Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[gottalovepluto]

I think it’s fair to say that my kiddo and I would be devastated if there is any truth to this CL rumour. We have eight nights for our annual “just me and him” trip booked at AKL CL starting June 19. I find it amusing to watch my emotional roller coaster go from, “Omg they aren’t going to be open” to “maybe they will be open” to “ah heck no, they can’t mess with our CL food!”

I think it would be reasonable to request a daily room credit to cover all three meals in the event that the CL food offerings are removed, no? The main reason we book there is for the “all-inclusive” feel where we don’t have to worry about spending on food and drinks, so paying so much extra for literally no benefit other than some wine in the evening would not sit well with me. Does anyone feel the same, that this would be a fair ask? Or would they just encourage people to cancel if they’re not happy with the setup?

Argh, I promised myself I wouldn’t get sucked into the rumour mill, but here I am, being milled.

I think it’s best to ask big with Disney and see what comes back. I’ve seen compensation levels for crap they’ve pulled range from “nothing” to “next stay is on us” (mind you- same crap in both cases although different guests, no I won’t go into what it was).

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think it’s fair to say that my kiddo and I would be devastated if there is any truth to this CL rumour. We have eight nights for our annual “just me and him” trip booked at AKL CL starting June 19. I find it amusing to watch my emotional roller coaster go from, “Omg they aren’t going to be open” to “maybe they will be open” to “ah heck no, they can’t mess with our CL food!”

I think it would be reasonable to request a daily room credit to cover all three meals in the event that the CL food offerings are removed, no? The main reason we book there is for the “all-inclusive” feel where we don’t have to worry about spending on food and drinks, so paying so much extra for literally no benefit other than some wine in the evening would not sit well with me. Does anyone feel the same, that this would be a fair ask? Or would they just encourage people to cancel if they’re not happy with the setup?

Argh, I promised myself I wouldn’t get sucked into the rumour mill, but here I am, being milled.

If you don’t want to be milled stick to this thread and avoid the rumor board Anything that posts over their regarding CL will get picked up and plopped here pretty quick as a few of us are over there.

 

[pangyal]

I think it’s best to ask big with Disney and see what comes back. I’ve seen compensation levels for crap they’ve pulled range from “nothing” to “next stay is on us” (mind you- same crap in both cases although different guests, no I won’t go into what it was).

Yes, we have had a few “magic file numbers” over the years, lol! I completely agree and we have never demanded anything from them but they have been very generous with offering compensation for things out of our control (looking at you, fire alarm ringing at AKL last June from 9-5 for four days straight).

I checked the description on Disney’s website regarding what they actually call the offerings at CL and noticed that it said “refreshments served from 7am to 10pm”. The cynical side of me thinks that they could always lean on that description if people complain about decreased CL offerings, since a Nature Valley bar is still a refreshment. But I guess like all things in this situation, it’s a wait and see game.

 

[pangyal]

If you don’t want to be milled stick to this thread and avoid the rumor board Anything that posts over their regarding CL will get picked up and plopped here pretty quick as a few of us are over there.

It’s like a bad fashion moment on all of the rumour threads, I can’t look away.

 

[KerryCM]

I have 2 upcoming trips at the BWI CL, one in October and one in December. I am not very optimistic about either trip happening right now. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but everything has really put me in quite a depression lately. I miss my grandchildren, my children and life as it was! I get that Disney was such a big part of my life for so long. I worked making magic at the stores for over 18 years and loved visiting the parks and making friends with so many wonderful cast members over all my visits.

I am sure we will visit again when things get better, but right now I want to hug my grandchildren and feel more like myself. Everyone have fun planning your trips!
Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[pangyal]

I have 2 upcoming trips at the BWI CL, one in October and one in December. I am not very optimistic about either trip happening right now. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but everything has really put me in quite a depression lately. I miss my grandchildren, my children and life as it was! I get that Disney was such a big part of my life for so long. I worked making magic at the stores for over 18 years and loved visiting the parks and making friends with so many wonderful cast members over all my visits.

I am sure we will visit again when things get better, but right now I want to hug my grandchildren and feel more like myself. Everyone have fun planning your trips!
Thanks for letting me vent!

You have perfectly written out how I have felt lately. Thank you

 

[grannyminnie]

It's easy to get "down" in this crazy situation, Kerry. If you haven't felt down, you're probably in the minority! Reading the Dis brings on conflicting emotions..feeling cozy about memories, but also being concerned about how long we will have to wait to experience possibly a very diminished WDW experience. I try and go at least 3 times a year, and it is hard to think about waiting almost a year to go back!
And another thing...the possibility of a CL experience that is nowhere near what it was has me rethinking booking CL as well. How about you?

 

[KerryCM]

It's easy to get "down" in this crazy situation, Kerry. If you haven't felt down, you're probably in the minority! Reading the Dis brings on conflicting emotions..feeling cozy about memories, but also being concerned about how long we will have to wait to experience possibly a very diminished WDW experience. I try and go at least 3 times a year, and it is hard to think about waiting almost a year to go back!
And another thing...the possibility of a CL experience that is nowhere near what it was has me rethinking booking CL as well. How about you?

My husband I usually go about 3 times a year also, and once a year with our children and grandchildren. We use the lounge quite a bit and also because we love the cast at the Boardwalk. We are rethinking just getting a regular room, though, if things drastically change. My best friend will be retiring this year from the BWI, one of the reasons I wanted my October trip to be a go! It was also going to be my grandchildren’s rebook from their canceled Spring Break trip in March. Oh well, I woke up today, I am healthy, and the sun is shinning!

 

[cakebaker]

I think it’s fair to say that my kiddo and I would be devastated if there is any truth to this CL rumour. We have eight nights for our annual “just me and him” trip booked at AKL CL starting June 19. I find it amusing to watch my emotional roller coaster go from, “Omg they aren’t going to be open” to “maybe they will be open” to “ah heck no, they can’t mess with our CL food!”

I think it would be reasonable to request a daily room credit to cover all three meals in the event that the CL food offerings are removed, no? The main reason we book there is for the “all-inclusive” feel where we don’t have to worry about spending on food and drinks, so paying so much extra for literally no benefit other than some wine in the evening would not sit well with me. Does anyone feel the same, that this would be a fair ask? Or would they just encourage people to cancel if they’re not happy with the setup?

Argh, I promised myself I wouldn’t get sucked into the rumour mill, but here I am, being milled.

I think we'll know in advance of any stay what changes there may be and have the option to change reservations at that time. I don't think they'll ever offer the kind of compensation you're talking about- in effect, a free deluxe dining plan. Disney has never considered the food offerings to be meal replacements, although you can easily do that with breakfast and dinner for the most part, lunch has never been much more than snacks at the CL I've stayed at. They may well offer some kind of compensation- but I don't think offering 3 meals a day free is reasonable. The rumor says beverages, alcohol will still be there and they'll be putting out pre-packaged snacks- and while that wouldn't be enough for me to keep my CL reservation, it is more than wine in the evening. I sure hope it is nothing more than rumor- this portion of our stay is a surprise for my grandson who loved the comped CL stay we had at the YC last year and that I booked at the end of our June trip as a surprise to make up for the disappointment of losing our March trip at the last minute. Then again, I'm just hoping they're going to be open at all.

 

[mickeynut1]

You can- but I know full well it might bite me in the rear with one system update so VERY good point.

I went back and looked at my trip and options and changed my mind. Again lol. I’m holding onto my Poly CL for now. There’s lots of availability at other Deluxes mid/end June and if I’m not tied to CL I can be a lot more flexible so I‘m going to wait for more info. Availability was actually quite good so while my Disney instinct was OMG I NEED A BACKUP!! when I saw good availability I put the brakes on that plan as it just doesn’t seem necessary.

I know some people (hi!) are stoked to go back to Disney but... by this availability it doesn’t look like the general populace is piling on that band wagon- at least for June. (Hearing DVC is a different story at least once Fall hits.)

Thank you!

I hope the CL rumors aren't true, but if they are, I'm guessing Disney will see a big change in CL bookings as most people (me included) won't pay those rates for coffee and a few snacks .

I currently have 2 reservations. Same dates both under me. WL and GF sugarloaf, 8/9-16. I don't have the heart to cancel either.

Thank you! I don't blame you as it's hard to cancel no matter the reason. I didn't cancel my end of March reservation until I was forced to. I knew it wasn't going to happen, but I couldn't bring myself to cancel any earlier. I hope you are able to go in August, but if not, the planning will be fun for the next one you book .

I checked the description on Disney’s website regarding what they actually call the offerings at CL and noticed that it said “refreshments served from 7am to 10pm”.

I never paid attention to the description as I knew what CL offered. Has it always been stated this way or did it change recently due to everything that's happening?

 

[grannyminnie]

My husband I usually go about 3 times a year also, and once a year with our children and grandchildren. We use the lounge quite a bit and also because we love the cast at the Boardwalk. We are rethinking just getting a regular room, though, if things drastically change. My best friend will be retiring this year from the BWI, one of the reasons I wanted my October trip to be a go! It was also going to be my grandchildren’s rebook from their canceled Spring Break trip in March. Oh well, I woke up today, I am healthy, and the sun is shinning!

I'm with you...I woke up healthy (I'm a "gran" too) and the sun is shining!
I have a makeup trip (canceled two trips, March and May) booked for November and feel sure it will be fine to go then. Maybe that's my optimistic nature, but I think your Oct. trip will be fine too. Matter of fact, I might schedule one for Sept as well, depending on the situation. But I won't take chances with my health.

 

[cakebaker]

I never paid attention to the description as I knew what CL offered. Has it always been stated this way or did it change recently due to everything that's happening?

It's always been worded like that- at least for as long as I've been making CL reservations- just a couple of years now.

 

[mickeynut1]

It's always been worded like that- at least for as long as I've been making CL reservations- just a couple of years now.

Thank you!

 

[lbv7]

My husband I usually go about 3 times a year also, and once a year with our children and grandchildren. We use the lounge quite a bit and also because we love the cast at the Boardwalk. We are rethinking just getting a regular room, though, if things drastically change. My best friend will be retiring this year from the BWI, one of the reasons I wanted my October trip to be a go! It was also going to be my grandchildren’s rebook from their canceled Spring Break trip in March. Oh well, I woke up today, I am healthy, and the sun is shinning!

If "furlough" time does not count as service time, then Jackie might delay her retirement to make up for the weeks or months that she has missed being on the job.
Also, I find it hard to believe that Disney would cut back on any of the CL food offerings, because who in their right mind would pay a premium to stay CL then. Fewer guests would mean they wouldn't need as many CL Cast Members, further making the problem worse with reduced service levels.
I think the bigger issue is what the guest experience will be like once they re-open the parks. Will social distancing (for our own good) mean the cancellation of parades, no fireworks at night, huge lines to enter an attraction because you need to stand so many feet apart from one another, going on any attraction (Soarin for example), and having 2 seats on either side of you empty, meaning that because of reduced ride capacity it will take you hours to get on? I think these are the bigger issues that will keep people from going to WDW, rather than the elimination of food offerings at Club Level.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If "furlough" time does not count as service time, then Jackie might delay her retirement to make up for the weeks or months that she has missed being on the job.
Also, I find it hard to believe that Disney would cut back on any of the CL food offerings, because who in their right mind would pay a premium to stay CL then. Fewer guests would mean they wouldn't need as many CL Cast Members, further making the problem worse with reduced service levels.
I think the bigger issue is what the guest experience will be like once they re-open the parks. Will social distancing (for our own good) mean the cancellation of parades, no fireworks at night, huge lines to enter an attraction because you need to stand so many feet apart from one another, going on any attraction (Soarin for example), and having 2 seats on either side of you empty, meaning that because of reduced ride capacity it will take you hours to get on? I think these are the bigger issues that will keep people from going to WDW, rather than the elimination of food offerings at Club Level.

I would have agreed I found it hard to believe but someone here reported they went right after 9/11 and that is what they did. GF and all they got were some beverages.

Oh- btw we’re letting the speculation fly about all the other non-CL changes on the rumor board under the modified experiences rumor thread if you want to join! (I like it- fine I get a kick out of it - but it’s not for everyone).

 

[sfbank]

lbv7–I was hoping we would get to see Jackie one last time but our trip got pushed back to January so I was thinking it was not going to happen. Still a glimmer of hope.
KerryCM-good thoughts your way. Things have to get back to a somewhat normal at some point. I know we have been lucky in Iowa not being on complete lockdown and being able to go to work and go to stores every day but things will get better everywhere soon. Thinking about the evening strolls on the Boardwalk and the walk to EPCOT, as well as the CMs past and present we have grown to love is getting me through to January.

 

[Sarahslay]

Yes, we have had a few “magic file numbers” over the years, lol! I completely agree and we have never demanded anything from them but they have been very generous with offering compensation for things out of our control (looking at you, fire alarm ringing at AKL last June from 9-5 for four days straight).

I checked the description on Disney’s website regarding what they actually call the offerings at CL and noticed that it said “refreshments served from 7am to 10pm”. The cynical side of me thinks that they could always lean on that description if people complain about decreased CL offerings, since a Nature Valley bar is still a refreshment. But I guess like all things in this situation, it’s a wait and see game.

Unfortunately if they pulled the "we didn't say you'd get all that, it just says refreshments and that's exactly what you got" card I would pull out all my CL food pictures from my recent stay and go "I'm paying the same as I did when I got these refreshments, either give me my extra money back or give me food." I have a feeling they won't keep the prices so high if they aren't offering anything, part of me thinks they're smarter than that (but they've surprised me before).

 

[Sarahslay]

I would have agreed I found it hard to believe but someone here reported they went right after 9/11 and that is what they did. GF and all they got were some beverages.

Oh- btw we’re letting the speculation fly about all the other non-CL changes on the rumor board under the modified experiences rumor thread if you want to join! (I like it- fine I get a kick out of it - but it’s not for everyone).

I get a kick out of that board too, spent a good 1.5 hours catching up after the lady posted about her DVC phone call lol. The mods keeps deleting my posts so I just have to keep quiet and watch with my popcorn from the sidelines.

 

[Dave006]

I would have agreed I found it hard to believe but someone here reported they went right after 9/11 and that is what they did. GF and all they got were some beverages.

And the CL room pricing was reduced at that time as were all the other room price reductions or special offers.

Dave

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I think we'll know in advance of any stay what changes there may be and have the option to change reservations at that time. I don't think they'll ever offer the kind of compensation you're talking about- in effect, a free deluxe dining plan. Disney has never considered the food offerings to be meal replacements, although you can easily do that with breakfast and dinner for the most part, lunch has never been much more than snacks at the CL I've stayed at. They may well offer some kind of compensation- but I don't think offering 3 meals a day free is reasonable.

I think they would give club level guests a quick service dining plan, if they aren't going to fully equip the lounges with food early on. For what they're charging these days, prepackaged Fritos and Twinkies (or even their upscale cousins) would only outrage paying guests & therefore cause Disney even more issues.

That would solve their problem of initially not being able to staff the lounges as needed to have all of the food served by staff, and it would be a pretty fair replacement for the amount of food that used to be available in the lounge. Breakfast was definitely meant to be a meal at the club lounge: when someone offers you oatmeal, dried cereal, fruit, boiled eggs, cheese, bagels, toast, cold cuts, etc. all at one sitting, they aren't offering you a snack, they're offering you breakfast. I agree the offerings aren't equivalent to three table service meals, but the credits you get from a quick service dining plan would come pretty close to matching the amount of food you could eat each day in the lounge if you went to every serving time.

A quick service dining plan would also be able to be offered last-minute, so guests wouldn't have to deal with making ADRs (in most cases for quick service). It wouldn't be an ideal solution (that would be full service with all of the old offerings), but it's a very doable, fair and realistic solution in case Disney can't make the ideal solution happen.