Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Maxie86]

Regarding the texting service, I'm at GF now and it is available but I'm not sure how anyone is supposed to know about it! It was never mentioned at check-in and it's not in any of the paperwork. I had to later ask a CL CM about it, but if I hadn't read about it here I wouldn't even know it existed. The CM that checked me in yesterday was not a CL CM, he was the CM the walked me up and he went ahead and did my check in since the (one) CL CM was busy. Maybe they would normally talk about it at check-in? Seems so strange. Haven't actually tried texting yet, planning to tonight.

The first time, when it was very new, we were told at check in and given a card with the number to text. After that I got an email about a week before with the number to text with our arrival date and time, and anything else they could help with before or after arrival. It was nice to have the texting set up before arrival. On a recent stay at the YC we were not told about the texting service...I asked at check in and was told that yes they have it and the information was in the welcome letter. I don't usually read the welcome letter, at least not right away so I would have missed it if I didn't ask.

 

[mmmears]

Just heard back from Disney on my email about lack of kid options at AKL. The lady was nice but said there was nothing Disney could do because the decision was solely up to the Club Level manager. She did encourage me to contact AKL as if they don't hear complaints or concerns they don't know it's an issue.

I think it does make sense to let them know how you feel about this since they won't know it's a problem unless people complain.

Same goes for the issues that people are experiencing on arrival. I do think they are feeling some pressure regarding the lack of greeters (it kind of came through on a call I had today with someone in the IPO office). If enough people let them know then perhaps things will change for the better.

And, yes, I agree that not booking is a good way to let them know, but it's a little late for some of us...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Alcohol guard at GF RPC..... (Actually, she is very nice, so this isn't really fair)...

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

The first time, when it was very new, we were told at check in and given a card with the number to text. After that I got an email about a week before with the number to text with our arrival date and time, and anything else they could help with before or after arrival. It was nice to have the texting set up before arrival. On a recent stay at the YC we were not told about the texting service...I asked at check in and was told that yes they have it and the information was in the welcome letter. I don't usually read the welcome letter, at least not right away so I would have missed it if I didn't ask.

I experienced the same thing. When they first rolled it out as a test I felt they really explained it well, and went above and beyond to make sure guests knew about the service and how to use it. Then after a few months went by it was just on the welcome letter. Now it doesn't even say fastpasses on the letter it just says "other services". So the average Joe wouldn't have a clue.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ok, average joe here, just checked and my letter does have the number but I didn't realize that was "the" texting service. Really odd they would put that kind of resources behind a service but not explain it.... Unless it's ultimately going to go away..

 

[eeyore81]

I think it does make sense to let them know how you feel about this since they won't know it's a problem unless people complain.

Same goes for the issues that people are experiencing on arrival. I do think they are feeling some pressure regarding the lack of greeters (it kind of came through on a call I had today with someone in the IPO office). If enough people let them know then perhaps things will change for the better.

And, yes, I agree that not booking is a good way to let them know, but it's a little late for some of us...

We love AKL and Disney too much.. Not booking is not an option.

 

[2golftoday]

Is there bottled water available in the sugar loaf lounge?

When we stayed at SL last December they had small bottles of water. They were not out you had to ask a CM for them.

 

[DJFan88]

When you use the texting service for the 4th FP, what exactly do you text? Like 4 for SM at 6 pm, or do you just request one and then it's in MDE for you to pick? Do you leave them your name or reservation number? And do they text you back any confirmation or info?

 

[MrToadfan]

Can anyone confirm if texting is still available at YC?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Wishes from last night. Pleasantly surprised I had a reasonable view from my room, wasn't expected! You could also see the Star Wars fireworks in the distance if you turned the other way.

 

[Maxie86]

Can anyone confirm if texting is still available at YC?

It was three weeks ago.

 

[mystery222184]

Would anyone be able to comment on the new BC lounge? We will be splitting w/ the Poly in November. We stayed at the YC a couple yrs ago and and the lounge was small and lacked available seating. Hoping the expanded BC is a bit better.

Not that it was a big deal to us, but we noticed the YC CMs were the most difficult with guests on wine/beer compared to the other resorts. Each glass of wine was about half of what is provided at GF and there was a strict 2 glass limit. Again not a huge deal as 1-2 glasses over dinner is all we would have, but interesting compared to the huge glasses at RPC or "to-go cups" @ WL.

 

[Maxie86]

When you use the texting service for the 4th FP, what exactly do you text? Like 4 for SM at 6 pm, or do you just request one and then it's in MDE for you to pick? Do you leave them your name or reservation number? And do they text you back any confirmation or info?[/QUOTE

When you use the texting service for the 4th FP, what exactly do you text? Like 4 for SM at 6 pm, or do you just request one and then it's in MDE for you to pick? Do you leave them your name or reservation number? And do they text you back any confirmation or info?

Text them your name and room number if you already checked in so they will know who you are when you text. I set mine up before arrival with name and arrival date and time. To get another FP just text and ask for whatever FP you want...they will confirm it or tell you it wasn't available and offer something else that is available. They also sent me a reminder text when I had a FP coming up or ADR...that wasn't always consistent though so don't rely on that completely. I also got texts the night before departure asking if there was anything they could do for us before we left, then thanking us for visiting and asking if we enjoyed our visit. You are texting IPO they can do anything IPO usually does. I have also used them to make ADR's while we were in the park. Of course that was before the cutbacks, I don't know if there are cutbacks in the IPO office too. I only have used it at the GF though so can't speak for how well it works at other resorts. It was available at the YC on our recent visit but I didn't use it.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Ok, average joe here, just checked and my letter does have the number but I didn't realize that was "the" texting service. Really odd they would put that kind of resources behind a service but not explain it.... Unless it's ultimately going to go away..

I wonder that as well. Back when we stayed in August they sent us an email before we arrived explaining the texting service, but I didn't get that email for our December stay. They always said from the beginning it was a test. Maybe the test wasn't what they were hoping. I LOVE the service, we used it almost every day. Such a bummer if they don't keep it.

When you use the texting service for the 4th FP, what exactly do you text? Like 4 for SM at 6 pm, or do you just request one and then it's in MDE for you to pick? Do you leave them your name or reservation number? And do they text you back any confirmation or info?

First you send a text with your name and room number to begin the conversation. Then they'll ask how they can help you. Then you write back with what you want. I would type: "We would like 3 fastpasses for Pirate of the Caribbean at 8:00 PM". Within a couple of minutes we'd hear back if they could do it or not. Sometimes they'd say something like "We have confirmed you for 3 fastpasses for Pirates of the Caribbean at the next available time of 8:45 PM". If it was a ride they couldn't get they'd offer us something else as an alternative.

Would anyone be able to comment on the new BC lounge? We will be splitting w/ the Poly in November. We stayed at the YC a couple yrs ago and and the lounge was small and lacked available seating. Hoping the expanded BC is a bit better.
Not that it was a big deal to us, but we noticed the YC CMs were the most difficult with guests on wine/beer compared to the other resorts. Each glass of wine was about half of what is provided at GF and there was a strict 2 glass limit. Again not a huge deal as 1-2 glasses over dinner is all we would have, but interesting compared to the huge glasses at RPC or "to-go cups" @ WL.

The new lounge at the BC has tons of seating. There are two rooms of tables, very rarely did we have a problem finding a place to sit unless it was during the morning rush.
As for the wine pouring, I think they all pour about the same amount across all the resorts now. I've never been turned away or told I have hit my limit.

 

[mystery222184]

The new lounge at the BC has tons of seating. There are two rooms of tables, very rarely did we have a problem finding a place to sit unless it was during the morning rush.
As for the wine pouring, I think they all pour about the same amount across all the resorts now. I've never been turned away or told I have hit my limit.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Maxie86]

November. We stayed at the YC a couple yrs ago and and the lounge was small and lacked available seating. Hoping the expanded BC is a bit better.

Not that it was a big deal to us, but we noticed the YC CMs were the most difficult with guests on wine/beer compared to the other resorts. Each glass of wine was about half of what is provided at GF and there was a strict 2 glass limit. Again not a huge deal as 1-2 glasses over dinner is all we would have, but interesting compared to the huge glasses at RPC or "to-go cups" @ WL.[/QUOTE]

The YC lounge has been enlarged as well. We were just there the beginning of February. No rationing of wine, the CM's kept refiling glasses without even being asked. They remembered what you drank and would come to your table and refill your glass.

ETA: For some reason it didn't quote the whole post, I was replying to mystery222184

 

[kcpinwdw]

I'm 10 days from our 180 day mark and I got our email from the IPO this morning with my planning sheets. I am pretty sure I am just going to make my own reservations, though. We are going pretty light on the planning this trip, planning mostly to enjoy the hot weather at the Poly pools and the CL amenities. But I am considering V&A one night while the kids go to Lilo's. Is there any downside to doing it myself that I am missing??

 

[mickeynut1]

Wishes from last night. Pleasantly surprised I had a reasonable view from my room, wasn't expected! You could also see the Star Wars fireworks in the distance if you turned the other way.

View attachment 153217

What a great pic, thanks for posting .

I'm 10 days from our 180 day mark and I got our email from the IPO this morning with my planning sheets. I am pretty sure I am just going to make my own reservations, though. We are going pretty light on the planning this trip, planning mostly to enjoy the hot weather at the Poly pools and the CL amenities. But I am considering V&A one night while the kids go to Lilo's. Is there any downside to doing it myself that I am missing??

No downside that I can think of. We have never been to V&A, but I have never had any problem getting any ADRs I wanted (even when I've tweaked them a month or two before our trip) .

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Just heard back from Disney on my email about lack of kid options at AKL. The lady was nice but said there was nothing Disney could do because the decision was solely up to the Club Level manager. She did encourage me to contact AKL as if they don't hear complaints or concerns they don't know it's an issue.

Thanks for the follow up - that's a bit disheartening! Based on your post, I plan to contact the club level manager (again, once I figure out how!) to reiterate my concerns, especially - as I have mentioned - the IPO staff kept insisting "it's been a big hit!" Doesn't sound like it's the complete success that they think it is!

 

[WiscMomof2]

Would anyone be able to comment on the new BC lounge? We will be splitting w/ the Poly in November. We stayed at the YC a couple yrs ago and and the lounge was small and lacked available seating. Hoping the expanded BC is a bit better.

Not that it was a big deal to us, but we noticed the YC CMs were the most difficult with guests on wine/beer compared to the other resorts. Each glass of wine was about half of what is provided at GF and there was a strict 2 glass limit. Again not a huge deal as 1-2 glasses over dinner is all we would have, but interesting compared to the huge glasses at RPC or "to-go cups" @ WL.

The CM in the BC lounge were very nice when we were there in November. The wine pours weren't stingy and I never felt I was being monitored. One afternoon we asked for a few beers to bring to the pool and the CM was happy to do it. He simply poured them into a cup so we weren't carrying in glass bottles. The lounge itself is very spacious. No matter what time we'd go in, we never had an issue finding a seat.