Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[GADisneyDad14]

I know that I've read about GF and AKL having these chef stations in the lounge. Are they at any other resort?

I wouldn't necessarily call this a "chef station" but in Feb at Poly CL the chef was "behind the counter" pretty much all the time plating/putting the finishing touches on the small plate evening apps. She wasn't cooking them right there like some of these others that are popping up, but kind of close. Maybe just the particular chef that was there my nights but it was far more interaction from a chef at Poly CL than I had ever seen in the past.

Is it fair of me to be annoyed by these two points on our current stay at BWI CL?

I asked for a glass of Cabernet, he asked me if that was white, I said that it was red, he went into the back, poured me a glass of Chardonnay, he handed it to me, I said that I asked for a Cabernet, at which point he told me that they don't do red wine until 5pm. Weird... considering I got Cabernet Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon. Is this standard?

Also, no one greeted us at the front on Sunday. We arrived by car. This is the second time staying at CL that this has happened. Had to go to front desk, find someone, and then we were taken upstairs.

Am I wrong for just being irritated by these points?

Sounds like you got a lousy or uninformed CM. Maybe they were new? I'd argue it's inexcusable for him to even have to ask if "Cabernet is a white" - that's just poor training for someone in a service oriented role that has a food/beverage element to it. I would be irritated at having to give a CM a wine lesson!

But as others have noted, you should have been able to get your red whenever you want it! That's surprising given the overall high marks for customer service you tend to see about BWI CL around here.

As for the greeters, I haven't been to BWI but the whole "greeter" experience just isn't what it used to be at the places I've stayed. Many/most resorts don't even have a full set of greeters like they used to, if they even have them at all. My last several trips I've had to go in an search around for "someone" and sometimes even use the main desk.

Although I will say even when there were more greeters sometimes you'd be the last one off MDE and still be left to fend for yourself, so it wasn't like it used to be perfect either (in my experience).

Any recent Contemporary Information would be welcomed here

I just got back from CR Tower Club a few weeks ago. My last time in Atrium Club was Sept 2016, so somewhat fresh but a bit stale. I love CL at CR, we've always really enjoyed it there. Any specific information you're looking for?

Quick question. We are staying BC CL for the first time and arriving this Saturday. Usually, I pack cereal, fruit, boxed pastries and we eat breakfast in the room daily, just buying milk at the gift shop when we arrive. I wasn't going to do that this time, since we are staying CL and figured we would eat breakfast at the lounge, since we are typically light breakfast eaters. My DH is concerned that this won't work, that there won't be enough food to go around, but I figure from what I have seen in pics and read, that we should be ok. Do you think we are good to go without bringing breakfast foods with us?

As others have noted, CL is GREAT for breakfast. Arguably one of the most substantial services of the day at many of the CLs. It's relatively standard fare, but sounds like it will be perfect given what you describe.

I'm staying YC Cl in October. I understand everything is handled before hand through email now if you need help. Just wondering can only the reservation holder use that email or can anyone on the reservation make a request? My friend is the holder of the reservation but I'm the planner so wanted to send them the email. He still hasn't sent it to me though just said he got a post card or something with the information on it.

Interesting question. I'm the planner and the reservation holder so I've never encountered that dilemma. So long as you're listed on the reservation, I suspect that you could e-mail and call DSS without any issue but I don't know that for sure.

No harm in e-mailing and/or calling to find out. Include your reservation number anytime you send an e-mail. disney.signature.services@disneyworld.com (407) 939-7777

Good luck!

I've read that for club level there is someone to greet you by name when you enter the resort. How do they know what time you are coming in? Do I tell someone in advance?

We are staying the night before at a local friend's house and hope to be at the YC by 7/7:30am to check in, have some breakfast, and make Epcot rope drop if all goes smoothly.

I'm repeating what others have already said, but I'd set your expectations pretty low for having an actual greeter meet you by name. Possible yes, but could easily not happen. If you aren't greeted, I'd recommend that when you arrive you tell anyone and everyone you encounter that you're checking in CL. If you see a CM anywhere around with an ipad-like device, grab him/her.

Aside from that, what you're describing about an early check-in, breakfast in the lounge, then off to Epcot sounds perfectly doable to me! Have fun!

Thanks! So is it better to do online checkin? When do you typically do it?

We will be driving so no ME

My opinion, I used to be anti-online check-in but changed my ways last year. I've been doing it now the last several trips. Couple of comments:

- It's useful in that you can get your credit card added to your reservation for payment and incidentals in advance. If you have a balance due at check-in you don't have to mess with it then, it all happens behind the scenes.
- I have DSS note any room requests on my reservation, I don't mess with the "room requests" options via online check-in.
- Even if I have done online check-in, I still "play dumb" when I arrive just to get whatever sort of CL check-in experience is offered, get any paperwork, hear anything about the offerings, the lounge, etc. Even if it's a CL I've stayed at before, I like hearing the rundown again and having a brief chat with the CM. Never know what you might learn.
- I forget how early you can do online check-in, I think maybe 60 days out? For whatever reason I don't tend to do it until a few days before, but there's really no rhyme/reason in that logic.

Hope that helps!

 

[karasmom]

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

 

[lala5176]

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

Yes, one hour later.

 

[TJA]

@TJA for the SL pics and review! Good example of how quickly things change with CL - granted I was only there four nights so probably missed some of the rotation but many of your items were new from only the week before! Some look really good!

Sadly we had some of the same experiences with the lack of clearing off tables. It wasn't rampant, but a couple of peak times it seemed like they needed another CM around. Nothing that was overly bothersome, just an observation.

Those pics of the wide open computer screen in the middle of the lounge make me chuckle. I know it has one of those privacy screen things on it, but it's still not all that private.

I'm pretty sure you had the room just to the right of mine!

Thank you again!

Yes, some of the SL food really was quite outstanding (didn't you just miss the good food at your RPC stay too?!). My DD's loved a lot of things there - mac & cheese, the strawberry & spinach salad, the strawberry soup, all the fresh berries, chicken nuggets are always a hit too. But they didn't find a lot they loved at AKL CL. I was kind of disappointed there wasn't more for them at AKL because I really enjoyed it a lot, but my family enjoyed SL more.

I also generally am not bothered by tables not cleared off as I'm sure it can be really hard to keep up at busy times! When someone did come out of the kitchen to clear the tables, they brought a big cart so they could fit everything on it, lol. So obviously they were aware of how much they needed to clear.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

I asked for a late check-out at Poly CL last summer. They told me I could stay until 1PM. I've asked a couple of other times and have been told no (which I totally understand). That one time I did get it, Mousekeeping knocked on the door around 12:30 (as we were showering / packing up) and was pretty angry that we were still there. I told her the CM said we could have a late check-out, she said I wasn't on her "sheet." She was none too happy. We were about to leave anyway so it was all good, but it seemed she was close to calling for "backup" on me. Yikes!

I've always wondered if the CL CM who said I could have a late check-out gave me bum info, or if it was an honest miscommunication?

 

[wilkeliza]

I wouldn't necessarily call this a "chef station" but in Feb at Poly CL the chef was "behind the counter" pretty much all the time plating/putting the finishing touches on the small plate evening apps. She wasn't cooking them right there like some of these others that are popping up, but kind of close. Maybe just the particular chef that was there my nights but it was far more interaction from a chef at Poly CL than I had ever seen in the past.



Sounds like you got a lousy or uninformed CM. Maybe they were new? I'd argue it's inexcusable for him to even have to ask if "Cabernet is a white" - that's just poor training for someone in a service oriented role that has a food/beverage element to it. I would be irritated at having to give a CM a wine lesson!

But as others have noted, you should have been able to get your red whenever you want it! That's surprising given the overall high marks for customer service you tend to see about BWI CL around here.

As for the greeters, I haven't been to BWI but the whole "greeter" experience just isn't what it used to be at the places I've stayed. Many/most resorts don't even have a full set of greeters like they used to, if they even have them at all. My last several trips I've had to go in an search around for "someone" and sometimes even use the main desk.

Although I will say even when there were more greeters sometimes you'd be the last one off MDE and still be left to fend for yourself, so it wasn't like it used to be perfect either (in my experience).



I just got back from CR Tower Club a few weeks ago. My last time in Atrium Club was Sept 2016, so somewhat fresh but a bit stale. I love CL at CR, we've always really enjoyed it there. Any specific information you're looking for?



As others have noted, CL is GREAT for breakfast. Arguably one of the most substantial services of the day at many of the CLs. It's relatively standard fare, but sounds like it will be perfect given what you describe.



Interesting question. I'm the planner and the reservation holder so I've never encountered that dilemma. So long as you're listed on the reservation, I suspect that you could e-mail and call DSS without any issue but I don't know that for sure.

No harm in e-mailing and/or calling to find out. Include your reservation number anytime you send an e-mail. disney.signature.services@disneyworld.com (407) 939-7777

Good luck!



I'm repeating what others have already said, but I'd set your expectations pretty low for having an actual greeter meet you by name. Possible yes, but could easily not happen. If you aren't greeted, I'd recommend that when you arrive you tell anyone and everyone you encounter that you're checking in CL. If you see a CM anywhere around with an ipad-like device, grab him/her.

Aside from that, what you're describing about an early check-in, breakfast in the lounge, then off to Epcot sounds perfectly doable to me! Have fun!



My opinion, I used to be anti-online check-in but changed my ways last year. I've been doing it now the last several trips. Couple of comments:

- It's useful in that you can get your credit card added to your reservation for payment and incidentals in advance. If you have a balance due at check-in you don't have to mess with it then, it all happens behind the scenes.
- I have DSS note any room requests on my reservation, I don't mess with the "room requests" options via online check-in.
- Even if I have done online check-in, I still "play dumb" when I arrive just to get whatever sort of CL check-in experience is offered, get any paperwork, hear anything about the offerings, the lounge, etc. Even if it's a CL I've stayed at before, I like hearing the rundown again and having a brief chat with the CM. Never know what you might learn.
- I forget how early you can do online check-in, I think maybe 60 days out? For whatever reason I don't tend to do it until a few days before, but there's really no rhyme/reason in that logic.

Hope that helps!

Thanks I emailed the old information since that is what I had and it said I should hear back with in 24 hours and gave me the new email. Never actually used the conceirge services before hand before but figured why not.

 

[dansdad]

I asked for a late check-out at Poly CL last summer. They told me I could stay until 1PM. I've asked a couple of other times and have been told no (which I totally understand). That one time I did get it, Mousekeeping knocked on the door around 12:30 (as we were showering / packing up) and was pretty angry that we were still there. I told her the CM said we could have a late check-out, she said I wasn't on her "sheet." She was none too happy. We were about to leave anyway so it was all good, but it seemed she was close to calling for "backup" on me. Yikes!

I've always wondered if the CL CM who said I could have a late check-out gave me bum info, or if it was an honest miscommunication?

It was most likely an honest miscommunication. Normally late check out requests are granted by housekeeping and they do mark them down on their sheet of rooms to turnover. Sounds like the CL CM forgot to inform housekeeping.

 

[eeyore81]

Ok, I am getting very upset with DSS. Is anyone else having problems with them. Everything I have asked them for is a can't do, or we did it but did it wrong and we can't fix it. I called an ask for the elephant tour several months ago, we got the tour but it said you had to call if you had a service animal. Ok, we call no answer, they gave me the number, I have been calling once or twice a week for 12 weeks or more nothing, DSS staff called me about 4 weeks told me they finally got a hold of the tour people and they want me to call them, so I try almost daily several times a day for 2 weeks nothing. I ask DSS to help me get in touch, they say sorry. So since we leave in 3 days, I will cancel the tour.

Moving on call for rescues, okay it was about 120 out, they could not get me any they say, I got on computer and got everyone, around the time I asked for, maybe an hour here or there but not nothing, I got BOG, I got CRT at 7:55 the day and time I asked them for. I got spirit of Aloha and HDDR all the day and time I asked when they said they could not.

I ask for a reasonable accommodation for the room, I wish to be taken to the room and shown the evacuation route and how to use the safe since they do not put that info in Braille. I get a email a week later telling me what restaurants have Braille. I call and explain again what I would like, how to get out of the building in case of fire, from my room to the outside, or to put it in Braille. I get a call from a manager who wants to know why I don't like my room. (Maybe cause I won't be there for (3more months).

I called and asked the to change Spirit of Aloha from 2 to 3 people. They change it from catagory 1 to catagory 3, I call and said no I want to stay with catagory 1 can they fix it even if we have to change dates, they said no, I called and had it fixed.

Today, I realized that the frozen ft we got when we changed to three people, will cut into horsebackriding, cutting it very close, 1:15 fp and 2:30 be ther by 2 horseback riding. I email and ask if they could move it to Saturday instead at the same time. They tell me know it will have to be 1 pm on Saturday, I call and get a 2:30 for the date I wanted.

I am glad they don't get tips because at this point I feel this service is the worst I have ever experienced. Hesse are just a few of the things I have emailed about. So for me this service can jot even be considered anymore when you consider is CL worth it.

This type of service is unacceptable to me. I think it warrants a message to Disney guest services. I too have been disappointed with DSS. I have said this before on this thread. Maybe I was just spoiled by the pre-arrival CL AKL CMs on our previous trips, but I am completely underwhelmed by DSS. I too have gotten "no" or "here is the number to call" type responses. The no's were to things that the AKL CMs have done for me bunches of times. We have been staying CL at AKL once or twice a year for the last 5 years. I felt like they knew us. I am not sure if any of the DSS CMs are the same people, but I have yet to get a response from any of our previous AKL CMs. Don and Juanita typically were the CMs who responded to our requests at AKL and just the tone of their emails was more accommodating and happier. I always looked forward to calling them to give them my credit card info and to chat for just a bit. Hopefully DSS will work out its issues and can be as great as the service was before.

 

[qbmillar]

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

Just requested late checkout from AKL CL at the end of March. We were given until 1:30pm, the CM said anything after that we would be charged.

 

[trishadono]

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

I have gotten until 1pm a few times. However I find asking the maid directly has been better. Sometimes I ask at check in and they make you ask every day and keep saying check again later then on last day they say no.

I tip the maid everyday then try to ask the day before or morning of. They try to clean the other rooms first and then get to ours.

 

[RachelTori]

This type of service is unacceptable to me. I think it warrants a message to Disney guest services. I too have been disappointed with DSS. I have said this before on this thread. Maybe I was just spoiled by the pre-arrival CL AKL CMs on our previous trips, but I am completely underwhelmed by DSS. I too have gotten "no" or "here is the number to call" type responses. The no's were to things that the AKL CMs have done for me bunches of times. We have been staying CL at AKL once or twice a year for the last 5 years. I felt like they knew us. I am not sure if any of the DSS CMs are the same people, but I have yet to get a response from any of our previous AKL CMs. Don and Juanita typically were the CMs who responded to our requests at AKL and just the tone of their emails was more accommodating and happier. I always looked forward to calling them to give them my credit card info and to chat for just a bit. Hopefully DSS will work out its issues and can be as great as the service was before.

Oh, how I miss Don and Juanita!

Does anyone here know their whereabouts?

I also have been disappointed in DSS.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

For those that have stayed YC CL recently- do they do a welcome drink when you check in?! How about chocolates at turndown? LOL (silly, I know, but it's the little things!)

We were at the YC the third week in April - yes to both questions! The welcome drink was a strawberry champagne thing, and it was delicious! They said we could request it anytime, so we asked for some on our checkout day when we were feeling sorry for ourselves because we had to leave! At turndown, they gave us Ghiradelli milk chocolates!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yes, some of the SL food really was quite outstanding (didn't you just miss the good food at your RPC stay too?!).

Ha! I am snake bit when it comes to GF CL. I blow the vacation budget to stay at RPC last year.... height of Disney CL cutbacks. I stay at SL this year...they start a chef station the very next week with some awesome looking food (hello, mussels, yes please!).

I can't win when it comes to GF!

 

[mickeynut1]

Quick question. We are staying BC CL for the first time and arriving this Saturday. Usually, I pack cereal, fruit, boxed pastries and we eat breakfast in the room daily, just buying milk at the gift shop when we arrive. I wasn't going to do that this time, since we are staying CL and figured we would eat breakfast at the lounge, since we are typically light breakfast eaters. My DH is concerned that this won't work, that there won't be enough food to go around, but I figure from what I have seen in pics and read, that we should be ok. Do you think we are good to go without bringing breakfast foods with us?

As others have said, CL breakfast offerings are pretty plentiful. I wouldn't pack anything extra. Have a great trip .

We have stays at Poly, BC and AKL coming up. I hope they get the waffles by then. I'll take a sugar cookie too - or a scone!

Love them cookies .

First time doing CL..... how do you plan your day in order to be able to take advantage of all the food offerings? Does anyone do dining reservations, too? Will be in AKL..... are their hours and menu anywhere? Thanks in advance.

We do a TS dinner every night of our trips, even when we stay CL. Like some of the others have posted, we don't plan our days around the CL offerings. If we are at the resort when they're out, we take advantage of them; if not, we don't worry about it as we don't make a special trip back to the resort or plan our day around the offerings.

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

We've asked for/gotten late check out once. It's not guaranteed, but it never hurts to inquire/request .

 

[Eastern]

Question
Has anyobe ever done a late checkout?
How long did they give you? Just wondering if it's worth requesting

I ask almost every time because we typically have a later day flight. Usually they give one hour extra; I don't think I have ever gotten 1pm. Try to ask as early as possible because I have been told 'there are no more late checkouts available'. Now I usually ask when I arrive.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I ask almost every time because we typically have a later day flight. Usually they give one hour extra; I don't think I have ever gotten 1pm. Try to ask as early as possible because I have been told 'there are no more late checkouts available'. Now I usually ask when I arrive.

I don't see your original post, @karasmom , but I heard the same thing as Eastern - to ask early. We asked for a late checkout for this April YC trip also due to a late flight. We asked the concierge CM on our first day and got until 1pm. We had a contingency plan (especially since you can use the pool/lounge all day), but it did make things a little easier!

 

[thaggie1]

Hoe does the check in at GF SL work? Last time I stayed at RPC a CM was waiting when we got off the bus to take us right up. However, of Cms don't greet you at ME anymore do I have to go to the regular checkin and wait in line?

 

[mrsap]

We were at the YC the third week in April - yes to both questions! The welcome drink was a strawberry champagne thing, and it was delicious! They said we could request it anytime, so we asked for some on our checkout day when we were feeling sorry for ourselves because we had to leave! At turndown, they gave us Ghiradelli milk chocolates!

Fabulous! Thank you! You just made my day!!!!!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Fabulous! Thank you! You just made my day!!!!!

Enjoy your trip! I wish mine was not in the rear view mirror!

 

[JennLTX]

We were at the YC the third week in April - yes to both questions! The welcome drink was a strawberry champagne thing, and it was delicious! They said we could request it anytime, so we asked for some on our checkout day when we were feeling sorry for ourselves because we had to leave! At turndown, they gave us Ghiradelli milk chocolates!

Best. News. EVER.