Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[Willows909]

We've stayed at both and love both. For your purposes, I would stay at the Polynesian CL because 1) if you love the Polynesian, you're appreciation for it will only increase after staying CL and 2) you might as well experience something you haven't before.

The lounge is 2 stories so there is a lot of room, the second floor (of the lounge - 3rd floor of the bldg) is quieter, with games and comfy seating, a nice place to hang. Being able to watch the fireworks from the lounge and just the lovely view in general, is pretty great. The food offerings have an asian/island flair so that makes it a little different and enjoyable. The Hawaii building is in a great location.

For us we're back to the BWI for CL which we enjoyed immensely, but that has a lot to do with location. That said, it was a really tough choice this year.

Hope this helped as your posts over at the BC/YC thread have been invaluable to us.

Thankyou for this post...I love hearing all the advice...so looking forward to the POLY CL !! Can I take wine to the pool in a Disney mug?

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

This is interesting. The last time we were at AKL CL, there was a cast member who wouldn't let us take a beer out of the lounge unless it was open. So we couldn't get one to take with us to our room. Wonder why?

Really? They made us a tray one night when my son got his concussion. They put wine, glasses, cheese, stuff for the kids. It was wonderful. We also would grab 2 beers each to make life easy and they would never say anything. I definitely used the Togo cups for beer by the pool.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Love these stories about YC CL! Could either of you compare it to CL at BC, BWI or CR? We've stayed at YC, but not CL there so far - considering it for a future trip . . .

I haven't stayed CL at CR but as for BC and BWI I would put the YC ahead. For me personally the BC CL is in desperate need of space. People were literally cued up for breakfast in the mornings like a food court, and the way they have the food and drinks set-up in one small little nook of an area it is a real pain to access. Escpecially if you just want to quickly grab a napkin or something small. Trying to get a cup of coffee was ridiculous because you're lining up behind 20 kids who are perusing the food offerings, at the YC the coffee and drinks are in a totally separate area. Also there isn't enough seating and the whole lounge feels claustrophobic. Now if it was a less busy time of year these issues probably wouldn't be a factor. But we were there last summer and it was insanely busy. As for the BWI CL I think the staff is great, the lounge is nice, but the location of club level is a rat maze. I really don't like getting off the elevator and having to walk so far, making turn after turn in what seems like a never ending hallway, then to a locked door (which might be nice if you want to feel locked in but to me just feels like another pain in the butt to dig out a key and open a door, which many times opens into a tight walkway crammed with people trying to check-in or talk to CM's at the desk. I really don't like the layout at all. So of those 3 I would choose the YC.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Another hypothetical CL question: If you had to choose between BWI CL (which we love) and Poly CL (we love Poly, but have not stayed CL there yet), which would you choose and why?

Poly CL hands down!!! Better lounge: more seating, amazing view, better food: more variety, more quantity, more drink choices, better layout of the club level: separate building, no rat mazes to walk through, awesome staff, beautiful resort, really it's the best CL in my opinion. (but I've never done CR)

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

So I should request a room with a full balcony? We really want one so our boys can go to bed and we have somewhere to sit and relax for a while before going to bed ourselves. It's too bad when you play club level prices you are not guaranteed a balcony.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Do any club level rooms at the Boardwalk have a daybed? Checking in next Wednesday and want to know if I should put this in as a request.

We are a family of 4 and our BWI CL room had a daybed in January. So they definitely have them. Just make sure you add it to your requests.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Thank you so much! I can almost taste the pineapple. Counting down 49 more days until I'm there!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We are headed to YC Club level on June 18th and reading some of the posts about it not being as good as others concerns me. Anyone with positive remarks? We have stayed at BWI club level and loved it but wanted to try something different. We also thought the pool looked nice.

Do not be discouraged! YC CL is just as good as the BWI CL, and actually a bit better in my opinion. I think most people are saying YC CL just isn't as good as GF, Poly, WL, and CR. Those tend to be the favorites for many folks. But if you are looking just at the Epcot resorts then I think YC CL will be fine for you.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We are one week out from our YC CL stay and have not yet heard from the IPO. In all fairness we changed resorts at the last minute and changed to CL but they did mention that we would be receiving a phone call from the IPO. I'm not sure what the purpose of the call is or if we really need to speak with them since our ADRs are all settled. Is it absolutely necessary for us to speak with them?

I have noticed that if I upgrade a current reservation to CL from standard I sometimes don't get the IPO email like I do when I first book CL to begin with. I wouldn't really worry about not hearing from them but I would definitely go ahead and email them today just to touch base. I always ask them to email me a copy of my itinerary (mainly to make sure their system shows everything I know I already booked) and I also restate my room requests. It's nice to touch base just so you know that they know you are coming.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I agree.....some of these rates are getting out of control and Disney also keeps changing their pricing seasons. What used to be value season the week before Christmas is now peak season . I priced out 3 nights RPC prior to our cruise for 12/16-12/19 and it came to $3655 ....that's without any discount, but almost $4000 for just a room for 3 nights???

RPC has always crazy expensive relative to other CL rooms. I'm sure it's nice but its always been a bridge too far for me...

I priced out RPC in September(Value season??? really?) with my 35% BB offer it was still 250.00 a night more than WL CL. 1350 for 4 nights at WL CL and 2400 for RPC. My family loves WL so I can't justify the cost. My dh would think I've lost my mind. I should have stayed at RPC a few years ago before the prices got out of control.

That's kind of how I feel. Now that we have stayed at all the deluxe resorts. I pay a lot more attention to price difference between the resorts. The Epcot resorts are always equal in price, but there is a big difference in price between the WL and the monorail resorts. It didn't seem that huge six years ago or maybe I wasn't paying as close attention. I always wanted to be on the monorail. We eventually tried WL CL and loved it. Now I can't bring myself to pay the extra money for the monorail. We always do a MK/Epcot split and rent a car so transportation is not an issue at all.

I totally agree! Luckily I got to experience RPC once before the rates went through the roof. I am happy I did it but don't plan to ever do it again. Unless I win the lottery and have money to burn. It's a fantastic CL but even a discounted $600 a night rate is too insane for my wallet.

 

[Ofinn]

Do not be discouraged! YC CL is just as good as the BWI CL, and actually a bit better in my opinion. I think most people are saying YC CL just isn't as good as GF, Poly, WL, and CR. Those tend to be the favorites for many folks. But if you are looking just at the Epcot resorts then I think YC CL will be fine for you.

Yikes! Your making me rethink BWI CL. My first choice would be a standard room at BC or YC, but it's not available. I have a choice between YC SV CL, BWI SV, WV, or SV CL. I am currently booked CL at BWI. I'm not sure it's going to be worth it if its similar to YC or BC.

I can't bear to stay at the MK resorts without Club level, but the Epcot resorts I cringe paying the extra money. I have done it the last two trips because that's all that was available, but I always walk away feeling like it wasn't worth it. I was hoping BW would be better than YC or BC.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Yikes! Your making me rethink BWI CL. My first choice would be a standard room at BC or YC, but it's not available. I have a choice between YC SV CL, BWI SV, WV, or SV CL. I am currently booked CL at BWI. I'm not sure it's going to be worth it if its similar to YC or BC.

I can't bear to stay at the MK resorts without Club level, but the Epcot resorts I cringe paying the extra money. I have done it the last two trips because that's all that was available, but I always walk away feeling like it wasn't worth it. I was hoping BW would be better than YC or BC.

I was just thinking the same thing....if YC CL is better than BWI CL, then I don't need to try BWI CL...while we loved the YC, we would not pay for CL there again...it was just, meh.

 

[bowbat]

I was just thinking the same thing....if YC CL is better than BWI CL, then I don't need to try BWI CL...while we loved the YC, we would not pay for CL there again...it was just, meh.

We actually preferred BWI CL, although there is nothing wrong with either. I thought the lounge area at BWI felt more open and conducive to, well, lounging. We only ever sat down one time at YC, the rest of the time we took our food/drinks back to our room. IDK, probably just personal preference, but the YC lounge seemed less appealing. Also the BWI lounge was always staffed, and there were a few times at YC that nobody was around.

I have no real complaints about either, though. Both are lovely resorts with nice CL.

 

[Ofinn]

We actually preferred BWI CL, although there is nothing wrong with either. I thought the lounge area at BWI felt more open and conducive to, well, lounging. We only ever sat down one time at YC, the rest of the time we took our food/drinks back to our room. IDK, probably just personal preference, but the YC lounge seemed less appealing. Also the BWI lounge was always staffed, and there were a few times at YC that nobody was around.

I have no real complaints about either, though. Both are lovely resorts with nice CL.

How did the food offerings at BW compare to YC? The Poly and WL have such good offerings and lots of variety. At YC it seemed there was some kind of fried dumpling with crab inside every night.

 

[bowbat]

How did the food offerings at BW compare to YC? The Poly and WL have such good offerings and lots of variety. At YC it seemed there was some kind of fried dumpling with crab inside every night.

Roughly the same. We had slightly more variety at BWI, but the evening offerings weren't as good as Poly, GF or WL. On the other hand, BWI and YC both have hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, and Poly and WL did not. In general, though, I'd say the Epcot resort CL offerings aren't as good as the MK area resorts.

 

[Ofinn]

Roughly the same. We had slightly more variety at BWI, but the evening offerings weren't as good as Poly, GF or WL. On the other hand, BWI and YC both have hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, and Poly and WL did not. In general, though, I'd say the Epcot resort CL offerings aren't as good as the MK area resorts.

Thanks I may save my money. It is an additional 500.00 for the 4 nights. Are original plan was a split between WL Cl and BW Cl. DCL started offering some great deals on the September cruises(hurricane season I know)and I was going to ditch Club level altogether, but it's soooo hard to give up. I'm very happy with AKl club level before cruise. It's only 300.00 a night, and I love the restaurants at AKl. I think I will be very happy with the offerings. The 500.00 would pay for some nice dinners. Why is it so hard to give up the Club level addiction.

 

[mickeynut1]

I can't bear to stay at the MK resorts without Club level, but the Epcot resorts I cringe paying the extra money. I have done it the last two trips because that's all that was available, but I always walk away feeling like it wasn't worth it. I was hoping BW would be better than YC or BC.

What's in bold is my fear about trying BC/YC CL. I love both WL CL and GF RPC and I am so worried the other CLs won't compare. We LOVE the Poly, so I have no hesitation about trying Poly CL. I have been considering CR Atrium Club for prior to our cruise, but can't pull the trigger on that yet as I'm afraid I won't like it as much as WL and GF. I honestly thought I made a decision to book BC/YC CL awhile back, but then I kept reading negative reviews about the lounge size and offerings, that I decided against it (plus lack of CS options doesn't help, either). In defense of BWI CL, I have read many more positive reviews of that CL over BC/YC CL. I think the biggest negative I see about BC/YC is the small lounges and the food offerings being just ok.

I was just thinking the same thing....if YC CL is better than BWI CL, then I don't need to try BWI CL...while we loved the YC, we would not pay for CL there again...it was just, meh.

Is there anything specific you didn't like about it or was it just overall not as good as WL CL? WL CL was our first CL experience and we LOVED it!!! Then we tried GF and while RPC is my favorite, WL CL is not far behind. Now I second guess myself when I go to book a different CL thinking I won't have as good as an experience there as I've had at WL and GF .

We actually preferred BWI CL, although there is nothing wrong with either. I thought the lounge area at BWI felt more open and conducive to, well, lounging. We only ever sat down one time at YC, the rest of the time we took our food/drinks back to our room. IDK, probably just personal preference, but the YC lounge seemed less appealing. Also the BWI lounge was always staffed, and there were a few times at YC that nobody was around.

I have read this about BWI CL. A lot of people say the lounge is bigger and more inviting and the staff is amazing.

The Poly and WL have such good offerings and lots of variety.

This is what's making me very comfortable with trying Poly CL. We loved WL CL, so if Poly CL is similar (or better), I know we will love it (especially since the Poly is already our favorite resort ).

I'm very happy with AKl club level before cruise. It's only 300.00 a night, and I love the restaurants at AKl. I think I will be very happy with the offerings.

AKL CL is another one we want to try (my oldest DS is trying to get me to book there instead of the CR prior to our cruise ) and I have read nothing but awesome things about the lounge, food offerings, and CMs. I do like how the AKL lounge is set up like the WL CL lounge in that it overlooks the lobby below (which is one of my favorite things about WL CL ).

 

[mmmears]

Thanks I may save my money. It is an additional 500.00 for the 4 nights. Are original plan was a split between WL Cl and BW Cl. DCL started offering some great deals on the September cruises(hurricane season I know)and I was going to ditch Club level altogether, but it's soooo hard to give up. I'm very happy with AKl club level before cruise. It's only 300.00 a night, and I love the restaurants at AKl. I think I will be very happy with the offerings. The 500.00 would pay for some nice dinners. Why is it so hard to give up the Club level addiction.

I agree -- it is an addiction. We have stayed both CL and non-CL at several resorts and we have a good time either way. We stayed AKL CL before our first DCL cruise and it was fantastic. I absolutely prefer both the lounge and the food there to YC/BC CLs... but YC/BC has a great location. I also feel like AKL has great restaurants.

 

[Ofinn]

Mickeynut I don't know if you have ever tried YC or BC, but's it worth trying even if you don't do club level. It's absolutely my family's favorite resort. We must time our trips perfectly with big conventions at this resort, because I have yet to be able to get a SV or GV room with an AP a BB discount. I would gladly give up Club level to stay there. The difference between the LV and SV cl is so small I always go with the club level. I have also read great reviews on AKL, and I love the lounge set up. I don't think having my room on a different floor will bother me at all. You will love Poly Cl. I have never left the Poly or Wl and thought club level wasn't worth it.


mmears Years ago we would buy the ddp, and then we switched to club level and TIW. I don't think we have ever gone without some of our food being paid for up front. It is nice not having to worry about breakfast, snacks and the happy hour drinks.. My kids love CL, but somehow they got in their heads that the food is free. They think the food is free on the cruise too.

 

[mickeynut1]

Mickeynut I don't know if you have ever tried YC or BC, but's it worth trying even if you don't do club level. It's absolutely my family's favorite resort. We must time our trips perfectly with big conventions at this resort, because I have yet to be able to get a SV or GV room with an AP a BB discount. I would gladly give up Club level to stay there. The difference between the LV and SV cl is so small I always go with the club level. I have also read great reviews on AKL, and I love the lounge set up. I don't think having my room on a different floor will bother me at all. You will love Poly Cl. I have never left the Poly or Wl and thought club level wasn't worth it.


mmears Years ago we would buy the ddp, and then we switched to club level and TIW. I don't think we have ever gone without some of our food being paid for up front. It is nice not having to worry about breakfast, snacks and the happy hour drinks.. My kids love CL, but somehow they got in their heads that the food is free. They think the food is free on the cruise too.

We've stayed at the BC and did love the resort and the Epcot area, although the one thing we didn't like/love was no CS (our stay was in 2003 before the Marketplace). We ate at Spoodles 4 or 5 mornings that trip and dinner 2 or 3 (loved Spoodles and sad it closed ), but even with the Marketplace now, the CS options aren't enough to keep our two boys happy....lol. We love Captain Cooks at the Poly and Roaring Forks at the WL and wish the Epcot resorts had something similar without trekking it into Epcot. But one of these days I do want to try YC as we did love being within walking distance to both Epcot and DHS.....and SAB was nice. Thanks for all of your input as it's been very helpful . And what you said about your kids thinking the CL food as well as the cruise food being free made me laugh .