Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Mischievous Daisy]

Hi all, we’re sort of new to Disney World and planning a trip for end of 2014.

We went to Disneyland a couple of years ago and stayed club level at the Grand Californian, and we definitely took advantage and enjoyed the club level service there, so looking to stay club level resort at Disney World.

I think we’ve ruled out Animal Kingdom resorts, so besides that one, which is your favorite club level resort and why? TIA

We absolutely adored AK, but we tacked it on after a 7 day trip at CR CL. No parks, just enjoyed ourselves. It is an amazing resort, but a pita to get to the parks. (Buses only)
DH and I pretty much love CR CL. We love the staff, and the proximity to MK and being able to lay in bed or sit on our balcony at night to watch the fireworks. Food is a little less than the other resorts. But I have to say this, I adored the tomato marmalade on top of the mini quiches. I raved about them so much the chef came up (really wonderful gentleman) to tell me the recipe, he also made sure they were on the breakfast choices every single day we were there! Omygoodness, I was in heaven!
We've stayed at BC, not my favorite, and our next goal is to stay at BWI.
Our April trip is at Poly CL. I will report when we get back.
After BWI we are planning another December trip to GF.

 

[jemtx]

That’s so nice that the chef made sure you had the quiches each day. Is there a way to do the reverse and make sure the coddled eggs are NEVER there during my stay??

 

[Eastern]

There's really no wrong choice for any CL resort

My favorites:
Epcot area: YC
MK area: 3 way tie: GF/Poly/CR

 

[SkyGuy]

If you want to save some money and still experience a fantastic club with outstanding views, check out Coronado’s Chronos Club. You won’t be able to walk to parks, and because it’s considered a moderate, you won’t have access to EEH, but we tried it in January and loved it. It’s a beautiful resort, and the CL (and the CMs) are top notch. We were doing the MK and HS after hours events, so we didn’t miss the EEH at all, but that could definitely sway your decision. We also had zero issues with bus transportation - except for the day of the marathon, which is a huge outlier, but I know others seem to have not been so lucky.

 

[2vets]

That’s so nice that the chef made sure you had the quiches each day. Is there a way to do the reverse and make sure the coddled eggs are NEVER there during my stay??

I have done a 180 (or at least a 120 ) after my last stay with the addition of the chicken and biscuit! It makes it easier to ignore the coddled eggs. I still prefer GF, but the price diff can be a lot.

 

[jemtx]

I have done a 180 (or at least a 120 ) after my last stay with the addition of the chicken and biscuit! It makes it easier to ignore the coddled eggs. I still prefer GF, but the price diff can be a lot.

Yeah, w/out sugarloaf the price of GF CL can be/is crazy.
Are they still serving the coddled eggs practically everyday? Chicken biscuit sounds yummy

 

[2vets]

Yeah, w/out sugarloaf the price of GF CL can be/is crazy.
Are they still serving the coddled eggs practically everyday? Chicken biscuit sounds yummy

It was every other day in January (Atrium). I’m doing 2 days at Tower in 2 months, so I’ll report back. But there is now something hot I like every morning!

Eta - the chicken biscuit is everything.

I love GF, but the value (“value”, haha) won’t return for me until the RPC rooms are refurbed and walking path is reopened. I can’t wait to give them all my money again, though often I need a cocktail to get over the pain of booking. Planning on early Dec!

 

[jemtx]

Every other day is pushing it for me.

Enjoy your CR trip. We’re doing this summer but I’m still debating the CL aspect of it.

 

[HashberryOTG]

We were told check out time is when access electronically ends, or a little after check out time.

Was at Beach Club about 6 weeks ago. Asked the CM and was told we can use the club until midnight (will, 10 because it closes) and magic bands will work until then. Even if checked out.

We had a split stay, had checked out of Beach and into our next resort and our bands still worked for Beach and we were assured it was normal.

 

[Maxie86]

What dates? We have Tower King 3/18-20 for D23 Preview of Tron.

Bummer we are going to miss you again. We are at Tower Club on the 25th.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Hmm this is interesting, we stayed a night at Portofino CL last year and I remember stopping back in the club lounge to grab a soda and snack after the park on check out day. Is this a new policy or maybe we just got lucky? We were there Feb 2022.

not sure. May

What I posted is what I was told at Royal Pacific in 2019. (and prior to 2019.) We also attempted to enter the Portofino lounge mid-day once and our cards didn't work. (also been pre-pandemic).

The most recent times I stayed at Portofino the lounge was being remodeled, and the temporary location was a banquet room, so it was a little different. They had staff checking ID instead of the automatic scanner.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Was at Beach Club about 6 weeks ago. Asked the CM and was told we can use the club until midnight (will, 10 because it closes) and magic bands will work until then. Even if checked out.

We had a split stay, had checked out of Beach and into our next resort and our bands still worked for Beach and we were assured it was normal.

Huh?

Yes, WDW CL goes until midnight (or at some hotels 10pm, when the lounge gets locked). My post was not about WDW's CL's.

I was answering someone who asked about Universal's Club Lounge policies. Their policy is slightly different, or at least it was. I have stayed at Universal's CL's many times and have asked staff to clarify the policies a number of times.

It is worth adding that Universal DOES allow early lounge access on arrival day. When staying at Portofino/Royal Pacific/Hard Rock, guests get Express Pass included. Guests get EP for ALL of both their arrival and departure days if they arrive early, plus lounge access.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think we’ve ruled out Animal Kingdom resorts, so besides that one, which is your favorite club level resort and why? TIA

The answer is very subjective. In short, they are all very nice.

We have stayed at all multiple times, some more than others.
1. Both staff, food offerings and room decor change over time. Indeed, this is a big part of the reason for this thread, and why it is so helpful, and why it is such an active thread. CL staff are human like the rest of us. So you might meet a special staff member, or you might catch them on a bad day/happen on the week where a key staff member is away on vacation.
2. We all vary in the type of food we like. In some sense, all the WDW CL's offer similar food. In another way they all vary a bit.
3. We also all have very different tastes when it comes to hotel theming and layout.
4. Location: BC/YC/BWI are all located within walking distance to Epcot and HS, but not at all close to MK. The monorail resorts are close to MK, but not the other 3 parks. It is also important to note that the resort monorail connects the 3 monorail resorts to each other, so dining at any of them is easy when staying at any of them. WL and AKL offer slightly less great transportation, and the WL/AKL rooms are slightly smaller, but....

5. COST! AKL, WL and Coronado all cost quite a bit less. If you do not care about the late PM hours, Coronado's Gran Destino is very nice.
6. AVAILABILITY is an important factors when choosing.
7. TRANSPORTATION: if you will/won't have a car/don't want to drive/have limited mobility/don't care about quick transportation. Beyond the CL lounge food is also where you plan to eat. Eating at/near your hotel easiest.

I usually base a good part of my choice in which hotel has the best discount. This year CL prices are high in general. In prior years, going from a no-view room (parking lot) to a pool view room was only $10. Now WDW wants $100 per night or MORE. That's crazy! But WDW will keep charging what people are willing to pay. when priced are high, I tend to book the less expensive options, even no CL at all.

My favorite CL's are probably CR, BC, and WL. I like the location/layout of CR, but I liked it better before the recent remodel. I like the food/rates/staff at BC. WL has fun theming/great food/lower prices/slower transportation. I've only stayed once at Gran Destino though. It has promise.

 

[NKL]

Has anyone heard any rumors about menu changes at Poly CL? Heading there in July and hoping for some different options this year than we had last July. I feel like they should be switching up the menus seasonally across the board to keep people rebooking.

 

[Mischievous Daisy]

That’s so nice that the chef made sure you had the quiches each day. Is there a way to do the reverse and make sure the coddled eggs are NEVER there during my stay??

That's so funny! I LOVE coddled eggs, but omygoodness they were still RAW! DH loved them though

 

[jemtx]

That's so funny! I LOVE coddled eggs, but omygoodness they were still RAW! DH loved them though

Oh no! I hate undercooked eggs & raw sounds downright dangerous. Why don’t they switch to a different egg preparation?!? This is making me think I might be better to roll the dice at Chef Mickey’s.

 

[Mischievous Daisy]

Oh no! I hate undercooked eggs & raw sounds downright dangerous. Why don’t they switch to a different egg preparation?!? This is making me think I might be better to roll the dice at Chef Mickey’s.

They had a lot of other choices, including hard boiled eggs, the quiches, and a ton of other great breakfast choices. You definitely will not go hungry at breakfast!

 

[2vets]

Anyone recognize this CR room? I don’t recall seeing this before. Thanks!

 

[jemtx]

I think it’s the lake view room for the Atrium
Club. I noticed the other day that CR changed the wording of a lot of their “lake view” rooms to “resort view.”

 

[Mischievous Daisy]

Anyone recognize this CR room? I don’t recall seeing this before. Thanks!

That's exactly like the room we had, only we had one king. They are very clean and fresh and modern!

Anyone recognize this CR room? I don’t recall seeing this before. Thanks!

We had TPV, and loved it! Room 4839, right next to the lounge. No it was not in the least bit noisy!