Is club level worth it?

[kmk1180]

We are considering doing Club level at ALV next trip.
To do so would mean giving up 3 days at Vero.
(partly because we're worried taking our son out of 1st grade for two weeks is too much. If we upgrade to club we can still get a nice 8 night trip in and only miss 1 week)

So is Club level worth doing?
What are the perks to staying Club?

Or should we stay value or standard and add 3 extra days at Vero
instead?

Thoughts?

 

[DisneyMama409]

Go to Vero!! Save your hundreds of dollars. You're basically paying for extra snacks and drinks LOL

 

[irishtigger]

I say yes but I also feel it depends on where. We stay club level in December at BW and just got back from staying club level at the poly and I would not stay at the BW again club level the Poly was SO much better. I stayed at the Poly not club level and I would prefer to stay club level from now on.

 

[disneynutz]

You need to try it out for yourself at least once.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

Before you think too hard about it, keep in mind it's very difficult to get. Only 5 studios & 5 1 bedrooms.

 

[kmk1180]

Before you think too hard about it, keep in mind it's very difficult to get. Only 5 studios & 5 1 bedrooms.

I assume all have savannah views?
where are they located?

 

[disneynutz]

I assume all have savanna views?
where are they located?

3 poor savanna views and 2 poor pool views, 6th floor, main building.

Bill

 

[kmk1180]

3 poor savanna views and 2 poor pool views, 6th floor, main building.

Bill

So what's the advantages of club at AKV then?

 

[bobbiwoz]

So what's the advantages of club at AKV then?

We've had 2 short CL stays at AKV, and we liked the amenities, plus we were able to book the special safaris. These are expensive, but well worth it for the experience. The Sunrise Safari is on the path of the Kilamanjaro safari, first thing in the morning, so the animals are just being release from their barns. We saw rhinos running around, they were frisky and kicking up their heels. The giraffes, well, there was at least one male who was checking out all of his ladies, interesting. We learned things that aren't mentioned on the regular safari.

For me, the Discovery Expedition was absolutely the best. That also was on the Kilamanjaro trail, but we went off the trail. We found the hangout of a giraffe family, where baby really checked us out!

This was the best animal experience we've had at WDW, and we're doing it again this September.

My DSis and I have a 4 night CL AKV stay in March. For the 4 nights, the CL studio was only around 8 points more than a savannah view, and for those extra points, we'll get breakfast, some snacks, and DSis and I will enjoy some relaxing time in the evenings with a glass of wine or two. We'll likely do 2 or 3 of the special safaris.

For DH and my 2 stays, we once had a savannah view that was pretty good (we were on 5th floor center, I know, not a normal concierge room, but it's what we had), and the other time a pool that was just OK, but I enjoy sitting on the balcony, and for a view, I concentrate on the good stuff. It's just what I do. I enjoy sitting and relaxing in the lounge, while waiting for ME for instance.

I love the ambiance of Jambo, and the view of the lobby from the lounge is exciting.

Certainly not every trip, and it is always a split stay, I enjoy AKV with BCV stays, but I was absolutely thrilled when DH booked the CL stay for DSis and me.

Bobbi

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So what's the advantages of club at AKV then?

You have access to snacks, apps and drinks thru out the day. You'll have access to book special safari's and you'll receive daily room service. Oddly enough the views are probably the worst at AKV although personally we liked our pool view and the seclusion offered by the overhanging roof.

 

[kmk1180]

Thanks for the info Bobbi and Kat.
It's tempting. very temping

I would love to do the sunrise safari and since we come back to nap for our 3 year old, access to snacks and food would be helpful.

But we also would like to do Vero and not sure if we'd miss it if wen't do that.

Couple other questions...you said there were 2 or 3 tours available.
Besides the Sunrise what are the others? And which is best?

I also read some of the evening snacks are apps. from Jiko,
are any of them the flatbreads?
(my wife and LOVE the black olive flatbread)

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Wildlife Discovery Expedtion is the second safari you can book, and the third is right on the grounds of the AKL. That third is Wanyama safari, and takes place roughlyaround 4-5 on some specific afternoons, with a family style full dinner at Jiko's. It seems to me that wine was included in the meal. I wasn't thrilled with that one, (stomach upset, either a virus or just the different types of food, don't know) and it was great that we did have concierge service in our room, because we needed clean bed linens.

However, I'm betting my illness was very specific, because just about everyone loves that whole experience. DH was fine with it, but he's just not as enthused as I am about the whold AK/AKV experience.

When I go next April with my DSis, we will most likely do Sunrise and either of the other two. You do not sit on the Wanyama safari, I'm not very stable on my legs, so that's another mark against it, just for me.

Honestly, I do not know if I would give up a trip to Vero for the AKV CL experience. We get to WDW much more often than we get to Vero, and those trips are treasured. We have a VB trip set for the very end of June, and it's been 2 years since we were there last.

I'm waiting until my youngest DGD is probably 10 before I offer one of the special safaris to them.

I can't comment on the food offerings, we haven't really been there in the late afternoon/evenings. Poor planning on our part, but I really enjoy the potato chips that are out in the afternoon.

Bobbi

 

[LisaS]

I would love to do the sunrise safari and since we come back to nap for our 3 year old, access to snacks and food would be helpful.

The appetizers are available only in the evening. There were no flatbreads during our stay. I don't actually remember much about the appetizers because they were usually meat based and we're vegetarians.

During the day they have things like potato chips and cookies and lemonade. They offer a continental breakfast in the morning -- cereal, fruit, bagels, juice and coffee. We really enjoyed that.

Just so you know, the Wanyama Safari has an age limit. Kids must be at least 8 years old to participate.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Couple other questions...you said there were 2 or 3 tours available.
Besides the Sunrise what are the others? And which is best?

I also read some of the evening snacks are apps. from Jiko,
are any of them the flatbreads?
(my wife and LOVE the black olive flatbread)

We differed from Bobbi in that the Wanyama Safari in the afternoon on the grounds was our favorite over the Sunrise safari. The Wanyama safari can be booked by anyone staying at AKL/AKV but you receive a discount off the price when you are staying concierge. And to clarify - there are seats on the Wanyama Safari vehicle but you need to stand to have the best view of the animals. The Sunrise can only be booked by AKL/AKV concierge guests and the Wildlife Discovery is open to concierge level at all resorts. We haven't done the Wildlife Discovery expedition but if we get CL again I'd like to try it.

We were not at the room for all evening apps but I don't recall there ever being flatbreads brought out either.