Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[mmmears]

It's been a few years since our last trip. Last time, both IPO offices (we do split stays) told me there was no need or benefit to doing the online check-in if we were staying CL. Now I see that many people here are doing it. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of doing the online check-in for us? (First resort we will be arriving late, around dinner time. Second one will probably be around 10am if that makes a difference).

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Has anyone written to AKL and gotten information on when all the reno will end and how/when it will effect CL? Thank you!

I posted a few pages back... here's the response I got from the IPO:

Dumela (Greetings) Erika,

Thank you for asking. The Disney Vacation Club rooms on the 5th floor will be going through what we call a soft goods renovation. This would be carpet, drapes, bedding and furniture. There may be some noise in specific areas between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.. The lounge does not get work done on it unit May.


At your service,

Don

WALT DISNEY WORLD ® Concierge Itinerary Planner
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Where the Spirit of Africa Comes Alive
Itinerary Planning Office

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It's been a few years since our last trip. Last time, both IPO offices (we do split stays) told me there was no need or benefit to doing the online check-in if we were staying CL. Now I see that many people here are doing it. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of doing the online check-in for us? (First resort we will be arriving late, around dinner time. Second one will probably be around 10am if that makes a difference).

If you want to go straight to your room, which I love doing, then online check-in is perfect. On my last 3 trips we've gotten the room ready text either at the airport or while riding DME, so once we arrived at our resort we could go straight to our room. My kids are always anxious to get going so it lets us move quickly. Bit of advice, if you want your welcome cocktail or gift (depending on resort) stop at the CL desk and talk to a castmember. Let them know you just arrived and are going direct to room. They'll have some stuff to give you.

If you are not in a hurry and prefer to take things slowly...be escorted to the CL, speak with the CMs, ask questions, have a welcome drink, be escorted to your room, possibly requesting a room change, etc, etc, then there's really no point in doing online check-in. The only thing it saves is a bit of time with presenting your credit card and signing the slip.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks so much, TigrLvsPooh! I think I prefer to get the packet and check-in. Also I want to make sure that they use the right CC when they charge us for the room.

 

[schwaa]

Thanks so much, TigrLvsPooh! I think I prefer to get the packet and check-in. Also I want to make sure that they use the right CC when they charge us for the room.

This is an interesting point (not sure if you were kidding or not with the wink). We were at the GF in December (not CL level unfortunately). I did online check in. I had my credit card already stored in MDE (It's the same one I used in Dec 14 at CR, and Dec 13 at OKW). When I got off my plane, there was a text that I needed to check in at the front desk. I was excited thinking I got upgraded!!! When i got there, the front desk said they didn't have a card on file for me and needed to check me in manually. I gave him my credit card, and we got our room (what I requested BTW), and went about our trip. A few days after the trip, I kept checking my bank account to see the room charge deduction. It never appeared. After a week, my partner asks me what this charge was on his credit card. Somehow, they charged his credit card (which was used for one of the payment in MDE, but was not saved).

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

This is an interesting point (not sure if you were kidding or not with the wink). We were at the GF in December (no CL level). I did online check in. I had my credit card already stored in MDE (It's the same one I used in Dec 14 at CR, and Dec 13 at OKW). When I got off my plane, there was a text that I needed to check in at the front desk. I was excited thinking I got upgraded!!! When i got there, the front desk said they didn't have a card on file for me and needed to check me in manually. I gave him my credit card, and we got our room (what I requested BTW), and went about our trip. A few days after the trip, I kept checking my bank account to see the room charge deduction. It never appeared. After a week, my partner asks me what this charge was on his credit card. Somehow, they charged his credit card (which was used for one of the payment in MDE, but was not saved).

This has happened to me. I had the same credit card saved in MDE for a long time, probably a year or two, I used it for resort payments and also for making ADRs. Never had a problem. Then when I got my new credit card with the chip in it my account number changed, so I went into my MDE account and updated the card on file in my profile and also for my online check-in. I did this well in advance of my trip, but for some reason it didn't register with billing. Sometimes there seems to be a disconnect in information that is added to MDE and information that is gathered through the WDWTC/CRO. Even though the current and correct info was in MDE the resort was still using the card on file with the travel company that they last had in their system for an old payment. To avoid this happening I recommend not only updating the card in MDE but also calling WDWTC or CRO to update it directly in their system as well. These different systems don't talk to each other the way they should, then throw the resort's own billing system into the mix and you've got three separate databases of billing info trying to work together. I had a heck of a time getting my Beach Club room charging fixed last trip because they were trying to charge the old card and it kept declining the payment which resulted in them calling me and basically turning me over to the collections department at Disney. Once it goes to them they can literally access any credit card you've ever used to try and get the payment. It's crazy. I sooooo dread when I have to change my card again in a few years.

 

[mimi1016]

If you want to go straight to your room, which I love doing, then online check-in is perfect. On my last 3 trips we've gotten the room ready text either at the airport or while riding DME, so once we arrived at our resort we could go straight to our room. My kids are always anxious to get going so it lets us move quickly. Bit of advice, if you want your welcome cocktail or gift (depending on resort) stop at the CL desk and talk to a castmember. Let them know you just arrived and are going direct to room. They'll have some stuff to give you.

If you are not in a hurry and prefer to take things slowly...be escorted to the CL, speak with the CMs, ask questions, have a welcome drink, be escorted to your room, possibly requesting a room change, etc, etc, then there's really no point in doing online check-in. The only thing it saves is a bit of time with presenting your credit card and signing the slip.

Does the Poly have welcome drinks/gifts?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Does the Poly have welcome drinks/gifts?

The last time I was there it was a box of chocolates. But that's been a couple of years.

 

[jpalasky]

Please add me to the BC CL for May 7th -14th 2016. WV/LVIV. This is our first time staying CL and also first time at BC. We usually stay at Poly.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I had a heck of a time getting my Beach Club room charging fixed last trip because they were trying to charge the old card and it kept declining the payment which resulted in them calling me and basically turning me over to the collections department at Disney. Once it goes to them they can literally access any credit card you've ever used to try and get the payment. It's crazy. I sooooo dread when I have to change my card again in a few years.

We had this happen when we were at OKW last February. The Disney tech guy that I talked to later said that it is best to delete the old card and then wait at least a day before adding the new card. I did this and haven't had a problem with the old card reappearing on any of our four subsequent trips.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does the Poly have welcome drinks/gifts?

No welcome drinks, but you do get a nice box of chocolates. They are good (IMO). They do have a little fridge by the check in desks wth sodas and will probably offer you something while you check in, or you can ask.

 

[mmmears]

This is an interesting point (not sure if you were kidding or not with the wink). We were at the GF in December (not CL level unfortunately). I did online check in. I had my credit card already stored in MDE (It's the same one I used in Dec 14 at CR, and Dec 13 at OKW). When I got off my plane, there was a text that I needed to check in at the front desk. I was excited thinking I got upgraded!!! When i got there, the front desk said they didn't have a card on file for me and needed to check me in manually. I gave him my credit card, and we got our room (what I requested BTW), and went about our trip. A few days after the trip, I kept checking my bank account to see the room charge deduction. It never appeared. After a week, my partner asks me what this charge was on his credit card. Somehow, they charged his credit card (which was used for one of the payment in MDE, but was not saved).

I put the wink in because it shouldn't be a problem, but it sure seems like it's one at WDW these days. We put down the deposit with the Disney Visa, but I want to use an AMEX for the balance. Clearly it's something that we are going to have to pay attention to when we check in. Yikes on what happened to you - that's why I want to make sure they do things correctly with us. I can't remember the details, but we have had a billing issue or two in the past. It never happens at other hotels.

 

[schwaa]

I'm planning on not doing the online check in so I can give them my card when I check in. Plus it makes more sense with the personalized check in of club level, right? I want the full experience my first time.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you!

You're welcome .

I think I prefer to get the packet and check-in.

This is my preference too .

We were at the GF in December (not CL level unfortunately). I did online check in. I had my credit card already stored in MDE (It's the same one I used in Dec 14 at CR, and Dec 13 at OKW). When I got off my plane, there was a text that I needed to check in at the front desk. I was excited thinking I got upgraded!!! When i got there, the front desk said they didn't have a card on file for me and needed to check me in manually. I gave him my credit card, and we got our room (what I requested BTW), and went about our trip. A few days after the trip, I kept checking my bank account to see the room charge deduction. It never appeared. After a week, my partner asks me what this charge was on his credit card. Somehow, they charged his credit card (which was used for one of the payment in MDE, but was not saved).

It's sad how many reports there are of people having trouble just as you described .

Please add me to the BC CL for May 7th -14th 2016. WV/LVIV. This is our first time staying CL and also first time at BC. We usually stay at Poly.

Hope you have a great trip and enjoy CL .

I put the wink in because it shouldn't be a problem, but it sure seems like it's one at WDW these days. We put down the deposit with the Disney Visa, but I want to use an AMEX for the balance. Clearly it's something that we are going to have to pay attention to when we check in. Yikes on what happened to you - that's why I want to make sure they do things correctly with us. I can't remember the details, but we have had a billing issue or two in the past. It never happens at other hotels.

You are so right! Guests shouldn't have to worry about not being charged properly. I hope things go smoothly for you and there aren't any problems during your trip .

I'm planning on not doing the online check in so I can give them my card when I check in. Plus it makes more sense with the personalized check in of club level, right? I want the full experience my first time.

I hope you have a great CL experience .

 

[Caseystigger]

My sister and I are staying at BWI for the first time next month for my 40th B-day. Just wondering if anyone knew what the offerings are in the lounge in the middle of the day and the snacks in the evening? Do they change daily?

TIA
Erica

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

The 50 best hotels in the USA by US News and World Report: http://travel.usnews.com/gallery/the-50-best-hotels-in-the-usa-2016/

The Four Seasons Orlando Walt Disney World made the list at #34!! No surprise there. I need another stay soon!

No Disney resorts on the list... also probably not a surprise.

 

[eastendlights]

Our rooms have almost always been ready when we arrived because our flights usually landed at around 1:00. (We did have long waits for our suites at AKL, every time we stayed there, way past normal check in.) Anyway, next month we have an early flight that lands at 10:20. We will be taking ME per usual and I was just wondering what the chances are of our room being ready by 12. We have a CL LV room at BC if that matters. Would online check-in make that more likely? One reason I prefer to check in there is that Neil always makes my daughter a special birthday button (she will turn 20 on this trip) and it is fun to receive it in person. So, if online check in does not make the chance of the room being ready early, I would rather just do it there.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Please add me to the BC CL for May 7th -14th 2016. WV/LVIV. This is our first time staying CL and also first time at BC. We usually stay at Poly.

Got you added!

 

[gwynne]

It's been a few years since our last trip. Last time, both IPO offices (we do split stays) told me there was no need or benefit to doing the online check-in if we were staying CL. Now I see that many people here are doing it. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of doing the online check-in for us? (First resort we will be arriving late, around dinner time. Second one will probably be around 10am if that makes a difference).

I don't think one or the other is better, it's more what you prefer.

I like to check in in person, so that's what we do. I'd rather make sure everything is set while I'm at the desk. Things like making sure they have the correct CC, asking any last minute questions and picking up our packet. I caught a rather concerning error while checking in a few trips back. I was glad I was able to point it out and the CM's went to work correcting the error.
I always let the IPO know how we will be arriving and approximately what time by email ahead of time. I usually do that a couple of months or so before we arrive. I also let them know our departure plans.
I'm not a big fan of the multi-sheet information form that some of the IPO's send out. It's long, and most of it is irrelevant to our needs. I've found brief emails about our travel plans are a great alternative and much are much easier and quicker.

Hope this helps, and happy planning!

 

[cocoabean1]

We checked into the BC CL in December, we did not do online check in. When we arrived we were brought upstairs to CL. We received our welcome drink and the Cast Member said "Would you like to pay the balance of your bill with the credit card on file?" I asked how much the bill was, he said $1300.00. I paid the entire bill off in November, so I was shocked. It took them about 30 minutes to finally figure out the I had no balance. (I don't think they believed me). This is one of the reasons that I don't do online check in.

So, just a word of warning.

We will be back Nov 14-21 at the BC GV CL. I will pay this off before we leave home and hopefully we don't have this same problem again!!