Club Level: If you could only stay at one resort CL ever again................

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Which would it be and why?

Please indicate which resort CL you have stayed in and which would be your choice, as well as what factors give that resort the edge over the others

Booking a 2 bedroom suite and agonizing over my options...please help me out

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Calling folks like @trishadono and @TJA for their assistance!

You probably know this but the 2BR suite CL experience is going to vary a bit from the standard CL experience. For those resorts that have them, suites can sometimes be in different buildings and/or floors than the regular block of CL rooms and the CL lounge. But not always, depends on the resort.

I have stayed Poly CL, GF RPC, WL CL, CR Atrium, and BC CL (one night, in full disclosure), all over the last 3-4 years. The "which one CL ever again" question for me is just SOOO hard. I love them all for different reasons.

But if I can turn it around on you a bit...
1) How long is your trip?
2) Will it be everyone in your sig?
3) Are you Disney pros/regulars or is this a once in a lifetime trip?
4) Do you spend more time in any one park over others?

I love planning a CL trip. So exciting!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have only stayed CL at WL, YC and BC. Our favorite of the 3 was by far the WL. The food options were wonderful, we loved our room and the CM's on the CL staff there were amazing!

This year we are staying Poly CL and we are excited to give it a shot!

 

[mickeynut1]

Which would it be and why?

Please indicate which resort CL you have stayed in and which would be your choice, as well as what factors give that resort the edge over the others

Booking a 2 bedroom suite and agonizing over my options...please help me out

We've only tried 3 CLs (GF RPC, GF SL, & WL CL) and my choice would be GF RPC. Staying in the main building at the GF is amazing! The CMs are some of the best (IMO) and the lounge is spacious with beautiful views of the grounds. It's relaxing to sit in the lounge watching the hustle and bustle of the lobby while listening to the band play. Good luck deciding, hope you have a great trip at whichever CL you choose .

 

[trishadono]

Which would it be and why?

Please indicate which resort CL you have stayed in and which would be your choice, as well as what factors give that resort the edge over the others

Booking a 2 bedroom suite and agonizing over my options...please help me out

@GADisneyDad14

I have done cr atrium tpv a few times and the outer building hospitality suite.

Poly gv, lv and tpv cl.

Gf RPC deluxe king both versions, 2 nd floor tpv and the octagon one. Sl 3 times once in the larger deluxe .

Wl, bc and akl all only once.

If I did a 2 br suite I would not do poly cause tonga not on the beach .

No to gf because they on top floor and dormer rooms main building and sl and not close to lounge for outer buildings.

I love MK area so I would do cr tower club tpv. Those rooms are huge and balconies large .

The 2 br suites over boardwalk area would be nice but I love my mk and monorail .

Have to say for the money we loved the BLT 2 bedroom villa and the gf 2br villa . Both were great because they are newer than CR.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

AK it was just delightful. The staff were friendly, the food and drink great. Love the location of the lounge. GF was the worse. Beyond cold and rude. I called it Sugar aloof.

 

[Ewoks]

We had the Vice Presidential Suite at the Contemporary back in January. I can honestly say it blew me away. It was two bedrooms with a breathtaking view of Bay Lake. It had six balcony areas, and its on the top floor so you can easily see EPCOT and MGM fireworks (not to mention a breathtaking Electrical Water Pageant view!). You can also walk a few steps across the hallway and see the nightly MK fireworks from the beautiful CL lounge balconies too. Best of both worlds!!

The suites at CR are all on the 14th floor unless you book a Garden Wing suite. If you book a GW suite, you'll have access to the 12th floor Atrium Club lounge. The 14th floor Tower Club lounge is the best on property, IMO. There are a total of 16 rooms on that floor, and the lounge is quite big enough to handle all that and then some. It's also almost always empty, so it's like you have the entire place to yourself. The food is excellent. The CMs go so above and beyond other CLs we've experienced! It's very personal. I can't recommend it enough!

 

[TJA]

As far as your specific room type, @Ewoks post above has almost sold me on staying at the VP CR Suite! Wow - that sounds awesome if we needed that type of room!

We've never stayed in a 2-bedroom suite, but I thought I'd post a few thoughts about staying CL in general. We've stayed CL at:

CR TPV;
GF RPC;
Poly GV, LV, TPV;
WL;
BC SV, GV, LV; and
BWI deluxe.

Besides the CL experience, the resort itself plays a huge role in our overall enjoyment. The CL is icing on the cake for us - it completes our vacation. But first we need a resort that is relaxing, easy room-to-lounge layout, has walking path and/or monorail to a park or two, and has great pools. Once we find that in a resort, then tack the CL on and we're all set. Now if the lounge offers a fantastic view, then we're sold probably forever on the resort. As of right now, we find that Poly and GF RPC both fit our every want/need. Looking forward in a couple months to trying GF SL and AKL CL's.

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Thanks for all the information! Can anyone break down some of the less obvious acronyms for me please? The resorts I get, but some of the different names for the club levels have me stumped

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for all the information! Can anyone break down some of the less obvious acronyms for me please? The resorts I get, but some of the different names for the club levels have me stumped

We do this to confuse you on purpose. I kid...

View Categories:
TPV - Theme Park View
LV - Lagoon View
GV - Garden View
SV - Standard View

The Grand Flordian (GF) has two CL options: Royal Palm Club (RPC) which are all of the rooms in the main building. Also Sugar Loaf (SL) which is one of the outer buildings. On Disney's website, when it says "Main Building Club Level" that is Royal Palm Club (RPC). When it says "Outer Building Club Level" that is Sugar Loaf (SL). Note that I "think" some of the 2BR Suites here can be physically located in other buildings than the main building or Sugar Loaf, you just have access to the club lounges of each (make sure to check this, I'm not totally confident on how this works at GF).

The Contemporary Resort (CR) also has two CL options: Atrium Club (Atrium) which is the 12th floor and is all standard rooms. There is also the Tower Club (Tower) which is the 14th floor and is mostly suites of various sizes. You won't see references to Tower Club on Disney's website. The 2BR suites are in Tower Club here.

The Polynesian (Poly) has a main club level building (the Hawaii longhouse) but also a very small second club level building called Tonga that has a handful of suites, including the 2BR. If you were to book a 2BR suite here, you'd be in the Tonga longhouse.

Disney does a TERRIBLE job with some of their larger suite options on their website. Some of them don't show up and are only bookable by phone. When you get to the point of booking or have it narrowed down a bit, definitely call, if you haven't already.

The 2BR suites are a somewhat rare bird, there just aren't that many of them around!

Does that help?

 

[sandyplayer]

We stayed at Poly in Hawaii on the first floor in a theme park view room and Boardwalk in a deluxe queen overlooking the Boardwalk.
The room at Boardwalk was amazing, as was the balcony. The Poly room was good enough.
As for the lounges, the people at Boardwalk were incredible, but the Hawaii lounge is just the best. It's more spacious and airy. We loved the view!
And for us, it was really about location....getting to the pool and outside was just so much easier at the Poly than at the Boardwalk. The long walk through the halls and down an elevator at the Boardwalk was what made us not feel like we were in a relaxing resort. For us, Poly could not be beat in terms of its proximity to the beach and pool. Also, because we had theme park view, watching the fireworks and electric water pageant from our room was amazing. And having coffee on the patio at 6 am while watching the castle change colors? It doesn't get better than that!

 

[Babsy]

1. We have stayed at all the resort CL's over the years. Some much more recently than others but all within the last 5 years. Our favourite is the Grand Floridian Royal Palm Club (main building). We stayed in a King bed room overlooking the marina with a perfect view of the castle and fireworks. The room was amazing and the balcony was larger than the others in that area. It was wonderful!!
2. The lounge overlooks the lobby of the main building. While relaxing in the lounge with a beverage &/or snack you can often listen to the band or pianist playing below. The lounge has windows overlooking the GF grounds, but does not have a view of the MK and castle. the food is the best CL food offered, IMO. The variety is wider and there is an afternoon tea that you don't get anywhere else. Delicious scones, cream and preserves!! YUM!
3. The GF SL offers the same food at a much reduced price but without the WOW experience of staying in the main building and with a CL lounge that is basically a spot to grab a bite rather than a relaxing place to spend much time.

Our second choice for CL would be either the POLY or the CR due to the wonderful views of the MK at both. Each view is spectacular in different ways. We like the food better at the CR, plus we like being in the main building like you are in GF RPC, but the POLY has a really special atmosphere that is hard to beat.

Every CL has its own unique advantages, but the ones near the MK are the best of the best, IMO.

 

[Babsy]

@GADisneyDad14

Have to say for the money we loved the BLT 2 bedroom villa and the gf 2br villa . Both were great because they are newer than CR.

Trish,

In the BLT or GF 2 bedroom villa, did either have two real queen beds in the second bedroom? I would love to say in either with a king and two queens. Looking forward to a (hopefully soon) stay in one with my DD and family.

Thank you!

 

[izzylovesmickey]

We've stayed at BC CL, AK CL and WL CL within the last three summers. Of the three BC is our favorite with AK a close second and WL a distant third.

Food-BC most choices , AK different and interesting choices.
CMs-BC has been the most consistent and we've had the most stays there.
Distance to the lounge-BC for us has been the closest. We've had rooms over the lakeside entrance or SAB. AK-we were on the 4th floor but were fairly close to the elevator, so it was a quick trip to the lounge. WL-we had a deluxe room and we were on the second floor so it was a long walk to the lounge.

Hoping to try them all in the future but we have a hard time leaving the BC.

 

[trishadono]

Trish,

In the BLT or GF 2 bedroom villa, did either have two real queen beds in the second bedroom? I would love to say in either with a king and two queens. Looking forward to a (hopefully soon) stay in one with my DD and family.

Thank you!

There is the king in the master and the 2 queens in 2nd. Also queen for sofa and a small twin . The length was good just narrower for the twin. My ds 6ft fit.

Blt advantage 3 full bathrooms.

Gf had balcony 3 rooms in length.

However blt has 2 separate/private balconies .

Gf has most the modern technology yet blt has better transportation. I love walking to MK.

Love both and would do again. For our family trips they are great.

Since this is cl thread I will add for our group dw, dh, dd21, ds19the villas with space are better than in the same room and get cl benefits.

However me and dh, or dd alone trips I love cl. I manage fine with dd and ds for anything. Ds is starting to enjoy the endless chocolate chip cookies and milk he gets with cl.

Dd has always wanted or enjoyed it.

 

[Babsy]

There is the king in the master and the 2 queens in 2nd. Also queen for sofa and a small twin . The length was good just narrower for the twin. My ds 6ft fit.

Blt advantage 3 full bathrooms.

Gf had balcony 3 rooms in length.

However blt has 2 separate/private balconies .

Gf has most the modern technology yet blt has better transportation. I love walking to MK.

Love both and would do again. For our family trips they are great.

Since this is cl thread I will add for our group dw, dh, dd21, ds19the villas with space are better than in the same room and get cl benefits.

However me and dh, or dd alone trips I love cl. I manage fine with dd and ds for anything. Ds is starting to enjoy the endless chocolate chip cookies and milk he gets with cl.

Dd has always wanted or enjoyed it.

Thank you!!!!! You are awesome!
I was afraid that there would be a queen and a sleeper sofa in the second bedroom. We really want the three real beds!

Yes, DH and I love CL as well. (I'm not keen to cook on vacation! LOL!) Also, our DS and family enjoy CL with us on occasion (although they own GF DVC). However, my DD's son has many severe allergies so a full kitchen is essential and eating in a lounge or restaurant impossible. Hence the move to a spacious DVC villa. It will be me, DH, DD, DSIL, DGS(4) and DGS(2). We don't want anyone sleeping in the Living Room. So BLT should be perfect. However, if DS and family decide to come as well, we may end up at VGF.

 

[pas130]

Thanks for all the information! Can anyone break down some of the less obvious acronyms for me please? The resorts I get, but some of the different names for the club levels have me stumped

I'm looking at your signature, and I would recommend a monorail resort with littles. That said, club level wise Boardwalk Inn is a WOW. Beach Club with Stormalong Bay is amazing. But the Contemporary suites are on a dedicated floor, with a walk to Magic Kingdom SWOON!!! I've done the Animal Kingdom 2 bedroom and it was far far away from the lounge. Yacht Club is being refurbished this year, but we also had a 2 BR turret suite which was right near the lobby and elevators LOVED our stay there too. Yes, I am NO help.

@Babsy Trishadono is awesome, isn't she? (TJA and GADisneyDad you are too )

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

We do this to confuse you on purpose. I kid...

View Categories:
TPV - Theme Park View
LV - Lagoon View
GV - Garden View
SV - Standard View

The Grand Flordian (GF) has two CL options: Royal Palm Club (RPC) which are all of the rooms in the main building. Also Sugar Loaf (SL) which is one of the outer buildings. On Disney's website, when it says "Main Building Club Level" that is Royal Palm Club (RPC). When it says "Outer Building Club Level" that is Sugar Loaf (SL). Note that I "think" some of the 2BR Suites here can be physically located in other buildings than the main building or Sugar Loaf, you just have access to the club lounges of each (make sure to check this, I'm not totally confident on how this works at GF).

The Contemporary Resort (CR) also has two CL options: Atrium Club (Atrium) which is the 12th floor and is all standard rooms. There is also the Tower Club (Tower) which is the 14th floor and is mostly suites of various sizes. You won't see references to Tower Club on Disney's website. The 2BR suites are in Tower Club here.

The Polynesian (Poly) has a main club level building (the Hawaii longhouse) but also a very small second club level building called Tonga that has a handful of suites, including the 2BR. If you were to book a 2BR suite here, you'd be in the Tonga longhouse.

Disney does a TERRIBLE job with some of their larger suite options on their website. Some of them don't show up and are only bookable by phone. When you get to the point of booking or have it narrowed down a bit, definitely call, if you haven't already.

The 2BR suites are a somewhat rare bird, there just aren't that many of them around!

Does that help?

Absolutely does! Thanks so much!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP - I have no idea of your circumstances or perspective, but I wanted to throw out that if this were me, I think I'd do CR Tower Club CL. I read so many great reviews about it and I've always wanted to stay on that floor. I say this because 1) the usual (but not always) great reviews about Tower Club, 2) it's one of the few CL's where the 2BR suites are actually the main focus and not on a different floor / other building that than the regular CL rooms.

CR has some negatives too, but those are my initial thoughts. You have me so curious, where are you leaning?

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

Between GF and CR I think...WL has the construction, I want to be MK Area with the littles...Monorail would be ideal...Or last (non-CL, but TPV over the week after Christmas, so a pretty penny) experience at Poly left a lot to be desired...I had to go to the front desk to get toilet paper. They kind of lost me after that.