Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Babsy]

I am planning at trip in March 2025. I have a reservation at YC CL knowing that SAB will be closed. There are rooms available at GF CL deluxe king room. I have always have stayed YC CL. Any thoughts? My main reason for this particular trip is flower and garden at Epcot. I have been to Disney many times but I just want to know I am missing anything by not considering GF CL or stay where I am familiar. Thanks in advance.

If your primary focus is the Flower and garden in Epcot, then the YC seems an obvious choice. How long is your stay? If it is more than 5 days, it may be worth considering a split stay? that way you can visit the flower and garden in Epcot and DHS while at the YC and then the MK and AK while at the GF RPC.

It’s a 600 dollar a day difference so 2400. I love the YC area also. But I am also getting older and would like a different resort at some point. SAB on this trip doesn’t make a difference. They’re always the small pools. And definitely the convenience of the international gateway plus the skyliner. Never been to the flower and garden so that will be new to us. It’s always been food and wine plus either the Halloween or Christmas themes so March will be different. But from what I am hearing from everyone, I am leaning towards staying with YC. Plus I am hoping for a refresh of the lounge plus I like option of the balcony lounge and my room lounge. And I love the rooms around 5227 area overlooking the bay-pool and boardwalk. I am also comfortable with the CM’s in the lounge area so that also makes a difference and they do makes us feel special. I do appreciate everyone opinions and it does help.

That is a significant $$$ difference. BUT If the money wasn't a barrier, I would still consider doing a split stay. It has always been my favourite way to do a Disney visit....half of the time at an MK resort and the other half of my time in the Epcot area. GF RPC and the YC CL are my personal two favourite resorts, so that is a perfect combo, IMO. This way you can walk or boat to DHS, Epcot and the MK at some point during your visit. The only bus would be to the AK. Easy access to all parks.

There is something special riding the RPC guest only elevator from the GF lobby up to the exclusive CL. It is also nice staying in the main building of the GF rather than going out to an exterior building. Also, GF RPC has better food and a more beautiful lounge area than the YC CL, IMO. The views of the GF gardens are lovely and the tables in the RPC lounge seem more private. In the past, the live music wafting up from the floor below was enjoyable, but I believe that may no longer be a part of the experience. The CM's are especially accommodating in GF RPC, so I believe that you would be well looked after during your stay if you decide to stay there. If you book an MK view room, you will be able to watch the fireworks from your balcony. That is a very nice experience.

Whichever way you choose, you are choosing between some of the best resort experiences that Disney has to offer! Enjoy!

 

[Ricguz]

If your primary focus is the Flower and garden in Epcot, then the YC seems an obvious choice. How long is your stay? If it is more than 5 days, it may be worth considering a split stay? that way you can visit the flower and garden in Epcot and DHS while at the YC and then the MK and AK while at the GF RPC.



That is a significant $$$ difference. BUT If the money wasn't a barrier, I would still consider doing a split stay. It has always been my favourite way to do a Disney visit....half of the time at an MK resort and the other half of my time in the Epcot area. GF RPC and the YC CL are my personal two favourite resorts, so that is a perfect combo, IMO. This way you can walk or boat to DHS, Epcot and the MK at some point during your visit. The only bus would be to the AK. Easy access to all parks.

There is something special riding the RPC guest only elevator from the GF lobby up to the exclusive CL. It is also nice staying in the main building of the GF rather than going out to an exterior building. Also, GF RPC has better food and a more beautiful lounge area than the YC CL, IMO. The views of the GF gardens are lovely and the tables in the RPC lounge seem more private. In the past, the live music wafting up from the floor below was enjoyable, but I believe that may no longer be a part of the experience. The CM's are especially accommodating in GF RPC, so I believe that you would be well looked after during your stay if you decide to stay there. If you book an MK view room, you will be able to watch the fireworks from your balcony. That is a very nice experience.

Whichever way you choose, you are choosing between some of the best resort experiences that Disney has to offer! Enjoy!

Thanks right now I have two reservations one for GF main building deluxe king and YC cl wv with the request of the area I like. I will take a few months to think on how I want this to play out. Thanks for your advice. Just looking for something different after many stays at YC. Where all this construction is going on, this might be the time to take advantage of the discounts at GF.

 

[Babsy]

Thanks right now I have two reservations one for GF main building deluxe king and YC cl wv with the request of the area I like. I will take a few months to think on how I want this to play out. Thanks for your advice. Just looking for something different after many stays at YC. Where all this construction is going on, this might be the time to take advantage of the discounts at GF.

Yes, and you may find a new favourite! LOL

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

However, I'm not sure where you got your info but that is not my experience in finding those reservations for rent.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/third-party-commercial-renters.3947754/

Took me a long time to find it again, but this is where I read about AKV CL being snatched for rental. Seems to be studio, here and there, and according to the thread, it sounds like a lot of them.
I have seen that on other threads too, but don't know where to find them again. It sticks out because CL is so hard to get.

 

[melissa723]

I feel like I'm all over the place with these CL stays. We decided to go back in November because of the AP rates being so good, and ended up booking a two night stay at AKL since that was what was available. Yesterday the YC became available for a really good rate, so we ended up grabbing that one as well. We obviously need to get rid of one, and since we've never done CL at the YC I think that's the one we're going to keep. I've been doing so much research on this lounge, but still have two silly questions.

I see that there's outdoor dining at this lounge and was wondering if the view faces Crescent Lake. Also, do they have specialty mimosas like AKL and WL does? I love a nice glass of wine, but since I tend to lean towards the sweeter types that aren't always available such as moscato and reisling, I'll sometimes go with a non-oj mimosa instead. The geyser grog mimosa was soooo good at WL, so I was hoping that YC offered something exclusive to their lounge.

 

[jemtx]

The outdoor balcony at YC CL does not face the lake. It faces the front of the resort. It’s a nice quiet view. At night you can catch a glimpse of the tops of the MK fireworks from there.
Last time I was there they had a special seasonal or monthly drink in the evenings. It was some Christmas themed drink. You can definitely ask for a mimosa in the morning, but I can’t remember if the champagne was out to make it yourself like other CLs. YC has always had a special welcome drink. I can’t remember it exactly but it is something with strawberry and either champagne or sparkling wine. Hopefully someone else will remember the details. It had a nautical-themed name.

I’ve only been able to find AP CL discounts of 5-10% off. Did you greater discounts?

 

[Babsy]

Sorry......YC CL lounge outdoor portion does not face the lake. There were no specialty drinks exclusive to the YC that we were aware of when we stayed there in 2019. That doesn't mean that there definitely weren't any, however. We rarely indulge in alcohol and if we do, are most likely to choose a small glass of wine.

 

[Ricguz]

The YC CL lounge offers a welcome sparking strawberry wine if you request it or anything you may want upon request. And yes, the outside lounge balcony faces the main entrance to the YC where you can see who is coming and going from bus ( up on the left) or main entrance for guest arriving and departing.

 

[melissa723]

The outdoor balcony at YC CL does not face the lake. It faces the front of the resort. It’s a nice quiet view. At night you can catch a glimpse of the tops of the MK fireworks from there.
Last time I was there they had a special seasonal or monthly drink in the evenings. It was some Christmas themed drink. You can definitely ask for a mimosa in the morning, but I can’t remember if the champagne was out to make it yourself like other CLs. YC has always had a special welcome drink. I can’t remember it exactly but it is something with strawberry and either champagne or sparkling wine. Hopefully someone else will remember the details. It had a nautical-themed name.

I’ve only been able to find AP CL discounts of 5-10% off. Did you greater discounts?

It says the rate was included under the the 35% off AP discount with the Sunday to Thursday booking. But I'm a DVC member and normally don't book my trips this way, so I could be thinking I'm getting a bigger discount than what I really am. It's still pricey either way you look at it, but since we don't get this opportunity very often I figured why not?

 

[jemtx]

It says the rate was included under the the 35% off AP discount with the Sunday to Thursday booking. But I'm a DVC member and normally don't book my trips this way, so I could be thinking I'm getting a bigger discount than what I really am. It's still pricey either way you look at it, but since we don't get this opportunity very often I figured why not?

I think it was up 35% off. I was able to get 35% regular rooms, but when you do the math, the CL rooms seem to only be around 10% off rack rate.

 

[melissa723]

I think it was up 35% off. I was able to get 35% regular rooms, but when you do the math, the CL rooms seem to only be around 10% off rack rate.

That makes sense. I'll just pretend that I'm not mindlessly throwing my money away then.

 

[Ricguz]

True, I got 10 % off YC and GF CL for March 2025.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Lots of money grabs today, it seems. Anyone check if they quietly increased rack rates too?

No love for CL guests in their new LL scheme I guess.

 

[2vets]

Lots of money grabs today, it seems. Anyone check if they quietly increased rack rates too?

No love for CL guests in their new LL scheme I guess.

I maintain that CL guests, if given anything, will be granted an opportunity to buy for 2 parks. No way will there be anything included.

 

[2vets]

I keep looking at my upcoming trip dates for alternate resort availability (2 nights GF TPV AP discount as a solo and 2 nights GF RPC weekend/no discounts - will have sister/niece with me then so ok with the splurge). There is a discounted BWI CL room available - resort view, only a couple hundred more per night than my GF TPV room. I have been wanting to try BWI CL, so it’s tempting. I could do more FWF at Epcot snacks. Biggest hesitation is transportation to/from MK for MVMCP; it’s also nice to have a same-resort luggage transfer as opposed to moving in the middle, though the former is my main concern. How big of a pain in the hiney is that bus transportation for the party? It’s only me those first 2 days, I’m just impatient .

(Edited for clarity)

 

[jods]

I keep looking at my upcoming trip dates for alternate resort availability (2 nights GF TPV AP discount as a solo and 2 nights GF RPC weekend/no discounts - will have sister/niece with me then so ok with the splurge). There is a discounted BWI CL room available - resort view, only a couple hundred more per night than my GF TPV room. I have been wanting to try BWI CL, so it’s tempting. I could do more FWF at Epcot snacks. Biggest hesitation is transportation to/from MK for MVMCP; it’s also nice to have a same-resort luggage transfer as opposed to moving in the middle, though the former is my main concern. How big of a pain in the hiney is that bus transportation for the party? It’s only me those first 2 days, I’m just impatient .

(Edited for clarity)

I stayed the last 2 years at bwi and went to the Halloween party. We had no issues getting back.

 

[chimo2u]

I'll be at AKL CL in a couple of days if anyone has questions just let me know

Hi Our family LOVES AKL, it has been the resort CL we have returned the most to throughout our years. (since 2008) Our first few visits we always had CL reach out to us and assist us with Dining reservations and a lovely itinerary personalized to our requests. Do they still offer this service prior to you arriving do you know?? Thanks!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Just back from AKL CL. We had the best time. The CMs were absolutely wonderful this trip, they really made our stay fantastic. We arrived about 10 minutes after they stopped serving breakfast. We were just going to head to the Mara but the CM said she would make us a tray instead. She came out with tons of goodies, more than we could eat. I just thought that was really sweet of her, really went above and beyond.

We went down to the pool to relax while our room was getting ready. It wasn't even 2pm and we had received 3 "we're preparing" your room texts. Anyways, my DH gets a call and I can tell my his face something is very wrong, he looks very worried and just says my wife does all of the planning, can you speak to her. Soi get on the phone the CM says our room got flooded but they want to move us to a 1 bedroom suite (we had a studio) that was accessible, is that okay? I'm like yes that's amazing. I literally have no idea why a 1 bedroom CL suite was even available but I decided it was best to just not ask questions.

I didn't notice any food changes since our stay this time last year.

I do have 1 PSA on the Nespresso machine. It's 3 steps folks, 3 steps.
1) put pod in slot
2) pull down lever (LEAVE LEVER DOWN)
3) hit the drink button that you want

That's it. 3 steps.
I saw so many people get frustrated and leave. One lady, after she left in frustration saying it was broken, I made her a drink and brought it to her. She was surprised and grateful so that was fun.

I did take some food pics and I'll post those later.

One last OT tidbit, we found out my DD will be performing at the Candlelight processional! We are so excited. In our 100s of Disney visits we've never seen the show.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Hi Our family LOVES AKL, it has been the resort CL we have returned the most to throughout our years. (since 2008) Our first few visits we always had CL reach out to us and assist us with Dining reservations and a lovely itinerary personalized to our requests. Do they still offer this service prior to you arriving do you know?? Thanks!

We didn't have anyone reach out to us before but you can contact signature services prior to your trip to help with planning.

 

[mrsap]

We didn't have anyone reach out to us before but you can contact signature services prior to your trip to help with planning.

We did not receive calls our last couple trips either, however, they used to be great prior to that. I feel like it changed since they took the desks away. Maybe because they no longer have that dedicated desk space, they have no ability to make the calls?