So we just came back from a trip to WDW where DW and I stayed CL at CR (Tower), WL and the Polynesian. It was a very nice trip, and it was somehow knowledgeable to perform such back-to-back hotel stays. We were able to compare the various offerings they have in the different clubs, and how they managed things. To keep things readable, I am about to make multiple posts, starting with the first night at the Tower Club.
To give some background, some of you may remember when we used to go at WDW once a twice a year and stay CL in the same resort for two weeks. Since Covid, our vacation habits changed, as did Disney with their pricing, and we shifted to sailing with
DCL more, going to DCL more, and to WDW less. This trip was in fact a pre-trip before our transatlantic cruise on the Disney Fantasy. In fact, I am writing this from the deck, we just arrived in Ponta Delgada for our first port of call after six days at sea.
For our WDW pre-trip, we wanted to go to the parks, and take the opportunity to enjoy some of the CLs we never have been before. We made a multi-split stay starting with the Holiday Inn Disney Springs, and then 1-night stays at every CL.
The Holiday Inn was basically a free stay as we paid with points and is so convenient to visit the theme parks (if you've ever taken a ride-share back to a Disney hotel you know that on your way back, it might have a line and it moves slowly as they check every car). I love this hotel because the location is so convenient (and even better than most Disney resorts if you ask me), breakfast is excellent with made-to-order omelets, we didn't pay for it because of our status with IHG, and bedding is top-notch (almost similar to Disney's).
Now let's focus on the CL part of our trip because, hey, this is what this thread is about isn't it.
We started with the Contemporary Tower. Never been to CL there but this has always been on my bucket-list. I love the architecture and the vibe of the hotel. We've stayed once before on the Garden Wings and DW didn't like it because it was far from the lobby and my wife disliked the pool. The pool is still a long way from the hotel and the lounge, I wish they would have themed the walkway more, it feels like you're going through a parking lot to go to the pool, and the fact there are no rapid refill stations on the pool worsens it as you eventually walk a lot. We were lucky to grab one of the few “King” rooms (that we knew from asking here were on the Tower floor).
On our arrival, we spoke to the greeter in the lobby. He gave us wrong instructions (about which elevators were going to the club floor, and about how to connect to go to Typhoon Lagoon). Not a big deal, but for a first impression, definitely not the best. Thankfully once on the CL we were greeted by one of the most friendly cast members at Disney. I don't remember her name, but those who go here often probably know who I am talking about. She introduced us to the club lounge and made sure we were relaxed and ready to enjoy our day. As a bonus, we got our room early (around 10am maybe even earlier) and it was the closest to the lounge! If I'm not mistaken the exact previous guest also posted their review here.
Pros :
- The hotel is beautiful, and once you are in the Tower Club you are in a bubble inside a bubble. The view from the lounge (and our room which was basically the same view as it was next to it) cannot be beat.
- The staff at the club level is so nice. It was our first interaction with CL at WDW since we stayed at DLR and we felt it was on-par — which we didn't expected. This is really specific to CR Tower though, WL CL and Poly CL were all inferior (and by far).
- The food offering is excellent. If I was do it again I would eat all their truffle fries. Those are amazing. (I was addicted to those fries back in the days, with the truffle flavoring it is next level. The other CLs did not have those house chips.) And of course all the asian-inspired dishes.
- They have edible straws! So good with a soda or an iced coffee.
Cons :
- They don't clear tables, so if like us, you intend to stay for a while, be prepared to have to ask, or to move your plates to another table. (We did that and they did not clear the other table, so I believe it's just not something they do.)
- The dreaded Nespresso machine.
- The lounge is VERY small. When you're alone this is excellent. But if you share it with guests that whose education do not align with yours, it can become tricky. The first night there was a party of 6-8 people that talked very loudly as if they were in a sports bar, and on the morning someone was watching something on their phone, next to our table, with the volume on the speaker. I very much prefer the layout (and number of people allowed in) of other “high-end” lounges, such as the former Castle Club at DLP, or E-Lounge at the
Disneyland Hotel.
- The room refurbishment is a mess. It's not in-your-face with, but it's low-quality design, low-quality work, low-quality maintenance. Closets do not close, it's recent but still shows wear and tear, design is dubious (mirror aligns perfectly so you can see who's on the toilets from the bed). In fairness the Holiday Inn we were in was of better build quality than our CR room and this is not acceptable for the price they ask.
To be continued with the WL!
. Not detrimental to our trip, though. Enjoy your trip as well!
! I’ll be in there for desserts later if you’re around. You may have seen me since it’s hard to miss a person wearing fluffy socks and house shoes
! Sorry but my feet hurt!
