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

[mickeyluv'r]

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback.

But after getting in touch with a couple of people who are there now and who were just there, they were able to answer some very specific questions that I had in regards to getting around the resort, and access to TTC. This is very important to us because of my health and mobility issues, and use of ECV.

If you are using a scooter, you really ought to give CR a try sometime, especially if going to ADR dinners at the monorail resorts is important.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback.

But after getting in touch with a couple of people who are there now and who were just there, they were able to answer some very specific questions that I had in regards to getting around the resort, and access to TTC. This is very important to us because of my health and mobility issues, and use of ECV.

Anyway, long story short, DH and I discussed it last night, weighed it all out, and we will be staying with the Polynesian CL. DH pretty much summed it up when he said "After all, the Polynesian IS our home there".

Now I'm excited again about this trip. (I was beginning to dread it!! )

Have a great trip .

 

[AliceIn]

That's interesting. We stayed BC CL back in August and felt the same way about the CM's there. I thought maybe it was because they were working in unusual circumstances (this was during the lounge remodel, and the lounge had been relocated to the presidential suite), but now I'm thinking maybe not?

We did not have a good experience with the CL staff last August either, though I do love the BC pool. We had a fantastic club level experience the year before, and all the staff were amazing. Hopefully people who stayed recently can let management know of the issues.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Off topic, but my kids are FREAKING OUT about the announcement of the Nintendo theme park project at Universal. Once that opens I'll never get them back to WDW again!

 

[loveshak22]

Off topic, but my kids are FREAKING OUT about the announcement of the Nintendo theme park project at Universal. Once that opens I'll never get them back to WDW again!

It does seem pretty cool!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

If you are using a scooter, you really ought to give CR a try sometime, especially if going to ADR dinners at the monorail resorts is important.

Many of our ADRs are on the monorail; 'Ohana, Kona Cafe (several meals at the KC), the Luau, California Grill, The Wave, and Narcoossee's. Our favorite parks are MK and Epcot. This is part of why we love the Polynesian so much, the convenience of monorail access to the MK, the other monorail resorts, and the Epcot monorail right next door.

I do plan to try the CR at some point; I've thought it was such a cool hotel since riding through it on the monorail in 1976.

 

[VbChristy]

Help me decide where to stay please. We have a 4 night stay and I want to in the MK area. We have a 2 year old and the pool will be important because we will be going there daily. There are more rooms released under the late summer sale for our dates so I want to make sure I am making the right choice. We are currently (moved into because of the sale) in a deluxe room at the Wilderness Lodge- it like $529 a night. We don't need the deluxe room, but it was available so I thought why not. Well now I can get a regular club level room at the WL for like $399 so that would be a savings and I would be closer to the lounge. Or I can do the Poly CL for $599 - but is there pool still under construction? The money isn't necessarily the most important thing- I just want to make the best decision. And we probably don't need the space of the deluxe.

 

[LisaCM614]

Help me decide where to stay please. We have a 4 night stay and I want to in the MK area. We have a 2 year old and the pool will be important because we will be going there daily. There are more rooms released under the late summer sale for our dates so I want to make sure I am making the right choice. We are currently (moved into because of the sale) in a deluxe room at the Wilderness Lodge- it like $529 a night. We don't need the deluxe room, but it was available so I thought why not. Well now I can get a regular club level room at the WL for like $399 so that would be a savings and I would be closer to the lounge. Or I can do the Poly CL for $599 - but is there pool still under construction? The money isn't necessarily the most important thing- I just want to make the best decision. And we probably don't need the space of the deluxe.

The Poly Volcano pool is open now however there is other construction going on at the resort. I would go with Poly CL - there is a nice new splash area for your 2 year old to play in and cool down. Also I find the monorail easier than taking boats with a stroller. But if you are worried about construction go with WL CL. You'll be very happy.

 

[mickeynut1]

Help me decide where to stay please. We have a 4 night stay and I want to in the MK area. We have a 2 year old and the pool will be important because we will be going there daily. There are more rooms released under the late summer sale for our dates so I want to make sure I am making the right choice. We are currently (moved into because of the sale) in a deluxe room at the Wilderness Lodge- it like $529 a night. We don't need the deluxe room, but it was available so I thought why not. Well now I can get a regular club level room at the WL for like $399 so that would be a savings and I would be closer to the lounge. Or I can do the Poly CL for $599 - but is there pool still under construction? The money isn't necessarily the most important thing- I just want to make the best decision. And we probably don't need the space of the deluxe.

My choice would be Poly CL. As the pp said, the main pool is open and there is also a new kids splash play area. We have not tried CL at the Poly, but I have read a lot of positive reviews about it. With that said, we have stayed WL CL and it is amazing, IMO. The Poly is our favorite resort, but we also love the WL, so I don't think you can go wrong with either resort. As far as WL deluxe CL room vs CL standard, if you would like the extra space that the deluxe room would provide, stick with that; otherwise, I think a standard room would be just as great for $130 less a night. Good luck.

 

[pixarmom]

This is exactly how my boys are - oldest eats everything in sight. Middle one is very picky - his favorite thing in the lounge is the cheese and crackers, and the bread off the mini hot dogs (yep, he won't even eat a hot dog ). Oh, and the hot chocolate machine - I will never figure that one out - hot chocolate in August in Florida!!! Youngest is a mixed bag - I think he'd try more foods if his next older brother wasn't his hero.....

Too funny! How does this happen? I've always wondered because we serve them all the same foods at home!

Off topic, but my kids are FREAKING OUT about the announcement of the Nintendo theme park project at Universal. Once that opens I'll never get them back to WDW again!

Boo!

 

[TJA]

Help me decide where to stay please. We have a 4 night stay and I want to in the MK area. We have a 2 year old and the pool will be important because we will be going there daily. There are more rooms released under the late summer sale for our dates so I want to make sure I am making the right choice. We are currently (moved into because of the sale) in a deluxe room at the Wilderness Lodge- it like $529 a night. We don't need the deluxe room, but it was available so I thought why not. Well now I can get a regular club level room at the WL for like $399 so that would be a savings and I would be closer to the lounge. Or I can do the Poly CL for $599 - but is there pool still under construction? The money isn't necessarily the most important thing- I just want to make the best decision. And we probably don't need the space of the deluxe.

I would go with Poly CL. One big reason is you mentioned the pool will be important -- staying CL at Poly is great because the building is just steps away from the pool. It's extremely convenient when you want to run to the lounge and grab a pop, water, snacks, etc. We are staying there in July and do not care about the quiet pool construction. With the main pool being open and the new kids splash area, we will be all set! I did book a LV room so that we're not facing the quiet pool work.

 

[Dispro1]

Help me decide where to stay please. We have a 4 night stay and I want to in the MK area. We have a 2 year old and the pool will be important because we will be going there daily. There are more rooms released under the late summer sale for our dates so I want to make sure I am making the right choice. We are currently (moved into because of the sale) in a deluxe room at the Wilderness Lodge- it like $529 a night. We don't need the deluxe room, but it was available so I thought why not. Well now I can get a regular club level room at the WL for like $399 so that would be a savings and I would be closer to the lounge. Or I can do the Poly CL for $599 - but is there pool still under construction? The money isn't necessarily the most important thing- I just want to make the best decision. And we probably don't need the space of the deluxe.

I agree with what the others have said about the Poly...great new pool/splash pad area, ease of the monorail vs a boat...but does your 2yr old still nap? I would be a bit concerned about the noise from construction at the quiet pool if your 2yr old is trying to nap. You'd probably be ok if on the TP/LV side, but with the cost difference of that, you may want to consider GF??

 

[CowgirlTN]

Looking for advice too. I just found out I can book our resort room for our first family trip in May 2016. Help me pick a club level.

Husband, 4 year old daughter and myself.our daughter is most excited about the princesses(esp Anna and Elsa). DD is requesting a view of water. DH loves his wine and cocktails. I would like have access to good coffee and comfortable beds.

Thank you, Kristi

 

[lala5176]

Looking for advice too. I just found out I can book our resort room for our first family trip in May 2016. Help me pick a club level.

Husband, 4 year old daughter and myself.our daughter is most excited about the princesses(esp Anna and Elsa). DD is requesting a view of water. DH loves his wine and cocktails. I would like have access to good coffee and comfortable beds.

Thank you, Kristi

If you want to be close to MK then Grand Floridian Royal Palm Club. You're daughter can do the Princess Tea there also.

 

[mickeynut1]

Looking for advice too. I just found out I can book our resort room for our first family trip in May 2016. Help me pick a club level.

Husband, 4 year old daughter and myself.our daughter is most excited about the princesses(esp Anna and Elsa). DD is requesting a view of water. DH loves his wine and cocktails. I would like have access to good coffee and comfortable beds.

Thank you, Kristi

I don't know what your budget is, but my favorite CL so far (we've only tried 3) is GF RPC. Poly CL is on our list to try as I've read a lot of great things about it and the view from the lounge appears to be amazing. With that said, having stayed at both resorts (although not CL at the Poly), I have found the GF and Poly beds to be the most comfortable out of all of the resorts we've tried so far. If you want to stay in the MK area but find RPC to be out of your budget, WL CL is a great alternative, IMO. WL CL runs a very close second for me to GF RPC. The lounges are similar as both overlook the lobby, both have great food offerings, and both have amazing CL CMs who are always willing to help in any way they can. Good luck.

 

[Dispro1]

Looking for advice too. I just found out I can book our resort room for our first family trip in May 2016. Help me pick a club level.

Husband, 4 year old daughter and myself.our daughter is most excited about the princesses(esp Anna and Elsa). DD is requesting a view of water. DH loves his wine and cocktails. I would like have access to good coffee and comfortable beds.

Thank you, Kristi

honestly, everyone has their favorite CL, so you will probably get a lot of different answers. Since you have a young daughter, I would recommend staying in the monorail loop since you will probably spend most of your time at MK. All of the CL have good coffee, wine, and cordials, but GF has the best selection. None of the CL have cocktails, but I do sometimes pick up a bottle of sweet and sour mix to make my own Amaretto Sour when they have cordials out. Poly makes their own tropical sangria (from 5-7 pm, but I have seen others ask for some later and get it)...maybe your husband will like that? Poly has a very nice TPV (theme park view) that looks out across the lagoon at the castle too. Your daughter would probably love that! You can see that same view of the castle from the Poly CL lounge. I think they will have completed the quiet pool renovations by May 2016, so all the Poly construction would be finished by then. GF RPC (Royal Palm Club) is my favorite, but you may not want to spend that much on your room if you won't really be able to spend much time enjoying the band, etc. I will say that GF makes my daughters feel like princesses (and they are 16 and 11 now)! I like SL at GF (the outer building CL), and it is less expensive than RPC, but the only water view you can get is of the marina (or the swimming pool). I like the marina view, personally. One last suggestion...you might consider taking your daughter to Akershus in Norway at Epcot for breakfast or dinner. There is always Cinderella's Royal Table too which is really nice, but we have always liked Akershus. Your daughter would have her picture taken with Princess Belle there...which was always my younger daughter's favorite before Elsa. Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll add Elsa to Akershus by May 2016! They are working on a Frozen ride in Norway after all!

 

[CowgirlTN]

You guys are awesome. I called Disney this morning and got rates without any discounts because they haven't released any yet for next May. Without the discounts I start at $4000 for animal kingdom and go up to $7000 for grand Floridian. Why you guys are awesome. I called Disney this morning and got rates without any discounts because they haven't released any yet for next May. Without the discounts I start at $4000 for animal kingdom and go up to $7000 such a price difference ? The BC was $5000.

 

[Dispro1]

You guys are awesome. I called Disney this morning and got rates without any discounts because they haven't released any yet for next May. Without the discounts I start at $4000 for animal kingdom and go up to $7000 for grand Floridian. Why you guys are awesome. I called Disney this morning and got rates without any discounts because they haven't released any yet for next May. Without the discounts I start at $4000 for animal kingdom and go up to $7000 such a price difference ? The BC was $5000.

Just to relieve your stress a bit, we have NEVER had to pay full price at Disney (unless it's rack rate for the room but free dining)! You do have to keep watching for discounts, however, so they don't sell out at your resort/room category before you have them apply the discount or free dining. If you keep up with these threads, however, I'm sure you'll know in time since people are constantly checking! BC is very nice. I'll be there in 3 weeks! The only problem with BC is that it's a pain to get to MK. But the pool (SAB) is awesome and its proximity to Epcot and HS is great! You can definitely get a water view there too, but the rooms are smaller than at the monorail resorts. IMO, AK lodge is too far from everything, but a lot of people love it anyway. Good luck with your decision!

 

[loveshak22]

You guys are awesome. I called Disney this morning and got rates without any discounts because they haven't released any yet for next May. Without the discounts I start at $4000 for animal kingdom and go up to $7000 for grand Floridian. Why you guys are awesome. I called Disney this morning and got rates without any discounts because they haven't released any yet for next May. Without the discounts I start at $4000 for animal kingdom and go up to $7000 such a price difference ? The BC was $5000.

I think all the suggestions you've gotten so far are great but I thought I'd jump in on AKL CL. My DH and I went in 2013 and stayed AKL CL and really loved the resort. Some of the pros of AKL - beautiful, relaxing resort, great pool, and with CL you get a Savannah View. Before we arrived I was worried that we wouldn't actually see many animals or they'd only be out certain times but I was wrong. We saw all sorts of animals all throughout the day. We saw tons of giraffes (and adorable baby giraffes) and we even saw two giraffes chasing a wart hog - that was a fun show. The food at AKL is also excellent across the board. We went at the end of January so it was "low season" technically (although we ran into plenty of crowds at the parks) but the hotel CL was not packed. We never had a problem with finding a table or there not being enough food. The CL staff were extremely friendly and helpful. There's also a special morning safari you can take if you are staying CL and it was so much fun. You meet at the CL and then they divided us into two vehicles with a lead animal caretaker in each vehicle that answer all your questions about the animals. Then you take a behind-the-scene tour to AK where you see where the animals sleep at night and learn other fun facts. Then you get to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris before the park opens. It's the same ride as when the park is open but much slower. They stop and talk about the animals and let you take tons of pictures. Then you get a private breakfast at Tusker House. And it's reasonably priced...Of course I just typed all of that and Googled to see what the current price of the tour is and found it's been discontinued: http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...isney's-animal-kingdom-to-be-discontinued.htm. Well - so much for that LOL! But they do have other tours you should look into!

Some of the cons of AKL (although none of these really bothered us): It is further our from all of the parks and the only options are buses or driving yourself. At Poly, GF, and CR you have boats, monorail, and walking (from CR) to MK and the monorail to Epcot. From WL you have the bus and boat to choose from to get to MK and then buses everywhere else or taking the boat to CR or MK to catch the monorail for Epcot. At the Epcot resorts you can walk to Epcot and HS or take boats and then bus options. AKL is only buses as far as WDW transportation. Also, the walk to the room from the lobby or CL lounge can be longer than some people like because the Savannah rooms are in this horseshoe shape so if you are at the middle or end of the "horseshoe" then it's a walk. Although there are a lot of windows in the halls to look out at the animals...and for us it didn't seem "long" at all but I have heard this as a complaint at AKL. I've also heard people complain about the size of the room. But it was fine for my DH and me.

Hopefully that helps with info for the AKL!

As a side note, I've also stayed at WL (non CL) and loved it. My DH and I loved the theming, it was quiet and relaxing, Artist Point is incredible, and the staff were friendly.

We've not stayed at GF (our first CL RPC stay will be this November) but I agree that it's probably the best for the "princess" feel and still giving your DH the water view!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Help me decide where to stay please. We have a 4 night stay and I want to in the MK area. We have a 2 year old and the pool will be important because we will be going there daily. There are more rooms released under the late summer sale for our dates so I want to make sure I am making the right choice. We are currently (moved into because of the sale) in a deluxe room at the Wilderness Lodge- it like $529 a night. We don't need the deluxe room, but it was available so I thought why not. Well now I can get a regular club level room at the WL for like $399 so that would be a savings and I would be closer to the lounge. Or I can do the Poly CL for $599 - but is there pool still under construction? The money isn't necessarily the most important thing- I just want to make the best decision. And we probably don't need the space of the deluxe.

I recommend the GF or CR right now over the Poly. There's just too much construction around the Hawaii building (club level) for me right now and I'm guessing with a 2 year old you'll need quiet nap time and not construction noise all day.