OK, I'll finish out my trilogy of novels with my review of the CR Atrium Club level, with the relevant room and CL portions copied from the CR thread. I left out the parts relating to the resort in general, such as pools, restaurants, etc, they are all over on the CR page.
We recently got back from a 12 night stay at WDW, with the last 4 nights (June 18-22) at the CR SV Atrium CL. . For some background (for those who haven't read it 4 times already), we are a family of 6. It is me, my DH, DS8, DS5, and twin DSs 16 months. We stayed at the CR SV Atrium Club level once before, for 6 nights over Christmas 2016, and had an amazing stay. This trip we tried something new and did a 3 way split stay (we had never even split 2 ways before), and initially I had wanted to stay at the GF RPC for our MK portion but my DS8 loved the CR and we thought the ability to walk to the MK was great (and in addition I never saw RPC at a price we would have been willing to pay anyway!)
*We packed our stuff at the BC and called for bell services to take it and move it to the CR around 10:30, then I went to the CL Concierge to check out. While there I asked if she could check us in to the CR as well (I did not do online check in) and she was able to. That was a tidbit I had picked up when we checked into the BC, and I was so glad to have found out we could do that. Our room at the CR was actually ready! However, we had plans for the day so it didn't really matter. If I hadn't planned our switch days our rooms would never have been ready so early, I am confident of that!
*When we pulled into the self parking lot and were getting out of the car I had such a good feeling, and I realized it was a "it's the start of my disney vacation feeling". It was kind of a let down when I realized we were actually at the tail end of our trip! There is just something about the MK resorts that resonate with me - be it comfort and familiarity since we've stayed there the most, or since the MK seems like the heart of WDW, or what I don't know, but that really hit home on the trip that was split between the Epcot area and the MK area. We had already been there 8 nights, and had had great times at SAB and been the DHS and Epcot multiple times, as well as DAK, but when I first hit the MK area and saw the castle it kind of felt like the trip was finally beginning. I know it doesn't make much sense, and it is difficult to explain, but I'm trying. We definitely loved the other portion of our trip, this obvious ability to contrast both areas just pointed out to me that I do have a preference.
*We went up to the 12th floor, our MB did work for that, and stopped at the concierge desk basically just because I have always checked in in person. The CM didn't really seem to know why we had stopped if we knew our room number, and didn't give us any info at all such as the activity guide, phone numbers to their desk, text number, hours in the lounge, anything. If we hadn't been there before we would have had no idea, but I can't remember for sure, she may have asked if it was our first time.
*we were in room 4803. So again we didn't get my request, but at the CR it isn't a big deal since all of the rooms on one side of the resort have essentially the same view. I had requested a room on the north (MK) end of the resort with secondary requests of closer to the lounge and odd numbered room, simply because I noticed last time you got a wonderful view of Astro orbiter and space mt through the large glass windows at the end of the CR as you walked down the hall to your room on the north end. Last time our room was on the south end, and we had no real view other than the road to the CR and MK walking to the room. Plus we were 3 rooms from the end of the hall. Again, since it's the CR and no rooms are very far away it didn't matter, I was splitting hairs with that request. Then I found out that I had actually screwed up with the odd numbered room request. I could have sworn that I read somewhere on here that in order to face the WL instead of BLT when laying in bed you should request an odd numbered room, and that is what I wanted. Another not huge deal, but I would rather see the sky and trees and the WL from the bed than a big tower. So we did get the odd numbered room, and the bed faced BLT. I guess I should have looked into that a little more before requesting it. That was a long winded way of saying I made 3 requests and one was met, and it turned out that I screwed up and actually wanted the opposite of the request I made that was met
*The room was exactly as I remembered it, but no yellow pillows any more. In my everyday life the CR decor would be too modern and stark for me, but at the actual CR it works wonderfully and I love it! It is noticeably bigger than the YC and BC, but not as much as I had thought it would be. I do like the daybed, even though we don't need it. We also have no need for the large glass desk that takes up the corner of the room between the bed and the bathroom, but we use the counter space and used under it for storage. I like the lit mantle area, it was really nice when we were there at Christmas and we actually hung stockings over it.
*The bathroom setup is different, with the toilet in it's own separate rather large room with a hamper (with a pocket door), and the sinks and tub together with a sliding door to close them off. It works for us as a young family, when the boys are older I think I will prefer the ones that have the sinks outside the shower so I can get ready at the sinks while they shower and vice versa. I do like the toilet separate, I would just have the shower separate from the sinks as well or have the shower with the toilet like a lot of disney resorts do. I agree with everyone else - the sinks are weird and not functional. The entire sink actually doesn't slope down to the drain, so water pools in it instead of draining. I would dump a diet coke and then the sink would be brown if I didn't work to rinse it out. Same with toothpaste spitting! Just odd. We did tend to use one for holding stuff, but not officially, I would just sit things in it as long as the edges were dry. They match the decor of the room well, and look good (not my personal taste at home, but again I like them in this setting), but someone should have tested them out before buying them for the entire resort! I also like the towel rack here, it looks good and holds plenty of towels.
*There were lots of toiletries. A 3 oz bottle of sunscreen, mouthwash, solar gel, foot rub, shower cap, vanity kit, lotion, 2 sizes of bar soap, and 2 bottles each or shampoo and conditioner. There were replenished every day (except for the sunscreen, shower cap, and vanity kit), and when I asked for extra conditioner I got plenty. We do tip $10 a day as we go, I never know if that makes a difference or not.
*we had a welcome plate in our room that had a chocolate covered strawberry, a white chocolate covered strawberry, 2 macarons, 2 decorative chocolates, and welcome spelled in chocolate syrup. It was accompanying the note that welcomed our family to the resort. it didn't say anything about a special celebration, or a return stay, or anything, it seemed to be just because. It was a very nice touch, i was very impressed.
*we also got a welcome box of chocolate, the same as before. A larger piece with a color picture of the CR on it and 3 smaller pieces below it. We didn't get any welcome gifts at the YC or BC.
*The view from the room is amazing. This is the one resort that as long as I am staying CL I prefer the bay lake view. It is so peaceful and beautiful, I can't believe it's the standard view! There is no parking lot and essentially no roads in sight, the pools are pretty, the lake is beautiful, and you can see the water parade at night. I know it isn't exciting, and I'm sure it's just nostalgia, but I love seeing it from our resort and even better from the room. I prefer it from here than even from the poly - the arial view is different and more impressive IMO. Then, since it's CL and a relatively small one at that, you can just watch HEA and see the MK view from the lounge any time you want. If I weren't staying CL I do think I would want a MK view to be able to see HEA from the room, but with it in the lounge to me it's just as good and you get the best of both worlds. In fact I did see a MKV atrium club level come up for our dates with the same discount and wasn't even tempted (I can't remember the price difference).
*I even love the view as you exit the room. There's something special about seeing that classic tiered view of all of the halls opposite you,and the monorail below. I really think i would miss that if we ever stay in the Tower Club. Don't get me wrong, i would be willing to try it and find out, but I would miss that aspect
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*we could faintly hear the Chef Mickey song when we were in the hall, and possibly a little from the room if you focused on it and tried, but absolutely nothing that would make me say don't stay on that end of the resort because of it.
*The CL lounge here has a very open feel particularly the initial portion that is beside the food service area. It isn't that large, but despite that we never had any problem finding a table. In fact, I think every time we went to the lounge we were able to get one of the 2 or 3 tables right there, and not have to go around the divider into the other area. It never felt crowded to me.
*the food service area is pretty small compared to all other CLs. One curved counter.
*Breakfast was pretty standard, no extras like crepes, etc. They did have oatmeal, which was the only hot item. Their hard boiled eggs had a little dollup of something on top making them a little like deviled eggs, they were good. The also had the typical pastries, bagels, bread, varied sliced meat, yogurt. I love the chocolate pastries, all 3 CLs had a couple of variations and they were all good. The cheese and fruit filled ones were good also. At home I would never eat 2 pastries plus something else for breakfast every morning, but at Disney I always do. Have to get my money's worth!!
*snacks were also pretty basic. I small make your own trail mix type of thing, with little baggies and ties to put it in. They had goldfish, generic M&Ms, gummy bears, pretzels, yogurt covered pretzels, and something I can't remember, Also veggies and dip, bread sticks, and cookies.
*appetizers were good, but not as plentiful as the YC or BC. They had a soup that was off to the left and often seemed overlooked. They had a salad and a hot item and a second hot item that seemed more kid friendly. 2 nights that was mac n cheese, and it was very good! The salad was good also, and they had pork with mushrooms and polenta one night. That night (the pork, a salad with artichokes/tomatoes/olives/cheese/etc, and mac n cheese plus veggies, bread sticks, etc we ended up easily making dinner out of it for all 6 of us. the other 3 nights we had dinner plans, or we actually could have done the same.
*one night I asked about Gluten free options, and the CM immediately went to the back room and a chef came out within a minute or 2. She knew immediately what was GF and what wasn't, and actually everything except the obvious (mac n cheese, crackers, bread sticks) was GF! So that night my DH and 2 sons with a gluten allergy were able to eat essentially what the rest of us did in the lounge without a hassle, long wait, etc. It was nice. That chef was great, she obviously knew what she was serving and what was in all of it. Night and day from the chef at the YC CL when we asked about GF there.
*There were not nearly as many dessert options as at the YC and BC, but they varied nightly which was nice. They would have one dessert that was in a small glass dish, 3 individual desserts, and cookies. I tried most of them, they were good. Not the best ever, but pretty typical for Cl desserts. They did not have anything special, like bread pudding, warm apple pies, cobbler, etc. My kids weren't thrilled with them, the really only liked the cookies and even then they weren't that excited.
*they brought the alcohol out at 5:00, and the first night I happened to be there right at 5:00 and wanted wine for my DH and I before dinner. I stood and waited for the girl to come back and get it for me when she came back with the beer, and when she came out she seemed surprised that I was waiting and got me a sparkling wine and another for my DH. I figured out later that you are to serve yourself at the CR, and I had assumed they had to serve me and I would have gotten "reprimanded" if I had done it myself. She must have thought I wasn't willing to do it myself!
* the drink fridge here was my DSs favorite of all of the Club lounges by far - it was as if it was made for him. The had minute maid lemonade, apple juice boxes, and orange fanta. Compared to the others, where they didn't keep anything in the fridge he would like, here they had 3 of his favorites. They also had Diet Coke, caffeine free diet coke, coke, and BOTTLED WATER. In all of my CL stays this is the first time I have stayed in one at a time they have the elusive bottled water. They might have also had sprite, and possibly more. I didn't take a picture and I just remember what we liked, not everything else.
*The CL CMs were more interactive with us than at the YC and BC. They made a little more small talk, chatted, etc. They weren't overboard with the warm and friendly, but they clearly tried to greet guests, say hello, etc. I kind of liked it. I don't want to feel like someone is monitoring me, or being sugary sweet and not meaning it, but they had just the right level of interaction without being annoying.
*after we came back from dinner the first night out MBs didn't work on our room. So I tried all of ours, and found out that all of my DS5s MBs worked but no one else's would. Interesting, this was a different son from the son whose MBs were the only ones to work at the BC
. So I went down to the CL concierge, and she actually had trouble getting them set to work on our room and elevator as well. It was decently close to 10:00, and she only got a couple working. She said she couldn't keep them and bring them back to us since it was over a night with a different shift in the AM, and that we should come back in the AM. However, we had plans to be at the MK at opening in the AM, and between getting 4 kids ready and never getting enough sleep, and knowing based on experience how long it would take, there was no way I was doing that at 7:00 AM. We knew that the MBs all worked for admission and charging, just not our room. So we wore the MBs we wanted, making sure we had one that opened the room door, and didn't get them re-programed. We actually never did during our CR stay, we just made sure we always had one that worked on the room and elevator with us. It didn't seem worth wasting ANOTHER 30-60 min getting them all working for the 3rd resort.
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