Final Big Decision! Help Please!

[dmband]

BW IMO
Akl is better if you want to chill in the room more but if you want to get out and do things be wins
Based on what you originally posted I think you will want to get out and about more

 

[robinb]

If you're in a park, and use your KTTW card to pay for stuff so it appears on your room bill, and a restaurant like California Grill sees your gold Club level card, will they think anything different? lol Like will they give any perks or special treatment?

Then again...you'd be showing them the card AFTER your meal so...

Nah. They don't suck up to you. Sorry!

 

[figmentfan6]

Okay....here's my big question:

-What can concierge do for me? I already booked all my ADR's...
And I mean...IPO...What can they do for us?

IPO is not just there for food. If you're planning to propose, they might be extremely helpful. If you want to have flowers in the room that evening, or even if you just want help, they will be indispensable. CL guests do get preferential treatment at their resort (in my experience). Also, if I were your girlfriend, I would think getting pampered by a private lounge and seeing animals every morning nicer than waking up to a parking lot and doing a QS breakfast. CL just feels more romantic. I think it would be a bigger surprise that way! Imagine getting up and being able to bring pastries and drinks back to your room each morning without dealing with the bustle of QS or KTTW cards for charging. And you could each get a glass of wine every night and sit out on the balcony or just snuggle! CL is in itself romantic in my opinion!

 

[robinb]

IPO is not just there for food. If you're planning to propose, they might be extremely helpful. If you want to have flowers in the room that evening, or even if you just want help, they will be indispensable. CL guests do get preferential treatment at their resort (in my experience). Also, if I were your girlfriend, I would think getting pampered by a private lounge and seeing animals every morning nicer than waking up to a parking lot and doing a QS breakfast. CL just feels more romantic. I think it would be a bigger surprise that way! Imagine getting up and being able to bring pastries and drinks back to your room each morning without dealing with the bustle of QS or KTTW cards for charging. And you could each get a glass of wine every night and sit out on the balcony or just snuggle! CL is in itself romantic in my opinion!

ITA. And I almost NEVER suggest that people pay extra for Club Level. You're right about any extras the OP might want around his proposal. I would completely trust the IPO staff to make it happen.

 

[drj898]

ITA. And I almost NEVER suggest that people pay extra for Club Level. You're right about any extras the OP might want around his proposal. I would completely trust the IPO staff to make it happen.

I understand now. I know what you're talking about now with the whole concierge thing, and IPO. Thank you so much.

PS: What's "ITA" stand for?

 

[robinb]

I understand now. I know what you're talking about now with the whole concierge thing, and IPO. Thank you so much.

PS: What's "ITA" stand for?

"I totally agree" .

 

[Sue M]

We stayed CL last Aug at BC, and it was amazing. The staff on the CL floor was so nice to us, taking the time to say hello, asking how our day went, it was a more personal experience.
You do get checked in at the CL floor so you're not waiting on line downstairs, and as mentioned- the breakfast, snacks and drinks during the day, appies early evening, and liquors at night.

The CL staff left my (adult) daughter a balloon bouquet and they all signed a birthday card. When we were leaving, they had noted how much we loved the taffy candies, and had a whole bag of them to give us for our flight!

It's just all the little special touches. And as mentioned- they can help with ideas for you for your proposal, and anything else you may want.

I'd go with AKL CL. Every girl loves some extra pampering If you do, mention to TA that you are proposing, and have it noted on your reservation- you may get some extra pixie dust.

 

[magical memories]

curious as to why you decided against the BC? YC and BC are amazing with the best pool and great restaurants!!! Although I LOVE the Animal Kingdom and the restaurant there I do not like that once you are at the hotel, you lose a lot because you are so far away from everything. Have had club level and although nice to know it's there for you, it really isn't much especially if you're not at the resort all day long.

The Boardwalk area is the best in my opinion. If nothing else you can people watch. You are in the heart of it all and the location is so convenient with many many options for dining and great access into and out of parks.

I say Boardwalk. Good luck and congratulations and remember either one isn't too shabby.

 

[ARAITHEL]

Are we forgetting to ask what your girlfriend would like? Does she love animals or would the feel of a turn of the century boardwalk be better for her?

 

[jennabcassell]

I too have been torn with wanting to stay at the AKL, so last time I was at WDW, I went there myself and looked around. Im so glad I did. While it was beautiful, It was not my style. I went and looked out at the savannah views and it was just a field were the animals can roam. Plus I got a great whiff of animal poo. I really dont want to open the door of my room and have the poo smell come in there! The pools looked fun, and the food smelled wonderful. The real factor that made my decision to not ever stay there is the location. It is so far away from the other three parks, and AK is not one of my favorites...so I pick Boardwalk (or Yacht and Beach). I have stayed at Beach Club and it is sooooooo nice to be able to walk from the back entrance of Epcot back to your room. No lines, no buses, just a short pretty walk. There is a beautiful spot off the bridge connecting world showcase france to england, I always thought that would be a beautiful place to have someone propose during the fireworks!!

 

[jennabcassell]

Oh yeah I forgot, I have stayed at CL at the WL. It was nice to have breakfast and snacks and we made a meal out of the heavy appetizers at dinner, but other than that, I'm not sure it was worth the extra $. You do get free alcohol, but we really were not at the resort that much. We were also on the dining plan (which was way too much food with the dining plan and Cl food) and had already made our ADR's before so.... While we did run up from the pool and get a beer or two, I'm not sure it was worth the extra $ when I could have gotten a beer at the pool bar for wayyy less. Don't get me wrong it was nice to be greeted by name and taken up directly to your floor to check it, but also considering you will have CL at AKL ...see my above post!

 

[Splash Mountain Kid]

Our family absolutely loved being so close to Epcot. At night when Epcot does their Illuminations Firework Extravaganza, you can see it from the BWI, BC and YC. We love those three resorts and loved being two minutes away from Epcot! I hope this helped!

 

[Figment43]

Are we forgetting to ask what your girlfriend would like? Does she love animals or would the feel of a turn of the century boardwalk be better for her?

I was about to say just that! I think animals are nice and all, but personally I don't think being proposed to in front of a bunch of animals is romantic. But that's just me.

If SHE loves animals and would be thrilled with getting proposed to on a balcony overlooking a savanna, then go for it. If she's like me (enjoys the look of the Boardwalk and being close to Epcot), obviously you will want to choose BWI.

Of course, you don't have to propose to her at the resort. I hear they have these theme parks at Disney World. (And getting proposed to in front of the castle would be a dream come true for me.) And you can arrange for flowers at any resort through Disney Floral. And let's not forget the glass slipper ring holder that can be delivered to your table.

 

[canter2u]

Hands down, AKL club level. You are treated like royalty, it is romantic and magical with the animals and smell of exotic food and sounds of singing and drums. The food at club/concierge level IS a great perk. Just grab something for breakfast, and the snacks in the afternoon are pretty extensive. Everything is a bus ride away anyway, from whichever park you are in. Granted the boardwalk is only a walk to the back of EPCOT, and a longer walk or boat to Disney Hollywood studios. The pools at the Jambo and Kidani of animal kingdom lodges are superior. the atmosphere is just enchanting and intriguing there. I love eating at Kat Cora's Kouzzina on the boardwalk, but I really wouldn't call the resort romantic....I mean nothing against new jersey, but if you had a choice to pick an exotic vacation in Africa or one in New Jersey for the same price....?

 

[Disney Doll]

If you were taking me to WDW I'd want to be in the BWI. AKL is boring to me and too far away from everything.

I love being in walking distance to Epcot and DHS...especially Epcot because I think there is no more enjoyable romantic thing than strolling the countries at night, pausing to ejoy the sights and sounds, maybe get a nice glass of champagne or wine or a beer, look at the lagoon, sit on a bench and people watch. To have the ability to stroll back and forth to Epcot without having to schlep on a bus with a bunch of screaming kids herded in like cattle is heaven for me.

I love the restaurants in that area, especially the Yachtsmen Steakhouse. I think Beaches & Cream is adorable, I love ESPN for wings, nothing like a nice ice cream from the ice cream shop on the Boardwalk, love looking at all the little shopping spots. When I was younger I also enjoyed Jellyrolls but now that I am an old fart, it's a bit loud for me in there, but we do still stop in on occasion.

Stayed at AKL once...the constant drumming sound in the background drove me crazy, the animals were an interesting way to pass some time if I had to wait for DH to finish showering or whatever but it's not like I spent HOURS out there staring at an antelope. Pool was nice, food was funky to me. Not a fan of that African type decor with masks and straw and such. Just SO not my thing.

So, OP, if you and I ever get engaged, BWI or YC/BC please.

 

[jennabcassell]

Ok...so dying to know what you picked!!!

 

[drj898]

Ok...so dying to know what you picked!!!

After much deliberation between resorts.......I'll be surprising my girlfriend with a birthday trip (with proposal).....


*drum roll*






ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE!! I got us 6 nights, Club Level, standard room with savannah view....$2,881.74 with the Summer Discount!




Threw away POR and CSR when I realized I could afford deluxe. I threw away GF, CR, and Poly due to price. I threw away WL because I didn't want fully rustic. Last but not least...I threw away BC and BWI because I got a deal for Club Level, it's not as quiet and serene as AKL, andddd there aren't any animals in BWI and BC! lol


I'm so excited.....and because I decided to stay at AKL with Club Level, I'm cancelling our character breakfast in Tusker House before our day in AK and I'm going to book the Sunrise Safari/Breakfast instead. My TA and myself thought it'd be the much better option.


Any thoughts? Suggestions? Questions?

 

[*Fantasia*]

I just wanted to say.. "Congrats!.. and Good Luck!" You will make her "magically" happy!! She is a lucky girl to have someone like you to propose to her at the Most Happiest Place on Earth!! It can't get anymore magical that that!