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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Fan 4 Life,

Add my "Thanx" to the others' for your post-trip report and pix. I was eager to hear your thoughts and comments following your family's 1st BWI stay. I knew you had enough CL experience and objectivity to give a good evaluation.

You're welcome.

 

[I-Bike]

We're booked at the Poly but the Boardwalk looks better.

 

[jackemail]

We're booked at the Poly but the Boardwalk looks better.

Don't think that! I love, love, love Boardwalk, and the Innkeeper's Club cast members ARE among the best on property. BUT Poly is also wonderful, and is my other favorite. Its lush grounds, its closeness to the Magic Kingdom and monorail, the fact that Hawaii is a separate building for concierge, the view from the lounge--don't regret your Poly choice!

My best trips are always Boardwalk/Poly splits, where I get the best of both worlds.

 

[DLBDS]

AKL CL Tea offerings were :
Scones and sweet cream. Cookies and either Rice Krispy Treats or Brownies.
You make your own tea. Soda and milk was in the fridge until 10pm (at least every time we looked) Lemonade, water, tea, 'African Smoothie' were also out most of the time. Oh and fresh whole fruit was out all day as well, mostly just apples and oranges.

While it does not replace the Grand Floridian Tea, it is a really nice afternoon break and I really enjoyed it once I got over the fact that while it is called "Chai" they don't serve any. (I'm making a pot right now).

This was the most relaxing time of day to sit in the lounge and one very rainy afternoon my DH and I sat and read while the kids braved the rain at MK. Delightful.

Ugh.... I recently discovered that I'm a Chai tea girl. My mother is the tea-lover and more experienced when it comes to types of tea. I kinda struggle with the tea menus to find a tea I think I'll like. Thanks for posting about this! It's nice to see that they at least serve scones/sweet cream.... And I never turn my nose up at a brownie!

 

[DLBDS]

I am trying to remember the different parts of the day. I know that there was a time around mid-day (my daughter was napping & my son and I were hanging out in the lounge). They had kettle chips, spiced nuts, trail mix with mini M&Ms, goldfish, cookies, brownies, yogurt coverd pretzels, and homemade granola bars. I think there was more too, but that is what I remember. They also always have the coffee, tea, water (glass bottles of Evian), milk, etc. Hope that helps!

You probably just missed it. It's offered during a very narrow window of time. This is what the DIS says about it...

"Chai (Afternoon Tea)
3:00PM - 4:30PM
Loose leaf teas, assorted scones, cookies and biscuits."

 

[RachelTori]

From Post #4 of this thread:

AKL LOUNGE OFFERINGS:

MACHEO (Sunrise Offerings)
6:30 am - For Early Risers, coffee and assorted juices

MIAMKO (Adventurous Awakenings)
7:00am - 10:30am - Assortment of fresh fruits, juices, pastries and cereals

VITAFUNIO (Safari Snacks)
11:30am - 3:00pm - Selection of African snacks and beverages

CHAI (Afternoon Tea)
3:00pm - 4:30pm - Loose leaf teas, assortment of scones, cookies and biscuits

KISIKUSIKU (Twilight Offerings)
5:00pm - 7:00pm - Wines, hors d'oeuvres, appetizers from Jiko and Boma

REHEMA (Evening Indulgences)
8:00pm - 10:00pm - Fine desserts and premium cordials

 

[sto6917]

I was just casually looking around online - Disney reservation landing- and saw for CR a rate for standard room atrium club with a room discount but under the room description it talked about "limited concierge service" in the "tower club" and no mention of evening offerings of any kind.

I have never seen this before and wanted to double check with you all that my current reservation I have made before discounts- CR MK view- Atrium Club (paying full price at this time) will include the evening offerings ad stated in my reservation description.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[TxMickeyLover]

TxMickeyLover: I think they could have more politely pointed out that sometimes plans don't work out and they didn't want you do be disappointed by missing the party.

We also arrive on the 25th at the Poly. I had thought we might go over to HS and check out Fantasmic, but when I realized it was the last day of the Tea Cup rides, it sealed the deal that we are going to MK for at least a few hours that afternoon. My girls LOVED that ride last time and are looking forward to it. They are already sad that Belle's Storytime and it's a small world won't be available. If we missed Tea Cups, I would be regretting spending all of this money.

I think that's why it made me so sad that the Tea Cups would be closed. This may be our last trip for awhile, and I was already sad about It's a Small World being closed. DH was determined to make sure I get to ride at least one of my two favorite Fantasyland rides while we are there, no matter what, and buying a couple of tickets to MNSSHP were cheaper than changing our flights to Friday night and spending one more night at AKL.

I hope you have a magical vacation! We check into the Poly on 9/29 after 4 nights at AKL. WE love the Poly!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was just casually looking around online - Disney reservation landing- and saw for CR a rate for standard room atrium club with a room discount but under the room description it talked about "limited concierge service" in the "tower club" and no mention of evening offerings of any kind.

I have never seen this before and wanted to double check with you all that my current reservation I have made before discounts- CR MK view- Atrium Club (paying full price at this time) will include the evening offerings ad stated in my reservation description.

Thanks for your thoughts.

That information on the WDW website is seriously out of date and needs to be updated, because the Contemporary Atrium Club is full Club Level and it's been that way since January 2006.

 

[sto6917]

Whew! Thank you CR Fan for easing my mind about the Atrium Club!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Whew! Thank you CR Fan for easing my mind about the Atrium Club!

You're welcome.

 

[Karlzmom]

Its good to be back on the thread! We just booked 8 nights at the BWI CL for February!!!

I can't imagine it being much better than the YC, as we were treated sooooo well on our last trip. So much to do, so little time....have to get my ADRs sorted out...already had trouble doing them online....whatcha going to do? I guess I'll ask the IPO for help.

Keep the info on the BWI coming...can't get enough!

 

[jandmmom]

Just curious about the choice to add or not add the dinining plan when staying CL.

We didn't need a dining plan during this past visit at all. We are going again in June & plan to book CL. I am debating adding the DP because my mom & fiance are coming (mom is paying for the trip). I was thinking that it would be easier with the DP because we wouldn't have to figure out who would be paying for meals, how to divide things up, etc. Plus it would be pre-paid, so somewhat easier.

However, I have been doing some research, and for the moment now I am leaning against it. I am thinking of booking the Hoop-Dee-Doo & Luau, which would be prepaid. And my kids like to be in the kids club (with dinner there) a couple of times.

So, I was just wondering what other people decide to do & why.

Thanks

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just curious about the choice to add or not add the dinining plan when staying CL.

We didn't need a dining plan during this past visit at all. We are going again in June & plan to book CL. I am debating adding the DP because my mom & fiance are coming (mom is paying for the trip). I was thinking that it would be easier with the DP because we wouldn't have to figure out who would be paying for meals, how to divide things up, etc. Plus it would be pre-paid, so somewhat easier.

However, I have been doing some research, and for the moment now I am leaning against it. I am thinking of booking the Hoop-Dee-Doo & Luau, which would be prepaid. And my kids like to be in the kids club (with dinner there) a couple of times.

So, I was just wondering what other people decide to do & why.

Thanks

We don't ever add on the Dining Plan when staying Club Level because one major reason is we won't know where and when we will want to eat 180 days before getting to WDW. Instead if we happen to like the hot food offerings in the lounge we can eat them and later on go off to a counter service location. On some other days there are some restaurants we like to eat at while in Orlando and since we always have a car it's easy to just drive to them.

 

[DLo]

we did the dp last year with cl - it was free though so we didn't really care if you used all the credits or not. We did find that we used all the ts and snacks but had cs left over. We are doing the dp again this year because we like having a sit down meal each day and it works out to be less expensive with the plan. I think it depends on your family if it is worth it for you.

 

[DCbride]

We have two more nights left at CL at WL. We have had amazing service and have each enjoyed the food offerings each day. Just wanted to see if anyone had questions that I might be able to answer or check for you.

 

[jandmmom]

we did the dp last year with cl - it was free though so we didn't really care if you used all the credits or not. We did find that we used all the ts and snacks but had cs left over. We are doing the dp again this year because we like having a sit down meal each day and it works out to be less expensive with the plan. I think it depends on your family if it is worth it for you.

That's so true. It wasn't worth it for us because my kids are little & they don't even finish a kids' meal when they split it! Then they wanted to go to the kids' club & have dinner there 4 times We didn't plan on that, but they were begging to do it!

We also weren't all that hungry while in the parks during the day because it was SO HOT So, for this trip it was not worth it for us. I'm still thinking it through for the next trip.

 

[chimo2u]

Its good to be back on the thread! We just booked 8 nights at the BWI CL for February!!!

I can't imagine it being much better than the YC, as we were treated sooooo well on our last trip. So much to do, so little time....have to get my ADRs sorted out...already had trouble doing them online....whatcha going to do? I guess I'll ask the IPO for help.

Keep the info on the BWI coming...can't get enough!

Hi Karlzmom I think we'll be in the world around the same time! I was waffling and almost changed my resort to BWI....but have decided to stay put where we are: Beach Club Lagoon View Club Level. Feb 5-10, 2011 then we are moving over to Universal Studios Feb 10-13 PBH CL.
I have never stayed at an Epcot Resort, first time at the Beach Club. I am excited and I think it was the best resort choice for my son (14) and I.
I will save the Boardwalk Inn for when I can wrangle my DH back to WDW....most likely for our 25th wedding anniversary in 5 more years!!
Can't wait for our trip, I love WDW
Have an amazing trip!

 

[HaleyB]

We did not do the DDP on our Aug trip and I am really happy with that choice. It was so hot we hardly ate. When it comes to discounts I prefer % off to 'free' DDP because its value is almost never as much as the % off for our family (for us the "value" of free dining is what we would have spent oop without it).

 

[ClareH37]

I added the dxdp to my May 10 trip, and I'm also doing it again for my November 11 trip. I enjoy dining at Disney, particularly at the signature restaurants in the evening, I'm a type 1 diabetic so have to eat 3 meals a day (and an evening snack) so for breakfast I would eat a muffin in the lounge (gluten free as I'm celiac as well), lunch I'd eat either counter service or TS (I prefer to eat at a TS restaurant) and my evening meal would be at a signature restaurant. However, that doesn't mean to say I ate all 3 courses lol, quite often I'd only have 2, and even then not eat everything on my plate, snack credits would mainly be used for purchasing water or sodas in the parks. I would often have a couple of appetisers before heading out for my evening meal, mainly just some veggies and a little piece of cheese, or olives.

Perhaps I look at things differently but for me the convenience of having my meals all paid for (excluding tip of course) is the main thing (for myself), I don't look at the dxdp as having to use all my credits or getting the most out of it.