Concierge/Club Level Information - Part II (Sept 2009)

[mdrob214]

I once had a Cast Member tell me that they never heard of the gold cards and didn't know they had them.

We had several ask us about them, too. You'd think they would know by now.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We had several ask us about them, too. You'd think they would know by now.

Well there are a lot of things Cast Members don't know about which guests already know, however this would be way down on their list of things they should know about. I say as long as the Club Level Cast Members know to give them out when we check-in then that's all which matters the most.

 

[yoeleven]

Are they checked each time you enter the lounge? September will be our first CL stay.

 

[Tess]

Are they checked each time you enter the lounge? September will be our first CL stay.

Nope. . .

At the Polynesian you use your room key to access the building. At GF (RPC), AKL, BC and YC, you needed to use the key in the elevator to get to the floor. Odd thing was at BC/YC, you could come up the stairwell and no key was required to gain access to the CL floor. IIRC, you used the key to enter the lounge at BWI--don't quote me though--it's been many years since we were there and it is a vague memory.

I've never been asked, while in the lounges, for a key.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Are they checked each time you enter the lounge? September will be our first CL stay.

At most of the resorts you are required to insert your KTTW cards in the elevator or doors to access the lounges, so the Cast Members don't go asking for extra proof. I also know at the Boardwalk since they don't have a specifc Club Level floor you are required to have your KTTW cards with you and I assume that opens the door to their lounge.

 

[HaleyB]

Can anyone tell me where the AKL CL rooms are? I am really wondering if I should put in a room request or just roll the dice. I don't mind being way at the end of the long halls but I do really like to have Giraffes outside my room. I am woefully unprepared for this trip and can't remember which trails have which animals or even what view CL rooms have (or if that is not the same for all of them?).

Also I booked CL-Standard. Is there another CL room type (besides suites, of course)? CL-Standard was all that was offered to me.

I am kicking myself for not booking the Sunrise safari. I read some mixed reviews and we only have 3 nights, so I decided to skip it this time.

 

[ljcrochet]

Is it too late to try and add the Sunrise Safari? It was the highlight of my concierge stay.

I think the concierge rooms are on the 4th floor and the 6th floor along with the DVC concierge rooms.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Talked to IPO at GF yesterday. I have asked for bday buttons and character washcloths waiting for us in our room upon arrival. I hope everything turns out ok.

I do have a question re: bottled water. I understand that they have only the large bottles, but are you allowed to fill up your own water bottles in the lounge. We have insulated metal ones for the parks and we like to have them cold when we leave the resort.

Thanks!

What is a character washcloth and how much do they cost...that would be cute to have in the room with the birthday balloons. Thanks.

 

[RachelTori]

Can anyone tell me where the AKL CL rooms are? I am really wondering if I should put in a room request or just roll the dice. I don't mind being way at the end of the long halls but I do really like to have Giraffes outside my room. I am woefully unprepared for this trip and can't remember which trails have which animals or even what view CL rooms have (or if that is not the same for all of them?).

Also I booked CL-Standard. Is there another CL room type (besides suites, of course)? CL-Standard was all that was offered to me.

I am kicking myself for not booking the Sunrise safari. I read some mixed reviews and we only have 3 nights, so I decided to skip it this time.

Is it too late to try and add the Sunrise Safari? It was the highlight of my concierge stay.

I think the concierge rooms are on the 4th floor and the 6th floor along with the DVC concierge rooms.

Besides suites, there are only standard CL rooms -- those are all on the 4th floor. The 6th floor are DVC villas. There used to be "deluxe" CL rooms on the 5th floor, but those were converted to DVC Villas (non-Club Level) several years ago.

With very few exceptions, the CL 4th floor rooms will be on Kudu or Zebra Trail (Arusha Savanna) and close to the lobby. There are giraffes on that savanna, but most of the giraffes can now be found on Sunset Savanna (which is shared with Kidani Village).

Sunrise Safari is only offered Thursday & Sunday mornings. I have done it 6 times now and have never had less than an awesome experience! If you can book it, please do.

I hope I didn't confuse you further!

 

[guarn3md]

Here are a couple of washcloth arts that my son received during our recent stay CL at WL...

Arrival

Daily mousekeeping

Turn down service

My son was so impressed by the towel art! We also got something made with washcloths to hold our toothbrushes - never took a picture of it!
Debbie

 

[EvilQueenT]

WL had a bunch of kids last week when we were there. And they were literally running around - w/o supervision. One afternoon my son and husband were at the pool and I was trying to relax, read the newspaper and enjoy my capuccino and there were preteen girls (5 of them) running back and forth, back and forth from their rooms to the lounge and back...then up and down the elevator, etc...
On our last night, one of the CM's (Andrew) came to me and told me that he wanted to leave a special gift in our room for our son because he was one of the politest children they had had on CL floor! He wanted to know our room number and if it was ok. I told him sure and was a little choked up. My son was sooo excited when we got back that evening to find the gift that was left for him - a pail & shovel that was full of wonderful goodies! He went to find Andrew and thank him! I said something to one of the CM's one afternoon about all the kids running around unsupervised and she said "well, it's Disney!" So I guess it can happen at any resort and at any level of service...
Debbie

I too dislike it when parents forget to be parents when they're at wdw with their kids...it's bad when you're at the resorts but I think it's the worst when it happens in a signature dining venue. I've often wondered what they'd think if I were just as "considerate" outside their resort door acting like a drunken rock star party animal at 3am when the little darlings are fast asleep...but then I like the evilqueen so I'm just sayin' what comes around may one day come around . Anyway, I've raised two kids of my own and now go with my son and his 6 year old daughter and she has even pointed out bad behavior so 3 cheers to all you parents who have a great time with your kids but remember that you're still the parents.

 

[BethA]

i know children are excited to be at WDW and I know you expect a lot of kids to be there, but I agree that you have to be aware and considerate of those around you as well.
My kids are older now-14 and 21, and certainly not perfect, but I always made sure they did not annoy or disturb anyone else.
The thing I HATE in the lounge is the parents and children who do not use the utensils to pick up food, or put things back or touch everything after having their hands in their mouth---ot nose!

 

[leane]

I have a feeling to get an AP discount I am going to have to consider changing rooms for our Oct stay and now I don't know what to pick.

I have a standard CL room booked for 2 nights in Oct with a 40% off pin. When I look at availability on line the only CL rooms left are garden views @ BWI.
I am hoping for an AP discount but it is my understanding, which makes sense, if there aren't any rooms currently avaialble in that catagory they won't give me the AP discount on my current reservation.

I am now confused as to what I should do. The 2 days at BWI are planned for Epcot days so I would like to stay at an Epcot resort.

The discount isn't much more with the AP rate but the benefit would be adding the dining plan. (we have on signature meal and would use the CS for sure)

so my options are

1. Keep the BWI without dining or upgrade to a garden suite (I think my girls would LOVE the picket fence but I dont want to be that far from the lounge) -- I have read so many great things about the staff I would love to experience this resort.

2. Change to YC - I haven't seen many reviews on the YC CL so looking for input on this one. The rooms are available now. I know this isn't a guarantee the AP rate will apply but fingers crossed.

3. Wait for the rates to come out and if YC, BWI aren't available switch to Poly and just take the monorail (or our car) to Epcot those 2 days. We did breakfast at Poly in March the girls loved it and my mom enjoyed herself as well. Said they would like to stay there. However, we have 6 nights at BLT so I was kind of looking forward to being in another area.
Another poly question - would you pick CL or the view with ground level that would get you the option to walk out your patio onto the beach? (anyone know which view that is?)

My head it spinning I have no idea what to do.

If anyone reading this has been to YC and BWI that could give me opinons I would appreciate it.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Leane, no advice here on either resort (this November will be our 1st BWI CL stay) but I feel your pain on the itch to change! We are HUGE monorail resort lovers and I just know that if I can get RPC with the AP rate that we will change....

You are correct, that if they don't show the room as available at rack rate, then it won't be available with an AP rate. (Heck, even if it IS available at rack, no guarantees it will be available at a discount.... this is how we are locked out of RPC right now with the 40% pin (eg available at rack but not with a discount....yet )

 

[cyndisun]

My head it spinning I have no idea what to do.

If anyone reading this has been to YC and BWI that could give me opinons I would appreciate it.

Leane,

I can't help with all the AP discount/dining option questions, but I have been to all the resorts you mentioned (CR, not BLT though).

We almost always do a split stay so we can be near the parks du jour. I personally would not go to the Poly after being at BLT for several days. It's just toooooo convenient to be within walking distance of EPCOT and DHS.

I too have heard all the positive comments about the BWI CL CM's. We haven't been there in years, but really enjoyed our stays. More recently we have stayed at YC CL when in the EPCOT area and we've loved it. The CM's were friendly but not extraordinary. Offerings were fine. We mostly utilize it for breakfast and water. I will say that the BWI evening offerings from Kouzzina sound fantastic for our family's tastes. Evening offerings at YC are pretty basic.

If you plan to swim in October then that's another vote for YC. We didn't care for the BWI pool area.

That's about the extent of my help. I know you have to make the decision that is right for your family. I hope my feedback helped a little though.

Have a great trip!

 

[EvilQueenT]

i know children are excited to be at WDW and I know you expect a lot of kids to be there, but I agree that you have to be aware and considerate of those around you as well.
My kids are older now-14 and 21, and certainly not perfect, but I always made sure they did not annoy or disturb anyone else.
The thing I HATE in the lounge is the parents and children who do not use the utensils to pick up food, or put things back or touch everything after having their hands in their mouth---ot nose!

lol that's why the concept of a buffet (with or without the good old sneeze guard) creeps me out.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have a feeling to get an AP discount I am going to have to consider changing rooms for our Oct stay and now I don't know what to pick.

I have a standard CL room booked for 2 nights in Oct with a 40% off pin. When I look at availability on line the only CL rooms left are garden views @ BWI.
I am hoping for an AP discount but it is my understanding, which makes sense, if there aren't any rooms currently avaialble in that catagory they won't give me the AP discount on my current reservation.

I am now confused as to what I should do. The 2 days at BWI are planned for Epcot days so I would like to stay at an Epcot resort.

The discount isn't much more with the AP rate but the benefit would be adding the dining plan. (we have on signature meal and would use the CS for sure)

so my options are

1. Keep the BWI without dining or upgrade to a garden suite (I think my girls would LOVE the picket fence but I dont want to be that far from the lounge) -- I have read so many great things about the staff I would love to experience this resort.

2. Change to YC - I haven't seen many reviews on the YC CL so looking for input on this one. The rooms are available now. I know this isn't a guarantee the AP rate will apply but fingers crossed.

3. Wait for the rates to come out and if YC, BWI aren't available switch to Poly and just take the monorail (or our car) to Epcot those 2 days. We did breakfast at Poly in March the girls loved it and my mom enjoyed herself as well. Said they would like to stay there. However, we have 6 nights at BLT so I was kind of looking forward to being in another area.
Another poly question - would you pick CL or the view with ground level that would get you the option to walk out your patio onto the beach? (anyone know which view that is?)

My head it spinning I have no idea what to do.

If anyone reading this has been to YC and BWI that could give me opinons I would appreciate it.

I would keep your reservation at the Boardwalk because in my opinion they have a better theme and atmosphere.

 

[leane]

Leane, no advice here on either resort (this November will be our 1st BWI CL stay) but I feel your pain on the itch to change! We are HUGE monorail resort lovers and I just know that if I can get RPC with the AP rate that we will change....

You are correct, that if they don't show the room as available at rack rate, then it won't be available with an AP rate. (Heck, even if it IS available at rack, no guarantees it will be available at a discount.... this is how we are locked out of RPC right now with the 40% pin (eg available at rack but not with a discount....yet )

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Leane,

I can't help with all the AP discount/dining option questions, but I have been to all the resorts you mentioned (CR, not BLT though).

We almost always do a split stay so we can be near the parks du jour. I personally would not go to the Poly after being at BLT for several days. It's just toooooo convenient to be within walking distance of EPCOT and DHS.

I too have heard all the positive comments about the BWI CL CM's. We haven't been there in years, but really enjoyed our stays. More recently we have stayed at YC CL when in the EPCOT area and we've loved it. The CM's were friendly but not extraordinary. Offerings were fine. We mostly utilize it for breakfast and water. I will say that the BWI evening offerings from Kouzzina sound fantastic for our family's tastes. Evening offerings at YC are pretty basic.

If you plan to swim in October then that's another vote for YC. We didn't care for the BWI pool area.

That's about the extent of my help. I know you have to make the decision that is right for your family. I hope my feedback helped a little though.

Have a great trip!

It did help. I was thinking about the fact SAB was available and chances are it will be above 70 in Oct.
I am not sure how my girls would do with the Kouzzina offerings. They like the plain Jane type foods.

I would keep your reservation at the Boardwalk because in my opinion they have a better theme and atmosphere.

Thanks for your input CR Resort Fan. Here and the other posting as well


I think I will wait to see what is available with the AP discount but try and stay away from the Poly for this trip. We only have 1/2 day Wed, Thur and the a.m. of Fri over there and all planned to visit Epcot. It make the most sense to stay in that area.

I just can't justify upgrading to the garden view with an AP rate when if I changed to YC I could add the dining package and it would only be $30 more a night than my current standard room at BWI.
I am sure I will flip flop a dozen time before the rates come out. I will just hope that I dream about it and go with I dream about. That should be safe

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for your input CR Resort Fan. Here and the other posting as well

You're welcome and good luck with your decision.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I am not sure how my girls would do with the Kouzzina offerings. They like the plain Jane type foods.

I may have one of the pickiest eaters ever. She pretty much eats white food. We are going to BWI CL on Sunday. I'll let you know how she does. My DS really enjoyed BWI CL in May but he's an adventurous eater.

I've never been to YC (or BC) CL.

For Poly getting a 1st floor room would be a request only.