Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[GADisneyDad14]

@GADisneyDad14 , oh my goodness, no apologies needed! I'm thrilled that you're responding t my (many!) questions. Your feedback is incredibly helpful, and your expertise is appreciated. Is there a way I can view some of your awesome sets of photos from each resort (like the WL ones you shared in a previous post)???
As for your response, choosing a resort based on important amenities makes a lot of sense. Your point about room sizes in non MK monorail resorts really makes me think twice about that split stay idea, too!
CR is really appealing to us for the balcony/TPV rooms and proximity to MK, although, like others, the vibe isn't all that appealing to us (especially at Christmas!). I also read that the CL food offerings don't measure up to other CL lounges. Thoughts?
THANK YOU again! This site is so much fun!

Haha...well I don't think I'm an expert by any means... probably just dumb for giving Disney so many of my vacation dollars, but we're having fun doing it. No one can really be a true CL expert because things change/evolve so often, but thanks for the kind words.

Here are some random links to mini trip reports I've done for the resorts in question:

Poly CL - Feb 2017

Poly CL - May 2017 Food

Poly CL - May 2017 Room

GF SL April 2017 - Room

GF SL April 2017 - Food

CR Atrium Club - Sept 2016

I don't have a ton of split stay experience but I wouldn't rule out a split stay if it's a particularly long trip... like at least 4ish nights at each place (if not longer). An MK resort / Epcot resort split is the best of both worlds and takes a bit of the pressure off the slightly inferior (in my opinion) Epcot transportation options from places like CR and GF (where you have to transfer monorails). There are some room/view categories that do guaranty a daybed if that's critical (it's starting to for us because we're learning DD and DS just pick on each other if in the same bed!).

I do agree CR doesn't have much of a Christmas vibe. A tree out front, a Frozen gingerbread thing in the atrium (the last few years)... that's about it. But, it's a great spot to be in if you're planning to do a MVMCP both for 1) walk-ability to/from the party and 2) if you're not doing the party, CR is a great vantage point to watch the special MVMCP fireworks show. CR tends to be my "party resort" choice... hence why I'm staying there on my next trip, which is really to do MNSSHP. The food isn't as abundant or flavorful as some other CLs, but I've always enjoyed it. I do admit I tend to stay at CR for shorter stays (or colder weather stays) because the pools are not my favorite there. We have had the BEST CM interactions at CR... it's the only place I've ever been recognized as a repeat guest and with some exceptions the CMs there tend to genuinely care about the guest experience.

Obviously YMMV for any of the above, but that's my take.

 

[focusondisney]

@GADisneyDad14 , oh my goodness, no apologies needed! I'm thrilled that you're responding to my (many!) questions. Your feedback is incredibly helpful, and your expertise is appreciated. Is there a way I can view some of your awesome sets of photos from each resort (like the WL ones you shared in a previous post)???
As for your response, choosing a resort based on important amenities makes a lot of sense. Your point about room sizes in non MK monorail resorts really makes me think twice about that split stay idea, too!
CR is really appealing to us for the balcony/TPV rooms and proximity to MK, although, like others, the vibe isn't all that appealing to us (especially at Christmas!). I also read that the CL food offerings don't measure up to other CL lounges. Thoughts?
THANK YOU again! This site is so much fun!

We have stayed club level at BC, GF RPC, CR tower club, BWI cottages & YC. Our favorite resort is YC & we stay there every trip. If we're doing one of the other resorts we make it a split stay with YC. The best Club level by far is GF RPC. I also don't care much for the room decor & feeling of CR. But for that view, I know I will stay there again some day. We stayed there in Dec 2015 & we weren't that impressed with the food either. Not bad, their offerings were just not our taste. But with little kids & strollers, you can't beat the walk to MK.

Personally I like split stays so I think doing a split stay might work for you. You will rely so much less on buses to get around. And you will be able to tour the various resorts so much easier.

The YC is just finishing a complete renovation. Rooms were gutted & a quick service was added to the lobby. I was just there in May & I can say the food offerings were a big step up from recent years.

Good luck deciding!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

@luvindisneyworld A few more random pics.... Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you so much. We are so excited...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Our favorite resort is YC & we stay there every trip.

So I have been stalking the WDW website for reservations around a long Columbus Day weekend (fall break down here) and have been coming up with nothing for months.... not just CL, I'm talking almost ANY resort. Last night, in a random moment of searching, a YC CL Standard View room popped up so I booked it. I've been to BC (just one night last summer) but never YC. So now I need to get up to speed on what the heck I booked. Any tips/things I need to know with YC CL and/or that room category, or any other overall advice? THANK YOU!

 

[Anniefrances]

Hi all - I wanted to reach out and ask if my expectations were out of line re: our recent CL experience?

Toward the end of our trip I decided to add on a night (which turned into two) and ended up booking Poly GV CL. My rationale was threefold - upon upgrading to AP, there was a nice rate; my older son has always dreamed of staying at the Poly; and I had the impression that CL would be super relaxing after 11 nights (split btwn CBR/AKL) - a vacation to recover from vacation, lol. I had only stayed CL once before (back in 2010 at CR and it was a pixie dust upgrade - so this is my only experience for comparison).

So, there were some things that took me by surprise. When we checked in (around noon), I asked CMs in the lounge about vegetarian offerings for the evening appetizers and was told there would be crackers and cheese and crudites but that the hot options would be non-vegetarian. I didn't think much of this because it was a same day question. But later that night when a CM at the welcome desk saw me carrying in some food and realized it was because I wanted to have something hot to eat with my kids, she told me that the chef could include a vegetarian option. I explained that I had asked earlier. She told me to ask again first thing in the morning. By this time, the kids and I had decided that we wanted one more day to relax before heading home, and I had already booked a second night. So in the morning I again asked the CMs in the lounge about vegetarians offerings. Again I was told that there would be crudites. When I clarified that I was hoping for a hot offering, I was told there was also the option of having room service delivered to the lounge. This experience made a bit of a negative impression, as many other places, including the QS place at AKL, had been very helpful in modifying items to make them vegetarian. So between hoping for something other than what I could grab from a QS package, and the other CM encouraging me to ask, I was disappointed and honestly, a little frustrated.

For extending the stay a a second night, at the time I was told there were no more rooms but to book a non-CL and they would extend the lounge privileges. I really appreciated this! But because I didn't want to move rooms unless necessary, I asked them to let me know if a room in opened up. In the meantime I stalked the website and found availability. The next morning I got up early to ask about getting the CL room, and the CM who helped me had no knowledge of my wanting to stay put although they saw the second reservation with the note requesting that we be granted lounge privileges. Again, it made a bit of a negative impression that I was the one spending time trying to secure a room instead of one of the CMs checking periodically to see if the availability changed.

The third thing, and in retrospect the thing that most bothered me over our Poly experience, was that the morning of check out it was pouring rain. I asked about options for staying dry while getting to the main building. The CL CM offered us either ponchos or umbrellas, which I totally appreciated! We chose umbrellas and while I was getting the car, my kids gave their umbrellas to the bell service desk (for return to the lounge). When I pulled up and realized this, I asked my son to go retrieve them so we could use them while lunching and shopping at Disney Springs. While my son was at the bell services desk, another CM walked over and asked what I was doing - I explained my son was asking about our umbrellas. The CM told me that since we already checked out, we couldn't use the umbrellas unless we paid for them. I responded that they were from the CL lounge and that we wanted to use them for Disney Springs and that it was my understanding that we could use CL amenities until midnight on the day of check out. She said no, if we wanted umbrellas we could park and go into the gift shop and purchase some. Her demeanor was unfriendly and curt. At this point I got frustrated and said no thanks, never mind, and beckoned for my son to return to the car. We did go to DS, and since I hadn't turned in my umbrella, my two kids shared it. We did stop back by the Poly on our way out of town to return the umbrella. After having several days to think about this I am still annoyed. First, because I really thought that we were allowed to use the umbrellas; second, because they were inexpensive (think Dollar Store) umbrellas, not the other ones available in the gift shop; and third, the demeanor of the bell services CM (who I later found out was a supervisor - I mentioned my experience to a different CM when returning the one umbrella we used).

In retrospect I realize my frustration over the umbrellas was on top of some minor annoyance with my other experience in CL. In writing this out I think that for that price, I expected that the customer service would be extraordinary. But this wasn't my experience. And on the other hand, perhaps I'm misunderstanding what the CL experience is supposed to be!

So for those of you following this thread, I would appreciate hearing perspective from those who are familiar with CL. TIA.

 

[Simba's Girl]

@Anniefrances as a pescatarian I always find the veggie options lacking in WDW as a whole and because of this my expectations of CL vegetarian options are very low. This is my experience. HOWEVER-the way you were treated by the staff is not OK. I certainly hope you fire off an email to guest services. They are the ones who offered you vegetarian options so it was odd that they acted like you were asking for the whole store when you brought it up the next day.

I had a horrible experience with two separate CL GV reservations at YC one time. We did have to change rooms but were told when we checked in we wouldn't have to. When one hand doesn't know what the other's doing it is very frustrating. That said, this experience has also lowered my expectations of "continuing" reservations to get separate room only discounts.

I do understand the many small things adding up to one big annoying thing though. Totally get that. I also have no idea about the umbrellas but hope you get answers.

 

[trishadono]

I've been doing research (as many of you know) on CL stays at MK area resorts, and I just stumbled across a video of a CR Atrium CL TPV room view... HOLY MOLY! Amazing view! Just when I think I've got things close to figured out, that video really made me think! So I have to ask the CL experts...

WHAT'S THE BEST MK AREA CL RESORT?

We're staying GF SL CL this holiday season, but I'm researching to make reservations for the same time in 2018, also.

Important factors for us:
We have smaller children and wake up and go to bed early, so a balcony/ outdoor area is a must for the adults in the evening, and a larger room would be nice. A great view from the balcony would be a real plus, as we can't count on going to the CL lounge at 9-10 p.m. We prefer a quieter resort as well as a sleep 5 with two queen beds and a day bed. We LOVE LOVE Christmas and are going at Christmas time, which I know affects things, too!!!

**Current options are (but open to suggestions):**
1. Poly GV CL
2. Contemporary Atrium CL TPV
3. WL CL Deluxe Room
4. GF SL CL (am drooling over RPC, but don't know that I can stomach the cost)
5. Also considered a split stay- adding a couple of days at YC CL towards the end for our Epcot/HS park days...
6. Have also considered staying non-CL but that makes me !
TIA! I am just loving this amazing community of WDW veterans!
P.S. I've seen older posts comparing 2-3 of these, but am having a hard time finding one recent post comparing all MK CL resorts. TY!

Well like @TJA @GADisneyDad14 I too have tried 'em.

For price poly gv cl is good. I did that for my mom in 2014. She loved the way the lounge was decorated.

It's the cheapest option.

It has a nice size room.

With small kids this may work. The whole bath area is enclosed so you could be in there with door shut at night and not wake kids. The rolling desk under the desk and chair can be moved. Lol you could hide in that large bath at night if desperate to get them to sleep. ( if balcony cold).

i would request 3rd floor near elevator which is also near upper lounge . You could sit there and see the door of your room, there is a bathroom up there too. Or take turns watching and fetching .

Really I love all 4 of those resorts. This time I am doing like TJA and doing split for cp . Bwi cl then gf rpc. I think mom would like sl but rpc has a smoking balcony which will be easier than having to go outside.

 

[Rachel GB]

Haha...well I don't think I'm an expert by any means... probably just dumb for giving Disney so many of my vacation dollars, but we're having fun doing it. No one can really be a true CL expert because things change/evolve so often, but thanks for the kind words.

Here are some random links to mini trip reports I've done for the resorts in question:

Poly CL - Feb 2017

Poly CL - May 2017 Food

Poly CL - May 2017 Room

GF SL April 2017 - Room

GF SL April 2017 - Food

CR Atrium Club - Sept 2016

I don't have a ton of split stay experience but I wouldn't rule out a split stay if it's a particularly long trip... like at least 4ish nights at each place (if not longer). An MK resort / Epcot resort split is the best of both worlds and takes a bit of the pressure off the slightly inferior (in my opinion) Epcot transportation options from places like CR and GF (where you have to transfer monorails). There are some room/view categories that do guaranty a daybed if that's critical (it's starting to for us because we're learning DD and DS just pick on each other if in the same bed!).

I do agree CR doesn't have much of a Christmas vibe. A tree out front, a Frozen gingerbread thing in the atrium (the last few years)... that's about it. But, it's a great spot to be in if you're planning to do a MVMCP both for 1) walk-ability to/from the party and 2) if you're not doing the party, CR is a great vantage point to watch the special MVMCP fireworks show. CR tends to be my "party resort" choice... hence why I'm staying there on my next trip, which is really to do MNSSHP. The food isn't as abundant or flavorful as some other CLs, but I've always enjoyed it. I do admit I tend to stay at CR for shorter stays (or colder weather stays) because the pools are not my favorite there. We have had the BEST CM interactions at CR... it's the only place I've ever been recognized as a repeat guest and with some exceptions the CMs there tend to genuinely care about the guest experience.

Obviously YMMV for any of the above, but that's my take.

Oh my goodness, @GADisneyDad14 , this is amazing! Thanks so much! I've done a preliminary sweep, and I'm going to have to check it all out more in-depth this evening.
Yes, we also have two kids who can NEVER share a bed, lol! So that sleep 5 configuration is important.
In regards to your comments on split stays: Depending on numbers, we would do either a six or seven night stay, so maybe a split stay wouldn't work? I would either do a split stay between YC/BC and the MK of choice, or a less expensive MK area and a couple of nights at RPC, just to experience it!
I do feel a bit unsure about the ways in which CR doesn't measure up to other comparable resorts (CL food, pools), but I'm still starry-eyed over the view and walk to MK...
If you were to choose between:
1. Poly TPV (non-CL)
-OR-
2. CR Atrium CL TPV
(EDIT: Talked to hubby- thinking of four days at one of the above and three at GF RPC, just to experience it!)
@GADisneyDad14 - Which would you choose?

 

[Rachel GB]

We have stayed club level at BC, GF RPC, CR tower club, BWI cottages & YC. Our favorite resort is YC & we stay there every trip. If we're doing one of the other resorts we make it a split stay with YC. The best Club level by far is GF RPC. I also don't care much for the room decor & feeling of CR. But for that view, I know I will stay there again some day. We stayed there in Dec 2015 & we weren't that impressed with the food either. Not bad, their offerings were just not our taste. But with little kids & strollers, you can't beat the walk to MK.

Personally I like split stays so I think doing a split stay might work for you. You will rely so much less on buses to get around. And you will be able to tour the various resorts so much easier.

The YC is just finishing a complete renovation. Rooms were gutted & a quick service was added to the lobby. I was just there in May & I can say the food offerings were a big step up from recent years.

Good luck deciding!

@focusondisney , thanks so much for your feedback!!! I'm definitely having a difficult time deciding! Yes, the YC reno looks great, which is why I'm eyeing it if we do a split stay with MK/Epcot area resorts.
I think GF RPC looks fantastic, but if we chose that, it would just be for a couple of nights of the stay (that price is a bit hard to swallow). Which of the MK area CLs is your favorite after GF RPC? Thanks again!

 

[Rachel GB]

Well like @TJA @GADisneyDad14 I too have tried 'em.

For price poly gv cl is good. I did that for my mom in 2014. She loved the way the lounge was decorated.

It's the cheapest option.

It has a nice size room.

With small kids this may work. The whole bath area is enclosed so you could be in there with door shut at night and not wake kids. The rolling desk under the desk and chair can be moved. Lol you could hide in that large bath at night if desperate to get them to sleep. ( if balcony cold).

i would request 3rd floor near elevator which is also near upper lounge . You could sit there and see the door of your room, there is a bathroom up there too. Or take turns watching and fetching .

Really I love all 4 of those resorts. This time I am doing like TJA and doing split for cp . Bwi cl then gf rpc. I think mom would like sl but rpc has a smoking balcony which will be easier than having to go outside.

@trishadono , haha, your response made me laugh! I'm starting to think that if we do Poly CL, a TPV room would be a better way to go, not that that solves the issues of hiding in the large bath at night, haha!!! RPC does look AMAZING- maybe doable with a split stay. Just can't decide! Thank you for your feedback!

 

[GoGoBeans]

I do feel a bit unsure about the ways in which CR doesn't measure up to other comparable resorts (CL food, pools), but I'm still starry-eyed over the view and walk to MK...
If you were to choose between:
1. Poly CL TPV (same price as GF SL!)
-OR-
2. CR Atrium CL TPV
Which would you choose?

CR gets my vote but granted it's been a few years since we stayed there.

Loved Poly last summer, and we're doing a split Poly and BC stay later this month. We haven't found either BC or YC lounges to be amazing. We are doing BC again this year because we'll extend over F&W and love the short walk to Epcot which will be huge. Poly would totally get my vote for a summer stay. The view and convenience of access from the pool is incredible. For our Christmas stay, we're going back to AKL which we've done a bunch but none too recently. We like that lounge, the tranquility of the animals, fabulous on site dining options and spectacular lobby. Since we won't be in full on pool mode, this is our top choice by a mile.

Back to your question though. We liked CR a lot. Views were fantastic and the ability to walk to MK couldn't be beat. Given the crowds, I think this pushes it over the edge despite the decor. We found the lounge options to be fine (and better than all the fried everything at BC YC). CR did have these little short rib rolls that's probably my favorite of any of the CL food we've had.

 

[mickeynut1]

@mickeynut1 , yes, we're family of 4 who prefers a sleep 5, too! Thanks again.

The YC is just finishing a complete renovation. Rooms were gutted & a quick service was added to the lobby.

I knew renovations were going on at the YC, but didn't know a QS was added to the lobby. How extensive is it?

So I have been stalking the WDW website for reservations around a long Columbus Day weekend (fall break down here) and have been coming up with nothing for months.... not just CL, I'm talking almost ANY resort. Last night, in a random moment of searching, a YC CL Standard View room popped up so I booked it. I've been to BC (just one night last summer) but never YC. So now I need to get up to speed on what the heck I booked. Any tips/things I need to know with YC CL and/or that room category, or any other overall advice? THANK YOU!

Congrats on finally getting a reservation! Hope you have a great time .

 

[Disneytam]

Still doing research on a large family trip. Today I called Disney to just check on some prices for suites. For one thing it took me four tries to get through, the service kept hanging up on me. I thought they had a separate line for booking suites but I asked and no one seemed to know about it. The very pleasant CM that I spoke with looked up the Steeplechase suite for me and couldn't find it anywhere. They had the Sonora Suite and two 2 bedroom suites but the Steeplechase never showed for any dates. Do they book that room? I have seen videos of it and have been given a tour but it seems really strange that it is not a bookable room. She did give me the number for the Signature Services to see if they could help me. I think that is the service that replaced the IPO, correct? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[trishadono]

@trishadono , haha, your response made me laugh! I'm starting to think that if we do Poly CL, a TPV room would be a better way to go, not that that solves the issues of hiding in the large bath at night, haha!!! RPC does look AMAZING- maybe doable with a split stay. Just can't decide! Thank you for your feedback!

lol my kids would not fall asleep unless room was dark and quiet. I hated to just lay in a dark bed. We also couldn't have the 2 sleep together, pinching, shoving ugh. We did a girls bed and a boys bed. That worked until teens then we switched to villas for extra space.

My only issue for CR is getting availability. It is often sold out or at rack rate. Lately gf has had the best rates.

For view and lounge space poly 1, for view and lounge and convenice to MK CR, for food gf wins every time. Also gf just has a certain extra feel to it. I rotate all the time and each time is great , you really can't go wrong.

Wl is awesome for holiday time but rooms are smaller. The deluxe rooms are not convenient to lounge. They could be on any floor. With small kids that could be a hassle.

The copper creek villas have some availability since they are new. They would give you lots of space. Also since in main building convenient to food and transportation. No cl but for extra space it may be worth it.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

Just back from a 3 night stay at AKL CL. We had a great stay. Overall the CMs were very nice(only one odd experience-teenager started to grab a bagel, not using the tongs and a CM loudly told her to use the tongs, poor kid was embarrassed.) Loved that there is a CM with the pad to greet you and bring you right up to the lounge. We didn't get our request for bunks-would have been nice but we just split up boys and girls so not that big of a deal (but with adult children it would have been better). Had room 4319 which was out towards the end of the one wing. Again, not a big deal for us to travel to the lounge -just meant I got more steps in! Saw lots of animals from the balcony which was great. Room was in good condition. Had turn down all three nights, but no robes and chocolates only one night. Little things that really don't effect the trip overall. Wed was rainy so spent a lot of time in the lounge so had snacks, afternoon tea and appetizers. All were good but did notice that there wasn't much change from day to day. Love the way the lounge is open to the lobby. Miss the smokey scent! DD & I did a massage. Massage therapists were great! We would stay again especially if we were looking for a few days to relax and enjoy the resort.

 

[GoGoBeans]

Just back from a 3 night stay at AKL CL. We had a great stay. Overall the CMs were very nice(only one odd experience-teenager started to grab a bagel, not using the tongs and a CM loudly told her to use the tongs, poor kid was embarrassed.) Loved that there is a CM with the pad to greet you and bring you right up to the lounge. We didn't get our request for bunks-would have been nice but we just split up boys and girls so not that big of a deal (but with adult children it would have been better). Had room 4319 which was out towards the end of the one wing. Again, not a big deal for us to travel to the lounge -just meant I got more steps in! Saw lots of animals from the balcony which was great. Room was in good condition. Had turn down all three nights, but no robes and chocolates only one night. Little things that really don't effect the trip overall. Wed was rainy so spent a lot of time in the lounge so had snacks, afternoon tea and appetizers. All were good but did notice that there wasn't much change from day to day. Love the way the lounge is open to the lobby. Miss the smokey scent! DD & I did a massage. Massage therapists were great! We would stay again especially if we were looking for a few days to relax and enjoy the resort.

So glad you had a nice stay. We'll be there later this year and very much looking forward to it.

Poor kid, but glad they said something.

 

[GoGoBeans]

lol my kids would not fall asleep unless room was dark and quiet. I hated to just lay in a dark bed. We also couldn't have the 2 sleep together, pinching, shoving ugh. We did a girls bed and a boys bed.

Ha. I remember those days. I also remember DH and I hiding out on our Poly balcony with drinks watching the electric water parade waiting for the kids to conk out.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

So glad you had a nice stay. We'll be there later this year and very much looking forward to it.

Poor kid, but glad they said something.

It is a great place to relax and enjoy a resort. It is so beautiful. Hope you have a great stay!
I agree-was glad something was said, but the CM could have been a little more discreet. She kind of yelled it. The poor kid jumped. Lesson learned I would think!

 

[mmmears]

Glad you enjoyed AKL CL. We have had some wonderful trips there, and I really love the lounge area and the food there. :

 

[grannyminnie]

@Anniefrances as a pescatarian I always find the veggie options lacking in WDW as a whole and because of this my expectations of CL vegetarian options are very low. This is my experience. HOWEVER-the way you were treated by the staff is not OK. I certainly hope you fire off an email to guest services. They are the ones who offered you vegetarian options so it was odd that they acted like you were asking for the whole store when you brought it up the next day.

I had a horrible experience with two separate CL GV reservations at YC one time. We did have to change rooms but were told when we checked in we wouldn't have to. When one hand doesn't know what the other's doing it is very frustrating. That said, this experience has also lowered my expectations of "continuing" reservations to get separate room only discounts.

I do understand the many small things adding up to one big annoying thing though. Totally get that. I also have no idea about the umbrellas but hope you get answers.

Stories like this are probably the main reason I don't book CL. We already pay obscene (IMO) prices to stay in a standard room (split between me and my sister with the best discount we can find) and to have the rate hiked to CRAZY levels in CL receiving lackluster, rude, or nonexistent service is totally unacceptable!! (Vent over...)
I will edit this to add that the times we have been lucky enough to be pixie-dusted to CL, our own particular experience has been great in GF SL. Great CMs in my opinion. Good food, as long as they don't cut back on it.