Dolphin Club Level Question

[JayCT]

We are booked for the Dolphin in April and DW has question concerning the Dolphin's Club Level. She had read on these boards that there are no rooms with balconies on the club level but that you could request a room on another floor and still have access to the club lounge. The other day she called and asked about doing this, but was told by the CM that it is "frowned upon", whatever that means. They said that request would have to be made at checkin.

We are now wondering which is better, doing club level or having a balcony. Has anyone requested a balcony and still done Club Level. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jay

 

[CarolA]

I guess that is a personal decision, but what are you expecting from Club Level? I have to admit that I found it to be a HUGE letdown and was glad I didn't pay for it. It was only open a few hours a day, Breakfast was fine, but the evening hours were during the hours I was in the park. I didn't find the "free bottled" water to worth much since they were the little 8 oz bottles plus you have to ask for them.

 

[csmommy]

When we stayed at the Swan, our room was a corner room with a balcony & not on the club level. We paid for our CL upgrade with our starwood points, so I do not know if that makes a difference.

 

[JayCT]

Thanks for replies. I guess that we are not to expect the same as we experienced at YC and the Poly. Still I hope that we will be able to use it.

Does anyone else have opinions on the Club Level? Should we just change our reservation to a balcony room and leave it at that? We really need opinions. Thanks Jay

 

[nwdisgal]

For someone who has changed my reservation and room preferences a thousand times (sorry Starwood - they know me on a first name basis now) at Swan/Dolphin, I saw this thread and changed it again today. I changed from Club Level to a Room with a View (or a Balcony should I say). We were paying too much $$$$ for the CL and after deciding I did my and switched out of it.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I have stayed CL (not a balcony room - 12th floor) at the Dolphin in 2002 and I have to agree with CarolA. The breakfast was great but we never used the afternoon offerings as we were in the parks or our PS for dinner were at 5:30. However, I received the CL as a comp upgrade from my spg membership, so I had nothing to lose... $ wise. I must say, it was our first time at CL and we really enjoyed the experience.

I loved our balcony rooms. We had them at both our subsequent stays at the Swan and Dolphin. Our Dolphin balcony room this past July was spectacular - unobstructed view of Epcot! We love sitting out on the balcony just watching the world and this last trip we saw Illuminations from the balcony! JMHO and my experiences.

 

[Poohlovr]

On one trip, I was given CL access from a different floor, so that I could have a balcony. I, too, was told that the practice "was frowned upon". They did it anyway.

Given paying for either of the two--I'd take the balcony. My DH, however, would choose CL.

You can see there's no one answer--just depends on what is important to you.

I love my balcony.

 

[dreamflight99]

Hello, Jay~Yes, as many others have posted...it is "frowned" upon, but can be done. The reason behind the disapproval, is merely hotel policy & compliance with local code. CL has to be monitored. There are a certain number of rooms available on the actual designated CLUB floors. People in these rooms usually (but not always) have club level privileges. If the resort staff permits "too many" other guests, staying on "non-club" floors of the property club level access/privs--it can pose a problem. The club level lounge has a "maximum" capacity permitted by law and fire code. This "maximum" can not be exceeded.

Therefore, the number of persons permitted "club level" status at any time in the resort is limited to a certain number. When the rooms on Club level are not occupied, or the occupants do not have access (have not paid for CL) to the lounge, you are able to stay in a "balcony" room with CLUB LEVEL privileges! I agree with most here...I definitely prefer the BALCONY rooms *(w/CL privs), over the CL rooms. Just a matter of personal preference. Inquiring at the time of check-in, is the best time to aquire this perk. The resort will have a better "grasp" of the figures, and can assess the availability. As a Platinum SPG member, I have always been able to have CL from any room in the resort. It's one of the best reasons to maintain this level of membership!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Jay

Good question... one that I asked the Dolphin 2 weeks ago. I also was told that I'd have to request it when I checked in. We're heading down in June. I wondered too if it was better to have a CL room on the CL floor or to have a balcony resort view room with CL priviledges. As dreamflight99 mentioned it's all about how booked up they are. If they are booked up when we go and I have the choice of CL level or a balcony room w/o CL, personally for the price we paid I'd rather have the CL level. I also put in my reservation the request to have a resort/Epcot view room too. So maybe we'll get both.

I think what we'll do is see what our room is like first. If it's a crummy view then I'll go down and request a room change. If they still say no then I'll get mad and stomp my feet until they say "Oh... yes sir, we do have what you requested.".

So go down with CL in mind and if they happen to have a balcony resort view room with CL then take it. Otherwise stick with the CL room. Don't fret though Jay, no matter what room you have you'll still have an awsome time.

Andy

 

[JayCT]

Thanks everyone. I think we will keep the CL and see what room they can give us at check-in. We have stayed concierge at WDW and used it in the afternoons and evenings after coming back from the parks. To us it is very convenient and an enjoyable part of our vacation. Thanks again, Jay

 

[madge]

We are booked for the Dolphin in April and DW has question concerning the Dolphin's Club Level. She had read on these boards that there are no rooms with balconies on the club level but that you could request a room on another floor and still have access to the club lounge. The other day she called and asked about doing this, but was told by the CM that it is "frowned upon", whatever that means. They said that request would have to be made at checkin.

We are now wondering which is better, doing club level or having a balcony. Has anyone requested a balcony and still done Club Level. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jay

I always have a balcony room and CL access. Never once, in all my stays at the Swan/Dolphin has it been "frowned upon" by anyone. The only time I ever had any sort of issue was last summer when I wrote down the wrong room number on the sign in sheet and when Denise called downstairs to verify that we had CL privileges, the desk couldn't find us. Totally my fault, though

it's all based on availability, which is the reason behind upgrading at check-in.

If I had to choose.....hmmm.....I think I'd take the club level, because I LOVE those chocolate croissants we usually grab a snack in the afternoon, after the pool...to hold us over until we get to Epcot for dinner, LOL

 

[CarolA]

Well I am one of the people who may have caused it to be "frowned upon" I complained! There were BUNCHES of families there from floors all over the hotel (you can see on the sign in sheet) and I never could find a place to sit. When Starwood sent me a survey I said I would not pay since it appeared that Dolphin gave the access to way too many people for the size of the room.

Jay, if you are expecting ANYTHING like what you found at Disney you may be disappointed especially with the "afternoon". There is no "afternoon" Only evening. Much more limited offerings.