Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[roxysmum123]

I booked a Deluxe Room at the Wilderness Lodge with Club level access. The Deluxe rooms are on levels 1-5 and the Old Faithful Lounge is on Level 7. My first instinct would be to request level 5 to be close to the CL lounge to grab breakfast. My husband was thinking to request level 1 so you don't have to deal with the elevator getting in and out the room. I am only anticipating using the lounge in the morning for breakfast. I don't have a stroller and my kids are old enough to head to the lounge by themselves. The Old Faithful Concierge had emailed me if I had any questions/requests etc and I am planning to include the room request in my email back to them. Any advice? Room numbers are great too! And yes, I know it is just a "request" lol. Posted this on the regular Disney Resort forum but no responses yet. thanks!

Not sure if it's too late to put my two cents in, but I'd recommend level 2 at least.....on the first floor you will get 100% of the foot traffic which can sometimes include kids running through the hallways like they're in a racetrack while waiting for their slow parents to catch up or get to the elevators. Even if you're off the beaten track, I find there's always kids zipping around the halls on the lower floors lol. Second floor you can easily take the stairs down.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hurray, @GADisneyDad14 , I was hoping you would weigh in! You were so helpful in my planning for our holiday 2017 trip (Sugarloaf/ RPC TPV split). A few follow-up points/questions please, if you don't mind!

We are generally not super adventurous- once we find something we like (GF!), we tend to stick to it! The GF theme, transportation options, sleep five rooms, balconies, and nice amount and variety of food offerings in the lounge were all a match for us. However, we're also drawn to the (relative) quiet at WL, and the positive reviews of the CL experience there. **Would you consider one of the standard WL CL rooms (not deluxe) over RPC, or does RPC still win in your mind?**

Also, did you find the standard view RPC rooms to be satisfactory? We had TPV, which obviously was fantastic, but probably wouldn't spring for RPC TPV next time, as I didn't have a great split stay transition and may like to avoid a split stay.

As I review photos and reports of the CL food offerings, though the WL choices look wonderful, they seem to be limited and very themed- stews, cobblers, etc. I think it's wonderful that they stick with the theme of the resort, however, I don't know that that would be a match for picky children! We also have some minor medical issues that make a plentiful CL 'spread' important. So the GF CL food seems to be a win for us here. Do you have any further input regarding the CL food comparison between the two resorts, as you've experienced both?

To your point of 'ignoring the cost for the moment', we are not AP holders and I highly doubt we'll get a discount on WL CL or RPC, so given that we pay rack rate, it is a consideration. However, while we won't be staying in a Poly bungalow (sadly!), we would go for RPC if it's the best fit for us.

THANK YOU so very much in advance for your input! While we are more recently doing an OKW 2BR Villa in the spring with a larger party, the CL lover in me can't stop planning our next CL stay!

I'm 61 posts behind - sorry!

I know what you mean about sticking to what you like. Our first CL stay was Poly and we repeated there many, many times before branching out. Poly was/is our "match." With the prices, I was/am always so hesitant to try other places - that was one of the main reasons I started to come around DISBoards.

Regarding WL, I think I may have posted in my 2016 review that I would have rather had a standard room vs the Deluxe and just dealt with the smaller room. A few years later, the four of us have 'survived' in small rooms (ahem, AKL) - so we can do it. I would have much rather been closer to the lounge and dealt with a smaller room.

But standard room WL CL vs RPC? I don't know - that's a tough one. SO DIFFERENT. I think between those two, I go back to my default.... resort/location first, CL/room second.

I'm hesitant to comment on the food at either. With our WL stay 11/16 and RPC 2/16, my input is rather stale. Plus I got (not nice DIS word) with that small blip of "cutbacks" 1Q16 when I was at RPC. Pictures these days look nothing like what we experienced there then.

As to RPC standard vs TPV... my personal opinon is that a TPV room isn't 'worth it' at RPC. The off angle of the castle and rather narrow view corridor between buildings just doesn't get me as excited as TPV rooms at Poly or CR (FULL DISCLOSURE, I have not stayed in a RPC TPV room, just going from pics/my perception of what it would be like, which can be dangerous). Our standard room was awesome - judging solely on the room/view, it ranks up there towards the top for me.

Anyways, not much help I know. Curious to hear what you end up deciding.

PS: Keep on eye on general public discounts. Rack rate can be rough!

 

[Rachel GB]

I'm 61 posts behind - sorry!

I know what you mean about sticking to what you like. Our first CL stay was Poly and we repeated there many, many times before branching out. Poly was/is our "match." With the prices, I was/am always so hesitant to try other places - that was one of the main reasons I started to come around DISBoards.

Regarding WL, I think I may have posted in my 2016 review that I would have rather had a standard room vs the Deluxe and just dealt with the smaller room. A few years later, the four of us have 'survived' in small rooms (ahem, AKL) - so we can do it. I would have much rather been closer to the lounge and dealt with a smaller room.

But standard room WL CL vs RPC? I don't know - that's a tough one. SO DIFFERENT. I think between those two, I go back to my default.... resort/location first, CL/room second.

I'm hesitant to comment on the food at either. With our WL stay 11/16 and RPC 2/16, my input is rather stale. Plus I got (not nice DIS word) with that small blip of "cutbacks" 1Q16 when I was at RPC. Pictures these days look nothing like what we experienced there then.

As to RPC standard vs TPV... my personal opinon is that a TPV room isn't 'worth it' at RPC. The off angle of the castle and rather narrow view corridor between buildings just doesn't get me as excited as TPV rooms at Poly or CR (FULL DISCLOSURE, I have not stayed in a RPC TPV room, just going from pics/my perception of what it would be like, which can be dangerous). Our standard room was awesome - judging solely on the room/view, it ranks up there towards the top for me.

Anyways, not much help I know. Curious to hear what you end up deciding.

PS: Keep on eye on general public discounts. Rack rate can be rough!

@GADisneyDad14 , THANK YOU! I’m going to carefully read through your response, but had to throw this in there right off the bat in regards to your comment about the TPV- here was the view from our RPC TPV room first thing in the morning!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Love reading your positive post about AKL CL as we are staying there in October and very excited to expierence their CL

You probably saw these, but in case you didn't, here were my pics from April: AKL CL - April 2018

I fully expected to not like AKL or AKL CL. It's sort of the opposite of all of the things we thought we liked about Disney resorts. Long walk to the lounge? No thanks! 100% bus dependent? Yikes.

But, we fell in love. The only problem now is trying to find the time/right trip to make it back there.

 

[mrsap]

You probably saw these, but in case you didn't, here were my pics from April: AKL CL - April 2018

I fully expected to not like AKL or AKL CL. It's sort of the opposite of all of the things we thought we liked about Disney resorts. Long walk to the lounge? No thanks! 100% bus dependent? Yikes.

But, we fell in love. The only problem now is trying to find the time/right trip to make it back there.

Do they have chicken nuggets there?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Do they have chicken nuggets there?

Why yes, they did. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Corn dogs on other nights too.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So, I'm considering my Poly GV CL room request. I'm leaning towards Floor 1 because easy pool access. But, sometimes a fam member or two naps in the afternoon and if the room are noisy from the pool I don't want them fighting that. My father wants easy club access but that would mean Floor 2 (right? the club is on Floor 2 with a mini seating area on floor 3 that has a staircase down into the rest of the club?) with no balconies. I'm trying to get the layout in my head to make the best request for us (and then watch us get exactly what we decided we didn't want! hey, it's wdw so it'll still be great though!)

IMO, pool noise from Poly CL GV rooms is a non-issue unless you are just really hyper-sensitive to sound. The building is far enough back from the pool and it's just not that noisy of a place - generally speaking. Could you hear a shreek or scream occasionally? Sure - but it's not like being in Samoa on the Lava Pool side when the afternoon party music/kids activities are going on.

(FWIW, I vote first or third floor)

 

[WalkDisneyWorld]

That view from the second floor lounge is especially helpful when the pool is closed for afternoon storms. It’s an easy visual “check” to see if it’s back open while getting up to grab another beverage from the fridge. No having to guess if the lightning/weather closure has passed.

That’s a great tip. Thank you! I hadn’t even realized before this that you could see the pool from the lounge! By the way, your detailed posts on the Poly CL are one of the main reasons I decided to go for it & try it out this trip. Seeing all of the photos you post & reading the experiences you take the time to share help CL newbies like me make more informed decisions about what we might like to try. Your posts are greatly appreciated!

 

[WalkDisneyWorld]

That pic was taken from that 2nd story window /top left . It is a staircase from lounge to cm desk area.

Poly is so fun. Lots of stuff. Beach, pools, tiki lights, walkways to gf and ttc. Views of EWP HEA and castle. I could go on and on!

Wow! That photo & description also really helps! Until you shared these, I didn’t even realize the pool was visible from the lounge. You are helping me get even more excited! I think my family is going to love this place!

 

[sjs314]

I'm 61 posts behind - sorry!

I know what you mean about sticking to what you like. Our first CL stay was Poly and we repeated there many, many times before branching out. Poly was/is our "match." With the prices, I was/am always so hesitant to try other places - that was one of the main reasons I started to come around DISBoards.

Regarding WL, I think I may have posted in my 2016 review that I would have rather had a standard room vs the Deluxe and just dealt with the smaller room. A few years later, the four of us have 'survived' in small rooms (ahem, AKL) - so we can do it. I would have much rather been closer to the lounge and dealt with a smaller room.

But standard room WL CL vs RPC? I don't know - that's a tough one. SO DIFFERENT. I think between those two, I go back to my default.... resort/location first, CL/room second.

I'm hesitant to comment on the food at either. With our WL stay 11/16 and RPC 2/16, my input is rather stale. Plus I got (not nice DIS word) with that small blip of "cutbacks" 1Q16 when I was at RPC. Pictures these days look nothing like what we experienced there then.

As to RPC standard vs TPV... my personal opinon is that a TPV room isn't 'worth it' at RPC. The off angle of the castle and rather narrow view corridor between buildings just doesn't get me as excited as TPV rooms at Poly or CR (FULL DISCLOSURE, I have not stayed in a RPC TPV room, just going from pics/my perception of what it would be like, which can be dangerous). Our standard room was awesome - judging solely on the room/view, it ranks up there towards the top for me.

Anyways, not much help I know. Curious to hear what you end up deciding.

PS: Keep on eye on general public discounts. Rack rate can be rough!

You probably saw these, but in case you didn't, here were my pics from April: AKL CL - April 2018

I fully expected to not like AKL or AKL CL. It's sort of the opposite of all of the things we thought we liked about Disney resorts. Long walk to the lounge? No thanks! 100% bus dependent? Yikes.

But, we fell in love. The only problem now is trying to find the time/right trip to make it back there.

Thanks so much for the link to your fantastic review, I had not yet read it !
Showing your room Location is very helpful as I know I am going to request Zebra Trail due to the distance to the elevator is a important consideration.

 

[TheNJMermaid]

My DD & I fell in love with AKL CL during our June trip. So much love that we changed our Poly CL Lagoon View reservation to AKL CL for our upcoming August trip. (nothing against the Poly, but everything about AKL was fantastic!) I treasure the memories created on that trip, and have my string of beads (earned from the AKL activities) hanging in my desk at work to remind me to keep working hard so I can go back!

So glad to hear this! Last time I stayed there we didn't make enough time for a lot of the activities, but I fully plan on experiencing as many as I can this time. At least the ones that are appropriate for a 29 year old child to partake in!

Thank you living vicariously through this thread until then

This is 100% me currently as well!

Or even morning beer
I keep hoping, why else would they make Oatmeal Stout, after all, if not for breakfast.
Now, Disney may not serve Oatmeal Stout in the lounge but I can pretend

Not going to lie, I definitely plan on requesting beermosas some mornings. They serve them at the Dawa bar in DAK but they are made with the Tusker Lager and soooo delicious so its basically a done deal for me. A totally acceptable morning beverage IMO!

 

[yaya74]

Don't be the person breaking that fancy Nespresso machine in the lounge....
watch this Youtube before you leave:

 

[WalkDisneyWorld]

Just a quick update on plans. I booked a Royal River View room at POR for our first night (we will probably get to WDW close to midnight). DD can wake up surrounded by princesses on her 16th birthday.

On her birthday, we have planned to head to take a boat to Disney Springs for a visit to the Void in the morning, followed by lunch at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'. After lunch we will drive to AKL to check in for our 9-night stay there. Some other plans that we have during the trip are:

• Sense of Africa tour (repeat from last trip, but we enjoyed it so much)
• Disney After Hours on August 11 (we did this in March of 2017 and enjoyed it, hope it's just as good in summer!)
• Star Wars dessert party (another repeat from last trip, but worth repeating!)
• Lunch at Sanaa - yummy
• Soak in all that is AKL and just relax and enjoy my time there!!

Our trip in June was a mother/daughter trip. This time, my DH (whose favorite resort is Poly) is going with us - I hope he enjoys AKL just as much as we do!

How fun that you were able to book a Royal Room; that sounds like a perfect beginning to your trip! And what a great birthday she’s going to have! (My kids have the Void on their to-do list as well!) You have such a great list of things to do—Sanaa is delicious & the After Hours event is one of my favorite Disney things I’ve ever done! Haven’t done a dessert party yet or Sense of Africa, but they both look amazing! And I think your DH is bound to love AKL CL! I just love how the atmosphere of the resort carries up over the balcony & spills over into the lounge there; I bet he will, too.

Sounds like our families like similar things at Disney.

 

[WalkDisneyWorld]

So I absolutely can't wait 22 days until my kids and I arrive for our AKL CL reservation during our split stay. This will be my 2nd time at Jambo House and my kids 1st but all of our 1st time staying at any Club Level! Beyond excited.

Our first time staying at any CL was also at AKL this past November. It was even better in person than any pictures I’d seen. It set the bar very high, but also let our family know that CL was definitely something we needed to keep on our radar.
And not sure how old your kids are, but one of the major perks for DS12 was using his magic band in the elevator to go to the special CL floor. He thought that was the best...thing...ever.

 

[AngiTN]

Don't be the person breaking that fancy Nespresso machine in the lounge....
watch this Youtube before you leave:

Except they aren't all the same machine as this one.

The biggest key to this machine, in my experience, don't have any kinks or folds in the flaps on the outside edges of the pods. Make sure they are all flat.

 

[Mika02]

Our first time staying at any CL was also at AKL this past November. It was even better in person than any pictures I’d seen. It set the bar very high, but also let our family know that CL was definitely something we needed to keep on our radar.
And not sure how old your kids are, but one of the major perks for DS12 was using his magic band in the elevator to go to the special CL floor. He thought that was the best...thing...ever.

My daughter is 16 and my boys are 11 and 7 and they will love that. I can't wait for the boys to see the pool, they love pools. When I came the 1st time Ioved the set up and the feel of the resort.

 

[trishadono]

That's great! I thought it was just available between 8:00 and 10:00 PM!

You can request beer and wine all day. They usually have it "out" 5-7 and again 8-10 there are cordials. Each resort is different as to what they have.

Check your resort board too. Someone there may have posted what currently is offered. My last stay there was 2015.

That's probably my fav thing about cl. At home I'm so busy but at Disney I treat myself to a wine in the afternoon and just try to relax a bit. I have pix of me at every resort pretty much on my balcony (if it had one) or in the room with a glass.

 

[Eastern]

Why yes, they did. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Corn dogs on other nights too.

The funny thing about the chicken nuggets (when we were at CR) was that they were the most popular thing served. They had some nice choices each night (although on the small side...) but people were literally piling the nuggets on their plates. It was like they were never going to see nuggets again!

 

[Eastern]

Don't be the person breaking that fancy Nespresso machine in the lounge....
watch this Youtube before you leave:

The machine is easy enough to operate once you see it done, but the milk steamer was another story. It was always getting clogged, or whatever it is milk steamers do when they want to misbehave.

 

[Eastern]

PS: Keep on eye on general public discounts. Rack rate can be rough!

People may also want to keep track of room only BB offers when they come out and schedule a visit. A BB discount on a future RPC stay can more than offset a quick trip down for a night or two. Or 4.