Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[trishadono]

Yes! So jealous! Excited for your trip!

Well Sugar is pretty sweet too lol!

 

[Surgie2]

Not sure if this goes in Poly or CL thread since it's Poly CL questions...

My son and family will be arriving at 10:00 AM and taking DME to Poly (carry-on luggage only). When they arrive at the resort, assuming no one meets them, should they go in to the main lobby or head to Hawaii CL for check-in? I won't be there until 3 hours later so wanted him to know what to do.

I know the CL breakfast ends at 10:30 but would anything be available before snacks at noon? Drinks? Fruit?

And is the lounge bathroom the best place for changing into swim suits, assuming the room is not ready?

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Not sure if this goes in Poly or CL thread since it's Poly CL questions...

My son and family will be arriving at 10:00 AM and taking DME to Poly (carry-on luggage only). When they arrive at the resort, assuming no one meets them, should they go in to the main lobby or head to Hawaii CL for check-in? I won't be there until 3 hours later so wanted him to know what to do.

I know the CL breakfast ends at 10:30 but would anything be available before snacks at noon? Drinks? Fruit?

And is the lounge bathroom the best place for changing into swim suits, assuming the room is not ready?

When we stayed at the Poly last summer - there was a desk when you first walk in to the main lobby immediately to the right, that was for check in for CL guests. They will check you in and give you leis and then walk you to the Hawaii building since you need your active magic band to get into the Hawaii building. If they do online check in, then their magic bands should be active and could go straight to the Hawaii building without a CM.

Drinks will be available between serving times - coffee, tea and the refrigerator with juice and soda. There will be wrapped fruit - apples, oranges and bananas. You can always ask for something to eat if nothing is out. The CM could get you something if there is nothing out.

You can change in the lounge bathroom - it is on the 3rd floor. I am not sure about bathrooms near the pool - we have never used them.

I hope that helps - enjoy the Poly - we love it.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

You can change in the lounge bathroom - it is on the 3rd floor. I am not sure about bathrooms near the pool - we have never used them.

I would also use the bathroom in the club lounge. Your other two best choices are the bathroom across from Capt Cook’s or the one that’s kind of behind the pool bar at the Lava pool. There’s also a bathroom under the volcano, but we find that bathroom kind of wet. The one behind the pool bar is nicer in my opinion. Fewer stalls and no shower, but it’s dry at least and doesn’t seem to get as much use; it’s where we changed at spring break when we arrived early. This summer is our first club level stay at the Poly. Can’t wait!

 

[trishadono]

Not sure if this goes in Poly or CL thread since it's Poly CL questions...

My son and family will be arriving at 10:00 AM and taking DME to Poly (carry-on luggage only). When they arrive at the resort, assuming no one meets them, should they go in to the main lobby or head to Hawaii CL for check-in? I won't be there until 3 hours later so wanted him to know what to do.

I know the CL breakfast ends at 10:30 but would anything be available before snacks at noon? Drinks? Fruit?

And is the lounge bathroom the best place for changing into swim suits, assuming the room is not ready?

@DisneyFansInNYC is correct , that is a good option.

I however just go direct to the Hawaii building . It only will matter if they are close to the food ending time. They can go to Hawaii and walk up the stairs on the left. Grab the breakfast then head down to the cm area to check in after. Or i send my family up telling them what I want and I do the check in.

OF course if they are unfamiliar with the resort they can request an escort. Just let the cm know you in a hurry due to time issue. LOL i almost missed desserts in Sl at GF once because our plane landed late and the cm wanted to explain everything. I finally explained why I was in a hurry so she walked us briskly then sat with us in the lounge and did check in there.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

@DisneyFansInNYC is correct , that is a good option.

I however just go direct to the Hawaii building . It only will matter if they are close to the food ending time. They can go to Hawaii and walk up the stairs on the left. Grab the breakfast then head down to the cm area to check in after. Or i send my family up telling them what I want and I do the check in.

OF course if they are unfamiliar with the resort they can request an escort. Just let the cm know you in a hurry due to time issue. LOL i almost missed desserts in Sl at GF once because our plane landed late and the cm wanted to explain everything. I finally explained why I was in a hurry so she walked us briskly then sat with us in the lounge and did check in there.

We do that often now that the kids are older. My DH and I check in and our kids go get breakfast if it is late. They come down if their MBs don't work - which seems to happen to us often. I always forget to deactivate some of our old MBs.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

@GADisneyDad14 - I am having issues with getting notifications and I am sorry if you answered me already - but which tour did you do at AKL? We really want to do a tour at AKL this year. I was also looking at Caring for Giants as our youngest DD loves elephants.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@GADisneyDad14 - I am having issues with getting notifications and I am sorry if you answered me already - but which tour did you do at AKL? We really want to do a tour at AKL this year. I was also looking at Caring for Giants as our youngest DD loves elephants.

If you asked me, I think I might have missed it - sorry!

We did the Wanyama Safari: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...ngdom-lodge/wanyama-resort-safari-and-dinner/

I haven’t done any of the other AKL/AK tours so don’t have anything to compare it to, but we enjoyed it quite a bit. Really helped with our ‘understanding’ of AKL as a resort, how the Savannas work, how animals are cared for, etc. Really interesting stuff.

 

[Surgie2]

When we stayed at the Poly last summer - there was a desk when you first walk in to the main lobby immediately to the right, that was for check in for CL guests. They will check you in and give you leis and then walk you to the Hawaii building since you need your active magic band to get into the Hawaii building. If they do online check in, then their magic bands should be active and could go straight to the Hawaii building without a CM.

Drinks will be available between serving times - coffee, tea and the refrigerator with juice and soda. There will be wrapped fruit - apples, oranges and bananas. You can always ask for something to eat if nothing is out. The CM could get you something if there is nothing out.

You can change in the lounge bathroom - it is on the 3rd floor. I am not sure about bathrooms near the pool - we have never used them.

I hope that helps - enjoy the Poly - we love it.

Thanks, yes they already did online check in. They can bypass the main lobby but does the Hawaii lobby have leis?

 

[starrysilver]

Over the weekend I upgraded our YC stay in September to CL. We wanted to do something special since we are celebrating my sister's birthday. We are so excited to try something different!

Funny thing- I tried to do this by myself online but it showed no availability for CL on my dates under the Enchanted Escape offer. (not exactly in our budget without some kind of discount) However, when I check just the first night of our trip and the next two nights (trip is total 3 nights) I saw the offer wa actually available, just not letting me book it myself for whatever reason. CM on the phone first suggested booking the nights separately, which I was definitely not interested in. But of course, as I suspected, Disney is not going to pass up the chance for me to spend MORE money so she transferred me to guest services who was so helpful and just applied those CL rates to my existing trip. I can't wait for September!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

If you asked me, I think I might have missed it - sorry!

We did the Wanyama Safari: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...ngdom-lodge/wanyama-resort-safari-and-dinner/

I haven’t done any of the other AKL/AK tours so don’t have anything to compare it to, but we enjoyed it quite a bit. Really helped with our ‘understanding’ of AKL as a resort, how the Savannas work, how animals are cared for, etc. Really interesting stuff.

Thanks so much. We are going to try to do this tour.

Thanks, yes they already did online check in. They can bypass the main lobby but does the Hawaii lobby have leis?

Yes they will have Leis - we did that a couple times when they were busy at the desk in the lobby. Have a great time!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I am so excited - I haven't even told my family yet. I just booked a 2 bedroom suite at the AKL CL for a couple of days at the beginning of our trip.
We have put this off for too many years. Since I waited too long the 1 bedroom wasn't available but I am excited that we have room to bring 2 friends or family members with us. Also the regular rooms did not have a discount available for any of our days so this 2 bedroom will only cost a little more and we can all be together.

Does anyone know where these rooms are located? Also how far from the lounge? I tried to find a map but I cannot find one. I am hoping that @GADisneyDad14 would have one.

 

[DJFan88]

I am so excited - I haven't even told my family yet. I just booked a 2 bedroom suite at the AKL CL for a couple of days at the beginning of our trip.
We have put this off for too many years. Since I waited too long the 1 bedroom wasn't available but I am excited that we have room to bring 2 friends or family members with us. Also the regular rooms did not have a discount available for any of our days so this 2 bedroom will only cost a little more and we can all be together.

Does anyone know where these rooms are located? Also how far from the lounge? I tried to find a map but I cannot find one. I am hoping that @GADisneyDad14 would have one.

Congrats, it's beautiful there. Touring Plans has a map of the place. CL rooms are at least mostly on the 4th floor if I remember correctly. It's not right next door to the lounge but is on another level, however, we had a Savannah view that was amazing! You really don't know notice the walk to the back staircase there, at least I didn't, because as you pass by different sections in the hall, you have views of the other Savannah, and as you approach the Lobby area, it is so beautiful and you hear the beat, etc., etc., I Loved getting Coffee first thing while the other lazy heads were not even thinking of getting up and just walking around or sitting in the rocking chairs out on a porch taking in the view while doing my whole phone catch up thing. The atmosphere can't be beat!
Oh, there's an elevator to the Lounge, I just loved the back staircase from where we were.
Enjoy!

 

[mickeynut1]

I am so excited - I haven't even told my family yet. I just booked a 2 bedroom suite at the AKL CL for a couple of days at the beginning of our trip.
We have put this off for too many years. Since I waited too long the 1 bedroom wasn't available but I am excited that we have room to bring 2 friends or family members with us. Also the regular rooms did not have a discount available for any of our days so this 2 bedroom will only cost a little more and we can all be together.

Does anyone know where these rooms are located? Also how far from the lounge? I tried to find a map but I cannot find one. I am hoping that @GADisneyDad14 would have one.

How exciting! Hope you will report back after your trip with lots of pics .

 

[TheFloatingBear]

@GADisneyDad14 - I am having issues with getting notifications and I am sorry if you answered me already - but which tour did you do at AKL? We really want to do a tour at AKL this year. I was also looking at Caring for Giants as our youngest DD loves elephants.

We also did the Wanyama Safari at AKL a couple of years ago and loved it! The dinner at Jiko was wonderful! We did the Caring for Giants tour at AK last week and also highly recommend it. I was just posting how relaxing we found it - hanging out and just watching them! My brain if feeling a bit vague this afternoon so sorry I'm not more descriptive, but happy to try to answer any questions about the tours!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Congrats, it's beautiful there. Touring Plans has a map of the place. CL rooms are at least mostly on the 4th floor if I remember correctly. It's not right next door to the lounge but is on another level, however, we had a Savannah view that was amazing! You really don't know notice the walk to the back staircase there, at least I didn't, because as you pass by different sections in the hall, you have views of the other Savannah, and as you approach the Lobby area, it is so beautiful and you hear the beat, etc., etc., I Loved getting Coffee first thing while the other lazy heads were not even thinking of getting up and just walking around or sitting in the rocking chairs out on a porch taking in the view while doing my whole phone catch up thing. The atmosphere can't be beat!
Oh, there's an elevator to the Lounge, I just loved the back staircase from where we were.
Enjoy!

Thank you so much - I will go on Touring Plans - I searched all over and couldn't find one. We have 4 kids and 1 daughter and I are the ones that get up early while like you said the others weren't even thinking of getting up. So funny but true for us too. The stairs will be perfect. Thanks for your help.

How exciting! Hope you will report back after your trip with lots of pics .

Thank you - we will take lots of pictures - I love trying new hotels.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We also did the Wanyama Safari at AKL a couple of years ago and loved it! The dinner at Jiko was wonderful! We did the Caring for Giants tour at AK last week and also highly recommend it. I was just posting how relaxing we found it - hanging out and just watching them! My brain if feeling a bit vague this afternoon so sorry I'm not more descriptive, but happy to try to answer any questions about the tours!

Thank you so much. Those are the two tours we want to do. Are both tours in the same area?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you so much. Those are the two tours we want to do. Are both tours in the same area?

So one thing I didn’t understand / totally took for granted before doing the Wanyama Safari is that the savanna/animal areas at AKL (the resort) and those at AK (the park) are totally separate. Not connected at all.

I’m so dumb, I just assumed when we signed up for Wanyama that we’d be driving through “the whole thing” like it’s one big animal area, but that’s not the case. We quickly realized how wrong I was!

Wanyama is only around the AKL savannas. The Caring for Giants tour is at the park.

Hope that helps!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Thank you so much. Those are the two tours we want to do. Are both tours in the same area?

No, the Wanyama Safari takes place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Caring for Giants takes place at Animal Kingdom park. I feel like there's another tour involving food that takes place at Animal Kingdom Park, but I can't recall the name off-hand. Maybe Savor the Safari?

When we did it, Wanyama started in a room in Jiko with some refreshments and a cultural representative. It's a small group of about 12. Then you go on a safari truck and drive all over the savannahs at the resort - we got some great photos and there was a lot of animal activity. Then we went back to Jiko and had a family style dinner - delicious! We did it as a date night thing, since I think my daughter was too young, plus my son isn't exactly an adventurous eater! It started in the afternoon and took several hours.

Caring for Giants starts near Kilimanjaro Safari at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk at AK. You take a short walk backstage and then board a bus which takes you to a viewing area on the opposite side of the elephant area at KS. There's an animal specialist and a cultural representative that talk about the elephants and conservation efforts, as well as answer questions. I was posting on another thread, I appreciated that it was more low-key. There wasn't a lot of walking, just hanging out watching the elephants. I felt like I was a world away from the busyness of the park, and I found it relaxing just watching them do their thing! It's about an hour and there were a lot of tour times to choose.

Did you say it's your first time at AKL? You will love it! However, be prepared that giraffe watching can impede trying to get ready in the morning!

Edited for spelling

 

[TheFloatingBear]

So one thing I didn’t understand / totally took for granted before doing the Wanyama Safari is that the savanna/animal areas at AKL (the resort) and those at AK (the park) are totally separate. Not connected at all.

I’m so dumb, I just assumed when we signed up for Wanyama that we’d be driving through “the whole thing” like it’s one big animal area, but that’s not the case. We quickly realized how wrong I was!

Wanyama is only around the AKL savannas. The Caring for Giants tour is at the park.

Hope that helps!

It's funny that you say this...when we went on the Wanyama Safari two years ago, there was a woman and her adult daughter with us on the tour. It was unclear whether she thought it was one area or not, but the daughter expected to see predator animals (like lions and cheetahs) on the safari, but there aren't any on the resort savannahs. She was expecting some prey/predator action but that was just not part of the deal. She sat next to me at dinner and we had to process her disappointment about the safari for several courses, lol! The wine helped!