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

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone I am back well not home yet as I am choosing to write my Contemporary and Boardwalk reviews from a Hampton Inn I am staying at in Dalton, Georgia and tomorrow night I am staying in Lima, Ohio before getting home on Friday.

Contemporary
Just like our previous stays this trip was another outstanding stay at the Contemporary. As we drove up to the main entrance Janet was waiting for us and welcomed us home, it was like we had never left. She then went to get our room keys and etc from the online check-in desk because we were told everything was ready and the weird is we had not done online check-in. Anyway this time on the Atrium Club floor we were staying in room #4808 which was right over the Contempo Cafe and close to Chef Mickey's, however there was no issues with any noise coming from there. I was also pleased to see that the Atrium Club lounge has added a fridge to keep all their drinks stocked in until 10:00 PM, plus at 5:00 PM when they put out the Beer it's also left in the fridge until 10:00 PNM. So no more having to ask for it after 7:00 PM like in the past. Besides all of that we had no problems and all the Cast Members we meet there were great.

SNIP

We must have been neighbors, we stayed in 4809.

Even though we must have been at the Atrium Club at the same time, (DD and I were there 8-7 - 8-14) I have a different impression of the lounge.

I think the lounge/concierge staff face many challenges at the Atrium Club. It seems they don't have a dedicated lounge staff, like at the Regatta Club. Lounge duties were constantly being performed by the concierge staff. As a result, much of the time, no one was staffing the desk or it was intermittent. It always seemed the staff and lounge were in a constant state of chaos and that the upkeep of the lounge was an afterthought.

I witnessed staff members arguing with each other and one staff member berating another in front of me while I waited patiently to ask for milk. At one point in our stay, I was almost afraid to ask for milk in the evening anymore because my request was frequently met with an air of disapproval and inconvenience.

One evening, my DD asked a staff member if it was possible to have one cookie (they serve them at afternoon snack time). The staff member brought her 5 cookies. When we said that was nice, but we only wanted one, the staff member said she would just throw them all out. We asked why she couldn't place the other four on the serving counter for another guest and she said that it's a "by request" item and we aren't allowed to leave it out. So it would make more sense to throw them out? A guest overheard this and asked if she could have the cookies; we were happy that we could give them to someone.

The lounge was messy most of the time and frequently basic items (silverware, plates, decaf. coffee, milk, sodas...) needed re-stocking. At the Regatta Club, a staff member would constantly bus the tables and clean the lounge floor and serving areas. At the Atrium Club, most of the time the tables were left a mess and the floors even filthier. Sofas and easy chairs were often covered in crumbs and food bits.

Much to my dismay, adult women, both in the AM and PM, wore their pajamas in the lounge. One entire family, adults included, wore no shoes at all. The lounge staff turned a blind eye to this. I can't think of any public place that serves food, other than a beach or pool, where you're allowed to dine barefoot and/or in your pajamas. I found this surprising and unappealing.

We had already paid to stay 8 nights at the Regatta Club. When we were able to transfer to the CR (we missed the monorail and resort too much), the manager didn't want to charge us the difference between the Atrium Club and the Regatta Club, which is about 15% (we had requested a non CL Tower/BL view). This was a great way for us to try out the Atrium Club, but I don't think I would ever pay to stay on the 12th floor in the future. While conditions weren't bad all the time, they were unpleasant enough of the time to make me apprehensive about booking the Atrium Club in the future. However, we still love the CR's BLV and will absolutely continue staying there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for checking in with us, CR Resort Fan!!

Glad to hear you enjoyed BWI (you already knew you'd enjoy CR!! )

When in December will you be back?

Have a great night in Georgia and safe travels home. We'll look forward to some pictures!

Yes we are going back December 9 - 23 and we got the Bounceback rate for a Standard Club Level Room at the Boardwalk. It was not available with the Deluxe Room and all the Club Level rooms at the Contemporary were sold out on the Bounceback rate, no matter what days in December we gave them.

 

[leane]

Hi everyone I am back well not home yet as I am choosing to write my Contemporary and Boardwalk reviews from a Hampton Inn I am staying at in Dalton, Georgia and tomorrow night I am staying in Lima, Ohio before getting home on Friday.

Contemporary
Just like our previous stays this trip was another outstanding stay at the Contemporary. As we drove up to the main entrance Janet was waiting for us and welcomed us home, it was like we had never left. She then went to get our room keys and etc from the online check-in desk because we were told everything was ready and the weird is we had not done online check-in. Anyway this time on the Atrium Club floor we were staying in room #4808 which was right over the Contempo Cafe and close to Chef Mickey's, however there was no issues with any noise coming from there. I was also pleased to see that the Atrium Club lounge has added a fridge to keep all their drinks stocked in until 10:00 PM, plus at 5:00 PM when they put out the Beer it's also left in the fridge until 10:00 PNM. So no more having to ask for it after 7:00 PM like in the past. Besides all of that we had no problems and all the Cast Members we meet there were great.

Boardwalk
Now for those wondering how my very 1st stay at the Boardwalk is I have one word to sum it all up, spectacular. From the moment we arrived it was great. Just after checked into room #3229 Jennifer from the Innkeeper's Club arrived with our folder of information and we did the check-in right in our room. After that it was time to visit the lounge where we meet JJ who happens to be a fellow Canadian from Montreal and he was simply amazing. One night we were speaking to him about their Presidental Suite and as a surprise he gave us a tour of it because it happened to be empty and words can not describe how beautiful it was. As for our room we loved it from the moment we walked in and the view of the Boardwalk was great to have and for the record our room was right over the Boardwalk Bakery. Besides that all the reports off all the other Innkeeper's Club Cast Members being among the best is all true. Basically the Boardwalk was much better then we expected and has become my #2 favorite resort behind the Contemporary, although part of me has it tied for 1st.

Theme Parks
I went 3 times to the Magic Kingdom, 2 times to Epcot, 2 times to Hollywood Studios and 1 time to the Animal Kingdom. For most of those days I went when they had AM Extra Magic Hour and that hour sure does pay off for those who take advantage of it.

Restaurants
Besides going 3 times to Earl of Sandwich I also tried two new restaurants for the very 1st time. At the Magic Kingdom myself and 3 of my friends from Orlando went to Tony's Town Sqaure and this past Saturday my family and I went to Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club.

My next vacation to WDW
Finally during our time at WDW we took advantage of a Bounceback offer for December 2010 and once again we will be back at the Boardwalk in a Standard - Club Level room. We tried to get a Club Level rate at the Contemporary but no matter what combination of dates we saw it was sold out. So we took a Tower - Bay Lake View. We then switched to a Garden Suite at the Boardwalk, however after seeing them we didn't really like them and that's how we ended up with their Standard - Club Level room.

I also have 62 pictures to upload from my camera and others from my BlackBerry, so sometime this Friday after unpacking and etc I promise to upload them for you all to see.

I am glad to hear you had a good trip. Safe travels.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

WDWKOOK,
We have noticed when it comes to the Cast Members working in the Atrium Club lounge a lot of them now work in the Lobby Concierge desk or some of the ones from previous trips might be assigned to work on the 14th floor. So they do have a lot of turn over, where as it's always the same Cast Members in the Boardwalk Innkeeper's Club.

As for the guests leaving food on the table I also saw that a lot I personally thought it was disgusting and I always say to myself and my parents, they don't see the tray for dirty plates and the garbage can when they leave? At the Boardwalk I only saw one set of guests do that, however all the other times everyone else would clean up after themselves.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

So glad you enjoyed your BWI stay! I saw you and your parents in the lounge, but I did not want to bother you. I really like JJ too. I think all the CMs there are wonderful. I am glad you booked a standard CL room,I am not fond of the garden suites either. I will be back in just 1 more month. Even though we enjoyed the yC, I did miss the BW!! Have a safe trip home.

Oh you should have said hello and you wouldn't be bothering us.

 

[momallboy]

Yes we are going back December 9 - 23 and we got the Bounceback rate for a Standard Club Level Room at the Boardwalk. It was not available with the Deluxe Room and all the Club Level rooms at the Contemporary were sold out on the Bounceback rate, no matter what days in December we gave them.

We will see you there! We will be in a Deluxe Club Level Room 12/12-19. Cannot wait especially after your review. I was starting to worry but you have put my fears to rest!!

Glad you had a great vacation!

 

[wdwfan]

We returned Tuesday night from our BWI CL stay. We checked in on Wed. Aug. 18 at 8:30am, very early, by Scott, who was very efficient and whisked us through the entire check in process very easily. Our room was ready which really surprised us since it was so early. Check in was smooth and easy.

We were in room 4229 which is a deluxe room, and it was beautiful!! we were just to the right of the lounge which made it very convenient. Because we were so busy, we didn't spend a whole lot of time in our room, but I was very glad to have the extra space for spreading out. My son and daughter are both teens and preferred to not share a bed so having the pull out sofa was really great for them. It was nice not to have to watch tv on the bed and have a sitting room to sit in and relax just like at home.

We enjoyed the offerings in the lounge, but we prefer the privacy of our room to the lounge. The lounge is beautiful, well kept, well stocked, but busy at times, so since our room was so close and so lovely, we often took food and drink back to our room. The CM's are really nice and helpful, but we enjoy using the lounge to get some refreshments and relaxing in our room since we're out most of the day and evening.

We were on the dining plan and had dinner at Captains's Grille, Cape May Cafe, 1900 Park Fare, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, and Narcoosee's. We enjoyed several counter services too including Boardwalk Bakery. It was a lot of food with staying Club Level and having the dining plan, but my husband and son are very picky eaters and would have been very hungry if they did not have the dining plan. The club level offerings were not for them. But my daughter and I enjoyed them.

We made good use of our park hoppers with water park options and visited Magic Kingdom twice, Epcot many times, Animal Kingdom twice, Hollywood Studios only once, and Blizzard Beach. We even did the Magic Kingdom until 3am one night. We were exhausted, but were having so much fun we couldn't help but stay busy. Luckily, we even managed to relax by the pool most afternoons too.

Over all, we had a wonderful stay at BWI CL and thoroughly enjoyed our vacation. We probably won't return to Disney World for at least another 2 years since we like to cruise (and the Disney "big ships" are coming out in 2011 and 2012). We love the Disney brand and look forward to returning in the future. Next time, I think I will go forward with my plan to stay club level at the Grand Floridian.

 

[lov2b@disney]

WDWFAN- glad you had a nice trip... Are the deluxe rooms one big room or is there a way to divide the sleeping area from the sitting area? Thinking of booking one for next summer...

 

[wdwfan]

WDWFAN- glad you had a nice trip... Are the deluxe rooms one big room or is there a way to divide the sleeping area from the sitting area? Thinking of booking one for next summer...

It's one big room without a divider. It's very spacious, but a divider would have been even better and provided more privacy.

 

[lov2b@disney]

It's one big room without a divider. It's very spacious, but a divider would have been even better and provided more privacy.

Thanks for the info! I really want to try BWI...think we may give it a try!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thanks for all the great reviews on BWI CL! We are also staying in a Deluxe room the 1st week of November and cannot wait to see it for ourselves!!

 

[OhThePain]

If you don't plan on using the IPO much or at all (I am more of a hands on type of planner) is CL still worth the extra expense (in your opinions of course, I know everyone is different)?

 

[marlaine]

How soon do most folks receive their welcome letter from the IPO?
We're staying at the Poly CL Theme Park View and leave in 17 days.

Also, we are flying in and our flight times have changed (by only 10 minutes).
Should I let them know now, or wait until it gets closer?

17 days. I just can't wait!!

 

[RachelTori]

If you don't plan on using the IPO much or at all (I am more of a hands on type of planner) is CL still worth the extra expense (in your opinions of course, I know everyone is different)?

Depends on the type of vacation you want. If you plan to spend most of your time in the parks and away from your room; then I'd say probably not worth the extra expense. If, on the other hand, you want lots of resort time (the Lounge is a nice perk!), then it might be worth the extra $$$.

How soon do most folks receive their welcome letter from the IPO?
We're staying at the Poly CL Theme Park View and leave in 17 days.

Also, we are flying in and our flight times have changed (by only 10 minutes).
Should I let them know now, or wait until it gets closer?

17 days. I just can't wait!!

If you haven't heard from them, you're so close to your trip that I would suggest sending IPO an email.

Your flight times aren't important; the flight number is. As long as Disney has your correct flight #'s, you're in good shape!

 

[Tess]

Depends on the type of vacation you want. If you plan to spend most of your time in the parks and away from your room; then I'd say probably not worth the extra expense. If, on the other hand, you want lots of resort time (the Lounge is a nice perk!), then it might be worth the extra $$$.

Not really a comment on your post RachelTori, but weren't you and I at F&W at the same time last year? If so, it looks as if we are on the same week again! Are you at BC this trip?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We returned Tuesday night from our BWI CL stay. We checked in on Wed. Aug. 18 at 8:30am, very early, by Scott, who was very efficient and whisked us through the entire check in process very easily. Our room was ready which really surprised us since it was so early. Check in was smooth and easy.

We were in room 4229 which is a deluxe room, and it was beautiful!! we were just to the right of the lounge which made it very convenient. Because we were so busy, we didn't spend a whole lot of time in our room, but I was very glad to have the extra space for spreading out. My son and daughter are both teens and preferred to not share a bed so having the pull out sofa was really great for them. It was nice not to have to watch tv on the bed and have a sitting room to sit in and relax just like at home.

We enjoyed the offerings in the lounge, but we prefer the privacy of our room to the lounge. The lounge is beautiful, well kept, well stocked, but busy at times, so since our room was so close and so lovely, we often took food and drink back to our room. The CM's are really nice and helpful, but we enjoy using the lounge to get some refreshments and relaxing in our room since we're out most of the day and evening.

We were on the dining plan and had dinner at Captains's Grille, Cape May Cafe, 1900 Park Fare, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, and Narcoosee's. We enjoyed several counter services too including Boardwalk Bakery. It was a lot of food with staying Club Level and having the dining plan, but my husband and son are very picky eaters and would have been very hungry if they did not have the dining plan. The club level offerings were not for them. But my daughter and I enjoyed them.

We made good use of our park hoppers with water park options and visited Magic Kingdom twice, Epcot many times, Animal Kingdom twice, Hollywood Studios only once, and Blizzard Beach. We even did the Magic Kingdom until 3am one night. We were exhausted, but were having so much fun we couldn't help but stay busy. Luckily, we even managed to relax by the pool most afternoons too.

Over all, we had a wonderful stay at BWI CL and thoroughly enjoyed our vacation. We probably won't return to Disney World for at least another 2 years since we like to cruise (and the Disney "big ships" are coming out in 2011 and 2012). We love the Disney brand and look forward to returning in the future. Next time, I think I will go forward with my plan to stay club level at the Grand Floridian.

Your room was right above our room because we were in 3229.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We will see you there! We will be in a Deluxe Club Level Room 12/12-19. Cannot wait especially after your review. I was starting to worry but you have put my fears to rest!!

Glad you had a great vacation!

Hopefully we will see each other in the lounge and I also hope you have a great trip.

 

[aimhi]

Ok I've been trying to find pictures of the deluxe cl rooms for bc and all I find are pictures of the villas are there suites does anyone have any info on them?

 

[wdwfan]

Your room was right above our room because we were in 3229.

That's right, it would have been. We were 4229. Loved our room. So glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. One of these days I'm going to try a Magic Kingdom resort. I'm leaning toward the GF. But it's hard to leave the Epcot resort area. It's so beautiful and convenient.

I'm not sure if I saw you in the lounge or not?? We usually popped in for evening appetizers, but we mainly got our beverages and appetizers and headed back to our room. I really enjoyed our stay.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

That's right, it would have been. We were 4229. Loved our room. So glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. One of these days I'm going to try a Magic Kingdom resort. I'm leaning toward the GF. But it's hard to leave the Epcot resort area. It's so beautiful and convenient.

I'm not sure if I saw you in the lounge or not?? We usually popped in for evening appetizers, but we mainly got our beverages and appetizers and headed back to our room. I really enjoyed our stay.

I know how you feel. I checked the AP rates last night for our dates and the Deluxe Room at the Boardwalk was not avaiable and neither was the Atrium Club floor at the Contemporary. Now I am not saying we are going to switch from our current Standard Club Level Room at the Boardwalk we got for this December, however part of me wants to keep checking just incase either one of those rooms becomes available and another part says keep what we have.