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

[emmysmommy]

No, I have not stayed there since the change over. I am so old school in my old way of thinking. I am sure after talking to the girls there and seeing the lounge that it is a wonderful CL. But, it is NOT the lounge it used to be, not as we remembered it.
But, things do keep changing and I will more than likely cave in and give it a try. I have to.

Remember that old fanatastic coffee machine? They had to get rid of it! Parts were too expensive. So now they have another, little one.
Dang! That one thing kept me there. I remember going there 3 times the first year and a couple of years later, chatting with Joe Rhode in the lounge and being invited to ride EE before it opened to the public.
Gooood times!

Sorry.. a bit off topic but... I love your beautiful anniversary cake. My hubby and I were to celebrate our 15th anniversary this upcoming trip but he got a new job and can't the time off with my daughter and me. Next year I'll have to arrange to celebrate our 16th there and order a cake.

 

[KerryCM]

Only 6 more days until we are back at the BWI CL!!! I am so excited. This is going to be such a special trip for me. We are going with my son, his wife and 2 daughters and my daughter, her husband and 2 sons!!!! It is my grandson's 9th birthday on the 11th and all he wanted was a family trip. It will be his and his brother's first trip to WDW, they have been to DW many times.
Unfortunately, my youngest daughter and her husband cannot join us because they are stationed overseas with the Air Force. Next year they will be back in the states so I can plan a full family trip!!!

I have ordered a cake for Zack's birthday from in room dining. Zack and I will also meet with Sous Chef Keith so Zack can let him know what he wants on his cake. zack has been drawing sketches for months and is very excited. Everyone has been awesome to deal with, as always.

I am looking forward for all my family to meet my Disney "family" at the Innkeeper's Club.

 

[jackemail]

Only 6 more days until we are back at the BWI CL!!!
I am looking forward for all my family to meet my Disney "family" at the Innkeeper's Club.

Definitely want details of your trip when you return!!

 

[BCV23]

You remember like I used to remember it, that was the when AKL was at it's glory. But, they could not keep it full, so they converted alot of rooms to DVC and there it is.[/QUOTE

Thank you for your reply. Have you stayed AKL CL since they have made these changes? How is the quality of staying CL now that it has been "downgraded" to regular rooms instead of deluxe rooms? We've stayed there 4 different times and we love the resort, and the CM's were all wonderful on all of our stays. I just miss the sights and smells of that resort and thought we were due for another visit since it's been so long. We always got the same bunkbed, queen daybed set up as you and it worked great for our family. I much prefer the bedding to the deluxe rooms to the regular rooms, but that is something I could easily overlook. I just wonder if two regular rooms will feel small for a family of five or if it would be better to get a suite (but pricier than two discounted rooms). I've thought about getting a DVC room on the 5th floor, but part of what we enjoy staying at the AKL is the benefits staying CL.
We probably won't be back to the AKL for a while so trying to figure out the best scenario for our family of five.

mirlow, I've stayed club level at AKL both in the old deluxe 5th floor rooms as well as in one and 2 BR club level villas on the 6th. There are small changes every trip but to me it is as wonderful as ever. Love that tree top feeling in the lounge. That coffee machine is gone and I've seen a couple different versions since but for me that's no biggie. I know that was huge for some people....apparently like Little Lulu.

A good friend stayed club level at AKL just a few months ago and also thought it was as good as ever....to paraphrase her.

Speaking of the newer coffee machines, the one in Gasparilla Grill is now identical to that in the RPC lounge.

 

[Mame]

Taxis are usually readily available @ the front entrance of the deluxe resorts.

You may want to consider the need for a shuttle van depending on the size of your travel group. Sometimes vans are sitting in front of the deluxes and sometimes you need to give the bell podium a call so they can request a van for you. It usually will only take 10 minutes or so for a van.

The Mears website estimates the fare to Universal Studios be about $42 one way from the Epcot area resorts and $48 from the Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom resorts.

Ty very much! = ))

 

[Mame]

Yes. To be specific, I was directly asked this question by IPO, "Can we arrange special transportation (town car, taxi service, rental car) for you during your stay?" So yes, if you would like them to ensure that a taxi or town car is reserved for you downstairs, then put your request and time in the night before or during breakfast. Then when you go downstairs, let the doorman know you have a car waiting and he'll escort you. At which time you may want to tip him for keeping others from hijacking your car With that said, as others have mentioned - there are taxis usually waiting down there. So there should be little need to request a reservation.

Ty very much for this information!

 

[kittycat9]

Today marks 179 days until we arrive, and 180 day ADR window. This morning IPO made all of our ADRs for DxDDP, and managed to get everything we were requesting on the exact day. Nearly everything is within 0-15min of our request time, including CRT, Le Cellier and several Signature locations. I cannot wait - I just hope summer and fall fly by

In other news... Today my son graduated from kindergarten. He was so cute, I could hardly stand it. We had the option of bringing him home early or letting him stay and play with his friends. Several of his buddies were playing, and the teachers had set up craft tables for them and outside playground activities - he wanted to stay, how could I refuse. Thank goodness we live just two blocks away, so I can run right back and get him later. He's growing up.

 

[Arkansan]

Hi, everyone!

I just booked GF Sugarloaf for a quick trip prior to Christmas! We've stayed at the BC CL twice in the last two years, but weren't sure about the weather in mid-Dec. (for using SAB) so decided to try something different for this quick trip. It is a surprise for our kids. DH and I are doing our best to keep the secret!

I've been reading this thread and the GF thread, so I'm sure I'll think of many more questions prior to our leaving. Right now, I need to concentrate on ADRs, as our window opens up fairly soon. We're going to try for the Christmas Party in MK and the candelight processional. Any other suggestions/tips? I'm off to e-mail the IPO now and introduce ourselves.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tink03477]

Subcribing. We'll be at CL at the BC Sept. 4-9, 2010. This thread has been very helpful.
Thank you so much!

 

[danielle782001]

Does anyone know:

How far these are from the Club?

How far in advance can they booked?

How difficult are they to book?

Do they change if we need a roll away bed?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Only 6 more days until we are back at the BWI CL!!! I am so excited. This is going to be such a special trip for me. We are going with my son, his wife and 2 daughters and my daughter, her husband and 2 sons!!!! It is my grandson's 9th birthday on the 11th and all he wanted was a family trip. It will be his and his brother's first trip to WDW, they have been to DW many times.
Unfortunately, my youngest daughter and her husband cannot join us because they are stationed overseas with the Air Force. Next year they will be back in the states so I can plan a full family trip!!!

I have ordered a cake for Zack's birthday from in room dining. Zack and I will also meet with Sous Chef Keith so Zack can let him know what he wants on his cake. zack has been drawing sketches for months and is very excited. Everyone has been awesome to deal with, as always.

I am looking forward for all my family to meet my Disney "family" at the Innkeeper's Club.

I'm sure you'll have a very magical trip!!!

 

[nascargirl]

KerryCM-sorry we are going to miss you this year. We head down on 6/28 and meet up with sfbank. When you see Lorenzo, ask him how he was getting stuck in the service elevator. He will have you in stitches.

 

[trebor218]

This thread is so useful. I have been reading along for some time now, thank you everyone for all the information. We are booked into a C/L Yacht Club Jr. Suite with a lagoon view September/October. My travel agent sent information that states these rooms are located on the third and fourth floors. Have any of you stayed in one of these rooms? How do they differ from the deluxe rooms? I can't help but wonder if not being on the fifth/Cl floor will diminish the CL experience. I would love to hear your input. Thanks

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does anyone know:

How far these are from the Club?

How far in advance can they booked?

How difficult are they to book?

Do they change if we need a roll away bed?

The only thing I can tell you is they were available on the 40% room only promotion for the dates my family and I will be at the Boardwalk this August, so hopefully that gives you some help.

 

[ReggieB]

This thread is so useful. I have been reading along for some time now, thank you everyone for all the information. We are booked into a C/L Yacht Club Jr. Suite with a lagoon view September/October. My travel agent sent information that states these rooms are located on the third and fourth floors. Have any of you stayed in one of these rooms? How do they differ from the deluxe rooms? I can't help but wonder if not being on the fifth/Cl floor will diminish the CL experience. I would love to hear your input. Thanks

My family stayed in one last October. Ours was on the 4th floor, a bit of a walk from the elevators. Luckily there was a stairwell that deposited us near the entrance to the pool, so we used that a lot to save the walking! It had a great view. I could see the top of the Eiffel tower in Epcot from the bed! I liked looking out across the pool and towards the Boardwalk. It had a nice sitting area, which had double doors that could be closed off from the bedroom. We had chocolates and fresh flowers on our arrival also, which was very nice. The room was definitely bigger than a regular room, it was very spacious (it was huge!) The pain about not being on the 5th floor was we were less inclined to bring food all the way back to our room. In the mornings there was often nowhere to sit down in the club room, so we sometimes had to hover for a seat, as it was really pretty inconvenient to take all our breakfast stuff back to the room. Mostly it worked out though.

I'll see if I can find some pics...

 

[ReggieB]

Junior Suite - Yacht and Beach
The room

View of the doors into the seperate sitting area.

Our flowers and chocolates.

 

[scottmel]

Thanks for posting the pics!!! No one ever seems to know what these rooms like like, now we do! I get the inconvienent piece. I like to be able to send DD to the lounge alone to grab something. I would not want to have to use staircase or elevator to get to CL....thanks for sharing!

 

[lucas]

Taxis are usually readily available @ the front entrance of the deluxe resorts.

OT, but just wanted to say that taxis are always available at the value resorts, too. We just returned from a weekend at POP Century and dh and I commented on how many there were waiting. We always see them there.

 

[hstrickland]

I have finally started my TR....what was going to be a "mini" TR....is turning out to be a "BIG" TR....have completed the first day.....link is below

Had a GREAT Poly CL stay!!!!!

9 Day Poly CL Stay

 

[angel23321]

Question..we just switched our reservation to CL (Poly) as they opened up CL to the military promotion. It's way past our 180 day mark and we've been trying to change a couple ADR's on our own with no luck. If I email IPO and give them, will they kepe trying for us? Or do they just check once and that's it? Thanks.