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

[UncleOrville]

Hi all! We just got back from an AMAZING week at Beach Club, CL. We had booked a standard/garden view room, and got upgraded to the BEST view imaginable! We were in room 5687, next door to the Nantucket Suite! We had a frontal lagoon view, with SAB right below us, the BWI across, and the YC, S/D to the right. It was so nice! We had requested a room with a daybed (although we are only a party of 4) for our son with autism. The IPO staff was SO helpful and friendly over emails prior to the trip, and they assured me that they would have a hand in the room assignment. Did they ever! They rock! I was under the impression that there were no rooms with daybeds that had a Water View, (maybe there are only a handful, which is why they are not bookable for parties of 5...), so I NEVER expected to open the drapes and be hit with such an amazing view!

Overall, we give the BC CL an A+! The lounge, although small, was very nice. The staff in the lounge was so friendly and helpful. I always felt weird asking for things (bottles of water, extra food or cups, etc.) but they NEVER acted put out or anything. They did everything with a smile on their face and went that extra mile again and again for us. One of our sons is 4, and he LOVED those Swedish Fish. Well, one afternoon, we got back too late, and the lounge was closed after the "snacks" time, and our son started crying because it had become routine to run to the lounge after returning to the parks and grabbing some snacks (he's sort of a brat that way). Well, the CM at the desk fussed over him and promised she'd have gummy fish out during the 5-7pm appetizer hour. I told her over and over that it was okay, not necessary, etc. Well, later as we came back to our room after swimming, there was a little baggie of gummy fish tied to our room door handle! Wow! Talk about personalized service.

The food was great too! We actually ate the majority of the time in there, and only ate "real" meals a couple of times all week. There was plenty (IMO) to make a big, filling breakfast daily as well as a substantial dinner off the evening offerings. We don't eat big, hearty meals generally (we're more snackers, light meal eaters), so it was perfect for us. We loved the evening desserts every night, and all week, I only bought ONE treat (a cheesecake brownie from BW Bakery). We bought a total of 4 ice creams for our kids all week too, because they LOVED the desserts in the lounge and got their fill in there. Gotta love all you can eat cookies that run $2.79 each in the parks.... For the whole week, for our family of four, our "room charge" totaled $612, and that included a $100 meal for two at Bluezoo as well as all our souvenirs and random purchases. We charged EVERYTHING to the room, and the CL was most definitely a huge value for us, food/drink/treat wise.

Our mousekeeper, Fenelita, was fabulous as well! Our room was always freshly made up (she was watching us, and figured out our "normal" routine). We never caught her making up our room. She was very stealth. Always vacuumed up our kid's crumbs from eating in the room. Always replenished towels, toiletries, etc. and cleaned our room until it shone. And, left us more chocolate every night than we could eat! We brought back a ziploc bag full. We NEVER came back to a room that had not been serviced, and loved the daily turndown service too. She was great.

Overall, we found the BC to be an outstanding family resort. LOVED SAB! We have found our new home, and will be returning to BC CL many times in the coming years!

Thanks for your review - sounds like you had a fantastic trip! We also LOVED BC CL when we were there in early March (also booked a garden view and got a room with a perfect view of SAB and Crescent Lake ). Can't wait to go back for our next trip in September!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Ok my DF is booking a trip for the whole family bless his heart and was either going to do club leavel or the basic dinning plan. From what I have read I would love the little perks that club level gives you since we are going with 6 adults and 4 children and I would like to get all my ADR's. I was wondering if I should still get a dinning plan in addition or just pay out of pocket for meals? My family loves to have one good meal a day but other then that something small is all we will need so does it work out??
Dinning plans are Hoop dee doo, Boma, Cape May Cafe Clam bake, Castle Dinner, Chef Mickeys, Sci-fi Cafe and a few others I think Thanks

You'd probably be just fine without the dining plan, in my opinion. You'll have access to breakfast, a late morning "snack", a mid afternoon "snack", hot evening appetizers, and late night desserts,.... It's alot of food. And you also get unlimited water, soda, etc. You can always ask for a few beers also, if you're so inclined... (We each take one and enjoy it pool-side).
Have a great trip!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Ok my DF is booking a trip for the whole family bless his heart and was either going to do club leavel or the basic dinning plan. From what I have read I would love the little perks that club level gives you since we are going with 6 adults and 4 children and I would like to get all my ADR's. I was wondering if I should still get a dinning plan in addition or just pay out of pocket for meals? My family loves to have one good meal a day but other then that something small is all we will need so does it work out??
Dinning plans are Hoop dee doo, Boma, Cape May Cafe Clam bake, Castle Dinner, Chef Mickeys, Sci-fi Cafe and a few others I think Thanks

How old are the kids? Children under 10 pay a lot less for the DDP. Children 10 & over pay adult pricing. My 10 year old doesn't eat like an adult so the DDP isn't a good deal for my family anymore.

I would say with the meals you have listed you would probably be better off paying out of pocket.

Another factor would be when you are going. I find it hard to eat all the food included on the DDP when it is hot. Just noticed you said Christmas so this isn't likely going to be a factor for you.

 

[cyndisun]

Apologies in advance if this has been asked...

Does anyone know if YC CL has instant oatmeal or hard boiled eggs available for breakfast? We were there last year but I can't remember. I'm on a diet and I'd like to have some options besides pastries, bagels and cereal.

I can always bring my own packets, but thought I'd ask the experts first.

TIA!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Hi all.
I have a question:
We're leaving for WDW in 8 days. We have Poly CL reserved. My TA called just a few minutes ago saying that we can't stay in the Hawaii Bldg the 1st nite because of some maintainance which will be going on. They have offered to put us in a regular room for one night (refunding the difference, of course) and thn we will supposedly get our room the second day. This seems like an awful lot of hassle to me.... There are 7 of us in 2 rooms.
They also offered a room in Sugar Loaf for the 1 night; or for our entire 7 day stay, if we want.
Neither option really appeals to me...
What do you guys recommend?
Actually, I feel really bad for my TA - she is more upset than I am...
I've even been thinking that I might want to switch the whole reservation to the BC (assuming they have availability).
Some of the pro's are SAB (we'll have 2 teenagers, a 7 year old, and a 4 year old.), proximity to EP and HS, and the fact that it would be a new experience for us.
Cons are the smaller rooms and concierge lounge, and the fact that it's not on the monorail.
We've stayed at the Poly & fell in love with watching the EWP and Wishes from our room every night. DGD goes crazy when she sees the Castle! We love the peaceful Poly Beach.... I guess I don't have to go on.
I was a bit disappointed when the Poly added a TPV and increased the cost after we made our reservation. I don't know if this is just the motivation I need to change resorts, or if I'm just making too much fuss over moving after 1 night.
Would truly appreciate your input. Any and all suggestions will be considered.
Just hope I have enough time to work something else out.

PS We've already stayed at the WL - would like to try somewhere else, even tho we loved it.
Really don't think we want to consider AKL due to the lack of night life (especially for the teenagers & I don't think they'll care for the food) and the fact that it is so far removed from the rest of the parks.
Would definitely take a look at everything else.

Thank you for your input.

Gretchen

 

[UncleOrville]

Gretchen,

What a headache! It sounds like the Poly has a lot of advantages for you - I would probably take the one night in the non-CL room and then go through the hassle of moving to Hawaii the next day if I were in your position. We haven't stayed CL at the Poly (but did stay there in a standard room last year), but we absolutely loved our recent stay at BC CL. If you and your family decide it is best to avoid the hassle of switching, I'm sure you'd have a great time at the BC.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Hi all.
I have a question:
We're leaving for WDW in 8 days. We have Poly CL reserved. My TA called just a few minutes ago saying that we can't stay in the Hawaii Bldg the 1st nite because of some maintainance which will be going on. They have offered to put us in a regular room for one night (refunding the difference, of course) and thn we will supposedly get our room the second day. This seems like an awful lot of hassle to me.... There are 7 of us in 2 rooms.
They also offered a room in Sugar Loaf for the 1 night; or for our entire 7 day stay, if we want.
Neither option really appeals to me...
What do you guys recommend?
Actually, I feel really bad for my TA - she is more upset than I am...
I've even been thinking that I might want to switch the whole reservation to the BC (assuming they have availability).
Some of the pro's are SAB (we'll have 2 teenagers, a 7 year old, and a 4 year old.), proximity to EP and HS, and the fact that it would be a new experience for us.
Cons are the smaller rooms and concierge lounge, and the fact that it's not on the monorail.
We've stayed at the Poly & fell in love with watching the EWP and Wishes from our room every night. DGD goes crazy when she sees the Castle! We love the peaceful Poly Beach.... I guess I don't have to go on.
I was a bit disappointed when the Poly added a TPV and increased the cost after we made our reservation. I don't know if this is just the motivation I need to change resorts, or if I'm just making too much fuss over moving after 1 night.
Would truly appreciate your input. Any and all suggestions will be considered.
Just hope I have enough time to work something else out.

PS We've already stayed at the WL - would like to try somewhere else, even tho we loved it.
Really don't think we want to consider AKL due to the lack of night life (especially for the teenagers & I don't think they'll care for the food) and the fact that it is so far removed from the rest of the parks.
Would definitely take a look at everything else.

Thank you for your input.

Gretchen

I say switch to GF. All of the things you like about Poly (beach, Wishes, castle view, EWP, large rooms and large concierge) are even better at GF than Poly!

 

[Little Lulu]

hmmmm....I can't believe they didn't offer you the Princess suite.
At least for the night!

Your TA needs to be looking for an upgrade, not a downgrade (non-CL), for the inconvenience this is causing you.

JMHO.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hi all.
I have a question:
We're leaving for WDW in 8 days. We have Poly CL reserved. My TA called just a few minutes ago saying that we can't stay in the Hawaii Bldg the 1st nite because of some maintainance which will be going on. They have offered to put us in a regular room for one night (refunding the difference, of course) and thn we will supposedly get our room the second day. This seems like an awful lot of hassle to me.... There are 7 of us in 2 rooms.
They also offered a room in Sugar Loaf for the 1 night; or for our entire 7 day stay, if we want.
Neither option really appeals to me...
What do you guys recommend?
Actually, I feel really bad for my TA - she is more upset than I am...
I've even been thinking that I might want to switch the whole reservation to the BC (assuming they have availability).
Some of the pro's are SAB (we'll have 2 teenagers, a 7 year old, and a 4 year old.), proximity to EP and HS, and the fact that it would be a new experience for us.
Cons are the smaller rooms and concierge lounge, and the fact that it's not on the monorail.
We've stayed at the Poly & fell in love with watching the EWP and Wishes from our room every night. DGD goes crazy when she sees the Castle! We love the peaceful Poly Beach.... I guess I don't have to go on.
I was a bit disappointed when the Poly added a TPV and increased the cost after we made our reservation. I don't know if this is just the motivation I need to change resorts, or if I'm just making too much fuss over moving after 1 night.
Would truly appreciate your input. Any and all suggestions will be considered.
Just hope I have enough time to work something else out.

PS We've already stayed at the WL - would like to try somewhere else, even tho we loved it.
Really don't think we want to consider AKL due to the lack of night life (especially for the teenagers & I don't think they'll care for the food) and the fact that it is so far removed from the rest of the parks.
Would definitely take a look at everything else.

Thank you for your input.

Gretchen

How frustrating that you are just hearing about this now. I would be really annoyed with that!

I would probably just pack a bag for the first night and switch to CL the next day.

Can they guarantee Castle view at GF? How about MKV CL at CR? I really enjoyed CR CL the one trip I stayed there but I still prefer the location of the Poly being able to walk to direct Epcot monorail.

Good luck!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Hi all.
I have a question:
We're leaving for WDW in 8 days. We have Poly CL reserved. My TA called just a few minutes ago saying that we can't stay in the Hawaii Bldg the 1st nite because of some maintainance which will be going on. They have offered to put us in a regular room for one night (refunding the difference, of course) and thn we will supposedly get our room the second day. This seems like an awful lot of hassle to me....
Neither option really appeals to me...
What do you guys recommend?

Gretchen

.

We occasionionally resort hop, so changing rooms wouldn't bother us. I'm willing to bet concierge will make your move as painless as possible.

Good luck!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you so much for your replies UncleOrville, roomthreeseventeen, Little Lulu, lovesdumbo, and TLSnell1981.
I haven't been able to get back in touch with my TA yet - she's MIA (or maybe she's working on this and is waiting till she has a definite solution).
At any rate, I left her a msg detailing all your suggestions, asked her to do what she could, and I'll just hope for the best. I'll let you know what happens just as soon as I hear anything.
Thanks again you guys - you're the best!
Gretchen

 

[goodferry]

Given that you have some really young ones on, I would probably stay on the monorail. I guess I would plan on packing a bag for that one night, or maybe request a suite for all of you? Or I would move over to GF, would they consider upgrading you to RPC? Hope it all works out of you!

 

[swwake]

Gretchen - I'd look at it as a positive opportunity to get to see CL at GF for one night. Maybe something you'd never get a chance to do otherwise.

That being said, we stayed at BC 2 years ago and absolutely loved the convenience. I had a 16-yo and a 15-yo with me and they never ran out of things to do, day or night. So nice that Epcot is a 5-minute walk away.

Also, as far as AK goes, our teens LOVED Boma. That was their favorite restaurant (foodwise) of the entire trip.

I feel like Disney should be offering a little more to you (like maybe a free night?) than they are, but I would stay positive and just make the most of it. Like someone said, pack one bag for just one night and enjoy the GF CL. I think your group will have a blast!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Your points are well taken goodferry and Swaak.
Still waiting to hear back from our TA - she's been working so hard for us!
I've come to the conclusion that "what will be, will be"..
As long as we're all together in WDW, we'll be happy!
As you said, maybe this is our opportunity to experience something we wouldn't have otherwise.
Don't think I'll be hearing anything new tonite - but will let you know just as soon as I do.
Thank you all for taking your time to offer solutions and support.
Gretchen

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Here's the response we got from Poly IPO this morning:

Aloha!



Unfortunately there was been work planned on the building that requires everyone including staff to leave the building for 24 hours. We understand your concerns, but can assure you that the work will only take one day.


Unfortunately the ridge beam on the top of the building must be replaced and it is too dangerous to have anyone inside during this process.


If there is anything else that we can assist you with please let us know and we apologize for the inconvenience.





Mahalo,


Walt Disney World Itinerary Planning Office



So at least the mystery is cleared up...
I'm sure we'lkl be fine; but I can't help but feel for the poor staff - this sounds like it will be a logistical nightmare!
Thank you all for your help.
Gretchen

 

[mommykds]

Just returned from 5 nights at the Poly CL. Having had exceptional service at the BWI & BC CL I would never return to the Poly CL again...maybe a regular room but not the CL.

The staff seemed to want to be somewhere else. The lounge was not clean & the offerings were very limited compared to what you get at the BWI & BC. One night we came back at 9:15pm & there were literally 6 little cupcakes out. I asked the CM if we had missed the dessert & she said "No we ran out."...then proceeded to tell the man next to me that he had "7 minutes so take what you want now." Huh????

We had an issue with IPO whereby (it's a long story) I had to call dining to correct an error that the CM just did not want to bother with. It took me 20 minutes to clear up something she just did not want to handle. Maybe we just got some crabby people or bad luck because I have read such nice things about the CL.

The boat to MK is a dream, the monorail to Epcot was great & watching Wishes from the lounge was wonderful but I would not stay CL again.



JMVHO
YMMV

 

[canadianmickey13]

Does anyone know anything about the maintenance work to the main building that is supposed to start 'mid-April'? We're staying RPC begining next Tuesday and are a bit concerned about this...

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I just emailed WL concierge. I thought my room was going to be on the 7th floor but the CM informed me that I can be on floor 1-6 but not on 7th floor. We are staying in a deluxe room since we have 5. Can anyone recommend and good location? We would like to be close to the lounge or close to the main action.

 

[dfarner]

Does anyone know anything about the maintenance work to the main building that is supposed to start 'mid-April'? We're staying RPC begining next Tuesday and are a bit concerned about this...

I posted something similar on the GF FAQ thread and got a couple of responses (with pics). We are booked at Sugar Loaf in July and I was wondering the same thing. I would check the FAQ thread, as it's been in just the last few days that I posted.

 

[johnsonet]

Gretchen I am sorry this has happened. Sounds as though lots of work is going on around the resorts. Just today I've read about BC SAB slide and GF and now this. Good luck. I agree with those who've suggested you stay on a monorail resort...

I say switch to GF. All of the things you like about Poly (beach, Wishes, castle view, EWP, large rooms and large concierge) are even better at GF than Poly!

I don't think so at all.