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

[JenniD44]

IMO you should stick to the club level breakfasts -- they are really nice at the GF (more substantial than some others), then enjoy your other meals out in the restaurants. We have found that this saves us tons of time, plus it's just easier when you don't have to rush to a restaurant in the morning.

The DDP would be WAY too much food for us, though. We generally have breakfast in the lounge, a nice sit-down lunch or dinner, and either snack at the lounge or at the parks. But if you really want the 2TS places, then you just have to do the math... We did end up canceling several of our ADRs because the evening appetizers were filling and we just weren't hungry enough for a sit down meal afterwards... All depends on how much you plan on eating.

Thanks, that helps a lot. I think I'll definitely do that for the breakfast, just keep the 2 we (my kids) really want, CRT and Chef Mickey's. That would also make it easier to get to the parks early.

 

[rcraw45425]

two thumbs up for the IPO at the WL! Apparantly it's the same folks as the Poly, so they are ontop of things too. I changed our upcoming reservation from the Beach Club CL to the WL CL on Thursday, spoke with them that afternoon, then called this morning since I had booked some different ADRs online and wanted them to cancel my unwanted ones. I asked that they email me my updated itinerary, she replied that I should have it within 24 hours, I had it in less than 5 minutes! Anyone who had read my previous postes would know how wonderful that was, BC's IPO never could be bothered to email me anything!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

We are staying SL Club level at the GF the week after Thanksgiving. I'm trying to decide if we should upgrade to deluxe dining. I noticed some PP mentioned having deluxe dining while club level and was looking for some advice.

Quite a few of our ADRs are 2 TS events. I tried to look at our dining expenses and it seems if we do get the appetizers (which we would probably only do if they were included as with deluxe dining) we would come out ahead cost wise. Even without including that, we still may come out ahead. My concern is that with the club level offerings available, it will just be way too much food. I know we will be gone from the hotel quite a bit, so we won't be eating all that much there, but I just can't decide. I currently have some breakfast ADRs and I think I should cancel them and just eat from the club level for breakfast.

Any advice?

I'm at the start of a CL level stay with the Deluxe Plan. So far it seems like its ok. We tend to go for the signature restaurants too. I'll try to do a cost analysis at the end.

We do enjoy having a sit down lunch most days though - we aren't big fans of many of the CS places in the parks.

 

[christinamaria]

Good to know!

 

[stm61]

we just returned last night from a week at Poly CL and there have definately been some changes. Offerings in the lounge are not what they used to be. There is no more pineapple bread and no pastry of any kind except for cinamon rolls. Usually there were plain bagels, plain croissants, and cinnamon rolls. They still have at least 3 types of cereal and cut up fresh fruit, plus apples and bannanas. Evenings were usually either chicken or turkey skewars with varying seasonings and sauces. They also had cut up fresh carrots, cucumbers, and celery, with ranch dip, some type of hummus and flat bread, and either a rice or vegetable choice. Desserts were usually a choice of 4; usually either a brownie or chocolate cake, plus individual raspberry, mango, orange, mousses, and some kind of individual tart, usually lemon or key lime. THey also had cookies out for the kids and pbj's for the kids at dinner. I'm not a drinker so I didn't notice the alchohal, except that the punch is still there. They still leave the lounge open 24/7 for access to soda and coffee machine. Soda's were kept stocked, but they ran out of diet several times. Chef Dick is only allowed to do carvings on Sun. nights now. Also, the souvenier chocolate with the Poly picture on it is about half the size of last years. No problems at all with housekeeping and they've added an adjustable addition to solve the problem of the to-low shower heads!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are staying SL Club level at the GF the week after Thanksgiving. I'm trying to decide if we should upgrade to deluxe dining. I noticed some PP mentioned having deluxe dining while club level and was looking for some advice.

Quite a few of our ADRs are 2 TS events. I tried to look at our dining expenses and it seems if we do get the appetizers (which we would probably only do if they were included as with deluxe dining) we would come out ahead cost wise. Even without including that, we still may come out ahead. My concern is that with the club level offerings available, it will just be way too much food. I know we will be gone from the hotel quite a bit, so we won't be eating all that much there, but I just can't decide. I currently have some breakfast ADRs and I think I should cancel them and just eat from the club level for breakfast.

Any advice?

Personally I think staying Club Level and having any form of the Dining Plan is not a good idea, because it's to much food. Plus you would be rushing from one restaurant to another for you're next ADR so you don't waste the credits, which means you won't have much time for the food offerings in the lounge.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Personally I think staying Club Level and having any form of the Dining Plan is not a good idea, because it's to much food. Plus you would be rushing from one restaurant to another for you're next ADR so you don't waste the credits, which means you won't have much time for the food offerings in the lounge.

Food offerings in the lounge are not meant to be a meal.

 

[Leafsgirl36]

Food offerings in the lounge are not meant to be a meal.

That's true but not everyone is hungry at supper time either because they are light eaters or are too tired from the day so the offerings in the lounge may be all that they need.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Food offerings in the lounge are not meant to be a meal.

Well my family and believe that depending on what items they offer a meal can be made out of them, because there have been nights when we were full after having something. Plus if we really like a specific item we will take more then one plate.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I've never stayed CL before--we will be for the first time in December with a split at BWI and GF. This will be our first trip without the dining plan. I am not worried about it at all. We are fine with bagals and fruits or whatnot in the mornings. I have only 2 ADRs booked....Chefs de France and Kona for breakfast one day because I just have to have those pineapple pancakes! We'll probably will snack during the day while in the parks and do a CS late afternoon or whenever we are hungry.

I've seen differing opinions on whether the CL offerings can be a meal replacement or not, so we will just see how it goes. I haven't really read anywhere if it is "meant" to be a meal replacement or not, but if it can be for some, doesn't matter to me....more power to them! But honestly, with the breakfast, plus a CS meal during the day and snack, I think we will be fine with some finger foods and desserts for the evenings. My son, who is 17 and still growing (almost 6'3"!) will prob need a bit more though.

 

[mmmears]

While the CL offerings may not be "meant" to be a replacement for some meals, we definitely find the breakfasts to be enough food. Since they are light, we generally have a nice sit-down ADR booked for lunch. And since lunch can sometimes be alot of food, and since we're not big eaters, we have, at times, filled up on the appetizers and skipped dinner. If we are really hungry, then we tend to skip the appetizers in the lounge and go to dinner. If we just want a light, small dinner, then sometimes the food in the lounge will suffice.

Since we all eat different amounts of food and have different expectations when it comes to meals, it's hard to tell someone if it's enough food for them or not. I only know that if we eat the appetizers in the lounge, then we need a very light dinner if we go out -- otherwise it's just way too much food for us.

So, if you're looking for particular items or a large amount of food, then definitely don't count on the lounge food. But if you're not too picky and prefer to "graze" a bit, then the lounge is perfect.

 

[JenniD44]

I'm at the start of a CL level stay with the Deluxe Plan. So far it seems like its ok. We tend to go for the signature restaurants too. I'll try to do a cost analysis at the end.

We do enjoy having a sit down lunch most days though - we aren't big fans of many of the CS places in the parks.

It's the 2 TS thing that made me wonder about upgrading. We have 4 ADRs that are 2 TS, not counting CRT which is just for 3 of us so I was thinking we'd just pay OOP. Those 4 will use up our allotment and we have at least one more breakfast and another dinner or two booked. We're not big counter service fans, although will do it on occasion to save some time. We usually like a sit down dinner at the end of the day. I'm not sure how much of the evening club offerings we will really eat because we have a couple of picky eaters.

If you do a cost analysis, I'd love to see it. You could post or PM me.

Hope you are having a great stay!

 

[jackemail]

No more pineapple bread at Poly ?!?!?!? Now THAT is bad!

 

[JenniD44]

Personally I think staying Club Level and having any form of the Dining Plan is not a good idea, because it's to much food. Plus you would be rushing from one restaurant to another for you're next ADR so you don't waste the credits, which means you won't have much time for the food offerings in the lounge.

The rushing around is why I don't think we should do it. I know we would never do 3 sit downs in one day, but even 2 takes a lot of time. As far as having the food in the lounge, I'm not sure how much we'll do that anyway. I know we'll do some breakfast and probably the desserts, but we usually are gone all day most days and don't come back. Maybe this time we'll try to do a break in the day.

It's the 2 TS thing that was making me wonder about upgrading. We have the free dining, so we will at least do the basic plan.

Thanks for your input.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The rushing around is why I don't think we should do it. I know we would never do 3 sit downs in one day, but even 2 takes a lot of time. As far as having the food in the lounge, I'm not sure how much we'll do that anyway. I know we'll do some breakfast and probably the desserts, but we usually are gone all day most days and don't come back. Maybe this time we'll try to do a break in the day.

It's the 2 TS thing that was making me wonder about upgrading. We have the free dining, so we will at least do the basic plan.

Thanks for your input.

You're welcome.

 

[mouskagirlie]

Personally I think staying Club Level and having any form of the Dining Plan is not a good idea, because it's to much food. Plus you would be rushing from one restaurant to another for you're next ADR so you don't waste the credits, which means you won't have much time for the food offerings in the lounge.

We had the DDP last year and you are so right, wow that is a lot of food! Our whole visit was spent going from one restaurant to the next. Half way through our visit I found myself on the phone canceling most of our remaining dining reservations. However, this year will be our first CL stay(s) and we decided against doing a dining plan. Being able to grab a snack in the lounge will be so nice! That and to not have to ship snacks, cereal and water ahead of time will be wonderful I hope staying CL doesn't spoil me too much for future stays in standard rooms

 

[BreezysMom]

We had the DDP last year and you are so right, wow that is a lot of food! Our whole visit was spent going from one restaurant to the next. Half way through our visit I found myself on the phone canceling most of our remaining dining reservations. However, this year will be our first CL stay(s) and we decided against doing a dining plan. Being able to grab a snack in the lounge will be so nice! That and to not have to ship snacks, cereal and water ahead of time will be wonderful I hope staying CL doesn't spoil me too much for future stays in standard rooms

I'm with you! For the same reason we have decided to stay CL this stay. But I do hope to get spoiled as well as getting DH hooked. It is all part of my mater plan

 

[MinnieDiva]

I'm with you! For the same reason we have decided to stay CL this stay. But I do hope to get spoiled as well as getting DH hooked. It is all part of my mater plan

And it works, too! My husband told me that he wanted to stay CL after our fabulous CL visit 2 years ago. We didn't do CL last year and he missed it.....whhaaaaahaaaa (insert evil laugh here)! Master plans work!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

It is all part of my mater plan

Sorry - I just had a vision of Mater from Cars trying to scheme his way into a CL room!

 

[focusondisney]

It's the 2 TS thing that made me wonder about upgrading. We have 4 ADRs that are 2 TS, not counting CRT which is just for 3 of us so I was thinking we'd just pay OOP. Those 4 will use up our allotment and we have at least one more breakfast and another dinner or two booked. We're not big counter service fans, although will do it on occasion to save some time. We usually like a sit down dinner at the end of the day. I'm not sure how much of the evening club offerings we will really eat because we have a couple of picky eaters.

If you do a cost analysis, I'd love to see it. You could post or PM me.

Hope you are having a great stay!

Hi!

We just did deluxe dining & stayed club level @ Yacht Club. Cost wise we came out ahead. For 2 adults we payed about $1000 but our meals would have cost $1600 OOP. Not counting snacks. We also ate at several 2 credit meals & had most breakfasts in the lounge. We did not order the most expensive entrees, but we did have fillet if it was available.This was our 3rd such trip.

That said, I probably won't do it again. My DH is a clean your plate type guy & he was very sick of eating after 4-5 days. I was able to eat only parts of everything & didn't finish anything. In the future, I'd rather enjoy a few appitizers because there were several at each restaurant that interested me. More so than the desserts. There are also several counter service places we want to get back to like Cosmic Ray's & Sunshine Seasons. And forget snacks..you will NOT be hungry for snacks. We used a few for ice cream if we purposly skipped dessert at an adr.

We also spent too much time getting to ADRs. We stayed at Yacht Club & had at least 4 adr's at MK resorts. So we had to take a bus to MK, then a boat or monorail to the resort & reverse the process after eating. Our next trip is in Dec & we will be on regular dining, we have too much planned in a short trip to do so many sit downs.

So we're glad we did this for a few trips, but won't do it again for awhile. Don't know if this helps, but good luck deciding!