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

[lovesdumbo]

I have a bit of a strange question....

Today I bought the 2010 Birnbaum WDW guide book, even though we have been many times, I love these books! I did notice a coupon for the fishing excursions in the back of the book. I already have an excursion booked for my DH. The coupon states you have to note on the ressie that you have the coupon to be able to use it. Since I have already made this ressie, can you add it later? Is this something the IPO can do for me?

Saving 20% off this would be great and well worth the price of the book!

Does anyone know?

I had Poly IPO book a fishing excursion for us last summer and mentioned the coupon and they said "oh you just give that to them when you pay". I also just booked an excursion for this summer and forgot to mention the coupon. I guess we should email/call IPO and ask them.

Quick question. My son and family are leaving in the morning for Poly Club level, and I thought I had seen that there was a refrigerator close to the lounge where they could grab a water or soft drink to take to the pool or a park. Is that still true, or do they need to plan to purchase some water? And do they need a refillable cup? Thanks in advance.

There are large glass bottles of water in the lounge along with papter & plastic cups. I've read that the CL CM's will give you a large bottle you can take back to your room if you ask. I've never done this. I do find it easier to get a case of water for the parks. They can take cans of soda, cups of juice, ice tea to the pool. I have never used a refillable mug when staying CL.

 

[scottmel]

I posted this as a thread but didn't get any feed back. Have any of you CL people taken the Wildlife Discovery Excursion at the AK? It is only available to people staying CL. I can't seem to get much information on it. Thanks

We did it last year and I was quite disappointed. It was advertised as climate controlled and when I booked it I specifically asked if there was AC. WE were there in June. the CM read the same blurb I did and said yes, it must be. Well it is not. And so hot with this miserable fan blowing on the driver and the people in the first row of seats. I am sure it is far more enjoyable in the cooler months but it was really uncomfortable in June. We were also there during a heat wave so that did not help but when I left the climate controlled vehcile (which by the way just has a roof and open windows) and stepped in the florida sun it felt 10 degrees cooler.

 

[marlaine]

We are staying CL TPV at The Poly for the first time. Could anyone tell me if the Castle is lit up all night long or does it go dark at a certain time?
Thanks!

 

[rcraw45425]

We are staying CL TPV at The Poly for the first time. Could anyone tell me if the Castle is lit up all night long or does it go dark at a certain time?
Thanks!

I think it stays lit but I honestly can't remember. Seems like when we had TPV at GF they lady on the desk mentioned keeping the drapes open and using it as a nightlight for the girls.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are staying CL TPV at The Poly for the first time. Could anyone tell me if the Castle is lit up all night long or does it go dark at a certain time?
Thanks!

During my families previous stays at the Contemporary with their Magic Kingdom View I remember Cinderella's Castle was lit up way past the closing time, although I am sure around a specifc time it would be turned off before the sun would come out.

 

[cdenardo]

Sorry for the confusion. The price you are quoted for Club Level is the price you will pay -- there are no additional fees. Club Level includes the services of the IPO, the use of the Club Level Lounge (including all the food & beverages they offer), the services of the Lounge CMs, and other perks, such as the WDE, which are only available to CL guests.

There is a Lobby Concierge (tickets and dining reservations) which every guest may use. Occasionally, when someone refers to "Concierge" there is some confusion as to which one they are referring! I believe my post was trying to clear that up for someone.

Thanks, Rachel! : ) Now, I can have a beer without worrying...not that I would any way lol! Many thanks!

 

[cdenardo]

Does anyone know of any recent pics (last 6 months or so?)? I've seen the others in some of the threads but I've read things have changed over the past 6 months. Wanting this to be a great experience for DH, too.

 

[Little Lulu]

Does anyone know of any recent pics (last 6 months or so?)? I've seen the others in some of the threads but I've read things have changed over the past 6 months. Wanting this to be a great experience for DH, too.

I'll be there in a week and take alot of pics and do a full CL report!

I'm happy to say that their IPO has finally stepped it up several notches and gotten some last minute ADRs and our anniversary cake finalized, etc.
Amanda gets some kudos from me!

 

[lissiesmum]

We are staying CL TPV at The Poly for the first time. Could anyone tell me if the Castle is lit up all night long or does it go dark at a certain time?
Thanks!

The castle is the only thing that's lit up all night I got up in the middle of the night every night at different times and the castle was always lit. I wake up around five thirty am every morning and it was still lit right through to the morning! Space mountain is lit up for awhile, but somewhere after midnight, they turn the lights off...Enjoy your view of the castle, there is nothing like it in the world!

 

[luvthatdisney]

I had Poly IPO book a fishing excursion for us last summer and mentioned the coupon and they said "oh you just give that to them when you pay". I also just booked an excursion for this summer and forgot to mention the coupon. I guess we should email/call IPO and ask them.

I just sent off an email to BC IPO to see if they can add my coupon. It would be great if I could save a little money on this!! I will let you know what I find out.

 

[canadianmickey13]

We are staying CL TPV at The Poly for the first time. Could anyone tell me if the Castle is lit up all night long or does it go dark at a certain time?
Thanks!

its lit up all night long. I'm an early morning runner and when we last there, earlier this month, I was up most days by 5 and the castle was lit until sunrise-- around 6:30 or so. it does make for a great night light.

 

[luvthatdisney]

I just sent off an email to BC IPO to see if they can add my coupon. It would be great if I could save a little money on this!! I will let you know what I find out.

Just wanted to let anyone that might be thinking of doing a guided fishing excursion know that the IPO's can add the Birnbaum coupon to your ressie if you have already made it. We decided to stay CL after I had made some ADR's and the fishing ressie.

I sent an email to BC IPO yesterday (Sunday) and asked if they could make a note of the coupon on my ressie, got an email back at 6:22am today stating they did apply it and just to remember to bring the coupon with me.

Staying CL does have its advantages!

 

[Anna114]

We did it last year and I was quite disappointed. It was advertised as climate controlled and when I booked it I specifically asked if there was AC. WE were there in June. the CM read the same blurb I did and said yes, it must be. Well it is not. And so hot with this miserable fan blowing on the driver and the people in the first row of seats. I am sure it is far more enjoyable in the cooler months but it was really uncomfortable in June. We were also there during a heat wave so that did not help but when I left the climate controlled vehcile (which by the way just has a roof and open windows) and stepped in the florida sun it felt 10 degrees cooler.

Setting aside your bad experience on the ride, did you enjoy the safari?

 

[scottmel]

Setting aside your bad experience on the ride, did you enjoy the safari?

Honestly I am the first one to whip out my checkbook for things that I don't need and am all about paying for an experience, etc. I didn't find the safari that great. I personally would not recommend it. I know others rave about but to me the value for the dollar is simply not there....

 

[ClareH37]

Honestly I am the first one to whip out my checkbook for things that I don't need and am all about paying for an experience, etc. I didn't find the safari that great. I personally would not recommend it. I know others rave about but to me the value for the dollar is simply not there....

I'm like you in the hot bus thing, I first did the safari in a December and it was lovely, bus was not hot, not crowded, perfect then May last year, although I still enjoyed the actual safari I did not enjoy the bus, it was so hot it was like a sauna, plus there was not 1 spare seat, so basically a very full very hot bus.

I've decided to give it a miss this May.

 

[scottmel]

I'm like you in the hot bus thing, I first did the safari in a December and it was lovely, bus was not hot, not crowded, perfect then May last year, although I still enjoyed the actual safari I did not enjoy the bus, it was so hot it was like a sauna, plus there was not 1 spare seat, so basically a very full very hot bus.

I've decided to give it a miss this May.

I remember your telling me this last year, Clare...and we were hopeful maybe your AC wasn't working on your bus b/c climate control was indicated....I can certainly say AC does not exist on that bus. It was awful. The heat in June is a killer, we are returning in June but have the GAD passes which I plan to utilize fully and make life much easier! But honestly you could tell me this tour was FREE and I would still pass...

 

[scottmel]

I'm like you in the hot bus thing, I first did the safari in a December and it was lovely, bus was not hot, not crowded, perfect then May last year, although I still enjoyed the actual safari I did not enjoy the bus, it was so hot it was like a sauna, plus there was not 1 spare seat, so basically a very full very hot bus.

I've decided to give it a miss this May.

When do you leave this May? Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back...Gosh I will miss BWI CL this year...it was fantastic...But YC CL here I come but I am praying for a nice view. That is one BWI CL thing that I loved was a nice view (aside from that ESPN you so kindly warned me away from last June!!)

 

[lovesdumbo]

Just wanted to let anyone that might be thinking of doing a guided fishing excursion know that the IPO's can add the Birnbaum coupon to your ressie if you have already made it. We decided to stay CL after I had made some ADR's and the fishing ressie.

I sent an email to BC IPO yesterday (Sunday) and asked if they could make a note of the coupon on my ressie, got an email back at 6:22am today stating they did apply it and just to remember to bring the coupon with me.

Staying CL does have its advantages!

Thanks! I'll email IPO and ask them to add it.

 

[cdenardo]

I'll be there in a week and take alot of pics and do a full CL report!

I'm happy to say that their IPO has finally stepped it up several notches and gotten some last minute ADRs and our anniversary cake finalized, etc.
Amanda gets some kudos from me!

Look forward to it!

 

[Little Lulu]

When do you leave this May? Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back...Gosh I will miss BWI CL this year...it was fantastic...But YC CL here I come but I am praying for a nice view. That is one BWI CL thing that I loved was a nice view (aside from that ESPN you so kindly warned me away from last June!!)

I look forward to your TR on the YC CL as I won't be able to stay there until later this year. I know you'll miss BWI CL, but look at this like a new adventure, a new experience. Enjoying a new vintage of wine.
Just try to keep an open mind because it is not the BWI CL, ok?
(I really don't blame you, BWI CL is niiiiice! ) But YC CL for some reason comes off as the red-headed step-child when it is anything but.

That's why I stay at all of the CLs, you get to see the differences but you start to appreciate the differences, too. KWIM?

ClareH, you had written a neat post about BWI CL several pages back. Very good read! Summed up this CL nicely!

As for the Wildlife Excursion, it is neat the first time. Do it if you haven't.
I am a southern gal and used to the intense heat and humidity. Done the safaris in June and August when they first started. In fact, the Wanayma Safari was booked by the van at the very beginning, a cool $1200. I kid you not.

I'm like some of the PPs, been there, done that, got the t-shirt, won't do it again.