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

Status
Not open for further replies.
Thank you! I've been praying a lot lately. I am just looking forward to some down time with my family. The kids deserve this vacation as much as any body. My 12 year old was at home taking care of my mom while I was at the hospital with my dad. Disney is the perfect place to make us forget about the "real world" for a few days! :thumbsup2

That's exactly why I love WDW so much. Looks like we'll be at WDW at the same time. Have a great stay and spend some good family time together in a magical place.....:flower3:
 
Which resort in your opinion has the best CL service, etc.? First time planning on upgrading to CL for holiday vacation. Thanks a bunch ;)
 
Which resort in your opinion has the best CL service, etc.? First time planning on upgrading to CL for holiday vacation. Thanks a bunch ;)
I have previously stayed Club Level at the Contemporary, Boardwalk Inn, and Polynesian. Well in my opinion I have to say the best one is the Boardwalk Inn for these reasons. Their Cast Members are simply the best we have ever meet, the lounge is great, wonderfull food offerings and we love the atmosphere that the Boardwalk has to offer.
 
I had the same experience with Poly IPO in December. I was told to send all my reservation numbers to them and they'd modify my itinerary accordingly. In fact they not only "offered" to do this, but INSISTED that I do it. They suggested that, otherwise, I might yell at the Poly staff because my itinerary was inaccurate. I was a bit taken aback--this was during a phone call where we were talking about a safari booking, the only thing I'd asked of them at that point. When they asked about dining and I said thanks, but I'd already made my own and was pretty set so far, that was what prompted the send-them-to-us order. I did say, 'I would never yell at anybody.' And was told, 'Well, people do. All the time.' OK, then.

I kept them posted about all changes and we did get a print out when they got there that I think was accurate, as much as I looked at anyway, but honestly, I had everything on my iPhone and that was much easier to reference on the go.
Your comment about them insisting you provide the conf. numbers cracked me up and they get yelled at "all the time?":confused3. I thought the IPO office that contacts you via email is a different crew from the concierges who work on the CL? You'd think the actual concierges on CL would be yelled at more than the IPO who you only contact via email:confused3

Your iPhone suggestion is great. I usually carry my confs. that I always print out myself, but I just got a new iPhone and forgot that I could put them in there - thanks!

Even when staying club level I always have my ADR numbers either stored in my phone or written down somewhere. There have been discrepancies so I was very happy to have had another copy with me. There's an App for the iPhone called WDW dining that is really good.
Thanks for the "reminder." I say reminder because I just got an iPhone 4 a couple of weeks ago and I immediately downloaded "Disney World Magic Guide" (it's great, BTW) which has a dining section where you can put all your confs. I would have loved to have downloaded "Disney Mobile Magic" for Verizon users, but I couldn't believe it's not iPhone compatible:sad2:.

Poly IPO told me (last week) that I would have to notify them of any ADR changes in order to update our itinerary because their system is not tied to the dining reservations system.

At the 180 day mark, Poly IPO made all of our ADRS at the times we requested. They notified me pretty quickly that they were able to secure all of our requests then emailed the itinerary by 1pm that same day. This included Le Cellier, BBB before CRT breakfast and CRT Breakfast with some other difficult ones to obtain. We made a few changes to some of the times recently so that is why I contacted IPO to see if they would need updated times.
That certainly corroborates what others are posting here.

I have had this happen with Poly, CR, and GF:confused3 Each time it was when I had booked the ADR's myself. This has happened multiple times with each resort so I sort of accept it as the norm and just print out my own. Not to be a downer, but I just look on it as another small thing lost about the CL experience. I do think it should be easy for them to access and change them but I guess not.
You're not a downer at all! You are absolutely right that it is another example of the downgrading of both CL and the overall WDW resort experience. I think you probably hit the nail on the head with assuming it's inconvenient for the IPO to do it. If it's truly their software that's inefficient, then why don't they just tell us that they don't have the ability to print out client-made ADRs? Must be because that wouldn't be true:scratchin

Which resort in your opinion has the best CL service, etc.? First time planning on upgrading to CL for holiday vacation. Thanks a bunch ;)
This is only my personal and limited experience. I stayed at the WL/CL last Christmas and thought it was perfect (there's a link to my WL/CL photos on the first page).

I also have experienced the Regatta Club (YC) and Atrium Club (CR). In only thinking about the CL experience and not the resort itself or room, the Regatta Club is a close second to the WL, while the Atrium Club is dead last for me.

I rank the WL first out of those three because it has a very large lounge seating area. The lounge was always kept neat and tidy. The food and drinks were always replenished quickly and the views down to the lobby and out to Bay Lake and the WL courtyard/geyser are amazing. However, the concierges (not the lounge CMs - they were great) are not very friendly or helpful, in my 8 night experience there.

The YC lounge was also always kept neat and tidy, however, the lounge seating area is small and there is no view to speak of. Food and drink was also replenished quickly and the lounge CMs were very friendly and warm. The concierges were pleasant and welcoming, though I didn't ask them for anything so I don't know how helpful they are. I will say that when I was in the lounge for breakfast after we arrived, I asked a lounge CM if they had Sprite Zero and she said they didn't. When I came back to our room later in the afternoon, there was a 12-pack of Sprite Zero. I was very impressed with this thoughtful gesture.

I spent 7 nights at the Atrium Club, but I'm not sure I would ever go back for CL. The lounge views are the best on property and the CR is our favorite resort, but I found the lounge to be under-staffed and frequently messy. Guests would have to ask to have items replenished and the concierges were frequently working the lounge, therefore the concierge desk would be vacant. My requests for milk in the evening were usually met with a frown. I saw too many guests walk into the lounge without shoes and adults in PJs. The staff never said anything to those not wearing shoes, however, at the WL I witnessed a lounge CM tell a guest they couldn't enter without shoes.

Keep in mind that this is only my experience last year and that CMs and concierges change and the guests' demeanor in the lounge can make or break the experience. Even though I didn't mention it above, you do also have to take into consideration the resort's location, theming and room style/size.

I hope you find a nice balance and let us know what you end up booking!
 

Thanks for the "reminder." I say reminder because I just got an iPhone 4 a couple of weeks ago and I immediately downloaded "Disney World Magic Guide" (it's great, BTW) which has a dining section where you can put all your confs. I would have loved to have downloaded "Disney Mobile Magic" for Verizon users, but I couldn't believe it's not iPhone compatible:sad2:.

Not to get too far off topic here, but downloaded the WDW dining app on recommendation here and found there was a lot of missing (no California Grill) and inaccurate information.

Thought I'd note that we used both the Undercover Tourist app (great feature for locating each other if you have multiple iPhones in your household) and the Lines app (must have a touringplans.com sub) a lot while in Disney. Found lines to be the most accurate wait time list, while the UC maps were better. When you're in Disney it knows where you are/which way you're walking on the map. Pretty nifty.
 
Not to get too far off topic here, but downloaded the WDW dining app on recommendations here and thought I'd note that we used both the Undercover Tourist app (great feature for locating each other if you have multiple iPhones in your household) and the Lines app (must have a touringplans.com sub) a lot while in Disney. Found lines to be the most accurate wait time list, while the UC maps were better. When you're in Disney it knows where you are/which way you're walking on the map. Pretty nifty.

Totally agree. :thumbsup2 When I had the iPhone I had the Dining app and the ones you mentioned above. They were very helpful. :) I have an Android phone now and have Lines and UT on that as well.
 
I know when you book a room and put in a room request the odds aren't great your request is honored. However, does anyone know if a room request when you are dealing with IPO more likely? We are staying in Sugar Loaf at the GF in a couple of months and like the first floor. Wondering if requesting through IPO will work?

Thanks!
 
I know when you book a room and put in a room request the odds aren't great your request is honored. However, does anyone know if a room request when you are dealing with IPO more likely? We are staying in Sugar Loaf at the GF in a couple of months and like the first floor. Wondering if requesting through IPO will work?

Thanks!
For our Deluxe Club Level Room reservation next month at the Boardwalk Inn we requested a room on the 4th floor so we could be close to the lounge and made that request with a Cast Member from the Disney Reservation Center. Then a few months later we made the same request with the Boardwalk Inn IPO, however they said it's only a request and will do their best to make sure it happens. So basically they can't do anything more when it comes to room requests.
 
I just saw my e-mail and for whatever reason the Beach Club IPO department sent us another welcome letter. Well a couple of months ago I remember filling it out saying what time we expect to arrive, what mode of transportation we are using and etc. So should I fill it out again or do I just forget about it?
 
I just saw my e-mail and for whatever reason the Beach Club IPO department sent us another welcome letter. Well a couple of months ago I remember filling it out saying what time we expect to arrive, what mode of transportation we are using and etc. So should I fill it out again or do I just forget about it?

Same thing happened to me two days ago. I got one from Poly and one from GF.:confused3
 
Same thing happened to me two days ago. I got one from Poly and one from GF.:confused3

Same here. I just received this email yesterday from Disney Destinations with the form attached for IPO. I also received the form to fill out from Poly IPO approx. 10 days prior to our 180 day window.
 
I just saw my e-mail and for whatever reason the Beach Club IPO department sent us another welcome letter. Well a couple of months ago I remember filling it out saying what time we expect to arrive, what mode of transportation we are using and etc. So should I fill it out again or do I just forget about it?

I did to, wasn't going to fill it out, but thought I better incase there was a glitch in their system and it erased everything.
 
So do you think I should fill out the form just incase?
No, I'm sure they have it all on file. If you're unsure, just email the IPO and tell them you received the form again and could they please verify they have everything. I'm sure they do, but it'll make you and your parents feel better knowing for sure.
 
I got the form from Disney Destinations in my email also today :confused3. From what it looks like we are all arriving at different times (us 10/22) so I'm wondering if it was some glitch in Disney's system. Seems odd we would all receive the email the same day. There was a time not too long ago where hackers got a hold of Disney Destination emails but I haven't heard anything recently.
I'm not going to fill out anything thru the link in the email; the only thing IPO needs is my flight info and to know I'm taking ME (I guess I could send them my new ADR's since it's apparently not connected, but not worried about that).
 
Anyone have experience with YC CL lagoon view? I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade our garden view. We're only staying two nights. Is it loud over the lagoon? Is the view wonderful? Am I better just requesting and hoping for a gazebo view

I posted this on YC/BC thread but thought I'd try here too!
 
Anyone have experience with YC CL lagoon view? I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade our garden view. We're only staying two nights. Is it loud over the lagoon? Is the view wonderful? Am I better just requesting and hoping for a gazebo view

I posted this on YC/BC thread but thought I'd try here too!
While there wouldn't be any noise from Crescent Lake, if you're placed overlooking SAB, there will be noise, especially in the afternoon when they're playing games with loud music.

Last August, I booked a GV/CL room and requested a gazebo view. We were upgraded to LV which overlooked SAB and to the right of our balcony was Crescent Lake. I would have preferred a GV to this. However, if you get the straight-on view of Crescent Lake, I think that would be the best view and it would be quiet. That's what I would request if booking LV/CL.
 
No, I'm sure they have it all on file. If you're unsure, just email the IPO and tell them you received the form again and could they please verify they have everything. I'm sure they do, but it'll make you and your parents feel better knowing for sure.
Well the only thing we put down on the IPO form for our Beach Club stay is the time we expect to arrive at and what mode of transportation we are using. So it's not like our stay at the Boardwalk Inn with our two requests which they e-mailed us about.
 
Looking at my countdown ticker for the Boardwalk Inn it says I will be arriving there one month from today. It's always around the 30 day mark that our trip starts to feel more real and it almost feels like yesterday I remember us making the reservation back on Jaurary 1, 2011.
 
I spent 7 nights at the Atrium Club, but I'm not sure I would ever go back for CL. The lounge views are the best on property and the CR is our favorite resort, but I found the lounge to be under-staffed and frequently messy. Guests would have to ask to have items replenished and the concierges were frequently working the lounge, therefore the concierge desk would be vacant. My requests for milk in the evening were usually met with a frown. I saw too many guests walk into the lounge without shoes and adults in PJs. The staff never said anything to those not wearing shoes, however, at the WL I witnessed a lounge CM tell a guest they couldn't enter without shoes.
I can't remember if this happened during our most recent stay over there in August 2010 or December 2009, but one of the Atrium Club Cast Members prevented guests not staying up there to watch Wishes. These people were standing by the elevators looking lost and one of the Cast Members asked them what they were doing and asked if this was a place to watch the fireworks? That's when they were told it was time to leave. My guess is they knew exactly what they were doing and got lucky by going in the elevator with another guest that was staying on the 12th floor, because there no way else to get up there. So in times like that they were enforcing rules, although I agree they should enforce all the rules all the time.

Although then there was the negative experience back in August 2009 when a family staying up there invited 20 - 25 family and friends for the food offerings in the lounge from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, because I remember them all being loud and little kids running around. Well it was very hard to enjoy ourselves and had we not got a table we would have complained because they had started showing up after we into the lounge, because they basically took up all the other tables and space. Later that night when we returned on the table inside the lounge was signs written in both english and spanish that said the Atrium Club lounge is reserved for guests staying up there, signs which they never before when the lounge opened in July 2006. We then spoke to one of their experienced Cast Members who knew us from our previous stays and appologized for what happened. I then asked how come they those guests weren't asked to leave? We were told when they do that one time the Cast Members can't say anything, however if they tried it a second time then those people not staying there are asked to leave.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.





New Posts










Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top