where would you draw the line? If everyone does what the OP wants to do, can you not imagine how over-run the club lounge would be?

If the OP wants to do what she is thinking of legitimately, she needs to add the other 2 people to her reservation and pay the charge that will entail. $50 a night, I think. But to just bring up more people until you hit your room capacity is just silly. Club level beneifts are meant for the people staying in the club rooms, not their friends and family.

 

[PSherman37]

If the OP wants to do what she is thinking of legitimately, she needs to add the other 2 people to her reservation and pay the charge that will entail. $50 a night, I think.

The difference is that when booking a DVC 1 bedroom villa there is not an extra charge for the adults. Simplest solution is for her to add her parents on her reservation when she gets there. I know it's tricky because every other concierge would be the $50 a night charge, but in this case, OP would be in the clear.

 

[robinb]

On my last day at DVC Concierge last December a pair of teen boys were hoovering through the breakfast buffet as only two teen boys can do who have not eaten for hours. They filled their plates to the brim and scarfed it all. They, along with their father, rode the down elevator with us to the lobby. The younger boy said: "Dad? Uncle John gave us this gold key. What does it do?"

I answered for the Dad: "It's a for staying people at the Club Level so they can access the Club Lounge." You could hear a pin drop in the elevator.

Back to the OP ... I would just add your parents to your reservation. That will give them both a little gold key.

 

[Little Lulu]

And this is the reason why I haven't been back to the AKL CL.
It was all ruined when DVC entered into the picture.

JMHO, but Club Level and DVC do not go together for the reasons above.

Even when I made my "runs" a couple of weeks ago and talked to the CMs and IPO at some of the resorts , the AKL CM/IPOs even expressed the same thoughts.
What was Disney thinking when they added DVC ontop the AKL?
Much less with CL?

They even offered me a suite to come and try the AKL again.
My favorite suite is now a grand villa.
Which they could not offer me. Never mind. Not with that mess there.

 

[zeltoo]

We've done CL a few times and yes, I wouldn't be pleased to see it taken advantage of.

When we stayed in WL CL in the Honeymoon suite, my daughter (6 at the time) stayed with her grandparents in a regular room. Per our reservation, she was on our room in CL though.

CM's did ask grandma what room they were staying in as they noticed they rode the elevator up every morning to get breakfast. There was no issue once they explained the situation and we always tried to keep it to one person accompanying her. The CM's notice more than we think they do so it's just easier if you add them.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Actually, if I'm being honest, I'd have a problem with you attempting to do anything to "sneak" your parents into CL. The fact that you used "sneak" in your thread title implies that you know this is wrong.

I'm staying at AKL in August, and I paid extra to have access to club level services. I wouldn't think it right to sneak anyone into the lounge who hasn't paid to be there or been (luckily) upgraded to CL.

No one can stop you from bringing your parents some edible goodies from the lounge, but I honestly hope that the CMs turn them away from actually entering the lounge, and I think that putting them under your name when they're not paying for the CL room is sneaky.

I'm sorry if this offends you, but you're asking opinions, and that's mine.

I am sorry Scott, but this person has paid for a room where she is allowed to have 4 people with her. Which means she can bring 4 people to club level. Adding her parents to her room will allow them to use the club level. The fact that the parents choose to have their own room and not stay in the one bedroom should not stop the "kids" from adding the parents to their room. Lets look at this from Disney standpoint. . .4 people pay for a one bedroom and a studio. Both rooms can accommodate 4 people. A total of 8 people can stay in these two rooms, however, there is only 4 people staying. Disney wins financially because of these peoples choices and no one loses. Using the club level is not an issue because the op can add her parents to her room. Her wording is off. . .and she should just have said "can I add my parents to my room so they can use the Club Level lounge?"

 

[cm8]

 

[Sammie]

You do know that adding 2 additional adults to your room will cost you the extra adult charge per day.

Of course the CMs don't mind, it is no inconvenience to them.

 

[Momtomouselover]

The difference is that when booking a DVC 1 bedroom villa there is not an extra charge for the adults. Simplest solution is for her to add her parents on her reservation when she gets there. I know it's tricky because every other concierge would be the $50 a night charge, but in this case, OP would be in the clear.

That is what I was thinking. I don't think there is an extra charge given the class of room. But yes, if it was a standard CL room then she would need to add the names and then pay an extra charge. However, I wouldn't care if she brought her parents once or twice it is just if they want daily use. Just my opinion though.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

The extra charge for adults in a deluxe room are $25 per night. So the OP would have to pay an extra $50 per night to have her parents added to CL.

 

[mickaholic4077]

You do know that adding 2 additional adults to your room will cost you the extra adult charge per day.

Of course the CMs don't mind, it is no inconvenience to them.

The extra charge for adults in a deluxe room are $25 per night. So the OP would have to pay an extra $50 per night to have her parents added to CL.

As previous people have said,when the room is a DVC accomodation,there is no extra per adult charge.

 

[Little Lulu]

As previous people have said,when the room is a DVC accomodation,there is no extra per adult charge.

And what when it is DVC CL?

See? THIS IS WHAT the AKL CL CM/IPOs were talking about!!!
WHen disney added DVC ontop the AKL the whole CL concept went to poop!

You know, we can go back and forth about this til the cows come home......
but it is what it is.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And what when it is DVC CL?

See? THIS IS WHAT the AKL CL CM/IPOs were talking about!!!
WHen disney added DVC ontop the AKL the whole CL concept went to poop!

You know, we can go back and forth about this til the cows come home......
but it is what it is.

There are five two bedroom lockoff villas on the sixth floor which is the same level as the Concierge Lounge. When DVC took over the rooms on the fifth floor, they were also told to take the sixth floor rooms as well. These rooms were converted to studio and one bedroom villas that could be connected to two bedroom lockoffs. The villas on the sixth floor don't have that great a view - the roof overhang blocks the view on the savanna side and the other side is pool view (again not that great a view). These sixth floor rooms were the old "smoking CL rooms" before DVC arrived. Since there was no way to block access to the CL from these rooms, they decided to make them CL villas.

None of the villas on the fifth floor are CL even though they were in the past before DVC entered the scene at AKL/AKV. And none of the Kidani Village villas are CL villas.

By changing the sixth floor to CL villas, they actually reduced the number of CL guests. Those five studios and five one bedroom villas (thus five two bedroom lockoffs) could hold 45 guests (5 guests per one bedroom villa, 4 guests per studio). When they were regular rooms (maybe deluxe rooms) they would have been 15 guest rooms with 4 or 5 guests per room or 60 or 75 guests in the rooms. (a one bedroom was made from two guest rooms)

If a DVC member is staying on the sixth floor, they don't pay any extra for extra adults in the villa since they are using points.

 

[Little Lulu]

Thank you for the reply, Deb or Bill!

There were many of us that did like the 6th floor and they were always full.
My mother always liked to stay there, esp when she was in her wheelchair.
Also, the 5thfloor rooms were deluxes and offered the CL guests the larger rooms the 2 beds PLUS the daybed, hence 5 guests could be in those rooms.
And the best suites were on the 5th floors, too.

Hence, my opinion, stays the same as why I will never return to the AKL CL.
The exclusiveness of that CL has been lost to DVC.


And it is the cheapest of all the deluxes now "for some reason",
including the CLs.
And there's always a suite available there, too.
I'm grateful I got to stay there when it opened ( the inaugural week!) and stayed there 6 times within the next 2 years following. Business and pleasure.
But, it simply holds no appeal to me anymore, JMHO.