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

[xjay]

Yes, you can text ahead when hopping! The first time we planned to hop, we texted three times and got no response. We assumed the answer was no. When I asked, staff said this was SO new, they weren't 100% sure. (I kind of like stumping staff sometimes!) They checked up the management ranks for me!, and came back with "I think you should be able to request ahead, even before you enter the second park." The next day, it worked. So in the case of hopping, TEXTING ahead offers a HUGE advantage over in-park kiosks. I think even MDE requires you to be in a given park. I don't know. [I tried using MDE twice this past trip. Both times, DH's text messages were ANSWERED, and provided fresh FP's, faster than I could get MDE to even LOAD to my phone! We had FP's before I could even look up wait times. We also had a few questions answered via the texting service. Janice was super fast! We barely talked to live staff because most of our needs were taken care of via texting. The flip side of that is I would not expect to get a FP for Soarin' this way, unless it's a rather slow day, or the FP is for late in the day. I think FP for Soarin' run out early. For us, FP+ has kind of come to mean skipping Soarin'. We'd rather ride TT. If S! is a priority, use one of your first 3FP+ for it. On the DIS, we very much need a shorthand expression for the 3pre-booked FP+...what about "3preFP"?

Great! I can't wait to use this in December. Makes me glad that we booked at CR CL for most of our stay

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Great! I can't wait to use this in December. Makes me glad that we booked at CR CL for most of our stay

We lucked out as well! We had a split stay between GF and CR.

Just keep in mind, this is a test. As such, they could discontinue it at any time. I was disappointed a couple years ago, when CR tested having computers in every room and offering services that way. By the time we arrived, they had discontinued it.

************
Another CL benefit that seems to get under-discussed in this thread is the convenience of package delivery. All resort have package delivery, but all non-CL guests have to pick up their packages in the gift shop, and that can be time consuming. (big mods)

When CL guests choose in-park package delivery, the packages come directly to your room! The (slightly funny part is, most in-park CM's don't know that! Package delivery is so much more helpful when packages are delivered directly to the room! (the following afternoon)


Come to think of it, "CSR business level" may not include the direct package delivery.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

On the same note, we had two really disappointing experiences with YC CL. Do you think that BC CL is a better experience? Our issues were mainly with the condition of our room, an unenthusiastic staff and poor housekeeping. Does the BC/YC share CL and housekeeping staff?

I don't know what your experience was, so I can't comment on whether it was typical or what to expect that would be different.

What I can say is that we had decent service at YC, but have had very good service for all our BC stays. We really enjoy BC!

Without knowing the nature of your concerns/expectations, it's hard to say where BC would be different.

I know the BC and YC share the same central kitchen. So very much, there is overlap in the kitchen. I'm sure at some level, they share management. From what we could tell though, the CL staff at each is unique.

 

[xjay]

We lucked out as well! We had a split stay between GF and CR.

Just keep in mind, this is a test. As such, they could discontinue it at any time. I was disappointed a couple years ago, when CR tested having computers in every room and offering services that way. By the time we arrived, they had discontinued it.

************
Another CL benefit that seems to get under-discussed in this thread is the convenience of package delivery. All resort have package delivery, but all non-CL guests have to pick up their packages in the gift shop, and that can be time consuming. (big mods)

When CL guests choose in-park package delivery, the packages come directly to your room! The (slightly funny part is, most in-park CM's don't know that! Package delivery is so much more helpful when packages are delivered directly to the room! (the following afternoon)


Come to think of it, "CSR business level" may not include the direct package delivery.

Well hopefully they still have it when we go visit in December. Would definitely be a nice benefit for us

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It might be your plantar Fasciitis. One cure is wearing sneakers with special insoles. An orthopedist can help. In the meantime, it may help to roll your foot on a tennis ball (or similar). Consider also a pedicure/leg massage and elevating your foot when sitting.

I'm headed for a pedicure tomorrow! I'm leaving Thursday for a girls-only trip to Seattle and I'm soooooooo excited!!!!

 

[MaryPoppinz]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered:
If I book Club Level through a TA, will IPO contact me or the TA? Can I have my TA ask IPO to help with snagging a couple of hard-to-get ADRs?
Thanks.

 

[trishadono]

Yes, you can text ahead when hopping! The first time we planned to hop, we texted three times and got no response. We assumed the answer was no.

When I asked, staff said this was SO new, they weren't 100% sure. (I kind of like stumping staff sometimes!) They checked up the management ranks for me!, and came back with "I think you should be able to request ahead, even before you enter the second park."

The next day, it worked. So in the case of hopping, TEXTING ahead offers a HUGE advantage over in-park kiosks. I think even MDE requires you to be in a given park. I don't know.

[I tried using MDE twice this past trip. Both times, DH's text messages were ANSWERED, and provided fresh FP's, faster than I could get MDE to even LOAD to my phone! We had FP's before I could even look up wait times. We also had a few questions answered via the texting service. Janice was super fast! We barely talked to live staff because most of our needs were taken care of via texting.


The flip side of that is I would not expect to get a FP for Soarin' this way, unless it's a rather slow day, or the FP is for late in the day. I think FP for Soarin' run out early. For us, FP+ has kind of come to mean skipping Soarin'.

We'd rather ride TT. If S! is a priority, use one of your first 3FP+ for it. On the DIS, we very much need a shorthand expression for the 3pre-booked FP+...what about "3preFP"?

Janice was fast for us too! We started at Cr cl and transferred to GF rpc. I texted for both resorts the morning prior for a late check out for the next day. Also I texted and asked if our transferred suitcases were delivered and instead of holding on the phone while someone checks, she did that and I got a call that there were there and would bring right up.

Those things are easier from your room or lounge vs standing by the concierge desk waiting for your turn.

On a side note as I got off the elevator at GF I noticed the cm getting on with a Janice name tag. So I asked her if she was my texting buddy? Yep! She has the smile to match the sentiment in her texts. She was happy to meet someone too! She thinks it is working good so far and the feedback has been mostly positive.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered:
If I book Club Level through a TA, will IPO contact me or the TA? Can I have my TA ask IPO to help with snagging a couple of hard-to-get ADRs?
Thanks.

I normally book myself. I have used AAA TA's a few times (a TA light?) to get extra discounts. As I recall, everything was more difficult, one factor was not being contacted by IPO.

For me, it ends up being far more work and effort to use their TA services. As far as dining goes, I was able to email the IPO directly, and get a response. But using a TA is adding a middleman, if that makes sense.

For me, using AAA = an extra $200 gift card. Still, it wasn't really worth all the extra hassle. The funny part is, it has been clear every time I talk to AAA, I know far more about WDW than the TA's at AAA.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered:
If I book Club Level through a TA, will IPO contact me or the TA? Can I have my TA ask IPO to help with snagging a couple of hard-to-get ADRs?
Thanks.

Using a TA has no positive or negative effect on IPO contact. They won't be contacting your TA and your TA won't be contacting them. So you can just deal directly with IPO yourself whenever you need them. You don't need to wait to be contacted, I've been staying club level for 20 years and very rarely do I ever get anything from them unless I reach out first. When you send your first email to them make your subject line look like this:

Murphy Family 12/18-12/26 Res # 1234567890

Family name, dates, reservation #

They will be back in touch with you within 24 hours. You can also call them if you prefer that.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Oh, forgot to mention, when it comes to making ADRs you'll find varying opinions. Personally I prefer to make my own ADRs and I don't like IPO messing with my MDE account. Example, last week I emailed WL IPO and asked their opinion about moving my Candlelight Processional Dinner Package from Christmas Day to Christmas Eve. I just wanted some feedback. The girl who read the email went into my ADRs and moved it without asking me. I was not happy. I think the majority of people here on the DIS have more knowledge and capability to understand ADRs and handle them ourselves. I don't want a TA or an IPO castmember doing them for me. Heck I am a TA and I still don't think TA's should ever be using someone's MDE account under any circumstances. Trust me, human error can play a part and nobody needs to be messing with your dining except for you. The same goes for Fastpasses. TA's who book Fastpasses for people make me very nervous. There's so much liability at stake if you don't book what the person wants. It scares me to death!

If you really feel you aren't willing and able to book your own ADRs then by all means definitely use IPO for that service. 9 times out of 10 I think they do a great job. But that only works if you're the type of person who is comfortable giving up control and willing to take whatever you get. I'm a control freak and must be in charge.

 

[MaryPoppinz]

Thanks for the responses about TAs, IPOs and ADRs . Here's a more specific question (which is probably where I should have started - Sorry).
GF CL and ADRs are booked Dec 5-10 through a TA. O'hana isn't available for dinner during that time. TA is watching for it. Can TA also ask IPO to be watching for it?

 

[gwynne]

Thanks for the responses about TAs, IPOs and ADRs . Here's a more specific question (which is probably where I should have started - Sorry).
GF CL and ADRs are booked Dec 5-10 through a TA. O'hana isn't available for dinner during that time. TA is watching for it. Can TA also ask IPO to be watching for it?

No, the IPO works with you, the guest, not a TA. You can ask the IPO to do this. It might be helpful if you keep an eye out yourself, too. The more people checking, the better.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Yes, you can text ahead when hopping! The first time we planned to hop, we texted three times and got no response. We assumed the answer was no. When I asked, staff said this was SO new, they weren't 100% sure. (I kind of like stumping staff sometimes!) They checked up the management ranks for me!, and came back with "I think you should be able to request ahead, even before you enter the second park." The next day, it worked. So in the case of hopping, TEXTING ahead offers a HUGE advantage over in-park kiosks. I think even MDE requires you to be in a given park. I don't know. [I tried using MDE twice this past trip. Both times, DH's text messages were ANSWERED, and provided fresh FP's, faster than I could get MDE to even LOAD to my phone! We had FP's before I could even look up wait times. We also had a few questions answered via the texting service. Janice was super fast! We barely talked to live staff because most of our needs were taken care of via texting. The flip side of that is I would not expect to get a FP for Soarin' this way, unless it's a rather slow day, or the FP is for late in the day. I think FP for Soarin' run out early. For us, FP+ has kind of come to mean skipping Soarin'. We'd rather ride TT. If S! is a priority, use one of your first 3FP+ for it. On the DIS, we very much need a shorthand expression for the 3pre-booked FP+...what about "3preFP"?

Thanks for the info! And yes, with Soarin or TT, we would be delighted to take what we can get. Our last AM FP is at noon so I'm hoping something will be left but who knows.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

No, the IPO works with you, the guest, not a TA. You can ask the IPO to do this. It might be helpful if you keep an eye out yourself, too. The more people checking, the better.

I agree, the more people checking the more likely someone will see a cancellation pop up.

The only thing I would add is maybe let the TA and IPO team know you have someone else also checking, that way they won't accidentally change or delete something the other one put in. If the TA found an opening for 9:00 PM but you'd prefer to eat earlier the IPO CM might be able to keep checking for a different time as long as they know you aren't thrilled with the current time. Chances are they won't have time to call you before booking which could result in the automatic cancel of whatever you had in there before. Just playing devil's advocate here, I'm sure it won't be an issue.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Oh my goodness I just realized this is post number

10,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disney meema]

Oh my goodness I just realized this is post number

10,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on 10,000 post and love your dancing dudes :

57 days until our vacation and I haven't posted lately but the fastpass+ went so smoothly that I was shocked expecting it to be difficult. I guess because we have a long vacation that I was able to book FP's way out but whatever it was I'm happy and so ready to go : )

I hope everyone's planning is going smoothly and hoping to read back and catch up with all you disney world travelers

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered:
If I book Club Level through a TA, will IPO contact me or the TA? Can I have my TA ask IPO to help with snagging a couple of hard-to-get ADRs?
Thanks.

The CM from IPO that I spoke with said they check for ADRs at 5am so he suggested that I might also want to check in the evenings since that is when people tend to cancel the most.

 

[xjay]

The CM from IPO that I spoke with said they check for ADRs at 5am so he suggested that I might also want to check in the evenings since that is when people tend to cancel the most.

A CM I spoke with from IPO told me that they only check once a day. So if you really want something, you should keep checking yourself

 

[izzylovesmickey]

I had AKL IPO working on an early reservation time for us. I was also looking and found one-just not the exact time I wanted. I got an email that IPO found the time I wanted and they asked which reservation I wanted. After I responded that I wanted the time they got, they then cancelled the original one. Nothing was changed (in my case) until they confirmed the time. In fact the email said that they wouldn't touch anything until they heard from me.

 

[Amii]

We are staying CL at WL at the end of Feb. When should I put in a room request? Can I just request a room with a view of MK or do I need to give room numbers or a location to them? TIA!