Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[mickeynut1]

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.

Thanks for your review. Glad you had a great time .

 

[grannyminnie]

I think I'm going to reply to my own post and give myself a slap on the wrist! I responded too quickly in regards to the poster who was rudely (I thought) treated at the Poly (tho in retrospect, I wonder if umbrellas from there are allowed to be taken off the property?). It occurred to me after I posted that I should expect good service and manners no matter what class of resort I stay at. Most of us think Disney is supposed to be better than the rest so our expectations really take a hit when something like the previous poster's situations occur. I would still send an email to Guest Services and say how I felt. But in truth, I probably misspoke when I said that the behavior of CMs is the main reason I don't book CL. The main reason is money.

 

[SeaSpray]

17 days to go for us at the Polynesian!!! I just got off the phone with DSS. I wanted to let them know what I wanted to be delivered to our room for our great-niece, if not before we check-in, then ASAP after we get our room.

The CM was very helpful. My husband and I love our water bottle misters so we ordered one for her; we ordered a set of Minnie Mouse ears embroidered with our great-niece's name on it; a Mickey poncho; and a WDW beach towel. If we think of anything else we'll call them back to have them add it.

Any ideas of what an 18 year old girl would like to have for her trip?? I know she's been shopping for this trip for a while now, but we want her to be all set with helpful WDW items such as the mister-fan and the poncho.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@Anniefrances Hi there! I'm sorry you had a disappointing CL experience, but hope you otherwise enjoyed your long WDW stay!

To be honest, I've been struggling with my response here.... these "the way CL is vs the way it should be" type opinions are just so tricky and hard to articulate. Everyone's service expectations are just so subjective - what I think is normal and you think is bad service can be two different things and we can both be right. But since you asked for perspective, I'll try to give you mine on your three situations:

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.

I have no first hand experience with dining restrictions/certain diets with CL so my opinion here probably isn't worth much. But FWIW, I often read around here about how the CLs are 'generally' accommodating. I occasionally see people given special/individually wrapped items brought from the back during various offerings. I 'assume' in these cases folks have pre-arranged these types of dining accommodations, but I'm not sure?

That definitely stinks with the different responses from CMs, although I'm not terribly surprised. My impression is the best person to talk to is the chef and that the CL CMs only have very basic info (and are likely uninformed/untrained, as you experienced) on alternative diet offerings. I wonder if your experience would have been different with direct contact with a chef and/or Disney dining in advance? I can understand you being frustrated with your responses.

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.

I want to make sure I understand the situation here. You booked a one night Poly CL room a couple of days before and then while there that day you decided to add a second night? Who did you talk to make the 2nd night reservation? CL CM's?

Things get tricky with such last minute/on the fly type of reservations with these Disney resorts that run at such high occupancy. Personally if I were trying to extend a night and they said they could only do it in a non-CL room, I would understand and not really have any expectation for them to keep checking. When you asked them to let you know if a room opened up, did the CM acknowledge/make any promises to do so?

When they offered you CL privileges with a non-CL room, were you going to be paying a non-CL rate?

Sounds like you were very lucky to get the second night without having to move, even if it required extra action on your part.

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).

I'm going to be honest...my first impression is that your expectations were too high on the umbrellas. Even though they are small/cheap (and yes, you can use CL amenities until midnight on your checkout day), I wouldn't have expected to take them like that after checking out, even if you intended to return them. I'm sure people walk off with them all the time though....

All of that being said, I can probably guess the bell services CM in question here. There has been a supervisor type bell services CM there on my last two trips who has the worst attitude.... the exact wrong person to be working "out front." I had a little run in with this person on my last trip over something equally as harmless, which I didn't appreciate very much. Although this is a bell services problem, not a CL problem, to be fair.

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.

I don't mean this to sound like I'm making excuses for Disney or CL, because I'm not at all. Perhaps my outlook is clouded as a frequent CL guest - I have a good idea of what they do/don't do well, so that impacts my expectations and tolerance for service levels. Fundamentally I don't necessarily relate cost to 'extraordinary service' when it comes to Disney... like I might, at say, a Four Seasons or equivalent luxury resort. CL is just 'different' in some respects.

Like I stated at the start, I struggled with making sure I was fair/honest in my perspective here. Obviously this kind of stuff is so highly subjective I'm not sure my opinion is worth anything! But, perhaps it was helpful. Thanks for posting/sharing your experiences.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

17 days to go for us at the Polynesian!!! I just got off the phone with DSS. I wanted to let them know what I wanted to be delivered to our room for our great-niece, if not before we check-in, then ASAP after we get our room.

The CM was very helpful. My husband and I love our water bottle misters so we ordered one for her; we ordered a set of Minnie Mouse ears embroidered with our great-niece's name on it; a Mickey poncho; and a WDW beach towel. If we think of anything else we'll call them back to have them add it.

Any ideas of what an 18 year old girl would like to have for her trip?? I know she's been shopping for this trip for a while now, but we want her to be all set with helpful WDW items such as the mister-fan and the poncho.

Your trip will be here SOON! Quick question if you don't mind... what did DSS say about coordinating a room delivery? Just curious what they offered, the logistics of getting this item to them to deliver to the room, etc. I tried something like this years ago and got a bunch of run around so just curious what they'll do now. THANKS!

(Also, I have no input on what to get an 18 year old girl - fortunately I don't have to figure that out for 15 more years!).

 

[Rachel GB]

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.

@trishadono , thank you! Great info!
I have to ask- how/where are you seeing good GF rates?
We are staying GF SLCL at the end of 2017 and are paying rack rate (booked almost a year in advance, our stay qualified for both Free Dining and Room Only Discounts, but couldn't get either one!). All of my recent questions on this board are in regards to possibilities for a December 2018 stay, and we're really banking on using a Bounceback discount for that. But maybe it's a good idea to still book ahead of time for really popular rooms (like the CR CL TPV)? I really have no idea- I'm a total newbie, so I'm just soaking in all of these great tips! Thanks again!

 

[Simba's Girl]

17 days to go for us at the Polynesian!!! I just got off the phone with DSS. I wanted to let them know what I wanted to be delivered to our room for our great-niece, if not before we check-in, then ASAP after we get our room.

The CM was very helpful. My husband and I love our water bottle misters so we ordered one for her; we ordered a set of Minnie Mouse ears embroidered with our great-niece's name on it; a Mickey poncho; and a WDW beach towel. If we think of anything else we'll call them back to have them add it.

Any ideas of what an 18 year old girl would like to have for her trip?? I know she's been shopping for this trip for a while now, but we want her to be all set with helpful WDW items such as the mister-fan and the poncho.

My DD17 will be 18 when we go in January (staying BC CL)...TBH I think she'd most enjoy picking out her own items but definitely make sure she has either money for a poncho or a cheap dollar store one. So I'm going to go with an 18YO wants a Disney gift card the most because at that age it's all about independence.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[trishadono]

@trishadono , thank you! Great info!
I have to ask- how/where are you seeing good GF rates?
We are staying GF SLCL at the end of 2017 and are paying rack rate (booked almost a year in advance, our stay qualified for both Free Dining and Room Only Discounts, but couldn't get either one!). All of my recent questions on this board are in regards to possibilities for a December 2018 stay, and we're really banking on using a Bounceback discount for that. But maybe it's a good idea to still book ahead of time for really popular rooms (like the CR CL TPV)? I really have no idea- I'm a total newbie, so I'm just soaking in all of these great tips! Thanks again!

When you get closer the passholder rate has been good. For march I got disneys 25% off combined with Expedia 15%. That wasn't too bad. Watch when winter dates released and check orbitz/cheaptickets and Expedia. Sometimes you can grab a good rate if. quick .

I have rack for December myself. Never have seen rpc sold out so far in advance!

Pm me if need help if you book one of those later and I can talk you through all the easy steps. Easy IF you know to do them.

 

[GoGoBeans]

When you get closer the passholder rate has been good. For march I got disneys 25% off combined with Expedia 15%. That wasn't too bad. Watch when winter dates released and check orbitz/cheaptickets and Expedia. Sometimes you can grab a good rate if. quick .

I have rack for December myself. Never have seen rpc sold out so far in advance!

Pm me if need help if you book one of those later and I can talk you through all the easy steps. Easy IF you know to do them.

We have rack for our upcoming December stay too. I wanted to secure CL especially to have a place to escape the crowds (although I'm expecting the lounge to be hopping as well). Figured I'd be kicking myself if I didn't. Hoping for a discount, but I'm doubtful. Especially if we're all booking up at rack, Disney has no need to discount.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

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?

I would choose 3. Poly CL TPV!

I do like the idea of shorter CL stays for the really expensive places like RPC or other ones at the upper end of the price range. That way you can get a bit of a taste of it without totally blowing the budget on something you may end up not liking.

 

[Rachel GB]

I would choose 3. Poly CL TPV!

I do like the idea of shorter CL stays for the really expensive places like RPC or other ones at the upper end of the price range. That way you can get a bit of a taste of it without totally blowing the budget on something you may end up not liking.

@GADisneyDad14 , LOL, thank you! I think my hang-up with the Poly is that I don't have a guaranteed outdoor space (could get second floor). I imagine a CL TPV room is amazing, though, if you can get the patio or balcony!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@GADisneyDad14 , LOL, thank you! I think my hang-up with the Poly is that I don't have a guaranteed outdoor space (could get second floor). I imagine a CL TPV room is amazing, though, if you can get the patio or balcony!

Yeah, that's the big risk with that room category.... although I've had a decent track record of getting the third floor (all but one trip). But it's always a gamble!

OUCH on the GF rack rate reservation for you and the PPs above! Are you going Christmas week or some other time in December? It's funny... I've been poking around reservations for nearly every month this past year and GF was usually the one with tons of availability and pretty good discounts. I guess not for December this year!

 

[Rachel GB]

Yeah, that's the big risk with that room category.... although I've had a decent track record of getting the third floor (all but one trip). But it's always a gamble!

OUCH on the GF rack rate reservation for you and the PPs above! Are you going Christmas week or some other time in December? It's funny... I've been poking around reservations for nearly every month this past year and GF was usually the one with tons of availability and pretty good discounts. I guess not for December this year!

@GADisneyDad14 , we're going the week after Thanksgiving. Apparently this is no longer a 'low crowd week', judging by the crazy competitive ADRs (although my 180 days grabs and obsessive checking has enabled us to snag everything except for an 'Ohana dinner) and lack of available discounts.
I'd love to see the "pretty good discounts" you've found ! We're not AP or Florida residents, so we don't qualify for those. This is actually our first trip, and we booked it almost a year out. I'm clearly already planning 2018 too, depending on if there's decent Bounceback availability. For the 2017 trip, we were ready first thing on both the day Free Dining was released, as well as the late fall room discounts. NOTHING available for GF! I check multiple times a day online, and my TA has called in multiple times, too. Maybe we're just unlucky???!
But in the end, we're going CL to WDW, so that's still pretty lucky!

 

[Ronferr80]

Hi everyone!!! I'm so excited that I just booked Poly Lagoon View Club Level April 13th-23rd 2018 and I cant wait!! Only 251 Days but whos counting!!!! Not only will this be my families (Wife, me, Son (8), Son (6), Daughter (2) first stay at one of the Deluxe Resorts but also our first time Club Level!!! I've been reading all of these posts trying to take everything in but PLEASE anyone with any suggestions, opinions, advice, will be greatly appreciated and truly welcome!!!

 

[Disneytam]

@GADisneyDad14 , we're going the week after Thanksgiving. Apparently this is no longer a 'low crowd week', judging by the crazy competitive ADRs (although my 180 days grabs and obsessive checking has enabled us to snag everything except for an 'Ohana dinner) and lack of available discounts.
I'd love to see the "pretty good discounts" you've found ! We're not AP or Florida residents, so we don't qualify for those. This is actually our first trip, and we booked it almost a year out. I'm clearly already planning 2018 too, depending on if there's decent Bounceback availability. For the 2017 trip, we were ready first thing on both the day Free Dining was released, as well as the late fall room discounts. NOTHING available for GF! I check multiple times a day online, and my TA has called in multiple times, too. Maybe we're just unlucky???!
But in the end, we're going CL to WDW, so that's still pretty lucky!

I've been looking for a week for ANY deluxe rooms for Dec. 6-8 and can not find a single room available! That just seems crazy to me but so far not a single room!

 

[SeaSpray]

Your trip will be here SOON! Quick question if you don't mind... what did DSS say about coordinating a room delivery? Just curious what they offered, the logistics of getting this item to them to deliver to the room, etc. I tried something like this years ago and got a bunch of run around so just curious what they'll do now. THANKS!

(Also, I have no input on what to get an 18 year old girl - fortunately I don't have to figure that out for 15 more years!).

I called the DSS phone number and after waiting for the next available CM, when they answered I pretty much said Hello, my reservation number is 123456789 and I need to have a few things delivered to my room for my great-niece, it's her first trip to WDW. So then the CM said "Sure, just a moment while I pull up your information...". I told the CM that I don't need it to be waiting in the room for our arrival (asking for that is the kiss of death. lol. Logistics and all.), but I would like them delivered ASAP once we're in our room.

I told him that my husband and I love our water misting fans, so we'd need 1 of those for my niece; we'd like a pair of Mickey ears with her name embroidered on them (the CM was helpful asked if we wanted Mickey or Minnie ears, etc) so I told them to make them Minnie ears with her name. My great-nieces name is spelled different ways so he read out the spelling to me to be sure it was correct. Then I said I want a WDW beach towel for her. I told her that I don't want a 2017 towel because the theme is, and has been, Sorcerer Mickey and I don't want a beach towel for her with Sorcerer Mickey. I told him that I wanted a more "classic" WDW beach towel, like with the castle, or main characters, etc. He looked through a few pages of beach towels and mentioned the one that has "4 Parks - 1 world" on it with the castle, etc, so I said that's fine. Then I asked him to also include a Mickey poncho because I know it'll rain, and we still have ours but she'll need one.

We left it at that, after making sure they had my correct debit/credit card on file, and he said to call back if I want to add anything else. I asked when they'll be charging my card and he said the day they deliver the items to my room.

I am always extremely friendly when speaking to the CMs, and respectful and courteous, but I tell them what I need or what I want, I don't ask "if" they can.

Asking for things to be delivered to our room isn't new; I can remember in 2005 when I asked IPO to have 4 of the golden Mickey ears embroidered with our names to be placed in our room. Here's a pic. Notice this is several room décor changes ago! lol





In 2015 I called IPO and told them that I wanted a bottle of champagne delivered to our room on a specific day for our anniversary, and they originally told me that I could just call and order it from Room Service. I explained that I wanted to request it NOW because it was an anniversary surprise for my husband, so then they said they would do it. It was delivered on a tray with 2 glasses and a silver ice bucket with the bottle in it. Here's a pic:


In 2005 I went through IPO to have a cake from the Grand Floridian bakery delivered to us during our anniversary dinner at 'Ohana. The Polynesian CL CMs actually went to the GF to pick up the cake and deliver it to 'Ohana for us. This was the best cake ever!!!









Anyway, it's my philosophy that it can't hurt to ask for what you want, you just might get it.

 

[SeaSpray]

My DD17 will be 18 when we go in January (staying BC CL)...TBH I think she'd most enjoy picking out her own items but definitely make sure she has either money for a poncho or a cheap dollar store one. So I'm going to go with an 18YO wants a Disney gift card the most because at that age it's all about independence.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks!!! We can't wait!! Our great-niece will be able to purchase whatever she likes out in the parks and shops, but we wanted a few of the necessities in the room for her, plus a couple of fun things. She swims every day at home, that's why I chose a beach towel for her. Your idea of a gift card is a good one though; even though we're paying for everything for her, it might be nice for her to feel she has her own money so she won't have to ask for everything. She's 18, just graduated high school, and works now so she will some of her own money but we'll be purchasing some special things that can choose for herself too. I'm going to call back tomorrow and have them add in a gift card!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Thanks!!! We can't wait!! Our great-niece will be able to purchase whatever she likes out in the parks and shops, but we wanted a few of the necessities in the room for her, plus a couple of fun things. She swims every day at home, that's why I chose a beach towel for her. Your idea of a gift card is a good one though; even though we're paying for everything for her, it might be nice for her to feel she has her own money so she won't have to ask for everything. She's 18, just graduated high school, and works now so she will some of her own money but we'll be purchasing some special things that can choose for herself too. I'm going to call back tomorrow and have them add in a gift card!

I LOVE the beach towel idea... A friend's mom brought me back a beach towel many years ago and I still use it and think of her each time, so good choice!
What a loving Auntie you are!
Let us know how she loves her trip and gifts!

 

[qbmillar]

42 days to go before our anniversary trip to CR Tower CL...I cannot wait!!! With all of the changes and chaos going on with park hours, party changes etc. knowing we are going "home" to CR CL is the only low stress piece of planning for me. I don't really have a question, but DH is getting sick of my countdown

 

[Rachel GB]

When you get closer the passholder rate has been good. For march I got disneys 25% off combined with Expedia 15%. That wasn't too bad. Watch when winter dates released and check orbitz/cheaptickets and Expedia. Sometimes you can grab a good rate if. quick .

I have rack for December myself. Never have seen rpc sold out so far in advance!

Pm me if need help if you book one of those later and I can talk you through all the easy steps. Easy IF you know to do them.

@trishadono , thanks for the tips and offer of help! That's so sweet. I have been leery of booking through third party sites, but it sounds like it's actually a good idea!
I agree, the limited availability is crazy. We booked almost a year in advance, and I'm thinking we should do so for next year, too! Disney is certainly not having any trouble filling rooms...

We have rack for our upcoming December stay too. I wanted to secure CL especially to have a place to escape the crowds (although I'm expecting the lounge to be hopping as well). Figured I'd be kicking myself if I didn't. Hoping for a discount, but I'm doubtful. Especially if we're all booking up at rack, Disney has no need to discount.

@GoGoBeans - sounds like we're in the same boat! Even with no discount... at least we're going to Disney !

I've been looking for a week for ANY deluxe rooms for Dec. 6-8 and can not find a single room available! That just seems crazy to me but so far not a single room!

@Disneytam , we booked about a year out for this trip. I agree- it's crazy how Disney is booked up this holiday season! Good luck finding something. I just checked online for the dates you mentioned, and it seems like AKL is the only deluxe that has availability. Fingers crossed you find something that works for you!