Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Twende]

I just got off the phone with DSS. I think they are excited as we are to get more information on Club Level services.

The CM I spoke with said 3 things are not returning at this point and everything else should be the same level. 1 is no turn down in the evenings, 2. is no daily print out in your room or villa, and 3. is no package delivery to your room or villa.

She confirmed that AKL Club is opening in August with the rest of the resort. There are no cultural representative CM's at this point so that will make a huge difference in the CM's of this resort. There are no resort scheduled activities at this point but she felt they will be announced soon.

She was not certain of how the check in process will occur but she said they were striving for a normal Club Level experience so she suspects you will still check in at the podium outside and then be escorted up the elevator to Club.

But all in all it was great to have confirmation of the return of Kilimanjaro Club to AKL!

 

[ninafeliz]

Unpopular opinion I guess - the prices... while certainly up there... don't seem totally outrageous for a unique experience? Less than what I was expecting, frankly.

I feel the opposite. I expected it to be very pricey but it’s actually more than I expected. It’s for 2 nights! Yes, we have spent a lot on CL before, but never that much. We are Star Wars fans, and it might be cool, but given that we could take a huge chunk out of the price to add on to our DVC for the price of just a 2 night stay, and could still do the 2 night stay just in a nice Disney resort instead for way less, I don’t see us doing it. I feel like I should also add that since we have 4 kids we would need 2 rooms, so given that there is very little chance we will
ever do it. I’m all for a splurge, but I don’t think this is the splurge for us.

 

[ninafeliz]

That was my first reaction too. I definitely thought it would be more. Honestly, it's not far off to what some people here pay for CL. I don't anticipate booking/paying it next summer because I will have HS and college to pay for but I did think about it, if only for a few minutes.

Someone posted on the YC thread about the shared balcony. Is it only the one? Let me get this straight, your balcony is wide open so the neighboring rooms can walk over and look in my room? Is this correct? That would be a hard pass for me.

I have had a room near the shared balcony, but thankfully never had it. It is huge but I don’t care. I would never want there to be any chance for other people to be on my balcony when I was, or that they could be wandering outside our balcony at any time. No thanks. When I booked that view put private balcony as a room request.

 

[ninafeliz]

Just to chime in on the Poly conversation. For our last trip we stayed at the Riviera, which we loved. We ate at ‘Ohana, and my 11 yr old son said it made him sad to go to the Poly when we weren’t staying there because it makes him want to stay there! Of course, he also says it makes him sad to think of staying at the Poly not CL, because he’ll miss having someone say Aloha every time he walks into the building!

 

[trishadono]

Just to chime in on the Poly conversation. For our last trip we stayed at the Riviera, which we loved. We ate at ‘Ohana, and my 11 yr old son said it made him sad to go to the Poly when we weren’t staying there because it makes him want to stay there! Of course, he also says it makes him sad to think of staying at the Poly not CL, because he’ll miss having someone say Aloha every time he walks into the building!

I think that is why I didnt love our PBR stay. I didn't feel welcome there. You just didn't see friendly groundskeepers or mangagers like you do at WDW.

 

[trishadono]

I am arriving AKL 8/26 opening day.

I booked a std that night because I will arrive after the CL lounge closes then have CL 27-29.

Gonna spend the day with @Dispro1 Then my dh arrives late 27th. Her dh done with work and it will be lounge time 5p Friday

 

[Tri-Delta4Life]

I inquired with DSS about what, if any CL amenities (such as lounge or in-room dining) would be available for our Tonga 1BR reservation at the Poly starting on 10/10 and got this back...

"While our suites are currently available at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, we would advise onsite club level amenities are currently unavailable. We anticipate Club Level Lounges will reopen for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort Guests at a later date. At this time we cannot guarantee onsite club level amenities to be available for your stay in the Tonga Building."

Nothing new to report per say, but that's where things stand, at least today, lol.

 

[Mutant]

I don't think the two are comparable except for easy access to MK and both have access to fireworks views. Poly is a relaxed tropical resort and CR is a busy (and somewhat noisy) high rise. I like both. They each have a different feel though and based on what you have written I think you would be happier at Poly.

I think you may be right…I stayed at Grand Floridian one night only and wished I was at Poly.

My first comment is that Poly CL better be open by then, c'mon Disney!

Second, I have similar feelings about Poly. We stay other places (and I do love CR as well), but my mind inevitably drifts off to "I sort of wish I was over there" thinking whenever I look out across the water. I don't even like visiting Poly if I'm not staying there, just to avoid that feeling!

As far as pluses for CR CL - you'll be on the second to top floor, both view options are great, fireworks viewing from the lounge is great or from your room if you book TPV, CR has a relatively small CL room count. These things can vary by a shift change, but I'd probably rank CR at the top or top 2 of CLs where we've had pretty amazing CM experiences/service - I've always had the impression they generally 'care more' than some other places. Although again, that kind of stuff can always vary. We'll have to wait for CR CL to reopen to gauge offerings, but I've generally enjoyed CR CL in the past. Feels sort of middle of the road to me when I compare it to the quality and variety of other CLs.

If I were you, I'd probably book CR and keep a close eye on Poly CL reopening/Poly availability. Or if you just can't shake the Poly itch (which I totally get!), book the DVC room.

Probably didn't help that much, but good luck deciding.

Well, that did not help! I actually booked the Poly studio this morning thinking that was the way to go…now you have me leaning towards CR. I may book CR too and just make the decision another day.

Just to chime in on the Poly conversation. For our last trip we stayed at the Riviera, which we loved. We ate at ‘Ohana, and my 11 yr old son said it made him sad to go to the Poly when we weren’t staying there because it makes him want to stay there! Of course, he also says it makes him sad to think of staying at the Poly not CL, because he’ll miss having someone say Aloha every time he walks into the building!

I stayed at Riviera the month after it opened…absolutely loved the resort! Absolutely hated the transportation to MK! Poly is my home resort and is so convenient to MK, plus has the awesome fireworks viewing. CR has similar fireworks viewing and transportation, so that’s the only reason I am considering it. But, I know I will wish I was at Poly at some point if we do CR.

I think that is why I didnt love our PBR stay. I didn't feel welcome there. You just didn't see friendly groundskeepers or mangagers like you do at WDW.

I’m so bummed for you. We saw some very friendly staff around the Poly last week.

 

[trishadono]

I think you may be right…I stayed at Grand Floridian one night only and wished I was at Poly.



Well, that did not help! I actually booked the Poly studio this morning thinking that was the way to go…now you have me leaning towards CR. I may book CR too and just make the decision another day.



I stayed at Riviera the month after it opened…absolutely loved the resort! Absolutely hated the transportation to MK! Poly is my home resort and is so convenient to MK, plus has the awesome fireworks viewing. CR has similar fireworks viewing and transportation, so that’s the only reason I am considering it. But, I know I will wish I was at Poly at some point if we do CR.



I’m so bummed for you. We saw some very friendly staff around the Poly last week.

PBR is Portofino over at Universal. I always see friendly people at poly

 

[Mutant]

PBR is Portofino over at Universal. I always see friendly people at poly

That’s what I get for reading and replying while I’m supposed to be working…I seriously read “Poly” not “PBR.” They look alike, right?

 

[kylenne]

Unpopular opinion I guess - the prices... while certainly up there... don't seem totally outrageous for a unique experience? Less than what I was expecting, frankly.

I 100% agree and we’ve already been discussing when we’re going to go. We are ginormous nerds and literally all I want is to play with a “real” lightsaber. It’s the experience. I realize how I’m about to sound by saying this but I feel like the price point will do the job of weeding out the kind of people who would ruin the immersion for the hardcore geeks tbh. But I’m still trying to go ASAP before they inevitably water down the experience to attract that lot once the initial demand dies down.

I think you may be right…I stayed at Grand Floridian one night only and wished I was at Poly.

The funny thing is the GF is the solitary resort I’ve stayed at where I didn’t feel Poly homesickness or FOMO. They are very different resorts, don’t get me wrong, but I discovered that I love them nearly equally (the Poly is still #1 in my heart though).

 

[Eastern]

I 100% agree and we’ve already been discussing when we’re going to go. We are ginormous nerds and literally all I want is to play with a “real” lightsaber. It’s the experience. I realize how I’m about to sound by saying this but I feel like the price point will do the job of weeding out the kind of people who would ruin the immersion for the hardcore geeks tbh.

There are such people at every price point.

 

[kylenne]

There are such people at every price point.

I have absolutely no doubt there are, but that price point will do a lot to cut down on it. There will always be yahoos with money (we’ve all seen them) but most people almost need to have a certain level of buy in to pay that much for an experience like this. There’s really no equivalent experience I could compare it to, but I guess the closest would be VIP meet and greets at geek events that are much more limited capacity and cost a lot more. There are obnoxious people at those too, but not nearly as many and I’ve never had a bad experience. I’ve had plenty at regular cons.

 

[trishadono]

I 100% agree and we’ve already been discussing when we’re going to go. We are ginormous nerds and literally all I want is to play with a “real” lightsaber. It’s the experience. I realize how I’m about to sound by saying this but I feel like the price point will do the job of weeding out the kind of people who would ruin the immersion for the hardcore geeks tbh. But I’m still trying to go ASAP before they inevitably water down the experience to attract that lot once the initial demand dies down.



The funny thing is the GF is the solitary resort I’ve stayed at where I didn’t feel Poly homesickness or FOMO. They are very different resorts, don’t get me wrong, but I discovered that I love them nearly equally (the Poly is still #1 in my heart though).

Well I watched movies with DS and bought him almost every SW LEGO set and Halloween costume yet I don’t real know stuff lol. Harry Potter? Now that’s where I feel confident,

Dd never liked SW anything until one summer about 5 years back she watched all the movies. The.n it was I need BB8 this and that, the custom SW ears $$$, a SW costume for MNSSHP etc.....So now I am stuck because you know I spoil that girl rotten

I hope I don’t ruin the experience for others lol but I’ll TRY to play along. Maybe a movie marathon is due?

Yep I’m the same. Gf is such a close 2nd for me.

I am looking forward to CR though. Like @GADisneyDad14 says “the best cm interaction” . They remember past guests better and I barely stay there!

 

[EmilyGahr]

The CM I spoke with said 3 things are not returning at this point and everything else should be the same level. 1 is no turn down in the evenings, 2. is no daily print out in your room or villa, and 3. is no package delivery to your room or villa.

I can live without turndown service and a print out. But no package delivery is pretty disappointing!

 

[Eastern]

I can live without turndown service and a print out. But no package delivery is pretty disappointing!

I wouldn't miss turndown per se, but that is when we would usually be in the room and I could ask for extra towels/toiletries whatever. Now I will have to be on the lookout.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I promise I will try not to order a Bud Light at the Sublight Lounge.

 

[Crazyhorse]

The CM I spoke with said 3 things are not returning at this point and everything else should be the same level. 1 is no turn down in the evenings, 2. is no daily print out in your room or villa, and 3. is no package delivery to your room or villa.

Thanks for posting this!
If this is accurate info from the CM......that the only thing different will be these 3 posted items, I'm ok with it. I'll feel a lot better when something official from Disney comes out explaining CL service. I'm even ok with losing some self service...i.e. CM's are dishing food out but if capacity is going to be limited, meaning people standing in line waiting outside of the service area, I'm not OK with that. No point in my speculating further.....it won't be long now before real time reviews start coming. Can't wait!

 

[Twende]

Thanks for posting this!
If this is accurate info from the CM......that the only thing different will be these 3 posted items, I'm ok with it. I'll feel a lot better when something official from Disney comes out explaining CL service. I'm even ok with losing some self service...i.e. CM's are dishing food out but if capacity is going to be limited, meaning people standing in line waiting outside of the service area, I'm not OK with that. No point in my speculating further.....it won't be long now before real time reviews start coming. Can't wait!

I felt pretty good talking to this CM. She stated they had just received the new information that morning. So it made me feel pretty good that she was being accurate. But knowing Disney, things can change so rapidly.

I can do without the turn down service and the lack of printouts. We have never had anything shipped to Club so that does not bother me either. I want the food experience to be back to it's normal greatness!

My biggest disappointment is the lack of cultural representatives being there. They add so much to the AKL experience!

I too will be eagerly awaiting someone to report in as they experience all this directly!

 

[jods]

Not to change the topic, but I was able to get the AP preview this morning for ratatouille but couldn't because of his work/school commitments. I happened to be on my phone when the push notification came through. 7 minute wait in queue and I would have had my pick, tons of availability. *sigh* I actually had a few days I could have went with my job but that was my son's 1st and 2nd day of HS. I felt it was more important for me to be here for that. So that's it for my pity party lol. Hope others got dates they want and can enjoy it.