Concierge/Club Level Information - Part III (October 2010)

[coopersmom]

I actually said that Oatmeal was available at some of the lounges 365 days a year like the Boardwalk Inn and obviously the Polynesian. However at the Contemporary it use to be offered every few months and recently it hasn't been offered at all.

Now when it comes to the hot food items from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM those items are still come a restaurant unique to that specific resort. Once again using the Boardwalk Inn as an example all the foods during that time come from Kouzzina, so there is no way those items can be offered at the other Club Level lounges.

And I actually said "except for the two hot appetizers" ... Seriously, I was in no way trying to argue with you, just passing on what we were told. Actually, where the repeated comments came from was other guests, who had previously been at club level, asking about the resort-specific offerings the Polynesian used to have. We both heard the staff tell guests about this standardization and had other guests tell us they were told that.

 

[chimo2u]

That is great to read, thank you. I thought I loved oatmeal, but then you go and mention Quinoa, too! Decisions, decisions...

I'd love to read your impressions of the Kilimanjaro Club

I have stayed AKL CL twice...once in Jan 2008 for about 8 nights, and once in Sept 2009 for 12 nights. I can 100% say, that Kilimanjaro Club lounge is absoulutely amazing and WELL worth the extra $35 or so it costs to stay CL from a bunk bed room!!! The lounge is amazing, comfy and friendly staff, the food offerings where yummy and plentiful....especially the breakfast, it was AMAZING!! They had oatmeal AND Quinoa and a variety of toppings that where delicious every morning. I am venturing out and trying the BC CL this trip for my first time, and I definitely know I will miss my beloved AKL.... This is a trip with just my 14 yo son and myself, and I thought he would enjoy trying SAB....thus the new resort. However, even HE LOVES AKL, and says I sure hope BC CL is worth it for the switch from AKL CL this time!
You, hopefully, will love it there!!! We sure did!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And I actually said "except for the two hot appetizers" ... Seriously, I was in no way trying to argue with you, just passing on what we were told. Actually, where the repeated comments came from was other guests, who had previously been at club level, asking about the resort-specific offerings the Polynesian used to have. We both heard the staff tell guests about this standardization and had other guests tell us they were told that.

I wasn't trying to argue with you and when it comes to what you heard from other guests about what the Polynesian is doing, the only thing I can say is that shouldn't effect the other Club Level lounges. I have a pin trading friend from Orlando who works at the Contemporary bakery and they make some of the foods for their Atrium Club and Tower Club lounges. Well about 1 or 2 years ago when there was all that talk about the lounges serving less food items because guests were going up more then once when getting food, I asked him about that. He told me at the Contemporary there was no plans to reduce the food portions that they were to make. So using that example I think each of the lounges are different when it comes to what foods they are going to offer. So the Polynesian only knows what they are planning and not what the other lounges are planning.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I have stayed AKL CL twice...once in Jan 2008 for about 8 nights, and once in Sept 2009 for 12 nights. I can 100% say, that Kilimanjaro Club lounge is absoulutely amazing and WELL worth the extra $35 or so it costs to stay CL from a bunk bed room!!! The lounge is amazing, comfy and friendly staff, the food offerings where yummy and plentiful....especially the breakfast, it was AMAZING!! They had oatmeal AND Quinoa and a variety of toppings that where delicious every morning. I am venturing out and trying the BC CL this trip for my first time, and I definitely know I will miss my beloved AKL.... This is a trip with just my 14 yo son and myself, and I thought he would enjoy trying SAB....thus the new resort. However, even HE LOVES AKL, and says I sure hope BC CL is worth it for the switch from AKL CL this time!
You, hopefully, will love it there!!! We sure did!

Thanks for your review, chimo2u. My trip in August and December were also just with my DD12 since DH was also in Afghanistan (he returns this weekend). In August we stayed at the AKL, YC/CL and CR/CL. In December we stayed at the CR and WL/CL. Poor DH will finally get to stay CL in July.

You're right, the cost difference is negligible. For us (with the military 40% off) it's only $24 more per night than a SV, which is OK since the lounge isn't on the same floor as the rooms and it doesn't have a savannah view. Which brings me to my question. I was under the impression that ALL std. CL rooms on the 4th floor are savannah views. But I was reading some AllEars reviews that mentioned they had a pool or hot tub view. Can you or someone else confirm this? We definitely do not want a pool/hot tub view so I would cancel CL and book SV if that's the case.

I thought we would dislike AKL, but for a few days, it's perfect and we loved seeing the animals from our balcony. For the longer part of our vacation though, we prefer to be closer to the MK.

I think you'll love being in the Epcot resort area. We loved walking to and from Epcot to the YC, but we missed the monorail and walking to the MK and DD wasn't as thrilled with SAB as I thought she would be.

I hope you have a great mom/son trip!

 

[chimo2u]

Thanks for your review, chimo2u. My trip in August and December were also just with my DD12 since DH was also in Afghanistan (he returns this weekend). In August we stayed at the AKL, YC/CL and CR/CL. In December we stayed at the CR and WL/CL. Poor DH will finally get to stay CL in July.

You're right, the cost difference is negligible. For us (with the military 40% off) it's only $24 more per night than a SV, which is OK since the lounge isn't on the same floor as the rooms and it doesn't have a savannah view. Which brings me to my question. I was under the impression that ALL std. CL rooms on the 4th floor are savannah views. But I was reading some AllEars reviews that mentioned they had a pool or hot tub view. Can you or someone else confirm this? We definitely do not want a pool/hot tub view so I would cancel CL and book SV if that's the case.

I thought we would dislike AKL, but for a few days, it's perfect and we loved seeing the animals from our balcony. For the longer part of our vacation though, we prefer to be closer to the MK.

I think you'll love being in the Epcot resort area. We loved walking to and from Epcot to the YC, but we missed the monorail and walking to the MK and DD wasn't as thrilled with SAB as I thought she would be.

I hope you have a great mom/son trip!

Hi WDWKOOK! Thanks for the well wishes....we are excited and only have 3 weeks left until we are on our trip!
Our first trip to WDW was in January 2008 for my hubby's leave from Afghanistan (Canadian Military)...so I know how that feels, and I wish you all the best with your reunion! Enjoy having him home safe
As for your question about the club level rooms....YES, ALL the club level rooms are on the 4th floor and Savahnna view. WE requested close to lobby/pool and had rooms around the 4515/4530 range and they where wonderful! Our first trip when we stayed close to the lobby in 4515, we had an amazing housekeeper who was from Africa. She went out of her way to make things extra special for us with towel animals every day and great housekeeping! We saw many, many animals too...the only downside was it might have been a slightly better view more towards the middle of Arusha Savahanna. We were quite close to the rock outlook, and it impeded some of the view....but not enough to totally be a problem!
Our second trip we where in a room directly by the elevator that goes down to the Laundry room/Mara/pool exit....great location too, especially since we where there for 12 days and had loads of laundry to do!!! It was a bit of a walk from the lobby, but not too overwhelming.
Of the 2 rooms, I think I liked the one closer to the lobby best.
Our second housekeeper for our second visit was great as well....an old hand at AKL, with much experience. She did many elaborate towel animals for us, and by the end of the trip, I was "towel-animal'd out!!!" LOL I think you will love AKL CL.....
Have a great reunion!

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

Tried to convince my neighbor to change her Christmas vacation to any other deluxe to no avail. She loved Poly as a child and I could not convince her. She returned after being moved to the WL and said never again. I love the Poly and really wish they would get things turned around there. I also hate to write negatively about the Poly but feel I have to let people know as well.

We stayed at the Poly back in Nov. 2007 for only one night on DVC points. We didn't have any problems per se, but my husband and I could both tell it needed some help within the next year or two. We both come from construction families, and it was just kinda obvious, esp to me. Kinda sad since it was supposedly renovated in 2006, but I suppose it's possible that some started in 2005 and were done in 2006. We were there in late Nov 2007.

I understand the need for doing renovations every 5ish years, but the buildings are almost 40 years old. Maybe the older building like this need more frequent updating or more likely, more major updating...

 

[lovesdumbo]

Which brings me to my question. I was under the impression that ALL std. CL rooms on the 4th floor are savannah views. But I was reading some AllEars reviews that mentioned they had a pool or hot tub view. Can you or someone else confirm this? We definitely do not want a pool/hot tub view so I would cancel CL and book SV if that's the case.

My guess is that AllEars never updated their information on CL rooms after some of the rooms were converted to DVC. All standard CL rooms are savanah view now.

That is great to read, thank you. I thought I loved oatmeal, but then you go and mention Quinoa, too! Decisions, decisions...

I'd love to read your impressions of the Kilimanjaro Club

First a quick background. My DH isn't the Disney fanatic I am. So I sometimes take the kids (who are now 11, 10, 8) one at a time. We've been doing family trips once a year and that is more than enough for DH. The family trips are great but the one on one trips are really special.

I took DS (middle child) in May 09 for my birthday. I had booked the trip using the buy 4 get 3 free deals. I honestly like it a lot more than I had expected to. I had read great things about CL service there but I have to say there is something very special about the resort also.

I also took my youngest in Jan 2010 for her 7th birthday. I was able to book with an AP pin. By the time AP rates come out (which were actually 42% instead of the 40% I had booked with) there were no CL discounted rooms available. I was happy with the 40% off.

Both trips we took a town car to the resort and were greeted at the podium outside by a CL CM and brought right up to the room. Both times they had all the paper work and keys and I was all set-never even had to go to the CL desk to check in on the 6th floor.

Both trips we did the sunrise safari-so wonderful!!!

I was worried that the lounge on a different floor would be a huge pain but it really wasn't that big a deal. The breakfast offerings were wonderful. Oatmeal, quinoa, patries, yogurt and lots of fresh fruit. Love the espresso machine and special juice they have.

Afternoon snacks were pretty typical of other CL lounges.

I really enjoyed the Safari Amber beer they had in the evenings. The hot foods were sometime a bit more exotic then I would prefer but quality was always very good.

View of the lobby from the lounge is beautiful. Staff is always great.

I am going in May for a big birthday trip. YIKES how did I get that old? I was supposed to go with 3 girl friends and the 4 of us were going to get 2 AKL CL rooms but now it is just 3 of us so we have booked one BWI CL room. I would have to say I enjoy the CL service more at BWI and the location is great too but AKL is a very magical place.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Received my emailed form letter from the AKL IPO today (via Disney Destinations). We're about 194 days out and I just booked it a few days ago.



Karibuni (last name) Safari,

Thank you for choosing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for your upcoming visit to the Walt Disney World® Resort. On behalf of our entire team, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our resort.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has assembled a team of itinerary planners who will work closely with you in developing an itinerary that is personalized for your party. Many of our restaurants, recreational opportunities and spa treatments should be booked in advance of your visit. For the greatest success in securing the dates and times you prefer, we recommend that you complete the attached form, submit it to our office, and contact our team at your earliest convenience. You can begin your itinerary planning by clicking here. All requests made will be booked, based upon availability. A confirmation will be returned to you in the form of a personalized itinerary. Please inform us of any reservations which you have booked so that we may add them to your itinerary.

Many activities require a credit card for booking. For your security, please do not send your credit card information by email or fax. We prefer that you contact our office by phone to provide credit card information.

Your itinerary planning team is available to assist you every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding holidays. We may be reached via e-mail, mail, fax, or telephone at the numbers and address listed. We encourage you to visit our website: www.disneyworld.com to learn more about our dining and recreation offerings. Our website will provide contact numbers for the Disney Reservation Center. Please use the numbers below to reach your personal concierge itinerary planner when you are ready to book.

We look forward to serving you soon!


Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Itinerary Planning Office
Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, FL, 32830
ATTN: Itinerary Planning Office
Phone: 407-938-4755 FAX: 407-938-4759
Email: Animal.Kingdom.Lodge.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com

 

[WDWKOOK]

My guess is that AllEars never updated their information on CL rooms after some of the rooms were converted to DVC. All standard CL rooms are savanah view now.


First a quick background. My DH isn't the Disney fanatic I am. So I sometimes take the kids (who are now 11, 10, 8) one at a time. We've been doing family trips once a year and that is more than enough for DH. The family trips are great but the one on one trips are really special.

I took DS (middle child) in May 09 for my birthday. I had booked the trip using the buy 4 get 3 free deals. I honestly like it a lot more than I had expected to. I had read great things about CL service there but I have to say there is something very special about the resort also.

I also took my youngest in Jan 2010 for her 7th birthday. I was able to book with an AP pin. By the time AP rates come out (which were actually 42% instead of the 40% I had booked with) there were no CL discounted rooms available. I was happy with the 40% off.

Both trips we took a town car to the resort and were greeted at the podium outside by a CL CM and brought right up to the room. Both times they had all the paper work and keys and I was all set-never even had to go to the CL desk to check in on the 6th floor.

Both trips we did the sunrise safari-so wonderful!!!

I was worried that the lounge on a different floor would be a huge pain but it really wasn't that big a deal. The breakfast offerings were wonderful. Oatmeal, quinoa, patries, yogurt and lots of fresh fruit. Love the espresso machine and special juice they have.

Afternoon snacks were pretty typical of other CL lounges.

I really enjoyed the Safari Amber beer they had in the evenings. The hot foods were sometime a bit more exotic then I would prefer but quality was always very good.

View of the lobby from the lounge is beautiful. Staff is always great.

I am going in May for a big birthday trip. YIKES how did I get that old? I was supposed to go with 3 girl friends and the 4 of us were going to get 2 AKL CL rooms but now it is just 3 of us so we have booked one BWI CL room. I would have to say I enjoy the CL service more at BWI and the location is great too but AKL is a very magical place.

So sweet that you sometimes take the kids on one-on-one trips. What a special memory they'll have.

Aren't those AP rates, nice? And, I have to put in a plug for the wonderful military rates, too. I had the same issue in August of not being able to book AKL CL with the AP rate, but I did love the SV and would never stay there without it.

Luckily, my DH is very indulgent of our trips to WDW and goes along happily. However, this will be his first CL stay and his first AKL stay. He has never wanted to stay at AKL before and I have a lot of pressure on me because DD and I have told him he will actually love the Lodge, animals, restaurants & QS and especially the Safari Amber beer.

It sounds like everything was done by the book on your past trips to AKL, which isn't always the case. As we all know, sometimes you're greeted by CL staff and sometimes they're totally oblivious. It's not a big deal, but it is a perk of staying CL, so it's really nice when your vacation starts off on the right foot.

What a wonderful birthday celebration you're going to have. You are never to old (or young) to have a great time at WDW.

Have a great birthday and thank you for your AKL CL comments

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi WDWKOOK! Thanks for the well wishes....we are excited and only have 3 weeks left until we are on our trip!
Our first trip to WDW was in January 2008 for my hubby's leave from Afghanistan (Canadian Military)...so I know how that feels, and I wish you all the best with your reunion! Enjoy having him home safe
As for your question about the club level rooms....YES, ALL the club level rooms are on the 4th floor and Savahnna view. WE requested close to lobby/pool and had rooms around the 4515/4530 range and they where wonderful! Our first trip when we stayed close to the lobby in 4515, we had an amazing housekeeper who was from Africa. She went out of her way to make things extra special for us with towel animals every day and great housekeeping! We saw many, many animals too...the only downside was it might have been a slightly better view more towards the middle of Arusha Savahanna. We were quite close to the rock outlook, and it impeded some of the view....but not enough to totally be a problem!
Our second trip we where in a room directly by the elevator that goes down to the Laundry room/Mara/pool exit....great location too, especially since we where there for 12 days and had loads of laundry to do!!! It was a bit of a walk from the lobby, but not too overwhelming.
Of the 2 rooms, I think I liked the one closer to the lobby best.
Our second housekeeper for our second visit was great as well....an old hand at AKL, with much experience. She did many elaborate towel animals for us, and by the end of the trip, I was "towel-animal'd out!!!" LOL I think you will love AKL CL.....
Have a great reunion!

Thanks to everyone who confirmed the fact that all 4th floor CL rooms are in fact savannah views and not pool/hot tub.

AllEars' Deb Wills (http://allears.net/acc/faq_akl9.htm) has a CL review that mentions that they were "deluxe rooms" that were slightly larger with phones in the bathrooms and make-up mirrors and some other special amenities. But now that I looked at it again, this info. must be quite old because she said all CL rooms were on the 5th and 6th floor, not the 4th.

The only request I made was "No connecting door." Do I also need to request, "Not too many towel animals, please."

Thank you for sharing in my excitement of DH's return (for good). He'll be so happy to be home that he won't care how many times I ask him about ADRs!

Have a safe trip with DS and get some PhotoPass photos of the two of you for the scrapbooks. We did that in August and got a ton of photos of the two of us on the CD that I would never have had if it weren't for PhotoPass.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Thanks for your review, chimo2u. My trip in August and December were also just with my DD12 since DH was also in Afghanistan (he returns this weekend). In August we stayed at the AKL, YC/CL and CR/CL. In December we stayed at the CR and WL/CL. Poor DH will finally get to stay CL in July.

You're right, the cost difference is negligible. For us (with the military 40% off) it's only $24 more per night than a SV, which is OK since the lounge isn't on the same floor as the rooms and it doesn't have a savannah view. Which brings me to my question. I was under the impression that ALL std. CL rooms on the 4th floor are savannah views. But I was reading some AllEars reviews that mentioned they had a pool or hot tub view. Can you or someone else confirm this? We definitely do not want a pool/hot tub view so I would cancel CL and book SV if that's the case.

I thought we would dislike AKL, but for a few days, it's perfect and we loved seeing the animals from our balcony. For the longer part of our vacation though, we prefer to be closer to the MK.

I think you'll love being in the Epcot resort area. We loved walking to and from Epcot to the YC, but we missed the monorail and walking to the MK and DD wasn't as thrilled with SAB as I thought she would be.

I hope you have a great mom/son trip!

I know that chimo2u already answered your savannah view question, but I just wanted to let you know that I had also seen conflicting reports about this. The Disney website says all CL rooms are sav. view while some reviews on other sites say they aren't. When I was booking my CL stay for May, I specifically asked the CM about this. He assured me that all of the CL rooms had savannah views, which is exactly what I wanted to hear He even told me that he had personally stayed at AKL CL before and he loved it. I am so excited for our stay as it will be our first time at CL. I plan on writing a TR about it with lots of pics (of the room and lounge). Can't wait to share it with everyone...only 109 days to go....

 

[Donald is #1]

Thanks to everyone who confirmed the fact that all 4th floor CL rooms are in fact savannah views and not pool/hot tub.

AllEars' Deb Wills (http://allears.net/acc/faq_akl9.htm) has a CL review that mentions that they were "deluxe rooms" that were slightly larger with phones in the bathrooms and make-up mirrors and some other special amenities. But now that I looked at it again, this info. must be quite old because she said all CL rooms were on the 5th and 6th floor, not the 4th.

The only request I made was "No connecting door." Do I also need to request, "Not too many towel animals, please."

Thank you for sharing in my excitement of DH's return (for good). He'll be so happy to be home that he won't care how many times I ask him about ADRs!

Have a safe trip with DS and get some PhotoPass photos of the two of you for the scrapbooks. We did that in August and got a ton of photos of the two of us on the CD that I would never have had if it weren't for PhotoPass.

Yes, unfortunately that info is a bit out dated. Prior to the addition of DVC to AKL, this information was correct. However, the entire 5 & 6 floors (except for the concierge lounge) were converted to DVC Rooms when AKV was introduced.

The concierge lounge is still on the 6th floor and is used by both AKL & AKV concierge guests.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I know that chimo2u already answered your savannah view question, but I just wanted to let you know that I had also seen conflicting reports about this. The Disney website says all CL rooms are sav. view while some reviews on other sites say they aren't. When I was booking my CL stay for May, I specifically asked the CM about this. He assured me that all of the CL rooms had savannah views, which is exactly what I wanted to hear He even told me that he had personally stayed at AKL CL before and he loved it. I am so excited for our stay as it will be our first time at CL. I plan on writing a TR about it with lots of pics (of the room and lounge). Can't wait to share it with everyone...only 109 days to go....

Thanks. Looking forward to reading your TR and seeing your photos. Have a great vacation!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Yes, unfortunately that info is a bit out dated. Prior to the addition of DVC to AKL, this information was correct. However, the entire 5 & 6 floors (except for the concierge lounge) were converted to DVC Rooms when AKV was introduced.

The concierge lounge is still on the 6th floor and is used by both AKL & AKV concierge guests.

Yes, it would seem I will not have a phone in the bathroom, but you might. Should I carry my cell in there, just in case

 

[Donald is #1]

Yes, it would seem I will not have a phone in the bathroom, but you might. Should I carry my cell in there, just in case

 

[bean bunny]

We have never stayed CL but with the discount for Fall the price different is only about $100 a night so I thought it might be a good time to try it out! A couple of questions though, we are vegetarians and would be staying at YC CL. Will there be options for us at night? We wouldn't really be utilizing the reservation help. We are more casual diners and after many trips to WDW we don't really make the dining a priority. We tend to eat at Downtown Disney or room service. I think what I'd most be interested in about CL is the access to beverages and quick breakfast and the extra level of service.

I'd love anyone's thoughts on the YC CL!

 

[Tess]

We have never stayed CL but with the discount for Fall the price different is only about $100 a night so I thought it might be a good time to try it out! A couple of questions though, we are vegetarians and would be staying at YC CL. Will there be options for us at night? We wouldn't really be utilizing the reservation help. We are more casual diners and after many trips to WDW we don't really make the dining a priority. We tend to eat at Downtown Disney or room service. I think what I'd most be interested in about CL is the access to beverages and quick breakfast and the extra level of service.

I'd love anyone's thoughts on the YC CL!

All of the CL services have cheese/crackers and vegetable crudites each evening. The hot appetizers tend to be some type of meat or seafood dish. You could always indicate to the CL staff that you are vegetarians. Most of the CLs do cater to special diets. Never hurts to ask. Otherwise, there will be nibbles that you can enjoy.

 

[sanmc12]

If you book a 2 bedroom suite at the GF are you automatically given a room on the club/conccierge levels or do you have to request it? I would hope at aprox. $2K a night it would be included.....

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you book a 2 bedroom suite at the GF are you automatically given a room on the club/conccierge levels or do you have to request it? I would hope at aprox. $2K a night it would be included.....

The suites at the Grand Floridian will say Royal Palm or Sugar Loaf in their room category, so you will get the building of the specifc one you choose.
http://www.mousesavers.com/grandfloridian2011.html

 

[bean bunny]

With my discount code the only CL available to me was Standard. I've learned that some of the balconies at the YC CL Standard are shared. That would be the one thing I absolutely wouldn't want. What are my options? Can I request this through the CL staff? I'll add a room request of course but are there specific things I should request in order to try and get a (quiet!) room with a private balcony. We aren't really commandos so we stay up late and sleep in