Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[pas130]

So a change or two (shocking I know)..... I start a new job Monday, well new second job...

DH and I are going to BC SV CL 11/10-11/13 and my trip to see DS15 in the CP is no more (it's okay my DISfriend @BlueSkies will take pictures for me)

We were booked in a Poly Honeymoon room for a hot minute in October.....speaking of I should call for Tonga availability... YOLO right @trishadono <3

 

[TJA]

@trishadono so sorry to hear about your dad . Maybe there was a reason the Visa discount came out for you right at this time -- planning a Disney World getaway is a nice little bit of therapy. I'll be thinking about you!

 

[mickeynut1]

Well I got the call from Mom, they were having a great day and then my Dad just passed away at 1pm on Sunday. It has been a bittersweet week. We were thankful there was no pain and he lived a nice long full life of 75 years and 55 years of marriage. My 2 out of town siblings are staying with me and help with my older sis we managed to get through this week.

I'm so sorry for your loss .

 

[mickeynut1]

So a change or two (shocking I know)..... I start a new job Monday, well new second job...

DH and I are going to BC SV CL 11/10-11/13 and my trip to see DS15 in the CP is no more (it's okay my DISfriend @BlueSkies will take pictures for me)

We were booked in a Poly Honeymoon room for a hot minute in October.....speaking of I should call for Tonga availability... YOLO right @trishadono <3

Congrats on the new/second job! I'm sorry your trip to see DS in the CP isn't going to happen, but I hope you and DH have a great time at the BC in November .

 

[TJA]

Ugh oh...bad Disney mail!
View attachment 197885

This has been our first year with APs. We definitely went enough to make financial sense from a ticket cost perspective, although I ended up booking more/longer stays this year than I otherwise would have partly because I wanted to make the most of having APs and partly because I found the CL discounts at various times during the year pretty reasonable with decent availability, even for last minute trips (which is a plus for me). So I guess in the end Disney won since I ended up spending way more on more/longer stays, which I'm sure is their goal. Well, we won too because we had great trips, adventures, and memories, but still - this stuff ain't cheap. I did enjoy having another option besides the general public discount as I made plans during the year.

Someone help me out with a little kool-aid so I don't have a moment of weakness and not renew.

Ha! Well, since you mentioned it (lol), 13 years ago we took our babies to WDW and fell in love with the entire experience; therefore, we purchased our first set of AP's. Now, 13 years later, we STILL have AP's and can't seem to break away. For the last couple of years when resort prices (and AP prices) have flown through the roof, I have said "this is the last year for AP's." However, each time it's near our normal planning-for-the-next-trip time, I ask DH what I should do. His comment is always to renew the AP's so he's no help, really. It's just impossible to envision our lives without AP's because that's all we've known since our girls were born.

So on the flip side of that, I have been wanting to book a different kind of adventure for us, so I have a Disney cruise to Alaska booked for next August! It's not Disney World, but at least it's still Disney! So we'll have to see what I end up doing about AP's. Normally I'd renew at the end of June for our July 4 trip. Not sure now. In any event, my advice to you is to keep renewing your AP's! Given how much you love Disney, I don't think you'll ever regret it. And as your kids get older, you can eventually add in other kinds of trips in the mix like we are.

Good luck!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Well I got the call from Mom, they were having a great day and then my Dad just passed away at 1pm on Sunday. It has been a bittersweet week. We were thankful there was no pain and he lived a nice long full life of 75 years and 55 years of marriage. My 2 out of town siblings are staying with me and help with my older sis we managed to get through this week.

As I was getting ready for the Wake on Wednesday some of my Disboards buddies texted me the Visa discount was out. I was like now??? really? UGH ok I don't have time for this now but Ill look. I call dd21 to see where she wanted to go(at Target getting last minute needed things). We got 25% and ended up cheaper than our current booking at CR GV so ..... WL cl it is!

Just hearing some happiness in here voice was such a nice thing. I too am looking at doing the deluxe room. Thanks for posting the pix.

We stayed there in Jan 2015 so Its ok it not perfect this trip. Circus girl sent me pix of the temp lounge so I am aware of that. WL experts do you this the view of the current available deluxe rooms would be worth it vs only getting north wing rooms at the 7th floor?


We didn't care for the enclosed balcony on the 7th so maybe if deeper discount I might switch. I can;t remember the exact price (sure u understand) but just over $400 for Std cl and $510 for deluxe with visa discount so If general or pass holder lower I may switch.

Any input would be appreciated. Back to work and school for us today. It sure is nice having "dis" at times like this, the distraction is helpful.

Trish I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom at the end of last year and it is so hard. Disney definitely made it better.

Thanks so much everyone for your opinions! I went ahead and booked Poly GV CL yesterday and feel like it will be a great location for what our trip will entail. Very excited! Now to stop myself from upgrading to LV or TPV before the trip...... Erica will you please add me to your calendar for January 27-31, Poly GV CL

Thanks again for your help!

 

[trishadono]

Trish I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom at the end of last year and it is so hard. Disney definitely made it better.

Thanks so much everyone for your opinions! I went ahead and booked Poly GV CL yesterday and feel like it will be a great location for what our trip will entail. Very excited! Now to stop myself from upgrading to LV or TPV before the trip...... Erica will you please add me to your calendar for January 27-31, Poly GV CL

Thanks again for your help!

Thank you!

I really enjoyed the LV. TPV would be better but the sounds of MK and seeing CR and Gf were wonderful. I could see EWP and Wishes from our LV so that was great.

Rats, we will miss each other by only a week!

 

[trishadono]

Thanks so much everyone.

I am enjoying the dis-distraction!

 

[fterie4u]

We are (myself, DH, DD11, DS3) looking at the Poly CL and the Grand Floridian (SL) CL as we have not stated at either resort. Which would you say has better food offerings?
What are your thoughts on the Lounges? I have heard SL is not very relaxing? Thank you for your help!

 

[focusondisney]

Trishadono, so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last October & understand how hard it is. Yes, planning a trip & hanging on the Dis can be a great distraction. My dad loved DW, he went maybe 5 times, once with us. He absolutely loved Mickey bars, so now when we go, we have one "for dad" & give him a toast & shout out.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

We are (myself, DH, DD11, DS3) looking at the Poly CL and the Grand Floridian (SL) CL as we have not stated at either resort. Which would you say has better food offerings?
What are your thoughts on the Lounges? I have heard SL is not very relaxing? Thank you for your help!

We stayed at both on our last trip and preferred SL. It was not any less busy than Poly and we thought the food was better.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Well I got the call from Mom, they were having a great day and then my Dad just passed away at 1pm on Sunday. It has been a bittersweet week. We were thankful there was no pain and he lived a nice long full life of 75 years and 55 years of marriage. My 2 out of town siblings are staying with me and help with my older sis we managed to get through this week.

As I was getting ready for the Wake on Wednesday some of my Disboards buddies texted me the Visa discount was out. I was like now??? really? UGH ok I don't have time for this now but Ill look. I call dd21 to see where she wanted to go(at Target getting last minute needed things). We got 25% and ended up cheaper than our current booking at CR GV so ..... WL cl it is!

Just hearing some happiness in here voice was such a nice thing. I too am looking at doing the deluxe room. Thanks for posting the pix.

We stayed there in Jan 2015 so Its ok it not perfect this trip. Circus girl sent me pix of the temp lounge so I am aware of that. WL experts do you this the view of the current available deluxe rooms would be worth it vs only getting north wing rooms at the 7th floor?


We didn't care for the enclosed balcony on the 7th so maybe if deeper discount I might switch. I can;t remember the exact price (sure u understand) but just over $400 for Std cl and $510 for deluxe with visa discount so If general or pass holder lower I may switch.

Any input would be appreciated. Back to work and school for us today. It sure is nice having "dis" at times like this, the distraction is helpful.

I am so so sorry about your dad. I am glad that you had a distraction with Disney. I was the one who just posted the pictures of the deluxe room 4123 and it is a great room. We are a family of 6 so that is the only rooms we stay in at the WL - the deluxe rooms.

Again I am sorry for the loss of your dad I am praying for peace for you and your family during this time.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Trishadono, so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last October & understand how hard it is. Yes, planning a trip & hanging on the Dis can be a great distraction. My dad loved DW, he went maybe 5 times, once with us. He absolutely loved Mickey bars, so now when we go, we have one "for dad" & give him a toast & shout out.

That is so sweet - what you do for your dad.

 

[trishadono]

Trishadono, so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last October & understand how hard it is. Yes, planning a trip & hanging on the Dis can be a great distraction. My dad loved DW, he went maybe 5 times, once with us. He absolutely loved Mickey bars, so now when we go, we have one "for dad" & give him a toast & shout out.

At age 16 dad took each of his 4 kids on a "dad and me trip". Anywhere in the world you wanted(he worked for an airline). I couldn't decide between Disney World or Paris. I picked WDW back in 1979.

5 years ago I took my parents for their first onsite stay and we stayed at CSR. When I am at HS I always think of dad when I get "our favorite" a cherry turnover.

It was awesome having them at disney all to myself with no grandkids or siblings for competition of attention. I was their personal escort and boy did we have fun!

I think Mom and I will need another CL trip for her birthday March1(we went on a mom n me at poly cl 11/14). Things should be settled down by then. Hmm I better go look for a visa discount for that!

 

[sfbank]

Pas-good luck on your new job!

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks so much everyone.

I am enjoying the dis-distraction!

So sorry. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[pixarmom]

We are (myself, DH, DD11, DS3) looking at the Poly CL and the Grand Floridian (SL) CL as we have not stated at either resort. Which would you say has better food offerings?
What are your thoughts on the Lounges? I have heard SL is not very relaxing? Thank you for your help!

We've stayed RPC at GF and several times Poly CL. Love the lounge at Poly for a casual, fun atmosphere and great view. Love the proximity to the pools and the great transportation to both MK and Epcot. But having stayed at all CLs except YC, we'd rank Poly very low for food quality. At least in the past, they have not offered hard boiled eggs, cheese or meats for breakfast. All carbs. And evening appetizers tend to be fried or seafood. I love the night they offer sushi, but other than that, evening appetizers at Poly have not been a favorite. Finally - and I might be imagining this - but dessert offerings seem more limited or at least quickly picked over. I've really never seen such a rush on the food as we see at Poly.

Our GF experience has been better in terms of food. Not the same casual, fun atmosphere nor view. But some protein at breakfast and more interesting evening appetizers. I mention this only because I've read that the food is the same SL and RPC.

For food, I'd actually rank BC the best at this particular point in time. BC has other issues, but based on food alone, it's overall pretty high on the list. WL was great for evening appetizers, but not-so-great for breakfast.

Seems like this changes all the time, though. So I'll be interested to hear more recent reports!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are (myself, DH, DD11, DS3) looking at the Poly CL and the Grand Floridian (SL) CL as we have not stated at either resort. Which would you say has better food offerings?
What are your thoughts on the Lounges? I have heard SL is not very relaxing? Thank you for your help!

Totally subjective obviously but general consensus and my personal opinion is that GF CL food is 'better' overall than Poly CL. When I say better, I mean more variety, fresher ingredients, more proteins & veggies, less basic fried food. This applies to both adult food and items kids might eat - GF just has more variety. I have not stayed SL (only RPC) but basing my comments on the understanding the food is the same in both. Note it is still somewhat mass produced Disney food, so keep that in mind. It's just more artfully prepared at GF.

Poly CL food gets the "just OK" vote in my book. Some nights are better than others. They've recently enhanced the afternoon snacks slightly. Note Poly CL DOES have hard boiled eggs at breakfast, this was added a year or so ago (THANK GOODNESS!).

But, for what Poly CL lacks in food, it makes up for in atmosphere and physical setting. It's arguably the best CL lounge on property from a physical setting/view perspective. I can't vouch for all of the CL's but from what I've tried, this is my favorite place to be. Here's an early morning shot:



Daytime view from the third floor looking down on the second floor. The third floor offers a small seating area (that's almost never used that much) and a restroom! The restroom comes in very handy on arrival days if your room isn't ready and also departure days if you're hanging around after checkout.


Here's looking back to where they serve the food. It's not on in the pic but there's a TV and kids seating there to the left. A stairwell on the right connects all three floors.


Here's an example of evening Poly CL appetizers this past July.


Why does every photo of mine have a Longboard in it?


Usually three desserts per night plus cookies not shown. Pretty standard Disney dessert party stuff usually. I recall the desserts at GF being more impressive.


Let us know what you decide!

 

[trishadono]

Totally subjective obviously but general consensus and my personal opinion is that GF CL food is 'better' overall than Poly CL. When I say better, I mean more variety, fresher ingredients, more proteins & veggies, less basic fried food. This applies to both adult food and items kids might eat - GF just has more variety. I have not stayed SL (only RPC) but basing my comments on the understanding the food is the same in both. Note it is still somewhat mass produced Disney food, so keep that in mind. It's just more artfully prepared at GF.

Poly CL food gets the "just OK" vote in my book. Some nights are better than others. They've recently enhanced the afternoon snacks slightly. Note Poly CL DOES have hard boiled eggs at breakfast, this was added a year or so ago (THANK GOODNESS!).

But, for what Poly CL lacks in food, it makes up for in atmosphere and physical setting. It's arguably the best CL lounge on property from a physical setting/view perspective. I can't vouch for all of the CL's but from what I've tried, this is my favorite place to be. Here's an early morning shot:

View attachment 198099

Daytime view from the third floor looking down on the second floor. The third floor offers a small seating area (that's almost never used that much) and a restroom! The restroom comes in very handy on arrival days if your room isn't ready and also departure days if you're hanging around after checkout.
View attachment 198101

Here's looking back to where they serve the food. It's not on in the pic but there's a TV and kids seating there to the left. A stairwell on the right connects all three floors.
View attachment 198102

Here's an example of evening Poly CL appetizers this past July.
View attachment 198104

Why does every photo of mine have a Longboard in it?
View attachment 198106

Usually three desserts per night plus cookies not shown. Pretty standard Disney dessert party stuff usually. I recall the desserts at GF being more impressive.
View attachment 198107

Let us know what you decide!

So agree! I love gf for food and poly or CR for interesting lounge space /view!

Wl is nice for food and a friendly atmosphere. Of course the price is more pocketbook friendly too!

It's hard to choose and I struggle when someone asks for advise but you wrote what I would have so thanks!

 

[Gryhndmom]

Well I got the call from Mom, they were having a great day and then my Dad just passed away at 1pm on Sunday. It has been a bittersweet week. We were thankful there was no pain and he lived a nice long full life of 75 years and 55 years of marriage. My 2 out of town siblings are staying with me and help with my older sis we managed to get through this week.

As I was getting ready for the Wake on Wednesday some of my Disboards buddies texted me the Visa discount was out. I was like now??? really? UGH ok I don't have time for this now but Ill look. I call dd21 to see where she wanted to go(at Target getting last minute needed things). We got 25% and ended up cheaper than our current booking at CR GV so ..... WL cl it is!

Just hearing some happiness in here voice was such a nice thing. I too am looking at doing the deluxe room. Thanks for posting the pix.

We stayed there in Jan 2015 so Its ok it not perfect this trip. Circus girl sent me pix of the temp lounge so I am aware of that. WL experts do you this the view of the current available deluxe rooms would be worth it vs only getting north wing rooms at the 7th floor?


We didn't care for the enclosed balcony on the 7th so maybe if deeper discount I might switch. I can;t remember the exact price (sure u understand) but just over $400 for Std cl and $510 for deluxe with visa discount so If general or pass holder lower I may switch.

Any input would be appreciated. Back to work and school for us today. It sure is nice having "dis" at times like this, the distraction is helpful.

So sorry for your loss! I hope Disney gives you some happy memories of your Dad and provides healing.