Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I have to say I disagree a bit with the above comments re: AKL busses. We frequently waited for busses - and found the ride home at park closing murder after a long day. We almost always had to stand at that time - and we usually do close the parks.
Being close to AK was pretty much not an issue, as we usually only visit that park once during our vacations - and it is very rarely open late.
When staying at a monorail resort, the ride home on the monorail or boat was a cinch compared to the busses. And being able to walk to/from Epcot & HS was very pleasurable when staying at the BC.
But as pp's have said - you should probably make your decision based on which parks you are most likely to visit; and which parks you are most likely to hop between. For instance, hopping between AK & Epcot might take up a large chunk of time; whereas hopping between Epcot & HS would be a piece of cake.
Having said all that, we thought AK resort was one of the most beautiful and wondrous in all of WDW. However, we vowed to rent a car if ever staying there again.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Our recent stay at the Poly CL. We enjoyed the CM's in the lounge. They were always willing to get a couple Bud Lights for us during the day or evening.

The food offerings were always plentiful and replenished often.

We were always greeted with an Aloha or Hello when walking by.

The CM's at the desks on the 1st floor were hit and miss. Some good and some just ok.

Loved watching Wishes from the lounge, it was so comfy and not crowded at all.

We stayed in a garden view room with no construction issues, as far as noise during the day or beach views of MK. The monorail was down for construction from 11-6 which was annoying as the boat launches were always full or very crowded.

Any questions please ask

 

[Babsy]

Does anyone know how many connecting rooms are available in YC CL Lagoon view? Anyone stayed in any of these? Is there anything other than connecting that we should request?

Any help/advice is much appreciated!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Does anyone know how many connecting rooms are available in YC CL Lagoon view? Anyone stayed in any of these? Is there anything other than connecting that we should request?

Any help/advice is much appreciated!!

I don't know how many there are but we had a connecting YC CL Lagoon view room in April, and that was not one of our requests.

 

[Babsy]

I don't know how many there are but we had a connecting YC CL Lagoon view room in April, and that was not one of our requests.

Hi!

Do you happen to remember what the room number was? Was it overlooking the pool or lagoon?

Thanks!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi!

Do you happen to remember what the room number was? Was it overlooking the pool or lagoon?

Thanks!!

This was our view. Let me look up the room #....I have a pic somewhere.

ETA: it was room 5145, very close to lounge

 

[Ferrentinos]

Our recent stay at the Poly CL. We enjoyed the CM's in the lounge. They were always willing to get a couple Bud Lights for us during the day or evening. The food offerings were always plentiful and replenished often. We were always greeted with an Aloha or Hello when walking by. The CM's at the desks on the 1st floor were hit and miss. Some good and some just ok. Loved watching Wishes from the lounge, it was so comfy and not crowded at all. We stayed in a garden view room with no construction issues, as far as noise during the day or beach views of MK. The monorail was down for construction from 11-6 which was annoying as the boat launches were always full or very crowded. Any questions please ask

Glad that you had a great time! We loved in it July so much that we are headed back in January! Did you notice if they had switched over to joffery's coffee in the lounge? Didn't live the Nescafé last summer. Thanks!

 

[Babsy]

This was our view. Let me look up the room #....I have a pic somewhere.

ETA: it was room 5145, very close to lounge

WoW!!! It looks amazing! Thank you so very much!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

WoW!!! It looks amazing! Thank you so very much!!

It was an awesome view!

 

[psac]

If we are planning to go to two parks a day for most of our days during the trip, should we keep AKL or change to an EPCOT or MK area deluxe club level due to the distance?

I'll agree with the other posters, but give a different view. We're usually half a day park people (we go often), and found AKL had great bus service for rope drop and mid-day returns.

What we loved most about AKL, though, were the animals on the Savanna (and AKL club rooms all have great Savanna views, except for DVC club), that were out most between 3pm and 6pm, + or - and hour here or there. If you do two parks a day, you'll completely miss that. To me, you're wasting the primary reason to stay at AKL. I generally would NOT recommend AKL for commando park visitors.

I would stress though, if you do have time to really enjoy the resort and the animals, AKL is friggin amazing.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

I'll agree with the other posters, but give a different view. We're usually half a day park people (we go often), and found AKL had great bus service for rope drop and mid-day returns.

What we loved most about AKL, though, were the animals on the Savanna (and AKL club rooms all have great Savanna views, except for DVC club), that were out most between 3pm and 6pm, + or - and hour here or there. If you do two parks a day, you'll completely miss that. To me, you're wasting the primary reason to stay at AKL. I generally would NOT recommend AKL for commando park visitors.

I would stress though, if you do have time to really enjoy the resort and the animals, AKL is friggin amazing.

I was actually gonna ask a question in regards to this, I am thinking of booking AKL for 11/30-12/4. Thank you for sharing. It helps my planning a lot.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I have to say I disagree a bit with the above comments re: AKL busses. We frequently waited for busses - and found the ride home at park closing murder after a long day. We almost always had to stand at that time - and we usually do close the parks.
Being close to AK was pretty much not an issue, as we usually only visit that park once during our vacations - and it is very rarely open late.
When staying at a monorail resort, the ride home on the monorail or boat was a cinch compared to the busses. And being able to walk to/from Epcot & HS was very pleasurable when staying at the BC.
But as pp's have said - you should probably make your decision based on which parks you are most likely to visit; and which parks you are most likely to hop between. For instance, hopping between AK & Epcot might take up a large chunk of time; whereas hopping between Epcot & HS would be a piece of cake.
Having said all that, we thought AK resort was one of the most beautiful and wondrous in all of WDW. However, we vowed to rent a car if ever staying there again.

The physical distance between AKL and 3 of the four parks is not all that far. The trouble is as the above poster described it.

Hopping as a rule, is not often 'worth' the time loss, we've found. With new FP+ it becomes more viable, if you plan correctly, but it is always a significant time loss, esp. via bus. You best bets are to pair HS/Epcot, then AK/MK. OR - if you are planning afternoon breaks, do your hopping after your break.

In short, I agree with pp, your best bet is to get/use a car.

I also second that AL is a beautiful resort! As a resort, it is one of my favorites. The view from the lounge is amazing!

If you want to maximize park time...consider resort hopping. Spend half your time at a BWK area resort (while there go to Epcot/HS). The other half- stay at AKL. (or a MK area resort). You lose a little time when you transfer resorts, but WDW will transfer your bags for free. Just make sure if part of your stay is a package- it's at the first resort, and includes park tickets for your entire stay and pack accordingly.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Glad that you had a great time! We loved in it July so much that we are headed back in January! Did you notice if they had switched over to joffery's coffee in the lounge? Didn't live the Nescafé last summer. Thanks!

I am sorry, I do not drink coffee so I did not notice.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I am sorry, I do not drink coffee so I did not notice.

Thanks anyway!

 

[psac]

I was actually gonna ask a question in regards to this, I am thinking of booking AKL for 11/30-12/4. Thank you for sharing. It helps my planning a lot.

Glad to help, that first weekend might be packed, but the rest of the trip should be a nice time, too. Enjoy the one you have coming up!!

 

[annakate27]

So excited to be staying at CR in the Hospitaility suite CL in 12 days. We have stayed CL at the GF before but this is our first time at CR. anyone have any tips or suggestions?!?

 

[psac]

Someone posted a bunch of pics of the BC Club food offerings on the Food Porn thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49851066&postcount=3565

 

[mickeynut1]

So excited to be staying at CR in the Hospitaility suite CL in 12 days. We have stayed CL at the GF before but this is our first time at CR. anyone have any tips or suggestions?!?

I can't help with tips or suggestions as we've never stayed at the CR, but I wanted to say congrats on booking CR CL....I'm sure you will have an amazing stay .

Someone posted a bunch of pics of the BC Club food offerings on the Food Porn thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49851066&postcount=3565

Thanks for posting this link .

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I am less than 2 weeks to my first ever CL stay.. I am so excited to be escorted upstairs for check in!!

I also have been stalking the GF CL for my February trip!

 

[Docsknotinn]

I have to say I disagree a bit with the above comments re: AKL busses. We frequently waited for busses - and found the ride home at park closing murder after a long day. We almost always had to stand at that time - and we usually do close the parks.

I completely agree. There's way too much discussion about distance from the AKL to other points. What's far more germane to many is the amount of time it takes to get to/from the AKL via bus. It's a major hassle (IMO) compared to the transportation options at the YC or other Epcot resorts. Especially at peak times.
Like every one else we love the AKL but the YC is very nice.