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

[ppony]

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

AGREED! But SO MANY treat it as such and that ruins it for others. It's like a zoo. Honestly, I've gotten to hate going to the lounge because it's every man for themselves and dog eat dog in there! I don't do well in crowded situations. I'll grab a milk and coffee or whatever, but we prefer actually going to a real sit down meal because the lounges just make me crazy.

 

[BreezysMom]

While lounge offerings may not be "meant" to be a meal in some of your opinions. What do you consider a meal?

While I agree food hoarders are rude, who decides what constitutes a meal? If we have lunch at the castle one day at 1pm and decide to have a light dinner in the lounge because we are not really hungry enough for a full sit down dinner or counter service meal for that matter, is that poor taste?

We are staying CL rather than doing the dining plan, because of the option of lighter meals for breakfast and dinner. We have every right to enjoy the services CL has to offer.

I'm sorry, but to put a blanket statement about the amount of food "allowed" to be eaten by CL guests out there is not fair to new people who are going to be experiencing CL for the first time. I certainly don't want the food police judging me or feeling self conscious because there are people that abuse the services.

I'm not trying to start a debate but I just feel that this discussion is very subjective.

 

[ppony]

Quoted in their literature:
"Club Level floors and Lounge, which serves refreshments daily:
▪ Continental breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
▪ Midday snack from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ Evening wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Evening cordials and desserts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m."


Nowhere does it say "MEALS". Continental breakfast doesn't mean piled plate after piled plate. You can disagree but it's a industry standard definition, not mine.
So if you do use it as a meal replacement you are abusing it and ruining it for others that just want what is advertised. (That doesn't mean someone that is okay w/ a c. bkfst is treating it as a full meal replacement. Lots of people eat light in the A.M. and that's the point of a continental size bkfst)

 

[BreezysMom]

Quoted in their literature:
"Club Level floors and Lounge, which serves refreshments daily:
▪ Continental breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
▪ Midday snack from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ Evening wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Evening cordials and desserts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m."


Nowhere does it say "MEALS". Continental breakfast doesn't mean piled plate after piled plate. You can disagree but it's a industry standard definition, not mine.
So if you do use it as a meal replacement you are abusing it and ruining it for others that just want what is advertised. (That doesn't mean someone that is okay w/ a c. bkfst is treating it as a full meal replacement. Lots of people eat light in the A.M.)

OK, well then we are ok because my family likes to snack throughout the day

 

[ppony]

OK, well then we are ok because my family like to snack throughout the day

I think breakfast is the worst because we all tend to leave around the same time creating the bottleneck in the morning but trickle back in the evening. sigh

The afore mentioned abuse too is one reason we're considering DVC. We LOVE to eat out but full meals all day long or even in the morning and evening do get old after a week or more. We will welcome having a kitchen to just have cereal, toast and joince in the morning and not fight the hoards. That and we just can't help but stay deluxe.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Quoted in their literature:
"Club Level floors and Lounge, which serves refreshments daily:
▪ Continental breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
▪ Midday snack from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ Evening wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Evening cordials and desserts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m."


Nowhere does it say "MEALS". Continental breakfast doesn't mean piled plate after piled plate. You can disagree but it's a industry standard definition, not mine.
So if you do use it as a meal replacement you are abusing it and ruining it for others that just want what is advertised. (That doesn't mean someone that is okay w/ a c. bkfst is treating it as a full meal replacement. Lots of people eat light in the A.M. and that's the point of a continental size bkfst)

while I agree with you, the problem is that there are a LOT of people staying at CL that don't know this, and don't read on any message boards.

I just got back from a poly stay.. one evening, before going back to the park, we stopped by the lounge for a snack and I watched one guy take about twelve of the meat skewers on one place, a fully plate of the cheeses (stacked about three of the cubes high on the plate) glasses of wine, and another plate of the crackers. that was a meal for him. and he went back for more before we finished and left.

and he wasn't the only one that does that.

and it has been going on for a while, as I remember noticing that from five or six years ago, and seeing it every year when we go to WDW.

but thats probably why they stay at CL, for the enhanced snacks.

 

[ppony]

while I agree with you, the problem is that there are a LOT of people staying at CL that don't know this, and don't read on any message boards.

Yeah, what do ya do.
I think most of them do know the info quote by WDW themselves because they'll what to know what they can get for the $ before they book, but many will either A: convenienetly forget or B: feel entitled to it because they "paid for it" (which they didn't) and do what they please and/or C: well, is there a C: other than me me me, more me now?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Quoted in their literature:
"Club Level floors and Lounge, which serves refreshments daily:
▪ Continental breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
▪ Midday snack from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ Evening wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Evening cordials and desserts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m."


Nowhere does it say "MEALS". Continental breakfast doesn't mean piled plate after piled plate. You can disagree but it's a industry standard definition, not mine.
So if you do use it as a meal replacement you are abusing it and ruining it for others that just want what is advertised. (That doesn't mean someone that is okay w/ a c. bkfst is treating it as a full meal replacement. Lots of people eat light in the A.M. and that's the point of a continental size bkfst)

Honestly I don't see how anyone can spoil it for other guests because no matter if it's breakfast, the afternoon snacks, the hot hors d'ouvres and the desserts, if they are running low on some food items they are always replaced up until they are scheduled to be taken away. Plus there are no signs in the lounge saying not allowed going for more then one plate of food and the Cast Members don't police it like that.

Personally I think a much bigger problem is those who leave their plates food on the tables in the lounges, when they can not walk a few feet to place them on a table with all the other dishes that need to be cleaned and put other items like paper cups and etc in a garbage can which is also in the lounges.

 

[ppony]

Honestly I don't see how anyone can spoil it for other guests because no matter if it's breakfast, the afternoon snacks, the hot hors d'ouvres and the desserts, if they are running low on some food items they are always replaced up until they are scheduled to be taken away. Plus there are no signs in the lounge saying not allowed going for more then one plate of food and the Cast Members don't police it like that.

Because they don't get to replace them as fast or even close to as fast as they are being taken away. That is how. Otherwise it wouldn't be an issue. Though the amount of time taken up by eating a meal and a snack and relaxing can be far more for a meal than a snack. But that's not the biggest issue. YOU may have been lucky enough to see food being replaced at breakneck speed, but we have not. We've never stayed at the CL at the CR either so maybe they are better? We've gone to find most plates empty and as soon as they are replenished, they are picked clean again. I'm not all about elbowing others out of the way for an appetizer like some people are. And this is during the hours they were supposed to be stocking.

EDIT to add:
WDW resorts will never replace the food at a rate of speed to be able to supply food being taken for full plate meals as opposed to snacks because that would be encouraging meals to be eaten. They don't want people to treat lounges like buffets. Not what they want to do, so round robin we go. Those that pile up, ruin it for the rest if the food isn't restocked that fast and they won't do it.


I actually just had to explain this to my DH because he initially said "well, they charge so much for concierge level, why shouldn't I be able to eat what I want?"

 

[ead79]

Honestly I don't see how anyone can spoil it for other guests because no matter if it's breakfast, the afternoon snacks, the hot hors d'ouvres and the desserts, if they are running low on some food items they are always replaced up until they are scheduled to be taken away. Plus there are no signs in the lounge saying not allowed going for more then one plate of food and the Cast Members don't police it like that.

I have stayed club level at most of Disney's resorts, and unfortunately that has not been my experience at all. I have seen the food run out and not be replaced for a long time (if at all) on several occasions. I have seen people take all but one item on a plate when it's put out for everyone.

I don't think anyone has a problem with people taking a reasonable amount of food (and yes, everyone's idea of a reasonable amount is subjective). But if someone is attempting to skip dinner by filling up a plate until it is as much food as a dinner plate at one of the restaurants, then that is excessive in my opinion. No one would give a second thought to a return trip for another helping of a dessert that you just loved, but it's another thing entirely to take all of the zebra domes they put out at AKL for example.

With the exception of the continental breakfast, I really don't see club level as a replacement for a full meal. Of course if you're still full from a big lunch, it might be just enough for you. But if someone's intent is to save money by loading up at the club level "buffet," then it's unfair to others in my view.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well here is something else that is worse which I happened to notice last month while in the Atrium Club lounge. It was on a Monday and my family and I were in the lounge having the 5:00 PM hot hors d'ouvres when all of the sudden there had to be a total of 30 guests or maybe more in the lounge, talking very loud and kids were running around. I said to my family that chances are someone has brought up his friends and family, well it turns out we were right. Later that night when we returned from the Grand Floridian there was two signs in the lounge both in english and spanish that said the Atrium Club lounge was reserved for guests staying up there. In all of our stays up there they have never needed to put out those signs and they were not out there earlier that day. We then spoke to one of the Club Level Cast Members who confirmed what we thought. He went onto say they don't mind if guests bring up 3 or 4 friends because that doesn't bother anyone, however they couldn't tell this person he was wrong for what he did. Although he did say if they planned on doing that again then they can say his guests who were not staying up there needed to leave.

So if anything those are the type of people who spoil everything for those guests paying money to stay on these Club Level floors/buildings, so if someone who is a registered guests takes a bit more food that's nothing compared to guests not staying up there taking all the food and beer.

 

[Little_Sister]

Just a thought...perhaps it's not an issue of people taking more than their share...maybe the issue lies with how much food is being put out?

I've never experienced the food offerings running out or been witness to the "hoarders" so it just makes me wonder if maybe the lounge staff at some of the resorts are not communicating well enough or being proactive enough with the kitchen in order to keep the trays stocked?

If it's truly a case of "food hoarders"...that's just unfortunate....I can imagine someone's frustration there...personally I don't care how little or how much someone takes...I'm not one to really be aware of that sort of thing...I'm not saying the hoarders don't exist--I guess I've just been fortunate enough to never come in contact with those folks...but I do believe that the majority of people have manners and are respectful of others...

Ultimately the food is there for everyone...and I guess until they start placing signage out (Please one plate per person, Please don't take more than you can eat, Please don't use a shovel, etc etc) guests should be allowed to take as much as they want and the responsibilty lies with the staff to make sure there is an ample amount of food out at all times for all guests.

Please note...I am not excusing or condoning poor manners and rudeness...I'm just saying until the policy changes, you'll probably continue to experience this unfortunate frustration from time to time.

 

[focusondisney]

Personally I think a much bigger problem is those who leave their plates food on the tables in the lounges, when they can not walk a few feet to place them on a table with all the other dishes that need to be cleaned and put other items like paper cups and etc in a garbage can which is also in the lounges.

Hi! We were at the Yacht club earlier this month. This was one of my previous complaints, people not cleaning up after themselves. Well we were surprized to see that there was no place to put dirty plates anymore. There were about 3 cast members who seemed to be there to service the room, both cleaning & restocking the foods. If you took food back to your room you just left the plates in the hall, like after room service, there was truly no where to bring dirty plates back to. They were promptly picked up eack night. In the lounge the CM would take dirty plates out of the lounge into the storage room & wipe down the table as soon as the guests left. They just kind of hung around the lobby/ door area until someone left. So this was something new we noticed this trip.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just a thought...perhaps it's not an issue of people taking more than their share...maybe the issue lies with how much food is being put out?

I've never experienced the food offerings running out or been witness to the "hoarders" so it just makes me wonder if maybe the lounge staff at some of the resorts are not communicating well enough or being proactive enough with the kitchen in order to keep the trays stocked?

If it's truly a case of "food hoarders"...that's just unfortunate....I can imagine someone's frustration there...personally I don't care how little or how much someone takes...I'm not one to really be aware of that sort of thing...I'm not saying the hoarders don't exist--I guess I've just been fortunate enough to never come in contact with those folks...but I do believe that the majority of people have manners and are respectful of others...

Ultimately the food is there for everyone...and I guess until they start placing signage out (Please one plate per person, Please don't take more than you can eat, Please don't use a shovel, etc etc) guests should be allowed to take as much as they want and the responsibilty lies with the staff to make sure there is an ample amount of food out at all times for all guests.

Please note...I am not excusing or condoning poor manners and rudeness...I'm just saying until the policy changes, you'll probably continue to experience this unfortunate frustration from time to time.

I agree 100% with everything you said.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi! We were at the Yacht club earlier this month. This was one of my previous complaints, people not cleaning up after themselves. Well we were surprized to see that there was no place to put dirty plates anymore. There were about 3 cast members who seemed to be there to service the room, both cleaning & retocking the foods. If you took food back to your room you just left the plates in the hall, like after room service, there was truly no where to bring dirty plates back to. They were promptly picked up eack night. In the lounge the CM would take dirty plates out of the lounge into the storage room & wipe down the table as soon as the guests left. They just kind of hung around the lobby/ door area until someone left. So this was something new we noticed this trip.

Well I can't speak for the Yacht Club, but at the Contemporary there is a table set up with a black try and a table cloth for guests to put their dirty dishes on there. Now other guests were also putting their plates on there so not everyone in the lounge left food on the tables, however there was still a good amount of people who left their plates on the tables and couldn't walk a few feet to their and to the garbage can.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I have never really experienced anyone taking all the food like that in concierge. I'm sure it happens. I have 2 very hungry (all the time) teen boys and I remind them it is a snack until I feed them. They are pretty good about it except in the morning I am sure my youngest takes someone else's share of pastries along with his. But he does leave all the oatmeal and quinoa for you all.

 

[Leafsgirl36]

I have to say that the whole debate about using the CL food as a meal replacement frustrates me for 2 reasons:

1) I paid a large price to stay club level and if I want to eat then I am going to and I shouldn't feel as though I am being watched by others.

2) I am on vacation and can find other things to do then sit and see who might be taking more food then myself, remember it is supposed to be the Happiest place on Earth .

If there isn't enough food for everyone then perhaps something should be said to a Cast Member or Management so that they can ensure there is enough to go around for everyone.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

1) I paid a large price to stay club level and if I want to eat then I am going to and I shouldn't feel as though I am being watched by others.

My family and I have said the exact same thing you did. Plus if the Cast Members don't say anything were not doing something that is wrong, so the food area should not be policed by other guests who don't have any authority.

 

[Little_Sister]

I agree 100% with everything you said.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

INFORMATION FOR CONCIERGE/CLUB LEVEL GUESTS

Available at ALL Disney Deluxe Resorts for Concierge Guests:
• Nightly Turndown Service
• High Speed Internet Access (access fees apply)
• Bathroom Amenities (shampoo, conditioner, hand/body lotion, bath & facial soap)
• Complimentary Fax Assistance
• Complimentary Health Club Access
• 2 Adult-Size Spa Bathrobes (in-room use, additional robes can be requested)
• Club Level Check-In from 7am - 10pm
• Club Level Assistance from 7am - 10pm (tickets, dining, recreation, special events)
• Advanced Itinerary Planning
• Refreshments throughout the day in Concierge Lounges
• Secured Key Access to Club Level Floors; 2 resorts have buildings exclusively for Club Level guests: Hawaii & Tonga buildings at the Polynesian are secured key access; Sugar Loaf building at Grand Floridan is secured key access.
• USA Today Newspaper
• Coffee Maker with Coffee & Tea Assortment
• Iron and Board
• Safe
• Hair Dryer
• Refrigerator - not stocked (available upon request at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
• Library of Disney Movies at Concierge Desk
• VCR and/or DVD Players in suites (upon request at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
• CD/Clock Radios in Suites
• Discovery Wildlife Excursion



\QUOTE]

I have stayed concierge at AKL and I have stayed DVC at AKL but not AKV Concierge. Can someone tell me if I will have turndown and/or daily mousekeeping as is standard with concierge or will it not happen as is standard with DVC? Thanks in advance.