Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

I've only ever stayed CL at AKL with my DVC points, but my BF has always wanted to stay at WL. He's well on his way to becoming a pilot for SW and if he passes this next big milestone on Sunday, I was thinking about surprising him with a 2 night CL stay at WL (the AP discount was too good to pass up). So my big question is how does WL CL compare to AKL CL? I've spent so much time looking everything up and it all looks fantastic, but I'm still worried that I'll miss Fransisco and the coziness of AKL so much that WL won't stand a chance. :rolleyes: I know...first world problems right? :o
 
I've only ever stayed CL at AKL with my DVC points, but my BF has always wanted to stay at WL. He's well on his way to becoming a pilot for SW and if he passes this next big milestone on Sunday, I was thinking about surprising him with a 2 night CL stay at WL (the AP discount was too good to pass up). So my big question is how does WL CL compare to AKL CL? I've spent so much time looking everything up and it all looks fantastic, but I'm still worried that I'll miss Fransisco and the coziness of AKL so much that WL won't stand a chance. :rolleyes: I know...first world problems right? :o
IMO, no one can replace Francisco! He’s great! While I adore him, I’d pick WL over AKL any day, based on food options, lounge seating and location. If you do not have a fireworks view from your room, you can watch on the balcony right outside the lounge at WL. Did you look up videos on YouTube? There are a few recent WL CL videos. Hopefully that will help make the decision easier. Good luck!
 
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IMO, no one can replace Francisco! He’s great! While I adore him, I’d pick WL over AKL any day, based on food options, lounge seating and location. If you do not have a fireworks view from your room, you can watch on the balcony right outside the lounge at WL. Did you look up videos on YouTube? There are a few recent WL CL videos. Hopefully that will help make the decision easier. Good luck!
If only I could pack him up and take him with me while I was there! Lol! I haven't looked up any videos yet, so I'll check them out now. I also didn't know there was a balcony off of the lounge for fireworks viewing! Do they pipe the music in as well? Even if they don't that's still a huge perk! No matter what I'm definitely booking CL at WL because this is for my BF and not me, but I'm willing to make the sacrifices when I need too. Haha!
 
If only I could pack him up and take him with me while I was there! Lol! I haven't looked up any videos yet, so I'll check them out now. I also didn't know there was a balcony off of the lounge for fireworks viewing! Do they pipe the music in as well? Even if they don't that's still a huge perk! No matter what I'm definitely booking CL at WL because this is for my BF and not me, but I'm willing to make the sacrifices when I need too. Haha!
They do pipe in the music! Here’s a great video, she’ll show you around the lounge, the seating, as well as the outdoor balconies. Enjoy!

 

I've only ever stayed CL at AKL with my DVC points, but my BF has always wanted to stay at WL. He's well on his way to becoming a pilot for SW and if he passes this next big milestone on Sunday, I was thinking about surprising him with a 2 night CL stay at WL (the AP discount was too good to pass up). So my big question is how does WL CL compare to AKL CL? I've spent so much time looking everything up and it all looks fantastic, but I'm still worried that I'll miss Fransisco and the coziness of AKL so much that WL won't stand a chance. :rolleyes: I know...first world problems right? :o
I would say WL is way cozier vs AKL. Although the lobbies are set up similar, the lounge spaces are very different. Plus, WL serves way less people but has a ton of seating. I like both and I think you will like WL. We were there last month and I posted several pics if you want an idea of what to expect.
 
If only I could pack him up and take him with me while I was there! Lol! I haven't looked up any videos yet, so I'll check them out now. I also didn't know there was a balcony off of the lounge for fireworks viewing! Do they pipe the music in as well? Even if they don't that's still a huge perk! No matter what I'm definitely booking CL at WL because this is for my BF and not me, but I'm willing to make the sacrifices when I need too. Haha!
I have pics of fireworks from the lounge on pg 2207 of this thread. They do pipe in the music.
 
They do pipe in the music! Here’s a great video, she’ll show you around the lounge, the seating, as well as the outdoor balconies. Enjoy!


I have pics of fireworks from the lounge on pg 2207 of this thread. They do pipe in the music.

Thank you both so much! Now he just needs to pass this next flight portion of his training on Sunday so I can book this surprise for him. Lol!
 
I don't ever get the dining plan, but if when you ask, "does it pay" you mean is there a tit for tat return on what I drink and eat in the club lounge and the price of staying in club, no, never, never even close. That's not why I stay there. I stay there for the better rooms (suites, deluxe), the concierge service, minnie vans to and from the airport, and the cozy feeling of being on a more secure floor with less traffic.
We are staying AKL CL in January, it's been a few years since we've been back to wdw. What are the minnie van/airport transportation options? Price?? This sounds like it could be helpful for our trip as I am unsure yet how we where going to get to AKL from the airport without magical express anymore.
 
No doubt.

We have had the good fortune of meeting a few familiar faces along the way, and there are a few really good ones around. Feels like less as time goes on, but not sure if that's just us or the natural evolution of things.

I made the ‘mistake’ of staying DCL concierge recently - it's interesting to see that CL product vs WDW. Big difference in the "service" part of it.
Hi GADisneyDad14 :) We have done 2 DCL concierge cruises on the Fantasy and absolutely LOVE DCL... I would never want to do a NON Concierge cruise. What didn't you love about DCL Concierge? I am curious, has it gone downhill?? We haven't gone since 2017, and have sailed other lines inbetween.... star class on RCCL and currently booked to try our first Celebrity Retreat cruise in January 2026. We are 2 adults and we actually really like DCL concierge - I am holding out to see how celebrity is before we go back to DCL again. :)
 
Just got in to Hawaii after an eventful morning disembarking the Wish super late at Port Canaveral…the Coast Guard shut the port down yesterday so they had to make visual inspections this morning to reopen it. We ended up being the third ship in the queue to dock and we didn’t get off the ship until 12:45. But hey, we got to watch the first two episodes of Agatha in the theater! Traffic was a bit ugly back to property but we got in at about 3:45 on the DCL bus after a couple of stops. We were chatting with Laurie at the concierge desk and evidently those guests who were supposed to set sail today on the Wish were all given late checkout due to the delays.

I had missed the pre-arrival call as I feared I would since we were out at sea yesterday but we were given tree nut-free trail mix in our room as a welcome gift. We made it literally with 5 minutes to spare for snack service. Enjoyed the wonton chips! We’re so exhausted and still need to get our land legs back so just headed back to the room. So thankful I kept the CL reservation bc we are just too tired to do anything but hang out here.
 
Question, I haven't read alot about AKL club level on this thread, I started back at July 2023 onwards, but it seemed like mostly contemporary club, GF club, WL Club and occasional POLY club are mentioned. Is AKL CL not a favourite anymore?? It used to get so much love! I am actually booked to go back again This January for my 55 bday with my niece and my hubby. My niece is 16, and has never been to WDW. I was really looking forward to re-visiting where it started our families disney love affair back in January 2008 at our first visit to AKL CL. I sure hope the ambience is still there and that the CL and resort is still a wonderful place . Would love any recent reviews if you have recently been!
Marie
 
We are staying AKL CL in January, it's been a few years since we've been back to wdw. What are the minnie van/airport transportation options? Price?? This sounds like it could be helpful for our trip as I am unsure yet how we where going to get to AKL from the airport without magical express anymore.
I just looked into this for our friends coming from ATL and needed cars seats, I believe it's $199 one way. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I'll be at AKL CL next month so if you have any questions please let me know
 
I was really looking forward to re-visiting where it started our families disney love affair back in January 2008 at our first visit to AKL CL. I sure hope the ambience is still there and that the CL and resort is still a wonderful place . Would love any recent reviews if you have recently been!
Marie
If you scroll up a few posts, I replied to the same question yesterday.
 














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