IPO & CR CL ?s

[Karin1984]

Hi all,

There is a chance that friends want to take me with me on their trip to WDW in Feb 2017 It will be a group of 5 or 6 adults, used to themeparks, but not WDW. As I've been to WDW before and they haven't, they asked me for input for the hotel choice. I've only stayed at POP and for these people, money isn't an issue. I'm looking at the deluxe resorts, I think I will recommend the Contemporary resort for the proximity to MK, the monorail and California Grill. (I will also recommend it because this resort is on my Disney bucket list. I would love to stay there with TPV ;-) )

I've got some questions, hope you can help me!

Club Level is something that also interests them, but I have been reading here many negative reviews about declining service that I wonder: Is it worth it? Would a newbie to CL notice the difference or only the hardcore fans who has spending their nights at CL for years? Or should I just recommend a standard room? And for those who have stayed at different CLs, are some better then others, or you just have to be lucky to have the right CMs?

Other thing with, is CL worth it, IPO. Most people seem to advise to make your own ADRs and FP+ reservations. If you do all that yourself, then what do you use IPO for?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

"Worth" is in the eye of the beholder. With 5 or 6 adults utilizing all the lounge offerings - breakfast, snacks, hors d'oeuvres, alcohol - you could make it monetarily worth it.

I don't think a newbie would notice the food offerings are getting skimpy as they have nothing to compare it to.

If you know the ins and outs of booking ADRs and FP+, then IPO is useless. I have always found it easier and faster to do it all in my own.

 

[addiln]

I agree with the pp. If you know what you are doing with everything it is easier just to do it yourself. Also how much time do you really think you will be spending there? Is it really going to be worth the extra expense if you are not taking full advantage of it? I am not a fan of the cl since I just don't see myself taking full advantage it.

 

[DisCatGirl]

We enjoy CL But we are not "rope drop to fireworks" kind of people. We have a decent breakfast in the lounge, make our way to the parks for a few hours. Have a light lunch in a park. Back to the hotel for naps, pools etc. Have some snacks in the lounge. Back to the parks for a few hours and dinner. Then back to the hotel for snacks and wine in the lounge. We really use it and find it's worth every penny.

 

[Karin1984]

"Worth" is in the eye of the beholder. With 5 or 6 adults utilizing all the lounge offerings - breakfast, snacks, hors d'oeuvres, alcohol - you could make it monetarily worth it.

I don't think a newbie would notice the food offerings are getting skimpy as they have nothing to compare it to.

If you know the ins and outs of booking ADRs and FP+, then IPO is useless. I have always found it easier and faster to do it all in my own.

I think I can do it myself then. The discussion of who wants to eat where/when is something we have to do ourselves anyway. You can always ask them, right? If I haven't been able to get a certain ADR/FP, I can ask their help to see if they can arrange it?

I agree with the pp. If you know what you are doing with everything it is easier just to do it yourself. Also how much time do you really think you will be spending there? Is it really going to be worth the extra expense if you are not taking full advantage of it? I am not a fan of the cl since I just don't see myself taking full advantage it.

We enjoy CL But we are not "rope drop to fireworks" kind of people. We have a decent breakfast in the lounge, make our way to the parks for a few hours. Have a light lunch in a park. Back to the hotel for naps, pools etc. Have some snacks in the lounge. Back to the parks for a few hours and dinner. Then back to the hotel for snacks and wine in the lounge. We really use it and find it's worth every penny.

That's exactly my problem, I never spend much time at the resort. Every minute not in the parks is a minute wasted ;-) On the other hand, when I am in my room, I do like to have some space to move around. And I know I can do rope drop to fireworks, but I know some of the others cannot. I am already planning to do RD on my own, maybe with one or two others. There is at least one slow starter in the group, plus some always have blister problems. Therefore I have to adjust my pace anyway. When you are this close to MK & Epcot, it will be easier to take midday breaks and truly slow down.

 

[madalex]

There is a chance that friends want to take me with me on their trip to WDW in Feb 2017 It will be a group of 5 or 6 adults, used to themeparks, but not WDW. As I've been to WDW before and they haven't, they asked me for input for the hotel choice. I've only stayed at POP and for these people, money isn't an issue. I'm looking at the deluxe resorts, I think I will recommend the Contemporary resort for the proximity to MK, the monorail and California Grill.

For an adult only trip, you may want to focus on one of the Epcot resorts. As great as it is to be able to walk to the MK from the Contemporary, adults frequently gravitate to Epcot as the park of choice. I know with the monorail, Epcot seems close, but a 5 minute walk to Epcot (from an Epcot resort) beats a 25 minute trip (once you take into account waits and ride times for two monorail trips).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think I can do it myself then. The discussion of who wants to eat where/when is something we have to do ourselves anyway. You can always ask them, right? If I haven't been able to get a certain ADR/FP, I can ask their help to see if they can arrange it?

Yes, of course, you can ask them for their help, but what they see on their computer screen is exactly what you are seeing on your phone, iPad, etc. ADR's are much easier to snag on your own. As far as FP+, they used to be helpful when you could text them to set up your 4th FP+ (or stop by the desk to do it prior to going to a park), but now you can do that on your phone, so not much use their either.

I think they are far more useful to people who have never been to WDW and don't know how to navigate MDE.

In terms of your travel party, if you have a number of adults who may spend a lot of time at the resort, CL may work out for them. It is nice to grab a drink and snack midday, grab apps and a drink in the evening. Plus, if they are tired from the day in the park, the view of the fireworks from the lounge is spectacular!

 

[Babsy]

We love CR CL, even with cutbacks! Yo are on the 12th (or 14th) floor, which is very nice, you have a lounge area to relax in at any time of day, you can watch fireworks from here if you have a BLV, you have a convenient place to get together and be comfortable over a couple of drinks while planning/discussing the next day, it just feels so relaxing to have somewhere to go for breakfast or whatever and not have to battle lines.

If money is not an issue, then I think that CL is a very nice luxury. It is an extra $150 - $200 per night per room, though.

I think that the CR is an excellent choice for people going to WDW for the first time, especially those that might be slower on the get go and might need extra down time. The MK is a much more manageable park than Epcot and is so iconic that they may want to spend extra time there. Plus, there is something truly magical about that view of the castle and the entire MK area! Just stunning!

Congratulations! Enjoy your trip!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

"Worth" is very subjective but I'm a CL fan, especially at CR. Totally agree with Babsy above! Couldn't have said it any better.