Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[petrola]

Hi there. The BC CL lounge is in yellow in the pic below. The underlying image is not entirely accurate so I could be off a touch, but it's roughly in this area. Those two black rectangles are elevators. BC peeps please chime in if I've botched this.

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Your second question has been answered, but just wanted to say I hope you enjoy your last trip where Disney is "free" for your son. I've really enjoyed the last few trips where DD2 has been at that perfect age to enjoy/get something out of our trips, but is still free. Not looking forward to her turning three and having to put her on the Disney payroll.

Hope you have fun!

Hi there! thank you very much- this was just what I was looking for! sigh... yes this is the LAST time my son will be free on a Disney trip. He will be 3 a month after we are back, so our next trip will be paying for 4!

 

[mrsap]

At 5 pm today the hot apps were salmon with a citrus soy drizzle & chicken nuggets. The salmon was delicious. There was a cold roast beef crostini, a mixed olive salad, a chic pea salad and one other cold salad that unfortunately I can't remember. Also the usual crudités, cheese & crackers. I don't drink so I can't comment on the adult beverages. I only tried the salmon & really enjoyed it.

Desserts had 3 different mini cupcakes: raspberry, chocolate & vanilla with 4 different toppings so you could decorate your own. Also oatmeal & chocolate chip cookies, vanilla pan a cota, Rice Krispies treats & a really yummy Smores mousse. I hope they have that again! Oh, I think there was some kind of peanut butter mousse bar too. I have never seen this many different desserts in all the years we have stayed here. A big improvement!

When we were in the lounge at about 5:30, there were 2 CMs taking care of the food & tables, another one pouring the beverages & a management type woman walking around the lounge, offering to get refills etc. So far, I am impressed with everything.

Edited: just remembered the other cold salad was a farro salad.

Everything sounds great!!!!! Hope you enjoyed everything!!! Thanks so much for letting us know!

 

[PolyTigger]

"Hoe does the check in at GF SL work? Last time I stayed at RPC a CM was waiting when we got off the bus to take us right up. However, of Cms don't greet you at ME anymore do I have to go to the regular checkin and wait in line?"

I was there last week at CM meet us as we cam off the bus and escorted us right to our room.

 

[mickeynut1]

after much room switching - we are finally booked at the BC CL end of June!

Hope you have a great trip and enjoy BC CL .

Woohoo. I just changed my august trip from a standard BC room to a standard Cl room at bc. So excited.

Have a great trip! Enjoy the planning .

We just checked into YC CL an hour ago!

Hope you're enjoying your trip .

2 weeks from today we check in to Polyb CL for 4 nights followed by 5 nights YC CL! We are SOOO excited...

Sounds like a great trip!

Please, do! We check in next Friday!

How exciting! Have a great trip .

We are looking to do a CL split stay in the end of August. I already booked 3 nights at AKL CL, but want to combine that with a couple nights at a different CL before that. We've stayed at most of the deluxe resorts (except GF), but never CL.

Of GF SL, WL, YC, or BW, which one would you recommend for food quality and overall lounge quality? This is a mostly resort oriented stay, and with it being so hot out, I think we'll really take advantage of not just the lounge offerings, but just enjoying the space to hang out. Do any of them have a decent view of anything? The price at those 4 are all close to the same, and we will be 2 adults with 1 or 2 teens.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Out of your choices, we've stayed GF SL and WL CL. My choice would be either WL CL or BWI CL. WL CL is amazing (IMO) and while we haven't tried BWI CL, it's on our list as it seems to get rave reviews .

We have decided to change to AKL CL from YC regular room for May30-June5 2018

Have a great time!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Woohoo. I just changed my august trip from a standard BC room to a standard Cl room at bc. So excited. Last yr at poly cl I got a welcome email instantly. Are they still sending them? I want them to book golf for dh since he is only 1 person. Do all the Cl rooms have full balconies?

Hi there, nice change! I spent a night at BC CL last summer, loved the lounge and food.

Not sure how closely you've followed the latest changes to the pre-arrival CL planning service? Last year it was called IPO (Itenerary Planning Office), and yes, you would usually (but not always) get an e-mail from them sometime after making your reservation. That service has been replaced with DSS (Disney Signature Services) which is fundamentally the same as IPO, just centralized and not-resort/CL specific like before.

Reports are somewhat inconsistent in how and when DSS reaches out to folks after you make a reservation. Some report getting phone calls, some report getting a postcard/note in the mail, some report e-mails. I've recieved phone calls on most of my reservations, haven't experienced any of the other methods.

But regardless, you don't need to wait for them to reach out to you. You can e-mail or call them anytime, just include your reservation number in the e-mail or have ready when you call. Contact info below:

disney.signature.services@disneyworld.com
(407) 939-7777

On the balconies, that's one of the more common gripes I tend to read about BC (eg, that the balcony options are all over the place). Folks like @TJA can probably be more specific and help with room requests to maximize the chances of getting something that works for you.

Have fun!

 

[mrsap]

We just checked into YC CL an hour ago! The YC is undergoing room renovations right now, but they started on the club level floor, so these rooms are all done. Check the Y& B thread, page 1. Dee has links to pictures people have posted. We love YC & stay here at least once a year for more than 15 years. I haven't heard much about the food offerings lately. When we were here last in December they were pretty standard. We got here just before breakfast service ended this morning. They had cold ham & roast beef which were new since our last stay. And a few different breads too. I'll try to post some of the evening offerings as the week goes on.

But definately check the Y & B thread. Lots of updated info & recent guests on there.

May I ask, when you checked in, did they greet you downstairs and bring you up to the club level to check in? Thank you!

 

[Branflakes]

Eek! Departing in 2 days for YC!!! I am hoping they do the very nice greet you in the Porte Cochère, we should arrive at YC by 9:30 am ish. Looking forward to my morning cocktail

 

[TempleOT]

after much room switching - we are finally booked at the BC CL end of June! I have two questions:

1. I was wondering if someone can please let me know where the club lounge on the 5th floor is located? our kids go to sleep pretty early (around 8) so it would be nice to grab a glass of wine and sit on the balcony while they are asleep and I think being closer to the lounge works out well for this.

2. Is age 3 an absolute minimum for being allowed in the Sand Castle Club? Last time we used kids nite out for one night - but thought it would be more fun if they were able to spend some time in the kids club instead. My son will be three end of July.

TIA!!

Hi there! We just checked in to BC CL yesterday. We have room 5656, which is literally 3 doors down from the lounge and has a full balcony--fulfilling both of our requests. It's been great letting the kids hang in the room while we get a drink and snack!

 

[saintrob]

When we checked in to AKL a couple of weeks ago we'd already done online check in. Once we'd picked up our magic bands, a CM escorted us in the lift to the lounge. Another CM then gave us extra information in the lounge.

 

[petrola]

Hi there! We just checked in to BC CL yesterday. We have room 5656, which is literally 3 doors down from the lounge and has a full balcony--fulfilling both of our requests. It's been great letting the kids hang in the room while we get a drink and snack!

Hi! thank you so much for the info... enjoy your vacation!

 

[disnmooner2013]

When we checked in to AKL a couple of weeks ago we'd already done online check in. Once we'd picked up our magic bands, a CM escorted us in the lift to the lounge. Another CM then gave us extra information in the lounge.

Do you know if you don't do online check-in where the CL check-in is?

 

[pangyal]

Sort of oddball question, but does anyone who has stayed at AKL CL know whether they have any sort of sparkling water options available? I'm taking my dad and he drinks only that with his meals, so I'm wondering whether I need to stock up beforehand.

 

[jods]

Hi there, nice change! I spent a night at BC CL last summer, loved the lounge and food.

Not sure how closely you've followed the latest changes to the pre-arrival CL planning service? Last year it was called IPO (Itenerary Planning Office), and yes, you would usually (but not always) get an e-mail from them sometime after making your reservation. That service has been replaced with DSS (Disney Signature Services) which is fundamentally the same as IPO, just centralized and not-resort/CL specific like before.

Reports are somewhat inconsistent in how and when DSS reaches out to folks after you make a reservation. Some report getting phone calls, some report getting a postcard/note in the mail, some report e-mails. I've recieved phone calls on most of my reservations, haven't experienced any of the other methods.

But regardless, you don't need to wait for them to reach out to you. You can e-mail or call them anytime, just include your reservation number in the e-mail or have ready when you call. Contact info below:

disney.signature.services@disneyworld.com
(407) 939-7777

On the balconies, that's one of the more common gripes I tend to read about BC (eg, that the balcony options are all over the place). Folks like @TJA can probably be more specific and help with room requests to maximize the chances of getting something that works for you.

Have fun!

Thanks for the info! When did they change to one CL planning email? Last yr we had one specific to the poly CL and the first page of this thread has emails specific to each hotel. My husband is still picking a golf course (did magnolia last year and may try a different one this year) and then I'll reach out. Am I better off calling or emailing?

 

[focusondisney]

May I ask, when you checked in, did they greet you downstairs and bring you up to the club level to check in? Thank you!

No. I had recieved a text that our room was not ready (didn't expect it would be as we landed at 9:00 am). We arrived by town car, I actually had to show ID to the guard - that was a first. Bell services took our luggage. I did not tell him we were club level or stop at the lobby desk as we knew our way around. We went directly upstairs & didn't need to try our bands because someone else already on the elevator was going there. So we went directly to the club level desk & said we were checking in. CM seemed surprised but couldn't have been nicer. She sent us in to get breakfast. She found us a few minutes later in the lounge & said she asked for a room that was ready for us. So we had our room about 20 minutes after we arrived.

In the past I have just looked for a CM with an IPad (there wasn't one out there yesterday) or told the bell services that we were club level. They always find someone to take us up if we need it.

Heading to lounge now to check out apps, will report back later!

 

[beesly]

Do you know if you don't do online check-in where the CL check-in is?

Whether you do online check-in or not, you'll need to find a CM downstairs to escort you to the CL lounge. The CL check-in desks are located at the front of the lounge.

Sort of oddball question, but does anyone who has stayed at AKL CL know whether they have any sort of sparkling water options available? I'm taking my dad and he drinks only that with his meals, so I'm wondering whether I need to stock up beforehand.

I'm not sure if you could ask for it, but there definitely wasn't any out in the refrigerator when we were there in March.

 

[pangyal]

Whether you do online check-in or not, you'll need to find a CM downstairs to escort you to the CL lounge. The CL check-in desks are located at the front of the lounge.



I'm not sure if you could ask for it, but there definitely wasn't any out in the refrigerator when we were there in March.

Thanks so much! I confess, I focused most of my attention on the Amarula in previous visits and didn't take much note of the other options available

 

[mrsap]

No. I had recieved a text that our room was not ready (didn't expect it would be as we landed at 9:00 am). We arrived by town car, I actually had to show ID to the guard - that was a first. Bell services took our luggage. I did not tell him we were club level or stop at the lobby desk as we knew our way around. We went directly upstairs & didn't need to try our bands because someone else already on the elevator was going there. So we went directly to the club level desk & said we were checking in. CM seemed surprised but couldn't have been nicer. She sent us in to get breakfast. She found us a few minutes later in the lounge & said she asked for a room that was ready for us. So we had our room about 20 minutes after we arrived.

In the past I have just looked for a CM with an IPad (there wasn't one out there yesterday) or told the bell services that we were club level. They always find someone to take us up if we need it.

Heading to lounge now to check out apps, will report back later!

Thanks so much!!! Very helpful! Looking forward to hearing tonight's apps!!!

 

[jods]

May I ask, when you checked in, did they greet you downstairs and bring you up to the club level to check in? Thank you!

Last year when we stayed CL at poly there was noone to greet us. We went on the regular line and I found a cm and told them we were CL. He got someone to take us over which was especially nice since it started to downpour.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are looking to do a CL split stay in the end of August. I already booked 3 nights at AKL CL, but want to combine that with a couple nights at a different CL before that. We've stayed at most of the deluxe resorts (except GF), but never CL.

Of GF SL, WL, YC, or BW, which one would you recommend for food quality and overall lounge quality? This is a mostly resort oriented stay, and with it being so hot out, I think we'll really take advantage of not just the lounge offerings, but just enjoying the space to hang out. Do any of them have a decent view of anything? The price at those 4 are all close to the same, and we will be 2 adults with 1 or 2 teens.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Out of your four, I've stayed at two (GF SL, WL CL) both pretty recently. My wife was just at BWI CL in Feb so I have indirect experience there, but I'll limit my comments to the two I have a better handle on.

GF SL - No view, pretty generic lounge space, not a lounge I would 'hang out' in. Ranking purely on the lounge space alone, SL would be at the bottom of the ones I've been to (sorry SL fans). Lounge offerings are fitting for what you'd expect at GF - relatively top notch, flavorful, fresh, etc. I just posted a bunch of pics a few weeks ago, can find the link if needed. The location of the SL building is the biggest benefit to SL, in my mind. Just steps from the courtyard pool, boat doc, Gaspy's.

WL CL - The lounge is brand new, just opened at the end of Nov 2016. Very unique space that is open to the main WL lobby and also has two (small) balcony areas with views of MK fireworks (although not a great view). This definitely ranks somewhere in the Top 5 WDW CL lounge spaces, IMHO. It's cozy, casual, has a variety of seating options (chairs, tables, couches), little nooks, etc. I found the food to be excellent, arguably my favorite of the CLs I've been to in the last 12 months (tied maybe with BC CL). Large portions, some frankly bold flavors. Unique beverage selecation as well. WL rooms are pretty small, almost too small for the four of us.

So I'm going to give conflicting advice here. For a resort-oriented stay, I like GF as a resort over WL - the resort itself and the amenities just appeal to us more. But I like WL CL much more than GF SL.

There are some pretty neat looking things going on at WL at the moment. The Geyser Point Bar/Grill just opened and it's right on Bay Lake - looks like an awesome space. The new second pool will be open by your trip, which also looks like it will be a great space as well.

GF might be better for teens though?

Hope that helps!?!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for the info! When did they change to one CL planning email? Last yr we had one specific to the poly CL and the first page of this thread has emails specific to each hotel. My husband is still picking a golf course (did magnolia last year and may try a different one this year) and then I'll reach out. Am I better off calling or emailing?

Yeah, the info on page 1 is old, those e-mails won't work anymore (although I think you get an auto-reply directing you to e-mail DSS). They ended IPO sometime late last year. There was a several month period before they introduced DSS where there wasn't any pre-planning service available. DSS was introduced roughly in Jan this year if I'm not mistaken.

I do my communication with DSS mostly via e-mail, it's just easier. I can't remember if golf is one of those where they need your credit card to reserve - if so you'll have to call and give your credit card info for their files. It's not a bad idea to call them with your credit card anyway just so it's on file in case you end up needing them for anything where one is required (such as cabana booking, etc).

Hope that helps!