Is Club Level Worth It???

[FSU Girl]

But for the cost of the CL room over a standard room in the same resort you could easily have three full meals plus drinks with money left over. I think this is what confusing those of use that dont use CL.

That's how I feel. I had done concierge on a Disney cruise and had thought it would be similar, but it really wasn't. I think if they could make ADRs sooner or normal FP sooner it would be a huge benefit, but that department doesn't get in until 9am so if you want them to book everything you are actually at a disadvantage.

 

[AngiTN]

But for the cost of the CL room over a standard room in the same resort you could easily have three full meals plus drinks with money left over. I think this is what confusing those of use that dont use CL.

Not by any means at all. There's no way DH and I can eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, along with alcohol at all 3 meals (counting mimosas) for the cost difference between a CL and non-CL room.

 

[Brett Wyman]

That's how I feel. I had done concierge on a Disney cruise and had thought it would be similar, but it really wasn't. I think if they could make ADRs sooner or normal FP sooner it would be a huge benefit, but that department doesn't get in until 9am so if you want them to book everything you are actually at a disadvantage.

I mean I LOVE booking ADRs and FPs. Thrill of the hunt and all. I do not want someone taking that from me

 

[AngiTN]

I have enjoyed reading all the responses and opinions. I had the same questions as the original poster. I was looking (haven't stopped looking yet) at doing a CL in fall of 2020 for my birthday trip and likely at Poly.

Anyone have any opinion of CL at the Poly? I haven't seen anyone post about that resort.

We are a family of 2 adults and typically "on-the-go" couple at WDW but as we have gotten older we might even come back to the room to rest a bit before heading back out for the evening and late nights at DS. So, all the responses and opinions have been very helpful.

It was mentioned several times that they sometimes offer discounts on CL rooms. When are they discounts usually posted?

Discounts are posted at the same time as any other discount

We've done CL at every resort except the new one at CSR. Booked the old CSR but never managed the stay in the room (long story)
Poly was fine. It's not the worse but not our favorite either. It's middle of the pack for us.

 

[FSU Girl]

I mean I LOVE booking ADRs and FPs. Thrill of the hunt and all. I do not want someone taking that from me

I like making them too, I'm an uber planner. But for some of my short trips where I know I won't be getting some of the hard to get things it would be nice to get a head start on that and get what I want.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Not by any means at all. There's no way DH and I can eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, along with alcohol at all 3 meals (counting mimosas) for the cost difference between a CL and non-CL room.

This is for the night if 9/21. Thats a 249 dollar difference. My wife and I could eat pretty well for that price for a day. Certainly better than the CL offering. Now sure if you are feeding three teenagers too it might start to work out. But to get your money you have to eat all three meals there every day. We wouldn't be around enough to do that.

 

[cakebaker]

This is for the night if 9/21. Thats a 249 dollar difference. My wife and I could eat pretty well for that price for a day. Certainly better than the CL offering. Now sure if you are feeding three teenagers too it might start to work out. But to get your money you have to eat all three meals there every day. We wouldn't be around enough to do that.

At AKL in late July, using our AP rate, the difference between a Savannah room and CL Savannah was under $60 a day. While we didn't book AKL CL to save money, at that price we certainly do. Just took a quick look and at the YC and the price for a water view vs standard CL was $80 a night and at the Poly, if you chose a CL garden view vs theme park view, CL is actually cheaper. We wouldn't choose CL if the price difference was $250 or more.

Our YC stay was comped, but I saved a lot of money not eating out as much. We found the food to be delicious at the YC. There was well more than enough for breakfast and dinner, lunch is really just snacks. The drinks in the evening were amazing. All you have to do is ask, and if they have it, they'll make any drink you want. We're not big drinkers, but it's nice late in the evening to have a drink or two.

That said, staying CL is not something you generally do to save money.
It's a luxury that we really enjoy.

 

[drwadadli]

We thought that the food offerings were pretty good, but it's probably middle-of-the-road in comparison to other resorts.

Why do you think Poly CL is "middle-of-the-road in comparison to other resorts"?

 

[Brett Wyman]

That said, staying CL is not something you generally do to save money.
It's a luxury that we really enjoy.

Right no one is questioning spending the extra money, at least for me personally Im wondering where the "luxury" is in it?

 

[jerseyjersey]

We stay CL sometimes, but not always. For us, several factors come into play. Historically, the biggest one is how much time we’ll actually spend enjoying it-on our shorter trips where we’re on the go all day and night, we typically just book a regular room. If we’ll have more time to enjoy the offerings and the lounge, we’re more likely to opt for CL.

Also, if we’re arriving early on our first day and leaving late on our last day, the lounge is a nice place to hang out, grab food and drinks, etc, before check in and after check out.

The other, more recent factor is the purchase of the extra FP. That’s swayed us to CL on 2 recent, shorter stays when we might have otherwise not done so.

We also sometimes find a great rate on a CL room and book it, regardless of our plans. That’s total luck of the draw though, LOL.

 

[cakebaker]

Discounts are posted at the same time as any other discount

We've done CL at every resort except the new one at CSR. Booked the old CSR but never managed the stay in the room (long story)
Poly was fine. It's not the worse but not our favorite either. It's middle of the pack for us.

Since you've done them all, what's your opinion of AKL? I'm a little leary due to it not being on the same floor as the lounge, but really wanted to try AKL in general and for the price, couldn't resist!

 

[cakebaker]

Right no one is questioning spending the extra money, at least for me personally Im wondering where the "luxury" is in it?

I guess it depends on what you consider luxuries. Having someone make drinks for me at no cost, turn down service, the attention to details and willingness to do anything I ask if it's in their power- they worked with me for a very long time trying to fit in a pirate cruise for my grandson at the last minute. They also changed some of my reservations and did some cancellations at the last minute as well. I just told them what I needed and went on my way and they'd call me when they had it figured out. When I asked for a late checkout, they never checked with anyone before saying it was no problem. I've asked before on past trips from time to time and this was the first time I got one- and it took seconds. No trip down to the front desk waiting in line.

 

[jerseyjersey]

Why do you think Poly CL is "middle-of-the-road in comparison to other resorts"?

Not the OP of that post, but I feel the same about Poly CL. It was fine, but just ok for us. Not sure if it was due to being there at a busier time (spring break), but it felt like the lounge was always crowded and fairly loud, and the food wasn’t replenished as often as we’d hoped it might be when things were finished. The CMs seemed stressed and generally weren’t always very friendly. Considering we paid more per night for Poly than our favorite CLs, like Beach Club, Contemporary and AKL, we’ve decided to make Poly a one and done for the foreseeable future.

Mileage definitely varies, and many love Poly CL, so please don’t be discouraged if you’re planning a stay there!

 

[Brett Wyman]

I guess it depends on what you consider luxuries. Having someone make drinks for me at no cost, turn down service, the attention to details and willingness to do anything I ask if it's in their power- they worked with me for a very long time trying to fit in a pirate cruise for my grandson at the last minute. They also changed some of my reservations and did some cancellations at the last minute as well. I just told them what I needed and went on my way and they'd call me when they had it figured out. When I asked for a late checkout, they never checked with anyone before saying it was no problem. I've asked before on past trips from time to time and this was the first time I got one- and it took seconds. No trip down to the front desk waiting in line.

Ah. Makes sense.

 

[alex9179]

Why do you think Poly CL is "middle-of-the-road in comparison to other resorts"?

I think the food offerings are. The apps at YC CL were more elegant and interesting. BWI's CL service gets good reviews consistently. I like the size of the building for easy access to the lounge, and the lounge itself is a good size, especially if no one is using the upper level. I think Poly's MK location and transportation options are great and the grounds are lovely.

 

[drwadadli]

I think the food offerings are. The apps at YC CL were more elegant and interesting. BWI's CL service gets good reviews consistently. I like the size of the building for easy access to the lounge, and the lounge itself is a good size, especially if no one is using the upper level. I think Poly's MK location and transportation options are great and the grounds are lovely.

Thank you for the opinion

 

[BayouQueen]

It's all about the lounge for us, and depends on the type of trip/touring and how many people are in the room. For trips that involve all day touring, I wouldn't recommend it (though I wouldn't dissuade someone from booking it, either). In the winter the weather is often lovely and the parks close earlier so, we tend to stay out all day. On our summer trip, we took afternoon breaks and also stayed at the resort during thunderstorms. The lounge was kind of a refuge for us. Additionally, we were 5 with 3 bottomless pits. We get a lot of $ value from the food offerings on family trips.
I only used the concierge to make ADRs our first trip, I believe their duties have changed quite a bit since. I enjoy playing with options so I've done it all after that first trip. Our typical use is breakfast, snacks around pool time, beverages whenever we're at the resort, and apps if we happen to be there instead of at a park.

This is exactly how we feel about the "worth" of CL. We booked CL at AKL when we had four in the room and it was September, with quite a bit of rain. We ended up having a great time chilling out and being together in the lounge, nibbling on snacks and having a beer or wine or two. It was a wonderful trip that was greatly enhanced by the CL lounge. Very worth it.

Traveling with just DH...naw. We don't eat much and we hang out in the room together. Just a different kind of trip.

 

[rwdavis2]

We did AKL CL several years ago and I would say no. It was nice but we would not do it again. We did it to be able to do the Sunrise Safari at AKL.

 

[mickeynut1]

Maybe I phrased my question poorly by using the words "worth it". I guess I'm just trying to get a little better feel for what people's experiences were like with the extra amenities and if they would necessarily do it again?

When we stay CL it's more for the lounge than anything else. The food offerings are a nice perk, but we love having the lounge for another place to sit and relax rather than in the room or around the resort. I don't use DSS as I enjoy making my own ADRs and FPs, but it is nice to have them there for any questions or concerns you may have prior to or during your stay .

Anyone have any opinion of CL at the Poly? I haven't seen anyone post about that resort.

I had my first Poly CL stay this past Oct and I loved it! The Poly is my favorite resort and CL didn't disappoint. The lounge is on the 2nd floor of the Hawaii building (dedicated CL) with a second seating area on the 3rd floor. Food offerings are only put out certain times throughout the day, but the lounge itself is accessible 24/7 if you wanted to just go sit and relax. The view from the lounge is also amazing .

That said, staying CL is not something you generally do to save money.
It's a luxury that we really enjoy.

I agree .

Also, if we’re arriving early on our first day and leaving late on our last day, the lounge is a nice place to hang out, grab food and drinks, etc, before check in and after check out.

I agree, this is a great perk .

 

[AngiTN]

This is for the night if 9/21. Thats a 249 dollar difference. My wife and I could eat pretty well for that price for a day. Certainly better than the CL offering. Now sure if you are feeding three teenagers too it might start to work out. But to get your money you have to eat all three meals there every day. We wouldn't be around enough to do that.

Right no one is questioning spending the extra money, at least for me personally Im wondering where the "luxury" is in it?

There is no luxury in CL. Not that I'm aware of. Unless you count slippers, a robe, turn down service and chocolates a luxury. I know I don't.

I've never paid rack rate for a room so we've never had a difference where near that high. Usually about $100 on avg.
Even if it was if you can eat 3 full meals with alcohol for 2 for $249 more power to you. We can't. Not unlimited beer and wine.
And said from the first post I did in the thread you had to be in the lounge to benefit. If you can't or won't then you don't. Benefit that is.

Since you've done them all, what's your opinion of AKL? I'm a little leary due to it not being on the same floor as the lounge, but really wanted to try AKL in general and for the price, couldn't resist!

I was worried about that on our first stay too. Didn't end up bothering me. We've been back 2 more times since. We just time or trips there with coming or going and it doesn't make much difference anyway. Just an extra stop on the elevator on the way to and from the room