Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Stupid question. If I was to transfer to universal with an uber, how would I know if they have room for luggage? I tried fake booking and only see number of people. I was planning on prebooking a car but my friend suggested uber and said they had no problem getting them a few weeks ago. Thanks.

Since there was recent talk about this thread being a no judgement zone…. I admit I am an Uber snob. It’s Uber Black SUV for me, despite the cost. Since they are usually professional drivers you tend to get nicer, bigger SUVs, plenty of space for people and luggage, etc. I guess UberXL would also be an option that ensures a larger car hopefully big enough for your luggage.

I’m in the minority on this for sure, but Uber is one of those things I don’t mind paying more for a nicer car/ride experience.

I was going to suggest that! To choose an UBER XL or Uber Black.

AND if you decide you'd just rather have a dedicated driver, I've used Tony Hinds as my go-to driver to and from the airport and he does this kind of transfer. He is just a delight. I'm guessing he'd charge around $60 (please PM me if you want his email / phone number)

 

[Eastern]

Stupid question. If I was to transfer to universal with an uber, how would I know if they have room for luggage? I tried fake booking and only see number of people. I was planning on prebooking a car but my friend suggested uber and said they had no problem getting them a few weeks ago. Thanks.

How much luggage do you have? An XL is usually not much more than a regular Uber. If you all don't fit I would just assign one person + luggage and the rest use Disney transportation.

 

[twinklebug]

Alright - you bunch of bad influencers - I switched my 4 nights from Oct 1-4 at Fort Wilderness Cabins, to only 2 nights from Oct 1-2 (cause I can't get closer to MK still).
Then for Oct 2-4, I'm moving over to the AK Club. We're at a 2bd suite in AK Kidani from Oct 4-7, so I rationalized that it will be much easier to switch rooms ;P Plus we can cancel two nights of our golf cart rental at FW as well, so really, it's only $400 more a night. Canceling some dining reservations, and I'll only need to drink about $200 in alcohol - we can do that!

On your check in day - when can you access club level?

We're there the same nights
To check in with Club level, if your magic bands activate the elevator (50/50 chance they work) you can go straight up to 6th floor and check in there.
If your band doesn't work the elevator, you'll need to get one of the folk at the front desk to walk you up. I only dislike this as we tend to need to wait in line to get someone's attention, then they need permission to step away with us.

 

[jods]

Since there was recent talk about this thread being a no judgement zone…. I admit I am an Uber snob. It’s Uber Black SUV for me, despite the cost. Since they are usually professional drivers you tend to get nicer, bigger SUVs, plenty of space for people and luggage, etc. I guess UberXL would also be an option that ensures a larger car hopefully big enough for your luggage.

I’m in the minority on this for sure, but Uber is one of those things I don’t mind paying more for a nicer car/ride experience.

You take the big truck just for regular stuff, like an ADR? Are they readily available? I think I may just go with prebooking a town car. Then at least I know I have a driver and car. I do need an uber to Topolinos from YC. My oldest won't get on the skyliner

 

[jods]

I was going to suggest that! To choose an UBER XL or Uber Black.

AND if you decide you'd just rather have a dedicated driver, I've used Tony Hinds as my go-to driver to and from the airport and he does this kind of transfer. He is just a delight. I'm guessing he'd charge around $60 (please PM me if you want his email / phone number)

That's who I was going to call! He took me to the airport on my last stay. Art was our driver, so nice!

How much luggage do you have? An XL is usually not much more than a regular Uber. If you all don't fit I would just assign one person + luggage and the rest use Disney transportation.

We're probably checking a piece each, so 4. We tend to overpack.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

That's who I was going to call! He took me to the airport on my last stay. Art was our driver, so nice!

We're probably checking a piece each, so 4. We tend to overpack.

Umm....it's just me but I'll be bringing 2 bags

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You take the big truck just for regular stuff, like an ADR?

Ummm…. maybe.

Hey, we all have our quirks.

Are they readily available? I think I may just go with prebooking a town car. Then at least I know I have a driver and car. I do need an uber to Topolinos from YC. My oldest won't get on the skyliner

It’s always variable, but I typically find pretty good Black SUV availability around WDW. So many car service drivers also drive for Uber and Lyft, and they tend to often “be around” WDW and the tourist areas. YMMV though.

 

[twinklebug]

Umm....it's just me but I'll be bringing 2 bags

Is it possible to head to Disney with less than 2? If so, please tell!
In florida, layers are your friend. Layers mean more clothes, which means more shoes to match, which means more accessories, which means...

Then again, I could just rebuy it all down there and buy a second suitcase to head home with

 

[jods]

Is it possible to head to Disney with less than 2? If so, please tell!
In florida, layers are your friend. Layers mean more clothes, which means more shoes to match, which means more accessories, which means...

Then again, I could just rebuy it all down there and buy a second suitcase to head home with

Last trip was 3 nights so the kids and I only brought a carry on each. We had toiletries delivered but still ended up buying so much stuff that I had to buy a bag to bring stuff home. We shipped the light sabers too

 

[Cynner]

We actually tend to drive if the trip is a week or more. It's 12 hrs, but I really like being able to pack whatever the heck I want and having my car to get around in. We live over an hour from our airports, so when you add up all the time there - 1.5 hr to get to airport, .5 hr for security, 1 hr early arrival, 2.5 hr flight, .5 hr to get off the plane/get luggage, 1 hr to get to hotel - we're already over halfway there.

We do have the monster hardshell 28" american tourist star wars luggage - 3 of them fit perfectly across the back of my acura standing up. For Christmas we can also get my decorations in there - including a fiber optic tabletop tree - laptops, a soft cooler, games, stuffed animals and my own pillow cause my neck is super picky. We buy alcohol and food when we get to Orlando though on the way to the hotel.

For quicker trips, we also have max size carry ons and lap top bags to put under the chairs. We'll be flying next year for Thanksgiving and in Feb for President's day weekend. Kid will be in 11th grade, so can only take him out of school for 1 week excused, plus missing his ap classes too much is rough.
We are flying for Christmas this year - just not to Disney -(I know, blasphemy) - we're going to New Orleans instead. I got the business level with SW airlines to help avoid the holiday nightmare a bit, and had 1200 worth of canceled tickets with them due to Covid canceling our trip to Vegas for me to see the Scorpions summer of '20 :/. Do need to figure out the whole 'airline to airbnb' thing for New Orleans for 4 people and lots of luggage.

 

[Sarahslay]

Umm....it's just me but I'll be bringing 2 bags

Listen......I may or may not take more than that on my solo trips (I'm guessing at least three for this next one with a huge case of water since I'm driving and not flying.....bells services always comments on the size of my water cases lol). I didn't realize that some families only had one bag per person, maybe I should scale it down.

We actually tend to drive if the trip is a week or more. It's 12 hrs, but I really like being able to pack whatever the heck I want and having my car to get around in. We live over an hour from our airports, so when you add up all the time there - 1.5 hr to get to airport, .5 hr for security, 1 hr early arrival, 2.5 hr flight, .5 hr to get off the plane/get luggage, 1 hr to get to hotel - we're already over halfway there.

We do have the monster hardshell 28" american tourist star wars luggage - 3 of them fit perfectly across the back of my acura standing up. For Christmas we can also get my decorations in there - including a fiber optic tabletop tree - laptops, a soft cooler, games, stuffed animals and my own pillow cause my neck is super picky. We buy alcohol and food when we get to Orlando though on the way to the hotel.

For quicker trips, we also have max size carry ons and lap top bags to put under the chairs. We'll be flying next year for Thanksgiving and in Feb for President's day weekend. Kid will be in 11th grade, so can only take him out of school for 1 week excused, plus missing his ap classes too much is rough.
We are flying for Christmas this year - just not to Disney -(I know, blasphemy) - we're going to New Orleans instead. I got the business level with SW airlines to help avoid the holiday nightmare a bit, and had 1200 worth of canceled tickets with them due to Covid canceling our trip to Vegas for me to see the Scorpions summer of '20 :/. Do need to figure out the whole 'airline to airbnb' thing for New Orleans for 4 people and lots of luggage.

I used to always fly when we only lived a little over an hour from the airport, I hated the drive down 75 (the entire length of GA pretty much), so I didn't mind and got pretty good at scaling down my packing. I bought a 30" hardshell (some italian brand) in 2018 for my first solo trip and haven't looked back, on that trip it got marked at "heavy" on my way back lol, but it can hold both my and my husbands stuff for a normal week long trip so it works. Now we've moved and it's only a 6.5 hour drive down, but flying takes just as long if not longer when you factor in time to the airport, at the airport, flying, and getting to the hotel, so my luggage has......expanded lol. I currently have zero trips with my kids planned for this year, they each did 3 this past year but didn't miss school. Saving up for a *fingers crossed* trip to Scotland thanksgiving 2022, so I'm going to need to learn how to pack light again. I have so many skymiles saved up, so many.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thought I'd share some more photos of the King K suite at Poly (Tonga Longhouse). These are pic heavy, sorry! For anyone who stayed in this suite pre-renovation, some of the differences are pretty dramatic.

For those that don't know, the King K is two levels and faces the marina. The first floor consists of the "living/dining area" with a 1/2 bath and small kitchen. The second floor has one 1 King master bedroom with full bath and a 2Q separate bedroom with full bath. While Disney says the room sleeps 8, that means 2 people sleep on the pull-out couch on the first level. From a practical perspective, there's not much storage and only a 1/2 bath on that level. The suite is really best for 6, with 7 or 8 in a pinch - IMO.

The King K suite connects to rooms on both sides - so the Honeymoon Suite and Princess 2BR on the first floor, and Princess 1 BR on the second floor. One could make a very large multi-room suite if traveling with multiple parties and no budget.

The Master Bedroom (arguably the best room in the suite in terms of view):




Hard to see in the pic, but that's the castle straight ahead.


That door you see on the left connects to the Princess 1BR suite.


Super cute details - glad they let the Imagineers have a little fun. Hidden Mickeys all around the suite in various places.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Is it possible to head to Disney with less than 2? If so, please tell!
In florida, layers are your friend. Layers mean more clothes, which means more shoes to match, which means more accessories, which means...

Then again, I could just rebuy it all down there and buy a second suitcase to head home with

I am now the proud owner of a horrifyingly cutesy unicorn duffle bag because of this. I was on a solo trip in early March, bought some flower and garden things, and bought the cheapest bag they had at TJ Maxx. My husband was embarrassed to even put it in the car when he picked me up from the airport

Listen......I may or may not take more than that on my solo trips (I'm guessing at least three for this next one with a huge case of water since I'm driving and not flying.....bells services always comments on the size of my water cases lol). I didn't realize that some families only had one bag per person, maybe I should scale it down.

When we drive anywhere for more than a couple of nights, I bring our good coffee pot - which is "Grind & Brew". And always overpack. When I fly, I just do a Target pick up and always buy a case of water - plus 2 or 3 of the gallon sized jugs of water to make coffee. My driver laughs with glee when the bellman sees how much stuff I have

In all seriousness, you have to plan for extra layers AND extra clothes in the Florida heat. You never know when a thunderstorm or just heat means you want a shower and a fresh change of clothes sometimes daily. My trip later this month is for 2 full weeks and I'm trying to cut back on what I pack with the goal of doing laundry at least once....but we'll see how that works out when I actually DO pack later this week.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The Master Bath is the biggest improvement from the renovation, IMO. The layout before was rather weird/awkward, now it makes a lot more sense.

One "side" is a walk in closet and make-up area.






The other "side" is the vanity, shower/bath, and toilet area.






And the previously discussed tub/shower room combo.


The Master Bath toilet comes with "advanced features" and its own remote. I'll leave it at that.

 

[03GirlsMom]

Loving all these pics of the King K suite! I’m dying to see what the VP suite looks like after the reno…the suspense is killing me, I don’t think I can wait till November to see it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This is looking from the Master BR door across the "catwalk" over towards the separate bedroom. The railing used to be dark wood, now all glass. They also painted all of the previously brown wood roof trusses/accents. You see some of the same new color treatment in the CL lounge in Hawaii as well.





Here's the second bedroom. This is on the far end of the Tonga Longhouse so has a nice view of the marina, but not of the MK.




Can you spot the Hidden Mickey?


One thing about the King K suite - there are light switches/dimmers EVERYWHERE. It may drive you a little nutty trying to figure them out. But as with the regular rooms, more outlets and USB ports than you know what to do with.




The second bedroom bath:


Love having so much storage.




Uber picky comment - feels like both toilet areas need some art or color - a bit bland compared to the really detailed design of everywhere else.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

On the first level you'll find a small kitchen area. But like some of the other 'presidential suites' around the resorts, there is no full size refrigerator - only a regular room size under-cabinet fridge and a built-in microwave. If I had one 'complaint' about the room it would be the lack of a bigger fridge.

The room comes with a Nespresso machine, although I called and asked to have a Keurig and it was delivered promptly with supplies.






This bar used to extend all the way to the wall, but they made it "open/walk-through" in the renovation, which really enhances this area.




Sometimes it's nice to have a real full-size trash can.


The room is actually stocked with plates/cups, but no dishwasher so if you make a mess you'll need to wait for housekeeping to take away/re-stock.


Tried to use this once to warm up a cup of coffee. Too complicated for me!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Last post.

First floor living/dining area. The door you see to the left is the connecting door to the Honeymoon Suite. Hidden Mickey on the wall of mirrors?


The door to the right is the connecting door to the 2BR Princess Suite. I'd recommend a rolled up towel on at the bottom - the hard surface floor isn't the best at stopping noise coming through.


Stairway up to the second floor.


I think I saw this mirror in some of the other suite pics - must have bought in bulk.


I was told a large art piece is supposed to go on this wall between the lights but it is delayed (take that with a grain of salt in case it's not correct info).


Small first floor coat closet.


First floor 1/2 bath.

 

[mystery222184]

Excellent Poly pics - if only they would open up CL in November! @GADisneyDad14 this Is the first time I saw someone prefer Keurig to Nespresso!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Opps, one more post. Have to have a fireworks view pic.

Given the position of the suite in Tonga, the best view is from the Master BR as the direct MK view starts to get blocked from the other balcony/patios since they are to the "left" of this.

Audio quality was really good from here, mainly coming from the area around Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace.

A few iphone zoom settings just for the complete picture.

2.5x zoom.


Default setting.


0.5 setting.