Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[ninafeliz]

Hello. We are considering upgrading to Club level for our Poly stay next month. My understanding is the the 2nd floor rooms do not have a balcony. Does anyone know if the windows in those rooms open? We would like to give club level a try but my husband really likes having a balcony to sit on and if we go club level, he is worried it will decrease the possibility of having a balcony. Thank you!

The sliding door does open, but instead of a balcony there is a railing up against the opening. I have never had to take a second floor room, one time they assigned us to one and we stayed one night and moved to a first floor on the morning. The one night we stayed there it wasn't as bad as I had thought it might be, but I do really love having a balcony or patio. If you are GV CL it is about 1/3 chance balcony, 1/3 chance patio, 1/3 chance second floor. With LV CL I feel you have a higher chance of getting the second floor, as almost all of the third floor CL rooms are TPV. However, we love CL at the Poly and take our chances with the balcony. On the bright side the second floor rooms are on the same floor as the lounge, so some people prefer them.

 

[betrent75]

Hello. We are considering upgrading to Club level for our Poly stay next month. My understanding is the the 2nd floor rooms do not have a balcony. Does anyone know if the windows in those rooms open? We would like to give club level a try but my husband really likes having a balcony to sit on and if we go club level, he is worried it will decrease the possibility of having a balcony. Thank you!

when i've stayed CL at the Poly i've put it on my special requests that I'd like a first floor room. It's not a guarantee that you'll get it but it's worth asking. they will accommodate whenever possible. if you'd like a 3rd floor room, you can put that too.

 

[baler31]

We've done several stays and s-lit stays and all of our magic bands (From current trips and past trips) have always been interchangeable. They all point to the same person on MDE and that's where everyone's tickets and reservations are located. I can't imagine why this would ever happen.

They are trying out this new procedure for split stays because previously the bands would not work unless you were technically checked out of resort stay 1. So say you show up to resort 2 at 10am, unless you physically checked out at resort 1 AND the person at the desk checked you out on the system; resort 2 had to call over to resort 1 and have you checked out before they could program you for resort 2. In general this was not a problem after official check out time but did create a fairly large headache in some cases.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hello. We are considering upgrading to Club level for our Poly stay next month. My understanding is the the 2nd floor rooms do not have a balcony. Does anyone know if the windows in those rooms open? We would like to give club level a try but my husband really likes having a balcony to sit on and if we go club level, he is worried it will decrease the possibility of having a balcony. Thank you!

You've had excellent feedback above. I'd also add that I wouldn't necessarily say Poly CL increases or decreases the chances you'll have a balcony. All of the three-story non-DVC longhouses are the same as Hawaii - no balcony on the second floor - so on some level you have pretty similar odds (not totally because view category is a factor too). The three longhouses that have second floor balconies are all DVC now, so out of the inventory.

One great thing about CL is being able to directly send your room requests to a live person in advance. I know you can add requests to a regular room reservation by calling, or do the fax thing, or add it when you do online check in, but I've always liked the direct communication you get with CL a lot better (even if it's just a mental peace of mind thing). FWIW, my room requests for all of the Poly stays in my sig have been "third floor first priority, close to the lounge second priority" and I've been happy as a clam every time (this has applied to both theme park view and garden view booking categories, I don't have experience with lagoon view). I know it's no guaranty and I've always gone in with an open mind just in case.

One last thing...since you'll be there in July, you may not be spending as much time on the balcony as you think if you get one!

Have a great trip!

 

[trishadono]

Was your friend there in the last 2 weeks of May? We were just there and experienced this new twist to the bands.

She was there the beginning of May but she was also in Disney February , Dec 2015, I can't remember which one was the split.

 

[trishadono]

Hello CL fans! Last September we had a wonderful CL stay at WL, and although we are DVC members, my evil plan worked and DH is gunning for another CL stay! We have our September trip planned for BWV, but we are hoping to book CL @ BC for December. I am going crazy trying to find an email I received from Disney Destinations in April that contained an offer code. I know it will be a waste to call them without the code, so I guess I will just wait and hope for something soon, perhaps next week when the other room only code ends. Now I am off to re - read reviews on BC CL.

I had my first BC CL stay in mid November last year. I posted pix on the BC thread in novemeber.

I enjoyed the salt water taffy bowl at the CL desk and grabbed a piece each time I walked by.

They served the adult beverages (not left out) and you could request them during the day.

The welcome champagne was yummy!

Also I found the BC thread very helpful. Lots of folks that go often and could answer my questions.

Have fun with research, I am having my 5th poly CL stay soon yet am re-researching because things at Disney are always changing!!!!

 

[Corinne]

I had my first BC CL stay in mid November last year. I posted pix on the BC thread in novemeber.

I enjoyed the salt water taffy bowl at the CL desk and grabbed a piece each time I walked by.

They served the adult beverages (not left out) and you could request them during the day.

The welcome champagne was yummy!

Also I found the BC thread very helpful. Lots of folks that go often and could answer my questions.

Have fun with research, I am having my 5th poly CL stay soon yet am re-researching because things at Disney are always changing!!!!

Salt water taffy bowl?

 

[mickeynut1]

I actually did call and the CM I spoke with was really helpful, even though he said there wasn't a code attached to my email address. I knew free dining was offered during our dates, but explained we were are annual passholders, and I've never considered "free" dining. He told me I could choose the least amount of days for our passes, not activate them and use them towards our AP renewal. Has anyone ever done this? I just have to be sure they don't load our passes on our bands I guess. I'm also thinking it's going to be way too much food, but I'm so excited to experience CL at the Beach Club.

I'm sorry there was no code attached to your name/email, but glad the CM was helpful. He is correct that you can choose the lowest number of ticket days to qualify for FD and then use the cost of those toward the upgrade of your APs. I'm not sure how it works now with the MBs and not having the tickets on there to avoid using them, but hopefully others who have done that will be able to tell you how to go about it so you don't accidentally use the tickets .

Hello. We are considering upgrading to Club level for our Poly stay next month. My understanding is the the 2nd floor rooms do not have a balcony. Does anyone know if the windows in those rooms open? We would like to give club level a try but my husband really likes having a balcony to sit on and if we go club level, he is worried it will decrease the possibility of having a balcony. Thank you!

As others have posted, the sliders do open, but there's a railing instead of any actual balcony. As GADisneyDad14 posted, your chances are pretty similar for other longhouses (non CL) as all of them have the same set up (aside from the ones that are DVC). If a balcony is a priority (whether you choose CL or not), I'd list that as your first request. If you don't get a balcony, you can ask if one is available. It's not guaranteed your room can be changed, but the CM will do everything he/she can to accommodate your request .

 

[mrsap]

sorry wrong board!

 

[Mortlives]

Going back to AKL Club level in September. Travelling with a vegetarian friend this time. And I can't remember: are there always vegetarian options in the evening hors d'oeuvres?

 

[kpm76]

I posted this on the YC/BC thread, but wanted to post here as well. We just returned from a fantastic quick weekend trip to the YC CL. The weather was unseasonably warm - CM were saying that it was August heat and even they were unprepared, so we were very grateful for SAB!!

We had a SV CL room and we were very pleased with the room and of course the Club Lounge was wonderful. Our kids are 9 and 6 and really like to engage with the CM, so staying CL is a real treat for them. The CM were amazing and could not do enough for us. The food was great - having breakfast and coffee ready and waiting in the morning is a gift. I hate having to fetch breakfast as we are trying to prepare for the day. Again, because of the heat and then the rain yesterday, we found ourselves spending more time at the resort than anticipated and YC never disappoints.

Any questions? Ask away

 

[eeyore81]

Going back to AKL Club level in September. Travelling with a vegetarian friend this time. And I can't remember: are there always vegetarian options in the evening hors d'oeuvres?

There is always hummus, cheese, veggies and ranch. We just got back last weekend from a one week stay. Only one day was there a hot option that was vegetarian (it was Falafel). On previous stays there were more veggie friendly options that were hot. We were a bit disappointed on this trip for the evening offerings. The same hummus and veggies every night got old. Other than that, we were pretty pleased with the lounge offerings. They have definitely been cut back from what they used to be. We loved our room and had a great view. I did find that the CMs downstairs were a little more friendly and eager to help that some of the Club level CMs. I needed a dining reservation and the club level CM said nothing available sorry. I went downstairs to the lobby concierge and the CM worked and worked and finally got me a reservation at the perfect time at the restaurant I wanted. I was ready to give up but she would not let me leave. She kept saying let me try something, let me check into this, etc. I do not expect a lot out of the club level CMs but it is disappointing when the lobby concierge is more willing to help and truly seemed to care that I got the reservation I wanted. There were three different occasions on this trip where I was not helped by the Club level CMs that I thought they should be able to handle the request. One was locating a specific item to purchase, one was the dining reservation and one was getting an envelope to another resort. All three times the club level CMs said sorry we can't help you and that was it. Those three thing didn't change our vacation and we had a great time but I did not think those requests were unreasonable and I was disappointed that the CMs didn't even seem to care to try to help me. That being said, we love AKL and will definitely go back.

 

[ninafeliz]

There is always hummus, cheese, veggies and ranch. We just got back last weekend from a one week stay. Only one day was there a hot option that was vegetarian (it was Falafel). On previous stays there were more veggie friendly options that were hot. We were a bit disappointed on this trip for the evening offerings. The same hummus and veggies every night got old. Other than that, we were pretty pleased with the lounge offerings. They have definitely been cut back from what they used to be. We loved our room and had a great view. I did find that the CMs downstairs were a little more friendly and eager to help that some of the Club level CMs. I needed a dining reservation and the club level CM said nothing available sorry. I went downstairs to the lobby concierge and the CM worked and worked and finally got me a reservation at the perfect time at the restaurant I wanted. I was ready to give up but she would not let me leave. She kept saying let me try something, let me check into this, etc. I do not expect a lot out of the club level CMs but it is disappointing when the lobby concierge is more willing to help and truly seemed to care that I got the reservation I wanted. There were three different occasions on this trip where I was not helped by the Club level CMs that I thought they should be able to handle the request. One was locating a specific item to purchase, one was the dining reservation and one was getting an envelope to another resort. All three times the club level CMs said sorry we can't help you and that was it. Those three thing didn't change our vacation and we had a great time but I did not think those requests were unreasonable and I was disappointed that the CMs didn't even seem to care to try to help me. That being said, we love AKL and will definitely go back.

We have often felt that way about CL CMs at various resorts. We would have a question problem, or request that seemed like something simple that a Club Level CM at a deluxe disney resort should have been able to help us with, and we just heard a simple no, we can't do that. They didn't really even try. One example that comes to mind was that we asked for duct tape at our recent YC CL stay. The CM just said we don't have any. They didn't even try to locate any. Oh, actually, they did tell us that they thought that Fort Wilderness had some, but we would have to go over there ourselves to get it. Another example was at the RPC. I got a cold with nasal congestion and really wanted some vicks vaporub. We asked if they knew if where could get any. They just said you can check the gift shop (to be fair, they did also give us the info on having it delivered. But I didn't want it bad enough to pay a delivery fee for just vicks). On our last day we were at the CR and saw they sold it in their sundries section. Again, I realize the RPC CM shouldn't know every item in every close resort, but a quick phone call to the CR and Poly would have been easy and really made my day. It would have just been a quick monorail ride away, or even a runner could have gone. Every once in a while we will stumble on a CL CM that goes above and beyond, like the one who went to a beer store and got my DH a 6 pack of gluten free beer after he asked and they didn't have any. But in I think 8 club level stays we've only had a couple of above and beyond interactions, and quite a few lackluster ones for all but the most basic of requests (like canceling ADRs, etc). We do still stay CL for the convenience, etc, but I think there is just so much room for improvement in customer service that wouldn't cost much but would make the experience just so much better!

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

We've done several stays and s-lit stays and all of our magic bands (From current trips and past trips) have always been interchangeable. They all point to the same person on MDE and that's where everyone's tickets and reservations are located. I can't imagine why this would ever happen.

It did happen....the first set of bands would NOT work at the second resort. WE COULD NOT GET IN THE GATE OR THE ROOM DOOR. I did online check in for both. This was 3 weeks ago. I believe a way around it is to go to the front desk and physically tap the bands to check out and in. The point of my comments to my initial post was about my upcoming trip in July, I am moving from CL at Poly for a week to a wind down stay at OKW...I was trying to figure out the glitch with the bands not allowing access to club level. You need an active band to get into the building. There is always a way around everything...but the bands not being interchangeable was completely new to us.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

She was there the beginning of May but she was also in Disney February , Dec 2015, I can't remember which one was the split.

Thanks Trish...we are doing a split stay again in 3 weeks...it will be the test. I have multiple MB I have spent time decorating and the special purchase bands that I bring depending on my mood....this past trip thru me for a loop....I figured it was one more thing WDW was doing to make my life difficult. LOL

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Thanks Trish...we are doing a split stay again in 3 weeks...it will be the test. I have multiple MB I have spent time decorating and the special purchase bands that I bring depending on my mood....this past trip thru me for a loop....I figured it was one more thing WDW was doing to make my life difficult. LOL

Thanks for the information. I can understand Disney wanting to make changes but what I don't understand is why they don't inform their guest and their CMs of the changes. There should be something on the site and the CMs should be trained that if guests are planning a split stay they should inform them that will need different magic bands. As I said before we have done many split stays and only bring one set of bands. We decorate them and usually don't change and never had a problem changing resorts. This summer we are doing 3 hotels in 2 weeks - that's 18 bands for my family of 6. Thanks to the Disboards for great information!

 

[trishadono]

Thanks Trish...we are doing a split stay again in 3 weeks...it will be the test. I have multiple MB I have spent time decorating and the special purchase bands that I bring depending on my mood....this past trip thru me for a loop....I figured it was one more thing WDW was doing to make my life difficult. LOL

It's so confusing!!! I generally "deactivate " many bands before each trip. I am over. 20 myself now and try to bring the most recent colors.

I guess I will bring the recent resort specific ones plus a few favs too. However one thing I do my help some of ya, I physically have 2 on me most days. I got into the habit of attaching one to my purse strap. I was always afraid I would head to the lounge and forget to have my band on(especially 7am coffee) .

So I will wear the color I want and attach to purse the one to open my door and hope that works!!!

Please come back and tell me any new info. Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

I posted this on the YC/BC thread, but wanted to post here as well. We just returned from a fantastic quick weekend trip to the YC CL. The weather was unseasonably warm - CM were saying that it was August heat and even they were unprepared, so we were very grateful for SAB!!

We had a SV CL room and we were very pleased with the room and of course the Club Lounge was wonderful. Our kids are 9 and 6 and really like to engage with the CM, so staying CL is a real treat for them. The CM were amazing and could not do enough for us. The food was great - having breakfast and coffee ready and waiting in the morning is a gift. I hate having to fetch breakfast as we are trying to prepare for the day. Again, because of the heat and then the rain yesterday, we found ourselves spending more time at the resort than anticipated and YC never disappoints.

Any questions? Ask away

Thanks for your review. Glad you had a great time .

There is always hummus, cheese, veggies and ranch. We just got back last weekend from a one week stay. Only one day was there a hot option that was vegetarian (it was Falafel). On previous stays there were more veggie friendly options that were hot. We were a bit disappointed on this trip for the evening offerings. The same hummus and veggies every night got old. Other than that, we were pretty pleased with the lounge offerings. They have definitely been cut back from what they used to be. We loved our room and had a great view. I did find that the CMs downstairs were a little more friendly and eager to help that some of the Club level CMs. I needed a dining reservation and the club level CM said nothing available sorry. I went downstairs to the lobby concierge and the CM worked and worked and finally got me a reservation at the perfect time at the restaurant I wanted. I was ready to give up but she would not let me leave. She kept saying let me try something, let me check into this, etc. I do not expect a lot out of the club level CMs but it is disappointing when the lobby concierge is more willing to help and truly seemed to care that I got the reservation I wanted. There were three different occasions on this trip where I was not helped by the Club level CMs that I thought they should be able to handle the request. One was locating a specific item to purchase, one was the dining reservation and one was getting an envelope to another resort. All three times the club level CMs said sorry we can't help you and that was it. Those three thing didn't change our vacation and we had a great time but I did not think those requests were unreasonable and I was disappointed that the CMs didn't even seem to care to try to help me. That being said, we love AKL and will definitely go back.

I'm sorry about the attitudes of the CL CMs, but glad the lobby CMs were able to help with the things you needed. Glad you had a great time overall .

 

[betrent75]

There is always hummus, cheese, veggies and ranch. We just got back last weekend from a one week stay. Only one day was there a hot option that was vegetarian (it was Falafel). On previous stays there were more veggie friendly options that were hot. We were a bit disappointed on this trip for the evening offerings. The same hummus and veggies every night got old. Other than that, we were pretty pleased with the lounge offerings. They have definitely been cut back from what they used to be. We loved our room and had a great view. I did find that the CMs downstairs were a little more friendly and eager to help that some of the Club level CMs. I needed a dining reservation and the club level CM said nothing available sorry. I went downstairs to the lobby concierge and the CM worked and worked and finally got me a reservation at the perfect time at the restaurant I wanted. I was ready to give up but she would not let me leave. She kept saying let me try something, let me check into this, etc. I do not expect a lot out of the club level CMs but it is disappointing when the lobby concierge is more willing to help and truly seemed to care that I got the reservation I wanted. There were three different occasions on this trip where I was not helped by the Club level CMs that I thought they should be able to handle the request. One was locating a specific item to purchase, one was the dining reservation and one was getting an envelope to another resort. All three times the club level CMs said sorry we can't help you and that was it. Those three thing didn't change our vacation and we had a great time but I did not think those requests were unreasonable and I was disappointed that the CMs didn't even seem to care to try to help me. That being said, we love AKL and will definitely go back.

we just had a similar experience cl at the poly. the lobby concierge was so amazing and friendly! she was helpful and went above and beyond. she gave us a tour of the cl areas! the cl cm's at the poly weren't helpful with even getting us in the door. my magic band wasn't working and the cl cm watched us try to get in and when the door finally opened she said, "i was waiting to see how long it would take to get the door open that was funny." i didn't think it was funny at all. i thought it was immature of her. i asked her if we needed a hard ticket for the after hours event we were attending or if the ticket was on our magic band and she replied, "you PAID for extra magic hours?" i went back to the lobby concierge and she answered my question and checked our magic bands and made sure they all worked. like you said, not enough to ruin our vacation, we had an incredible time. i was just surprised that the cl cm was't helpful. our previous experiences at other resorts (gf, cr) has been great!

 

[epsmith921]

Wanted to chime in that we just stayed at CR CL TPV in May. We booked what I'm sure was Atrium but wound up getting the Tower CL which was fine by us. I don't know if it's because of the fact that the rooms on that floor are mostly suites or what, but the lounge was almost always empty and we could have our sometimes literal run of the place (5 year and 18 month old).

A few of the CL CM's were a bit "cold" but overall, they were friendly and we had a few that were great.

We loved the giant balcony that for us was more like a patio. The kids had a great time and loved it out there. We had room 4913 which had a huge bathroom that was awesome for getting both kids in and out of the tub. All 4 of us could be in that bathroom with room to spare. We also had a huge closet that was awesome.

We did also have great experiences with bell services, RAC, and the front desk CM's