Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Venym]

Seems like a good time to pull out this one...

View attachment 289484

Lol!!! Exactly

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hello, I posted this question in the WL thread as well- any recommendations for room requests I should make for a CL, Deluxe room (6 people). I believe these rooms are dotted over several floors? Thank you.

I think that was you I responded to on the WL thread, right? Just making sure. Thanks!

 

[First timer]

We have our first stay at AKL CL as we are celebrating my daughter's birthday and AKL was her choice. We have never stayed there. Now, I am really concerned that we made a big mistake booking CL. Some of the fairly recent postings are not speaking too highly of the CMs and the offerings. We normally stay at BWI CL. Is there anyone who has just returned from an AKL CL stay? We arrive on January 20. Wondering if we should perhaps switch from CL?

 

[Venym]

Good morning. Today we check out of CR and head to Port Orleans. I like the tranquility of POR so we decided to do that last. We arrived Thursday to check into our standard view Atrium Club level but to my surprise we were escorted to the 14th floor. As we checked in even the cast member gave a surprised look while looking at our reservation. Kathy from the club level was there to greet us. Her and Maureen informed us that we were upgraded to not only a suite but the Presidential Suite. I cried. Lol. The room was huge. Club level rocked. I set the bar high for my kids to have that experience but then Disney hit me with that extra dose of pixie dust. My first club level experience was amazing from start to finish.

 

[First timer]

Good morning. Today we check out of CR and head to Port Orleans. I like the tranquility of POR so we decided to do that last. We arrived Thursday to check into our standard view Atrium Club level but to my surprise we were escorted to the 14th floor. As we checked in even the cast member gave a surprised look while looking at our reservation. Kathy from the club level was there to greet us. Her and Maureen informed us that we were upgraded to not only a suite but the Presidential Suite. I cried. Lol. The room was huge. Club level rocked. I set the bar high for my kids to have that experience but then Disney hit me with that extra dose of pixie dust. My first club level experience was amazing from start to finish.

Omg!!!! That is FANTASTIC!! I would have cried too!!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Me too!

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

We have our first stay at AKL CL as we are celebrating my daughter's birthday and AKL was her choice. We have never stayed there. Now, I am really concerned that we made a big mistake booking CL. Some of the fairly recent postings are not speaking too highly of the CMs and the offerings. We normally stay at BWI CL. Is there anyone who has just returned from an AKL CL stay? We arrive on January 20. Wondering if we should perhaps switch from CL?

I’ll be the 9th-13th and can at least report back with information.

 

[beesly]

Good morning. Today we check out of CR and head to Port Orleans. I like the tranquility of POR so we decided to do that last. We arrived Thursday to check into our standard view Atrium Club level but to my surprise we were escorted to the 14th floor. As we checked in even the cast member gave a surprised look while looking at our reservation. Kathy from the club level was there to greet us. Her and Maureen informed us that we were upgraded to not only a suite but the Presidential Suite. I cried. Lol. The room was huge. Club level rocked. I set the bar high for my kids to have that experience but then Disney hit me with that extra dose of pixie dust. My first club level experience was amazing from start to finish.

Wait a second - wasn’t it you who had a dream that they upgraded you to the 14th floor? That’s awesome!

We check into Poly CL on Monday, so tonight if you could have a dream about me getting upgraded from the Hawaii building to Tonga, I’d appreciate it!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[Venym]

Wait a second - wasn’t it you who had a dream that they upgraded you to the 14th floor? That’s awesome!

We check into Poly CL on Monday, so tonight if you could have a dream about me getting upgraded from the Hawaii building to Tonga, I’d appreciate it!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Yes it was me!!! I cried a lot!!! Omg!!!

 

[First timer]

I’ll be the 9th-13th and can at least report back with information.

Thank you! Have a great trip!!

 

[constanze]

SO excited!!! We arrive at POLY tomorrow for our club level stay---does anyone know if there are DVD players in the room?

 

[PPFlight75]

There was when we were there in July. It was under the TV. We didn't know what it was for almost a week!!

 

[Luckysix]

I think that was you I responded to on the WL thread, right? Just making sure. Thanks!

Yes, thank you GADisneyDad14!

 

[GoGoBeans]

We had a wonderful stay going back to AKL! Reinforces why this is our favorite resort. Despite my dislike of split stays (I don’t care for the mid stay unpack) I’ve changed our end of summer stay from all BC to an AKL/BC split. Can’t wait to go back. We enjoy down time at the resorts and AKL is perfect with the serenity, mix of activities, relaxing pool and plenty of food options. Jiko is a fave and we ate there multiple times, tried Sanaa but did not care for it.

We flew in late and spent the first night in a standard. Ended up with a partial savannah view on the 2nd floor, near the lobby on the Kudu trail. I was worried there would be noise due to the location, but it was really quiet and we loved being so close to the lobby. I also think the view was better than our savannah view from the 4th floor. Our 4th floor room overlooked Arusha rock. That’s my least favorite location as it’s noisy from all the people and music, not private and does not have a clear view of the savannah.

We had a bit of a hiccup with the room change when bell services misplaced our luggage. When I went to claim our bags after a day in the park, bell services goes to get our bags from the back and comes back saying the bags had been delivered to the new room. Up I go to the room, no bags, call down to bell services, who says the bags aren’t there. I go down to bell services, they look again, still no bags and they are now wondering if they delivered them to the old room. What?! I don’t understand any of this delivering to the room nonsense as bags are not supposed to be delivered to the rooms when there are room changes. They let me back into the bag area and I walked the aisles and found our bags. They had been misfiled!

Now onto the good. I was up early and got us squared away with our CL check-in before the rest of the family even woke up. Megan was one of the best CMs we’ve encountered and hands down it was the friendliest check-in. She was engaging and funny. Check-in came with a welcome gift, welcome letter and they offered a welcome drink. Hello mimosa! I enjoyed those every morning which made for a great start to the days. There were several CMs working the lounge that were great throughout the trip. I know AKL CL sometimes gets a bad rap for lackluster CMs (which I’ve experienced first hand), but not this time. I give them 5 stars. Never had issues with getting drinks. Sadly no dark beers, so I stuck with champagne, DH had his Tusker and the kids loved Nesquik. I’m not the most adventurous eater so didn’t have much of the hot specialty offerings. DH and one kid did like them. I was content with the cheeses, spreads and kid friendly options (shout out to you mrsap). We did get turn down nightly without requesting.

I expected the parks to be crowded and they were. Navigated walking through the parks okay, but usually quick walk on rides had really long waits (40 minutes single rider for Everest, packed lines for Living with the Land) so we didn’t do much more than our FPs. We did walk into the Indy show at DHS. We haven’t seen that in years and it was neat to experience something different.

Highlight of the trip was the Wild Animal Trek. The guides were terrific. The experience was 3 hours and it was the perfect getaway from the crowds. Leisurely, private, and spectacular views of the animals. We’ll definitely do this one again.

Merry Christmas!

Edited to add my observation of dogs. We did see quite a few. Maybe 7, with most of them being in the Epcot area. The couple of others in MK.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We check into Poly CL on Monday, so tonight if you could have a dream about me getting upgraded from the Hawaii building to Tonga, I’d appreciate it!

Sorry, but I'm sure they're holding the Tonga Pixie Dust for me! (I wish!)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Good morning. Today we check out of CR and head to Port Orleans. I like the tranquility of POR so we decided to do that last. We arrived Thursday to check into our standard view Atrium Club level but to my surprise we were escorted to the 14th floor. As we checked in even the cast member gave a surprised look while looking at our reservation. Kathy from the club level was there to greet us. Her and Maureen informed us that we were upgraded to not only a suite but the Presidential Suite. I cried. Lol. The room was huge. Club level rocked. I set the bar high for my kids to have that experience but then Disney hit me with that extra dose of pixie dust. My first club level experience was amazing from start to finish.

Holy cow - what an upgrade!

Although you are right... that experience likely set the bar VERY high. Probably TOO high. You'll have to 'adjust' your expectations a bit for future CL stays!

Glad it sounds like you're having a great trip.

 

[GoGoBeans]

we were upgraded to not only a suite but the Presidential Suite. I cried. Lol. The room was huge. Club level rocked. I set the bar high for my kids to have that experience but then Disney hit me with that extra dose of pixie dust. My first club level experience was amazing from start to finish.

Goosebumps! What an experience of a lifetime.

 

[GoGoBeans]

We have our first stay at AKL CL as we are celebrating my daughter's birthday and AKL was her choice. We have never stayed there. Now, I am really concerned that we made a big mistake booking CL. Some of the fairly recent postings are not speaking too highly of the CMs and the offerings. We normally stay at BWI CL. Is there anyone who has just returned from an AKL CL stay? We arrive on January 20. Wondering if we should perhaps switch from CL?

We’re just back from our AKL stay. Just posted a mini report and happy to answer any questions.

We love AKL the resort and are very happy with CL there. While each resort and CL has its pros and cons, we love CL in general for the ease, extra space and food as a bonus. There are people that rave over BWI like there’s no tomorrow, so I’d say if that’s your camp, any other CL would not be the same. If you like CL, then I think you’d be happy with your AKL choice. We really had great CMs. If it’s food that you’re worried about, well you’ll know what your family likes. I’m picky so I didn’t pay much attention to the hot offerings but remember a meat stew (beef, lamb, chicken, pork and I think veal), a seafood something, and little lamb patties. There were cheeses, variety of hummus, olives, mini corn dogs and chicken nuggets. What was also nice is the tea time complete with scones.

We have celebrated a birthday at AKL before. Surprised DD with cake delivered to Jiko. Its a fun memory and we had cake for days.

 

[Venym]

Holy cow - what an upgrade!

Although you are right... that experience likely set the bar VERY high. Probably TOO high. You'll have to 'adjust' your expectations a bit for future CL stays!

Glad it sounds like you're having a great trip.

You are so right. It was so nice and that view!!!

 

[First timer]

We’re just back from our AKL stay. Just posted a mini report and happy to answer any questions.

We love AKL the resort and are very happy with CL there. While each resort and CL has its pros and cons, we love CL in general for the ease, extra space and food as a bonus. There are people that rave over BWI like there’s no tomorrow, so I’d say if that’s your camp, any other CL would not be the same. If you like CL, then I think you’d be happy with your AKL choice. We really had great CMs. If it’s food that you’re worried about, well you’ll know what your family likes. I’m picky so I didn’t pay much attention to the hot offerings but remember a meat stew (beef, lamb, chicken, pork and I think veal), a seafood something, and little lamb patties. There were cheeses, variety of hummus, olives, mini corn dogs and chicken nuggets. What was also nice is the tea time complete with scones.

We have celebrated a birthday at AKL before. Surprised DD with cake delivered to Jiko. Its a fun memory and we had cake for days.

Thank you so much! Feeling better already. Honestly we are not picky, just read some very negative reviews which were fairly recent. Your report has brought back the anticipation to stay at AKL.