Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[ninafeliz]

Hi Everybody! What a great thread!!! We are staying DVC (rented) club level at AKV for the last two nights of our Jan trip and I am sooooo excited for it, I have no idea how I will stand the waiting! We haven't been fortunate enough to stay club level in MANY years.

So I do have a question for those in the know... We were hoping to arrive around 9ish the morning of check in and enjoy the lounge before heading off to AK for a few hours and then on our day of checkout our flight doesn't leave until 9:30 PM and we would love to hang in the lounge for the late afternoon and early evening. I know that this is ALLOWED but my question is, Is it annoying or frowned upon by the CM's? I saw in the beginning of this thread that someone said something to the effect of "don't sit there for 2 hours drinking wine, move along so others can have a seat also". Is this the general attitude/atmosphere in the lounge? I don't want CM's or other guests rolling their eyes at us if we hang out there for a few hours.... TIA for your opinions

It's allowed, I say do whatever YOU want to do, don't worry about what others think. I love reading these boards, but I have noticed that there are so many things that one person does that may annoy another. Everything bothers someone, and on message boards it can be blown all out of proportion, so within reason I've decided you have to do what you feel comfortable with and not worry about others!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Welcome to the CL thread .

As far as spending a lot of time in the lounge, go and have a great time and don't worry about it. You paid for CL and can spend as much time in the lounge as you want . We don't stay CL every trip but when we do, it's more for the lounge and having another place to sit and relax than the food offerings. I love sitting in the lounge taking in the atmosphere of the resort. With that said, a lot of people who have later flights spend that last day at the resort taking advantage of the lounge and food offerings before they have to head to airport. I would go and enjoy everything AKL CL has to offer .

Hi Everybody! What a great thread!!! We are staying DVC (rented) club level at AKV for the last two nights of our Jan trip and I am sooooo excited for it, I have no idea how I will stand the waiting! We haven't been fortunate enough to stay club level in MANY years.

So I do have a question for those in the know... We were hoping to arrive around 9ish the morning of check in and enjoy the lounge before heading off to AK for a few hours and then on our day of checkout our flight doesn't leave until 9:30 PM and we would love to hang in the lounge for the late afternoon and early evening. I know that this is ALLOWED but my question is, Is it annoying or frowned upon by the CM's? I saw in the beginning of this thread that someone said something to the effect of "don't sit there for 2 hours drinking wine, move along so others can have a seat also". Is this the general attitude/atmosphere in the lounge? I don't want CM's or other guests rolling their eyes at us if we hang out there for a few hours.... TIA for your opinions

I meant that more as a common sense approach to the limited seating available. If you have a table and you've been sitting there for hours while other guests are standing to eat with plates and glasses balanced in their arms then I think the right thing to do is get up. There are other things you can do while waiting for a late flight. You can enjoy the resort itself, the lobby, the pool, the grounds, you can go to Downtown Disney, you can go out to eat, visit other resorts, etc. Personally I don't think anyone is entitled to sit at a lounge table for hours on end just because they've paid for it. If that were the case they'd need about 100 more tables.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It's allowed, I say do whatever YOU want to do, don't worry about what others think. I love reading these boards, but I have noticed that there are so many things that one person does that may annoy another. Everything bothers someone, and on message boards it can be blown all out of proportion, so within reason I've decided you have to do what you feel comfortable with and not worry about others!!

As someone who has literally spent 100's of days staying club level at Disney I have seen some pretty abhorrent behavior. 90% of the time everything is great, the majority of people are kind and considerate to each other. I've had some awesome interactions with other guests and made friendships that have gone on for years. I met a family from England last week and ended up sitting with them for an hour helping to rebuild all the fastpasses they accidentally deleted. I love meeting people and helping people. That's one of the main reasons I continue to stay club level. But unfortunately the other 10% of the time proves there are extremely rude people in this world who think they have the right to do whatever they want with no care or consideration for others. They've spent their money and they consider everything in the lounge to be for them and to hell with everyone else. These are the people who stake out tables, don't share, clean out entire trays of food, let their kids run wild, and basically have no class or decency. They are the reason high quality food had to be taken away, water bottles had to be taken away, and the booze had to be monitored. Because they have no healthy boundaries or common sense. You may think I'm blowing it out of proportion but you can talk to club level castmembers and hear these same stories.

 

[mickeynut1]

I meant that more as a common sense approach to the limited seating available. If you have a table and you've been sitting there for hours while other guests are standing to eat with plates and glasses balanced in their arms then I think the right thing to do is get up. There are other things you can do while waiting for a late flight. You can enjoy the resort itself, the lobby, the pool, the grounds, you can go to Downtown Disney, you can go out to eat, visit other resorts, etc. Personally I don't think anyone is entitled to sit at a lounge table for hours on end just because they've paid for it. If that were the case they'd need about 100 more tables.

Nobody said anything about it being ok for guests to hoard tables/chairs for no good reason. The OP asked if it was ok to sit in the lounge for a few hours while waiting to leave for a late flight. If someone was trying to juggle plates and glasses and no seats were available and someone was just sitting taking up a table, the courteous thing to do is get up and let them have the table. I didn't take the OP's question to mean that they'd sit there hours on end taking up space while watching other people stand and try to eat. There are plenty of things to do around the resorts that don't involve sitting in the lounge, but some lounges are relaxing and if there are empty seats with no one waiting to sit/eat, they are open to anyone for any period of time.

 

[trishadono]

I enjoy using the lounge on check in and check out days. For us I found the only busy times are breakfast and 5-6pm. My ds loves to hang out instead of pool time and I have let him(a teen) . I plan on using the lounge for our check out day this week. Our flight is at 7:45 pm and August usually has rain in the afternoons. I PLAN on eating as many scones and bowls of trifle I can before we head home.

Don't worry ! My eyes are bigger than my stomach so that is one scone and one scoop, lol!!! Perhaps a glass of champagne too!

ERIKA, for gf in SL this week I received the email to sign up for texting and FP+ is included for 4th. I also received another email to "stream line" my check in.i have memorized the room numbers for SL so i did that. If I get a room I don't prefer I'll check but I'm not worried, SL has great rooms. We had a tree room there 6210 and I still enjoyed that view.

Let me know if anyone has any sugarloaf picture requests, or q's!

 

[sfbank]

TigrlvsPooh--I am in total agreement with you. I have not only heard stories I have seen some behavior that makes you just shake your head and be glad at least some people have common sense. Unsupervised kids? How about when they come into the lounge and finger all the food??!! I also love when people show up in their robes and bare feet--there is food in the lounge!! My favorite- Come sit on the cushioned chairs in your wet bathing suit so the chairs are wet for the next 4 hrs so nobody else can sit in them. I know they are on vacation and can do whatever they want.............

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I enjoy using the lounge on check in and check out days. For us I found the only busy times are breakfast and 5-6pm. My ds loves to hang out instead of pool time and I have let him(a teen) . I plan on using the lounge for our check out day this week. Our flight is at 7:45 pm and August usually has rain in the afternoons. I PLAN on eating as many scones and bowls of trifle I can before we head home.

Don't worry ! My eyes are bigger than my stomach so that is one scone and one scoop, lol!!! Perhaps a glass of champagne too!

ERIKA, for gf in SL this week I received the email to sign up for texting and FP+ is included for 4th. I also received another email to "stream line" my check in.i have memorized the room numbers for SL so i did that. If I get a room I don't prefer I'll check but I'm not worried, SL has great rooms. We had a tree room there 6210 and I still enjoyed that view.

Let me know if anyone has any sugarloaf picture requests, or q's!

I got that same email last week, I'm glad to hear they haven't discontinued it! I really thought it was an amazing service.
We had a tree room, 6323, but I didn't mind. We could still see the monorail to our right.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My full BC CL report is finally done! https://erika_murphy.silvrback.com/disney-s-newly-renovated-beach-club-resort

Now on to the GF!

 

[anita46]

Thank you for posting your review. Loved the pics.
Anita

 

[anita46]

We will be at BC CL 10-26 till 10-30.
Anita

 

[FTM22]

Hi Everybody! What a great thread!!! We are staying DVC (rented) club level at AKV for the last two nights of our Jan trip and I am sooooo excited for it, I have no idea how I will stand the waiting! We haven't been fortunate enough to stay club level in MANY years.

So I do have a question for those in the know... We were hoping to arrive around 9ish the morning of check in and enjoy the lounge before heading off to AK for a few hours and then on our day of checkout our flight doesn't leave until 9:30 PM and we would love to hang in the lounge for the late afternoon and early evening. I know that this is ALLOWED but my question is, Is it annoying or frowned upon by the CM's? I saw in the beginning of this thread that someone said something to the effect of "don't sit there for 2 hours drinking wine, move along so others can have a seat also". Is this the general attitude/atmosphere in the lounge? I don't want CM's or other guests rolling their eyes at us if we hang out there for a few hours.... TIA for your opinions

Last year at AKL CL, the CMs were very glad to have us for however long we wished to stay. There were some who even asked if we needed anything. I wouldn't worry at all, as long as everyone in your party is well-behaved. I never saw the lounge crowded at AKL.

 

[Disney2013Girl]

So this seems like an odd post to make on this board, but I do think that it's appropriate? I saw someone post earlier about sweet and sour mix to make their own mixed drinks, I'm not a heavy drinker by any means, so my knowledge of most alcohol is very limited. Wine and beer are straight-forward enough, but you just sip cordials? Do you mix them? My knowledge of "complicated drinks" caps off at jack and coke, long islands, and margaritas and other than the J&Coke, my knowledge stops at "I'd like a long island ice tea please".

 

[trishadono]

So this seems like an odd post to make on this board, but I do think that it's appropriate? I saw someone post earlier about sweet and sour mix to make their own mixed drinks, I'm not a heavy drinker by any means, so my knowledge of most alcohol is very limited. Wine and beer are straight-forward enough, but you just sip cordials? Do you mix them? My knowledge of "complicated drinks" caps off at jack and coke, long islands, and margaritas and other than the J&Coke, my knowledge stops at "I'd like a long island ice tea please".

I realized I had not ever tried any of the cordials and at my age I'm thinking no time like the present!

So I have tried them all. I really like the grand mariner with chocolate desserts or the cobbler at WL. I like it both at room temp or over ice.

I also tried the Brandy (starts with a C and I am not doing to attempt spelling!) that was yummy with cobbler too! It is kind of strong though.

The Amoretto is good and I googled recipes and mixed it at home with scotch. It was too sweet otherwise.

Baileys over ice alone or with milk is good. Just ask a cm for milk and mix your own.

I do like to mix either the wine or champage with POG juice from poly or other juices too.

Pour a little and take a sip, ya never know but at least you can say you tried it. I am looking forward to a nice dessert and Grand Marnier this week, yummmmy!

 

[gwynne]

I realized I had not ever tried any of the cordials and at my age I'm thinking no time like the present!

So I have tried them all. I really like the grand mariner with chocolate desserts or the cobbler at WL. I like it both at room temp or over ice.

I also tried the Brandy (starts with a C and I am not doing to attempt spelling!) that was yummy with cobbler too! It is kind of strong though.

The Amoretto is good and I googled recipes and mixed it at home with scotch. It was too sweet otherwise.

Baileys over ice alone or with milk is good. Just ask a cm for milk and mix your own.

I do like to mix either the wine or champage with POG juice from poly or other juices too.

Pour a little and take a sip, ya never know but at least you can say you tried it. I am looking forward to a nice dessert and Grand Marnier this week, yummmmy!

While you're sampling, don't forget Amarula. I'm not sure if all the CL's have it, but it's very nice.

 

[Disney2013Girl]

I realized I had not ever tried any of the cordials and at my age I'm thinking no time like the present!

So I have tried them all. I really like the grand mariner with chocolate desserts or the cobbler at WL. I like it both at room temp or over ice.

I also tried the Brandy (starts with a C and I am not doing to attempt spelling!) that was yummy with cobbler too! It is kind of strong though.

The Amoretto is good and I googled recipes and mixed it at home with scotch. It was too sweet otherwise.

Baileys over ice alone or with milk is good. Just ask a cm for milk and mix your own.

I do like to mix either the wine or champage with POG juice from poly or other juices too.

Pour a little and take a sip, ya never know but at least you can say you tried it. I am looking forward to a nice dessert and Grand Marnier this week, yummmmy!

I'll have to try them over the week we are there. I'm not normally a straight-up type person, so this should be interesting.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'll have to try them over the week we are there. I'm not normally a straight-up type person, so this should be interesting.

You aren't alone, my knowledge is limited to Bailey's in coffee!

 

[Disney2013Girl]

You aren't alone, my knowledge is limited to Bailey's in coffee!

lol I recently branched out and tried whiskey and ginger ale and it was pretty tasty, I forgot about that.

 

[FTM22]

Bailey's is very good in hot chocolate too. If you aren't sure what mixes well, I bet a CM would be happy to offer suggestions. For that matter, find a book or ebook on mixed drinks and browse for what sounds good. The internet is a plethora of information at your fingertips.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Also, I asked the concierge for the texting number for the 4th fast pass and she looked at me like I had three heads and told me that it was Limited Time Magic and they're not doing it anymore. I haven't asked anyone else.

That's big bummer!

 

[Dispro1]

So this seems like an odd post to make on this board, but I do think that it's appropriate? I saw someone post earlier about sweet and sour mix to make their own mixed drinks, I'm not a heavy drinker by any means, so my knowledge of most alcohol is very limited. Wine and beer are straight-forward enough, but you just sip cordials? Do you mix them? My knowledge of "complicated drinks" caps off at jack and coke, long islands, and margaritas and other than the J&Coke, my knowledge stops at "I'd like a long island ice tea please".

I agree with the person who recommended using the internet...it's like having a "bartender's bible" at your fingertips if you have a smartphone! You may just have to improvise a little. There are quite a few things you can mix with the grand marnier and Disarrono. I don't remember there being any Bailey's...Am I forgetting or did I just miss it? DH doesn't remember Bailey's either??!! But they always have Kahlua which is great mixed with one of the lattes from then nespresso machine. Or you could try it straight like Trish said...I've done that too It's vacation...enjoy...within reason, of course