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

[secretdisbride]

Secretdisbride,

Yes, you are allowed to take food to your room, and you'll have a fridge. We often stay out late, and do this so we have a late night snack available.

With CL, there is no need to have any groceries delivered, unless perhaps you really want a certain item that the lounge does not provide. One item the lounge at GF does not provide is bottled water. We usually rent a car and pick some up. (maybe the Hess stations on property)

One option we used in the past for water was Costco (you don't need a membership). The only problem is that some resorts charge a fee for items that are delivered, and I think GF might be one that does. (last time we did, we were at BC.) There is a good thread with updated info on delivery to hotels.

As for fresh fruit, GF has: bananas, apples, oranges and pears. They also put out melon chunks in the morning. If you are lucky you might also see grapes, maybe a tiny handful of blueberries. (a garnish on one platter for everyone in the lounge to share! )

As for yogurt, the yogurt they serve at all other CL's is packaged, at GF it's served in an open bowl with a spoon. You could maybe transfer some to a paper cup (all CL's have them, just ask). The staff might also be willing to give you a packaged yogurt if you ask, the resort has them.

Other non- bread items they have are sliced turkey and oatmeal.

Thank you so much! This is helpful - I was wondering about water too... I was going to do an amazon prime and/or pantry for diapers, wipes, pre-packaged snacks to take to the park - so now I'll just add some water!

 

[pixarmom]

Hello CL Fans! Just back from a couple weeks of travel, including a short value stay at WDW (ASMu) with the kids and then Paris/London with the entire family.

After our value stay (hadn't stayed value in 20 years!) I thought I'd stop by to offer a few thoughts regarding CL. We had a great time at ASMu and it exceeded all of my expectations! Our rate ($67/night) was amazing and it's funny to think of the difference between that and our BWI CL and Poly CL rooms earlier this year. Of course, we started thinking about "is CL worth it" for our upcoming January split between AKL CL, GF CL and BWI CL.

We have three boys - ages 7, 14 and 15 and the answer for us, at least for now, is that CL remains worth it. For short trips, a value was great, especially when traveling with the kids on my own, spending a TON of time in the parks and when it's sandwiched in between other trips. But for longer stays, the resort is part of the experience and our park time is spread out more.

So once we've decided to stay deluxe, the CL addition becomes worth it for our family of five. Breakfast is so convenient and allows our little one to sit in the lounge for a while with one of us while our teenagers can sleep in more and then "grab and go" with breakfast. (I can handle breakfast at a value, but the kids had to negotiate more - one day at the food court at 6:30am, one day grab-and-go and one day where I actually did both so that our youngest could go to the food court and our oldest could sleep in and then grab-and-go.) While I enjoy snack purchases in the parks on-the-go for a couple days, I prefer the all-inclusive feel of CL for longer stays. I'll include evening appetizers in that calculation, because there is seriously no end to the amount our oldest son can consume - still not sure where it all goes! That down time in the lounge is also important when we're staying for more than a couple days - helps to get everyone out of the park for a bit in the afternoon. The other factor is the extra space and relative serenity of the lounge - I know that exists at BWI and I'm hoping it will at AKL and GF too! Finally, if this text-for-FP+ is really true, the value of CL just increased significantly. I didn't have much difficulty changing around our FP+ on our last trip (our third trip with FP+) but a text would be even easier!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Hello CL Fans! Just back from a couple weeks of travel, including a short value stay at WDW (ASMu) with the kids and then Paris/London with the entire family.

After our value stay (hadn't stayed value in 20 years!) I thought I'd stop by to offer a few thoughts regarding CL. We had a great time at ASMu and it exceeded all of my expectations! Our rate ($67/night) was amazing and it's funny to think of the difference between that and our BWI CL and Poly CL rooms earlier this year. Of course, we started thinking about "is CL worth it" for our upcoming January split between AKL CL, GF CL and BWI CL.

We have three boys - ages 7, 14 and 15 and the answer for us, at least for now, is that CL remains worth it. For short trips, a value was great, especially when traveling with the kids on my own, spending a TON of time in the parks and when it's sandwiched in between other trips. But for longer stays, the resort is part of the experience and our park time is spread out more.

So once we've decided to stay deluxe, the CL addition becomes worth it for our family of five. Breakfast is so convenient and allows our little one to sit in the lounge for a while with one of us while our teenagers can sleep in more and then "grab and go" with breakfast. (I can handle breakfast at a value, but the kids had to negotiate more - one day at the food court at 6:30am, one day grab-and-go and one day where I actually did both so that our youngest could go to the food court and our oldest could sleep in and then grab-and-go.) While I enjoy snack purchases in the parks on-the-go for a couple days, I prefer the all-inclusive feel of CL for longer stays. I'll include evening appetizers in that calculation, because there is seriously no end to the amount our oldest son can consume - still not sure where it all goes! That down time in the lounge is also important when we're staying for more than a couple days - helps to get everyone out of the park for a bit in the afternoon. The other factor is the extra space and relative serenity of the lounge - I know that exists at BWI and I'm hoping it will at AKL and GF too! Finally, if this text-for-FP+ is really true, the value of CL just increased significantly. I didn't have much difficulty changing around our FP+ on our last trip (our third trip with FP+) but a text would be even easier!

Welcome back! I'm glad you enjoyed ASMu! I totally agree with you, the kids and I do values sometimes when we take short trips, very easy and convenient. I'm staying at AOA at the end of this month by myself and looking forward to it, I think they are a great bargain!
I'm sure Paris and London were amazing!!!! I would love to take my kids there.

 

[sdd1841]

Just checked in at AKL CL and noticed a sign that says there's trivia at 715 and the winner gets additional FP+'s!

Fun. Was the trivia just for CL? Checking in at AKL CL sept 15

 

[BabyFu18]

What is this text for FP+ that people are talking about? Did I totally miss something, I've looked back a few pages and see it mentioned in passing but nothing to specific about it. Anyone care to elaborate?

 

[ltlbityjen]

Hi! We are staying at the CR and will be using the 14th floor CL. This may be a dumb question, but do they have Coffee mate creamer in the lounges? If they do, do they have flavored? It will save me from having to bring it

 

[mickeynut1]

My family is staying at club level for the first time in December, we haven't stayed at a deluxe resort in 15 years so it will certainly be an exciting experience. Can't wait to see all that the Beach Club has to offer! thanks for the great info on club level!

Hope you have a great trip .

I haven't stayed at the GF since it first opened years ago! And now I am planning a trip for the first time with our three boys (1, 2, & 4). We are staying at Sugar Loaf and I am trying to figure out if there is any need to have groceries delivered for milk for the boys as well as fresh fruit and yogurt (everyone gets up at 5 am in our house... so wanted to have some stuff in the fridge...). I am thinking the lounge will have milk, bananas etc. that I can take up the room, but wanted to confirm with folks who are in the know...

Thank you in advance for all the helpful replies!

As has been posted, the lounge does have things like milk, fruit, etc, so I think you would be fine without a grocery delivery .

Checking in at AKL CL sept 15

Have a great time .

What is this text for FP+ that people are talking about? Did I totally miss something, I've looked back a few pages and see it mentioned in passing but nothing to specific about it. Anyone care to elaborate?

I have only seen this mentioned as well and while I don't have any details, it sounds like a great perk for CL guests .

 

[prgal0715]

Fun. Was the trivia just for CL? Checking in at AKL CL sept 15

Just back from ten days at AKL CL and yes, the 7:15 trivia is just for CL. My team won the FPs, but let me tell you - the questions aren't easy!! We only won because I knew the crazy answer to the bonus question.

 

[MaryPoppinz]

Does anybody know what's happening around Dec 5-10? My friends want to stay CL at GR RPC or CR and there is no availability at either of those and it looks like availability is limited at lots of resorts...

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Thank you so much! This is helpful - I was wondering about water too... I was going to do an amazon prime and/or pantry for diapers, wipes, pre-packaged snacks to take to the park - so now I'll just add some water!

Do look into the resort fees for packages! The fee we had last time made buying water not much of a deal or convenience. Especially since we had to have it delivered to our room. (Unlike the value resorts, where guests pick up from the front desk upon arrival.)

It also occurred to me after I posed that most CL's have milk in cartons. GF has all kinds of milk - including soy - at breakfast, but they are served from dispensers. You can use paper cups (kept in a cabinet), but maybe if you ask the staff could provide cartons.

 

[mickeynut1]

Does anybody know what's happening around Dec 5-10? My friends want to stay CL at GR RPC or CR and there is no availability at either of those and it looks like availability is limited at lots of resorts...

The taping of the Christmas parade is that weekend and Pop Warner is December 6-13. PW doesn't effect the deluxe resorts so much, but that would be part of the reason the values and some of the mods are booked for that time frame. I also think the Poly construction/pool closure/renovations has pushed a lot of people to change to the GF and CR.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

What is this text for FP+ that people are talking about?

It is a new service being tested- right now only at CR and GF. CL guests access the IPO via text message. Mostly it is useful to book a 4th FP, but they also do things like check dining options during normal IPO hours- 7am to 10pm.

CL guests still have to use their first three FP+ each day before requesting their fourth....BUT....It's way easier than using the in-park kiosk!

The CM's can only give you a fourth FP form what is available. In practice, it is only useful at MK, and don't expect an extra FP for the Mtns. (more: Buzz, PotC, HM) There is also some back and forth texting, which isn't always easy. In some cases, the extra FP enabled us to bypass a 20min line. Other attractions had no line- and thus we were sort of crisscrossing the park more than we needed. But, we ended up getting at least four extra FP one night at MK. It was sweet to avoid all standbys.

Then again, the in-park kiosk strikes me as absurd. People wait 20min in the hot sunny queue, to bypass a queue that might not exist?

In practice, Universal's FotLA system is much simpler! The CM's on the texting service were excellent, and very helpful. Still, sending text messages back and forth was a definite distraction in the parks.

 

[gottalovepluto]

What is Universal's FotLA system?

 

[pixarmom]

It is a new service being tested- right now only at CR and GF. CL guests access the IPO via text message. Mostly it is useful to book a 4th FP, but they also do things like check dining options during normal IPO hours- 7am to 10pm.

CL guests still have to use their first three FP+ each day before requesting their fourth....BUT....It's way easier than using the in-park kiosk!

The CM's can only give you a fourth FP form what is available. In practice, it is only useful at MK, and don't expect an extra FP for the Mtns. (more: Buzz, PotC, HM) There is also some back and forth texting, which isn't always easy. In some cases, the extra FP enabled us to bypass a 20min line. Other attractions had no line- and thus we were sort of crisscrossing the park more than we needed. But, we ended up getting at least four extra FP one night at MK. It was sweet to avoid all standbys.

Then again, the in-park kiosk strikes me as absurd. People wait 20min in the hot sunny queue, to bypass a queue that might not exist?

In practice, Universal's FotLA system is much simpler! The CM's on the texting service were excellent, and very helpful. Still, sending text messages back and forth was a definite distraction in the parks.

Can the CL CMs also assist with changing FP+? One of the things I really like about the FP+ system is the ability to change FP+ times when we're running behind or want to fit something else in. I've done that both on my phone and at the kiosks (but in Epcot, not MK.) If the CL CMs can assist with FP+ time changes, that would be great!

 

[pixarmom]

Welcome back! I'm glad you enjoyed ASMu! I totally agree with you, the kids and I do values sometimes when we take short trips, very easy and convenient. I'm staying at AOA at the end of this month by myself and looking forward to it, I think they are a great bargain!
I'm sure Paris and London were amazing!!!! I would love to take my kids there.

Thank you!! You'll absolutely relate to our experiences in Paris/London, which were very geared toward travel with boys. London included Harry Potter studio tour, Tower of London, high speed boat ride, James Bond museum, etc. At one point, I made a reservation for afternoon tea in London, but promptly cancelled that in favor of the James Bond museum - I know my audience. And I know you get the picture!

Looking forward to hearing more about your AOA stay! That's next on our list when we stay value again!

 

[BabyFu18]

It is a new service being tested- right now only at CR and GF. CL guests access the IPO via text message. Mostly it is useful to book a 4th FP, but they also do things like check dining options during normal IPO hours- 7am to 10pm.

CL guests still have to use their first three FP+ each day before requesting their fourth....BUT....It's way easier than using the in-park kiosk!

The CM's can only give you a fourth FP form what is available. In practice, it is only useful at MK, and don't expect an extra FP for the Mtns. (more: Buzz, PotC, HM) There is also some back and forth texting, which isn't always easy. In some cases, the extra FP enabled us to bypass a 20min line. Other attractions had no line- and thus we were sort of crisscrossing the park more than we needed. But, we ended up getting at least four extra FP one night at MK. It was sweet to avoid all standbys.

Then again, the in-park kiosk strikes me as absurd. People wait 20min in the hot sunny queue, to bypass a queue that might not exist?

In practice, Universal's FotLA system is much simpler! The CM's on the texting service were excellent, and very helpful. Still, sending text messages back and forth was a definite distraction in the parks.

Thanks for the info! That's kinda a neat idea, I wouldn't mind to much texting back and forth, I wonder if that is really all that helpful, because this summer we did the lines at the kiosk to get more fastpasses at MK and HS. And it was pretty quick (no more than 7-10 minutes at the most) not much trouble or anything of that nature so the texting thing is neat, but not a huge benefit in my eyes (unless they could help with hard to get FPs).

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

The taping of the Christmas parade is that weekend and Pop Warner is December 6-13. PW doesn't effect the deluxe resorts so much, but that would be part of the reason the values and some of the mods are booked for that time frame. I also think the Poly construction/pool closure/renovations has pushed a lot of people to change to the GF and CR.

Plus it's also free dining and people coming in for MVMCP. There are no down times at WDW anymore!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Thank you!! You'll absolutely relate to our experiences in Paris/London, which were very geared toward travel with boys. London included Harry Potter studio tour, Tower of London, high speed boat ride, James Bond museum, etc. At one point, I made a reservation for afternoon tea in London, but promptly cancelled that in favor of the James Bond museum - I know my audience. And I know you get the picture!

Looking forward to hearing more about your AOA stay! That's next on our list when we stay value again!

My boys would be in heaven with that trip!!!!!!

I'm excited to checkout AOA, it's just one night before heading to the YC, but that should give me a decent idea of what it's like. Then I can finally say I've stayed at every resort! Well, not the villas at the GF. Darn Disney keeps adding more resorts to my list!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

What is Universal's FotLA system?

If you stay in one of the main 3 on-site resorts at Universal Orlando you automatically get the Universal Express Pass, which people call "FOTLA: Front Of The Line Access". It's similar to a fastpass because it's a separate line you get in at each ride (except 3 that aren't available). It is pretty darn awesome I admit. We were there in August and zipped through every ride multiple times. The only one that had a long wait was Despicable Me. Now I just wish they'd add it to the two main Harry Potter rides.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Bumping! We were all the way back to page 3!

Looks like we'll just be staying YC water view this month. I've been checking back for a cancellation for CL but haven't had any luck. I'm actually surprised they would sell out for CL before non-CL since it's during F&W. But at least we'll have the great location.

I've been emailing back and forth with WL IPO this week and they've been super helpful. I'm very excited to be staying there for Christmas. I'll be sure to take tons of pics so I can update page 1. Let's hope Santa can find us Christmas Eve or my kids will never forgive me for leaving home on Christmas.