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

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Some people think we are crazy, but we always do the Dxdp!! Our next trip is CL and we are still doing it. Yes...it will be tons of food, but we do like the sit down meals. Our family loves eating out and trying new things...especially the signatures. This is part of the experience for us. I've had several people ask me why I'm doing CL with the dining option...it's like this...not doing CL for the food. We did it for the location of the Hawaii building and the ease of having the IPO. I gave them my list and they got me EVERYTHING that I requested almost down to the exact time. Several of our ressies were hard to get and I needed their help...CRT, Fantasmic Package, LeCeiler, California Grill, etc. The Poly IPOs have been wonderful!!! And like you, we will grab a quick bit to eat in the mornings...will be very convenient with 3 kids. This plan isn't for everyone, but it works well for us.

Happy Planning!

Great minds think alike, hstrickland!
I just posted this on the Y & BC FAQ page:
Quote:
Originally Posted by chimo2u
Hello

I am very excited to be trying the BC resort for the very first time with my son (14 yo) this summer. We are usually AKL lovers, but wanted to try something new this trip, and BC has always been very appealing to me! I am having a dilema. I am trying to decide whether or not I should add club level to our reservation this trip. Both of my prior trips at AKL have been club level, and I admit I have become spoiled by the wonderful ammenities
I am a club girl at heart! I thought about doing Deluxe Dining in place of club level this trip, and that is where the current reservation is leaning (planned on adding it on if free dining was offered). The difference btwn Club and Deluxe dining is $400.00...Club level is the higher amt. My son is ok with either or. Does anyone have any recommendations? I could use some advice from those who have experienced either or both...and all opinions will be very much appreciated! Hopefully I can think this through on all angles and make the best choice!
Thank you,
Marie
ETA: If I do club level, it will only be with regular DDP


I've struggled with this question, too!
DxDDP really IS too much food with CL.
However, it still seems to work out financially for us because we do quite a few character meals and signature restaurants - as well as HDDR each trip...
Even tho we don't use all of our credits, we do spend less money by purchasing the DxDDP.
You can figure out what you'd probably pay at the restaurants you expect to try by going to www.allears.net and pricing a sample menu. Do that for each of your planned meals and see if it compares to what you'll spend on the dining plan. We've actually found that all our snacks are "free" with the dining plan. We don't use them all, but we do purchase those Mickey head chocolate covered rice Krispie treats on a stick - we buy as many as we have snack credit for on our last day. There have been plenty for the 2 grandchildren to share with their class when they return from vacation. So we consider it a winning proposition!
Happy planning!
Gretchen

 

[babydovesx2]

Last time we stayed at Poly but not CL. For us our must have was an unobstructed view on MK. But this year Poly is now offering CL MK view. So today I called and upgraded to CL

Since this is our first time staying CL I have a few quetions:

1.) When should we hear from IPO regarding booking our ADR's? We will be there in November and our 180 day in is May. Since I just upgraded today how long should I wait before I contact them? I am a compulsive planner.

2.) I read on post 1 that you don't tip the CL CM. Is this true for bell staff and mousekeeping too? I am used to tipping but I don't want to get anyone into trouble.

3.) Can the snacks and drinks be taken from the lounge to your room, including alcoholic drinks?

4.) Are the purchases that are made in the parks delivered to your room or do you have to pick them up at the gift shop?

I am sure I will think of more questions but this is a start. Any help is appreciated.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last time we stayed at Poly but not CL. For us our must have was an unobstructed view on MK. But this year Poly is now offering CL MK view. So today I called and upgraded to CL

Since this is our first time staying CL I have a few quetions:

1.) When should we hear from IPO regarding booking our ADR's? We will be there in November and our 180 day in is May. Since I just upgraded today how long should I wait before I contact them? I am a compulsive planner.

2.) I read on post 1 that you don't tip the CL CM. Is this true for bell staff and mousekeeping too? I am used to tipping but I don't want to get anyone into trouble.

3.) Can the snacks and drinks be taken from the lounge to your room, including alcoholic drinks?

4.) Are the purchases that are made in the parks delivered to your room or do you have to pick them up at the gift shop?

I am sure I will think of more questions but this is a start. Any help is appreciated.

1) I would e-mail them right away so they can get started on your ADR's and etc.

2) Yes it's true you don't tip the Club Level Cast Members, however you still tip the bell staff and housekeepers.

3) Yes you can do that.

4) They are sent to your room when staying Club Level.

 

[HARASW]

I just "re-found" this thread and am quite happy! Have not had time to read through it yet.

I was wondering if anyone has been to WL Old Faithful Club lately. It's been a number of years since I've stayed there and was wondering if it is the same comfortable family-like concierge service that I remember or if there are some new things to look forward to.

Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Belinderella]

I am not impressed at all with the GF IPO.

1st: I emailed them with my dates and reservation # and then asked some general questions...no response
2nd: I forwarded my email back to them asking if they had gotten it...got a reply back with vague answers
3rd: Sent in my dinning requests....no response
4th: I forwarded my email back...got my dinning itenerary but it was all messed up...dates were 2009, it would say Saturday when it was really a Sunday, they scheduled breakfast when I asked for dinner...ect.

So today I called to explain the problem and have them cancel what they had done, and the lady was very fast talking, not friendly, and act like she just wanted to get off the phone...I wanted to asks some questions but she didnt give me the chance.

Where are all of the wonderful people working in IPO I keep reading about????

 

[ljcrochet]

I am not impressed at all with the GF IPO.

Where are all of the wonderful people working in IPO I keep reading about????

Sorry you have not had luck with the GF IPO. AK IPO has been amazing. We booked the sunrise safari. We were not going to do make that many ADRs, but DH went to make 2 online. He did not know if went through since it did not go to a confirmation screen just a white scree. I emailed them asking them to check if the reservations DH made were there and to book the wonderland tea for my DD. I got an email back the next morning that had my itinerary attached including another ADR i made included that I had not mentioned to them.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Sorry you have not had luck with the GF IPO. AK IPO has been amazing. We booked the sunrise safari. We were not going to do make that many ADRs, but DH went to make 2 online. He did not know if went through since it did not go to a confirmation screen just a white scree. I emailed them asking them to check if the reservations DH made were there and to book the wonderland tea for my DD. I got an email back the next morning that had my itinerary attached including another ADR i made included that I had not mentioned to them.

GF IPO has been great to me, so far. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Native NYer]

I'm currently booked at SL at the GF, but am considering upgrading to RPC. Have the rooms been updated in the Main Building? The only photos I'm finding are of the old rooms.

Also, is the RPC kid-friendly? I'm bringing my nephews, who will be 6 and 2 at in August.

Is the lounge in RPC larger than SL? What are the real differences?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm currently booked at SL at the GF, but am considering upgrading to RPC. Have the rooms been updated in the Main Building? The only photos I'm finding are of the old rooms.

Also, is the RPC kid-friendly? I'm bringing my nephews, who will be 6 and 2 at in August.

Is the lounge in RPC larger than SL? What are the real differences?

All the rooms in each building were renovated and I believe the lounge in RPC is a lot bigger, however I am not sure if it's kid friendly since I have never stayed there. Although I would assume that it is.

 

[Native NYer]

All the rooms in each building were renovated and I believe the lounge in RPC is a lot bigger, however I am not sure if it's kid friendly since I have never stayed there. Although I would assume that it is.

Thanks!

That's the one thing I really want to find out, if the RPC is kid-friendly. If I'm going to increase my package price by over $900, I want to make sure it's a good place for my nephews.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks!

That's the one thing I really want to find out, if the RPC is kid-friendly. If I'm going to increase my package price by over $900, I want to make sure it's a good place for my nephews.

You're welcome and hopefully someone can give you a more clear answer about their lounge.

 

[EvilQueenT]

any differences between the offerings at the two clubs at the gf? i've stayed main building club level in summer of 07 and loved it but would hate to be disappointed if it were drastically different in the outer building.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

any differences between the offerings at the two clubs at the gf? i've stayed main building club level in summer of 07 and loved it but would hate to be disappointed if it were drastically different in the outer building.

Both Royal Palm and Sugar Loaf have the exact same food offerings.

 

[EvilQueenT]

thank you... that makes booking less stressful

 

[rookie2]

Hopefully you guys will be able to answer a few questions I have. We will be leaving for YC CL Jan 23rd-30, I just upgraded last weekend, so I have all of ADR's already.
1. We have a Garden view room should I make a specific room request? The last time we had CL we were the family of the week and didn't want to complain about the loading area that we were above.
2. I would like a Time Guide for the week from each of the parks when I arrive, is this possible?
3. Should I do online check-in? Where should we go to check in? The last time they were waiting for us w/ baloons and brought us up to CL.
4. There is a gentlman who works/ed the CL desk, he is from Smallville Kansas. We think his name was Bill can anyone confirm his name and if he still works there? He was wonderful! Of course this is the one set of paperwork that I can not find from our last stay.
5. Since we changed our reservation just two weeks prior to arriving, do you think they will send us new ME paperwork and luggage tags?
6. Is there a way to contact CL before our arrival in case we have any questions?
7. Will we be able to get a couple of beers after returning from the parks at night? That was one of the selling points to get my Husband to agree to the upgrade.
Thanks in advance for any helping you can provide.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We had a great YC CL room overlooking the back courtyard. When you looked to the right you could see Crescent Lake.

I'm pretty sure the wine, cordials and beer are out until 9 or 10:00. If not you can go earlier (when the appetizers are out) and take a few back to your room and put them in the frig. I know DH did that a few times.

 

[St. Germain]

Both Royal Palm and Sugar Loaf have the exact same food offerings.

So basically the cost difference between SL and RPC is just being able to be in the main building and have your lounge overlook the main lobby, etc.? We booked SL for a couple of weeks from now and when I saw the price difference I figured that RPC had much better food choices or other amenities that SL didn't include. It's our first time staying CL and we didn't know if the extra for RPC was worth it.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

So basically the cost difference between SL and RPC is just being able to be in the main building and have your lounge overlook the main lobby, etc.? We booked SL for a couple of weeks from now and when I saw the price difference I figured that RPC had much better food choices or other amenities that SL didn't include. It's our first time staying CL and we didn't know if the extra for RPC was worth it.

You might be able to get into RPC for free. We got a free upgrade from a lagoon view to RPC, just by calling and asking for a pin.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

thank you... that makes booking less stressful

You're welcome.

 

[St. Germain]

You might be able to get into RPC for free. We got a free upgrade from a lagoon view to RPC, just by calling and asking for a pin.

We're using the 4/3 deal so I assume that it can't be used with a pin.