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

[focusondisney]

I wouldn't expect the rooms to look too beachy after the rehab either folks. Disney seems to be going for the generic upscale resort look now, instead of the Disney "theming" we're used to. There were lots of comments about that when the Grand Floridian was rehabbed about 2 years ago.

 

[mickeynut1]

I wouldn't expect the rooms to look too beachy after the rehab either folks. Disney seems to be going for the generic upscale resort look now, instead of the Disney "theming" we're used to. There were lots of comments about that when the Grand Floridian was rehabbed about 2 years ago.

I agree. The resorts and lounges have more of a generic look than Disney themed. I think the GF looks horrible as nothing seems to match (just my opinion) and I think SL looks more like a cafeteria than a lounge, with RPC looking worse than SL (again, just my opinion). But I'll withhold any further comments on that .

 

[gwynne]

I agree. The resorts and lounges have more of a generic look than Disney themed. I think the GF looks horrible as nothing seems to match (just my opinion) and I think SL looks more like a cafeteria than a lounge, with RPC looking worse than SL (again, just my opinion). But I'll withhold any further comments on that .

I wonder if the generic hotel "theme" is to capture more convention/event bookings?
What makes WDW special is the theming, even if it's subtle.
Hilton Garden Inn clone isn't a theme.

 

[mickeynut1]

I wonder if the generic hotel "theme" is to capture more convention/event bookings?
What makes WDW special is the theming, even if it's subtle.
Hilton Garden Inn clone isn't a theme.

You could be right. I've been trying to figure out why they are going so generic, but have yet to come up with a logical answer. I totally agree about the Hilton Garden Inn clone, no kind of theme no matter how you look at it .

 

[arrical8]

We just got back from Disney World on September 30, 2014 and my DH has decided a 2015 trip is a must and he wants to surprise the kids! We have decided on staying deluxe and club level for most of our trip.

We are currently booked at the Wilderness Lodge from November 29-December 7, 2015 in a Deluxe Club Level Suite.

But... I was wondering what you all would choose if your options were Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Room – Club Level or Contemporary Garden Wing – Hospitality Suite – Club Level?

Pros and Cons of each?

 

[jenngaldiz]

We stayed in 7062.. It was a handicapped room, but you could have noted "near 7062 or similar view" We watched the fireworks from there and the monorail each morning

Perfect! That's exactly what I wanted. Was it near the lounge? I feel you on your club level comments. We stayed Sugarloaf coming up on two years ago. We were going to just do wilderness woods view, but Had to just bite the bullet and book club level. Even though our daughters want to stay desperately in a princess room mommy and daddys addiction takes precedence. lol

 

[Asher362]

We just got back from Disney World on September 30, 2014 and my DH has decided a 2015 trip is a must and he wants to surprise the kids! We have decided on staying deluxe and club level for most of our trip. We are currently booked at the Wilderness Lodge from November 29-December 7, 2015 in a Deluxe Club Level Suite. But... I was wondering what you all would choose if your options were Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Room – Club Level or Contemporary Garden Wing – Hospitality Suite – Club Level? Pros and Cons of each?

We stayed in the Deluxe room at WL last spring and it was great. Nice to have the extra space so we could get the little one to nap away from the sibling. Our room was super far from the lounge but had a great view of Bay lake and the Geyser. I have never stayed in the Contemp garden wing hospitality suite, but from what I understand is much bigger than the deluxe room at WL. However I believe that they recently made those Garden wing suites club level and you must go over to the Tower building to use the lounge. Can anyone confirm this? While it's a great place to watch the fireworks I'm not sure if I would pay for club level if I had to go to another building to enjoy the perks? Hope this helps!

 

[mickeynut1]

We just got back from Disney World on September 30, 2014 and my DH has decided a 2015 trip is a must and he wants to surprise the kids! We have decided on staying deluxe and club level for most of our trip.

We are currently booked at the Wilderness Lodge from November 29-December 7, 2015 in a Deluxe Club Level Suite.

But... I was wondering what you all would choose if your options were Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Room – Club Level or Contemporary Garden Wing – Hospitality Suite – Club Level?

Pros and Cons of each?

We've never stayed at the CR, but have stayed WL CL (although not in a deluxe room) and my choice would be WL. CR CL is on our list to try, but I would choose a regular room in the tower over a GW suite as I wouldn't want to be in a different building from the lounge. With that said, WL CL is amazing. The food offerings are great, the lounge is spacious with plenty of seating that overlooks the lobby below, and the CL CMs are amazing. It's also hard to beat the WL during the holidays (IMO). Good luck with your decision.

 

[trishadono]

We just got back from Disney World on September 30, 2014 and my DH has decided a 2015 trip is a must and he wants to surprise the kids! We have decided on staying deluxe and club level for most of our trip.

We are currently booked at the Wilderness Lodge from November 29-December 7, 2015 in a Deluxe Club Level Suite.

But... I was wondering what you all would choose if your options were Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Room – Club Level or Contemporary Garden Wing – Hospitality Suite – Club Level?

Pros and Cons of each?

We stayed in the hospitality suite in January.

Pros: large space, 2 1/2 baths, regular size room(2q and the single) plus a queen sleeper in the living area(ds16 loved it), full size fridge, microwave and coffee maker, table with seating for 6. 3 different entrances and 4 closets!

Cons: far from the lounge, our view was of parking lot and a vine covered wall, ands no balcony(3rd floor)

You could remedy no balcony by requesting 1st floor for patio.

The lounge CM's were very accommodating. I told them I was in HS and they gave me as many waters, etc as I could fit in my purse each stop.

I also asked if ok to carry my glass of wine all through hotel. They gave me a bottle instead

My pics are posted on page one of CR thread.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50440699&postcount=3328

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50440740&postcount=3329

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50440792&postcount=3330

 

[Asher362]

We just got back from Disney World on September 30, 2014 and my DH has decided a 2015 trip is a must and he wants to surprise the kids! We have decided on staying deluxe and club level for most of our trip. We are currently booked at the Wilderness Lodge from November 29-December 7, 2015 in a Deluxe Club Level Suite. But... I was wondering what you all would choose if your options were Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Room – Club Level or Contemporary Garden Wing – Hospitality Suite – Club Level? Pros and Cons of each?

Also, just saw the time of year you are going and Wilderness Lodge is supposed to be beautifully decorated for the holidays!

 

[JRH1841]

Sorry if any of these questions have been asked before. I read somewhere that you can see Illuminations from the CL lounge in Boardwalk Inn. How good is the view? Does it get crowded in there during that time? Do they pipe in the sound? TIA!

 

[Eastern]

Sorry if any of these questions have been asked before. I read somewhere that you can see Illuminations from the CL lounge in Boardwalk Inn. How good is the view? Does it get crowded in there during that time? Do they pipe in the sound? TIA!

I thought the view was good but you can't see the lower fireworks. It was not crowded at all. We only ever saw a couple of people out there at that time. Don't remember if we heard the music.

 

[JRH1841]

I thought the view was good but you can't see the lower fireworks. It was not crowded at all. We only ever saw a couple of people out there at that time. Don't remember if we heard the music.

Thank you!

 

[jenngaldiz]

Hey all!
Just incase this hasn't been mentioned in any of the older posts, or I just may have missed it. Found out today that IPO's do help you make FP+ reservations. I chose not to let them do it because I am trying to get a coveted A&E fp beyond that I am a little to much of a control freak. hope that may help some of y'all who have the luxury of be a little more relaxed.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I would probably choose the deluxe WL CL room over the GW suite at the CR. We loved our stay at the CR in March, but I don't think I'd like being so very away from the lounge, even taking into consideration the extra space. I like the convenience of the tower room to be close to snacks and drinks, plus the AWESOME views!!! Seriously the best views at WDW!

 

[njsmama]

Hmmn.

I think I need some guidance on what to expect in terms of a response from IPO.

I asked for help with two reservations and was told what I wanted was not available. The CM did not offer to continue to check for me periodically. That seemed odd to me.

Next I asked about a non-chocolate welcome for my chocolate averse child. I was told they did not have a non-chocolate option. The CM did not suggest any alternatives.

I've always been so impressed by the accounts I've seen here of CL and CM responsiveness.

I'm kind of left scratching my head and wondering why I'm paying a lot of money to upgrade to CL if this is the response and welcome I'm getting at the outset.

So what is the norm?

I have been having the same feelings about IPO myself. Not the typical helpfulness I have received in the past. I don't know what is up with that either!

 

[Lsdolphin]

I have been having the same feelings about IPO myself. Not the typical helpfulness I have received in the past. I don't know what is up with that either!

Very interesting...we will be staying CL for first time and I finally called about 3 weeks ago....we never received any notification from IPO CMs regarding our trip. I called to request their assistance with a Villain Soirée reservation. The CM I spoke with checked and confirmed my email and address and said "oh well sometimes we miss people..." He offered to check for reservation and took my credit card info so the reservation could be booked it possible. I have never heard back from anyone and today when I called again I was told there was no record of my first call! Also never received any notification whatsoever regarding pool closure and would never have known until our arrival if not for these boards! Oh well, arriving next week and looking forward to a great trip. Thinking of asking to forget the whole CL thing and just give us a room with some view of fireworks!

Just get me to the Lodge on time!!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm wondering if they've had to outsource IPO? I know a lot of the CRO agents are now at-home workers, as a TA I encounter them a lot. You have to imagine there are thousands of people's dining reservations being scheduled by the various IPO personnel. I guess anything is possible.

Since our last stay was non-CL at the YC I have to admit I did miss the convenience of grabbing a diet coke or a snack. We ended up renting a car at the Dolphin and driving to Publix to get drinks and snacks for our room. Once we did that then everything was fine, but I'm definitely spoiled to having food and drinks easily accessible.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I was wondering what you all would choose if your options were Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Room – Club Level or Contemporary Garden Wing – Hospitality Suite – Club Level?

Pros and Cons of each?

I think of the two, I'd pick WL.
To be fair, I've stayed CL at both resorts, but not exactly the two rooms you list, because those rooms don't really appeal to us.

I agree with others, if you pick CR, tower room is the way to go. Being all the way in the garden suites, eliminates much the convenience of CL, which is why we pay for it. If the lounge isn't close, you'd do better to buy groceries.

A few years ago, I'd have given a big thumbs up to CR for food, but this last trip the food was paired down. Food at WL is the most homey and casual of all the CL's. Think stews and cobbler, instead of (fried) dumplings and tarts at most other CL's.

A few other tidbits: no fireworks view in WL lounge (a benefit of CR tower/Poly). At both resorts you can sit in lounge seating area after hours, but CR has drinks/fruit basket out all night. WL locks food area up tight at non-serving hours.

CR may have business travelers.

Dining: IMO, both lack good dining. Our meal this summer at the Wave was VERY disappointing. It used to have a decent menu - if minimal theming. Not impressed with Chef Mickey's, nor Whispering Canyon. WC is supposed to be loud, we get it- but the last time we were there, the server near us was extremely obnoxious. He was constantly YELLING (mean, not fun) and LOUDLY BANGING everything. The food was just okay. More bulk than quality. Other than lounge, best food at both are the quick serves. Cali Grill nice view, but same as lounge +overpriced.

Pools: CR has size, but not much theming. The quiet pool has a nice view. The WL pool has great theming, but is too small for size of the resort.

 

[shannon006]

First time staying club level We will be staying at AKL, my absolute favorite resort! My question is, are we able to use the club level lounge the full day of check out? Magical Express will be picking us approximately 3:30 ish. I was just wondering if we can perhaps relax for an hour or so before the magical express arrives.