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

[Mousemommy1]

Honestly, I loved NOT doing online check in (CR CL). I was still met as soon as we got off DME and we were taken right upstairs. I liked the time the CL CM spent with us. One did the check in and one other one came over and get snacks and drinks for everyone else. We also got to pick our room out with the CM. It was a magical start to the trip!

My only concern is the room request. I've never done one before, and my request is very simple and I'm about 99.9% sure it won't be an issue, (and IPO has confirmed that), so I guess I'll see as I get closer to our trip....in 59 days!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I did online check in for the Poly CL and there was someone outside waiting. Of course I don't think they really knew it was us because we didn't go up to the main bldg right away, we parked in the self lot and dragged our luggage with us. I didn't have to wait in line at the front desk and the CM walked us back to the Hawaii bldg where they had everything waiting for us.

This was our experience as well at BWI.

I had never done online check-in before since we usually stay CL, but for fun I did it for our BWI/CL stay last month and we were still greeted by a CL runner when we arrived with our car and taken to CL to check-in. We then moved to WL/CL where I did not do online check-in, and the process was identical to BWI with online check-in.

 

[WsPrincess]

My only concern is the room request. I've never done one before, and my request is very simple and I'm about 99.9% sure it won't be an issue, (and IPO has confirmed that), so I guess I'll see as I get closer to our trip....in 59 days!!!

We actually had a room request too which made the getting to choose the room with the CM so neat! We ended up with a room close to the lounge with the most perfect view of the castle. It was amazing!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We actually had a room request too which made the getting to choose the room with the CM so neat! We ended up with a room close to the lounge with the most perfect view of the castle. It was amazing!

Hmmm, that might be a bonus, since we are not very sure where the lounge is going to be during my visit (WL CL), it may be moved during our stay due to rennovations. Maybe I'll hold off, we'll see....

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Unless you do online check-in. Then you have to go to the front desk.

Not true. We have always been greeted curbside when getting off DME or pulling in with our rental car and taking up to the CL floor to check in. I have never done on-line check in.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

It's good to hear a positive report of CL check in.

Honestly, I didn't love my check in at Poly CL. It still took 15 minutes and our KTTW cards weren't ready.

Check in at BC CL was terrible. Coming off of ME nobody seemed to know what to do with us. We were finally told to stand outside and wait for for someone to come take us up to the 5th floor. This took about 10 minutes. Then once we got up there we had to stand awkwardly waiting for someone to check us in. There was one CM helping someone else and another just sitting at a desk. Again we stood around for 10 minutes doing nothing. Finally when someone helped us it took another 20 minutes while the CM chatted intermittently with another CM she was training about random stuff. Our KTTW cards were not printed and ready for us here either.

Finally, about 45 minutes later we got to our room. IPO had assured us that we would be placed in a room with a daybed as per our request (we had 5 + an infant and did not want to mess with a cot AND a pack and play) but nope. No daybed. Back to the desks where the CM rolled his eyes at me for asking to move. Then I was told there was nothing available. Another CM jumped in and said she had a room for us that she could let us in to, but that it would be about an hour before our KTTW cards would be ready so that we could be free to leave the room. It ended up only being about 30 minutes before someone knocked on the door with our keys. But it was VERY frustrating to say the least.

I will say that I spoke with the CL manager later and he was very concerned with what had happened and I was pleased with his response.

Before staying CL we always did online check in and NEVER had an issue. I'm sure this was a one off, and I would still stay at BC CL again for sure. But it does make me leery of the whole CL check in process in general.

 

[bluejasmine]

Poly CL actually told me NOT to do online check in, said then I'd have to check in at front desk.. Bottom line.. No need for online check in at any if the CL, it's part of the perk you pay for. You can email them and let them know when to expect you tho..

 

[mmmears]

This was our experience as well at BWI.

I had never done online check-in before since we usually stay CL, but for fun I did it for our BWI/CL stay last month and we were still greeted by a CL runner when we arrived with our car and taken to CL to check-in. We then moved to WL/CL where I did not do online check-in, and the process was identical to BWI with online check-in.

So it was exactly the same when you did the on-line check-in and when you didn't?

I was thinking of maybe trying it for our upcoming stay at the YC since we're switching from AKL CL to YC CL one morning and want to check-in early (I doubt the room will be ready, but that's ok), grab a bite, then walk over to Epcot for rope drop. My only concern is that we have had some CL check-ins that did take quite a while...

I've never tried the on-line check in because when asked the IPO office said there was no need, but that was 2 years ago and maybe things have changed.

 

[jmkrat]

It's good to hear a positive report of CL check in.

Honestly, I didn't love my check in at Poly CL. It still took 15 minutes and our KTTW cards weren't ready.

Check in at BC CL was terrible. Coming off of ME nobody seemed to know what to do with us. We were finally told to stand outside and wait for for someone to come take us up to the 5th floor. This took about 10 minutes. Then once we got up there we had to stand awkwardly waiting for someone to check us in. There was one CM helping someone else and another just sitting at a desk. Again we stood around for 10 minutes doing nothing. Finally when someone helped us it took another 20 minutes while the CM chatted intermittently with another CM she was training about random stuff. Our KTTW cards were not printed and ready for us here either.

Finally, about 45 minutes later we got to our room. IPO had assured us that we would be placed in a room with a daybed as per our request (we had 5 + an infant and did not want to mess with a cot AND a pack and play) but nope. No daybed. Back to the desks where the CM rolled his eyes at me for asking to move. Then I was told there was nothing available. Another CM jumped in and said she had a room for us that she could let us in to, but that it would be about an hour before our KTTW cards would be ready so that we could be free to leave the room. It ended up only being about 30 minutes before someone knocked on the door with our keys. But it was VERY frustrating to say the least.

I will say that I spoke with the CL manager later and he was very concerned with what had happened and I was pleased with his response.

Before staying CL we always did online check in and NEVER had an issue. I'm sure this was a one off, and I would still stay at BC CL again for sure. But it does make me leery of the whole CL check in process in general.

I have been debating whether or not to do online check-in, and I think after reading your post I will pass. I will be checking in at the Beach Club and sure don't want my vacation to start off like it did for you. Thanks for the input.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

I have been debating whether or not to do online check-in, and I think after reading your post I will pass. I will be checking in at the Beach Club and sure don't want my vacation to start off like it did for you. Thanks for the input.

Oops. Just to clarify, I did NOT do online check in either of these times. This was the regular CL check in that is supposed to be so personalized and special.

I am going to try online check in with CL for the first time on my upcoming trip.

 

[jmkrat]

Oops. Just to clarify, I did NOT do online check in either of these times. This was the regular CL check in that is supposed to be so personalized and special.

I am going to try online check in with CL for the first time on my upcoming trip.

Uh Oh, now I'm scared !

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Uh Oh, now I'm scared !

Don't be. It had to have just been one of those days where everything goes wrong.

I'd bet that most CL guests have the positive check in experience they are expecting. I hesitated to even write about my experience because I didn't wan't to paint BC CL as lacking, because I do not feel that it is

 

[HelenParr]

I've felt CL check-in is too long at both BC and YC. But I love both, and agree with PP, that the check-in slowness would not stop me from staying there again. I do online check-in now, and I like it way, way more. CMs on CL are still happy to help with anything, but I don't need a 25 minute primer on the World, a review of food options, or a tour of the resort map. Etc.

Having said that: if I stay at a resort I have not yet tried, I might be inclined to hear the talk at regular CL check-in.

 

[WDWKOOK]

So it was exactly the same when you did the on-line check-in and when you didn't?

I was thinking of maybe trying it for our upcoming stay at the YC since we're switching from AKL CL to YC CL one morning and want to check-in early (I doubt the room will be ready, but that's ok), grab a bite, then walk over to Epcot for rope drop. My only concern is that we have had some CL check-ins that did take quite a while...

I've never tried the on-line check in because when asked the IPO office said there was no need, but that was 2 years ago and maybe things have changed.

The only thing that I found different about online check-in is that I was able online to put in my credit card info. for charging instead of handing the CM my credit card at CL check-in. That is the only thing I recall that was different.

But, it actually worked out well that I did online check-in for BWI/CL because when we arrived we were greeted out front, however, the CM did not escort us upstairs. She had the bellman take us right to our room and there was a "fill-in concierge" at the Innkeeper's Club desk outside the door and he had a packet waiting for us and just handed it to us. So in this case, check-in was probably faster because I had already put in my credit card info. online and we got our packet much faster since it was prepared ahead of time and the desk upstairs was busy with another guest, but we didn't have to wait around for him.

Don't be. It had to have just been one of those days where everything goes wrong.

I'd bet that most CL guests have the positive check in experience they are expecting. I hesitated to even write about my experience because I didn't wan't to paint BC CL as lacking, because I do not feel that it is

FWIW, our first CL stay was at the YC and we were coming from AKL. I had envisioned being greeted outside (I had given them our exact arrival time since we were coming from AKL), but no one greeted us outside and the bellman told us to go in to check-in. We went inside and must have looked confused because a CM asked if we needed help and I said we were staying CL and he told us to just check-in at the front desk! I knew we were supposed to check-in upstairs, but he told us that it would be quicker to just check-in "over there" and pointed. A few seconds later a CL runner asked who we were and escorted us upstairs. Phew.

The CR can be hit or miss, too. However, every time we've arrived at WL we've been greeted by name by at least one and sometimes two CL runners. They even wait and chat with us while DH parks the car and then they escort us upstairs when DH returns. It's so welcoming and such a great way to start your stay.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

The only thing that I found different about online check-in is that I was able online to put in my credit card info. for charging instead of handing the CM my credit card at CL check-in. That is the only thing I recall that was different.

But, it actually worked out well that I did online check-in for BWI/CL because when we arrived we were greeted out front, however, the CM did not escort us upstairs. She had the bellman take us right to our room and there was a "fill-in concierge" at the Innkeeper's Club desk outside the door and he had a packet waiting for us and just handed it to us. So in this case, check-in was probably faster because I had already put in my credit card info. online and we got our packet much faster since it was prepared ahead of time and the desk upstairs was busy with another guest, but we didn't have to wait around for him.




FWIW, our first CL stay was at the YC and we were coming from AKL. I had envisioned being greeted outside (I had given them our exact arrival time since we were coming from AKL), but no one greeted us outside and the bellman told us to go in to check-in. We went inside and must have looked confused because a CM asked if we needed help and I said we were staying CL and he told us to just check-in at the front desk! I knew we were supposed to check-in upstairs, but he told us that it would be quicker to just check-in "over there" and pointed. A few seconds later a CL runner asked who we were and escorted us upstairs. Phew.

The CR can be hit or miss, too. However, every time we've arrived at WL we've been greeted by name by at least one and sometimes two CL runners. They even wait and chat with us while DH parks the car and then they escort us upstairs when DH returns. It's so welcoming and such a great way to start your stay.

Hmmm. Feeling less confident now that I had a rare bad experience. Thanks for the warning about CR CL as well. Oh well, it's Disney. We will have a blast no matter what!

 

[mmmears]

The only thing that I found different about online check-in is that I was able online to put in my credit card info. for charging instead of handing the CM my credit card at CL check-in. That is the only thing I recall that was different.

But, it actually worked out well that I did online check-in for BWI/CL because when we arrived we were greeted out front, however, the CM did not escort us upstairs. She had the bellman take us right to our room and there was a "fill-in concierge" at the Innkeeper's Club desk outside the door and he had a packet waiting for us and just handed it to us. So in this case, check-in was probably faster because I had already put in my credit card info. online and we got our packet much faster since it was prepared ahead of time and the desk upstairs was busy with another guest, but we didn't have to wait around for him.

Thanks for the clarification. I know they wont be able to get us to the room since it will most likely be way too early. We found the BC CL check in to take way too long, too. I just want my keys, my packet, etc. and to go! Hopefully if I tell them we are in a hurry they won't take forever (and if they do, we'll just come back after lunch and check in then).

 

[padawans]

Hmmm. Feeling less confident now that I had a rare bad experience. Thanks for the warning about CR CL as well. Oh well, it's Disney. We will have a blast no matter what!

At BW we were not staying Cl. We had a cm greet us at the door. She then went to the desk grabbed welcome package and room keys and handed it to me. This was at about 1100 am. She also thanked me for using on-line check in. I think Disney is really trying to improve the check in process and customer service with the front door greeters whether you are cl or not. It may still be a hit or miss thing.

 

[sdkuhn77]

So how will I know who to talk to when we check into AKL? Will we let someone know when we drive up that we are club level?

We check in in 18 days and I can't wait! Anyone stay at AKL lately and can tell me if the evening appetizers are plentiful and stuff for the kids? Or should we get a kids meal from downstairs before we head up and enjoy our evening snacks?

 

[Donald is #1]

So how will I know who to talk to when we check into AKL? Will we let someone know when we drive up that we are club level?

We check in in 18 days and I can't wait! Anyone stay at AKL lately and can tell me if the evening appetizers are plentiful and stuff for the kids? Or should we get a kids meal from downstairs before we head up and enjoy our evening snacks?

If you are in a car, then when you stop at the security gate, they will let them know. Then with any luck, someone will be waiting for you when you pull up to the front of the building.

 

[Macavity]

This was our experience as well at BWI.

I had never done online check-in before since we usually stay CL, but for fun I did it for our BWI/CL stay last month and we were still greeted by a CL runner when we arrived with our car and taken to CL to check-in. We then moved to WL/CL where I did not do online check-in, and the process was identical to BWI with online check-in.

I did online check-in my last visit to WL CL since I wanted a very specific location... The ONLY difference I had was they had my credit card on file. Still had the greeting downstairs, the radio to upstairs that we were here, and the escort upstairs as WDWKOOK had