Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[GADisneyDad14]

Tipping/gifting when it comes to CL is such a subjective thing in my experience. Judging from when this has come up in the past around here, there's hardly any consensus opinion. I suspect that by far the large majority of CL guests do not tip/gift CL CMs in any way, and that is perfectly fine in my opinion.

As has been noted, CMs aren't allowed to accept cash tips. I believe it's a fireable offense from what I've read around here (not sure if that is accurate).

Personally, I do find myself wanting to do a gift at times - that's just our nature. But a practical problem is that on any given day you could encounter 10+ CMs over multiple shifts at varying degrees of interaction. When you give a gift, what do you do - single someone out? Leave it a toss up to share? That's where the topic can get a bit fuzzy, for me at least.

I do always make it a point to catch CM names who I think provided great service and then write guest services afterwards, or make sure to note them if I get a post-trip survey. Who knows how far those go, but I figure it can't hurt. I've started to get in the habit of jotting down a CM name on my phone right away because I will inevitably forget later if it's not someone I know from prior trips.

Tough topic!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Tipping/gifting when it comes to CL is such a subjective thing in my experience. Judging from when this has come up in the past around here, there's hardly any consensus opinion. I suspect that by far the large majority of CL guests do not tip/gift CL CMs in any way, and that is perfectly fine in my opinion.

As has been noted, CMs aren't allowed to accept cash tips. I believe it's a fireable offense from what I've read around here (not sure if that is accurate).

Personally, I do find myself wanting to do a gift at times - that's just our nature. But a practical problem is that on any given day you could encounter 10+ CMs over multiple shifts at varying degrees of interaction. When you give a gift, what do you do - single someone out? Leave it a toss up to share? That's where the topic can get a bit fuzzy, for me at least.

I do always make it a point to catch CM names who I think provided great service and then write guest services afterwards, or make sure to note them if I get a post-trip survey. Who knows how far those go, but I figure it can't hurt. I've started to get in the habit of jotting down a CM name on my phone right away because I will inevitably forget later if it's not someone I know from prior trips.

Tough topic!

You make some great points, that I never even thought about. Do you give it to the CM checking you in or the ones at the desk? How do you give it to the person with a tray full of drinks or food, running around trying to refill everything? Do you do it when you leave and what if you brought 3 gifts but 4 CMs are standing there? What if one goes above and beyond and the other one has had an attitude all week? These things unfortunately happen, do you give them both something? It can make it tough for sure.

 

[HBGdancermom]

I hope others respond in case they have had different experiences.

In my experience, no, no special welcome drink is offered. I have usually (but not always) been offered water, soda, etc. The CL CMs on the first floor have a small fridge with basic stuff.

One caveat is that I've always had a kid or two in tow and all but one time have been checking in somewhat early (AM hours), so the later in the day check-in experience may vary!

That being said, I'm pretty sure if I had said "I'd really love a wine/beer/alcoholic POG juice," they would have happily obliged.

When we stayed Poly CL at the end of January, we were offered wine, champagne or a special punch at check in. We had Sabra and she also offered our girls Sprites......you would have thought it was Christmas morning.

GADisney Dad, Sabra also explained the texting at check in as well and even did a few test texts.

We checked in that day about 2:30pm.

Can I go back please??????

 

[Bmath]

If I requested a room location using signature services, should I also use touring plans fax request or not?

 

[ErinsMommy]

I just wanted to report - today is my 180 day window and after an extremely frustrating 2 hours of Stitch, Dalmations, and just "timed outs" and having to log out and back in more times to the point I lost track, I finally gave up and walked away with a mix of restaurants we wanted with times we weren't so crazy about; restaurants we didn't want at all (not because of food, but because we already had an ADR for another day and didn't want to duplicate) but i grabbed it anyway just to have something; and the balance of restaurants with times we were happy with. (On a side note, really Disney??? 2 hours for something that shouldn't have taken more than 1/2 hr??? )

Anywho, before leaving work on Friday I emailed DSS our 'wish list' for backup and by the time I got to work this morning, I had an email with an updated list of ADRs they were able to secure for me leaving me with a completely happy and do-able ADR list, along with an email telling me so along with their phone number again if I have any questions or changes. So glad I went with my gut and emailed them on Friday as back-up and they came through for me!

Gold Stars for DSS!!! Rotten eggs for IT!!

 

[Ewoks]

We're a week past our 180-day mark and haven't heard a peep from DSS. I only needed to make 3 ADRs for this trip, all of which are easy to get, but it's still a bit disappointing. Just figured I'd report! I'll let y'all know if we do happen to hear from them.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If I requested a room location using signature services, should I also use touring plans fax request or not?

Curious what others do, but for me I only do my room requests via DSS - have never doubled up with a TP fax.

 

[gwynne]

Curious what others do, but for me I only do my room requests via DSS - have never doubled up with a TP fax.

No fax here. I made a brief room request when I booked. I will email the same request to DSS in the next few weeks for a fall stay.

 

[gwynne]

We're a week past our 180-day mark and haven't heard a peep from DSS. I only needed to make 3 ADRs for this trip, all of which are easy to get, but it's still a bit disappointing. Just figured I'd report! I'll let y'all know if we do happen to hear from them.

I nearly always contacted the IPO (now DSS) myself. Occasionally I would hear from them first, but not usually. Disney doesn't have the best computer systems.

 

[mickeynut1]

I just wanted to report - today is my 180 day window and after an extremely frustrating 2 hours of Stitch, Dalmations, and just "timed outs" and having to log out and back in more times to the point I lost track, I finally gave up and walked away with a mix of restaurants we wanted with times we weren't so crazy about; restaurants we didn't want at all (not because of food, but because we already had an ADR for another day and didn't want to duplicate) but i grabbed it anyway just to have something; and the balance of restaurants with times we were happy with. (On a side note, really Disney??? 2 hours for something that shouldn't have taken more than 1/2 hr??? )

Anywho, before leaving work on Friday I emailed DSS our 'wish list' for backup and by the time I got to work this morning, I had an email with an updated list of ADRs they were able to secure for me leaving me with a completely happy and do-able ADR list, along with an email telling me so along with their phone number again if I have any questions or changes. So glad I went with my gut and emailed them on Friday as back-up and they came through for me!

Gold Stars for DSS!!! Rotten eggs for IT!!

Sorry you had such an awful time with online ADRs, good thing you emailed DSS on Friday. Glad they were able to come through for you .

 

[ErinsMommy]

Quick question for the Poly CL: Is there a laundry facility in the Hawaii building? More than one washer/dryer? Vacation is not my favorite place to do laundry but we added on a day to our trip and are coming back Monday instead of Sunday -- and the OCD in me is cringing at the thought of tossing down a suitcase filled with dirties and it sitting there for a week until the following weekend (life will be way too busy for me to even try and tackle during the week).

 

[rachaelpink23]

Opinions please! Trying to decide on a location for our Memorial Day week trip. We will be arriving may 26th and cannot decide between YC, BWI, and WL club level! We have stayed at all of these resorts before but have only tried the YC club level (and that was pre-renovation). What would you all pick? We like the theming at all of the resorts just wondering if one of them is better club level (food offerings, wine offerings, service, size of lounge etc) we are a family of 4 including our kids ages 4 and 2. Thanks!

ETA now we are thinking about Sugar Loaf too

 

[rachaelpink23]

Quick question for the Poly CL: Is there a laundry facility in the Hawaii building? More than one washer/dryer? Vacation is not my favorite place to do laundry but we added on a day to our trip and are coming back Monday instead of Sunday -- and the OCD in me is cringing at the thought of tossing down a suitcase filled with dirties and it sitting there for a week until the following weekend (life will be way too busy for me to even try and tackle during the week).

No, unfortunately there is no laundry in Hawaii. We stayed there last May and had to walk to a separate building to do laundry. I believe the only long house that has laundry in it is the one that is a vacation club property. My family almost always does laundry on our trips because I'm like you! I can't stand taking home a suitcase filled with dirty laundry! Please note that there are not that many washers/dryers on property considering the large number of guests so be prepared to wait for a machine or maybe go super early in the morning. HTH!

 

[ErinsMommy]

No, unfortunately there is no laundry in Hawaii. We stayed there last May and had to walk to a separate building to do laundry. I believe the only long house that has laundry in it is the one that is a vacation club property. My family almost always does laundry on our trips because I'm like you! I can't stand taking home a suitcase filled with dirty laundry! Please note that there are not that many washers/dryers on property considering the large number of guests so be prepared to wait for a machine or maybe go super early in the morning. HTH!

Thank you! Guess I'll be going home with dirties -- although we have lots of pool days and if the family sleeps in late I may get some things done.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Quick question for the Poly CL: Is there a laundry facility in the Hawaii building? More than one washer/dryer? Vacation is not my favorite place to do laundry but we added on a day to our trip and are coming back Monday instead of Sunday -- and the OCD in me is cringing at the thought of tossing down a suitcase filled with dirties and it sitting there for a week until the following weekend (life will be way too busy for me to even try and tackle during the week).

I do laundry on longer stays too. As the PP noted, no laundry in Hawaii, it's in a separate building. This map may help. Depending on where your room is I find going out the side entrance to Hawaii is the quickest walk. It's not a bad walk, quite pleasant actually. I've never not been able to find a washer or dryer available, but it does get used often in my experience.

Not to go on a tangent, but I had a small issue when I used it last summer. The machines only take credit cards but no Amex. I only have an Amex. I tried using my debit/credit card which worked at first, but the multple small transactions in a row between washers and dryers set off some security alarm bells with my bank that locked my card/account. Took awhile to work through with my bank!

 

[Branflakes]

Opinions please! Trying to decide on a location for our Memorial Day week trip. We will be arriving may 26th and cannot decide between YC, BWI, and WL club level! We have stayed at all of these resorts before but have only tried the YC club level (and that was pre-renovation). What would you all pick? We like the theming at all of the resorts just wondering if one of them is better club level (food offerings, wine offerings, service, size of lounge etc) we are a family of 4 including our kids ages 4 and 2. Thanks!

Have you looked at the new photos of the renovations at YC CL rooms? Including the club lounge itself? See if the new design appeals to you. Pretty amazing imo. If it were me, I'd stay at YC. I do love WL, for many reasons, not a big fan of BWI, I have clown issues But you just can't beat the location and Storm Along Bay is pretty spectacular. Epcot and Studios right there too plus the boardwalk itself.
Club offerings I think are relatively similar within these particular resorts.
I vote YC

 

[Branflakes]

If I requested a room location using signature services, should I also use touring plans fax request or not?

I received a call about a month ago from DSS, I made my request at that time and followed up with an email last week for an upcoming stay 5/9-5/16. They replied, and of course you get the cursory "no guarantee", but I've never been disappointed.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I just wanted to report - today is my 180 day window and after an extremely frustrating 2 hours of Stitch, Dalmations, and just "timed outs" and having to log out and back in more times to the point I lost track, I finally gave up and walked away with a mix of restaurants we wanted with times we weren't so crazy about; restaurants we didn't want at all (not because of food, but because we already had an ADR for another day and didn't want to duplicate) but i grabbed it anyway just to have something; and the balance of restaurants with times we were happy with. (On a side note, really Disney??? 2 hours for something that shouldn't have taken more than 1/2 hr??? )

Anywho, before leaving work on Friday I emailed DSS our 'wish list' for backup and by the time I got to work this morning, I had an email with an updated list of ADRs they were able to secure for me leaving me with a completely happy and do-able ADR list, along with an email telling me so along with their phone number again if I have any questions or changes. So glad I went with my gut and emailed them on Friday as back-up and they came through for me!

Gold Stars for DSS!!! Rotten eggs for IT!!

Just trying to get the timing right... So you emailed them the requests Fri, then went ahead and attempted your own reservations at the window opening today (since DSS doesn't reserve until later in the day) and then DSS just went ahead and fixed/found the ADRs to what you had requested Fri?

 

[Zife]

I think bringing something is fine, I'm sure it's appreciated and they can't accept alcohol. However, what I've heard is the best thing you can do for them is to fill out a comment card for those that go above and beyond. I've been told that's how they get raises, promotions, etc.

Yeah, I usually get several of the comment cards/papers when we arrive and keep them on me to fill out. I follow a lot of CMs on tumblr, and they always get so excited when they get one.

Thanks to everyone else for the tips too! If we wind up taking anything, we're thinking something shareable, handing it in on check in, and hoping that it gets given out, but we might wind up just trying to do the comment cards.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Just trying to get the timing right... So you emailed them the requests Fri, then went ahead and attempted your own reservations at the window opening today (since DSS doesn't reserve until later in the day) and then DSS just went ahead and fixed/found the ADRs to what you had requested Fri?

Yes - they didn't delete any I had made myself but instead saw which ones I was missing and added them which in my case didn't seem to cause any conflicts and when I got their email that they secured my missing ADRs I went in and deleted the ones I didn't want. Hope that makes sense