Club Level do's and don'ts

[sjs314]

At the BC lounge last month, my family and I were relaxing after a long day at MK. We heard a woman on the phone on the table next to us LOUDLY inviting someone up to the lounge, saying she would let them in, there was plenty of food, blah blah.

Then they arrived.. at least 10 people. I thought for sure that a CM would notice but no one did. These people made themselves at home, and ate plenty of food. It really was a sight. Due to this, I have a biased view on this topic.

And in terms of the PJ thing.. I wasn't offended by anyone wearing PJs in the lounge. But thanks to the man who arrived in his robe, barefoot, and picked up several bagels with his hands, no robes please

The only time where we saw guests that did not belong in a Club Level lounge was in August 2009 at the Contemporary. Someone staying up there invited at least 20 people or more that was either family or friends, who were very loud and eating a lot of the foods and drinks, plus they had little kids with them running around the lounge. Well to say the least it was not enjoyable trying to relax up there. When we went to speak with one of the Cast Members he appologized and said the 1st time a guest does that they are not allowed to say anything, however if they did that a 2nd time then the people not staying up there would be asked to leave. Now what they did do was later in the evening they put signs out in the lounge that said it was reserved for Atrium Club guests only and it was the 1st time they ever used them.

I am sure if guests continue to abuse their CL priviledges by bringing in guests not staying CL themselves, one day the resorts will be forced to "police" the lounge and ask to see KTTW cards just as what happened at SAB pool at YC/BC when guest not staying at the resort insisted on pool hopping.

 

[luvthemouse71]

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

Thanks, you beat me to it. To me, if you didn't pay for CL, you shouldn't get to use CL. ( exceptions being if you got upgraded.

And I saw a family get booted out of CL that didn't belong there. They were bragging so a little birdie ratted them out..oops.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

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.

Yes that story I said was 100% true and why would I make it up? Now if you read what I said my friends were only up there because I had some things to give them which was in my room and as we walked towards there we needed to go past the lounge. So I will say again it was after 10:00 PM and the lounge was closed for the evening and the Cast Members were cleaning up, that's when one of them said hello to me and asked if my friends wanted any drinks? So there was no reason for me to ask in advance for brining up some people into my room which anyone is allowed to do.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am sure if guests continue to abuse their CL priviledges by bringing in guests not staying CL themselves, one day the resorts will be forced to "police" the lounge and ask to see KTTW cards just as what happened at SAB pool at YC/BC when guest not staying at the resort insisted on pool hopping.

We asked the Club Level Cast Members at the Boardwalk Inn how can they tell if a guest is not staying Club Level? They told us they can recognizance their guests because they would have checked in with the Cast Members in the lounge and then they would ask those people what their room number was, because they know which rooms are Club Level and ones that are not. So they seem to be on top of that compared to the other Club Level lounges.

 

[kmk1180]

Yes that story I said was 100% true and why would I make it up? Now if you read what I said my friends were only up there because I had some things to give them which was in my room and as we walked towards there we needed to go past the lounge. So I will say again it was after 10:00 PM and the lounge was closed for the evening and the Cast Members were cleaning up, that's when one of them said hello to me and asked if my friends wanted any drinks? So there was no reason for me to ask in advance for brining up some people into my room which anyone is allowed to do.

I'm not doubting you.
I'm agreeing with you.

 

[tlbwriter]

I am sure if guests continue to abuse their CL priviledges by bringing in guests not staying CL themselves, one day the resorts will be forced to "police" the lounge and ask to see KTTW cards just as what happened at SAB pool at YC/BC when guest not staying at the resort insisted on pool hopping.

That's a good point. I'm sure many of those pool hoppers said "I asked a CM and they said it was okay" or "It wasn't crowded so it was okay" or "I didn't take up a chair so it was okay." But the bottom line is, if they didn't pay to be there, they shouldn't be there.

 

[jlk806]

I like a good discussion hence I started this thread, hooray me! Here are my thoughts...

If paid for CL I should be able to wear my pjs to breakfast..lol kidding of course!

I will admit that I don't buy into the agrument, that because I can afford CL that I shouldn't be able share with my wife's immediate family members. It is not like I am just going to throw the food from the balcony yelling "free food!" Also, if I had a lot of family, I wouldn't invite all of them up to the floor. We are thinking about a large family trip in a few years that would include close to 30 people, they wouldn't be invited, but a 25, 23, and 5 year old aren't going to eat the floor out of house and home, especially as picky eaters who would more enjoy a beer or soda over the snacks. I also don't plan on having them up there nighty, cause sometimes you need a break from family, but I doubt one (maybe two nights) will ruin the CL for everyone else. Afterall the average crowd that week is a 1.7 It will be ghost town!

I think the best thing said is to ask the staff. While they are trained to talk with people they are not trained to let people do whatever the heck they want; could you imagine what WDW would be like if they let you do whatever you want? (sounds like I have a new thread to create lol) I have asked for permission to do things before and CMs have politely told me no and I am fine with that.

Its not the point that 3 people arent going to ruin it for others - its the point that if they didnt pay for it, they dont belong there. And this is coming from me, someone who has never booked CL, it is just not something I see value in. BUT if I did, I would be livid that others who didnt pay for it are able to enjoy it as someones guest. If you dont pay for it, you dont belong there. PERIOD.

 

[Kim1964]

I don't think it's an attitude of "entitlement" to believe that if one person has paid to stay CL and another person has not, that the person who paid to stay CL belongs there and the one who didn't doesn't. Staying CL is a service for which Disney (usually) charges...if you haven't paid for the service, you shouldn't be using the service. It's just like the pool hopping issue....if someone has paid $300 a night to stay at a resort that offers a pool like SAB, the person who paid $80 a night to stay at a different resort simply hasn't paid for the service of SAB and shouldn't be using it.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Do you book one first class seat on a plane and then invite your friends and family from coach to the front of the plane as your guests? Same concept.

 

[calismic]

Haven't read through all of the replies, but my husband and I stayed in Sugar Loaf @Grand Floridian for our wedding/honeymoon. We invited my In-laws over to see the room and before going up we went to the concierge desk to make sure it was ok to bring them in. Not only did Concierge say it was ok, they offered them a drink and some snacks from the lounge. I definitely agree it is not appropriate to share your privileges, but if you take a moment to politely ask if its ok to bring your family up, you may be surprised at the treatment you receive!

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Its not the point that 3 people arent going to ruin it for others - its the point that if they didnt pay for it, they dont belong there. And this is coming from me, someone who has never booked CL, it is just not something I see value in. BUT if I did, I would be livid that others who didnt pay for it are able to enjoy it as someones guest. If you dont pay for it, you dont belong there. PERIOD.

Using that logic, then no one could ever share with any one else on this earth or ever give anyone a gift. According to you, if you do not pay for it, you do not deserve it.

I disagree.

I think it is nice when people can share and when people can give. Not everything in life has to be bought and paid for.

If a CM wants to allow people to enjoy something that they didn't pay for, then so be it. Some of the best Disney magic I have ever experienced has come from this principle. I will never forget the time I threw away my four year old's leftover drink, and she started crying. A CM came racing over and gave me a coupon for a free one. He said that he had those little slips for emergencies just like this one, and I will be forever grateful.

What if a single man is staying club level and wanted to bring one date to the lounge? Is that allowed?

Why can't the price people pay for club level occasionally include a guest or two? What if it was written in the room description that it did? Then, would you have a problem with it?

Why can't Disney employees make decisions at their discretion? Do they honestly do that poor of a job at it? I think they are pretty good at the balancing act myself.

If I was a store owner, I would want my employees to be able to decide when to share (or give away) a freebie or two. I would NOT want my customers deciding whether or not I have the power to give away a product or service. That decision would be for me and my employees alone! I trust Disney to hire employees smart enough to make those decisions.

 

[Bolebrothers]

After reading 8 pages of this tread, I am looking forward to our first visit to Florida, and WDW and the Poly CL.
I now truly believe this must be the happiest place on earth.....

And maybe us northern Europeans are a bit "slow" on the uptake but we choose the CL for the location, the IPO and the view. not for the food or lounge...
We plan to eat elsewhere and go sit on the beach - outside like.....

 

[nyc2theworld]

For those that think that just because they ask and the cast member says "sure, ok" they are fine they are forgetting that cast member is risking reprimand from managment for being nice to you. People who sneak their friends into the CL as basically saying the same thing as below.

"Hey my sister and her kids decied to stay at ASMu while I booked concierge level at the GF. Can you please upgrade my sister and kids to CL GF so we can all be together?"

Just because a cast member says yes doesn't mean its within Disney policy.

When they say yes that is called a courtesy and should be as treated as such. I.E. your guests should be like flies on the wall and not disrupt and be in the way of people who have reserved a room through $$$, points, or were given an upgrade by Disney. Taking over the lounge with your family and/or eating like its a meal for the day especially when you don't deserve to be there in the first place is just rude and shows that you have a total lack of class.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

For those that think that just because they ask and the cast member says "sure, ok" they are fine they are forgetting that cast member is risking reprimand from managment for being nice to you. People who sneak their friends into the CL as basically saying the same thing as below.

"Hey my sister and her kids decied to stay at ASMu while I booked concierge level at the GF. Can you please upgrade my sister and kids to CL GF so we can all be together?"

Just because a cast member says yes doesn't mean its within Disney policy.

When they say yes that is called a courtesy and should be as treated as such. I.E. your guests should be like flies on the wall and not disrupt and be in the way of people who have reserved a room through $$$, points, or were given an upgrade by Disney. Taking over the lounge with your family and/or eating like its a meal for the day especially when you don't deserve to be there in the first place is just rude and shows that you have a total lack of class.

Cast members are not risking reprimand from management for being nice to you. And yes, whether anyone is giving you a courtesy or not, you should be polite. However, I do not think anyone needs to be like a fly on the wall at Disney, ever. Disney is meant to be enjoyed.

 

[Disneyholic]

In my opinion, people who are not registered guests on club level do not belong in the lounge. Everyone has the option of booking and paying for club level. The amenities should not be accessible to guests' friends, family, co-workers, random acquaintances, etc.

I agree. We have stayed CL twice. Once at AKL and once at BC. AKL lounge is fairly large & we hardly ever had a problem finding a place to sit. BC lounge is way too small for the amount of people who were in there almost every time we went in. There were quite a few times we had to stand too eat because every table & chair was full. I was beginning to wonder myself if someone had brought guest along. Food ran out early too.

 

[nyc2theworld]

Cast members are not risking reprimand from management for being nice to you. And yes, whether anyone is giving you a courtesy or not, you should be polite. However, I do not think anyone needs to be like a fly on the wall at Disney, ever. Disney is meant to be enjoyed.

Its meant to be enjoyed provided you pay the price for admission. If you are sneaking into or asking a CM to break a rule for your enjoyment then you are not paying the necessary costs for admission. And cast members do not have carte blanche authority to bend rules just to make guests happy...ask a turnstyle CM if they decide to let 20 people into the park for free because it makes that group happy if they aren't risking reprimand.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Its meant to be enjoyed provided you pay the price for admission. If you are sneaking into or asking a CM to break a rule for your enjoyment then you are not paying the necessary costs for admission. And cast members do not have carte blanche authority to bend rules just to make guests happy...ask a turnstyle CM if they decide to let 20 people into the park for free because it makes that group happy if they aren't risking reprimand.

It is meant to be enjoyed provided you pay the price for admission OR a cast member grants you that privilege. And yes, you are correct, cast members do not have *carte blanche* authority to bend rules just to make guests happy. However, no one on here suggested they have carte blanche authority to bend rules just to make guests happy.

What I did suggest was that cast members do have the authority to occasionally share or give away Disney products and/or services.

There is a lot of grey area, at Disney, and in life. Business owners hire employees to make these kinds of decisions every day. If the employees are bad at it (in either direction), customers will be unhappy. I have found Disney employees to be quite good at it, even in the club level lounges.

I do not think there is anything wrong with customers asking for businesses to give samples or free trials of products and services. So, in the do's and don'ts of club level etiquette, I do not think there is anything wrong with asking the appropriate cast member. He or she is paid to make those kinds of decisions.

 

[nyc2theworld]

It is meant to be enjoyed provided you pay the price for admission OR a cast member grants you that privilege. And yes, you are correct, cast members do not have *carte blanche* authority to bend rules just to make guests happy. However, no one on here suggested they have carte blanche authority to bend rules just to make guests happy.

What I did suggest was that cast members do have the authority to occasionally share or give away Disney products and/or services.

There is a lot of grey area, at Disney, and in life. Business owners hire employees to make these kinds of decisions every day. If the employees are bad at it (in either direction), customers will be unhappy. I have found Disney employees to be quite good at it, even in the club level lounges.

I do not think there is anything wrong with customers asking for businesses to give samples or free trials of products and services. So, in the do's and don'ts of club level etiquette, I do not think there is anything wrong with asking the appropriate cast member. He or she is paid to make those kinds of decisions.

Mangement has the authority to give something away, a CM just in the position of CL host does not. The vast majority of CMs are there to implement the policies and procedures of management. You do not run a 60,000+ organization letting the lowest people on your organizational chart make decisions affecting your bottom line daily.

The prime example is that "free drink" that was mentioned earlier. Mangement had a policy in which they allow cast members to give away a certain number of free drinks for guest satisfaction. That CM saw an unsatisfied guest and implemented the policy of management to give away that drink. Rest assured that coupon wasn't some random sheet of paper that can't be tracked back to that CM to see if they are giving away an excessive amount of drinks under that policy.

Lastly, obviously customers are unhappy about the CL CM decisions as they are constantly running out of food...which is a symptom of too many people...which is a result of people who don't belong in the CL being there.

I have a question for people who think that bringing guests to the CL is ok.

If you pay for yourself to eat at Boma, is it fair to have someone else join you (and not pay) while you bring them plate after plate of food?​

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't think it's an attitude of "entitlement" to believe that if one person has paid to stay CL and another person has not, that the person who paid to stay CL belongs there and the one who didn't doesn't. Staying CL is a service for which Disney (usually) charges...if you haven't paid for the service, you shouldn't be using the service. It's just like the pool hopping issue....if someone has paid $300 a night to stay at a resort that offers a pool like SAB, the person who paid $80 a night to stay at a different resort simply hasn't paid for the service of SAB and shouldn't be using it.

I agree with this 100%.

I will never understand why people think they can book something that does NOT include certain services and amenities, yet they feel those services and amenities should be extended to them, free of charge, just because they want them. Again, club level is available for booking by ANYONE. It is not invitation only, you do not need a referral, a PIN, a secret handshake, or anything else that would make the reservation prohibitively difficult. If you want to have access to club level, BOOK IT and PAY for it. Otherwise, enjoy your vacation without those particular amenities.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I did not read thru the entire thread.
I think that people that pay for Cl are paying for the amenities and "xtra's"
If you do not pay for them, they are not yours to use. Does that mean that you may "luck out" and be permitted to use them by a CM and now feel its your "right", no. You got lucky, I suppose. Personally I would not have the nerve to even ask, but thats just me. When and if we choose CL, is just that "a choice". We did it for July 4th Holiday get away at Poly and loved it. There were people that "got in" and took up the space at the beach, etc, but overall it was a wonderful experience and we very much enjoyed it. I think that some people are nervy and some just think that since its disney they are "entitled" but I just happen to see it differently.
I guess I would not expect a Hyundai to act like a Mercedes, you generally get what you "pay for" ....if you choose to Pay for it. I do not think it is appropriate to bring friends/family into a lounge and get food/drinks that you are not entitled too.......it is an amenity for the person that paid........flame suit on.............