Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[mickeyluv'r]

I have a quick question about check in. If I'm the primary guest, can I arrive earlier than DH and check in? He's in a conference until noon. I can actually go over at 10 or so with the luggage, but will I be able to check us all in and get our keys? It would save us time so we can get settled and hit the park once DH arrives.

Can I get DH a Discover FL ticket at the Concierge or shall we have to go to the park for that?

You can check in, get food, and get your KTTW card- but it is likely your room will not be ready. If you let the resort know your expected arrival time, then you've got about a 30% chance of getting a room that's already ready - I'd say (from general experience checking in early). Breakfast is out until about 10:30am.

Even if your room is not ready, you can drop off your bags. Bell services will keep them in a secure area for you, that will be temp controlled (read in AC, not sitting out in the heat). (they can even put stuff in a fridge if you need.)once you are in your room, you just call and they will bring your bags to your room (tipping is generally appreciated for this service).

To answer your earlier question about room size:

standard rooms at WL: 350 sq feet
standard rooms at CR: 436 sq feet (including 12th floor club)
standard rooms at BWI: 435 sq feet

(In this case "standard" just means not deluxe size and not a suite. It has nothing to do with the view, or club level. Generally all club level rooms are the same size as any other room.)

Of the three resorts, BWI feels the biggest. The layout at CR is not the best. The closets are odd, and there's no counter space in the bathroom. The layout at WL is much better; more in line with BWI layout. So even though it's a bit smaller, there's plenty of room to put everything. I did notice it was not quite as big, but still had plenty of space.

To give you a few more points of reference- rooms at CBR are 340 sq feet, AKL rooms are 344 sq feet, and vlue resort rooms are 260 sq feet.

 

[mickeynut1]

Wow, ranking 2nd to RPC seems like a great recommendation. I've never stayed at RPC but I was able to spend an afternoon in that lounge once and it was awesome.

It's only my opinion and I'm sure some would disagree with me, but I do think WL CL ranks up there with GF RPC . I think the lounges are great as they both overlook the lobby, the food offerings are great at both, and both have awesome CMs .

Thank you all for your recommendations, I changed our resort this morning to WL CL! Looking forward to trying it out!

Hope the 5-7pm food offerings are good - we want to try Artists Point but I've been reading not so great reviews. Hopefully we won't be as hungry having come from the Lounge beforehand lol.

Yay for trying WL CL ......you're going to love it .

I hope you like Artist Point. We tried it in December 2010 and love it......the filet and salmon were awesome .

I have a quick question about check in. If I'm the primary guest, can I arrive earlier than DH and check in? He's in a conference until noon. I can actually go over at 10 or so with the luggage, but will I be able to check us all in and get our keys? It would save us time so we can get settled and hit the park once DH arrives.

Yes, you can. Any adult on the reservation can check in, even if he/she is not the lead guest .

 

[TaraPA]

TaraPA, would you recommend I request a room closer to the lounge? Or is the walk ok? BWI has very long hallways and we got used to that I guess.

It's my understanding that all the CL rooms have high balcony walls. What do you suggest I request for room view? If I request the view you had that would be a courtyard and bay lake view? Could I request a room with that view and yet be closer to the lounge?

The way WL is set up on CL floor there aren't any rooms very far away - not like the notorious BWI or BCV walks! Next time I would probably request to be close to the lounge, it just works better for us with the kids going back & forth for snacks & drinks.

We didn't go out on the balcony at all because of the high wall, so I doubt we'd pay for anything other than standard at WL. What we had was a courtyard view - it was very nice, but I like to relax & sit on a balcony, not stand up & stretch my head up to see out over!

 

[turningleaf]

In that case the only request I should make is "close to lounge"!

 

[TaraPA]

In that case the only request I should make is "close to lounge"!

For my family hat would be my request. We spent no time on that balcony & I don't see that we ever really would (other than to get away from each other in the tiny room LOL!)

If you're close to the lounge you can use the lounge as an extension of space from your room. The area across from the lounge (opposite side from tables & chairs) with the sofas & TVs was always completely empty.

 

[psac]

The Club Level staff were fantastic and went above and beyond for us on several occasions. Our faves were Hans and Sam! I can't recall all the beers they had but there were about 5 kinds and included Tusker and Yeungling for certain. Maybe Bud Light and Heineken too? I didn't pay attention to the wines since we don't really drink it but people were enjoying it.

There were only about 3 dessert offerings a night, and two hot appetizer offerings, and there were quite a few "repeats" during our five nights. When we stayed at WL there were always far more offerings at each service, nd I didn't see any repeats in evening offerings. I was very surprised at the "slim pickings" at AKL CL. The only service that had quite a few options was at the breakfast service (though the offerings were identical every day).

We had a great time and appreciated the great service but food/snack-wise, I thought the variety and quantity of offerings at WL was far superior to AKL. I prefer AKL as a resort, but if you're doing CL for the snack offerings, you may be a bit disappointed at the lack of variety. /quote

Thanks for the review. We will be there this summer and was hoping for more offerings. We do have 2 dinners at Jiko booked, but am interested in trying things in CL that we usually don't order. Did they at least replenish often?

Do you remember if the wines are African wines? I hope so. We thought the wine in BC CL and Atrium at CR were swill. Do they serve the mimosas all day?

They have a fake door to the kitchen area right behind the service area, so they often would just slide it open, pull back the empty (or almost empty) platter and put back out a full one. So yes, frequently replenished, especially for the appetizers. Breakfast sometimes they would run out of the crack-filled mini chocolate chip muffins or the chocolate croissants that my wife loved. The oatmeal with fresh granola and brown sugar toppings was also a winner, and that never ran out.

Yes the wines were South African, I only tried the Chardonnay and my simple palate thought it was very good. The three nights we ate there I always went back for a second glass. I'm fairly certain you can get the mimosas any time of day they're open, but you'll always have to ask a server for it, they aren't out in the open at all.

Enjoy!

 

[BringingUpDisney]

We are at 193 days and counting.

From what I have read in this thread I should reach out to the IPO this week to get a form they have for reservations? This is our first CL stay, and I don't want to be annoying but also don't want to miss the 180 day reservation opportunity.

Also, we are doing a split stay, Poly CL and BC CL. Do I give the Poly all my reservations or do I need to give them separately?

TIA!

 

[TaraPA]

Breakfast sometimes they would run out of the crack-filled mini chocolate chip muffins or the chocolate croissants that my wife loved.

 

[gwynne]

We are at 193 days and counting.

From what I have read in this thread I should reach out to the IPO this week to get a form they have for reservations? This is our first CL stay, and I don't want to be annoying but also don't want to miss the 180 day reservation opportunity.

Also, we are doing a split stay, Poly CL and BC CL. Do I give the Poly all my reservations or do I need to give them separately?

TIA!

There is no advantage to waiting. At the time we book a CL stay, I send an email to the IPO. I include our last name and reservation number in the subject line. You are getting close to your booking date, I'd do this soon.
You will probably get different advice about the split. I haven't found it to be consistent, sometimes one will do all, sometimes they seem to prefer not to. For our upcoming stay, I ended up booking the first half of our dining reservations with the Contemporary, and the last with Yacht Club.
This is a question you might want to call and ask.
Happy planning!

 

[BringingUpDisney]

There is no advantage to waiting. At the time we book a CL stay, I send an email to the IPO. I include our last name and reservation number in the subject line. You are getting close to your booking date, I'd do this soon.
You will probably get different advice about the split. I haven't found it to be consistent, sometimes one will do all, sometimes they seem to prefer not to. For our upcoming stay, I ended up booking the first half of our dining reservations with the Contemporary, and the last with Yacht Club.
This is a question you might want to call and ask.
Happy planning!

Thank you so much! I will call in the morning.

 

[turningleaf]

You can check in, get food, and get your KTTW card- but it is likely your room will not be ready. If you let the resort know your expected arrival time, then you've got about a 30% chance of getting a room that's already ready - I'd say (from general experience checking in early). Breakfast is out until about 10:30am.

Even if your room is not ready, you can drop off your bags. Bell services will keep them in a secure area for you, that will be temp controlled (read in AC, not sitting out in the heat). (they can even put stuff in a fridge if you need.)once you are in your room, you just call and they will bring your bags to your room (tipping is generally appreciated for this service).

To answer your earlier question about room size:

standard rooms at WL: 350 sq feet
standard rooms at CR: 436 sq feet (including 12th floor club)
standard rooms at BWI: 435 sq feet

(In this case "standard" just means not deluxe size and not a suite. It has nothing to do with the view, or club level. Generally all club level rooms are the same size as any other room.)

Of the three resorts, BWI feels the biggest. The layout at CR is not the best. The closets are odd, and there's no counter space in the bathroom. The layout at WL is much better; more in line with BWI layout. So even though it's a bit smaller, there's plenty of room to put everything. I did notice it was not quite as big, but still had plenty of space.

To give you a few more points of reference- rooms at CBR are 340 sq feet, AKL rooms are 344 sq feet, and vlue resort rooms are 260 sq feet.

This was very helpful thanks. We are going to try WL. I hope the room size doesn't become a deal breaker.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

You are welcome.

WL is a beautiful resort. I have stayed there, just not on CL. I just discovered CL a few years ago.

A few things that are really nice about WL:
You feel like you are miles from an amusement park. I enjoy the monorail resorts, but always being in earshot of MK is both a positive and a negative. It's nice to be some place a little quieter....Yet WL is also still quite close to MK.

WL also has an amazing pool.

WL's quick serve has good food quality. The decor's not much, but the food makes up for it. Bonus, it's very easy to take food outside.

Ah, that's another plus of WL, the whole resort is relatively compact- as Disney resorts go. It's especially nice when the weather is less-than-ideal. No matter where you are- it's a short walk to get indoors. That's a considerable plus! Most Disney resorts require long outdoor treks to get food, a bus, anything. Being compact sets WL and AKL apart, IMO.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

Hi guys...Does anyone know if the IPO can get party for the senses tickets? I've had trouble in the past, but am staying club level this visit. Any experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[gwynne]

Hi guys...Does anyone know if the IPO can get party for the senses tickets? I've had trouble in the past, but am staying club level this visit. Any experience with this?

Thanks!

The IPO has helped me with this in the past. This is a good question to call or email them about.

 

[Grumpymom73]

We are doing our first CL stay at AKL this August. Is there anything as far as room location that I should request? Also, when staying CL should I do online check in?
TIA

 

[polyfor4]

Is it okay or acceptable to bring other food into the lounge? I'm thinking I might want to enjoy my tonga toast with a view

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Is it okay or acceptable to bring other food into the lounge? I'm thinking I might want to enjoy my tonga toast with a view

It is perfectly fine to bring food into the lounge from Captain Cooks.

 

[blairbear]

I am super excited! DH and I are staying CL for the first time at YC in August to celebrate out 10th wedding anniversary.

I wanted to request a king room if possible, how long before our trip should I contact the IPO?

 

[Ofinn]

Its been a few years since we stayed at the BW. How does BW CL compare to YC club level as far as offerings go. We recently stayed at the YC CL and I wasn't that impressed with the lounge or the offerings. The resort itself is great. We have stayed CL at Poly and WL and loved them so that is what I have to compare too.

Anybody with recent experience at YC and BWI?

 

[abk96]

Ofinn...There's a live report starting tomorrow,5/25, on the live reports thread at the top of the resorts page. It's the Murphy's and they are going to YC and staying CL. They will probably talk about the CL and have pics.

Have a great trip.