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

[jackemail]

Earlier today we finally got an e-mail from the Boardwalk IPO department that welcome us, along with introrducing the names of the IPO Cast Members and asking us if we need anything. Anyway I noticed in the subject line of the e-mail it was sent from the Yacht & Beach Club Itinerary Planning, so is that what they do for all the Club Level guests at the Boardwalk?

Yes, Yacht, Beach, and Boardwalk all share the same IPO.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

One of my YC IPO emails came from someone in the BWI IPO!! I'm sure they assist each other, if they don't directly work together. About a year ago when I called AKL's IPO, someone from YC IPO answered!! She explained that the phones sometimes "rolled" when one IPO was especially busy. (at least I think that's what she said! ) She did say they all help each other out when needed and she was quickly able to access my reservation and make the changes I requested!

Yes, Yacht, Beach, and Boardwalk all share the same IPO.

Thanks for both of your replies and I had assumed they all shared the same IPO office. I just found it weird that the e-mail wasn't sent from the Boardwalk section.

Also considering we made our Boardwalk reservation back on May 23 of this year, I can't believe it took this long for them to e-mail us. However we haven't got any e-mails from the Contemporary IPO department, so I guess getting one from the Boardwalk is better then nothing.

 

[6264EVER]

We are considering changing from TPV to TPV at GF in the Main Building. My DH is not big on spending the entire day at the parks. In the Main Building are there seating areas (away from the food offerings) where he can sit inside or outside? I found pictures of the seating areas where the food is set out, but not couches or TV's (what I considered a lounge) that some of the other resorts offered. I understand that these rooms are above Gasparilla's - do these have private balconies or one large balcony that wraps around the building.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does the YC's Regatta Club still not open any earlier than 0700?

I jog before 0700 and like to drink some OJ first. Is there bottled OJ in the lounge that I could take the day before and place in our room's fridge?

Thanks

 

[LC102310]

Hi,

Has anyone contacted IPO to add a room request to their reservation?
I wanted to request a King bed with a marina view, wasn't sure this was something I could email them about...

Also what happens if you arrive via ME? Do you just go the front desk and the they bring you to SL?

Thanks!!
Lisa

 

[kaffinito]

Thanks for both of your replies and I had assumed they all shared the same IPO office. I just found it weird that the e-mail wasn't sent from the Boardwalk section.

Also considering we made our Boardwalk reservation back on May 23 of this year, I can't believe it took this long for them to e-mail us. However we haven't got any e-mails from the Contemporary IPO department, so I guess getting one from the Boardwalk is better then nothing.

I'm with you on that one. We booked back in January for BWI and back in April for GF CL and haven't heard a peep from either one.

 

[TxMickeyLover]

Hi,

Has anyone contacted IPO to add a room request to their reservation?
I wanted to request a King bed with a marina view, wasn't sure this was something I could email them about...

Also what happens if you arrive via ME? Do you just go the front desk and the they bring you to SL?

Thanks!!
Lisa

to the Dis!

Yes, you can absolutely do that! I emailed IPO last weekend with my location request, and they replied right away that they added the request to my reservation. They will remind you in the email (or at least they did in mine) that no requests are guaranteed. Good luck!!

 

[TxMickeyLover]

Thanks for both of your replies and I had assumed they all shared the same IPO office. I just found it weird that the e-mail wasn't sent from the Boardwalk section.

Also considering we made our Boardwalk reservation back on May 23 of this year, I can't believe it took this long for them to e-mail us. However we haven't got any e-mails from the Contemporary IPO department, so I guess getting one from the Boardwalk is better then nothing.

I'm with you on that one. We booked back in January for BWI and back in April for GF CL and haven't heard a peep from either one.

Wow! I guess we lucked out. We heard from AKL IPO within a couple weeks of booking. Now with the Poly IPO, we did not hear from them until a couple of weeks ago, but we upgraded to CL a couple months after our original booking.

 

[MattDisney]

We are booked Poly club level for next week. I booked it a couple of months ago. I haven't received anything for the IPO. We always have in the past, so I'm a little shocked.

 

[RachelTori]

We are booked Poly club level for next week. I booked it a couple of months ago. I haven't received anything for the IPO. We always have in the past, so I'm a little shocked.

It's become very inconsistent the last several years. I always seem to have to initiate the contact; but once I do, I have found the IPO's to be very reliable!

 

[RachelTori]

Does the YC's Regatta Club still not open any earlier than 0700?

I jog before 0700 and like to drink some OJ first. Is there bottled OJ in the lounge that I could take the day before and place in our room's fridge?

Thanks

I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem with you taking some to your room.

It wouldn't hurt to let the IPO know that you'd like some OJ for your room; they may be able to arrange it so that your refrigerator is stocked! (and if that doesn't work, I'm sure the Lounge CM's will be able to assist you!)

 

[fitzgra]

yesterday a pp stated NOT to do online check in for CL. Is there a specific reason why not to? Also does anyone DO online check in?
Thanx

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

yesterday a pp stated NOT to do online check in for CL. Is there a specific reason why not to? Also does anyone DO online check in?
Thanx

We don't do online check-in because we can do that on our Club Level floor or building and it only takes no more then 5 minutes, plus someone lets the Cast Members know we are arriving and they get everything ready for us. Finally this way we don't need to stand in the lobby check-in line because sometimes that could be very long.

 

[WendyisDarling]

yesterday a pp stated NOT to do online check in for CL. Is there a specific reason why not to? Also does anyone DO online check in?
Thanx

I JUST received a welcoming letter/email from Poly IPO for our trip beginning on the 20th ( I have never received this before).
Attached was a letter to give to the Valet Desk to be taken to Club Level Building (Hawaii). It states in the letter... "If you have pre-registered with Disney's Online Check-IN please proceed to the Online Check-in area at the Front Desk"

I guess instead of getting the "special" club level check-in, you just pick up your key and room info. Plus wait in line if on-line check-in has one (haven't done that before).

 

[rcraw45425]

I did online check in in May even though we were booked Atrium Club. We were still met at the door, maybe this is something new.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! Reading this thread is quite the eye-opener. We stayed CL at AKL back in January. We arrived just after midnight on DME so no luggage delivery (not available for late arrivals) or check-in in the lounge. We checked in at the front desk and had to wait a little while for anyone to even show up there to help us.

I initiated contact with the IPO. A few things I asked about they had no knowledge of (booking breakfast at Liberty Tree while Crystal Palace was closed for refurb and something with the golf). The tee times they booked for our guys weren't right. A few times when I was supposed to be contacted back, I wasn't.With the exception of booking the Sunrise Safari and Liberty Tree breakfast after several calls from me, they didn't really do anything for us. I took care of everything and had to fix the tee times myself. While there they weren't able to get us any reservations when we wanted to change our plans for dinner a few times as others have been able to do in the past but they did get my son an appointment at the Pirates League which was nice.

The lounge was a nice place to relax & regroup (considering the rooms were tiny compared to what we're used to at the Contemporary). The Sunrise Safari was mind-blowing! It was so awesome it made the extra cost for CL at AKL totally worth it. It was probably one of the most incredible Disney experiences we ever had.

Another thing that puzzled me: Why would they put DVC on the 6th floor where the lounge is then have their CL guests trekking it up the elevators every day? We were on the 4th floor. We weren't too terribly far from the elevators so it wasn't the worst thing in the world. I just wondered why they didn't put those DVC rooms on the 4th floor and kept the upper floor for club level?

Also, when we arrived only 3 of our 9 pieces of luggage made it on the plane with us. We were on the last flight so everything else had to come the next day. It was a rough start to the trip with the most frigid weather I've ever had to deal with (marathon weekend). The CL staff were extra sweet to us and really went all out to make sure everything made it to us as quickly as possible so I didn't have to stress myself out anymore than I already was trying to make sure the luggage was on the way. They even comped our rooms $50 each to help with the added cost of buying warm layers. Of course it wasn't enough to pay for all that we had to buy but the fact they even did that amazed me. It wasn't WDW's fault that the airline didn't put our luggage on our plane. That was awesome in itself.

I would do CL again if it was at a good price. I'd be skittish with the IPOs. I wish we could've had the incredible experiences some of y'all have had. We're booked at YC 9/14 - 9/24. I didn't book club level just because I didn't feel it was worthwhile. HOwever, reading some of your wonderful experiences I'm almost tempted to try it again maybe for just half our stay if nothing else.

 

[hildarumpole]

yesterday a pp stated NOT to do online check in for CL. Is there a specific reason why not to? Also does anyone DO online check in?
Thanx

We got a call from BC IPO 2 days before our trip urging us to do online check-in, so I went ahead and did it. When we got to BC, we were escorted up to CL and got our packet and keycards presented to us immediately. The CL manager was also on hand to welcome us. He had called us the day before our trip to double check when we were arriving and asked if there was anything he could do for us before our arrival. During our stay, I noticed the CL CMs got very busy at times, answering questions, helping guests make plans and trying to check-in others. Maybe they want to avoid having to make people wait or do lobby check-in.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Wow! Reading this thread is quite the eye-opener. We stayed CL at AKL back in January. We arrived just after midnight on DME so no luggage delivery (not available for late arrivals) or check-in in the lounge. We checked in at the front desk and had to wait a little while for anyone to even show up there to help us.

I initiated contact with the IPO. A few things I asked about they had no knowledge of (booking breakfast at Liberty Tree while Crystal Palace was closed for refurb and something with the golf). The tee times they booked for our guys weren't right. A few times when I was supposed to be contacted back, I wasn't.With the exception of booking the Sunrise Safari and Liberty Tree breakfast after several calls from me, they didn't really do anything for us. I took care of everything and had to fix the tee times myself. While there they weren't able to get us any reservations when we wanted to change our plans for dinner a few times as others have been able to do in the past but they did get my son an appointment at the Pirates League which was nice.

The lounge was a nice place to relax & regroup (considering the rooms were tiny compared to what we're used to at the Contemporary). The Sunrise Safari was mind-blowing! It was so awesome it made the extra cost for CL at AKL totally worth it. It was probably one of the most incredible Disney experiences we ever had.

Another thing that puzzled me: Why would they put DVC on the 6th floor where the lounge is then have their CL guests trekking it up the elevators every day? We were on the 4th floor. We weren't too terribly far from the elevators so it wasn't the worst thing in the world. I just wondered why they didn't put those DVC rooms on the 4th floor and kept the upper floor for club level?

Also, when we arrived only 3 of our 9 pieces of luggage made it on the plane with us. We were on the last flight so everything else had to come the next day. It was a rough start to the trip with the most frigid weather I've ever had to deal with (marathon weekend). The CL staff were extra sweet to us and really went all out to make sure everything made it to us as quickly as possible so I didn't have to stress myself out anymore than I already was trying to make sure the luggage was on the way. They even comped our rooms $50 each to help with the added cost of buying warm layers. Of course it wasn't enough to pay for all that we had to buy but the fact they even did that amazed me. It wasn't WDW's fault that the airline didn't put our luggage on our plane. That was awesome in itself.

I would do CL again if it was at a good price. I'd be skittish with the IPOs. I wish we could've had the incredible experiences some of y'all have had. We're booked at YC 9/14 - 9/24. I didn't book club level just because I didn't feel it was worthwhile. HOwever, reading some of your wonderful experiences I'm almost tempted to try it again maybe for just half our stay if nothing else.

We're staying YC/CL for the first time in August so I'd be happy to post my YC/CL thoughts/experiences on this thread.

Because I'm using the -40% off military pin, the cost for us to upgrade from YC Water View to CL/GV is only an additional $33.75 per night. I'm certain my DD and I will recoup that additional cost by consuming breakfast and beverages alone.

We're not intending on using the lounge for any other "meals" and frankly, the afternoon "snacks" sound very minimal. I don't need the IPO's assistance either, so I'm really only trying it out to surprise my DD11, for the breakfast and beverages, and the CL floor's restricted access is appealing.

If DH were coming with us (he'll be deployed at the time) we probably wouldn't choose CL as he loves a nice, hearty hot breakfast when on vacation and he wouldn't want to be snacking or eating meals in the lounge, so we'd hardly use the CL "amenities".

 

[guarn3md]

We are back from our CL stay at WL! Got home late last night...
We were there 7/4 - 7/10 in Room #7111!
Our stay was fantastic. This was our second time at WL but our first CL. Everything was awesome...
Any questions, ask away...
I am uploading pics today and will post some when I get a chance!
Debbie

 

[WDWKOOK]

They do stock the individual drink size OJ containers. I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem with you taking some to your room.

It wouldn't hurt to let the IPO know that you'd like some OJ for your room; they may be able to arrange it so that your refrigerator is stocked! (and if that doesn't work, I'm sure the Lounge CM's will be able to assist you!)

Thank you for your response, RachelTori. Would you recommend contacting the IPO ahead of our arrival or would asking them upon arrival be appropriate?

This is such a small matter that I don't want to make a big deal out of it, but I'm not sure if they would prefer advance notice or if it's easier for them to just hand me some OJ bottles when I check-in since it'll be during breakfast-time.