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

[focusondisney]

WDWKOOK, thanks for your BWI & WL reviews. I can't believe how lacking the BWI offerings seem to be. We're headed to YC club level in 32 days. We were last there in September. I will be very dissappointed if they have the same 2 hot appitizers every night.

I love your pictures in both trip reports. I think that is the first time I have ever seen pictures of the horse stables!

 

[TikiGoddess07]

We can't afford a Club Level room this trip, so we're staying Garden View at the Beach Club. Has anyone ever tried to pay for access to the club lounge during their stay? Like negotiating a set fee per day at check-in just for access to the lounge? (I've heard of someone doing that at AKL...)

Or has anyone been able to pay for an upgrade to CL when they check-in, and gotten a discount on it?

Kathy

 

[bowbat]

We can't afford a Club Level room this trip, so we're staying Garden View at the Beach Club. Has anyone ever tried to pay for access to the club lounge during their stay? Like negotiating a set fee per day at check-in just for access to the lounge? (I've heard of someone doing that at AKL...)

Or has anyone been able to pay for an upgrade to CL when they check-in, and gotten a discount on it?

Kathy

The general consensus on this seems to be that if you ask if you can upgrade to CL at check-in, you'll be quoted the rack rate to do so. I seem to recall one person who said they had booked their room with a discount & were able to upgrade to CL at their discounted price. If you're currently paying rack rate for your room (or if you booked a package with free dining), I don't believe they'll give you a discount on a CL room.

 

[mmmears]

I've stayed AKL CL in the past and gone on the Sunrise Safari. I have heard that the safaris have changed since my last visit. Can someone tell me if the SS is still offered? Or if not, what others are available?

Thanks in advance.

 

[OhThePain]

I've stayed AKL CL in the past and gone on the Sunrise Safari. I have heard that the safaris have changed since my last visit. Can someone tell me if the SS is still offered? Or if not, what others are available?

Thanks in advance.

The Sunrise Safari is still offered, at least it was back in October, and is still only available to CL guests. Maybe you are thinking of the Wanyama (Sunset) Safari, which has gone from being available to only CL guests to being available to all AKL guests (ages 8 and up). We did both of these back in October. Both very good (Wanyama may have been our all time best WDW experience) but are very different.

 

[mmmears]

The Sunrise Safari is still offered, at least it was back in October, and is still only available to CL guests. Maybe you are thinking of the Wanyama (Sunset) Safari, which has gone from being available to only CL guests to being available to all AKL guests (ages 8 and up). We did both of these back in October. Both very good (Wanyama may have been our all time best WDW experience) but are very different.

Thanks for the info -- I wasn't sure if the Sunrise Safari had been replaced by the "trek" (can't use search right now to look up the real name) or the Wildlife Expedition. Glad to know it's still there.

 

[monami7]

Well last Friday. Just 22 before our trip I called and switched to akl club level. I really wanted it! I also booked the sunrise safari for dd and myself. We will be there in 19 days!!!

 

[ClareH37]

Thanks for the info -- I wasn't sure if the Sunrise Safari had been replaced by the "trek" (can't use search right now to look up the real name) or the Wildlife Expedition. Glad to know it's still there.

There used to be the Wildlife Discovery Excursion that was available to all Disney cl resort guests (ie not just akl) but unfortunately it was discontinued, such a shame

 

[mmmears]

Another question:

I guess it's been too long since we've stayed at WDW since I have to ask... But is there free internet access in the lounges? There wasn't last time, but a girl can hope...

 

[chimo2u]

Another question:

I guess it's been too long since we've stayed at WDW since I have to ask... But is there free internet access in the lounges? There wasn't last time, but a girl can hope...

Hi mmmears! yes, all the Deluxe resorts have free WI FI now, throughout the resort! Long-awaited bonus

 

[mmmears]

Hi mmmears! yes, all the Deluxe resorts have free WI FI now, throughout the resort! Long-awaited bonus

Oh my gosh -- you just made my day! Disney has finally caught up with the rest of the world!!!

 

[mirlow]

I haven't been around in a few years, but I continue to follow the Club Level threads. I like to keep up to date on what's going on and I enjoy hearing about upcoming visits and trip reports.

Our family made the move to Orlando a year ago. We have yet to go to the parks. It was somewhat strange because we had many magical trips to WDW and now that we live here I wasn't sure how it would be going on a vacation to Disney? We've been having fun visiting everything but the parks. We bought passes to Universal, so that is where we've been going for rides. I wanted to space out our theme park passes. Since we never did Universal and the kids are older now we went with that first.

My husband's birthday is coming up and we are going to do our first Disney trip as locals. He wants to stay at the Polynesian, but I'm not sure? The construction over at the GF seems to take away from the magic (for me at least). We stopped by the Polynesian for lunch yesterday and I have never seen that resort so quiet! I love it there Though I miss hearing the music around the grounds.

My husbands birthday is coming up and I've got some planning to do. We'll see where we end up!

 

[MartyM]

Hey guys,
I received an email with the menu for BWI CL offerings and wanted to share it with you:

Good Morning x Family,
Our nightly menu rotates nightly. As of now, here is what we carry each day. Things change and there probably will be new items added to our menu by October when you are staying with us.
Breakfast
Fruit: Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew
Pastries:, Muffins, Flavored Loafs, Danishes, Croissants, Bagels
Cereal: Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran
Beverages: Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Coffee, 2% Milk, Skim Milk, Chocolate Milk, Evian, specialty teas
Oatmeal w/dried cranberries, sliced almonds, raisins, brown sugar & hardboiled eggs
Snacks
Cookies: Chocolate Chip/Sugar cookies w/Mickey sprinkles
Snacks: House-made Potato Chips w/ Red Pepper Ranch dipping sauce, Swedish Fish, Banana Chips, Yogurt Covered Pretzels, Spicy Bar Mix
Beverages: Cranberry Juice, Lemonade, Iced Tea, Coffee, Evian, Perrier, specialty teas, select canned sodas
Upon Request: Chocolate Milk, Soy Milk, Rice Milk, Yogurt
Hors D'oevoures (rotated nightly)
Cold Items: (2 rotated nightly) Tomato Mozzarella w/Balsamic Reduction,Orzo Pasta Salad ,Seaweed and Seared Tuna, Green Mussels, Wild Rice Salad, Shrimp Salad, Broccoli Slaw , Greek Salad,Cous Cous Salad, Potato Salad, olives & peppers, Lobster Salad, vegetable crudité, Calamata Olive Hummus, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Ranch dipping sauce, house-made whole wheat bread, cracker assortment
Cheese: 2-3 different Cheeses every night
Hot Items: (2 rotated nightly) Vegetable Spring Rolls w/Sweet Chili Sauce, Chicken Skewers w/Yogurt Cucumber Sauce, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese w/ Pepper Ranch Sauce, Pork Pot Stickers w/ Chili Sauce, Conch Fritters w/ Cajun Remoulade, Brie and Raspberry en Croute, Crab Rangoon w/ Sweet Chili Sauce,Bacon-wrapped Scallops w/Mustard Dipping Sauce, Potato and Pea Samosas w/ Mango Chutney
Child Options: Peanut Butter & Jelly w/rolls, Apple Slices w/Carmel dipping sauce
Beverages: Cranberry Juice, Lemonade, Iced Tea, Coffee, Evian, Perrier, specialty teas, select canned sodas
Beer/Wine: Bud Light, Heineken, Yuengling, Sam Adams Seasonal,
Longhammer, Columbia Crest Chardonnay, Mirassou Pinot Noir, Penfold’s Merlot, Beringer’s White
Desserts
Pastries: (2 patries inspired by our chefs nightly)
Cordials: Amaretto, Amarula, Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Courvoisier
Beverages: Cranberry Juice, Lemonade, Iced Tea, Coffee, Evian, Perrier, specialty teas, select canned sodas
Upon Request: Chocolate Milk, Soy Milk, Rice Milk,
yogurt
Hope this gives you an good idea of our offerings in Club Level.

Best Regards,
Omar
Concierge Itinerary Planner
Disney's Boardwalk Inn
Boardwalk.Itinerary.Planning@Disneyworld.com

 

[nadira36]

I just found this thread last night and have a few questions. I have sporadically read through a hundred or so pages, but the only answers I could find were a bit outdated.

We're considering our first CL stay for Sept 2013. Honestly we never would have considered it at all, but yesterday we bought into DVC - and have enough points for our family and our friends family to both take 2 weeks at AKL CL

First does anyone know if the lounge is gluten-free friendly. I read someone from 2010 say they were able to get gluten-free muffins, but our concern is also cross-contact with crumbs, would we be able to get a fresh plate of fruit that wasn't possibly touched by someone else, by tongs that touched muffins, that didn't have crumbs dripped on it? It sounds lovely to stay club, but if I have 3 little girls too sick to leave the room, it really isn't worth our time or points.

Is the sunshine safari open to all ages? Or do children need to be over a certain age? We'll have a 2.5 year old and our friends will be traveling with 1 year old twins (plus combined we'll have two 5 year olds, a 6 year old, and a 7 year old).

What's standard tipping for mousekeeping? per day/per stay? Honestly we normally just put a do not disturb sign out so only ever leave a small tip when leaving the resort (since we never used mousekeeping during the stay), but if we're staying CL we'd want to utilize the turndown service, and if we're doing that, then we'd want mousekeeping also.

Would turndown still be $1/bed/day?


Okay and my last question may seem a bit odd ....We'd be looking at a studio/1bdrm joined room (2bdrm villa). If we book them separately we can 'fit' into the room. We'd have 4 plus one child under 3 in the studio. Our friends would have 4, plus twins under 1. So 5 +1 under 3 which fits in tot he one bedroom. However the exact same room booked as a 2 bdrm would technically only fit 9 +1 under 3. Even though it's the exact same floor plan. Exact same rooms. However booked together it's 35 points less/week. Do you think we'd be able to book the 2 bdrm and still have 2 children under 3? Does that make sense?

 

[lovesdumbo]

We're considering our first CL stay for Sept 2013. Honestly we never would have considered it at all, but yesterday we bought into DVC - and have enough points for our family and our friends family to both take 2 weeks at AKL CL

I can't answer too many of your questions but wanted to point out that your chances of actually being able to book AKL CL aren't great. Did you buy DVC at AKV so that you can book at 11 months out? There are very few CL units at AKV.

 

[nadira36]

I can't answer too many of your questions but wanted to point out that your chances of actually being able to book AKL CL aren't great. Did you buy DVC at AKV so that you can book at 11 months out? There are very few CL units at AKV.

Yes AKL is our home resort. I know there aren't many, but we're hopeful we do have a few back-up plans just in case.

 

[MissionMouse]

Hey guys,
I received an email with the menu for BWI CL offerings and wanted to share it with you:

Good Morning x Family,
Our nightly menu rotates nightly. As of now, here is what we carry each day. Things change and there probably will be new items added to our menu by October when you are staying with us.
Breakfast
Fruit: Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew
Pastries:, Muffins, Flavored Loafs, Danishes, Croissants, Bagels
Cereal: Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran
Beverages: Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Coffee, 2% Milk, Skim Milk, Chocolate Milk, Evian, specialty teas
Oatmeal w/dried cranberries, sliced almonds, raisins, brown sugar & hardboiled eggs
Snacks
...
Upon Request: Chocolate Milk, Soy Milk, Rice Milk,
yogurt
Hope this gives you an good idea of our offerings in Club Level.

Best Regards,
Omar
Concierge Itinerary Planner
Disney's Boardwalk Inn
Boardwalk.Itinerary.Planning@Disneyworld.com

It sure seems like the club levels are becoming more and more mainstream and every year it seams like their very similar from one club to another club located in the same area. BWI sure sounds a lot like the BC Club level offerings.

 

[mmmears]

It sure seems like the club levels are becoming more and more mainstream and every year it seams like their very similar from one club to another club located in the same area. BWI sure sounds a lot like the BC Club level offerings.

I agree. Hopefully the lounges in each resort can retain something special so that they each have their own specialties that make them unique.

To me, the ones at AKL and the Poly are the most unique ones I have tried.

 

[jmkrat]

I just found this thread last night and have a few questions. I have sporadically read through a hundred or so pages, but the only answers I could find were a bit outdated.

We're considering our first CL stay for Sept 2013. Honestly we never would have considered it at all, but yesterday we bought into DVC - and have enough points for our family and our friends family to both take 2 weeks at AKL CL

Fon it? It sounds lovely to stay club, but if I have 3 little girls too sick to leave the room, it really isn't worth our time or points. irst does anyone know if the lounge is gluten-free friendly. I read someone from 2010 say they were able to get gluten-free muffins, but our concern is a
lso cross-contact with crumbs, would we be able to get a fresh plate of fruit that wasn't possibly touched by someone else, by tongs that touched muffins, that didn't have crumbs dripped

Is the sunshine safari open to all ages? Or do children need to be over a certain age? We'll have a 2.5 year old and our friends will be traveling with 1 year old twins (plus combined we'll have two 5 year olds, a 6 year old, and a 7 year old).

What's standard tipping for mousekeeping? per day/per stay? Honestly we normally just put a do not disturb sign out so only ever leave a small tip when leaving the resort (since we never used mousekeeping during the stay), but if we're staying CL we'd want to utilize the turndown service, and if we're doing that, then we'd want mousekeeping also.

Would turndown still be $1/bed/day?


Okay and my last question may seem a bit odd ....We'd be looking at a studio/1bdrm joined room (2bdrm villa). If we book them separately we can 'fit' into the room. We'd have 4 plus one child under 3 in the studio. Our friends would have 4, plus twins under 1. So 5 +1 under 3 which fits in tot he one bedroom. However the exact same room booked as a 2 bdrm would technically only fit 9 +1 under 3. Even though it's the exact same floor plan. Exact same rooms. However booked together it's 35 points less/week. Do you think we'd be able to book the 2 bdrm and still have 2 children under 3? Does that make sense?

I have had some good luck with eating gluten free at club level. The worst experience I have had was at the Poly. Mainly because of the Chef. The best experience I had was at the Contempory, I had the best Chef EVER !
When you book you will have to mention that you need gluten free items. It does help if you have an idea of the things that you want. They have changed it somewhat from years ago. I used to be able to get in contact with the Chef's before hand, not anymore. I am going to the Beach Club next month and was told upon check-in that someone would go over my dietary needs. I can post more when I get back. I was able to ask for a separate cheese and fruit plate, and I did get gluten free muffins. They were sent in separately and wrapped. If you know what you would like, let them know. According to the IPO Club levels are quite aware of gluten free needs and keep things on hand. When I stayed at the Contempory, the Chef made me a hot offering every night. He was wonderful, I loved the attention. I don't think he is at the Contempory any longer, I am hoping he is at the Beach Club. I will be back May 31, I can let you know how my trip went this time.

 

[osugal]

So, if you're using your DVC you can stay club level? I always assumed you couldn't because I thought the DVC rooms were in a separate building.