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

[TigrLvsPooh]

We were blessed with an upgrade to YC CL yesterday, with a water view!! We had booked WL CL for one night to end our trip, but Disney blessed us with 6 more nights!!! Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We checkin tomorrow! Maybe we'll be neighbors

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[NicoleLarson]

So my DH and I are coming to WDW for just one night and of course our quick and cheap get away has snow balled. Now I am thinking we might as well just go for CL since we never get time just to ourselves and its just one night. So here's the big question, where do we stay? We will be going in two weeks so our options are a bit limited so maybe give me your top two choices? Oh and we are NOT doing a park, just relaxing for some well needed couple time. Budget is a bit of concern so I think GF and CR are out.

 

[DonnaDuck333]

So my DH and I are coming to WDW for just one night and of course our quick and cheap get away has snow balled. Now I am thinking we might as well just go for CL since we never get time just to ourselves and its just one night. So here's the big question, where do we stay? We will be going in two weeks so our options are a bit limited so maybe give me your top two choices? Oh and we are NOT doing a park, just relaxing for some well needed couple time. Budget is a bit of concern so I think GF and CR are out.

My Husband and I thought Animal kingdom lodge was very romantic and loved the exotic feel of the lobby and surroundings. The club level staff is always looking to tend to your needs and are top notch, the food offerings are delicious and because they have a small kitchen in the back, they refresh often. The wine selections are from Africa and are in my opinion much better than the other resorts club level. Also they offer Mimosa in the morning which on vacation was such a treat. Other clubs we been to didn't offer that.

We were able to just do resorts days and enjoy the animals at the viewing stations, and sit by the pool and have a drinks at the thatch roof looking tropical bar ( so cute ). Or in the evening, the bar which is called Victoria Falls is just spectacular in theme and atmosphere. We went there after our amazing meal at Jiko's which is the resorts signature restaurant. Boma's is there buffet style Restaurant which is awesome too...

Also they offer so much here for free, like sitting around a gorgeous large open pit fire with seating all around, with an African cast member telling their native stories. So enjoyable. They have night vision goggles you can use to view the animals at night. I believe you can also book a Sunrise Safari which is extra, but was such an amazing experience, they serve you a private Breakfast buffet that is very special and so delicious for your group after the safari. We loved it.

So I am a huge fan of Animal Kingdom Club level for couples. We have done Grand Floridian, Wilderness, And Beach Club..... I so enjoyed our stay here. Good luck with what ever you decide is best

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

I second AKL CL. It is so beautiful and other worldly. Also the food is wonderful, the CL CMs are out of this world.

 

[Celine]

*sniff* I so wish they (AKL) had rooms in CL that could accommodate 5. When I tried to book there it was so outragiously expensive, but it's because they don't have standard CL rooms for 5, so you have to upgrade to some outrageous super deluxe room! It sounds so amazing!! Someday, though!!

 

[Jen7079]

Has anyone used the IPO to book the Illuminations cruise? Would I be better off calling myself?

Also, has anyone done the illuminations cruise?

Jennifer

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

We have CL at AKL booked in January. Is it too soon to send them a "hello" with some of our questions about ADRs and special safari tours? Would it be better to wait until we are closer to our ADR date in July?

 

[NicoleLarson]

I second AKL CL. It is so beautiful and other worldly. Also the food is wonderful, the CL CMs are out of this world.

Thx all! Just booked AKL CL. So excited, can't wait for some mimosas!

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Thx all! Just booked AKL CL. So excited, can't wait for some mimosas!

AKL is my favorite place. We call it home! I love the mimosas.

 

[ninafeliz]

Has anyone used the IPO to book the Illuminations cruise? Would I be better off calling myself?

Also, has anyone done the illuminations cruise?

Jennifer

I've done the illuminations cruise twice. The first time was 11 years ago the night of our wedding. We booked 2 boats, and back then we had to call on the exact AM reservations opened up to get the boats. We had fun, but for some reason they didn't decorate the boats even though we did tell them it was our wedding reception, essentially. The other boats were decorated for birthdays. Tha'ts just an aside, I really didn't care, it just would have been a nice touch. (actualy, I guess I must care, since I mentioned it 11 yrs later!!)

Then we did it again in October last year. That time I called and booked it on a whim a few weeks before out trip, and had no problem getting a boat. I don't know why, if it's priced itself out of contention or I just got lucky. But not too many boats went out that night.

It's very enjoyable. They take you on a cruise of the waterways around The Swan/Dolphin/YC/BC/BW, up to Hollywood studios, and then dock under the bridge by the international gateway at Epcot. It's a great view of Illuminations, particularly if you get the first row of boats under the bridge. They had drinks and snacks available for the regular price of the boat last year, which was an addition from 2003.

I would say we really enjoyed it both times, but didn't have our socks knocked off (if you know what i mean). Was it worth it? I think if you have to scrimp and save for your disney trip, this is a lot of money and you could spend it elsewhere and get more bang for your buck. If you've been to Disney a lot and never did this, if you just loooove illuminations and want a great view, if you have to have a great view and are there in a busy season and don't want to hold a spot for a long time, or if you just plain old don't have to worry about your vacation budget then definately go for it!

I hope this helped

Oh, having IPO book it. Sure, I would. We didn't because we decided for some random reason at home when planning the trip, and I just picked up the phone and called. 11 yrs ago we didn't because, well, we weren't staying CL, had no idea CL existed, and wouldn't have been able to imagine ever being able to stay CL I guess I should stop and think how lucky I really am every time I grumble about little things during the day or throughout life

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Hi everyone, this may seem like an "odd" question but...we are staying CL at AK in August. My DD8 is hoping or wanting the bunk beds, if we do happen to get a room with bunkbeds and if for some reason Daddy or myself, which for some reason I know it will be me getting stuck on the bottom bunk can you view the TV clearly? Just wondering if "my nighthawk tv viewing" is going to be obstructed? Thanks for any input

 

[epsmith921]

I'm unsure whether or not we will buy mugs this stay since we are CL. Is it ok to bring old mugs to pour a can of soda from the lounge into and take to the pool? Is it necessary?

We packed our own tervis tumblers when we stayed club level. This would be the same as the old mug I would think. The CL lounge have us huge glass water bottles for our room so it was nice to have the cups to pour them into. We had sippy cups for our daughter as well anyway so it was easy to wash them all at night with the little presoaped sponge pieces I packed.

 

[Jen7079]

I've done the illuminations cruise twice. The first time was 11 years ago the night of our wedding. We booked 2 boats, and back then we had to call on the exact AM reservations opened up to get the boats. We had fun, but for some reason they didn't decorate the boats even though we did tell them it was our wedding reception, essentially. The other boats were decorated for birthdays. Tha'ts just an aside, I really didn't care, it just would have been a nice touch. (actualy, I guess I must care, since I mentioned it 11 yrs later!!)

Then we did it again in October last year. That time I called and booked it on a whim a few weeks before out trip, and had no problem getting a boat. I don't know why, if it's priced itself out of contention or I just got lucky. But not too many boats went out that night.

It's very enjoyable. They take you on a cruise of the waterways around The Swan/Dolphin/YC/BC/BW, up to Hollywood studios, and then dock under the bridge by the international gateway at Epcot. It's a great view of Illuminations, particularly if you get the first row of boats under the bridge. They had drinks and snacks available for the regular price of the boat last year, which was an addition from 2003.

I would say we really enjoyed it both times, but didn't have our socks knocked off (if you know what i mean). Was it worth it? I think if you have to scrimp and save for your disney trip, this is a lot of money and you could spend it elsewhere and get more bang for your buck. If you've been to Disney a lot and never did this, if you just loooove illuminations and want a great view, if you have to have a great view and are there in a busy season and don't want to hold a spot for a long time, or if you just plain old don't have to worry about your vacation budget then definately go for it!

I hope this helped

Oh, having IPO book it. Sure, I would. We didn't because we decided for some random reason at home when planning the trip, and I just picked up the phone and called. 11 yrs ago we didn't because, well, we weren't staying CL, had no idea CL existed, and wouldn't have been able to imagine ever being able to stay CL I guess I should stop and think how lucky I really am every time I grumble about little things during the day or throughout life

Thank you! I would have been disappointed by the lack of decorations also. The IPO was able to book it for me and I am pretty excited.

 

[pink5683]

Just booked Yacht Club CL for the first week of December! So excited!

 

[TPTraveler]

We were blessed with an upgrade to YC CL yesterday, with a water view!! We had booked WL CL for one night to end our trip, but Disney blessed us with 6 more nights!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

How absolutely fantastic!! Enjoy!

 

[Celine]

Quick question about GF SL, do all of the rooms have a balcony? If so, do the first floor ones have like a fence or something of that nature, or is it just an open concrete slab that you can walk in and out of?

 

[abk96]

Quick question about GF SL, do all of the rooms have a balcony? If so, do the first floor ones have like a fence or something of that nature, or is it just an open concrete slab that you can walk in and out of?

The first floor rooms have a railing around the patio. I think all the rooms have balconies and the dormer rooms have an enclosed balcony which has a wall type of railing instead of the spindles.

I think I remember reading about one room in SL that is Deluxe that doesn't have a balcony.

 

[Celine]

Oh perfect! Thank you! I was a little concerned about it just being an open patio, but as long as there is a railing or something, we'll be fine. I mean, assuming they put us on the first floor.

Thanks again!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Hey everyone!

I am so excited to say that we just booked for the Princess Half Marathon in Feb. We are staying BWI CL Deluxe at this time. One of my friends mentioned going with a 2 bedroom villa instead but I was unsure if CL is available when you stay in the villas.

Thanks

 

[disney meema]

Quick question about GF SL, do all of the rooms have a balcony? If so, do the first floor ones have like a fence or something of that nature, or is it just an open concrete slab that you can walk in and out of?

Yep the first floors have wooden bannister style fencing ... We did have a duck come in our room when we left the door open lol he saw us and headed right out. I can't remember how he got through the fencing? This with in 2005 and we had a beautiful corner theme park view in conch key with 2 patio balcony areas, one facing magic kingdom and lake and the other the marina. Wow what a fun trip it was our twin grandsons 5th birthday : )