Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[GADisneyDad14]

and a bloody mary bar too.

 

[Babsy]

We are back from our 5 day trip to the Poly CL and we had a fantastic time. I posted early in our stay about the food in the lounge. It continued at the same level, or better, for the remaining days as well. The breakfast offerings, the midday snacks, the evening appetizers, and the desserts really meshed well with the way we eat, such that we limited ourselves to "meals" at table service or quick service places only once a day. We also took full advantage of the access to beer and wine. It was so nice to have the lounge to return to with a sleepy preschooler who really couldn't handle too many crowded restaurants. Mousekeeping was great, with our room cleaned each day before 12:30PM, and turndown service nightly. The CMs throughout the lounge area and at the concierge desk were generally cheerful and helpful. There were no negatives, honestly. We loved the location of the Hawaii longhouse and would definitely choose to stay there again when it's time to return to the Poly. However…for our next trip, we decided to book a bounce back at Beach Club, Club Level, for 4 nights in March 2017. This December trip was solely focused on MK. The March trip will be focused on Epcot/HS. I'm looking forward to comparing the experiences!

We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the Poly CL! We were at the Poly CL last Jan (2016) and are planning another stay this January. The location is great and the lounge is both relaxing and beautiful! On our last visit we only really used the CL lounge for breakfast, though. The evening offerings simply didn't appeal to us or it was inconvenient to return to the resort during the 5-7 time period.

Would you have any information on the current lounge appetizers in the evenings? and is the espresso machine working now? I am hopeful that things have improved since last Jan. DH was disappointed to learn that the espresso machine was broken for our entire stay last year. Apparently that is an important lounge feature for him!

Thank you for any information. Trying to plan how many and what ADR's we will need, and knowing the appeal of the lounge foodstuffs will help a lot!

thank you!!

 

[Babsy]

Yup no planning services for club regardless of resort. Member services said supposeably back in 2017.

Any idea when in 2017? Although we didn't use IPO for much, it was nice to have them to call upon with a question or for assistance with some small issues. It felt more personal than central reservations and, frankly, the information was more reliable.

 

[caliope]

We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the Poly CL! We were at the Poly CL last Jan (2016) and are planning another stay this January. The location is great and the lounge is both relaxing and beautiful! On our last visit we only really used the CL lounge for breakfast, though. The evening offerings simply didn't appeal to us or it was inconvenient to return to the resort during the 5-7 time period.

Would you have any information on the current lounge appetizers in the evenings? and is the espresso machine working now? I am hopeful that things have improved since last Jan. DH was disappointed to learn that the espresso machine was broken for our entire stay last year. Apparently that is an important lounge feature for him!

Thank you for any information. Trying to plan how many and what ADR's we will need, and knowing the appeal of the lounge foodstuffs will help a lot!

thank you!!

We didn't make it to the evening service every night but the nights we did they had: Mahi Mahi, mini meatballs, mini turkey club sandwich bites, cucumber rolls, chicken skewers with pineapple salsa, pulled pork, bread/crostini, cheese and crackers, etc. They probably had different choices the nights we missed too. Most items were bite-size but you could take several. Not all items were offered the same night; I'd say three "protein" type appetizers plus the cheese/crackers and bread? It varied. On the days we were there at that hour, we'd had a decent lunch so the appetizers were sufficient for our dinner.

And yes, the espresso machine was working. We didn't use it but we saw many people who were.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I would keep CL. We had a fantastic time in the Hawaii bldg. Everyone is fantastic, especially Chef Gene. The offerings are much improved from past years. Breakfast, lunch, dinner are all much better quality than before. The beer and wine selections are also better.

Aside from Royal Palm at the GF, the lounge is our favorite. Great views of the lake including Wishes at the end of the night. Love walking down and grabbing water/coffee/POG juice quickly before going on our way. I hear you on the increases prices, but the value is finally going up as well.

Thanks.

My DH has me hook, line and sinker with the view of Wishes from the lounge. He knows how to reel me in, LOL.

I'm very excited for our stay!

 

[Babsy]

We didn't make it to the evening service every night but the nights we did they had: Mahi Mahi, mini meatballs, mini turkey club sandwich bites, cucumber rolls, chicken skewers with pineapple salsa, pulled pork, bread/crostini, cheese and crackers, etc. They probably had different choices the nights we missed too. Most items were bite-size but you could take several. Not all items were offered the same night; I'd say three "protein" type appetizers plus the cheese/crackers and bread? It varied. On the days we were there at that hour, we'd had a decent lunch so the appetizers were sufficient for our dinner.

And yes, the espresso machine was working. We didn't use it but we saw many people who were.

Thank you! that is exactly the information that I was hoping for. Yes, that does sound like the offerings are much better!

And DH will be relieved and happy to hear that the espresso machine is up and running!

Thanks again!

 

[melissa723]

I'm only on here occasionally, but since I just returned from AKL CL on Friday, I thought I'd share my experience this time around. This is my 3rd time staying CL at AKL, and this time was unfortunately very underwhelming. For the amount of money you pay, the food was nothing to write home about. The dinner and dessert offerings rotated throughout our stay, so if you liked it on one day, you were most likely to see it again in another two days. Breakfast was the same every single morning, except one day there would be blueberries instead of raspberries. On one particular day we came back for an afternoon break around 2:30pm, after being out of our room since 8am it still hadn't been cleaned. After speaking with a Concierge CM, they said that apparently our room was the only room not on the list for cleaning services that day, but they would get it taken care of while I was down by the pool. I returned about 90 minutes later, and still no clean room. I then decided to call housekeeping directly, and when I asked when the room would be clean, the woman repeatedly told me that because we are DVC (we stayed using our points) we don't get housekeeping services every day. I was confused because unless the policy had changed, we most definitely were supposed to have housekeeping services. I then walked back down to the concierge desk, where they apologized up and down and said they would take care of it immediately. I felt bad even getting them involved since I didn't want to come off with a sense of entitlement, because that is the opposite of who I am, but they insisted that I deserved better services than what I was getting. About 10 minutes later I received a phone call from housekeeping, apologizing for the problem, and asking me when I would like the room cleaned. When we returned from the park at the end of the day it had finally been done. Housekeeping seemed to be the big issue because 3 out of the 6 nights we were there we didn't even receive turn down service. It was hit or miss with them. For me, it isn't that big of a deal since I don't really need turn down service, but if you are someone who's paying that much money to stay CL, then there's really no excuse for it. I will say that the concierge staff was amazing, and I feel like we've made life long friends with a few of them. I just feel like the offerings have a lot to be desired based on the cost. Not sure if I'd ever pay the outrageous amounts that they charge for those rooms, but since I have the option of trying to use points to stay there, then it's a decent option for me.

 

[alex9179]

Interesting. I don't know the in-and-outs of DVC but I understood that daily cleaning was an extra paid service when staying on points. That's not the case with concierge level at Jambo?

 

[karen4546]

Wanted to follow up on the CL stay at AKL. It was not Magical at all. I will not let that stop me from trying club level at another resort. I will probably try Wilderness Lodge CL or Boardwalk CL next. The beachy resorts are not my favorite.

We waited in line a long time to check in. We were not greeted. No welcome letter or gift in room. No one did or said anything to make this feel special- know what I mean? You pay a lot of money and I for one expected more. We were offered an orange scented hot towel after I mentioned our long wait to check in.

Anyway, my 1br villa at Jambo House was AMAZING. it was not club level but so great!!! We would go back to AKL only if we rented points for a 1br or larger villa at Jambo or Kidani

I do not thing we will ever stay CL at AKL again.

 

[dansdad]

I'm only on here occasionally, but since I just returned from AKL CL on Friday, I thought I'd share my experience this time around. This is my 3rd time staying CL at AKL, and this time was unfortunately very underwhelming. For the amount of money you pay, the food was nothing to write home about. The dinner and dessert offerings rotated throughout our stay, so if you liked it on one day, you were most likely to see it again in another two days. Breakfast was the same every single morning, except one day there would be blueberries instead of raspberries. On one particular day we came back for an afternoon break around 2:30pm, after being out of our room since 8am it still hadn't been cleaned. After speaking with a Concierge CM, they said that apparently our room was the only room not on the list for cleaning services that day, but they would get it taken care of while I was down by the pool. I returned about 90 minutes later, and still no clean room. I then decided to call housekeeping directly, and when I asked when the room would be clean, the woman repeatedly told me that because we are DVC (we stayed using our points) we don't get housekeeping services every day. I was confused because unless the policy had changed, we most definitely were supposed to have housekeeping services. I then walked back down to the concierge desk, where they apologized up and down and said they would take care of it immediately. I felt bad even getting them involved since I didn't want to come off with a sense of entitlement, because that is the opposite of who I am, but they insisted that I deserved better services than what I was getting. About 10 minutes later I received a phone call from housekeeping, apologizing for the problem, and asking me when I would like the room cleaned. When we returned from the park at the end of the day it had finally been done. Housekeeping seemed to be the big issue because 3 out of the 6 nights we were there we didn't even receive turn down service. It was hit or miss with them. For me, it isn't that big of a deal since I don't really need turn down service, but if you are someone who's paying that much money to stay CL, then there's really no excuse for it. I will say that the concierge staff was amazing, and I feel like we've made life long friends with a few of them. I just feel like the offerings have a lot to be desired based on the cost. Not sure if I'd ever pay the outrageous amounts that they charge for those rooms, but since I have the option of trying to use points to stay there, then it's a decent option for me.

The woman you spoke to was correct. When you stay on DVC points, you do not get daily housekeeping. It's been this way as long as I can remember.

Trash and Towel service is included in all stays of more than four days. If your stay is for less than eight nights, you will receive Trash & Towel service on day four. If your stay is for eight nights or longer, you will receive a full cleaning service on day four, and Trash & Towel service on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day twelve. Day one is check-in day. Daily housekeeping can be arranged and paid for at time of check-in. The following rates are subject to change:

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio - $30.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 for each day requested
Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio - $15.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 for each day requested

 

[Dave006]

The woman you spoke to was correct. When you stay on DVC points, you do not get daily housekeeping. It's been this way as long as I can remember.

Actually Melissa is correct about the fact that she should have had daily mouse keeping service while staying CL at ALK.

The AKL Kilimanjaro Club is the only place where a DVC guest staying on points (owner or rented) has full service mouse keeping including nightly turn down service daily. I think the only restriction is on the ability to reserve a specific view.

Dave

 

[dansdad]

Actually Melissa is correct about the fact that she should have had daily mouse keeping service while staying CL at ALK.

The AKL Kilimanjaro Club is the only place where a DVC guest staying on points (owner or rented) has full service mouse keeping including nightly turn down service daily. I think the only restriction is on the ability to reserve a specific view.

Dave

Thanks for the correction @Dave006. Never knew that about CL at AKL as we've never stayed CL when using points.

 

[nikjd68]

Question: How are the first floor patios on the MK side of the Hawaii Longhouse? Does anyone have any pictures (or point me to where I can see them)? TIA!

 

[TJA]

Question: How are the first floor patios on the MK side of the Hawaii Longhouse? Does anyone have any pictures (or point me to where I can see them)? TIA!

LOVE the first floor patios facing MK! I believe they are now considered LV because of the bungalows obstructing that perfect TPV now.... However, we still love these rooms and I simply tend to sit in the chair that looks at this all the time:
Room 1505 views from our patio: To the left:

Straight ahead:

Zoomed in from the extreme right side of our patio:

We also stayed in Room 1503 for several trips in a row and I think we love that room better than 1505 because it's a bit closer to the lounge and further from the bungalows. My kids are old enough now that they immediately walk out to the beach whenever we take a resort break. DH goes upstairs to the lounge to grab a beer and wine or adult PoG for me and we sit on the patio and soak in the awesome atmosphere. It's simply hard to beat the feeling we have there versus at other resorts. RPC comes close.....real close.....but that tropical feeling at Poly is simply heaven! I've said it many times, but I can't get out to our patio fast enough each night when we return to our room. The soothing music, lit torches, the water and beach....just make it such a nice way to end each night. Have a great trip!!

 

[nikjd68]

LOVE the first floor patios facing MK! I believe they are now considered LV because of the bungalows obstructing that perfect TPV now.... However, we still love these rooms and I simply tend to sit in the chair that looks at this all the time... We also stayed in Room 1503 for several trips in a row and I think we love that room better than 1505 because it's a bit closer to the lounge and further from the bungalows. My kids are old enough now that they immediately walk out to the beach whenever we take a resort break. DH goes upstairs to the lounge to grab a beer and wine or adult PoG for me and we sit on the patio and soak in the awesome atmosphere. It's simply hard to beat the feeling we have there versus at other resorts. RPC comes close.....real close.....but that tropical feeling at Poly is simply heaven! I've said it many times, but I can't get out to our patio fast enough each night when we return to our room. The soothing music, lit torches, the water and beach....just make it such a nice way to end each night. Have a great trip!!

Thanks for your response and pictures!

Any issues with noise or people walking by your room? In the pictures, it looks like the sidewalk is pretty far away from the patio door. We would leave our towels and swimsuits on the chairs to dry when we are in the parks. Any issues with that?

 

[mickeynut1]

We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the Poly CL! We were at the Poly CL last Jan (2016) and are planning another stay this January. The location is great and the lounge is both relaxing and beautiful!

Hope you have a great time in January .

I'm only on here occasionally, but since I just returned from AKL CL on Friday, I thought I'd share my experience this time around. This is my 3rd time staying CL at AKL, and this time was unfortunately very underwhelming. For the amount of money you pay, the food was nothing to write home about. The dinner and dessert offerings rotated throughout our stay, so if you liked it on one day, you were most likely to see it again in another two days. Breakfast was the same every single morning, except one day there would be blueberries instead of raspberries. On one particular day we came back for an afternoon break around 2:30pm, after being out of our room since 8am it still hadn't been cleaned. After speaking with a Concierge CM, they said that apparently our room was the only room not on the list for cleaning services that day, but they would get it taken care of while I was down by the pool. I returned about 90 minutes later, and still no clean room. I then decided to call housekeeping directly, and when I asked when the room would be clean, the woman repeatedly told me that because we are DVC (we stayed using our points) we don't get housekeeping services every day. I was confused because unless the policy had changed, we most definitely were supposed to have housekeeping services. I then walked back down to the concierge desk, where they apologized up and down and said they would take care of it immediately. I felt bad even getting them involved since I didn't want to come off with a sense of entitlement, because that is the opposite of who I am, but they insisted that I deserved better services than what I was getting. About 10 minutes later I received a phone call from housekeeping, apologizing for the problem, and asking me when I would like the room cleaned. When we returned from the park at the end of the day it had finally been done. Housekeeping seemed to be the big issue because 3 out of the 6 nights we were there we didn't even receive turn down service. It was hit or miss with them. For me, it isn't that big of a deal since I don't really need turn down service, but if you are someone who's paying that much money to stay CL, then there's really no excuse for it. I will say that the concierge staff was amazing, and I feel like we've made life long friends with a few of them. I just feel like the offerings have a lot to be desired based on the cost. Not sure if I'd ever pay the outrageous amounts that they charge for those rooms, but since I have the option of trying to use points to stay there, then it's a decent option for me.

Thanks for your review. I'm sorry you didn't have a great experience with housekeeping/food offerings this time around, but glad the concierge staff was amazing. I hope your next stay (should you choose to try again) is better .

Wanted to follow up on the CL stay at AKL. It was not Magical at all. I will not let that stop me from trying club level at another resort. I will probably try Wilderness Lodge CL or Boardwalk CL next. The beachy resorts are not my favorite.

We waited in line a long time to check in. We were not greeted. No welcome letter or gift in room. No one did or said anything to make this feel special- know what I mean? You pay a lot of money and I for one expected more. We were offered an orange scented hot towel after I mentioned our long wait to check in.

Anyway, my 1br villa at Jambo House was AMAZING. it was not club level but so great!!! We would go back to AKL only if we rented points for a 1br or larger villa at Jambo or Kidani

I do not thing we will ever stay CL at AKL again.

I'm sorry your AKL CL stay wasn't very magical, but glad you enjoyed the villa .

 

[TJA]

Thanks for your response and pictures!

Any issues with noise or people walking by your room? In the pictures, it looks like the sidewalk is pretty far away from the patio door. We would leave our towels and swimsuits on the chairs to dry when we are in the parks. Any issues with that?

No issues with people walking by room outside -- you are right and the sidewalks are far enough away. Sometimes we hear people (kids?) running by our room inside, but that can happen at any resort. Also no issues with leaving things on patio to dry. The only "issue" we have is all the duck families that come by. They are very cute, but they leave droppings all over our patio....

 

[dwdeb]

Does anyone have up to date info on AKL club offerings?
My adult dd and her bf are headed there in January.
I am reading about what is new at some of the other club levels on property (BWI), and am curious about Killamanjaro Club.
Thanks!

 

[starry_solo]

Does anyone have up to date info on AKL club offerings?
My adult dd and her bf are headed there in January.
I am reading about what is new at some of the other club levels on property (BWI), and am curious about Killamanjaro Club.
Thanks!

Right above, a few posts above yours. Post #7047.

 

[dwdeb]

Right above, a few posts above yours. Post #7047.

I read that . A couple of times. Did not see anything about menu items, just a report of a less than satisfactory trip....
Not a big deal, I am just curious about whether they are following what other resort club levels seem to be doing.