Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[mrsap]

View attachment 380774 All of the deluxe rooms have Boardwalk views. There are five rooms on the 4th floor and five on the 3rd floor. We stay there every year. Awesome choice!!

Love this picture!!

 

[BabybetterDisney]

You clearly have not been for evening appetizers

I was referring to lunch when I mentioned chips and cookies and carrot sticks. I don't believe the lounge offerings is really enough to make a real lunch at any lounge. And even for dinner, the couple of appetizers isn't really good enough to be called dinner. Unless, say, you can eat enough strawberry soup and tiny salmon sandwich for dinner? I know WE did that at times, (in reality we just at a big pile of cakes and all) but I don't imagine most people do that most of the time. Overall, I recommend at least planning to visit the local food court to supplement the lounge food. I think your family will be quite sad if that's all you are going to feed them.

The only meal that the lounge actually is good enough is breakfast, that's all. But I agree that if you have to, you can live on the lounge food all day every day; after all, the amount is unlimited.

 

[BabybetterDisney]

I hesitate to get involved, but I'll just quickly let people know that for my family the CL apps are plenty to be a meal! we aren't huge eaters, but I also certainly don't diet when at WDW There are always 1-2 hot apps, often served from a dish that looks like it could be a main dish at a family dinner. Usually a plated small app or 2, from 1-3 or so cold salads, plus veggies, cheese, crackers, etc, and the kids options. I know if I take some of everything I am too full to make an ADR after it, and it would ruin my kids appetite and the money we spent on the ADR would be wasted. We tend to either do the 5-7 apps or an ADR that night, not both. It is different at every CL, we have stayed at all but the BWI and AKL, but they have all had enough food to satisfy us for dinner. Heck, I could live on the mac n cheese alone that they had at the YC and CR . A serving or 2 of that plus a little of most everything else and I'm too stuffed to enjoy myself! (ask me how I know ).

Really, mostly, it's a question of how picky eaters your family are. If you can live on mac n cheese, then yes, definitely you can live on lounge food alone. My family are much more picky eaters, so no way are we making it. But we do eat as much of the lounge food as we can, though. Lounge food is the only reason we go club level. It's like an all-day buffet.

 

[KerryCM]

Really, mostly, it's a question of how picky eaters your family are. If you can live on mac n cheese, then yes, definitely you can live on lounge food alone. My family are much more picky eaters, so no way are we making it. But we do eat as much of the lounge food as we can, though. Lounge food is the only reason we go club level. It's like an all-day buffet.

Well, at the BWI at the evening apps we have had ribeye an mashed potatoes, sea bass, sea scallops, seasonal risotto, seafood risotto, meat balls and pasta, muscles in a tomato broth, and the list goes on. This is what the chef cooks in the lounge. There is also the regular cheese and crackers, veggies, usually a soup, clam chowder or tomato basil. Lunch we have had delicious Italian sandwiches. We usually do a table service lunch and eat in the lounge at dinner time. When we do have a dinner, we stop in the lounge for a quick appetizer and head to dinner.

 

[TJA]

Awesome views, I can hardly wait now. We are actually doing a split stay. First 3 days are at CTR with a garden wing. Then 6 nites at BWI with a deluxe room, then 4 nites at GF with RPC. The RPC room is a surprise for my sister. I thought about changing the CTR to club level but can’t seem to take the plunge. This will be are first stay at both CTR and BWI. Been planning this trip for 2 years. Can’t believe it it almost here. Someone please pinch me. LOL!

Exciting!! I love the order of your resorts and ending with the surprise RPC stay . It's the perfect place to wind down the trip. We just stayed there a couple months ago and ended up around the lounge each day during the lunch time frame when they serve soup and it was fabulous! Have a great trip!

 

[mickeynut1]

Wow. Beautiful picture. I’m really looking forward to staying there.

BWI is a beautiful resort, you will love it .

Awesome views, I can hardly wait now. We are actually doing a split stay. First 3 days are at CTR with a garden wing. Then 6 nites at BWI with a deluxe room, then 4 nites at GF with RPC. The RPC room is a surprise for my sister. I thought about changing the CTR to club level but can’t seem to take the plunge. This will be are first stay at both CTR and BWI. Been planning this trip for 2 years. Can’t believe it it almost here. Someone please pinch me. LOL!

Sounds like an awesome trip! I can't speak for CR as we've never stayed there, but BWI CL & GF RPC are both amazing! Have a great time .

 

[Babsy]

Well, at the BWI at the evening apps we have had ribeye an mashed potatoes, sea bass, sea scallops, seasonal risotto, seafood risotto, meat balls and pasta, muscles in a tomato broth, and the list goes on. This is what the chef cooks in the lounge. There is also the regular cheese and crackers, veggies, usually a soup, clam chowder or tomato basil. Lunch we have had delicious Italian sandwiches. We usually do a table service lunch and eat in the lounge at dinner time. When we do have a dinner, we stop in the lounge for a quick appetizer and head to dinner.

The BWI had great apps and friendly CM's when we stayed there last, but they never had this much food out in the evening! We are going to have to go back soon and try this out! Sounds wonderful! Definitely enough there to make a meal for most people I would think!

I do have to say, though, that we only occasionally have a full dinner in the evening in the CL lounge as we are often in the parks during the two hours that the apps are offered. Also we really enjoy dining out at the different venues, so we sometimes choose to eat elsewhere despite knowing that delicious options await in the lounge. On occasion, when it is convenient, we will stop by and sample one or two apps on our way to dinner. then we only order a small entree (or even share) with no extras at the restaurant. We will pick up a dessert (if we want one) on our way back to our room later. So, even if we do eat dinner out, we do tend supplement with the food in the CL lounge.

Different people like different foods, have different eating habits, likes and dislikes. Also, offerings do vary quite a bit from one visit to another. Some people will be happy to eat all their food in the CL lounge and save a lot on dining. It is easily doable. However, it can also be limiting depending upon your schedule and individual requirements. Whether or not it works for you as a place to eat main meals, the CL lounge is a wonderful place to relax outside your room, get together while spreading out, enjoy a beverage or wait for another party.

It may not technically be 'worth it' when you add up the $$$ for two people like DH and me to stay CL. However, it remains worthwhile to us. We simply enjoy the extra pampering and the overall experience that it provides.

I was referring to lunch when I mentioned chips and cookies and carrot sticks. I don't believe the lounge offerings is really enough to make a real lunch at any lounge. And even for dinner, the couple of appetizers isn't really good enough to be called dinner. Unless, say, you can eat enough strawberry soup and tiny salmon sandwich for dinner? I know WE did that at times, (in reality we just at a big pile of cakes and all) but I don't imagine most people do that most of the time. Overall, I recommend at least planning to visit the local food court to supplement the lounge food. I think your family will be quite sad if that's all you are going to feed them.

The only meal that the lounge actually is good enough is breakfast, that's all. But I agree that if you have to, you can live on the lounge food all day every day; after all, the amount is unlimited.

Yes, lunch is often really limited at best and virtually nonexistent at times in the CL lounge. We have experienced the crudités, cookies and the like as 'lunch' ourselves, albeit not often. Frankly, we are almost never there at lunch time. Evening apps are more substantial, though it seems to me not really meant to replace the evening meal. Some CL lounge food offerings are a lot more substantial than others and the amounts that are offered seems to change somewhat from year to year. It is too bad that it sounds like you had the experience of one of the leaner times. And I agree that it is nice to eat out as well, even though there are times when some people with smaller appetites can make do with the CL selections. I hope that you enjoyed your CL visit despite the need to eat elsewhere sometimes.

 

[gwynne]

Well, at the BWI at the evening apps we have had ribeye an mashed potatoes, sea bass, sea scallops, seasonal risotto, seafood risotto, meat balls and pasta, muscles in a tomato broth, and the list goes on. This is what the chef cooks in the lounge. There is also the regular cheese and crackers, veggies, usually a soup, clam chowder or tomato basil. Lunch we have had delicious Italian sandwiches. We usually do a table service lunch and eat in the lounge at dinner time. When we do have a dinner, we stop in the lounge for a quick appetizer and head to dinner.

Our dining style is similar. It works well for us, too.

 

[AngiTN]

I do have to say, though, that we only occasionally have a full dinner in the evening in the CL lounge as we are often in the parks during the two hours that the apps are offered. Also we really enjoy dining out at the different venues, so we sometimes choose to eat elsewhere despite knowing that delicious options await in the lounge. On occasion, when it is convenient, we will stop by and sample one or two apps on our way to dinner. then we only order a small entree (or even share) with no extras at the restaurant. We will pick up a dessert (if we want one) on our way back to our room later. So, even if we do eat dinner out, we do tend supplement with the food in the CL lounge.

Different people like different foods, have different eating habits, likes and dislikes. Also, offerings do vary quite a bit from one visit to another. Some people will be happy to eat all their food in the CL lounge and save a lot on dining. It is easily doable. However, it can also be limiting depending upon your schedule and individual requirements. Whether or not it works for you as a place to eat main meals, the CL lounge is a wonderful place to relax outside your room, get together while spreading out, enjoy a beverage or wait for another party.

The bottom line is, while folks may choose NOT to partake of the evening offerings and folks may choose to dine elsewhere for dinner that is a choice. What is served in the lounge CAN be a meal. That is the point in the end. Yes, that means you have to make the effort to be there. That's very different than it not being served at all. But all the lounges do serve enough small plate options that someone could make a meal if they are there to eat it.

1. On check in day, you can start eating at the lounge for breakfast, long before your room is ready. The breakfast is very good and the lounge can be crowded. Similarly, on your checkout day you can stay and eat the evening appetizers, though that can't make a meal. All day long you can snack like you own a small convenience store, if you are around to do that. Most importantly, your kids can run down and grab food and drinks by themselves any time. No tipping necessary.

And no, what is served at lunch can't make a meal, but that wasn't what you mentioned at first. You said Evening. So not sure how I was to know suddenly lunch was discussed.

I was referring to lunch when I mentioned chips and cookies and carrot sticks. I don't believe the lounge offerings is really enough to make a real lunch at any lounge. And even for dinner, the couple of appetizers isn't really good enough to be called dinner. Unless, say, you can eat enough strawberry soup and tiny salmon sandwich for dinner? I know WE did that at times, (in reality we just at a big pile of cakes and all) but I don't imagine most people do that most of the time. Overall, I recommend at least planning to visit the local food court to supplement the lounge food. I think your family will be quite sad if that's all you are going to feed them.

The only meal that the lounge actually is good enough is breakfast, that's all. But I agree that if you have to, you can live on the lounge food all day every day; after all, the amount is unlimited.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

The bottom line is, while folks may choose NOT to partake of the evening offerings and folks may choose to dine elsewhere for dinner that is a choice. What is served in the lounge CAN be a meal. That is the point in the end. Yes, that means you have to make the effort to be there. That's very different than it not being served at all. But all the lounges do serve enough small plate options that someone could make a meal if they are there to eat it.

And no, what is served at lunch can't make a meal, but that wasn't what you mentioned at first. You said Evening. So not sure how I was to know suddenly lunch was discussed.

The convenience of the evening is a huge plus also, much like a dining res you know what time to be there, unlike a restaurant you don’t have to wait to order and wait for your food, we are typically in and out if we have plans in say 20-30 minutes, getting to a certain res might take an hour alone depending on location.

Everyone is different though...

 

[sfbank]

Here is another pic for everyone to enjoy today while we sit under another winter weather advisory. I would love to be enjoying that balcony right now. I love that path and the peaceful walk to EPCOT. I am so ready to be back and still have 181 days

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Was this me? Every once in a while the CL board starts debating whether or not the apps in the lounge can be 'a meal'. It's a meal for some, not for others. But I find it tiresome when people proclaim 'It's not a meal'. I think I pointed out that a 1 x 1 inch cube of cheese has 100 calories. I've seen people come in, grab a cube of cheese and run, and others sit down and chat for hours. I leave and come back and they're still there. No one is telling them they can't do that.

Is it a meal? YMMV

No, I'm positive it was someone else. I think they might be gone now.

I pretty much agree with you. Everyone is free to say the appetizers do or don't = a meal for them.

If I am understanding you correctly, then I think we both dislike when posters try to invalidate someone else's experience.

As I said, just the other day, we saw dessert trays come and go. I was actually blown away at how quickly the staff replenished the desserts. It was impressive. Most guests grabbed a few cupcakes or cookies then left, so they only got a snapshot of what was offered.

And each person got a VERY different snapshot.

It doesn't mean someone isn't telling the truth.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

View attachment 380894 Here is another pic for everyone to enjoy today while we sit under another winter weather advisory. I would love to be enjoying that balcony right now. I love that path and the peaceful walk to EPCOT. I am so ready to be back an still have 181 days

Ahhh thanks for the nice pic! I’ve got 143, 235 and 297 for Disney anyway but who’s counting

 

[Babsy]

The bottom line is, while folks may choose NOT to partake of the evening offerings and folks may choose to dine elsewhere for dinner that is a choice. What is served in the lounge CAN be a meal. That is the point in the end. Yes, that means you have to make the effort to be there. That's very different than it not being served at all. But all the lounges do serve enough small plate options that someone could make a meal if they are there to eat it.

YES!
That is what I was trying to say - just I used about 100X more words than necessary! LOL!

Thank you for putting it so clearly!

 

[ToyStory3]

Which resorts have you NOT stayed CL but would like to? We've stayed Beach Club and Grand Floridian SL so far. We are going back to Beach Club in May and trying the Wilderness Lodge for one night for the first time. The WL is my dream resort so I'm super excited! The other resort that I'd love to stay CL is Animal Kingdom. After that, any other resort would be nice but there aren't any that I'm dying to try.

 

[gzmtlock]

We've done AKL, BWI, and WL. Loved all three, would go back to any of them. (Actually, I'm sitting in AKL-CL right now. )

For us, CL stays are better suited to park-lite trips. We want to be able to fully enjoy (as we define it) the amenities, spend time at the pool, etc. For that reason, I would pick Poly as our next dream CL. We've never stayed there, but enjoy the ambiance when we've visited. Enjoy those restaurants, plus easy access to GF, which also has several restaurants and bars we enjoy. And it's very different from where we live (American South). When we vacation, we like for it to feel very different from home.

I'm also excited about Riveria! Love the feel of Europe! We stayed CL at Portofino Bay once and loved that as well. So if the new DVC property is similar in feel, I see a stay there in our future. . .

 

[Babsy]

Which resorts have you NOT stayed CL but would like to? We've stayed Beach Club and Grand Floridian SL so far. We are going back to Beach Club in May and trying the Wilderness Lodge for one night for the first time. The WL is my dream resort so I'm super excited! The other resort that I'd love to stay CL is Animal Kingdom. After that, any other resort would be nice but there aren't any that I'm dying to try.

We are looking forward to staying in the new CL in Gran Destino at CSR, perhaps next year.

 

[Minnie1222]

Which resorts have you NOT stayed CL but would like to? We've stayed Beach Club and Grand Floridian SL so far. We are going back to Beach Club in May and trying the Wilderness Lodge for one night for the first time. The WL is my dream resort so I'm super excited! The other resort that I'd love to stay CL is Animal Kingdom. After that, any other resort would be nice but there aren't any that I'm dying to try.

I would like to try GF main bldg but can't justify paying the extra $$. I just feel that my family does not eat enough to "break even". My son is a picky vegan so he only eats fruits and a few pieces of vegetables. My daughter is the type that would only eat a cube of cheese (like someone mentioned in one of the posts above). The hubby is a lifetime bodybuilder/health nut so he has his own supply of protein shakes & juicing supplements. We rarely visit the lounge for desserts and of course none of us partake in the soda or alcoholic beverages.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Which resorts have you NOT stayed CL but would like to? We've stayed Beach Club and Grand Floridian SL so far. We are going back to Beach Club in May and trying the Wilderness Lodge for one night for the first time. The WL is my dream resort so I'm super excited! The other resort that I'd love to stay CL is Animal Kingdom. After that, any other resort would be nice but there aren't any that I'm dying to try.

I want to try BW with all the great reviews on this board, so that is my top choice. I haven't stayed club at AKL or at GF yet either, though we are doing Sugar Loaf in April.

 

[mickeynut1]

Which resorts have you NOT stayed CL but would like to? We've stayed Beach Club and Grand Floridian SL so far. We are going back to Beach Club in May and trying the Wilderness Lodge for one night for the first time. The WL is my dream resort so I'm super excited! The other resort that I'd love to stay CL is Animal Kingdom. After that, any other resort would be nice but there aren't any that I'm dying to try.

AKL and CR CLs are on my list to try (trying YC CL for the first time in June). While YC CL never really appealed to me, after reading recent reviews and seeing pics of the refurbed rooms/lounge, I'm looking forward to trying it .