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

[mmmears]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm probably going to leave it just as it is, especially since I don't see the need to spend more $$$, or more time on the phone with CRO for that matter. I don't appreciate their taking my money and making a reservation for a room, though, and them having them change the room types. That should be done before they take the reservations, not after.

 

[brerroadrunner]

If you were staying Beach Club CL or Yacht Club CL, which has the best chances of a view of Epcot with fireworks? We had a great view from Swan.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm probably going to leave it just as it is, especially since I don't see the need to spend more $$$, or more time on the phone with CRO for that matter. I don't appreciate their taking my money and making a reservation for a room, though, and them having them change the room types. That should be done before they take the reservations, not after.

I'm with you 100% mmmears!
I think our trip this April will be our last for a while, even tho we love taking the grandkids and I save year-round for these vacations. With the economy the way it is, we can do far better somewhere else - where we don't get charged seemingly for the air we breathe! Heresy, I know! And so sad - but we've finally been priced out...
We could of course, stay more economically - but the magic has dimmed...
Disney has lost a loyal fan - at least for a while.
Gretchen

 

[mmmears]

I'm with you 100% mmmears!
I think our trip this April will be our last for a while, even tho we love taking the grandkids and I save year-round for these vacations. With the economy the way it is, we can do far better somewhere else - where we don't get charged seemingly for the air we breathe! Heresy, I know! And so sad - but we've finally been priced out...
We could of course, stay more economically - but the magic has dimmed...
Disney has lost a loyal fan - at least for a while.
Gretchen

This will be our last trip for a long time... I agree -- we can have a fantastic time at other places and not feel price-gouged... For us, the hotel we stay at is a big part of any vacation, so we're not planning on downgrading that part of our trip. Just thinking that it's time we took DD to other parts of the country instead.

 

[Beehn]

We are pretty die-hard Poly people, but for our next trip we decided to try the Contemporary. Since I got the 40% pin code, I am thinking about splurging for the CL. Hoping someone here can confirm a few things for me.
I see there is quite a debate on the food. We wouldn't be eating tons my DD's eat like birds, but we would want breakfast, a few snacks, and the wine/beer. People have said the CL's food isn't what it used to be. Does that mean that since I've never been there, I won't know the difference, or does it mean that I will be dissappointed in the offerings?
Also, during our last trip, we had intentions of staying in the parks for the evening shows, but usually our youngest had had enough by then. We would head back to the Poly and DH would take the older DD to watch Wishes. Is it right that even if we don't book a MK view room, we would be able to watch Wishes (and hear the music) in the lounge? (And enjoy a beer in the process!)
Last thing- is there any benifit to letting them book my ADR's (besides sleeping in!) I mean, am I more likely to get an outside table if I want one, or any extra pixie dust by letting them take care of it?
Hopefully there are some of you out there that have stayed at the Contemporary CL and can share your opnion!

 

[Chironicus]

Hello-hello!

Since I've heard so much about the GF club in past years, I'd love to know if anyone's been there in the last few weeks to see what the current offerings are.

Photos would be very nice!!

Thanks so much!

 

[SFD998]

Subscribing

 

[mmmears]

We are pretty die-hard Poly people, but for our next trip we decided to try the Contemporary. Since I got the 40% pin code, I am thinking about splurging for the CL. Hoping someone here can confirm a few things for me.
I see there is quite a debate on the food. We wouldn't be eating tons my DD's eat like birds, but we would want breakfast, a few snacks, and the wine/beer. People have said the CL's food isn't what it used to be. Does that mean that since I've never been there, I won't know the difference, or does it mean that I will be dissappointed in the offerings?
Also, during our last trip, we had intentions of staying in the parks for the evening shows, but usually our youngest had had enough by then. We would head back to the Poly and DH would take the older DD to watch Wishes. Is it right that even if we don't book a MK view room, we would be able to watch Wishes (and hear the music) in the lounge? (And enjoy a beer in the process!)
Last thing- is there any benifit to letting them book my ADR's (besides sleeping in!) I mean, am I more likely to get an outside table if I want one, or any extra pixie dust by letting them take care of it?
Hopefully there are some of you out there that have stayed at the Contemporary CL and can share your opnion!

Welcome! Staying CL at the CR with the 40% code sounds like a great idea!

We've stayed CL in the past, and then in 2009 stayed at AKL, BC, GF, and Poly -- all CL. Maybe there was less food, but honestly, it was plenty for us. I think you'll be happy if you go in there thinking "snacks". It's really great for kids, since they can have several choices there.

Haven't stayed CL at the CR, but I've read that, yes, you will have a great view of the MK and the fireworks from the lounge and it's balcony. It's a great way to watch the fireworks. There's usually dessert & cordieals offered around that time as well! That's our preferred method of watching the fireworks when we're staying at the Poly -- with a little something sweet on the side! It's so nice not to be in the crowds!!!

 

[AMB1]

Hi everyone.

We will be staying at the CR on the Atrium Club level. I understand that we will be able to watch the fireworks from the lounge. Where exactly is the lounge located on the 12th floor? Does it have an outdoor balcony/seating area? I've seen a layout of the 14th floor, but I can't find one for the 12th. I assume it is somewhere near the elevators?

Thanks

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi everyone.

We will be staying at the CR on the Atrium Club level. I understand that we will be able to watch the fireworks from the lounge. Where exactly is the lounge located on the 12th floor? Does it have an outdoor balcony/seating area? I've seen a layout of the 14th floor, but I can't find one for the 12th. I assume it is somewhere near the elevators?

Thanks

You will see the lounge right away when you come out of the elevator. Besides that you can go out on the lounge balconies to watch Wishes, however they don't have tables or chairs where you can sit outside.

 

[west&east]

Last thing- is there any benifit to letting them book my ADR's (besides sleeping in!) I mean, am I more likely to get an outside table if I want one, or any extra pixie dust by letting them take care of it?
Hopefully there are some of you out there that have stayed at the Contemporary CL and can share your opnion!

Haven't stayed at the Contemporary CL but did stay at AKL CL and am heading to WL CL 12/18-12/23 (thanks to the 40% awesome discount!) I think that the IPO service is well worth it. They do a great job of working with you on your ADR requests and were able to work wonders in January. Called today and they got me a fantasmic package for 12/22 that I thought would be impossible. You can send them all your requests by email or phone and they just do it.

One question I do have is how the recent system change for ADRs affects the IPO. The woman I spoke with today said it is not quite as easy as it was for the IPO to grab spots. I wasn't sure if I understood what she was saying. Anybody have a clue about what has changed? I know that in the past, certain spots were held at restaurants, fireworks cruise, etc. for CL guests that the IPOs could reserve.

Karen

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are pretty die-hard Poly people, but for our next trip we decided to try the Contemporary. Since I got the 40% pin code, I am thinking about splurging for the CL. Hoping someone here can confirm a few things for me.
I see there is quite a debate on the food. We wouldn't be eating tons my DD's eat like birds, but we would want breakfast, a few snacks, and the wine/beer. People have said the CL's food isn't what it used to be. Does that mean that since I've never been there, I won't know the difference, or does it mean that I will be dissappointed in the offerings?
Also, during our last trip, we had intentions of staying in the parks for the evening shows, but usually our youngest had had enough by then. We would head back to the Poly and DH would take the older DD to watch Wishes. Is it right that even if we don't book a MK view room, we would be able to watch Wishes (and hear the music) in the lounge? (And enjoy a beer in the process!)
Last thing- is there any benifit to letting them book my ADR's (besides sleeping in!) I mean, am I more likely to get an outside table if I want one, or any extra pixie dust by letting them take care of it?
Hopefully there are some of you out there that have stayed at the Contemporary CL and can share your opnion!

My family and I have had a lot of Club Level stays at the Contemporary and I can say you will have a great time. Their Magic Kingdom View is amazing if you are watching Wishes from the lounge and the music is piped into balcony. Besides that we always found their food offerings to be very good and were never hungry after eating them.

 

[mmmears]

Haven't stayed at the Contemporary CL but did stay at AKL CL and am heading to WL CL 12/18-12/23 (thanks to the 40% awesome discount!) I think that the IPO service is well worth it. They do a great job of working with you on your ADR requests and were able to work wonders in January. Called today and they got me a fantasmic package for 12/22 that I thought would be impossible. You can send them all your requests by email or phone and they just do it.

One question I do have is how the recent system change for ADRs affects the IPO. The woman I spoke with today said it is not quite as easy as it was for the IPO to grab spots. I wasn't sure if I understood what she was saying. Anybody have a clue about what has changed? I know that in the past, certain spots were held at restaurants, fireworks cruise, etc. for CL guests that the IPOs could reserve.

Karen

They always said that there were no special spots held for CM guests, so I don't see a change. As for getting our ADRs, the IPO did a fantastic job for us a few weeks ago and got us everything we wanted, within 5 mins of our request time. So, I haven't noticed any changes since our last trip... Don't know what she is talking about. The IPO CM at AKL that I spoke to said that nothing has changed...

 

[WendyisDarling]

Has anyone heard of the new category of rooms at the Poly? From what I understand there's a new bookable category of "TPV with Club Level Access" starting in 2010 - meaning that if you want a guaranteed Theme Park View in the Hawaii Bldg (CL) you have to pay extra for it - even if you've already paid the big bucks for the LV!!

Since it seems people complain when they can't see the castle with lagoon view (some rooms are blocked), they are separating the blocked from the unblocked. If you look at the CL options for GF for next year, there is a TPV CL option as well. The price for this view, for me, is absolutely outrageous! I always felt the LV CL ($715) pricing at over $100 more p/n vs a GV CL ($570 p/n) just across the hall was ridiculous, but the $760 p/n for a "TPV w/CL Access" is beyond ridiculous. . .they are the same rooms as they have always been and the offerings in the lounge are once again being diminished while the room rates rise.

It is interesting that the new view is still in Hawaii--if that's the case, what is the point of "with CL access" as a view type. . .seems redundant since you are already housed in the CL building.

As I said, I'm sure someone will think that this latest view is "worth the money", but it isn't me. . .CL at $760 p/night (regular season) to look at Cinderella Castle is too rich for my blood. . . I can find better ways to spend the additional $190 p/n difference and stick with GV or, , a non-CL room and save huge $$$$.
(This info was copied directly from the disboards.)

So - does anyone have any input? I just emailed IPO at Poly CL, but since it's after hours, I won't hear anything back until tomorrow.

We have 2 LV CL rooms booked for April 2010 - and this news doesn't make me happy...
Gretchen

I just read through the complaints here and comments of rooms not being obstructed.
I must disagree.
We stayed two separate occassions with very obscured views of the castle and fireworks and I was very disappointed. Once was on first floor behind a giant bush. If we stood on our patio chairs we could see otherwise we had to walk out front. (A few days into our stay they were able to move us.) We tried again thinking surely we would get a good view second time around. Ugh. Second floor behind a post. If you contorted your body two people could watch fireworks from the room. Such a disappointment to pay that much extra money. DH and I both thought they should just charge more to guarantee TPV.

This year we didn't even risk it (and we needed two rooms) and went with GVCL. It was fine. We went to the lounge to watch fireworks (I just wish they would turn off or down the TV) or on the beach. Pretty much the same experience as when we paid so much more for LVCL. Although, when we were moved for the last couple of nights on trip one and had a great view, it was really AWESOME.

Having experienced GVLC, I'll go with that from now on and save the money. But if I was trying to have that "once in a lifetime" trip, I would pay for TPV CL.

(Does anyone ever stick to that once in a lifetime concept? )

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just read through the complaints here and comments of rooms not being obstructed.
I must disagree.
We stayed two separate occassions with very obscured views of the castle and fireworks and I was very disappointed. Once was on first floor behind a giant bush. If we stood on our patio chairs we could see otherwise we had to walk out front. (A few days into our stay they were able to move us.) We tried again thinking surely we would get a good view second time around. Ugh. Second floor behind a post. If you contorted your body two people could watch fireworks from the room. Such a disappointment to pay that much extra money. DH and I both thought they should just charge more to guarantee TPV.

This year we didn't even risk it (and we needed two rooms) and went with GVCL. It was fine. We went to the lounge to watch fireworks (I just wish they would turn off or down the TV) or on the beach. Pretty much the same experience as when we paid so much more for LVCL. Although, when we were moved for the last couple of nights on trip one and had a great view, it was really AWESOME.

Having experienced GVLC, I'll go with that from now on and save the money. But if I was trying to have that "once in a lifetime" trip, I would pay for TPV CL.

(Does anyone ever stick to that once in a lifetime concept? )

In general when it comes to the Magic Kingdom View at the Polynesian and even the Grand Floridian I always thought can you really call it that? Yes you will end up with a view of Cinderella's Castle, however that's it. Now when you compare it to the Magic Kingdom View at the Contemporary they have a full Magic Kingdom View of everything around there, plus all their Magic Kingdom Views are less expensive then the Polynesian and Grand Floridian combined. Now obviously one big reason for their view being that much better is the Contemporary's overall location right next to the Magic Kingdom and there are still some who say well you also see the Contemporary parking lot, which doesn't make it any magical. So when it comes to that I guess you can not please everybody.

 

[nathanyell]

Anyone heard more about the food reductions on the concierge level? I saw something about it on the new WL thread and was wondering if it is happening all over?

TIA!

Brian

 

[Tess]

Anyone heard more about the food reductions on the concierge level? I saw something about it on the new WL thread and was wondering if it is happening all over?

TIA!

Brian

I believe that the cost cutting is resort wide.

 

[ClareH37]

I'm already staying at the YC and dealing with the wonderful IPO (I've known some of them for a few years now), have also just booked a couple of nights at the Poly (first time) before I head on over to the YC, so emailed the Poly IPO to request info on their resort/club level, got a very non descript email back saying I wasn't on their system and, not to put too finer point on it, it was very blunt and totally not what I expected and the opposite of the YC IPO.

I emailed back to explain because I've booked through Disney UK the reference numbers are different and they will need to pull my details up by my dates and surname.

That was 2 days ago and I haven't heard back.

I'm very disappointed by their original response and not having heard anything following on from my 2nd email is even more disappointing.

I'm thinking maybe I just caught the IPO on a bad day (i.e. did they get out of bed the wrong side ) or maybe they're always this unhelpful

 

[mjvans]

Soon after we booked our vacation, I emailed our IPO. Within a couple of hours, I heard directly from him. He was very personable, courteous and attentive and has gone above and beyondto meet our needs and requests. Whenever I send him an email, I hear back from him within a few hours at most. So, our experience has been very favorable thus far.....Good luck!

I'm already staying at the YC and dealing with the wonderful IPO (I've known some of them for a few years now), have also just booked a couple of nights at the Poly (first time) before I head on over to the YC, so emailed the Poly IPO to request info on their resort/club level, got a very non descript email back saying I wasn't on their system and, not to put too finer point on it, it was very blunt and totally not what I expected and the opposite of the YC IPO.

I emailed back to explain because I've booked through Disney UK the reference numbers are different and they will need to pull my details up by my dates and surname.

That was 2 days ago and I haven't heard back.

I'm very disappointed by their original response and not having heard anything following on from my 2nd email is even more disappointing.

I'm thinking maybe I just caught the IPO on a bad day (i.e. did they get out of bed the wrong side ) or maybe they're always this unhelpful

 

[leeann32]

When do you contact IPO? We still have 9.5 months before our trip to the Boardwalk, but I would like to make some room requests. Also, does anyone have anymore pictures of the food offerings? I've read nothing but positive reviews for the Boardwalk club level! Were so excited!
One more ?, is the BWI lounge open 24hrs?