Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[TigrLvsPooh]

I've never experienced it, but from what I've read about it, there are limited appetizers and other light snacks .

It is really amazing up there! A very special experience

 

[mslhb]

CR CL or GF CL?

We are planning a trip for 1st week of December 2014. Trip will be me, DH and DD (6). Our only on-site stay previously was at the WL CL. We LOVED the CL lounge and definitely took advantage of it. We are looking at either the Contemporary CL or Grand Floridian main building CL. Which would you choose? I originally was leaning towards the CR so we could walk to the MK. The overall GF resort and setup of the lounge at the GF sounds really nice though. We really liked the setup of the WL lounge how it overlooked the lobby. Anyone stay at both?

 

[jcjen519]

It would be nice.

Would LOVE to see this!!!'n

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[trishadono]

CR CL or GF CL?

We are planning a trip for 1st week of December 2014. Trip will be me, DH and DD (6). Our only on-site stay previously was at the WL CL. We LOVED the CL lounge and definitely took advantage of it. We are looking at either the Contemporary CL or Grand Floridian main building CL. Which would you choose? I originally was leaning towards the CR so we could walk to the MK. The overall GF resort and setup of the lounge at the GF sounds really nice though. We really liked the setup of the WL lounge how it overlooked the lobby. Anyone stay at both?

Yep we have. I absolutely loved GF Main buildin(RPC) when I just stayed there in Nov with just dh. However we are going as a family in new VGF 1/2-1/5. Dh and ds going home but dd18 (been away in college) and I are staying for 3 nights after. She loved CR MKV Atrium club so much she picked that. We liked walking to MK, (we really do go in and out at least 3/4 times a day) looking over wall in hall to see concourse and of course the best view ever from CR. we also liked the theming of lounge.

She wanted to change to RPC after I stayed and bragged about it but I told her moving to cr after GF a good idea and maybe next time. Our family has been to cr, poly and GF CL's. I really love them all. RPC has more food and and very nice and quaint feel. Cr is modern and so close to MK it feels like you staying in the kingdom.

Good luck deciding, my way I just rotate

I just reread your comments about lounge at WL. I liked cr because you can see 7seas lagoon and MK!!! GF has a view of resort mostly but ALSO view of lobby. Really I enjoyed both. I guess the difference is this. At GF you can only get that view from RPC where as CR you get same view from ANY MKV room (club level not needed).

 

[psac]

Sweet! Aren't they opening it up to anyone staying DVC soon?

They already announced it would be open for all of 2014 for any member staying DVC. They've been going year by year with that policy. Regarding club, you can BUY food and drinks up at the Top of the World Lounge, so it's not for free like any of the Club lounges. Very different. Nice view from outside though.

 

[Mousemommy1]

They already announced it would be open for all of 2014 for any member staying DVC. They've been going year by year with that policy. Regarding club, you can BUY food and drinks up at the Top of the World Lounge, so it's not for free like any of the Club lounges. Very different. Nice view from outside though.

Right. I read that announcement. How cool!

I didn't think the TOTW lounge was free, that's why I didn't include it as a DVC CL like AKL's. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[mickeynut1]

CR CL or GF CL?

We are planning a trip for 1st week of December 2014. Trip will be me, DH and DD (6). Our only on-site stay previously was at the WL CL. We LOVED the CL lounge and definitely took advantage of it. We are looking at either the Contemporary CL or Grand Floridian main building CL. Which would you choose? I originally was leaning towards the CR so we could walk to the MK. The overall GF resort and setup of the lounge at the GF sounds really nice though. We really liked the setup of the WL lounge how it overlooked the lobby. Anyone stay at both?

We haven't stayed CR CL, but if I had to choose between that and GF RPC, I'd go with RPC. The lounge is spacious with plenty of seating, the food offerings are great, and the CL CMs are awesome. Plus, the lounge is set up similar to WL CL as it overlooks the lobby (which is one of my favorite things about both CLs). With that said, we have only stayed 3 clubs (WL CL, GF SL, GF RPC) and while RPC is my favorite, WL CL runs a very close second for me. Good luck with your decision.


psac - That is good to know about ToTWL as I wasn't aware the food was for purchase only. With that said, it's still a DVC CL lounge even though it has some variations from other CLs (i.e., paying for food/drinks). Thanks for clarifying about that aspect .

 

[jandkmom]

All of this talk of negative changes in CL is making me nervous! We are doing Poly CL and have been really excited...we stayed there 2 years ago and had a wonderful experience. I hope it's not bad! One question: my DD has a cardiac condition that requires her to drink a great deal of water (not gross Fla. tap water either ). If you ask a CM, can you get large containers of water? We will need them for the room. Thanks!

 

[trishadono]

All of this talk of negative changes in CL is making me nervous! We are doing Poly CL and have been really excited...we stayed there 2 years ago and had a wonderful experience. I hope it's not bad! One question: my DD has a cardiac condition that requires her to drink a great deal of water (not gross Fla. tap water either ). If you ask a CM, can you get large containers of water? We will need them for the room. Thanks!

I took my dd for 18 bday in April. We loved it! We also asked for water and they gave us a carafe to take to our room. They are great there about taking food and drinks to room or beach. They require you take paper/plastic outside but it is out so easy to do. The new decor is very relaxing. The lounge colors are just beautiful. Enjoy your trip!!

Remembered later: the water is out in a dispenser so you can refill any bottles or cups as needed. I did take water to room for coffee sometimes too. Can't make coffee in room with that fla water !

 

[ToyStory3]

We've only had one on-site stay as a family (me, DH, DS 6, DD 9). We stayed CL at BCR in 2011 and really enjoyed it. It seemed like the other club levels had a bigger following than the BCR from reading the boards. So, we had decided to stay at AKL or WL for our next trip and try another resort. We've gone back and forth a million times and actually booked WL a few weeks ago. But, my DH and I both missed the BCR and couldn't help but be disappointed that we weren't staying there again. So, we just decided to change our resort back to BCR for next September.

I'm so excited now that I know we'll be going back to BCR. I love SAB and the short walk to Epcot. And, it may be small but we really liked the lounge and the offerings. So, we couldn't be happier to be going back. I actually feel relieved to be changing it back. I was having a hard time imagining going back to Disney and not staying at the Beach Club. Yay!!!

I know they are planning to refurbish the lounge this year and I'm not sure when. I hope it's done by the time we go. But, if not I'm not going to worry about it. I know we'll have a great time whatever the case. Can't wait!!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've only had one on-site stay as a family (me, DH, DS 6, DD 9). We stayed CL at BCR in 2011 and really enjoyed it. It seemed like the other club levels had a bigger following than the BCR from reading the boards. So, we had decided to stay at AKL or WL for our next trip and try another resort. We've gone back and forth a million times and actually booked WL a few weeks ago. But, my DH and I both missed the BCR and couldn't help but be disappointed that we weren't staying there again. So, we just decided to change our resort back to BCR for next September.

I'm so excited now that I know we'll be going back to BCR. I love SAB and the short walk to Epcot. And, it may be small but we really liked the lounge and the offerings. So, we couldn't be happier to be going back. I actually feel relieved to be changing it back. I was having a hard time imagining going back to Disney and not staying at the Beach Club. Yay!!!

I know they are planning to refurbish the lounge this year and I'm not sure when. I hope it's done by the time we go. But, if not I'm not going to worry about it. I know we'll have a great time whatever the case. Can't wait!!

Congrats on getting back to the BC next year . We loved WL CL, but I do understand having a favorite resort and not getting excited about staying somewhere different. Since not every resort fits everyone's wants/needs, it's nice to have so many options when it comes to a Disney vacation. I hope the lounge refurb is complete by your stay .

 

[jandkmom]

I took my dd for 18 bday in April. We loved it! We also asked for water and they gave us a carafe to take to our room. They are great there about taking food and drinks to room or beach. They require you take paper/plastic outside but it is out so easy to do. The new decor is very relaxing. The lounge colors are just beautiful. Enjoy your trip!! Remembered later: the water is out in a dispenser so you can refill any bottles or cups as needed. I did take water to room for coffee sometimes too. Can't make coffee in room with that fla water !

Thanks so much! I will bring extra refillable bottles for us to fill up. Yeah, that Fla tap water is really disgusting, isn't it?

 

[Babsy]

Just returned from YC CL. Left feeling "meh." Our last 4 trips were CL at either GF or CR and we have always left thrilled. I am really curious to know if this is a CL issue or a YC CL issue. Thoughts?

Are we expecting too much to have a bit of variety in the appetizers like we have always had before or at least some helpful people at the CM CL? Does the YC CL offer similar variations to the CR or GF or have all clubs gone standard?

We have always been extremely pleased with our CL experience. This is the first one that left us with buyer's remorse.

Thanks for your help.

We felt much the same way. The YC CL has gone way down hill since our last visit almost 2 years ago. The food offerings were particularly good in Jan 2011 and not so great Nov 2013! The Cm's were so much more helpful on our previous visit as well. We simply decided that YC CL is not for us anymore. Quite simply, we thought that it was a waste of money. We enjoy the 'regular resort rooms every bit as much, we do our own ADR's and the lounge itself wasn't worth the extra $$$.

Next time it is back to BWI CL. I hope that it is still worthwhile! We will be staying there in Feb, 2014.

 

[BringingUpDisney]

We felt much the same way. The YC CL has gone way down hill since our last visit almost 2 years ago. The food offerings were particularly good in Jan 2011 and not so great Nov 2013! The Cm's were so much more helpful on our previous visit as well. We simply decided that YC CL is not for us anymore. Quite simply, we thought that it was a waste of money. We enjoy the 'regular resort rooms every bit as much, we do our own ADR's and the lounge itself wasn't worth the extra $$$.

Next time it is back to BWI CL. I hope that it is still worthwhile! We will be staying there in Feb, 2014.

Funny, we thought the YC was fantastic in regards to service compared to our experience last week at the Poly. However, we have the same thoughts on the hot appetizers and agree that for my family and the way we vacation it's not the best option for us. I fell in love with the YC and we will definitely be back, just not CL.

 

[osugal]

Has anyone, staying CL, had luck getting BOG reservations made by the CL planning CMs? I don't want to risk it if they're not really on top of getting the reservations. I'm willing to wake up early and try for it myself if needed. But, happy to let them do it for me if others have had success with them. Thanks!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Has anyone, staying CL, had luck getting BOG reservations made by the CL planning CMs? I don't want to risk it if they're not really on top of getting the reservations. I'm willing to wake up early and try for it myself if needed. But, happy to let them do it for me if others have had success with them. Thanks!

I got one a few weeks ago.. There was nothing when I booked, but they were checking for me..about a month later, they sent me a "congrats" email.. I got dinner at BOG

 

[mickeynut1]

Has anyone, staying CL, had luck getting BOG reservations made by the CL planning CMs? I don't want to risk it if they're not really on top of getting the reservations. I'm willing to wake up early and try for it myself if needed. But, happy to let them do it for me if others have had success with them. Thanks!

I've never used IPO as I like to make my own ADRs, but it wouldn't hurt to have them looking along with you since BoG is sometimes hard to get. Sometimes IPO has success and sometimes not, but it never hurts to have someone else looking just in case you miss something. Good luck.

 

[samnbilly]

Has anyone, staying CL, had luck getting BOG reservations made by the CL planning CMs? I don't want to risk it if they're not really on top of getting the reservations. I'm willing to wake up early and try for it myself if needed. But, happy to let them do it for me if others have had success with them. Thanks!

I haven't tried to get BOG reservations. I booked our trip late when we went this past Fall.

I will say this. I'm sure that CL tries very hard to please all their guests, but if you would like something very certain, such as one of these coveted BOG reservations, I would book it yourself. They don't have special pull making ADR's. I do know that they can put you on a cancellation list. I would get up first thing and book it if possible if this is something that rates at the top of importance.
Best of Luck!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

I didn't use IPO to book my ADRs, I booked mine online first thing and booked my BOG dinner day and time first before any others and I got the time and day I wanted.

I am a bit of a control freak and would rather do it myself.

I think the week we are going may be a slower week or something. I was able to get all my ADR times and book DVC studio CL at AKV without a problem despite hearing that others are having a hard time getting what they want especially with BOG. So I am not sure what is going on. I didn't think our week was a slow week by any means because it is during Spring Break weeks here in Indiana and I am sure there are other states with similar Spring Break times.

We are going 3/28-4/5/2014

 

[ToyStory3]

A couple questions....

Can anyone tell me if the BCR lounge is currently providing bottles of water to take into the parks? It wasn't in 2011 when we were there last but I thought I'd read that they do now. Thanks for any info...

Also, has anyone been to a resort when the CL was being refurbished? We will be there in September so I don't know if the new lounge will be done then or not. I understand they use the Presidential Suites when that happens. How is it? Would the Presidential Suite be at least as big as the current lounge at BCR?

Thanks!