EXPIRED: Part ONE of 2015 CLUB LEVEL (CL) INFORMATION and HELP Thread DO NOT POST HERE!!!

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Hello. We are checking in to the beach club in 79 days. First time for club level. I'm sure I will have a ton of questions but here are my first two. Ok this one is a bit silly. Can I request robes for the kids? My DS 11 saw robes in a hotel on a show and though that was the coolest thing ever. I would love to surprise him. The other is I want to surprise DH with a parasailing trip. Can it be arranged so he won't know until we get to the dock? Thanks

 

[trishadono]

Hello. We are checking in to the beach club in 79 days. First time for club level. I'm sure I will have a ton of questions but here are my first two. Ok this one is a bit silly. Can I request robes for the kids? My DS 11 saw robes in a hotel on a show and though that was the coolest thing ever. I would love to surprise him. The other is I want to surprise DH with a parasailing trip. Can it be arranged so he won't know until we get to the dock? Thanks

At CR I requested 2 more robes for my kids without any problem. (They robes were adult sized)


I have only done the water mice but I think you can call to reserve activities. Disneys site has a whole page of a activities and information.

 

[ready2vacation]

I always do online check in. For my CL stay in August at cr I had the new streamlined check in. I was met as I exited the ME bus with a Cm with a tablet. I was asked a few questions and check in was done. I was offered to be escorted up to the lounge but dd and I preferred to take the pathway right into MK instead. We were told we would receive a text when our room was ready. Then at 2:30-3pm we got back to cr and took the elevator to the 12th floor (unescorted and our MB's worked). As we walked by the cm desk I asked if was much longer for our room. It was ready and they gave me the room number. That was very easy! In the past for other online checkin that were not the new streamlined check in I would just announce I was checking in CL to the valets outside. They call for a cm to escort you up to CL lounge and desk. I wouldn't be intimidated by the streamlined check in. Just announce outside you are checking in to CL and see what they do. If you want or need to talk to the CL concierges just either ask to see them or stop by the desk yourself. Oh 10 minutes after we were in room a CL concierge brought our usual paperwork right to our room. That was so much easier than sitting and waiting for a turn at the desk.

.

Thank you!! This was very helpful!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Hello. We are checking in to the beach club in 79 days. First time for club level. I'm sure I will have a ton of questions but here are my first two. Ok this one is a bit silly. Can I request robes for the kids? My DS 11 saw robes in a hotel on a show and though that was the coolest thing ever. I would love to surprise him. The other is I want to surprise DH with a parasailing trip. Can it be arranged so he won't know until we get to the dock? Thanks

You definitely can arrange this without him knowing. This past August, while staying at the GF, my DH decided to surprise my youngest DD with parasailing at the CR. He got the number, called and booked it for the following day. All they needed was a contact number for him and he was able to pay for it by scanning his MB...very easy and they had a blast!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I always do online check in.

For my CL stay in August at cr I had the new streamlined check in. I was met as I exited the ME bus with a Cm with a tablet. I was asked a few questions and check in was done. I was offered to be escorted up to the lounge but dd and I preferred to take the pathway right into MK instead.

We were told we would receive a text when our room was ready. Then at 2:30-3pm we got back to cr and took the elevator to the 12th floor (unescorted and our MB's worked). As we walked by the cm desk I asked if was much longer for our room. It was ready and they gave me the room number. That was very easy!

In the past for other online checkin that were not the new streamlined check in I would just announce I was checking in CL to the valets outside. They call for a cm to escort you up to CL lounge and desk.

I wouldn't be intimidated by the streamlined check in. Just announce outside you are checking in to CL and see what they do. If you want or need to talk to the CL concierges just either ask to see them or stop by the desk yourself.

Oh 10 minutes after we were in room a CL concierge brought our usual paperwork right to our room. That was so much easier than sitting and waiting for a turn at the desk.

Huh. On our most recent stay, I skipped online check-in. Previously, we have not been met with the same level of service you did, especially at CR.

Our check in at GF was similar to what you describe. We were met by a man with a tablet, we arrived via rental car. He escorted us to the lounge. We know WDW pretty well, but he knew his stuff. He pointed out everything that had changed since our last visit! including the new texting service. He also gave us a card to use for the elevator (only) just until our room was ready. He said our bands wouldn't work until then, and to make sure they worked when our room was ready. when we arrived back later, I think we were again greeted out in front of the lobby, and escorted to our room. Sure enough, our bands didn't work to access our room, and the CM got them fixed right away.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi CL fans!

I really need your help! I am torn between Poly CL TPV and CR Atrium Magic Kingdom view. I have stayed at YC and AKL CL before. We have stayed at Poly before regular room and love it. We have stayed one night at CR garden wing and liked it, many years ago however. This trip is for October 2015 so Poly should be done.

I had Poly in mind, but DH just loves the idea of walking in and out of MK, which I think is great too! This is likely our last big family trip in the October months as DS will be getting ready to go off to college. I am torn between the two and wondered if anyone has strong opinions either way, I would love all input!

Thanks so much for the help!
Erin

 

[trishadono]

Hi CL fans!

I really need your help! I am torn between Poly CL TPV and CR Atrium Magic Kingdom view. I have stayed at YC and AKL CL before. We have stayed at Poly before regular room and love it. We have stayed one night at CR garden wing and liked it, many years ago however. This trip is for October 2015 so Poly should be done.

I had Poly in mind, but DH just loves the idea of walking in and out of MK, which I think is great too! This is likely our last big family trip in the October months as DS will be getting ready to go off to college. I am torn between the two and wondered if anyone has strong opinions either way, I would love all input!

Thanks so much for the help!
Erin

I have stayed in both and loved both!

I like the theming of poly better but my ds and dh like cr.

Anything specific you want to know ,let me know.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I have stayed in both and loved both!

I like the theming of poly better but my ds and dh like cr.

Anything specific you want to know ,let me know.

Awesome thanks! So they sound tied for you. Specifics (and I know this varies) - food comparisons, busyness of the lounge (it seems like there are issues with busyness in the Poly lounge and finding a seat). In general about the CR, do you find it as relaxing in the tower with the hustle and bustle outside the door, I am concerned about that. The walk into the MK from CR sounds very appealing. I appreciate it. Part of me was really looking forward to the refurbed Poly stay, but now with DH wanting to really do it up for this trip, it's making it hard for me to pick! Blessed with this dilemma for sure and appreciate that I have this choice to make!

 

[pixarmom]

I have stayed in both and loved both!

I like the theming of poly better but my ds and dh like cr.

Anything specific you want to know ,let me know.

We've also stayed in both and loved both! But I'd pick Poly CL over CR CL for a few reasons:

1. As trisha mentioned, theme! Love the music, the atmosphere, the theme. And I really enjoy the tiki lamps and the grounds. Just a relaxing atmosphere all around.

2. Pool! I suppose I shouldn't say this, because what do I know about the new pool? But assuming it's comparable to the old volcano pool in any way, the pool is more festive at Poly. Definitely less crowded at the CR pool, but I'll take the festive atmosphere over the lack of crowds.

3. CMs. I'd say better at CR, at least in our experience. They were quite friendly and talkative at CR - very welcoming. The CL staff at Poly was good - just seemed more busy attending to guest needs so no time to chat!

4. Lounge atmosphere. Again, much of this goes back to theme. I prefer the view from the Poly lounge (lake, then castle in the distance) over the view from CR (parking lot, close up view of MK.) But that's just a personal preference. Both lounges have been busy in our experience, but at Poly, we always had the option of sitting upstairs overlooking the lower level of the lounge - very peaceful. I know some mention the "party" atmosphere at Poly, and I'd agree with that. In fact, we nicknamed one guest "snowman" because, while seeking additional beer from CMs in the afternoon, he was belting "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" But he was a friendly, happy dad, so all was good! (Our oldest son loved it - makes Poly his #1 resort and his #1 club lounge - partly due to the entertainment value.)

5. Lounge food. Definitely Poly for us. The food at CR was just fine - not a thing to complain about. But the sushi, salads, etc. at Poly were just above and beyond what we've seen in other CL lounges so far.

6. Transportation. As much as I love to walk to MK from CR, I really appreciate the direct monorail to both MK and Epcot from Poly. We spend a lot of time at Epcot, so I like the fact that we don't have to transfer monorails when staying at Poly.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

We've also stayed in both and loved both! But I'd pick Poly CL over CR CL for a few reasons:

1. As trisha mentioned, theme! Love the music, the atmosphere, the theme. And I really enjoy the tiki lamps and the grounds. Just a relaxing atmosphere all around.

2. Pool! I suppose I shouldn't say this, because what do I know about the new pool? But assuming it's comparable to the old volcano pool in any way, the pool is more festive at Poly. Definitely less crowded at the CR pool, but I'll take the festive atmosphere over the lack of crowds.

3. CMs. I'd say better at CR, at least in our experience. They were quite friendly and talkative at CR - very welcoming. The CL staff at Poly was good - just seemed more busy attending to guest needs so no time to chat!

4. Lounge atmosphere. Again, much of this goes back to theme. I prefer the view from the Poly lounge (lake, then castle in the distance) over the view from CR (parking lot, close up view of MK.) But that's just a personal preference. Both lounges have been busy in our experience, but at Poly, we always had the option of sitting upstairs overlooking the lower level of the lounge - very peaceful. I know some mention the "party" atmosphere at Poly, and I'd agree with that. In fact, we nicknamed one guest "snowman" because, while seeking additional beer from CMs in the afternoon, he was belting "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" But he was a friendly, happy dad, so all was good! (Our oldest son loved it - makes Poly his #1 resort and his #1 club lounge - partly due to the entertainment value.)

5. Lounge food. Definitely Poly for us. The food at CR was just fine - not a thing to complain about. But the sushi, salads, etc. at Poly were just above and beyond what we've seen in other CL lounges so far.

6. Transportation. As much as I love to walk to MK from CR, I really appreciate the direct monorail to both MK and Epcot from Poly. We spend a lot of time at Epcot, so I like the fact that we don't have to transfer monorails when staying at Poly.

SO SO HELPFUL, many points I hadn't considered. I very much appreciate the time you took to reply! I am thinking my children might find the poly food a little more to their liking. Ahhh, what's a girl to do!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Hi CL fans!

I really need your help! I am torn between Poly CL TPV and CR Atrium Magic Kingdom view.

We've done both. All resort have pros and cons. If your top priority is convenience getting around, go CR. If your top priority is fun theming, pick Poly.

Another easy way to make a decision is to think about your ADR choices. Eating at your home resort is always easy. Though with CL some food my be redundant. Like CR CL desserts will be similar to Chef Mickey's buffet.

However, and this might be a slight tipping point- we pick standard view at CR. MK view is a waste of $, IMO. If you are staying MK view- you only get one view. If you pick standard view, you get the benefit of two different views.

At Poly, there is some advantage to getting the them park view in your room. Again though, if you want the best view of the theme park, the lounge is the place to see it. The Poly lounge has very large plate glass windows, food, staff. There's also construction at Poly. I am thinking it is almost done now, but I don't know when the official opening is.

Not sure what you mean about hustle and bustle. At CR our rooms were very quiet, at least on CR level. Coming and going in the elevators can be busy, but the actual CL floor is pretty quiet and relaxing.

Poly was one of the very few CL rooms where we could hear our neighbors- at any CL room. I think the kids we heard were just especially loud! To me, I also find the Poly rooms very dark. Everything is brown, and heavy looking. The pool though is tons of fun!

Maybe the pool has been revised, not sure- but when we stayed oly does not have a hot tub. I don't know if that matters.

At Cr, transportation convenience isn't just being able to walk to MK. It's wider access. You can go to any resort from the MK bus stop, and back (as late as MK is open). Poly is next door to TTC, so Epcot monorail is a breeze.

All lounges can be variable in terms of crowd levels. All WDW eateries have a morning rush hour, and 5-6pm rush hour. Outside those hours, you'll get a quieter experience.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

We've done both. All resort have pros and cons. If your top priority is convenience getting around, go CR. If your top priority is fun theming, pick Poly.

Another easy way to make a decision is to think about your ADR choices. Eating at your home resort is always easy. Though with CL some food my be redundant. Like CR CL desserts will be similar to Chef Mickey's buffet.

However, and this might be a slight tipping point- we pick standard view at CR. MK view is a waste of $, IMO. If you are staying MK view- you only get one view. If you pick standard view, you get the benefit of two different views.

At Poly, there is some advantage to getting the them park view in your room. Again though, if you want the best view of the theme park, the lounge is the place to see it. The Poly lounge has very large plate glass windows, food, staff. There's also construction at Poly. I am thinking it is almost done now, but I don't know when the official opening is.

Not sure what you mean about hustle and bustle. At CR our rooms were very quiet, at least on CR level. Coming and going in the elevators can be busy, but the actual CL floor is pretty quiet and relaxing.

Poly was one of the very few CL rooms where we could hear our neighbors- at any CL room. I think the kids we heard were just especially loud! To me, I also find the Poly rooms very dark. Everything is brown, and heavy looking. The pool though is tons of fun!

Maybe the pool has been revised, not sure- but when we stayed oly does not have a hot tub. I don't know if that matters.

At Cr, transportation convenience isn't just being able to walk to MK. It's wider access. You can go to any resort from the MK bus stop, and back (as late as MK is open). Poly is next door to TTC, so Epcot monorail is a breeze.

All lounges can be variable in terms of crowd levels. All WDW eateries have a morning rush hour, and 5-6pm rush hour. Outside those hours, you'll get a quieter experience.

Thank you so much! So many great points here as well. The pool will be gated at the Poly after refurb (much like Storm a long bay at BC) which I am very happy about, should make it more manageable.

Final decision reveal: So after 24 hours of thinking about this, DH and I have decided on Poly. Much of our decision was based on your input so thank you all! The theme is what ultimately did it for us, the TTC (I do love that being close because we also spend lots of time at EPCOT), and the desire to stay post refurb. I have to say that the MK view at CR is a bit confusing with the parking lot there and for some reason that sort of bugged me a bit, just my opinion. And funny enough, I like being at Poly and LOOKING AT the CR in the distance! I will make CR our next 'short stay' resort for sure then (sometime we fly into MCO just so we can be at WDW for a few days before heading to the FL beaches).

Thanks everyone!

 

[pixarmom]

However, and this might be a slight tipping point- we pick standard view at CR. MK view is a waste of $, IMO. If you are staying MK view- you only get one view. If you pick standard view, you get the benefit of two different views.

At Poly, there is some advantage to getting the them park view in your room. Again though, if you want the best view of the theme park, the lounge is the place to see it. The Poly lounge has very large plate glass windows, food, staff. There's also construction at Poly. I am thinking it is almost done now, but I don't know when the official opening is.

At Cr, transportation convenience isn't just being able to walk to MK. It's wider access. You can go to any resort from the MK bus stop, and back (as late as MK is open). Poly is next door to TTC, so Epcot monorail is a breeze.

Two things about this great post:

1) First point, I completely agree. We stayed BLV at CR and absolutely loved it. Now, part of that is that I actually prefer a water view over an MK view. Since we had the MK view (with a considerable amount of parking lot) from the lounge, we compromised with the Bay Lake View (Epcot in the distance!) from the room. I completely understand the appeal for MK fans, but my husband and I always joke that's it's quite a pricey parking lot view. As you said, best of both!

2) Regarding CR transportation, this is an excellent point about the buses to any resort - and one that I hadn't really considered in the past. I was feeling very anti-bus for a long time, but after our quick budget stay at ASMu last month, we agreed that the bus isn't really all that bad as long as we're not in a hurry. That's a great CR benefit that I'll definitely keep in mind for the future!

Final decision reveal: So after 24 hours of thinking about this, DH and I have decided on Poly. Much of our decision was based on your input so thank you all! The theme is what ultimately did it for us, the TTC (I do love that being close because we also spend lots of time at EPCOT), and the desire to stay post refurb. I have to say that the MK view at CR is a bit confusing with the parking lot there and for some reason that sort of bugged me a bit, just my opinion. And funny enough, I like being at Poly and LOOKING AT the CR in the distance! I will make CR our next 'short stay' resort for sure then (sometime we fly into MCO just so we can be at WDW for a few days before heading to the FL beaches).

Thanks everyone!

I think you'll be really happy! And for what it's worth, our three boys are ages 15, 14 and 7. Poly is our teens' favorite resort at this point, and as I mentioned earlier, our oldest loves that Poly club lounge. And that was pre-refurb of the Poly grounds, so I'd imagine it will be spectacular by the time you arrive! I do think CR is great for a short stay - we stayed there for a MNSSHP trip once and it was perfect under the circumstances.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Both CR and Poly are winners for sure! I think we would have a great stay either way. I do think the Poly lounge offerings sound a little more to my kids tastes (and DH) since I have read more about that. I agree with you guys that the bay lake view at CR is really as good or better in some ways, like I said, that parking lot situation was just a little odd to me, even though the castle is in the background.

Thanks again, have a magical weekend!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Thank you so much! So many great points


And funny enough, I like being at Poly and LOOKING AT the CR in the distance! I will make CR our next 'short stay' resort for sure then (sometime we fly into MCO just so we can be at WDW for a few days before heading to the FL beaches).

Thanks everyone!

Thanks all!

Funny, I too get certain images in my head: the BC gardens, or the Swan/Dolphin at dusk coming from the IG.

We've done some budget/short trips too, and they are mostly fine, but it seems incomplete without being able to see certain spots/views.

Oh, I neglected to suggest a very important option- the SPLIT stay!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Thanks all!

Funny, I too get certain images in my head: the BC gardens, or the Swan/Dolphin at dusk coming from the IG.

We've done some budget/short trips too, and they are mostly fine, but it seems incomplete without being able to see certain spots/views.

Oh, I neglected to suggest a very important option- the SPLIT stay!

LOL, this type A mama would lose it with a split stay, I'm an unpacker! But it's a great option for some! I love when we are at BC, looking at Boardwalk, I don't know if I could do it the other way! We also love Port Orleans Riverside for short stays (my kids rank it top with BC and Poly), and I just love the area by the main building, the bridge, especially in the morning. I love the quiet peaceful Disney mornings in FL, the smell is so awesome! Sometimes on damp mornings here in Michigan I can smell morning Disney smell. Ok, I'm likely getting weird for some of you....take care~

 

[Sandy321]

We're going in June, I have 5 nights booked at Beach Club, but I want to do a split stay - we were going to do 3 nights at Universal, but after much thought (dd 17 mind you) we decided to stay all nights at WDW...

so back to planning - it is JUNE - we've gone for Marathon weekends, we've gone for F&W, but summer? so I've read others have done June,

Booked! WL Standard CL, I know I saw a nice picture of the layout of the CL floor, does anyone ever request rooms? For instance, we do not need handicap or bunk beds...

and this is new...

Has anybody done a custom cake btw? (its dh's birthday while we're there and I've spent hours going through the Cake thread on the restaurant board)

 

[trishadono]

We're going in June, I have 5 nights booked at Beach Club, but I want to do a split stay - we were going to do 3 nights at Universal, but after much thought (dd 17 mind you) we decided to stay all nights at WDW...

so back to planning - it is JUNE - we've gone for Marathon weekends, we've gone for F&W, but summer? so I've read others have done June,

Booked! WL Standard CL, I know I saw a nice picture of the layout of the CL floor, does anyone ever request rooms? For instance, we do not need handicap or bunk beds...

and this is new...

Has anybody done a custom cake btw? (its dh's birthday while we're there and I've spent hours going through the Cake thread on the restaurant board)

If you want to see Wwohp and newer stuff at universal you might want one night there. The early hour really makes a difference(stay at an universal hotel).

For WL go to that thread. Kook that runs it goes there often and will help. Also Mickeynut loves it too and is usually on the boards.

I haven't done a cake yet but the pics I have seen have always looked great .

 

[Sandy321]

If you want to see Wwohp and newer stuff at universal you might want one night there. The early hour really makes a difference(stay at an universal hotel).

For WL go to that thread. Kook that runs it goes there often and will help. Also Mickeynut loves it too and is usually on the boards.

I haven't done a cake yet but the pics I have seen have always looked great .

oh, thank you!

I should add we dropped thinking about going to HP this trip, her heart belongs to Disney right now! We've had too many struggles, and she did go to see HP 2 or 3 years ago, and we did stay onsite, it was Spring Break, and that early hour truly did make all the difference!!

 

[trishadono]

oh, thank you!

I should add we dropped thinking about going to HP this trip, her heart belongs to Disney right now! We've had too many struggles, and she did go to see HP 2 or 3 years ago, and we did stay onsite, it was Spring Break, and that early hour truly did make all the difference!!

Dd19 and I stayed at poly CL 5/30-6/4 this year. For what it's worth, the weather was in the 80's but it was more cloudy than our spring and fall trips.

Still it was nice to get to use the pool , just try to do like 12-1p before afternoon storms hit.

WL is pretty I just haven't stayed at their CL YET