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

[TigrLvsPooh]

We are staying CL at the Boardwalk at the end of the month. Does checking in online make things go faster, or does it not matter either way? Thank you!

I've used online check-in my last several CL stays and found it to be faster and I've liked the rooms I was given.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Here's my BWI CL report for those interested in a recent review of the food offerings as well as pictures: http://www.disboards.com/threads/just-back-from-the-boardwalk-inn-club-level.3316744/

 

[pixarmom]

I also use online check-in for CL stays. Not sure if it impacts the room assignment (I also contact IPO with requests) but I figure it doesn't hurt to list those requests in another spot!

circusgirl and mickeynut, thanks SO much for the WL CL review and info. Really love the photos and the perspective!

Erika, in traditional fashion, your next trip will be just days before our next trip. I may have missed it, but where are you staying and will you do a live report?

 

[chamonix]

AKL - 55 club level rooms and 19 suites (some are DVC) (74)
BC- 73 club level rooms and 22 club level suites (95)
YC - 67 club level rooms and 22 club level suites (87)
Bwk - 37 club level rooms and 20 club level suites (57)
CR - 53 club level rooms and 27 club level suites - BUT they are divided into two different CL's. (80)
CSR Business- all of building 9B (?)
GF- 156 club level rooms and 25 club level suites - BUT they are divided into two different CL's. (181)
Poly - 102 club level rooms and six club level suites (108)
WL - 67 club level rooms and 11 club level suites (78)


I would not have thought that Bwk's CL was the smallest.

Poly's suites are in a separate building as well, with their own separate CL lounge.

 

[pixarmom]

Hi there everyone. I'm trying to ignore the changes to the board....

Anyway, has anyone here stayed at the Polynesian CL lately? It's been a few years since we've been to WDW, so just wondering what the offerings are like these days. Thanks.

We stayed Poly CL for five nights last month during Marathon Weekend. We also did a short Poly CL stay last year in April. Breakfast is standard for CLs - I'm fine with a mini muffin, fruit and coffee at the most, so I actually like CL breakfasts. The afternoon items were also relatively standard. I do find that Poly CL CMs are among the most accommodating so far when we request something outside of normal "operating" hours (chocolate milk, beer, etc.) The evening appetizers are OK. Last year, we had one great night with sushi and an incredible salad, but since then, we've seen more fried and breaded options. We also saw a few too many cheese cubes (AKL had better cheese offerings - gouda slices, manchego slices, etc.) But the pineapple and caramel is such a great treat and that "punch" is really yummy. Also love the overall atmosphere of the lounge and the snacks are just snacks before dinner, so we love Poly CL!

 

[SeaSpray]

We stayed Poly CL for five nights last month during Marathon Weekend. We also did a short Poly CL stay last year in April. Breakfast is standard for CLs - I'm fine with a mini muffin, fruit and coffee at the most, so I actually like CL breakfasts. The afternoon items were also relatively standard. I do find that Poly CL CMs are among the most accommodating so far when we request something outside of normal "operating" hours (chocolate milk, beer, etc.) The evening appetizers are OK. Last year, we had one great night with sushi and an incredible salad, but since then, we've seen more fried and breaded options. We also saw a few too many cheese cubes (AKL had better cheese offerings - gouda slices, manchego slices, etc.) But the pineapple and caramel is such a great treat and that "punch" is really yummy. Also love the overall atmosphere of the lounge and the snacks are just snacks before dinner, so we love Poly CL!

Thanks so much. It sounds like it's pretty much the same as it has always been, which is fine with us. We make ADRs for dinner but like to stop in beforehand to see if anything looks good as an appetizer before we head to dinner. And I don't mind the breakfast offerings most mornings, but we will plan at least a few Kona Cafe breakfast ADRs - Gotta have my Pineapple Macadamia Pancakes!!!

 

[Koh1977]

Here's my BWI CL report for those interested in a recent review of the food offerings as well as pictures: http://www.disboards.com/threads/just-back-from-the-boardwalk-inn-club-level.3316744/

This makes me want to stay CL at BWI even more now! How many nights were you there? Congrats on the upgrade! I would love to get some pixie dust just once while we're there and get some type of upgrade.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I also use online check-in for CL stays. Not sure if it impacts the room assignment (I also contact IPO with requests) but I figure it doesn't hurt to list those requests in another spot!

circusgirl and mickeynut, thanks SO much for the WL CL review and info. Really love the photos and the perspective!

Erika, in traditional fashion, your next trip will be just days before our next trip. I may have missed it, but where are you staying and will you do a live report?

Here's my WL CL trip report from December: http://www.disboards.com/threads/ho...and-the-wilderness-lodge-12-19-12-26.3360169/
I'll be doing a live report next month for sure! We'll be at Kidani in a one bedroom villa. After the last trip I wanted some room to spread out and have more space. I'm very excited to have my own bedroom and bathroom separate from their craziness.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

This makes me want to stay CL at BWI even more now! How many nights were you there? Congrats on the upgrade! I would love to get some pixie dust just once while we're there and get some type of upgrade.

It was a short stay, I think only 2 nights, then we went to Universal to see the new Diagon Alley for Nic's birthday. We were there 3 or 4 nights, then went back to WDW after that and stayed at CSR for another week. It was a long trip!

 

[disneydee6]

We ended up booking Sci-Fi because we wanted to be sure we at least went there, even if the time isn't ideal. We did email IPO asking that if a time closer to what we wanted comes up, that it be booked for that time instead. Question, though, has anyone ever been in this situation? Have you had any luck in IPO switching the ADR to get a better time for dining? Thanks

 

[magpugs]

Celebrating 40th anniversary in Oct. 2015 at Poly CL, how soon should I contact IPO with room request?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes, we've had some luck with IPO finding another time for us. That was before the new policy though.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Celebrating 40th anniversary in Oct. 2015 at Poly CL, how soon should I contact IPO with room request?

I just sent them an email. They noted my reservation

 

[mickeyluv'r]

For those who have stayed at the BC and GF Sugarloaf CL - how would you compare the CR Atrium club? How does CR compare?

We've done all three.

All of the lounges can get busy at peak times, especially if all the CL rooms are full. Then again, that's not all bad either. Yes, there can be some challenge keeping food on the line, but the opposite is CL staff throwing food away, or food that sits out too long.

Among the lounges that were the worst in that regard- our recent AKL stay. I love BC, but I'd also say BC and YC can get pretty full, where you can't find a seat full.

The good news is that CR is one of our favorite CL's - and this is one of the aspects I enjoy. Then again...6:45am and 10pm are among my two favorite times to be in the lounge! At 6:45am, I can sip coffee and enjoy the view almost to myself as MK comes alive! At the other end, Wishes is at 10pm many parts of the year. As soon as the show is over, the lounge is empty. In the hubbub of WDw, it is relaxing to have a nice space like that to yourself.

If you really want low crowds, try to book the upper 14th floor lounge. The floor is mostly suites, so fewer guests. When we stayed there, the only way to get that floor was to call WDW. (that might have changed.)

The biggest plus of CR though is how quickly you can get around the resort, to GF/Poly via monorail, and to MK via walking. The downside is being far from the World Showcase, and the minimal theming of CR. If we stay at CR, we find our best ADR options were always at CR/GF/Poly/WL (Ft. WL is also fine). The boat to WL isn't super fast, but it is relaxing and peaceful.

 

[disneydee6]

Yes, we've had some luck with IPO finding another time for us. That was before the new policy though.

What new policy?

 

[magpugs]

When staying club level who do you contact for room request?

 

[Newsies]

Personal preference question- BWI or GF CL for those who have done both/either? I really love the GF, but was wondering about BWI. Really want to do CL at some point in a future trip and deciding between the two.

 

[pixarmom]

Personal preference question- BWI or GF CL for those who have done both/either? I really love the GF, but was wondering about BWI. Really want to do CL at some point in a future trip and deciding between the two.

That's tough. For us, it would depend in part on our park plans and the rates for our dates of stay, I think. If it worked for the budget, I'd choose BWI over GF SL, but BWI CL vs. GF RPC is a more difficult choice. At BWI, I love the proximity to Epcot and the CMs are great. If we're up for a chat, the BWI CMs are among the best for that, at least in our experience. Of course, the cost is far lower than GF RPC. At GF RPC, you have the view, a significantly larger array of food offerings, the amazingly peaceful lounge and atmosphere to/fro your room, quick and easy access to the monorail and friendly CMs (although they didn't engage as much as BWI CMs unless we initiated the conversation - which could go either way depending on your preferences.) The rooms at GF are so much more spacious. For me, views from the room are comparable, although at BWI you run the risk of getting a garden view, which you may or may not like. (I like water view, but my husband prefers garden for the quiet.)

This is not very helpful . . .

 

[chamonix]

Thanks so much. It sounds like it's pretty much the same as it has always been, which is fine with us. We make ADRs for dinner but like to stop in beforehand to see if anything looks good as an appetizer before we head to dinner. And I don't mind the breakfast offerings most mornings, but we will plan at least a few Kona Cafe breakfast ADRs - Gotta have my Pineapple Macadamia Pancakes!!!

Hi SeaSpray, long time no see.

If you haven't been back since Chef Dick left, it is different for sure. Much less creativity in the food offerings but especially in the layout. He made some really lovely displays. A lot of the food is the same, like the cheese cubes and veggies. Some nights are better than others overall.

(Edited to add the Chef's first name is starred out by the DIS, not by me, lol, because it's also a part of the male anatomy and automatically censored.)

 

[pixarmom]

When staying club level who do you contact for room request?

I used to contact both IPO and the central reservations number, and then note it during on-line check-in, if possible. Now, I just contact IPO and note it during on-line check-in if it's among the check boxes. Not sure if I really needed our request in three places, but hard to know!