Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Pluto80]

You can still email the IPO and give them your estimated arrival time if you'd like.
We enjoyed our YC CL stay a few months ago, I hope it's lovely for you as well.

That's good to know. Do you have any tips?

 

[gwynne]

That's good to know. Do you have any tips?

It's really nice to be able to have breakfast before we head out for the day. Sometimes we have it in the lounge, sometimes we bring it back to the room and enjoy it on the balcony.
If you have questions the CM's are at the desks to the right as you get off the elevator. They are very helpful.

 

[Pluto80]

I'm really hoping we get a balcony. As we're normally value people, I've never had a Disney balcony

 

[Linleedo]

We're staying at YC club level next week. Having read up on here, and it's our first CL experience, I'm a little confused.
Do we check in at the usual desks or is there somewhere else we need to go? We won't get a text as we're English so our phones are only on for wifi (don't want a huge bill when we get home). Have seen some people saying CL has gone downhill. Hope we haven't made a mistake booking. This is our first deluxe, and first CL experience, as it's our 15th wedding anniversary. We're more used to staying value lol!

We have stayed at club level Yacht Club at least 3 times and look forward to it in September. It is awesome. You are going to love it! The staff is awesome, whether it's a CM,mousekeeping, or maintenance. They are there to please. The food and drink is great. The pool is phenomenal. The closeness to Epcot and Disney Springs is so convenient. If there are little changes( like whether a club level CM greets you upon arrival), don't worry. You will still love the whole experience once you get upstairs( you will need a CM to gain entrance to the 5th floor). Happy 15th AnniversaryWe will be celebrating our 36th! Can't wait to get there and enjoy the Yacht Club.im sure you will want to keep returning too.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Call me stupid, but how do they greet you by name before you tell them what it is?

If you are wearing or carrying your magic band the iPad will scan it using the bands RFID technology, your resort info is stored there.
No band (like us from Canada who pick ours up at the check in desk) you will have to let the greeter know who you are & your CL status.

 

[Pluto80]

Thank you so much everyone! Feeling much more excited again now. We will have our bands on as we'll have been at Aoa

 

[mickeynut1]

You generally have to give your information to the guard shack when you arrive by private car, town car or taxi.
They call ahead and let the resort know you are on your way.

Thanks for clarifying. I figured the guard shack checked just to make sure you were a guest of that resort, didn't know they called ahead .

I'm really hoping we get a balcony. As we're normally value people, I've never had a Disney balcony

All rooms at the YC (with the exception of one, I think) have a balcony, so you should be good .

 

[Pluto80]

Oh that's good! A balcony is the only request I've made, so really hope we do get one.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Lol... When we checked in Poly a few weeks ago we gave the guard our name / ID and I could hear him call in his radio "XXXX Familly, checking in." Note, this has pretty much happened every time, so nothing new. But with no greeters at the Poly or anyone other than valets now, I really wondered to myself all week just who the guard was speaking to on the radio????!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Oh that's good! A balcony is the only request I've made, so really hope we do get one.

Have a great trip!

 

[Pluto80]

Have a great trip!

Thank you. I've wanted to stay at an Epcot resort ever since we started coming to WDW, so I couldn't be any more excited!

 

[chimo2u]

We're staying at YC club level next week. Having read up on here, and it's our first CL experience, I'm a little confused.
Do we check in at the usual desks or is there somewhere else we need to go? We won't get a text as we're English so our phones are only on for wifi (don't want a huge bill when we get home). Have seen some people saying CL has gone downhill. Hope we haven't made a mistake booking. This is our first deluxe, and first CL experience, as it's our 15th wedding anniversary. We're more used to staying value lol!

I'm so excited to hear how you enjoy CL at the Yacht Club! I am booked for Nov 2017 with my hubby after our cruise and would love to hear your review when you get back. I haven't stayed at YC CL yet/ but have enjoyed CL at BWI, AKL, POLY and Beach Club. Hoping I love the YC have a wonderful trip!

 

[Pluto80]

I'm so excited to hear how you enjoy CL at the Yacht Club! I am booked for Nov 2017 with my hubby after our cruise and would love to hear your review when you get back. I haven't stayed at YC CL yet/ but have enjoyed CL at BWI, AKL, POLY and Beach Club. Hoping I love the YC have a wonderful trip!

Sure! Would be happy to

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm really hoping we get a balcony. As we're normally value people, I've never had a Disney balcony

Oh, you are going to be spoiled!

Even after CL, we still stay at all the different resorts, but CL is a nice perk. I think AoA is pretty cute. Having a balcony is nice, but we don't spend much time there, unless our room is very close to the lounge.

DO make sure you take time to visit the pool complex!

The CL is great in the morning, but if you aren't in the habit of taking afternoon breaks, strongly consider adding them to this visit. When we stay at non-CL, especially the values, we don't tend to do afternoon breaks. CL= breaks. Then again, we don't hit appetizers every day. We try to hit either appetizers or dessert.

One other thing....CL + DDP or buffets is a LOT of food! We got so we didn't want to see any more food! With CL, we tend towards the a la carte style menu places, and some plate sharing.

 

[Pluto80]

We're not on the DDP thank goodness, and will be taking full advantage of the CL. We've actually got 5 weeks at WDW at this YC week will be our final week. We're planning on spending a lot of time at Epcot so will be taking plenty of breaks to come back to the resort.

 

[Trixie Belden]

I don't even want to say it, but I've been surprised at our interactions with IPO. This is our first CL stay at Disney, so maybe my expectations are too high. We didn't get a welcome email after booking, so after 4 days my husband emailed them to ask if they could help us get ADRs at 2 restaurants. He mentioned it was my 50th birthday and asked for information on ordering a cake/balloons or flowers for the room. He got an auto reply that someone would respond within 24 hours. The response the next day was short, curt and only stated that there were no ADRs for one restaurant and that the other one doesn't take ADRs. No acknowledgement of his questions about ordering a cake or flowers.

I actually ended up being able to get ADRs for both restaurants on my own using Touring Plans reservation finder. So their information was actually incorrect. It definitely was not a welcoming email like others I've seen on here. What's the advantage to CL if the IPO staff aren't helpful? I'm hoping that it was just a bad day, but honestly it makes me less inclined to stay at Disney and more inclined to consider switching to the Waldorf or even Bonnett Creek.

 

[gwynne]

I don't even want to say it, but I've been surprised at our interactions with IPO. This is our first CL stay at Disney, so maybe my expectations are too high. We didn't get a welcome email after booking, so after 4 days my husband emailed them to ask if they could help us get ADRs at 2 restaurants. He mentioned it was my 50th birthday and asked for information on ordering a cake/balloons or flowers for the room. He got an auto reply that someone would respond within 24 hours. The response the next day was short, curt and only stated that there were no ADRs for one restaurant and that the other one doesn't take ADRs. No acknowledgement of his questions about ordering a cake or flowers.

I actually ended up being able to get ADRs for both restaurants on my own using Touring Plans reservation finder. So their information was actually incorrect. It definitely was not a welcoming email like others I've seen on here. What's the advantage to CL if the IPO staff aren't helpful? I'm hoping that it was just a bad day, but honestly it makes me less inclined to stay at Disney and more inclined to consider switching to the Waldorf or even Bonnett Creek.

I generally don't use the IPO for dining reservations. They don't have a system that constantly looks for reservations like Touring Plans. AFAIK, they look once or maybe twice a day. I think I have a much better shot getting difficult reservations by quickly looking myself multiple times or using Touring Plans.

That said, they were helpful in getting me a specific reservation at Flying Fish. I was keeping an eye on my MDE, though, and knew that if something didn't pop in I knew I would need to look.

For something like wanting to order a cake I'd look at the cake thread on the restaurant board. http://www.disboards.com/threads/official-disney-cake-chatter-part-iv.3261922/
I've used it before, lots of great info in post #1.

For flowers/gifts I'd check with Disney Floral. http://www.disneyfloralandgifts.com/

I've found that if I want something pretty specific on a particular day it's easier and quicker to just make the selections myself. It gives me a first hand look at the range of options and at what cost. A lot of email back and forth takes time.

Your other option would be to call the IPO and discuss your requests. Often I've found that they are more helpful over the phone.
From your siggie, it looks like you're staying at the Grand, is that right? I've not stayed there. I do know there is a wonderful Grand Floridian resort thread on the boards. The folks there may be helpful, too with ideas for your requests.

And I have to add your posts always make me smile. I haven't thought of Trixie Belden in years. I loved those books.
We really enjoy our CL stays. I hope you have a lovely vacation.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you. I've wanted to stay at an Epcot resort ever since we started coming to WDW, so I couldn't be any more excited!

You will have a great time! We prefer to be in the MK area, but the Epcot area is nice and we did enjoy our BC stay .

I'm so excited to hear how you enjoy CL at the Yacht Club! I am booked for Nov 2017 with my hubby after our cruise and would love to hear your review when you get back. I haven't stayed at YC CL yet/ but have enjoyed CL at BWI, AKL, POLY and Beach Club. Hoping I love the YC have a wonderful trip!

Sounds like a great trip you have planned. Hope you have a nice time and enjoy YC CL .

I generally don't use the IPO for dining reservations. They don't have a system that constantly looks for reservations like Touring Plans. AFAIK, they look once or maybe twice a day. I think I have a much better shot getting difficult reservations by quickly looking myself multiple times or using Touring Plans.

That said, they were helpful in getting me a specific reservation at Flying Fish. I was keeping an eye on my MDE, though, and knew that if something didn't pop in I knew I would need to look.

For something like wanting to order a cake I'd look at the cake thread on the restaurant board. http://www.disboards.com/threads/official-disney-cake-chatter-part-iv.3261922/
I've used it before, lots of great info in post #1.

For flowers/gifts I'd check with Disney Floral. http://www.disneyfloralandgifts.com/

I've found that if I want something pretty specific on a particular day it's easier and quicker to just make the selections myself. It gives me a first hand look at the range of options and at what cost. A lot of email back and forth takes time.

Your other option would be to call the IPO and discuss your requests. Often I've found that they are more helpful over the phone.
From your siggie, it looks like you're staying at the Grand, is that right? I've not stayed there. I do know there is a wonderful Grand Floridian resort thread on the boards. The folks there may be helpful, too with ideas for your requests.

I agree with gwynne. Sometimes it's better to just try for ADRs on your own. I've never used IPO for booking ADRs, but I do often read reports of IPO sometimes not being very helpful . It is unfortunate because their job is to help guests with planning.

I can't comment on ordering a cake as I've never done that, but I also suggest Disney Florist for flowers/gifts. I used them last year and I was very happy with not only the gift basket, but the customer service I received when I called with questions and to place my order .

I hope you have a great trip .

 

[Trixie Belden]

Thank you gwynne I'm a huge Trixie fan. I think maybe my expectations were too high. My husband didn't want me to do anything myself, but he's super busy all the time at work. He really just wanted to know where to go to order the extras. He really didn't expect them to do it for him, he just wanted some basic information. I'll pass the information you gave on to him-thank you so much!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

I don't even want to say it, but I've been surprised at our interactions with IPO. This is our first CL stay at Disney, so maybe my expectations are too high. We didn't get a welcome email after booking, so after 4 days my husband emailed them to ask if they could help us get ADRs at 2 restaurants. He mentioned it was my 50th birthday and asked for information on ordering a cake/balloons or flowers for the room. He got an auto reply that someone would respond within 24 hours. The response the next day was short, curt and only stated that there were no ADRs for one restaurant and that the other one doesn't take ADRs. No acknowledgement of his questions about ordering a cake or flowers.

I actually ended up being able to get ADRs for both restaurants on my own using Touring Plans reservation finder. So their information was actually incorrect. It definitely was not a welcoming email like others I've seen on here. What's the advantage to CL if the IPO staff aren't helpful? I'm hoping that it was just a bad day, but honestly it makes me less inclined to stay at Disney and more inclined to consider switching to the Waldorf or even Bonnett Creek.

Completely agree! My limited interactions with IPO over the last month have been identical. There is absolutely no value in IPO for me. For the time it takes to type out an email or call you can simply accomplish the task yourself. I suppose it's possible that they might provide value for someone that has limited experience with Disney and isn't up on the latest procedures. Further, a portion of the increased nightly rate for a CL room is attributed to the IPO service. Sure, I can get all the hard-to-get reservations myself and plan my entire trip, but then don't charge me or advertise the IPO service if they aren't able to provide any value.

For example, I asked IPO if they could get me one additional child spot to a sold out dessert party. They said they could not but would get it for me as soon as a cancellation occurred. I'm completely fine with that....they can't "create" a spot if there just isn't one to be had, but I was happy that they would get it for me IF it opened up. The issue I have is that a few days later at least 20 spots were added to the dessert party for every night of our trip (capacity increase) that they were allegedly going to be checking several times a day and grab for us if available. Obviously I booked it myself and now two weeks later I still have yet to hear from IPO and the party is sold out again. What's sad is that the person who isn't knowledgeable about Disney and was relying on the IPO would still be without a reservation. That is unacceptable to me. They should just have said they could not get it and weren't planning on trying to get it instead of leading me to believe they were actively working for us.