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

[xjay]

Run the math. How much of a discount is FD? DDP is $60 per day for adults/kids over 9, and $19 per child (ages 3-9), kids under 3 eat free at buffets, but you pay oop if they order from menu.

So figure2 adults, two kids 3-9, FD = $158 per day.
If you can nab a 30% discount, that = $200 off a Tower room, bay lake view on a weekday October 1-19. That room w/30% off is $462/night, w/tax.

At 30% off, a standard CL room (= Bay Lake view) is $628/night w/tax.

In that case, CL is $165 extra per night at CR. (over non CL)

Generally, I fine that the 30% off is slightly better deal at deluxes than free DDP- unless maybe you have 4ppl in your room over age 9. You can get the 30%off and PAY for the DDP , if you like, or just wing it. We usually find we spend less than the DDP, if we just wing it.

As for the value of CL, $166 is a bit high...That =$41.50 per person/day. Breakfast in CL easily = $13pp, afternoon cookies easily =$4 pp...beer is $6 each, wine about $11each Appetizers/desserts are a little harder to price...but if everyone gets breakfast, , a latte, a snack, and a glass of wine that's about $32 per person. You'd have to eat $9 of appetizers/desserts- to reach the value purely in food costs.

Now, CL is more than food costs, and the math I'm using is very fuzzy. When I say a beer is worth $6, that's at TS prices. Obviously, a six pack of Sam Adams is not $36 at the Publix grocery store.

Since this is your first onsite stay, I'd say probably not. But that depends what your offsite style has been. Offsite could be $39/night motels/condos, or Ritz/Four Seasons deluxe suites. If you are inclined towards budget vacationing, then maybe CL won't seem like much of a value. I don't say that as any kind of insult. We personally run the gamut...from low budget getaways, other times we are a little more luxury. Luxury at bargain prices is always a bonus!

The value of CL is not just food. It is the extra service. It is having a staff person on hand all day to answer questions. Like maybe you were planning to go from MK to Hoop De Doo...but instead you went back to the resort. Now you are running late, and need to know who to get there quickly. Anyone can stand in line and use the concierge desk...CL guests have no lie, and the CL staff is happy to call ahead for a taxi- if you decide taxi is best. But if you don't need that service, you might not see any value in having it.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think we are going to stick with CL and try it out. I'm super excited ! Hopefully staying there will help change my boyfriend's mind about trips to Disney

 

[mickeynut1]

I'm thinking about staying at the Atrium Club Level at the Contemporary since that's the only thing available left with a MK view during FD in Dec. Is it worth it paying that much for CL when we already have FD available to us? I'm not sure how much time we're going to be at the resort and how much we're going to be using the lounge. Not sure if I should splurge a little bit for my birthday week or not. This will be our first on-site stay. Thanks for the input!

I think we are going to stick with CL and try it out. I'm super excited ! Hopefully staying there will help change my boyfriend's mind about trips to Disney

If the extra cost is doable, I'd give CL a try. We don't stay CL every trip, but when we do, we do it more for the lounge than for the food offerings. The food offerings are a great perk, but I love having the lounge for another place to sit and relax, rather than in the room or around the resort. I can't comment specifically on CR CL as we've never stayed there, but I have read nothing but great things about it. Have a great trip .

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Does anyone know if they do any special touches for birthdays at YC-CL? We're staying for two nights this Friday. My friend's birthday is on the 24th (celebrating early) and I didn't know if they did any special touches (besides the big ones you pay for through Disney Florist). Thanks in advance!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Does anyone know if they do any special touches for birthdays at YC-CL? We're staying for two nights this Friday. My friend's birthday is on the 24th (celebrating early) and I didn't know if they did any special touches (besides the big ones you pay for through Disney Florist). Thanks in advance!

It varies. We've celebrated a lot of birthdays at YC CL and BC CL. Sometimes we only get the birthday button at check-in and nothing else. Sometimes we get a birthday card from Mickey with an autograph. Last time I mentioned to the CM working the desk one morning that it was DS's birthday that day and he gave us a few balloons and a card. Then there have been a handful of very special surprises when we've come back to the room and found chocolates or a bunch of candy or chocolate covered strawberries. One year I had a special card and framed photo of Tinkerbell with a basket of candies. One other time we had a beautiful bunch of pink flowers and a card. I can't determine any rhyme or reason for why we sometimes get these extra goodies. Maybe it just depends on who is on duty that particular week, or how busy the staff is. Or maybe it's just totally random. That's what makes it such a nice surprise!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

It varies. We've celebrated a lot of birthdays at YC CL and BC CL. Sometimes we only get the birthday button at check-in and nothing else. Sometimes we get a birthday card from Mickey with an autograph. Last time I mentioned to the CM working the desk one morning that it was DS's birthday that day and he gave us a few balloons and a card. Then there have been a handful of very special surprises when we've come back to the room and found chocolates or a bunch of candy or chocolate covered strawberries. One year I had a special card and framed photo of Tinkerbell with a basket of candies. One other time we had a beautiful bunch of pink flowers and a card. I can't determine any rhyme or reason for why we sometimes get these extra goodies. Maybe it just depends on who is on duty that particular week, or how busy the staff is. Or maybe it's just totally random. That's what makes it such a nice surprise!

Thanks! Would you suggest me telling the CM upon arrival (my friend's won't be arriving till that night and I'm checking in Friday morning) or calling WDW Reservations to have them note it?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Thanks! Would you suggest me telling the CM upon arrival (my friend's won't be arriving till that night and I'm checking in Friday morning) or calling WDW Reservations to have them note it?

If you really want to increase your chances of getting something special I would do 4 things. First I would call CRO and have them add it to your reservation. Then I would email IPO and have them add it to their system notes. Then when it gets closer to your trip, maybe a week before, I would call IPO and talk to a CM about how it's a special birthday, how you're planning to celebrate, etc, which I think increases the chance they might actually remember to send a card. Then last, but not least, I would tell the CM who is working the desk when you check-in that it's a birthday trip. If you do all 4 of those things I think you'll definitely increase your chance of getting a card or candy, etc.

Also remember you can do in-room celebration cakes by calling room service. They have the small ones that are chocolate or vanilla and then they have larger custom cakes you can create and specialize. We've been doing those the last few years and we love them!

 

[thisismyusername]

Thanks! Would you suggest me telling the CM upon arrival (my friend's won't be arriving till that night and I'm checking in Friday morning) or calling WDW Reservations to have them note it?

I would note it with reservations and follow up with the staff if you're looking for something special. I just got a beautiful bunch of balloons tied to 3 full-sized candy bars (which my kids loved) at Boardwalk. And my husband received a bunch of balloons and a handful of chocolates for his birthday at the CR this past March. In June, we were celebrating both our anniversary and my daughter's 13th birthday at YC CL, and nothing but buttons. We didn't even get the normal chocolates you're given (or replenishing of our toiletries)... so I can't say that they're the most celebratory CL staff in my experience.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Thanks everyone!! Sadly, I just got home from work a little bit ago and didn't get a chance to call reservations and add the note. I'll probably just tell them at check-in or I guess I could call reservations before I check in later today!

 

[Momtomouselover]

We leave in just a couple days for our trip. We are staying in the POR royal room for 3 days then moving to AKL CL for 3 days and then have a 1 night stay in a savannah room. I have been trying to move or add that last night to our CL stay but nothing is available (booked with discount). Do you think availability might come by check in? If not, can we still use the CL lounge and/or services for that one day even though we check out and move to another room?

 

[Scott MC]

We leave in just a couple days for our trip. We are staying in the POR royal room for 3 days then moving to AKL CL for 3 days and then have a 1 night stay in a savannah room. I have been trying to move or add that last night to our CL stay but nothing is available (booked with discount). Do you think availability might come by check in? If not, can we still use the CL lounge and/or services for that one day even though we check out and move to another room?

Good luck! Almost the exact same thing happened to us about three years ago. We were planning on two nights, but they only had club level available for one night. So I booked one night club and one night not. I practically begged at check-in, no I didn't make a scene, but I begged as politely and sweetly as I could but they were absolutely full. The hysterical yet kind of irritating thing was that our savanna view room and the club level room we had to move to were exactly 4 doors apart!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mickeynut1]

We leave in just a couple days for our trip. We are staying in the POR royal room for 3 days then moving to AKL CL for 3 days and then have a 1 night stay in a savannah room. I have been trying to move or add that last night to our CL stay but nothing is available (booked with discount). Do you think availability might come by check in? If not, can we still use the CL lounge and/or services for that one day even though we check out and move to another room?

It never hurts to ask, so I would do just that at check in. Good luck .

As far as lounge access on the day you change rooms, normally you have access to CL all day on your check out day, but I'm not sure if once you check out of the CL room and check in for the savanna room if your CL access is deactivated . Hopefully someone who has done that will be able to help with that question .

 

[Momtomouselover]

Ha! Just got lucky and a CL room became available this morning for our last night. Yay!

 

[thisismyusername]

Checking into Poly in a few mins. If anyone has any questions...

In regards to the pp, we checked out of YC CL in June, and then decided to stay one more night in a standard room since we were leaving before the lounge opened and it didn't make any sense to stay CL. We were allowed access to the lounge all day, even though we were technically checked out of CL and into a non CL room. You may need to ask them to finagle your MBs or give you a new set to keep access once you use your bands to enter the new room.

 

[mickeynut1]

Ha! Just got lucky and a CL room became available this morning for our last night. Yay!

Glad that night opened up....have a great trip .

 

[stone0990]

Hi!

We are staying Atrium CL Standard View in September! YAY!! Our flight does not land until almost 10:00 pm, so I am wondering if there is any advantage to online check in with that late of arrival, or if we should wait to check in when we arrive?

We will have a rental car, so will not use ME!

Thanks!

 

[shoreward]

We leave in just a couple days for our trip. We are staying in the POR royal room for 3 days then moving to AKL CL for 3 days and then have a 1 night stay in a savannah room. I have been trying to move or add that last night to our CL stay but nothing is available (booked with discount). Do you think availability might come by check in? If not, can we still use the CL lounge and/or services for that one day even though we check out and move to another room?

Club access should be valid till 11:00 pm the day of check-out from CL; however, a CM will need to give you something like a key card, programmed for your Club access for the balance of that day.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Hi!I am wondering if there is any advantage to online check in with that late of arrival, or if we should wait to check in when we arrive? Thanks!

If you arrive at any hotel after 10pm, check in is via the front desk. I can't say there is much advantage one way or the other (for you). The hotels like the pre-check, but I don't think for you there will be much difference either way.

At CR specifically, we've been asked to check-in via the front desk even during the day. Of all CL's, CR is the only place we've been more regularly asked to check in via the front desk, and we've stayed a number of times. (via both ME and car).

One thing you should do, is make sure the hotel knows of your late arrival. After midnight, WDW can treat no shows as no shows, and release the room.
You flight is scheduled to arrive at 10pm, but there's always a solid chance of flight delays. Weather delays are very common any time of year.

Either way, I doubt you'll experience long lines at check-in. The process is slightly faster if you do the online check in, but only slightly.

 

[stone0990]

If you arrive at any hotel after 10pm, check in is via the front desk. I can't say there is much advantage one way or the other (for you). The hotels like the pre-check, but I don't think for you there will be much difference either way.

At CR specifically, we've been asked to check-in via the front desk even during the day. Of all CL's, CR is the only place we've been more regularly asked to check in via the front desk, and we've stayed a number of times. (via both ME and car).

One thing you should do, is make sure the hotel knows of your late arrival. After midnight, WDW can treat no shows as no shows, and release the room.
You flight is scheduled to arrive at 10pm, but there's always a solid chance of flight delays. Weather delays are very common any time of year.

Either way, I doubt you'll experience long lines at check-in. The process is slightly faster if you do the online check in, but only slightly.

Thank you! I thought I had read that Disney was trying out a new process where you would receive your room number before arrival with online check in allowing you to go straight to your room upon arrival? Either way, I will be sure and let them know our flight information! Thank you!! **I just re-read the information on the room number assignment! It was only a test at POR in June! I didn't see any update that it has been extended for additional trials**

 

[mickeynut1]

One thing you should do, is make sure the hotel knows of your late arrival. After midnight, WDW can treat no shows as no shows, and release the room.

stone0990 shouldn't have any problem checking in late. The computers don't roll over until 6 am the next day and although midnight is technically the next day, it is still the current day as far as reservations are concerned. A guest has until just before 6 am the next day to check in before a room is cancelled/released. In all of our trips, we have checked in after midnight more times than not and have never had our room cancelled (or the thread of it being cancelled).

 

[tiger4me2]

Club access should be valid till 11:00 pm the day of check-out from CL; however, a CM will need to give you something like a key card, programmed for your Club access for the balance of that day.

Your band that you use during your stay is good up until 11:59PM of your check out day. The Club level at most resorts closes at 10PM . But you don't need another band. Unless you go to another resort but band is still good. This is my views only..