Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Twende]

So I have a question about the rooms for AKL CL. I know since we're not DVC we should end up on the 4th floor so I assume I won't need to make any special requests for the room (other than 2 beds since it's my Mom and I and they gave us 1 bed once at All Stars we had to swap out! lol) like last year saying higher or lower floor, etc. right?

We just did AKL CL and had a 2 bedroom non DVC suite on the 2nd floor. It was no where near the club lounge. I had made requests during online check in but found that they asked the same questions when we were escorted up to the lounge desks. I wanted to make sure there were 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom and other than that I did not care what we got. I did not want bunk beds. We discovered that all 2 bdrms are on the end of the buildings, like the very end of the hallways. It was a long, long walk to the club lounge.

You will enjoy the foods and drinks at the lounge. Make sure you are there when the service begins for the hot appetizers and the evening desserts as they did run out of these later in the
service.

 

[Somnia]

We just did AKL CL and had a 2 bedroom non DVC suite on the 2nd floor. It was no where near the club lounge. I had made requests during online check in but found that they asked the same questions when we were escorted up to the lounge desks. I wanted to make sure there were 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom and other than that I did not care what we got. I did not want bunk beds. We discovered that all 2 bdrms are on the end of the buildings, like the very end of the hallways. It was a long, long walk to the club lounge.

You will enjoy the foods and drinks at the lounge. Make sure you are there when the service begins for the hot appetizers and the evening desserts as they did run out of these later in the
service.

We're not doing a 2 bedroom suite so I'm pretty sure that's 4th floor from what I've read at least. I'll make sure to request as high a floor as possible since we'd prefer to be up higher

Thanks for the tip on the food!

 

[trishadono]

So I have a question about the rooms for AKL CL. I know since we're not DVC we should end up on the 4th floor so I assume I won't need to make any special requests for the room (other than 2 beds since it's my Mom and I and they gave us 1 bed once at All Stars we had to swap out! lol) like last year saying higher or lower floor, etc. right?

Well I posted info on where the cl rooms were last month. Some rooms have a better view and some less walking to the lounge. Our room had the best of both. I felt the zebra trail was slightly closer too. If these things matter you can put that as well.

It is so hard to describe if I had time I would make a great map. Hopefully someone with talent could do that. Until we went there I couldn't picture myself.

 

[BC1836]

To any and all who have stayed at club level for both the Poly and the GFR (main building) during the last 12 months: please be kind enough to compare and contrast:

 

[trishadono]

To any and all who have stayed at club level for both the Poly and the GFR (main building) during the last 12 months: please be kind enough to compare and contrast:

Good question!

 

[mickeynut1]

Officially booked the trip last night, I've had my countdown and saying we're going, but hadn't been able to officially book it till last night. AHHH ONLY 289 DAYS TO GO!

Kept going back and forth on Poly or Animal Kingdom again, but went with Animal Kindgom Lodge and will save Poly for next year.

Congrats on officially booking! It seems like a long ways off, but your trip will be here before you know it! Enjoy the planning .

 

[GADisneyDad14]

To any and all who have stayed at club level for both the Poly and the GFR (main building) during the last 12 months: please be kind enough to compare and contrast:

Do you mean from a food/drink perspective? Or other aspects?

I stayed RPC Feb 2016 during the height of the CL "cutbacks" that were a big topic of conversation early last year. From your and other posts about GF CL lately, the RPC experience today sounds quite a bit different than what I experienced in Feb, so I think my perspectives there are stale.

I just got back yesterday from Poly CL where I'm more of a 'regular' I guess, so I have more history over time (my last trip was July 2016). There were significant changes/upgrades to the quality and variety of the food offerings, which I believe were just started around the first of the year. I need to organize my thoughts but I'll be posting my full review with photos over the next days.

My short review is I thought the Poly CL food changes were great. There is more variety during the various offerings throughout the day than there ever has been. There is more of a focus on fresher 'foodie' type evening apps and less mass-produced fried food, which is a welcome change from my perspective. BUT, the food is not on the same level as what I've had on recent trips to WL and BC (and I suspect GF). It's good and I appreciate the changes, it's just not 'blow me away' good.

Probably not answering your question but hope that helps.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Officially booked the trip last night, I've had my countdown and saying we're going, but hadn't been able to officially book it till last night. AHHH ONLY 289 DAYS TO GO!

Kept going back and forth on Poly or Animal Kingdom again, but went with Animal Kindgom Lodge and will save Poly for next year.

Awesome!!! We are at 290 days to go!!! Seems so long but it will be here before we know it

 

[Somnia]

Well I posted info on where the cl rooms were last month. Some rooms have a better view and some less walking to the lounge. Our room had the best of both. I felt the zebra trail was slightly closer too. If these things matter you can put that as well.

It is so hard to describe if I had time I would make a great map. Hopefully someone with talent could do that. Until we went there I couldn't picture myself.

Just found your post, really appreciate it! I think I'm going to put in a request for the Zebra Trailer for sure.

I saw in the OP of this thread it says to e-mail animal.kingdom.lodge.itinerary.planning@Disneyworld.com but I thought I remember reading that's no longer the case and there's a different e-mail, anyone know for sure?

 

[MGTDisney]

We

Good question!

To any and all who have stayed at club level for both the Poly and the GFR (main building) during the last 12 months: please be kind enough to compare and contrast:

Not exactly what you're looking for, but we were @ SL in August 2016, and Poly CL January 2017. We'll be @ RPC at the end of April. I can let you know after our April trip, or let me know if you have any particular questions that I can answer...

 

[trishadono]

Just found your post, really appreciate it! I think I'm going to put in a request for the Zebra Trailer for sure.

I saw in the OP of this thread it says to e-mail animal.kingdom.lodge.itinerary.planning@Disneyworld.com but I thought I remember reading that's no longer the case and there's a different e-mail, anyone know for sure?

Disney.Signature.Services@disneyworld.com

This is new one. I used it today myself

 

[Somnia]

Disney.Signature.Services@disneyworld.com

This is new one. I used it today myself

Thank you! Just shot them an email with a couple requests. I'll make sure to send in that it's my birthday after I make dining reservations

 

[saintrob]

We are staying AKL CL (DVC) in a 1 bedroom villa in 5 weeks. We've never stayed here using our DVC and I'm unsure what room request to make. Can I request a savannah view?

Not CL but we're then moving to the Poly for four nights, still DVC in a lake view studio. Any ideas for a room request here?

Thanks

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Not CL but we're then moving to the Poly for four nights, still DVC in a lake view studio. Any ideas for a room request here?

Thanks

Never stayed in one but for Lake View DVC I'd very much want to be on the 3rd floor as my top priority, 2nd floor would be a suitable alternative, but would not want to be on the 1st floor. Fortunately both the 2nd and 3rd floors have balconies in that building and you'll have good theme park views. The 1st floor view is mostly bungalows. 1st floor is nice for the "walk out" nature of the patio if that is of interest to you, but you have an arguably inferior view. I see plenty of people over on the Poly forum complain massively about having to use Lake View points and getting the 1st floor.

Good luck!

 

[BC1836]

We


Not exactly what you're looking for, but we were @ SL in August 2016, and Poly CL January 2017. We'll be @ RPC at the end of April. I can let you know after our April trip, or let me know if you have any particular questions that I can answer...

As our signature suggests, we have been at the GFR's Cl many times (primarily the Main bldg.), and we have had a few regular Poly stays. However, in August we are doing a split CL stay: first at the Poly for a few nights, and then at the GFR for the rest of the week. We had a Poly CM provide us with a tour of the Poly CL last week; however, there were no rooms available to examine. We were asking those who have experienced both the GFR (Main bldg.) and the Poly CL to compare and contrast their experiences regarding concierge services, food and beverages, rooms, etc.

Enjoy your end-of-April stay. Perhaps, you can inform us in person: we'll be back again during the last week of April.

All the best!

 

[mommyboys3]

Can anyone who stayed YC CL recently tell me about the evening food offerings (apps & desserts)? Debating staying CL for the first time. Usually we get the dining plan but I think if we stayed CL we wouldn't need it. We could enjoy CL apps then split later TS meals. I want to see if my picky DS16 would have anything that he would eat there. Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi all! Just got back from another great Poly CL stay. I wanted to share a few pics and thoughts on the trip. As with any Disney resort and Disney CL, there are always good things and bad things about the trip… mostly good, a couple of minor nit-picks…but a total reaffirmation of why I love Poly and Poly CL. Is it the nicest/cleanest CL? No. Does it have the best food? Nowhere close. Is it relaxing, convenient, and a cheaper alternative than flying to Hawaii? Heck yes!

I’m going to break these posts up a bit, sorry for hijacking the thread!

Thoughts…

Arrival
We arrived around 5:30PM. As has been the norm lately, no greeters, no one to escort us back, no leis, no bellman around to even ask to help with our bags (really Disney?). I had done online check-in and had received the room ready text, so just walked back to Hawaii myself with our bags.

Of course, just like this past July, when we get to Hawaii the CL CM who checked us in was like “why didn’t anyone escort you back here?”

The CL check-in was quick/efficient. We were offered drinks. I had a bit of a reservation snafu (not Disney’s fault) so it took a while to work through.

I recommend folks still stop and check-in with the CL CMs even if they have done online check-in. They’ll give you paperwork, go over the lounge, etc. Kids get a sand bucket and a Maui mask to color (the Maui mask was new, to me at least).

Room
I had a Lagoon View room this time. I’ve done TPV and GV in the past but never LV and had never been on the first floor. I was in room 1501 which is the very first room right by the elevator, on the other side of the wall from the first floor CL CM desks.

I would argue there aren’t really any bad rooms in any view category in the Hawaii building, except maybe this one! It’s just a bit noisy being so close to the entrance. BUT (and this is a big BUT), it was SOOOO convenient to be just steps from the entrance, steps from the stairs or elevator to the lounge. This made up for it being less than ideal noise wise.

We did a lot of resort/pool time given the great weather on this trip and spent a lot of time in the lounge. I have to admit I may be a LV convert given how convenient the first floor was to our daily comings/goings.

Enough chit chat…we need pics!

Here's the room view. If you stood towards the left of the patio you could see the castle. I'm not a Bungalow-hater but I do think they shouldn't have built that far left one right there. Just cuts off this whole section of the beach from being useful for Wishes or the Electrical Pageant.


From the patio looking right. I did really enjoy being able to walk right out to the sand, and so did my son!


Looking left from the patio.


For those not familiar with the Hawaii building, the CL CM's sit on the first floor there on the far right side of the building, the lounge is the second and third floor with those big windows. My room was the first room on the ground floor to the left of the CL CMs.


Very close to having duck visitors one afternoon... the sand footprints are from my son, not the duck.


Something new... a large Dasani water bottle in the room. This is similar to what I had at CR Atrium in September. Was given two bottles the next day, one another day, and none the day after that (coincidentally the day I forgot to leave a tip). I'm sure no relation....

These glasses also seemed new/different to me, but I might just not be remembering properly.


Also something new, upgraded toiletries. This again was the same I had at CR Atrium in the fall. Nice to see it in other resorts. Not sure if this is Poly-wide or just CL rooms??


The new larger chocolates. Just one per bed though. They used to leave gobs of the old, smaller ones in my experience.

 

[trishadono]

Hi all! Just got back from another great Poly CL stay. I wanted to share a few pics and thoughts on the trip. As with any Disney resort and Disney CL, there are always good things and bad things about the trip… mostly good, a couple of minor nit-picks…but a total reaffirmation of why I love Poly and Poly CL. Is it the nicest/cleanest CL? No. Does it have the best food? Nowhere close. Is it relaxing, convenient, and a cheaper alternative than flying to Hawaii? Heck yes!

I’m going to break these posts up a bit, sorry for hijacking the thread!

Thoughts…

Arrival
We arrived around 5:30PM. As has been the norm lately, no greeters, no one to escort us back, no leis, no bellman around to even ask to help with our bags (really Disney?). I had done online check-in and had received the room ready text, so just walked back to Hawaii myself with our bags.

Of course, just like this past July, when we get to Hawaii the CL CM who checked us in was like “why didn’t anyone escort you back here?”

The CL check-in was quick/efficient. We were offered drinks. I had a bit of a reservation snafu (not Disney’s fault) so it took a while to work through.

I recommend folks still stop and check-in with the CL CMs even if they have done online check-in. They’ll give you paperwork, go over the lounge, etc. Kids get a sand bucket and a Maui mask to color (the Maui mask was new, to me at least).

Room
I had a Lagoon View room this time. I’ve done TPV and GV in the past but never LV and had never been on the first floor. I was in room 1501 which is the very first room right by the elevator, on the other side of the wall from the first floor CL CM desks.

I would argue there aren’t really any bad rooms in any view category in the Hawaii building, except maybe this one! It’s just a bit noisy being so close to the entrance. BUT (and this is a big BUT), it was SOOOO convenient to be just steps from the entrance, steps from the stairs or elevator to the lounge. This made up for it being less than ideal noise wise.

We did a lot of resort/pool time given the great weather on this trip and spent a lot of time in the lounge. I have to admit I may be a LV convert given how convenient the first floor was to our daily comings/goings.

Enough chit chat…we need pics!

Here's the room view. If you stood towards the left of the patio you could see the castle. I'm not a Bungalow-hater but I do think they shouldn't have built that far left one right there. Just cuts off this whole section of the beach from being useful for Wishes or the Electrical Pageant.
View attachment 221445

From the patio looking right. I did really enjoy being able to walk right out to the sand, and so did my son!
View attachment 221446

Looking left from the patio.
View attachment 221447

For those not familiar with the Hawaii building, the CL CM's sit on the first floor there on the far right side of the building, the lounge is the second and third floor with those big windows. My room was the first room on the ground floor to the left of the CL CMs.
View attachment 221449

Very close to having duck visitors one afternoon... the sand footprints are from my son, not the duck.
View attachment 221454

Something new... a large Dasani water bottle in the room. This is similar to what I had at CR Atrium in September. Was given two bottles the next day, one another day, and none the day after that (coincidentally the day I forgot to leave a tip). I'm sure no relation....

These glasses also seemed new/different to me, but I might just not be remembering properly.
View attachment 221455

Also something new, upgraded toiletries. This again was the same I had at CR Atrium in the fall. Nice to see it in other resorts. Not sure if this is Poly-wide or just CL rooms??
View attachment 221456

The new larger chocolates. Just one per bed though. They used to leave gobs of the old, smaller ones in my experience.
View attachment 221457

You get more chocolate if you are in the room when they come lol.

Those glasses are a different shape than I remember too. Toiletries are the same as AKL cl.

I felt 1501-05 have the best 1st floor view. I would trade noise for convenience anytime. My dh probably not

Thanks for the review !

 

[trishadono]

As our signature suggests, we have been at the GFR's Cl many times (primarily the Main bldg.), and we have had a few regular Poly stays. However, in August we are doing a split CL stay: first at the Poly for a few nights, and then at the GFR for the rest of the week. We had a Poly CM provide us with a tour of the Poly CL last week; however, there were no rooms available to examine. We were asking those who have experienced both the GFR (Main bldg.) and the Poly CL to compare and contrast their experiences regarding concierge services, food and beverages, rooms, etc.

Enjoy your end-of-April stay. Perhaps, you can inform us in person: we'll be back again during the last week of April.

All the best!

One thing to consider is the bath layout. At poly everything is in one open room. Really need to schedule getting ready vs the other resort bath splits.

Poly does have better storage. 2 closets a pantry and a dresser.

The food is just better at gf. However once you sit in that poly lounge with that view...... I love the building location too. Rpc can be a hike to pool and boat.

Cms are hit n miss at all resorts. Some bettter than others.

Oh I do love the lounge chair in the rooms at poly. I take the stool out on my balcony when needed ( I put right back).

Gf I like the linens in the hall to grab if needed before they come. Also we did a poly gf split last year and all 3 of us like the gf beds better.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Here are some miscellaneous pictures of the CL lounge....

The various service times each day. At WL they'd post that night's app menu on a sheet near the lounge, which was a nice touch. They don't do that here. I asked if they had a printed menu they could give me and they don't.


They have a new setup in between services which I think is a GREAT change. Instead of closing the movable partitions on that wall/service area, they rope it off - you can kind of see the two black things there in the background on the right and left. This allows the CMs to setup in between offerings while keeping people from taking things before they are ready. It's also much nicer in that the CL CMs are generally more available / visible with that wall always open. Access to drinks, wine, beer is in front of the ropes, so never inaccessible. I think this is a huge overall improvement to the flow of the lounge.


This was Friday night at 8:30PM on a busy holiday weekend. Heaven!


The daytime view from right up on the window in the lounge. Nothing better in WDW anywhere on property for my money. The seagulls really love that first bungalow for some reason. They were there all day every day!



They now put beer out during afternoon snacks which is a new change (I think). It has always been available during the day but you'd have to ask, which sometimes required hunting down a CM. They keep plastic cups and a bottle opener out right next to the fridge all of the time now.

I hope people don't abuse this setup because it is super-convenient....


For the wine lovers. The old trash can / plate return has been turned into another service area, which is a good idea because the Poly CL lounge lacks the surface area of other CLs.


New Nespresso machine. This is basically a fancier-looking version of the ones seen in other CL lounges. You can make all sorts of espresso drinks, iced coffee, cappuccino, etc. It looks more complicated than it really is, but it's not that intuitive! Lots of buttons!