But you can watch from various places around the monorail as well. At the GF there's a nice view from the boat dock, or from Gasparilla's around the marina, or Narcoosee's porch. We actually liked walking through Boca Chica and out the other side to watch from the grass at the waters edge. It always felt really quiet and private out there. The Polynesian beach is another favorite for lots of people, also the Contemporary has a viewing area up at the California Grill. 
Personally I don't really use them. Occasionally for a special event or hard to find ADR. That's about it. I give my DME info and room requests to CRO. I think you can use them as little or as much as you feel you need to.
O.K. Thanks!
Forgive me... CRO?
Also with CL do you do online check-in? Or just check-in with CL when you get there? Sorry I haven't done this before!!!
I would recommend!
You'd think as a TA myself I would have said that first! 
The best place to watch Wishes is from MK of course.
We were there for just one night earlier this month and all was well, but we were not there on a game day and it was just one night. Definitely fewer appetizers than at Poly or GF, I thought. But I loved the cheese selection, so I was happy. Unfortunately, our kids loved the appetizers so much that they didn't have much room left for our Boma dinner. I said never again to the CL and Boma combo!
Go ahead and contact them. I rarely get a welcome email anymore. Probably only about 25% of the time, if even that. There's no reason to wait.
Just back form AKL, and a few quick things to share: 1.) NO texting service at AKL. the CM didn't even know what I was talking about. 2.) Appetizers are less than some other lounges, or maybe they are all cutting back. Last summer, we thought the CR offerings were also less than prior trips. 3.) Breakfast at CR is among the best! Loved hot Quinoa, and plenty of fresh berries! More berries than any other lounge! Most others only serve melon, maybe pineapple, maybe grapes, and standard industrial apples/oranges/bananas. 4.) Maybe it was just the week we chose, but the DVC folks seemed to bring a different atmosphere to the CL. Having stayed at ALL CL, we saw things we've never seen before. The DVC folks continuously camped out in the lounge at specific tables. It was clear they'd 'claimed' specific tables, and were very possessive! Families would send a runner to 'their' table' until the rest of the gang arrived. A fist fight nearly happened when a man attempted to borrow an EMPTY chair from another table!!! It was crazy! One man even napped in "his spot" on the couch to keep possession of it most of the day/evening! Another man had a spot staked out at the runner table next to the buffet- standing. As soon as the CM's brought out certain prime appetizers- he swooped in and grabbed half a tray for himself. (the gourmet meat spoon appetizers) No plate, just put his clutch of spoons directly on the table! On the cloth runner! And left them there empty when he was done! Who does that?
DH and I will be there in less than 2 weeks. We have never stayed CL anywhere before. AKL is our favorite resort and we are going for our anniversary trip without kids.. Hopefully your experience was not the norm.
