Concierge Level....is it really worth it?

[WDisneyWLove]

While booking my trip for next year at AKL the agent informed me that it would only be $220 more to upgrade to concierge level for my 8 night stay. Is it worth it and what does it include exactly? Thanks in advance!

 

[DAKL101]

Do you have the DDP? I would not do it with any DDP. You get a light breakfast, snacks through out the day, alcoholic beverages, sodas, juice milk, AKL has a tea time, hot appetizers and desserts. We loved staying club with our kids and without. Very filling and usually very good cm.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Over 8 nights, can you drink $220 worth of beer? That's actually pretty cheap by upgrade.

Club Level gets you a lounge with continental breakfast, mid-day snacks, apps and snacks in the evening, and booze. Can you eat $27.50 of continental breakfast + beer per day across your whole party?

 

[ArmyVet80]

_auroraborealis_ has a very valid point. That's the question my DW and I asked each other when we stayed CL before we were married. The answer was "yes" we can accomplish this. lol. It really depends on you and your travel party though.

 

[WDisneyWLove]

We do have the DDP through the Free dining bounce back offer. My sister and her family will also be traveling but the upgrade for them would be around $800. I know she would not be willing to pay that (and I really don't blame her). Is it rude for my family to go for it if she can't?

 

[pangyal]

We love doing AKL club level and though we are booking on DVC points, it's well worth it for the extra expense. We eat breakfast at the lounge every day, as well as dinner. Kiddo is far too picky to go for the dinner options there, so we do spend on kid's meals from Mara, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to buying three dinners. We would never get a meal plan while staying Club.

That being said, we do not represent all types of eaters by a long shot. We do book some TS meals for variety, and though they give you unlimited amounts of the hot food, I totally realize how it's not the same as sitting down and ordering from a menu.

For $220, it would be a no-brainer for me! Especially as it includes not only beer and wine, but after-dinner liqueurs as well.

 

[Hopefully]

We love doing AKL club level and though we are booking on DVC points, it's well worth it for the extra expense. We eat breakfast at the lounge every day, as well as dinner. Kiddo is far too picky to go for the dinner options there, so we do spend on kid's meals from Mara, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to buying three dinners. We would never get a meal plan while staying Club.

That being said, we do not represent all types of eaters by a long shot. We do book some TS meals for variety, and though they give you unlimited amounts of the hot food, I totally realize how it's not the same as sitting down and ordering from a menu.

For $220, it would be a no-brainer for me! Especially as it includes not only beer and wine, but after-dinner liqueurs as well.

CL provides an ample Continental breakfast, daytime snacks, evening appetizer and beer & wine, and later desserts and cordials. It provides a lounge you can enjoy.
Evening appetizers are NOT meant to be a dinner replacement. Nobody will come and say you can't have more, but the are intended as pre dinner appetizers.

 

[pangyal]

^just to speak to this, the chefs literally begged anyone at the lounge to take the appetizers and eat as much as they could every night we were last there so that they weren't wasting food. The hubster and I made out like bandits with what probably amounted to a full plate of pasta each plus a meat dish. They would also come around and offer more to anyone sitting at the lounge.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

My family of 4 could make $27.50/day in continental breakfast and beer "worth it."

Most times, CL is really based on perceived luxury and the value one places on that than on "services or objects delivered in exchange for cash" because the price increase is out of line with even someone gorging on apps and getting blotto on the booze.

 

[happymommy]

I've stayed AKL club level, and yes, it is worth it! Many evenings, the offerings were dinner. The coffee (espresso machine that is way better than what Disney considers coffee) was amazing. I'd go to the lounge while the rest were sleeping, have my coffee, then bring some back after an hour or so for my DH. The kids enjoyed the continental breakfast, soft drinks, and then in the evening wine and beer for us adults. PS: if you want a beer midday and they're not out, just ask. Same for wine! That trip, we spent an awful lot of time at the resort, so it was amazing. Way better than other club levels that we've seen! We were there over new year's so it was nice to avoid the park crowds! Also the staff helped us book things that we couldn't have gotten without their help, like an illuminations cruise on new year's eve.

For what you're paying, there is no question it's worth it!

If you have left over CS credits (and you will), swap them the last day for 3 snacks per meal at the gift shop! Pack an extra carry on! DD and I just returned from an 8 night stay with the QSDP and had 25 snacks to carry home (candy, nuts, cookies, and trail mix).

I think for the beer and wine alone, it's worth it!

 

[Lovinallthingsdisney]

I agree with everyone here....yes, I think it it totally worth it. Aside from everything mentioned previously, by staying CL, your room will be located on the Arusha Savanna. This is by far my favorite location to stay. I will warn you though, this may "spoil" you for future visits. It is really easy to get accustomed to the CL experience!

 

[justme0729]

I think that's a cheap price to upgrade for 8 nights! But... Will you use the continental breakfast from 7-10:00am and will you plan to be at the hotel for night offerings sometime between 5-10:00pm?

 

[WDisneyWLove]

I think that's a cheap price to upgrade for 8 nights! But... Will you use the continental breakfast from 7-10:00am and will you plan to be at the hotel for night offerings sometime between 5-10:00pm?

I thought it was pretty cheap too. I'm not much of a breakfast person....usually just grab a piece of fruit. My two kids and hubby on the other hand would take advantage of it more. I think I would take more advantage of the evening apps and drinks.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Yes, Totally worth it! We loved it and would do it each time ( it's Business class rooms at Coronado... Same great food/drinks/alcohol etc)
..The fruit is great to throw in ur bag for a snack while in the parks. The morning bite... The late nite snacks and the drinks... A win win for us!
As far as ur ex tended family Q...I don't think it's Rude...u should do what works for ur family...
Have a wonderful visit!!

 

[WDisneyWLove]

Yes, Totally worth it! We loved it and would do it each time ( it's Business class rooms at Coronado... Same great food/drinks/alcohol etc)
..The fruit is great to throw in ur bag for a snack while in the parks. The morning bite... The late nite snacks and the drinks... A win win for us!
As far as ur ex tended family Q...I don't think it's Rude...u should do what works for ur family...
Have a wonderful visit!!

Thanks! I'm sure after a few yummy drinks my guilty feelings may fade away.....lol

 

[justme0729]

I thought it was pretty cheap too. I'm not much of a breakfast person....usually just grab a piece of fruit. My two kids and hubby on the other hand would take advantage of it more. I think I would take more advantage of the evening apps and drinks.

I think you should then! We are doing AKL CL too. Haven't used theirs before but it's hard to travel without it once you do it

 

[lbv7]

Are you sure that the quote is accurate? For 8 nights that works out to $ 27.50 a day extra for CL, which seems way too low. If this price was true than I don't know why everyone wouldn't book CL. The WDW website shows a price
difference of almost $200 a day between standard room and standard room CL which is $ 1,600 more for 8 days. So if you can really get the room for the price quoted I would book it right away.

 

[WDisneyWLove]

Are you sure that the quote is accurate? For 8 nights that works out to $ 27.50 a day extra for CL, which seems way too low. If this price was true than I don't know why everyone wouldn't book CL. The WDW website shows a price
difference of almost $200 a day between standard room and standard room CL which is $ 1,600 more for 8 days. So if you can really get the room for the price quoted I would book it right away.

The room I have booked right now (Savannah view bunk bed package for 8 nights) is $5755.58, to upgrade to concierge level the new price quoted and online is $5968.10. That is a difference of $212.52.....That is unless the CM and I have both miscalculated.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We do have the DDP through the Free dining bounce back offer. My sister and her family will also be traveling but the upgrade for them would be around $800. I know she would not be willing to pay that (and I really don't blame her). Is it rude for my family to go for it if she can't?

If you are planning to spend all your time together then it might be awkward to dash off to the club level lounge and leave them behind.

 

[lbv7]

The room I have booked right now (Savannah view bunk bed package for 8 nights) is $5755.58, to upgrade to concierge level the new price quoted and online is $5968.10. That is a difference of $212.52.....That is unless the CM and I have both miscalculated.

OK, Savannah view bunk bed rate is way more expensive than a regular room rate, and only slightly less than CL, so your quote is correct. I would still take CL recognizing however that the CL room will not come with bunk beds.