Club level stay w/dine plan, does this make since?

[i_heart_the_mouse]

We just stayed CL and for the most part we used the lounge as a restaurant. We have 2 young kids and my wife and I aren't huge eaters. We would enjoy breakfast to start our day and then drop in for snacks when we were back at the resort. I don't think we were "lounge hogs" as one poster suggested, and even if we were, as long as there is enough food for everyone, why is it anyone's business how much food I take?

We frequently saw people taking food and drinks to their rooms, and I never thought anything of it.

What you describe is certainly not what I am referring to as lounge hogs. I would not worry about watching how much others take but for when they DO take everything and leave nothing for others. I did see many families doing this a few weeks ago at the Poly.

One example, when it is sushi night they put out 2 pieces on a little rectangular single serving dish. One family stood there dumping those out so that they could stack 15-20 pieces of sushi on each of their 2-3 plates. By the time they were done there was literally no sushi left for the 20ish people standing in line behind them. Meanwhile the CMs were scrambling to get things refilled at a mad pace. It is just plain rude.

Another example from January, also at the Poly. A group of about 5-6 teens were taking 3-4 plates over and over again and getting a new clean table every time. They would loudly announce that weren't going to sit at a messy table nor clean up their own plates since they were on vacation.

I could go on, but I think my point is clear. These are the people I refer to as lounge hogs. I'm sure you would not appreciate people acting that way either.

 

[Pakey]

We stayed CL in July and only had 2 TS meals. For me CL is a meal replacement because a bowl of cereal for breakfast and 2 hot appetizers for dinner is plenty of food for me. If I want to take my 2 appetizers back to my room I do that too.

I will do the same next month. I've learned if I want to do a lot of TS, I don't bother staying club level. The combination is too much food.

I must be lucky because I've stayed CL many times and I've never had to deal with guests taking 10 plates each and leaving nothing for me.

 

[MMS1125]

What's the makeup of your stay? BWI for how many days then Poly with dining for how many days?

While agree the too much food issue is subjective it is ridiculous to pay for food you know you won't eat. I'd rather pay OOP for meals and split the plate with a kid or my husband.

 

[disneyairforceguy]

Thank you for all the responses. I just wanted to get a few opinions. I hope it didn't start too much trouble.

We are staying 4 nights at BW and 3 at POLY. All CL & all dining plan.

 

[robinb]

Thank you for all the responses. I just wanted to get a few opinions. I hope it didn't start too much trouble.

We are staying 4 nights at BW and 3 at POLY. All CL & all dining plan.

Don't you have to buy passes for both the BW section and the Polynesian section of your reservation?

 

[disneyairforceguy]

Don't you have to buy passes for both the BW section and the Polynesian section of your reservation?

I am doing a split stay with my military disount.

 

[MMS1125]

that's why I asked the makeup of the days. Can you add the DDP to the military room as a pkg w/out buying a ticket? If not you have to buy at least a 1 day ticket to get the DDP and that would be a waste to get it on two different reservations. If you have to buy a ticket I'd do the DDP room w/out CL first and get your tickets then do room only with CL to get the best of both.

 

[disneyairforceguy]

that's why I asked the makeup of the days. Can you add the DDP to the military room as a pkg w/out buying a ticket? If not you have to buy at least a 1 day ticket to get the DDP and that would be a waste to get it on two different reservations. If you have to buy a ticket I'd do the DDP room w/out CL first and get your tickets then do room only with CL to get the best of both.

I get a room only discount and i can purchase the Stars and Stripes ticket seperate.

On our last trip we did the deluxe DP and LOVED IT. This trip i was thinking about staying club level because we never done it before and thought that it would be something different, as we like to spend time at the resorts. Also this might be the last trip for a while so i kind of wanted to go all out and surprise my family. Is staying club level that much nicer?

 

[JJsmama]

When I looked into this a couple years ago, most people said CL + DxDP was WAY too much food and waste. Their advice was to do one or the other.
If you want the DxDP because you want to do the Signature restaurants, I would just drop the CL and get the room you want at the Deluxe resort.

Many people have said that if you are used to 'real Club level at nice resorts' that you may be disappointed with the CL at WDW. Thus, I have never tried Disney CL. (But I have kids with me, so very different scenario.)

If CL and DxDP together fit into your budget nicely, do it. Just know you may be rolling out of the resort or leaving a lot of dining credits unused.

 

[disneyairforceguy]

When I looked into this a couple years ago, most people said CL + DxDP was WAY too much food and waste. Their advice was to do one or the other.
If you want the DxDP because you want to do the Signature restaurants, I would just drop the CL and get the room you want at the Deluxe resort.

Many people have said that if you are used to 'real Club level at nice resorts' that you may be disappointed with the CL at WDW. Thus, I have never tried Disney CL. (But I have kids with me, so very different scenario.)

If CL and DxDP together fit into your budget nicely, do it. Just know you may be rolling out of the resort or leaving a lot of dining credits unused.

It will be CL + Dine plan not deluxe DP. we did want deluxe dp for the Signature dine, but that would be to pricey.

 

[Kaspar Houser]

I get a room only discount and i can purchase the Stars and Stripes ticket seperate.

On our last trip we did the deluxe DP and LOVED IT. This trip i was thinking about staying club level because we never done it before and thought that it would be something different, as we like to spend time at the resorts. Also this might be the last trip for a while so i kind of wanted to go all out and surprise my family. Is staying club level that much nicer?

Yes it is.
You will love it. We also spend a lot of time at the resort because I have cancer and need to rest a lot.
Nothing beats coming "home" at the CL.

 

[disneyairforceguy]

Well i just wanted to say thank you all for your opinions. It has really helped me out in looking at thing in a different light. Good luck to all on your upcoming trips.

 

[Mamu]

Not quite.



Hope your sitting, two nights ago, DH and I each ate a bagel for dinner, while our girls ate some soup and cheese!!! I wasn't aware that was committing some kind of crime!

The assumptions made on these boards amaze me sometimes.

OH BOY DO I AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT!

I'm at Disney to have fun and enjoy the magic, not there to see if other are eating too much, cutting in line or maybe sneaking a drink with the wrong cup.

Yes, were guilty of maybe having seconds at club, taking food back to our room and were the worst offenders of making a salad at the condiment bar.

Were a family of 10 and a average trip cost around $10,000 to $12,000 and we return yearly.

I also know when I return here to the Dis I'll probably read about that family who ate too much at the lounge. My answer to that is

 

[MMS1125]

I get a room only discount and i can purchase the Stars and Stripes ticket seperate.

Can the military add dining without a 1 day base ticket like an AP holder? I'm just confused I guess on how you are getting dining with just a room discount. If so then I say go for what you think is best for your family. Who cares what others think. Only you know how your family eats and if you think it'll be a money saver in the end then it would be worth it.

 

[robinb]

This trip i was thinking about staying club level because we never done it before and thought that it would be something different, as we like to spend time at the resorts. Also this might be the last trip for a while so i kind of wanted to go all out and surprise my family. Is staying club level that much nicer?

Club level is nice because you have a lounge to relax in when you come back to your resort instead of your room. It's a place to have a quick breakfast on your way out to the parks and a place to have a snack or drink when you return. It's also a place to feel more pampered by the staff and receiving a little bit more pixie dust. No one can argue that it isn't "nicer", but for some people it's not worth the extra money.

Who cares what others think. Only you know how your family eats and if you think it'll be a money saver in the end then it would be worth it.

Except he asked for our opinions ...

 

[Mousemommy1]

Can the military add dining without a 1 day base ticket like an AP holder? I'm just confused I guess on how you are getting dining with just a room discount. If so then I say go for what you think is best for your family. Who cares what others think. Only you know how your family eats and if you think it'll be a money saver in the end then it would be worth it.

Yes, with the military discount, you can book dining without the purchase of tickets...just like an AP discount.

 

[MMS1125]

Yes, with the military discount, you can book dining without the purchase of tickets...just like an AP discount.

ok I was confused. Thanks!