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

[msmama]

I'm adding an extra day onto my trip. Yay!

Is it best to just call the regular Disney number or is this something the IPO can help me with?

 

[gwynne]

I'm adding an extra day onto my trip. Yay!

Is it best to just call the regular Disney number or is this something the IPO can help me with?

Sounds great to add a day! You'll need to call the regular reservation number to do this.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I know this has been asked before but I can not find it anywhere, I have made room requests with IPO, should I also call WDW Travel/Disney Destinations whatever they go by and request it there also? Or call the resort direct? Staying 11/21 thanks

 

[gwynne]

I know this has been asked before but I can not find it anywhere, I have made room requests with IPO, should I also call WDW Travel/Disney Destinations whatever they go by and request it there also? Or call the resort direct? Staying 11/21 thanks

I usually make them over the phone with Disney Reservations (CRO). I call the usual reservation #. I also make the same requests with IPO, either over the phone or by email.
Hope you have a wonderful vacation.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Morning Clubbers!

I asked this before, but didn't see an answer.

Did they remodel the SL Lounge and hallways when they redid the rooms this spring?

 

[Asher362]

Morning Clubbers! I asked this before, but didn't see an answer. Did they remodel the SL Lounge and hallways when they redid the rooms this spring?

They did. Moved around the layout of the lounge slightly to add more seating. Also the wall paper and furniture was all recovered.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

We just returned from our third AKL CL stay. With a couple exceptions, I was not impressed with the cast members during this stay. We also had several errors prior to our arrival that I continually had to correct. No one greeted us outside when we arrived (even though I contacted them twice to let them know of our arrival time). The club level stay was a surprise to the family and this was how they were supposed to find out. I discretely told the valet who dismissively told me to just go inside to find someone to take us up. We were checked in by a not very friendly CM when we did get to the lounge. No eye contact, no smile, no warm greeting. Felt as if we were a big imposition to her.

We often had to ask for coffee/food/silverware to be replenished when we used the lounge. Became quite tiresome. Lots of little glitches - didn't receive turndown service, no shampoo/conditioner replacement, account errors, etc.

I won't say it was a "waste" of money as it is nice to pop in for a quick breakfast, snack, or soda but I would have to think long and hard before I spent the extra money for a CL stay again. Compared to our last stay several years ago, the offerings in the lounge are skimpy! And really, while I understand the waste issue ... for what they charge ... can't they leave a couple water bottles in the room.

That is VERY disheartening report! We've stayed at Deluxe Resorts before just not Club Level, and if I am not going to really gain anything from staying CL (besides the special safaris) then I will not do it again.

We were already worried with our busy schedules that we wouldn't use the lounge as much as we should for what we are paying. But to hear when we do it might not be very good, well that is disturbing.

We figured since we are staying at the world for 12 days this was the time to try club level and see if we would use it enough to make it worth it.

I do not know what to expect because we have never stayed at CL before, I didn't even know they greeted you in the lobby, I knew that we checked in upstairs however.

So far I have had the IPO staff appologize for each other's mistakes, and they also admitted that some times the CMs are the last to find out about the latest and greatest new event or item... Which surprises the hell out of me since I would figure they would keep their IPO staff in the know so that people with the funds to be able to pay for extras would actually get in on them?!

Sounds very snobbish to say it that way, but let's face it from a marketing point of view not everyone can afford to do some of the BIG extras they have going on, and I would think the CL audience would be the first ones you get to dish out extra cash on something.

PRaffen, really appreciate the report. Always like to hear the not-so-positive so that we can manage expectations accordingly.

For our first CL stay at BC, it was fantastic - met us in the lobby, took us up to the lounge right away. Same with our first BWI CL stay. But I have to say I've seen a decline in the "meet you in the lobby" routine from CL staff in recent years. We always report our arrival time, and we let someone in the lobby know we're checking in CL. Recently, it seems to cause confusion, take a while to find a CM to take us to the lounge, or on a couple occasions, a lobby CM insisted we should just check in at the front desk.

In January, we're staying at AKL CL, then GF CL and then Poly CL. For Poly, I asked IPO if we could just go straight to Hawaii when we arrive (we'll let Bell Services transfer luggage and walk over to Poly from GF) and they said yes. That sounds easier to me than all the lobby confusion we've been experiencing when staying CL lately!

I am not transferring around, I will be staying at AKL the whole time. What should I expect when I arrive?

 

[emldrl]

Hi everyone! We are planning a trip for spring 2016- I know, way too long to wait!- and we really want to stay CL. I don't know how exactly to ask this, so I'll just go for it; my husband and stepmom are heavy beer drinkers, and I need to know if this will be a problem in the lounge? They won't get stupid drunk and act a fool, or anything, but will they be able to get more than one or two? We can have some beer delivered to keep in the room, also, but we're wondering if the lounge limits people to a certain number? Like I said, they won't cause any issues or get wasted in the lounge every night, but would like more than one or two beers in the evening. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[gwynne]

Hi everyone! We are planning a trip for spring 2016- I know, way too long to wait!- and we really want to stay CL. I don't know how exactly to ask this, so I'll just go for it; my husband and stepmom are heavy beer drinkers, and I need to know if this will be a problem in the lounge? They won't get stupid drunk and act a fool, or anything, but will they be able to get more than one or two? We can have some beer delivered to keep in the room, also, but we're wondering if the lounge limits people to a certain number? Like I said, they won't cause any issues or get wasted in the lounge every night, but would like more than one or two beers in the evening. Thanks for the advice!!

The general rule is no more than two at a time. It's not two total.

 

[gwynne]

That is VERY disheartening report! We've stayed at Deluxe Resorts before just not Club Level, and if I am not going to really gain anything from staying CL (besides the special safaris) then I will not do it again.

We were already worried with our busy schedules that we wouldn't use the lounge as much as we should for what we are paying. But to hear when we do it might not be very good, well that is disturbing.

We figured since we are staying at the world for 12 days this was the time to try club level and see if we would use it enough to make it worth it.

I do not know what to expect because we have never stayed at CL before, I didn't even know they greeted you in the lobby, I knew that we checked in upstairs however.

So far I have had the IPO staff appologize for each other's mistakes, and they also admitted that some times the CMs are the last to find out about the latest and greatest new event or item... Which surprises the hell out of me since I would figure they would keep their IPO staff in the know so that people with the funds to be able to pay for extras would actually get in on them?!

Sounds very snobbish to say it that way, but let's face it from a marketing point of view not everyone can afford to do some of the BIG extras they have going on, and I would think the CL audience would be the first ones you get to dish out extra cash on something.




I am not transferring around, I will be staying at AKL the whole time. What should I expect when I arrive?

It's unfortunate when someone has a negative experience.
That said, we have had amazing visits to AKL-CL. We were greeted as we arrived by the person with the Ipad. They called someont to take us upstairs, got us checked in, and settled into our room. The lounge is just beautiful. We love the offerings. The CM's are accommodating and helpful. I do remember an occasion when I wondered when the housekeepers would stop by, so I picked up the phone and called. They were there within the hour.
I would never hesitate to recommend AKL-CL. I think it's well worth the cost.

 

[emldrl]

The general rule is no more than two at a time. It's not two total.

Thank you! We stayed at POP once, in 2004, so this is basically all new to us. So excited to stay deluxe, and try CL!!

 

[pixarmom]

I am not transferring around, I will be staying at AKL the whole time. What should I expect when I arrive?

At least based on our experience at various CLs, we never know what to expect. We've arrived at resorts by Magical Express, rental car and cab multiple times each. The greeting upon arrival does not seem to follow any pattern, but we've experienced all of the following:

1. CL CM in lobby to greet us and take us to the club lounge for check in. During one stay, the CL CM was actually outside of the resort and greeted us the moment we stepped off the Magical Express bus.
2. No CL CM in lobby. We advise a CM in the lobby that we have a CL reservation, and that CM takes us to the lounge for check-in.
3. No CL CM in lobby. We advise lobby CM that we have a CL reservation, and they call a CL CM to escort us to the lounge for check-in.
4. No CL CM in lobby. We advise lobby CM that we have a CL reservation, and they insist that we check in at the regular lobby check-in desk.

I think the most interesting was at Poly this year. We drove in, told the guards at the gate our last name and that we're checking in CL. I told the first CM I saw with an ipad that we were checking in CL. He insisted that we go to the lobby front desk for check in. I explained that usually we check in over in the club lounge. Again, he directed us to a CM at the front desk. So I gave the front desk CM our last name. She said, "You have a club level reservation, so [insert name of the lobby CM I just mentioned] will escort you to the Hawaii building for check in." The lobby CM who had just insisted we use the front desk walked with us back to the Hawaii building and CL CMs checked us in.

Another interesting one was when we arrived early in the morning at CR and the lobby CM told us we could not access the lounge and there was no way to get up there. Again, a front desk CM helped sort that out for us and we ended up checking in upstairs and enjoying our breakfast in the lounge, as planned.

We really do enjoy CL, though, and have not let this deter us. Ideally, this would all be worked out and consistent across resorts and stays, but our family of five really benefits from the quick convenience of the lounge and the food offerings. And we've found most CL CMs helpful with last-minute changes of plans.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

It's unfortunate when someone has a negative experience.
That said, we have had amazing visits to AKL-CL. We were greeted as we arrived by the person with the Ipad. They called someont to take us upstairs, got us checked in, and settled into our room. The lounge is just beautiful. We love the offerings. The CM's are accommodating and helpful. I do remember an occasion when I wondered when the housekeepers would stop by, so I picked up the phone and called. They were there within the hour.
I would never hesitate to recommend AKL-CL. I think it's well worth the cost.

I truly hope my experience is a mirror of yours. I have been really excited about this trip (just 6 months away now).

 

[The Sunrise Student]

At least based on our experience at various CLs, we never know what to expect. We've arrived at resorts by Magical Express, rental car and cab multiple times each. The greeting upon arrival does not seem to follow any pattern, but we've experienced all of the following:

1. CL CM in lobby to greet us and take us to the club lounge for check in. During one stay, the CL CM was actually outside of the resort and greeted us the moment we stepped off the Magical Express bus.
2. No CL CM in lobby. We advise a CM in the lobby that we have a CL reservation, and that CM takes us to the lounge for check-in.
3. No CL CM in lobby. We advise lobby CM that we have a CL reservation, and they call a CL CM to escort us to the lounge for check-in.
4. No CL CM in lobby. We advise lobby CM that we have a CL reservation, and they insist that we check in at the regular lobby check-in desk.

I think the most interesting was at Poly this year. We drove in, told the guards at the gate our last name and that we're checking in CL. I told the first CM I saw with an ipad that we were checking in CL. He insisted that we go to the lobby front desk for check in. I explained that usually we check in over in the club lounge. Again, he directed us to a CM at the front desk. So I gave the front desk CM our last name. She said, "You have a club level reservation, so [insert name of the lobby CM I just mentioned] will escort you to the Hawaii building for check in." The lobby CM who had just insisted we use the front desk walked with us back to the Hawaii building and CL CMs checked us in.

Another interesting one was when we arrived early in the morning at CR and the lobby CM told us we could not access the lounge and there was no way to get up there. Again, a front desk CM helped sort that out for us and we ended up checking in upstairs and enjoying our breakfast in the lounge, as planned.

We really do enjoy CL, though, and have not let this deter us. Ideally, this would all be worked out and consistent across resorts and stays, but our family of five really benefits from the quick convenience of the lounge and the food offerings. And we've found most CL CMs helpful with last-minute changes of plans.

Thanks for the details. It's just two of us, BUT we are driving our own vehicles because we are bringing the costumes for when we march in the SWW parades.

When driving our own car is Valet Parking included at CL, or is this something I should ask for?

Also has anyone had experience with Valet Parking? How hard is it to get your car at unusual hours?

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I usually make them over the phone with Disney Reservations (CRO). I call the usual reservation #. I also make the same requests with IPO, either over the phone or by email.
Hope you have a wonderful vacation.

Thanks - getting very excited!!

 

[Tbone17701]

I'm not sure if I should ask this at a specific resort thread or here, so I'll try this first. Does anyone know if the testing of texting CL CMs will be extended to all resorts, or better yet...made a permanent feature?

 

[KimP5]

This is our first time CL (WL). I had planned to get our breakfasts there every morning, but we are staying Christmas Week and they just changed EMH on the 24th and 25th to 7am. Will they open breakfast at the club lounge earlier too, or are we on our own those days?

 

[mickeynut1]

I'm adding an extra day onto my trip. Yay!

Is it best to just call the regular Disney number or is this something the IPO can help me with?

Congrats on adding a day . As gwynne posted, you need to call the regular reservation number.

I know this has been asked before but I can not find it anywhere, I have made room requests with IPO, should I also call WDW Travel/Disney Destinations whatever they go by and request it there also? Or call the resort direct? Staying 11/21 thanks

It never hurts to have requests noted with both CRO and IPO .

I do not know what to expect because we have never stayed at CL before, I didn't even know they greeted you in the lobby, I knew that we checked in upstairs however.

This probably doesn't happen a lot, but if the resort is busy, you might be checked in at the front desk. Guests are usually taken upstairs to the lounge to check in, but if it's a busy time and a CL CM isn't available, they will advise you to do check in at the front desk. Like I said, it's not something that happens on a daily basis, but it could happen.

That said, we have had amazing visits to AKL-CL. We were greeted as we arrived by the person with the Ipad. They called someont to take us upstairs, got us checked in, and settled into our room. The lounge is just beautiful. We love the offerings. The CM's are accommodating and helpful. I do remember an occasion when I wondered when the housekeepers would stop by, so I picked up the phone and called. They were there within the hour.
I would never hesitate to recommend AKL-CL. I think it's well worth the cost.

I am always reading such great things about AKL CL that it's one I've always had my eye on. We've had 2 great stays at AKL and love the resort, but posts like this keep pushing AKL CL to the top of the list of ones for us to try .

When driving our own car is Valet Parking included at CL, or is this something I should ask for?

Valet parking is an additional cost with any stay and is not included with CL. Not sure of the exact cost, but I think it's around $15-20/day + gratuity.

I'm not sure if I should ask this at a specific resort thread or here, so I'll try this first. Does anyone know if the testing of texting CL CMs will be extended to all resorts, or better yet...made a permanent feature?

I don't know the answer, but hopefully others will be able to help .

This is our first time CL (WL). I had planned to get our breakfasts there every morning, but we are staying Christmas Week and they just changed EMH on the 24th and 25th to 7am. Will they open breakfast at the club lounge earlier too, or are we on our own those days?

Congrats on your first CL stay. WL CL is amazing, you're going to love it . AFAIK, the lounge does not open any earlier due to EMH, even during busy holiday times.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for the details. It's just two of us, BUT we are driving our own vehicles because we are bringing the costumes for when we march in the SWW parades.

When driving our own car is Valet Parking included at CL, or is this something I should ask for?

Also has anyone had experience with Valet Parking? How hard is it to get your car at unusual hours?

We drove in for our Poly CL stay in March and valet parked. No advance arrangements necessary - just pulled up and the CM explained the self-park and valet options. Valet was $18/night at Poly at the time, and not included for CL guests. Normally, we would not valet, but I was traveling with the kids on my own and just experienced significant traffic on way to Disney from my parents' home on the beach. So with that and all the Poly parking lot construction, we went with valet.

 

[trishadono]

I'm not sure if I should ask this at a specific resort thread or here, so I'll try this first. Does anyone know if the testing of texting CL CMs will be extended to all resorts, or better yet...made a permanent feature?

My dd and I had a split stay in August at cr then gf. We loved the texting service. I ran into one of my texting buddies on the elevator at gf. Janice thought it was going well at that time. I am staying CL in poly this week and will ask

1. If poly getting it

2. If cr/gf keeping it
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I will probably post some pics from poly this week on the poly thread if anyone is interested.