Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[psac]

Ironically, we loved the BW Club so much that we became DVC members with BW as our home, so we haven’t stayed club there again since!! By far our favorite property overall.

Then I would have GF and AKL as the middle tier, each with their own charms and pluses/minuses (obviously cost as a factor as well), and then Poly and BC as our bottom tier. But it’s so much personal preference, and I think some luck as to rooms, club staff you interact with, etc. Two stays at Poly and it was just not our thing, but soooo many people LOVE it.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Question for anyone who has stayed club level on Thanksgiving day. Will the afternoon offerings on Thanksgiving be the normal style of food for that resort or do they usually have a thanksgiving theme for the offerings such as turkey?

We were unable to book a dinner reservation for the traditional Thanksgiving meal, so we were just planning to enjoy Animal Kingdom lodge club level that evening. We will be having lunch at Tiffins at animal kingdom park and will return back to the resort.

For me, it doesn’t matter. I am just so happy I don’t have to cook that monstrosity of a meal this year.
Thank you Disney

I can't answer your Thanksgiving question - maybe someone else can but I wanted to say I would feel the same way about Thanksgiving. I love all the food but it takes me days to cook. Enjoy Thanksgiving in Disney and AKL CL - we just had a wonderful stay there.

 

[magicmountainmama]

I am not a YC pro.... have only stayed there one night this past July..so take what I say with a grain of salt. In short, we really enjoyed our brief time there.... so much so we have a return trip booked in the near future.

I wrote about our night here, if helpful: Yacht Club CL - July 2018

All resorts/CLs need multiple nights to really get a feel for the ebbs and flows.... so I need to reserve full judgement for more experience.. but we left with positive vibes.

Very helpful! Thank you for linking to that!!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Question for anyone who has stayed club level on Thanksgiving day. Will the afternoon offerings on Thanksgiving be the normal style of food for that resort or do they usually have a thanksgiving theme for the offerings such as turkey?

We were unable to book a dinner reservation for the traditional Thanksgiving meal, so we were just planning to enjoy Animal Kingdom lodge club level that evening. We will be having lunch at Tiffins at animal kingdom park and will return back to the resort.

For me, it doesn’t matter. I am just so happy I don’t have to cook that monstrosity of a meal this year.
Thank you Disney

We were at AKL CL in 2016 for thanksgiving and they did indeed serve thanksgiving dinner in the lounge and it was FABULOUS. Like the best I've ever had. The chef was making mini plates of turkey dinners. I remember when we checked in, the CM said, "we've been doing some crazy things up here this week. They are pulling out all of the stops." However, I don't remember anything else about that stay.

On that same note, has anyone ever spent NYE on CL? Do they do anything special?

 

[SarahC97]

So, I saw that the Beach Club Club Level only serves alcohol to you? Does that mean no beer in the fridge? What about at other club levels?

And one more question - which club level would you choose: Poly or BC? Is one better than the other?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

On that same note, has anyone ever spent NYE on CL? Do they do anything special?

At AKL or any resort? I did Poly CL for NYE last year. They decorated the lounge, had extended hours until midnight. I’d need to go check my pics for food but I think the evening menu was a bit more festive.

Poly does a reserved CL viewing section on the beach and they had a server out there with champagne. Last year it was pretty darn cold so the outside part wasn’t all that fun.... but a bit warmer and it would have been a tropical blast.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Kidani villas are wonderful! In the 1-bedroom you’ll have 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and a balcony that runs the full length of your room - accessible from the living room and master bedroom! My one suggestion would be to request lower floor (lobby is on floor 2), as it is better to look out at the animals, rather than looking down at them (if that makes sense!).

I’ll be there in February too, but in a studio!

Thanks for that tidbit! I'll put that in as a request,
Sparkle on!
NonnaT

 

[jods]

So, I saw that the Beach Club Club Level only serves alcohol to you? Does that mean no beer in the fridge? What about at other club levels?

And one more question - which club level would you choose: Poly or BC? Is one better than the other?

Nope, no beer in the fridge. They only gice opened bottles. I say Poly but my whole family decided poly is our happy place. When we walk into the lobby my 14 yo says he feels like he is home. So my opinion may be a bit biased

 

[NicoleLarson]

At AKL or any resort? I did Poly CL for NYE last year. They decorated the lounge, had extended hours until midnight. I’d need to go check my pics for food but I think the evening menu was a bit more festive.

Poly does a reserved CL viewing section on the beach and they had a server out there with champagne. Last year it was pretty darn cold so the outside part wasn’t all that fun.... but a bit warmer and it would have been a tropical blast.

Thank you. Yes, just in general, has anyone experienced anything different on NYE. Good to know, that at least the poly does

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you. Yes, just in general, has anyone experienced anything different on NYE. Good to know, that at least the poly does

BTW, the view from said reserved beach section. Great evening.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

BTW, the view from said reserved beach section. Great evening.

View attachment 348189

Omygoodness, that's an amazing view! Great pic!!!

 

[gwynne]

How is YC CL? All these bad reviews of BC has me nervous about our upcoming stay. DH & I are taking our first adults only trip & our first CL stay. We wanted BWI, but it’s booked up.

We have always enjoyed our YC CL visits.
BWI CL is a great choice as well. I'd give a bit of an edge to BWI for their lounge offerings. On the other hand, YC has the amazing SAB, such a relaxing pool.
The choice for us is often availability and (fingers crossed) if there is a discount.
We haven't stayed CL at BC, so I don't have thoughts on that.
Happy planning as you decide.

 

[gwynne]

Can someone post, or link me to a post, regarding the valet laundry services? Looking at costs to get a couple shirts washed mid-trip - Staying YC CL if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

If someone doesn't chime in with an answer, you might email the DSS folks. Hopefully they will have the information.

 

[SarahC97]

Are beer and wine available all day (lunchtime) or just in the evenings?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Are beer and wine available all day (lunchtime) or just in the evenings?

When not out for evening apps, beer and wine is available upon request at all other times of the day during lounge hours (7am-10pm).... even breakfast if one so chooses.

One exception is Poly which stocks their fridge with beer around noon, but beer/wine are also always available when not out as well.

Hope that helps.

 

[Crazyhorse]

How is YC CL? All these bad reviews of BC has me nervous about our upcoming stay. DH & I are taking our first adults only trip & our first CL stay. We wanted BWI, but it’s booked up.

We loved the YC CL. We were fortunate enough to be able to get one of the Deluxe rooms but the renovations are really nice. Love the hard plank floors v.s. the old carpeting. Everything was just clean and bright. You'll be fine!

 

[mickeynut1]

Just booked a trip for November 18-24. We are taking my Dad with us on this trip. He looks just like Mr Fredrickson from UP. We were able to book savanna view club level. My Dad loves animals so he will be over the moon excited at this resort.

Thanks to all of you that have posted recent trips from AKL club level and for sharing your amazing pictures of the club level offerings. We are so excited.

Next trip is September 30th-October 6th at GF. (My birthday trip) DH and myself will also convert our park tickets to AP’s.

Then our trip Thanksgiving week to celebrate our love for Disney with my Daddy.

How exciting!! I hope you and your DH have a great time at the GF this fall and you have a great Thanksgiving trip at AKL CL with your dad .

 

[SarahC97]

OK, another question (thanks for your answers): can CL offerings take the place of meals? We're thinking of going CL for our visit next September and we are not getting the dining plan. We're wondering if it would save us on food expenses. Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

OK, another question (thanks for your answers): can CL offerings take the place of meals? We're thinking of going CL for our visit next September and we are not getting the dining plan. We're wondering if it would save us on food expenses. Thanks!

CL offerings aren't meant to be meal replacements, but depending on how you eat, it is possible to make a meal out of the offerings. Breakfast is usually pretty plentiful for a meal, but the afternoon/evening offerings can (IMO) be hit or miss (again, depends on the person/eating habits and the offerings as all CLs are different). I was on a girls trip for 5 days in June (stayed BWI CL) and we ate in the lounge the majority of the time (both afternoon & evening). With that said, if I was with my DH and DSs, the evening apps would just that...apps....as they would need an actual restaurant meal.

 

[Crazyhorse]

OK, another question (thanks for your answers): can CL offerings take the place of meals? We're thinking of going CL for our visit next September and we are not getting the dining plan. We're wondering if it would save us on food expenses. Thanks!

Hmmmmm. There was a big old thread on this subject, not long ago. It kinda got ugly, opinions all over the place. It depends on you guys. For us, at our age, late 50's, late 60's, yeah, the CL at BWI with the chef at night easily took care of our hunger. We didn't make pigs of ourselves and actually had to walk out to make sure we still had an appetite for something else, which mostly turned into snacks. We aren't big dinner people. Very few dinner reservations and I'm an appetizer person anyway. Oatmeal in the morning. A cup of to go snacks in the afternoon, some desserts and a cordial in the evening. Do I think we actually make out on CL for the extra $100+ per night? Not at all...but it's the convenience.