Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[GADisneyDad14]

So, WL CL, am I understanding correctly that if I want to be on same floor as lounge I need to request 7th floor because you could be on any floor? Does anyone know if their are many bunk beds on that floor for CL? Also, are stairs available vs taking the elevator every time? What would you request? And finally, instead of calling central reservations, I'm guessing I could just email this DSS and ask them to do it?

A few months ago Disney changed the description of the Standard Rooms on the website from “Standard Room - Club Level” to “Standard Room - Club Level Access.” In the world of Disney’s website, the phrase “Club Level Access” is most often used in circumstances where CL rooms are not on the same floor as the lounge.

I may be wrong here, but I was under the impression that the general thinking amongst us DISers was that they had opened other rooms besides just the 7th floor to be CL elgible. However, I don’t think I’ve seen any definitive reports yet of someone who stayed CL but wasn’t on the 7th floor.

I may have missed info somewhere along the way, so take that with a grain of salt in case I have my facts wrong.

However, I have always assumed opening up more CL elgible rooms made sense given the incredibly tiny room count on the 7th floor - it’s much smaller than any other CL (with the exception of Tower Club).

Big caveat on the above in case I’m wrong!

 

[mickeynut1]

We returned last night from a long weekend at the BWI, in a Garden Suite. We were in 1202 this time (1201 last year), which was still nice and close to the back staircase to the lounge and the quiet pool. It was lovely! There was a really nice variety of food in the lounge during the day, a tasty breakfast, and the only night we were there for hot hors d'oeuvres was really great (steak with fingerling potatoes and a nice sauce, and fish with veggies). Excellent coffee. DH missed the beer fridge at the Poly, but otherwise no complaints! Hoping to return to BWI again next spring.

View attachment 317221 View attachment 317222 View attachment 317223

We were also impressed with the array of Disney bath products in the Garden Suite! More than I've ever seen before, including at RPC. We had turndown service with chocolates every night. Our room was spotless, and the CMs were very accommodating and welcoming. Great service all around. View attachment 317224

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

Just back from Poly Club! It was so wonderful. Truly wonderful. We had all those bath products as well.

I thought the service was excellent, and I'd say better then our experience at GF SL 2 years ago. I don't know if that is because of general concierge changes or just a difference at resorts. I never received a room text, so when we arrived at 8 pm I went to the front desk at the Poly. At that point, the person helping me left and went and got someone then she escorted us to Hawaii. (normally a manager does it, but he had left for the day). At that point, we got to sit in the lobby and a CM went over everything and gave us our paperwork. At that point, I asked about food for my youngest who has severe food allergies. (dairy, eggs, sesame, peanut and tree nuts). We were told that we would have a notation on our account and he could order anything he wanted from private dining! I got to talk to a chef and then had a standard waffle order every morning at 7:45 am.

Poly has 3 cm desks in the lobby and SL has 1. It was a nice set up.

We received a big box of cookies in our room on our arrival and the kids received shovels, buckets, and a coloring book. Our arrival night we grabbed dinner in Capt Hooks and watched the fireworks in the concierge lounge.

I thought the CMs in the lounge were wonderful. They kept on asking if we needed anything and would fill up water bottles for us which was great.

I really liked walking to the TTC. Surprisingly we tended to do boats to and from the MK more often which makes me think maybe next time we could do the Wilderness lounge.

The saddest part of the whole trip is that it is over. We also don't have another trip planned. I'm in negotiation with my husband. I was pushing for 2 years, he's pushing for 5. We will have to see....

I had issues with MDE so kept on going down to the CMs in the lobby to make changes the night before.

Oh, one other thing I loved is that every night we got a piece of paper with the list of activities for the next day. The GM did leave a message at some point asking if we had any questions.

All and all a great trip.

Glad you had a great time and enjoyed Poly CL .

I've been lurking in this thread for awhile, so I decided to make a post. My husband and I are going to be staying Atrium CL at the CR from November 1st-8th with the Friends and Family discount. Booked in January and received a call from DSS on Saturday. I've been spending tons of time making plans so I'm hoping the CL extra FP test sticks around until then!

How exciting! Enjoy the planning, hope you have a great trip .

Just wanted to share an experience with Disney Signature Service. We decided last week to split our stay in July. We had originally booked BCV for 2+ weeks, but decided to switch to Poly CL for the first 9 nights. I booked the Poly CL on Tuesday, 4/10. Wednesday morning, 4/11, I received a call from DSS. Unfortunately I was teaching at the time and couldn't answer. They left a very nice message. I decided to take them up on their offer to answer any questions we had or help book ADRs or FPs. I emailed DSS last night, 4/16, and received a reply today, 4/17, with all my questions answered as well as a BOG lunch ADR that I had been unsuccessful in securing myself. I was quite impressed.

This is our 4th time staying CL and each time we have received an email (never a call!), but have never used their services because it's usually a last minute change and I have all ADRs and FPs booked by then.

And on that note, I would love to see any July 3rd or 4th pictures of the Poly CL lounge or the crowds at the beach/pool.

Glad DSS was helpful with answering your questions and was able to secure BOG! Hope you have a great trip .

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I need some advice. My husband and I are going to be going to be going to Disney in October 2019. We will spend the first week offsite but are considering spending one or two nights onsite at a deluxe CL. We are willing to splurge a bit as we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary. I would prefer either a Magic Kingdom resort or an Epcot resort.
Which CL is the nicest? Best to celebrate at? If we can manage it I’m going to try and get an ADR at V&A.

I think it depends on what you want in an overall resort/location first. Also, if you think you’ll be spending most of those two days out in a park or more around the resort.

Personally, I’d want something with a TPV either from a room option or lounge, so that means Poly, CR, or GF.

We’re more MK-centric folks so I’d vote for something like Tower Club at CR for something special. “Nicest” is obviously subjective, but Tower Club has arguably been the best overall experiance in our travels. Just a great combination of very few guests, fantastic views from the lounge, great rooms, etc. Have always had great service at CR. It’s hard to get a standard room up there though, you have to call. There just aren’t very many of them. Atrium Club could be an alternative, but it’s not quite as magical compared to Tower.

I also like CR for quick two nighters... easy walk to MK, less time spent on transportation, etc. Fireworks viewing from the lounge.

GF RPC will probably get points for being the “nicest” as it’s a bit more refined, for lack of a better word (Disney refined), typically has great food offerings, etc. It’s a very relaxing resort and lounge setup, from my perspective.

Lots of great options to choose from. Happy planning!

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Quick question about the extra FP+ for club level. We currently have a pool/lagoon room (non-club level) for the Christmas vacation and were wondering if the pilot extra FP+ for club level was in effect over the Christmas period. Will this pilot be available in Christmas week? If it is that might make it worth it to us to switch to a club level room....

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Quick question about the extra FP+ for club level. We currently have a pool/lagoon room (non-club level) for the Christmas vacation and were wondering if the pilot extra FP+ for club level was in effect over the Christmas period. Will this pilot be available in Christmas week? If it is that might make it worth it to us to switch to a club level room....

They have not made any announcement as to an end date yet. Someone recently posted that DSS told them “at least until the end of the year,” but that’s a bit like hearing information from the bus driver.

My guess is yes, it will be, but keep an open mind/plans in case things change.

 

[ninafeliz]

Quick question about the extra FP+ for club level. We currently have a pool/lagoon room (non-club level) for the Christmas vacation and were wondering if the pilot extra FP+ for club level was in effect over the Christmas period. Will this pilot be available in Christmas week? If it is that might make it worth it to us to switch to a club level room....

No one knows... I feel like it will go through the end of the year, but that's just my random opinion. Also, since they seem to have changed it up a little for the nighttime viewing over July 4th maybe they would do that over Christmas and New years also? But AFAIK that was only the nighttime shows, not the ability to book any FPs. I think if I really wanted to stay club level I would book that and use the extra FP program as my "excuse". if you are really only doing it for that program, then I'm not as sure... Sorry to not be a huge help, maybe someone else with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

They have not made any announcement as to an end date yet. Someone recently posted that DSS told them “at least until the end of the year,” but that’s a bit like hearing information from the bus driver.

My guess is yes, it will be, but keep an open mind/plans in case things change.

Thanks.... I'm thinking the extra FP+ offer might make it worth it -- for our 9 days at BC it's an extra 230 per nite for club level (even for a less preferable view (garden/standard). We're sort of bouncing between doing a day of Private VIP tour and getting the new rides in that way and staying in a regular room and doing a few extra events (AK tour, etc...) and booking club --- for us the extra FP+ offer would be the deciding factor.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

J

No one knows... I feel like it will go through the end of the year, but that's just my random opinion. Also, since they seem to have changed it up a little for the nighttime viewing over July 4th maybe they would do that over Christmas and New years also? But AFAIK that was only the nighttime shows, not the ability to book any FPs. I think if I really wanted to stay club level I would book that and use the extra FP program as my "excuse". if you are really only doing it for that program, then I'm not as sure... Sorry to not be a huge help, maybe someone else with more knowledge will chime in.

Thanks. What were the changes for July 4th? I haven't really been keeping up recently .....

If it's just Dec 25th then I'm okay with it (we're going Dec 21 to 30 --- and moving to HRH club level for the 30th to 2nd) ---- if it applied to the whole holiday week then that would really make more sense for us to do a VIP tour and get the new attractions covered that way --- rather than the club level stay.

BTW --- you were a huge help --- since I had no idea they changed the offerings for July 4th... Thanks again!

 

[ninafeliz]

Thanks.... I'm thinking the extra FP+ offer might make it worth it -- for our 9 days at BC it's an extra 230 per nite for club level (even for a less preferable view (garden/standard). We're sort of bouncing between doing a day of Private VIP tour and getting the new rides in that way and staying in a regular room and doing a few extra events (AK tour, etc...) and booking club --- for us the extra FP+ offer would be the deciding factor.

Any interest in a split stay? 2-4 nights CL and the remaining 6-7 nights non club level? I agree $230 a night more is a lot! The downside is you would have to do your extra FP days all clumped together during the CL portion.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@Best_Vacation_EVER! - FYI, the only change for 7/4 (and maybe 7/3, not totally sure about that) is that reserved nighttime viewing for fireworks in the MK is not available. No other changes to the program on that day.

7/3 and 7/4 are both special fireworks in the MK, so it appears that logistically they don’t want to mess with a reserved CL section those days.

 

[ninafeliz]

J


Thanks. What were the changes for July 4th? I haven't really been keeping up recently .....

If it's just Dec 25th then I'm okay with it (we're going Dec 21 to 30 --- and moving to HRH club level for the 30th to 2nd) ---- if it applied to the whole holiday week then that would really make more sense for us to do a VIP tour and get the new attractions covered that way --- rather than the club level stay.

BTW --- you were a huge help --- since I had no idea they changed the offerings for July 4th... Thanks again!

Just read your latest post, I guess i was posting at the same time! We are not staying over July 4th, so I don't know details, but from following the info on the extra FP program on a few threads it seems as if they might not be offering the special viewing area for HEA on July 3rd or 4th. But even then some people who tried to book seem to have been told that it isn't for sure yet, and to check back I'm not sure abut Illuminations on July 4th, since that is also a special show, I don't think I've heard anything about that not being offered. So not huge changes, but still something being done different for a holiday. As i said, no one has said anything about the ability to book any rides changing, just the nighttime viewing. If I were to guess, I would think the only change would be New Years Eve (probably at the MK and maybe Epcot) and potentially Dec 30th and Christmas Day. But purely a guess, that hasn't even been heard from a bus driver (or DSS) AFAIK .

 

[bpx2]

Welcome out of lurkdom! Hope you enjoy Atrium. I have a real soft spot for CR and Atrium Club in my travel heart. I would stay there more if I could.

Too bad you’re smack dab in between MNSSHP and MVMCP - the party fireworks viewing from CR is pretty cool.

Happy planning!

Thanks! Yeah, I was hoping for a MNSSHP on November 1st this year, so kind of bummed about that. Oh well, just another reason to come back I guess!

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Any interest in a split stay? 2-4 nights CL and the remaining 6-7 nights non club level? I agree $230 a night more is a lot! The downside is you would have to do your extra FP days all clumped together during the CL portion.

We've done a couple of split stays and my DH hated it.... loved the first 4 nights at CR but literally everything for the 5/7 nights at BC was prefaced with a complaint about having to pack up and move. I promised we wouldn't do this again. DH is pretty good ... he doesn't question plans or ask about spending --- but once we're there he just wants things to be seamless..

I called DSS and even though I didn't have a club stay booked they very graciously answered my question. They said they had no indication of whether it would still be offered during Christmas week ... but they hadn't heard any indication that the program would stop either. Would be fine if only the extra viewing areas weren't available on Dec 25th or the 26th...

 

[ninafeliz]

We've done a couple of split stays and my DH hated it.... loved the first 4 nights at CR but literally everything for the 5/7 nights at BC was prefaced with a complaint about having to pack up and move. I promised we wouldn't do this again. DH is pretty good ... he doesn't question plans or ask about spending --- but once we're there he just wants things to be seamless..

I called DSS and even though I didn't have a club stay booked they very graciously answered my question. They said they had no indication of whether it would still be offered during Christmas week ... but they hadn't heard any indication that the program would stop either. Would be fine if only the extra viewing areas weren't available on Dec 25th or the 26th...

I actually totally get where your DH is coming from! I have never had any interest in split stays, and was always amazed at the people who would do things like 5 resorts in 9 days, etc. I just suggested it as a way to kind of get the best of both worlds (CL FP program but not spend the extra for all 9 nights), but if it would make him miserable and thus the rest of you miserable (all relative i know, but still make him less happy) then it wouldn't work.

Now, having said that, I have my first ever split stay coming up and it's a 3 way split with 4 nights YC, 4 nights BC, and 4 nights CR, all CL! I'm still apprehensive, as I have always been a complete unpacker and mover inner (for lack of better grammar) and I'm obviously not going to do that 3 times for this stay, but I wanted both Epcot and the MK and we were able to save a substantial amount by adding the 3rd split in so I'm going to jump in head first and see how it goes!

 

[psac]

Just wanted to share an experience with Disney Signature Service. We decided last week to split our stay in July. We had originally booked BCV for 2+ weeks, but decided to switch to Poly CL for the first 9 nights. I booked the Poly CL on Tuesday, 4/10. Wednesday morning, 4/11, I received a call from DSS. Unfortunately I was teaching at the time and couldn't answer. They left a very nice message. I decided to take them up on their offer to answer any questions we had or help book ADRs or FPs. I emailed DSS last night, 4/16, and received a reply today, 4/17, with all my questions answered as well as a BOG lunch ADR that I had been unsuccessful in securing myself. I was quite impressed.

This is our 4th time staying CL and each time we have received an email (never a call!), but have never used their services because it's usually a last minute change and I have all ADRs and FPs booked by then.

And on that note, I would love to see any July 3rd or 4th pictures of the Poly CL lounge or the crowds at the beach/pool.

Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures handy, and it was about 4 years ago that we stayed there for July 4, but it was a MAD HOUSE. The good thing was the club lounge had more of a meal for the evening food, like real hot dogs and baked beans and stuff as opposed to the normal appetizers, so you didn’t have to go anywhere else for dinner and deal with the crowds if you didn’t want to. I don’t know if they still do that, though, it was a while ago.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Just read your latest post, I guess i was posting at the same time! We are not staying over July 4th, so I don't know details, but from following the info on the extra FP program on a few threads it seems as if they might not be offering the special viewing area for HEA on July 3rd or 4th. But even then some people who tried to book seem to have been told that it isn't for sure yet, and to check back I'm not sure abut Illuminations on July 4th, since that is also a special show, I don't think I've heard anything about that not being offered. So not huge changes, but still something being done different for a holiday. As i said, no one has said anything about the ability to book any rides changing, just the nighttime viewing. If I were to guess, I would think the only change would be New Years Eve (probably at the MK and maybe Epcot) and potentially Dec 30th and Christmas Day. But purely a guess, that hasn't even been heard from a bus driver (or DSS) AFAIK .

Thanks again... but no independent bus driver verification ... that is dicey...

I need to call to see rates for private tour rates for the Christmas week.... Think if we did a 12 hour tour day of just new/top tier rides at each of the different parks it may still be worth it....

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

I actually totally get where your DH is coming from! I have never had any interest in split stays, and was always amazed at the people who would do things like 5 resorts in 9 days, etc. I just suggested it as a way to kind of get the best of both worlds (CL FP program but not spend the extra for all 9 nights), but if it would make him miserable and thus the rest of you miserable (all relative i know, but still make him less happy) then it wouldn't work.

Now, having said that, I have my first ever split stay coming up and it's a 3 way split with 4 nights YC, 4 nights BC, and 4 nights CR, all CL! I'm still apprehensive, as I have always been a complete unpacker and mover inner (for lack of better grammar) and I'm obviously not going to do that 3 times for this stay, but I wanted both Epcot and the MK and we were able to save a substantial amount by adding the 3rd split in so I'm going to jump in head first and see how it goes!

Thanks... I will say I (and my DS) loved our split stays.... what's better than watching fireworks from CR and BC on your balcony during the same trip, walking to both MK and EP/DHS during the same stay? You'll have a great trip...

 

[ninafeliz]

Thanks again... but no independent bus driver verification ... that is dicey...

I need to call to see rates for private tour rates for the Christmas week.... Think if we did a 12 hour tour day of just new/top tier rides at each of the different parks it may still be worth it....

You know, I never thought of that as an alternative. Can they actually get you onto all of the rides you want without waiting in as many parks as you have time for if you do the VIP tour? Although I don't think I want to give up CL, so it wouldn't be an alternative then, it would just become even more ridiculously expensive! It might be an option for when my youngest twins turn 3, and we no longer fit in most CL rooms, though. Gives me something to think about (as if I needed more to obsess over).

 

[disneymomma76]

Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures handy, and it was about 4 years ago that we stayed there for July 4, but it was a MAD HOUSE. The good thing was the club lounge had more of a meal for the evening food, like real hot dogs and baked beans and stuff as opposed to the normal appetizers, so you didn’t have to go anywhere else for dinner and deal with the crowds if you didn’t want to. I don’t know if they still do that, though, it was a while ago.

Thanks! We usually go to WDW over the 4th every other year (we try to get 2 summer trips out of our APs) and usually just go to a park in the morning on the 4th and then spend the rest of the day at the resort. We've just never been at the Poly over the 4th. We plan on staying put at the Poly on the 4th, but I wasn't sure just how crazy it was at the Poly. My DH is ready to just sit back, relax, and enjoy a few drinks in the lounge and pool. Looking forward to seeing the fireworks from the beach.....hopefully.

 

[ninafeliz]

Thanks... I will say I (and my DS) loved our split stays.... what's better than watching fireworks from CR and BC on your balcony during the same trip, walking to both MK and EP/DHS during the same stay? You'll have a great trip...

Thanks for the encouragement! I hope you are right! I just know how I am, and i'm worried this will feel like I am turning a long trip into 3 short trips, and I'll be sad 3 times about something ending. I also am concerned that the switch days will feel like kind of "lost days." I realize I need to change my mindset and mentality to avoid this, so I am going to work on it! I am looking forward to riding almost no busses (or possibly none, if we use Minnie Vans or a taxi to get to the AK) and walking to 3 parks - I love that! Plus Stormalong bay is great, and we have it for 8 nights this way. So it certainly has its plusses. We are also going to Lego Land on the day we move from YC to BC, so I'll run over and check in and leave our bags, then get our new room when we get back. I'm sure it will be fine