Club Level do's and don'ts

[luvthemouse71]

I have to say, I think we're seeing a bit of a generation gap here. The 'it's OK to wear PJs in public' thing is a pretty recent development. It wasn't that long ago that people would point and laugh if you went out in public in pajamas. I mean that literally.....I remember someone coming into the cafeteria in college in their pajamas, and people stopped dead in their tracks, pointed and laughed.

Nowadays, you see them at the gym, in the grocery store, at Starbucks, you name it. But not that long ago....it just was not done.

And I know I'm really dating myself by saying this, but I remember when people dressed up to travel...men in suits, women in dresses on airplanes. Yes, I know, I'm ancient.

I'm in my 30s- not that old. But, I was raised old school. Meaning you wore nice clothes to church or a funeral. You didn't show up at a job interview looking like a slob. You also knew your limitations- you didn't walk around in a belly shirt if you were fat.

Wearing pajamas out side your house or hotel room just looks classless and lazy. Most people with manners wouldn't wear their pjs to a restaurant, so why wear them into the CL lounge?

 

[Ramsfan28]

If you wear them in the theme parks out in public, they are appropriate. I don't drink coffee.

I don't know, I really question how appropriate some of the clothing that is worn at the parks now.. PJ's might be more appropriate and less revealing!

 

[tlbwriter]

So was it wrong when I brought my two friends up to the Atrium Club lounge at the Contemporary to watch the fireworks but they didn't eat or drink anything.

I've never been to the Atrium Club (because I've never paid for it... hmmm, imagine that ) so I don't know how it's set up, but if space is limited, and your friends were taking up limited viewing or seating space, and paying guests were unable to sit or have a good spot to view the fireworks? Then yes, it was wrong.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I've never been to the Atrium Club (because I've never paid for it... hmmm, imagine that ) so I don't know how it's set up, but if space is limited, and your friends were taking up limited viewing or seating space, and paying guests were unable to sit or have a good spot to view the fireworks? Then yes, it was wrong.

Well as I said before there was a lot of space because other guests weren't there, so my friends didn't prevent others from watching Wishes at the time and so I didn't do anything wrong.

 

[WDWAliens]

I love how there are so many justifications for people doing precisely what they want to do.

Guests are fine if they don't eat anything, guests are fine if there are only a few of them, guests are fine if it isn't every night, guests are fine if a CM (who makes $8 an hour and doesn't give a rat's hat WHO is in there) says it is OK, guests are fine if they can't afford their own CL room...

 

[clanmcculloch]

I love how there are so many justifications for people doing precisely what they want to do.

Guests are fine if they don't eat anything, guests are fine if there are only a few of them, guests are fine if it isn't every night, guests are fine if a CM (who makes $8 an hour and doesn't give a rat's hat WHO is in there) says it is OK, guests are fine if they can't afford their own CL room...

I guess guests are only fine as long as they do as YOU believe they should do? Those CMs who you seem to think aren't capable of making a valid decision are authorized by WDW to represent WDW. Your authority to dictate rules is......?

Just to be clear, I've never brought anybody who's not staying CL up to the lounge so no I'm not trying to justify my own actions. I just get so annoyed by the self-righteous of some people on the DIS. I'll never understand why people seem to think that their take on the rules at any business supercede the rules stated by representatives of that business. Those are the rules that I do and would follow in the future unless Disney states otherwise (that last part is important folks).

I personally see the lounge food and drink offerings as being for those who are staying CL but if the lounge is empty then I see nothing wrong with bringing a guest in to sit and chat as long as you've asked permission.

 

[tlbwriter]

Just to be clear, I've never brought anybody who's not staying CL up to the lounge so no I'm not trying to justify my own actions. I just get so annoyed by the self-righteous of some people on the DIS. I'll never understand why people seem to think that their take on the rules at any business supercede the rules stated by representatives of that business. Those are the rules that I do and would follow in the future unless Disney states otherwise (that last part is important folks).

But when the sign on the lounge says "club level guests only" and other CMs *do* enforce this rule, why would you decide that the CM who decides *not* to enforce the rule is the official representative of WDW's policy?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

But when the sign on the lounge says "club level guests only" and other CMs *do* enforce this rule, why would you decide that the CM who decides *not* to enforce the rule is the official representative of WDW's policy?

With the exception of the Polynesian that has a sign outside the Hawaii Longhouse saying the lounge is only for guests staying there or the Tonga Longhouse, none of the other lounges I have been in have any signs saying that.

Now there was that one time at the Contemporary when they put a sign in the lounge saying it was only for guests staying on the Atrium Club floor, however that was only put up after someone brought up 20 family or friends and eventually the sign got taken away. So they never had one before that or needed it.

At the Boardwalk Inn they didn't have any signs in the lounge and the only one I saw was coming from the stairs that lead onto the 4th floor saying access is only for Innkeeper's Club guests only, since they have Deluxe Club Level Rooms on the 3rd floor and taking the stairs is the fastest way getting up there from the 3rd floor.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

If a CM tells a guest "NO", the guest is likely to go screeching to a manager. In the interest of getting the guest to shut up, the manager will allow them to do whatever they want. In the interest of eliminating the need for managerial intervention, the CM is just going to say yes. It is easier to allow it than to disallow it and have things get ugly, especially when the CMs KNOW if it gets taken up the chain of command they will be overridden.

I am paying for an upgraded level of services and amenities. Someone else who is NOT paying for those upgrades should NOT have access to them for free. This is my opinion. Other people will have other opinions.

Regardless of any rules, policies or opinions, people are still going to do whatever they damn well please. So there you have it.

 

[arthropodtodd]

Since I started this thread a couple of days ago, trying to get an honest answer to a simple question, for the most I have just tried to read and get everyone's perspective and opinion. I think I have only commented once when it looked like the debate was about to die off. Yet here we are 6 pages later...

My wife and I have had a lot of discussions about the whole CL thing, as she has been reading this thread as well. We are generally in agreement, with really only one exception, snack time. My thought is if the no one else there, two people and a child could have a snack. Mind you if the place was crowed, busy, and the floor was packed, I would give them a bottle of water or soda, and just hang out for a bit. My wife is more a come, visit, and have a drink (soda/water) but don't eat the food.

Here's the deal, would I let my family up to have breakfast? No.
Would I let family up if the place was full and they would be taking space away from paying guests? No.
Would I let family come up while they were waiting on the California Grills ADR? Yes.
If the area was empty would I let them come up and watch Wishes? Yes. If it was full? No.
I would I let them up everyday? No. Once, maybe twice during a 8 night stay? Yes.
If my family is tired, and staying at the POP, and their 5 year old is whining am I going to stick them on a bus to go back to their own resort, after being at MK, instead of the quick walk back to CR? No. What I am going to say? "Hey, I realize my neice is cranky and needs a break, but sorry, no guests allowed." and walk off?

I think the key to the CL and WDW in general, is personal responsibility. Maybe I am weird but I was raised on the golden rule (do undo others) and to take care of my friends and family. Therefore, I would bring them up for a break and a drink. I wouldn't let them hangout or abuse the CL as they are my guests and it would be rude to the other paying guests. Bringing 20 people to the CL is wrong. Letting people up is wrong. But 2 to 3 people visiting and relaxing for an hour isn't going to ruin someone's trip. (Allow me to be snarky for a minute. If bringing 2-3 people, whom you might not even realize are there or are not paid guests, is such a big deal, then you have bigger fish to fry. I'm just saying...) I am aware of the guests around me (even when not staying on CL and when I am in the parks) and I am not going to do anything to ruin their trip or their stay on CL, just I would hope they would do the same. If another guest brought 2 or 3 people up, I wouldn't care as long as they are respectfull and understand they are getting a special treat and are gracious about it. Personal responsibility also applies to the whole pj tanget as well.

My biggest disappointment on this thread is this level entitlement I am sensing. "I paid for this and they did not. Therefore they should go!" This continues to be the biggest problem with WDW and the Disboards. How many times does someone have to freak out in the parks or resorts when things aren't perfect or aren't how someone preceives how things should be? Sometimes I think WDW (and the boards) brings the worst out of people.

Finally, Disney does not let guess do whatever they want, because that is bad for business and given their profits they know what they are doing. They will be okay with a few guests on Cl. Why? Because they know that when people see the extras they will want to book a stay on CL. They will not be okay with 20 guests, and if a CM is well trained and well placed, they will send them on their way.

So those are my thougths...

 

[tlbwriter]

I think the key to the CL and WDW in general, is personal responsibility. Maybe I am weird but I was raised on the golden rule (do undo others) and to take care of my friends and family. Therefore, I would bring them up for a break and a drink. I wouldn't let them hangout or abuse the CL as they are my guests and it would be rude to the other paying guests. Bringing 20 people to the CL is wrong. Letting people up is wrong. But 2 to 3 people visiting and relaxing for an hour isn't going to ruin someone's trip.

Sorry, but this is laughable, especially coming from someone claiming to be familiar with personal responsibility." You're acting as if those snacks and drinks that you are so "generously" providing have no pricetag. You do realize that the cost of these snacks and drinks is passed on to all CL guests, right? I mean, this is exactly like "generously" sharing a buffet with people who haven't paid for it. If you want to really "take care of your friends and family," why don't you stop by the shop in the lobby and pay for their drinks and snacks out of your own pocket? It's easy to claim you're being generous when you're letting someone else pick up the tab.

 

[ClareH37]

Interesting thread, I've just read from start to finish, and there's some good points there.

From my own perspective I feel CL has 'deteriorated' over the last few years, for a CL newbie I'm sure most will enjoy their stays, but unfortunately I'm just not happy paying the money for an experience that sometimes stresses me out - not by the CMs I must add who are usually wonderful.

I love(d) the BWI CL experience (mainly the CMs who are very special) but I had a few negative experiences with fellow guests who for some reason felt they were 'superior' due to staying CL. I've said it before and I'll say it again a fairly significant proportion of guests staying CL are not paying rack rate, I've paid more for a non CL room before now. However, whether on a discount or not, one is paying for a CL service and therefore it is only right that their expectations are met, but I also feel this applies to non CL stays too.

I've just come to the conclusion that I'm happier using my money for flying first class transatlantic and a shopping trip to the Mall at Millennia

 

[Sinderelly]

Alot of drama in this thread If someone is wearing pj pants and a tshirt who cares, if they are pushing a 10 yr old in a stroller again who cares, if someone is sitting in the CL lounge who is not a guest again who cares. Now it the person pushing the 10 yr old in the stroller is running into you, the person in the pj pants is female and not wearing a shirt or of the non CL guest in the lounge is sitting in a seat and there isn't a place for you to sit. That is different! I believe if we all paid alot less attention to what are others are doing (wearing) the world would be a better place. It it doesn't directly affect you then...who cares

 

[Deb & Bill]

Alot of drama in this thread If someone is wearing pj pants and a tshirt who cares, if they are pushing a 10 yr old in a stroller again who cares, if someone is sitting in the CL lounge who is not a guest again who cares. Now it the person pushing the 10 yr old in the stroller is running into you, the person in the pj pants is female and not wearing a shirt or of the non CL guest in the lounge is sitting in a seat and there isn't a place for you to sit. That is different! I believe if we all paid alot less attention to what are others are doing (wearing) the world would be a better place. It it doesn't directly affect you then...who cares

But what you think doesn't affect you, may affect others. So they care.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

They will not be okay with 20 guests, and if a CM is well trained and well placed, they will send them on their way.

The problem is I have experienced it when someone brought 20 guests not staying at the Contemporary and the Cast Members didn't tell them to leave, instead later that night they added the signs in the lounge saying the Atrium Club was reserved for it's guests only. Now had we arrived after those people were in there and couldn't get a seat we would have complained and said tell those people to leave, however since we were already sitting down what else could we have done and we couldn't tell those people to leave.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Interesting thread, I've just read from start to finish, and there's some good points there.

From my own perspective I feel CL has 'deteriorated' over the last few years, for a CL newbie I'm sure most will enjoy their stays, but unfortunately I'm just not happy paying the money for an experience that sometimes stresses me out - not by the CMs I must add who are usually wonderful.

I love(d) the BWI CL experience (mainly the CMs who are very special) but I had a few negative experiences with fellow guests who for some reason felt they were 'superior' due to staying CL. I've said it before and I'll say it again a fairly significant proportion of guests staying CL are not paying rack rate, I've paid more for a non CL room before now. However, whether on a discount or not, one is paying for a CL service and therefore it is only right that their expectations are met, but I also feel this applies to non CL stays too.

I've just come to the conclusion that I'm happier using my money for flying first class transatlantic and a shopping trip to the Mall at Millennia

I agree with all your comments. In the past we have also stayed Club Level without any discounts and recently we have been getting discount Club Level rates. However no matter how much we paid for our room we don't consider ourselves to be any better then the other guests who are staying there, so we don't around asking for stuff which we know we can't get like a full bottle of Wine, which I saw someone else ask for last month when staying Club Level at the Boardwalk Inn.

 

[hrt2hrtmomdeb]

Alot of drama in this thread If someone is wearing pj pants and a tshirt who cares, if they are pushing a 10 yr old in a stroller again who cares, if someone is sitting in the CL lounge who is not a guest again who cares. Now it the person pushing the 10 yr old in the stroller is running into you, the person in the pj pants is female and not wearing a shirt or of the non CL guest in the lounge is sitting in a seat and there isn't a place for you to sit. That is different! I believe if we all paid alot less attention to what are others are doing (wearing) the world would be a better place. It it doesn't directly affect you then...who cares

I completely agree! Now everyone needs to agree to disagree and move on with life! The horse is dead, we can stop beating him now.

 

[kmk1180]

Yeah - I guess I was a fool to have my in-laws pay for cl room when I could have just "snuck" them in each day!

What people don't seem to realize is that having all these extra "guests" ends up costing more for food and drinks which will probably be passed on to next year's cl guests. Imagine if every room thought it would be okay to bring 1, 2 or 3 extra guests. Goodness knows BC CL lounge is small enough for PAYING guests.

I guess I just always believe that you should pay for what you get - not take something you are not entitled to.

I do agree with this.
And that unfortuately is the direction the disboards has headed lately.
People whine and complaining about anything and everything because they think they should be able to do whatever the please.

In August 2006 just after 10:00 PM when the Atrium Club Cast Members were cleaning up for the night, I was coming back from the Magic Kingdom with some friends because I had some gifts to give them in my room and one of the Cast Members wanted to know if they wanted any cans of Coca Cola or Spite? Since it was a Cast Member who brought it up obviously she didn't mind and since the lounge was not serving any more food or drinks that night it's not like they prevented any guests from getting them. So I guess once in a while they will do stuff like that and who are we to judge them when a Cast Member offers.

But this is true too.
Seriously why would it be so hard to ask in advance first?
But ask before bringing they up.
If the CM say ok, they let them visit.

 

[arthropodtodd]

We killed a horse? Is that where Disney Bacon comes from?

 

[hrt2hrtmomdeb]

Hmmmm it has tasted a bit different lately..... i believe you're on to something!