Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

We've just returned from our first stay in SL. We've stayed at the GF several times but this was a first (and last) in SF. The GF was still wonderful and we had a fabulous time all in all but SF is not for us. On the plus side the lounge CMs were wonderful and went out of their way to help, were consistently clearing tables and couldn't have been more cheery.

We checked in around 11.30pm following a late flight from LAX therefore no greeter nor a particularly warm reception on the desk. It does irk me when asked if I've stayed at the hotel before - surely this could be easily recorded on the booking? We made our own way over to SL, crossing our fingers that our room request would be honoured. We'd asked for a 'middle floor, nice view' and were rewarded with a room directly above the entrance on the marina side. The view was okay if we looked directly ahead but there was a huge tree on either side. The room was superbly clean and up to the usual high standards of the GF.

We hadn't envisaged how easily the noise from the lounge would reach to the room and as soon as breakfast began it was relentless. At least it ensured that we didn't spend the precious days of the holiday lazing in bed! Food offerings were plentiful and were more or less what we'd experienced in RPC. The only difference seemed to be the absence of trifle during afternoon tea.

The big difference was the amount of guests who entered the lounge in swimwear/bikinis/barefeet. Many guests simply came straight from the pool (wet) with a towel wrapped around them and sat in the lounge. In all of our club level stays this is the first time we've seen this. We also noted many guests taking drinks including alcohol into the main pool.

There wasn't anything particularly wrong with SL and we had a great time but compared to other CL lounges it's our least favourite. We love the GF and if we don't return to RPC in the near future then we'll book a standard room in the main building. We're back to the wonderful BWI lounge at Christmas!
 
We've just returned from our first stay in SL. We've stayed at the GF several times but this was a first (and last) in SF. The GF was still wonderful and we had a fabulous time all in all but SF is not for us. On the plus side the lounge CMs were wonderful and went out of their way to help, were consistently clearing tables and couldn't have been more cheery.

We checked in around 11.30pm following a late flight from LAX therefore no greeter nor a particularly warm reception on the desk. It does irk me when asked if I've stayed at the hotel before - surely this could be easily recorded on the booking? We made our own way over to SL, crossing our fingers that our room request would be honoured. We'd asked for a 'middle floor, nice view' and were rewarded with a room directly above the entrance on the marina side. The view was okay if we looked directly ahead but there was a huge tree on either side. The room was superbly clean and up to the usual high standards of the GF.

We hadn't envisaged how easily the noise from the lounge would reach to the room and as soon as breakfast began it was relentless. At least it ensured that we didn't spend the precious days of the holiday lazing in bed! Food offerings were plentiful and were more or less what we'd experienced in RPC. The only difference seemed to be the absence of trifle during afternoon tea.

The big difference was the amount of guests who entered the lounge in swimwear/bikinis/barefeet. Many guests simply came straight from the pool (wet) with a towel wrapped around them and sat in the lounge. In all of our club level stays this is the first time we've seen this. We also noted many guests taking drinks including alcohol into the main pool.

There wasn't anything particularly wrong with SL and we had a great time but compared to other CL lounges it's our least favourite. We love the GF and if we don't return to RPC in the near future then we'll book a standard room in the main building. We're back to the wonderful BWI lounge at Christmas!

Thank you for your thoughts on SL. Sorry it wasn't great for you but glad you still had a good trip. I see people in swimsuits in the Poly lounge too, and I know the pools are very close to the lounges, but still! I think it's very strange behavior, but obviously some people think it's just fine :).
 

Am I understanding this right that you feel this is a negative? We feel being able to go into the lounge and take drinks to the pool one of the biggest perks of staying CL when we have our pool days. This has always been encouraged by the CL staff.
They sell adult beverages at the theme pools. I agree, I don't see an issue.
 
We've just returned from our first stay in SL. We've stayed at the GF several times but this was a first (and last) in SF. The GF was still wonderful and we had a fabulous time all in all but SF is not for us. On the plus side the lounge CMs were wonderful and went out of their way to help, were consistently clearing tables and couldn't have been more cheery.

We checked in around 11.30pm following a late flight from LAX therefore no greeter nor a particularly warm reception on the desk. It does irk me when asked if I've stayed at the hotel before - surely this could be easily recorded on the booking? We made our own way over to SL, crossing our fingers that our room request would be honoured. We'd asked for a 'middle floor, nice view' and were rewarded with a room directly above the entrance on the marina side. The view was okay if we looked directly ahead but there was a huge tree on either side. The room was superbly clean and up to the usual high standards of the GF.

We hadn't envisaged how easily the noise from the lounge would reach to the room and as soon as breakfast began it was relentless. At least it ensured that we didn't spend the precious days of the holiday lazing in bed! Food offerings were plentiful and were more or less what we'd experienced in RPC. The only difference seemed to be the absence of trifle during afternoon tea.

The big difference was the amount of guests who entered the lounge in swimwear/bikinis/barefeet. Many guests simply came straight from the pool (wet) with a towel wrapped around them and sat in the lounge. In all of our club level stays this is the first time we've seen this. We also noted many guests taking drinks including alcohol into the main pool.

There wasn't anything particularly wrong with SL and we had a great time but compared to other CL lounges it's our least favourite. We love the GF and if we don't return to RPC in the near future then we'll book a standard room in the main building. We're back to the wonderful BWI lounge at Christmas!

Thanks for your review. I feel the same way about SL. I love the GF and I'm glad I tried SL, but I wasn't impressed. While the food offerings are the same in both RPC & SL, the lounges are worlds apart. I am one who enjoys sitting in the lounge taking in the beautiful atmosphere and SL just doesn't provide relaxed surroundings, IMO. I would book an outer building GV before I'd book SL again.

Also, just wanted to mention that if you want to stay in the main building, you will have to book RPC. The main building is all CL/RPC as there are no non-CL standard rooms.
 
Sorry I don't think I was clear. I meant that people were taking alcoholic drinks actually into the water with them which I've never seen before. I've got no problem with drinks at the pool!!!

Yes, I do realise that I'd need to book RPC, I meant to say a standard view rather than MK which we've had before.
 
Sorry I don't think I was clear. I meant that people were taking alcoholic drinks actually into the water with them which I've never seen before. I've got no problem with drinks at the pool!!!

Okay, now THAT is not cool. That's why I asked to get clarification.
 
I've never seen it before, certainly not to this extent. It wasn't widespread but we saw it on several occasions. I love the GF and we really did enjoy our stay but we wouldn't choose SL in the future.
 
Yes, I do realise that I'd need to book RPC, I meant to say a standard view rather than MK which we've had before.

Oh ok...you posted that if you didn't return to RPC that you'd book a standard room in the main building (which is all RPC), so I was just a little confused ;).
 
20 days till our next WL stay, however...I couldn't justify the $140 per night increase over regular room rate for club level this stay b/c of the renovations and uncertainty......Our last CL stay in December, Mike told us it would be well into 2017 until it was back to normal and worth it... I'm going to ask at check in if there is any availability tho, and how much more it would be...I have a friend who stays club from time to time and has been able to stay for $50-100 more per night by just asking at check in if it isn't filled up there...figured it would be worth a shot to just ask, and maybe it's $50!!

The current estimate for the opening of the new OFC lounge is still most likely early 2017, however, Mike is still hopeful for a Christmastime opening. Of course, all the other construction will be on-going through much of 2017.

@WDWKOOK - Sorry, I meant to respond to this question and forgot. Unless I've botched this in my memory, making the 4th+ FP on MDX was only added sometime over the last few months, right? I think when we were at RPC in Feb it was still when you had to go to the kiosk (which I always found to be a major pain). When I used the texting service, I would send a text asking for a FP for a specific ride and general time window. In a few circumstances they'd write back and say nothing was available and I'd either just waive it off or ask for something else. But yes, you are right, now that you can make 4+ FPs on MDX, that is more effecient.

Thank you for the clarification, @GADisneyDad14 :)
 
Is it typical to receive an email that says they will text you your room number and you can skip check-in -- if you are staying CL? I got one of these for our stay next week and I was a little surprised since I thought part of CL was you check in at the main desk and they walk you up to CL. We've only stayed CL once and we were met at valet park by someone with a clipboard and taken upstairs (WL). We are staying at BWI. Is this different?
 
Is it typical to receive an email that says they will text you your room number and you can skip check-in -- if you are staying CL? I got one of these for our stay next week and I was a little surprised since I thought part of CL was you check in at the main desk and they walk you up to CL. We've only stayed CL once and we were met at valet park by someone with a clipboard and taken upstairs (WL). We are staying at BWI. Is this different?

If you provided a cell number in your MDX account in order to receive text alerts/emails and marked the "I agree to these terms blah, blah, blah" button, then you will receive them no matter your booking category. However, you won't necessarily receive a room number. Sometimes you might instead receive a text asking you to come to the front desk upon arrival at your resort. CMs don't really know why this happens.

Also, if you're booked at the OFC at WL, they have recently been notifying guests to expect being greeted by a Club Level Runner who will escort them up to the 7th floor, like the good 'ol days. This may also still be the case at other CLs, but I don't know.
 
Also, if you're booked at the OFC at WL, they have recently been notifying guests to expect being greeted by a Club Level Runner who will escort them up to the 7th floor, like the good 'ol days. This may also still be the case at other CLs, but I don't know.

That was the case when we stayed CL at the CR mid-June. The CL greeter must have been alerted by the gate guard, because he knew us by name.

I'm really glad to read that the "powers that be" seem to be listening to their loyal CL guests, and going back to the way things used to be before all the cutbacks took place. I just hope it continues.
 
That was the case when we stayed CL at the CR mid-June. The CL greeter must have been alerted by the gate guard, because he knew us by name.

I'm really glad to read that the "powers that be" seem to be listening to their loyal CL guests, and going back to the way things used to be before all the cutbacks took place. I just hope it continues.

The bolded used to be the case and in recent years, if you have an activated MB with you, this also tells them when you've entered (or departed) the resort. If you only use a KTTW Card, they won't know your whereabouts.
 
Thanks for the info. I started panicking and thinking what if we got put in Non-CL and I planned on having a place to go back to and relax and have a cold drink in the afternoon. Plus we paid for CL. Never mind me. I am panicking about everything right now. Packing the car does that to me.:tongue:
 
Thanks for the info. I started panicking and thinking what if we got put in Non-CL and I planned on having a place to go back to and relax and have a cold drink in the afternoon. Plus we paid for CL. Never mind me. I am panicking about everything right now. Packing the car does that to me.:tongue:
Have you been in touch with the BWI IPO? I usually email them with estimated arrival time. You could also ask them any q's you might have about arrival day.
Have a wonderful vacation! :goodvibes
 
That was the case when we stayed CL at the CR mid-June. The CL greeter must have been alerted by the gate guard, because he knew us by name.

I'm really glad to read that the "powers that be" seem to be listening to their loyal CL guests, and going back to the way things used to be before all the cutbacks took place. I just hope it continues.

I just got off the phone with the IPO for Yacht & Beach Club. He told me they did away with the CL greeters. He said there might be a regular greeter there to greet all guests, but all they'll do for us is swipe us to get up to 5th floor at BC, not escort us like before. But he also said that's not guaranteed and if no one is there we are to go to the regular check in desk to have our bands activated to use the elevator to go up. So that kind of sucks. I guess I'm spoiled, I liked having someone greet us & bring us to CL.
 
I just got off the phone with the IPO for Yacht & Beach Club. He told me they did away with the CL greeters. He said there might be a regular greeter there to greet all guests, but all they'll do for us is swipe us to get up to 5th floor at BC, not escort us like before. But he also said that's not guaranteed and if no one is there we are to go to the regular check in desk to have our bands activated to use the elevator to go up. So that kind of sucks. I guess I'm spoiled, I liked having someone greet us & bring us to CL.

Even if you weren't spoiled its irksome... we had never stayed CL before this year, but having to check in downstairs when there was a perfectly nice desk with chairs to check us in at the concierge was annoying (poly). We also never got welcome chocolates but I only know about those from the boards so thats on me in a way... :rolleyes1
 












Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top