JAMBO! The Murphy's are LIVE from WDW & AKL 3/18-3/27

[TigrLvsPooh]

Fantastic report and wonderful photos. I am disappointed they didn't give you the chocolate animals for club level. I thought that was part of the welcome packet. Did they stop it? I am club level at AKL in December and I was looking forward to the treat and I the little extras you get in room for club level-like better/larger toiletries, robes, chocolates on arrival, turn down service with chocolates .. You see I love my chocolate.

I had heard they discontinued chocolate welcome gift. Apparently that was accurate. I do remember getting some chocolate animals on sticks last time we were here in 2014.

We do have one robe in our closet but the toiletries aren't different. Just the standard deluxe resort type:

One robe:

 

[NicoleLarson]

Well boo, to no birthday or welcome chocolates! Do they at least have the turn down ones? The toiletries are different too. We had toothpaste and toothbrushes, and aloe gel, in addition to what you have. Is the wine still self serve? This was just in December, so things really changed quickly!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Just back to our room from MK. We did not receive turn down service.
(And I checked that we didn't leave a DND sign on the door)
I'm assuming this means our room isn't labeled as CL on the housekeeper's list. This happened two years ago as well. I've always said that due to CL guests being scattered all around the resort it must be difficult for them to keep track. As much as I hate to I'm going to have to hunt down a manager tomorrow and see what's going on. I'll also ask about the upgraded toiletries, welcome gift, and second robe. If they've discontinued turn down service I'm going to be disappointed.

 

[mrsap]

Love the pictures!!! Thanks for the up close shots of the CL food!!! I was getting more excited with every picture! And I completely agree something seems wrong and you need to talk to someone. Good luck and hope you get things fixed!! The welcome chocolate is the best part!!!! Lol Have a great time and thanks again for sharing!!!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Well boo, to no birthday or welcome chocolates! Do they at least have the turn down ones? The toiletries are different too. We had toothpaste and toothbrushes, and aloe gel, in addition to what you have. Is the wine still self serve? This was just in December, so things really changed quickly!

Yes the wine is still self serve. But once the first bottles were gone the table sat empty a long time before they brought more.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Love the pictures!!! Thanks for the up close shots of the CL food!!! I was getting more excited with every picture! And I completely agree something seems wrong and you need to talk to someone. Good luck and hope you get things fixed!! The welcome chocolate is the best part!!!! Lol Have a great time and thanks again for sharing!!!!

Thanks, I'll definitely take more pictures this week, I know they're super helpful to those planning their trips.

 

[mmmears]

We were at the BC and GF (RPC) a week or two ago. We did have turndown (with the little chocolates) at both, but there was no welcome gift at either one.

 

[MamaMaleficent2016]

I love live reports and this great! I am also following you on IG . Thanks for sharing!!

 

[eastendlights]

We were at the BC and GF (RPC) a week or two ago. We did have turndown (with the little chocolates) at both, but there was no welcome gift at either one.

Two weeks ago at BC, we did not get a welcome gift for the first time in 14 trips CL trips. In fact, the last few years there we had gotten chocolate, fresh flowers and chocolate covered strawberries in our room on arrival.

 

[Ruth B]

Just back to our room from MK. We did not receive turn down service.
(And I checked that we didn't leave a DND sign on the door)
I'm assuming this means our room isn't labeled as CL on the housekeeper's list. This happened two years ago as well. I've always said that due to CL guests being scattered all around the resort it must be difficult for them to keep track. As much as I hate to I'm going to have to hunt down a manager tomorrow and see what's going on. I'll also ask about the upgraded toiletries, welcome gift, and second robe. If they've discontinued turn down service I'm going to be disappointed.

What a shame. It's so disappointing to get back to your room and the special touches haven't happened. Who do you tend to approach? Manager in Club lounge or front desk( preparing myself for Oct - it's always me who has to go and speak to someone!)

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Two weeks ago at BC, we did not get a welcome gift for the first time in 14 trips CL trips. In fact, the last few years there we had gotten chocolate, fresh flowers and chocolate covered strawberries in our room on arrival.

When I spoke with management this morning her first comment was "You must have stayed CL before". Uhhh, yeah a few times. Obviously they know that long time CL guests know what to expect and immediately know when something is different. She said she'd been at AKL for 3 months and they hadn't given any welcome gifts or chocolates to anyone since she arrived, so I'm guessing this must have changed right around the 1st of the year. I mentioned the animal shaped chocolates and she said she'd never seen them. She also said turn down service is BY REQUEST only now. She said "it is still complementary for club level guests"... uhhhh, I should hope so for the amount of money we pay! Anyway, moving on, she did bring us a 2nd robe and the remaining toiletry items that were missing (mouthwash, aloe, and toothbrush). I was really honest with her and just said that I wasn't asking for any special treatment or extra amenities, I only want what I've paid for. I said if things have changed and certain perks have been taken away then guests need to know that.

Now, onto a positive topic... breakfast! We just had a great breakfast in the lounge. The kids were happy to see cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins and croissants. There was plenty of everything and empty items were being refilled quickly. I've had my coffee so now I can function!

The sun is shining and we're headed to Epcot for the day! Very excited to see the Flower & Garden Festival!

 

[Iowamomof4]

When I spoke with management this morning her first comment was "You must have stayed CL before". Uhhh, yeah a few times. Obviously they know that long time CL guests know what to expect and immediately know when something is different. She said she'd been at AKL for 3 months and they hadn't given any welcome gifts or chocolates to anyone since she arrived, so I'm guessing this must have changed right around the 1st of the year. I mentioned the animal shaped chocolates and she said she'd never seen them. She also said turn down service is BY REQUEST only now. She said "it is still complementary for club level guests"... uhhhh, I should hope so for the amount of money we pay! Anyway, moving on, she did bring us a 2nd robe and the remaining toiletry items that were missing (mouthwash, aloe, and toothbrush). I was really honest with her and just said that I wasn't asking for any special treatment or extra amenities, I only want what I've paid for. I said if things have changed and certain perks have been taken away then guests need to know that.

Now, onto a positive topic... breakfast! We just had a great breakfast in the lounge. The kids were happy to see cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins and croissants. There was plenty of everything and empty items were being refilled quickly. I've had my coffee so now I can function!

The sun is shining and we're headed to Epcot for the day! Very excited to see the Flower & Garden Festival!

With all the cuts going around, it sounds like CL was not exempted from feeling the pain. You're right though, if the services and amenities included have changed, guests have a right to know ahead of time.

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Good for you for saying something!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

What a shame. It's so disappointing to get back to your room and the special touches haven't happened. Who do you tend to approach? Manager in Club lounge or front desk( preparing myself for Oct - it's always me who has to go and speak to someone!)

Since it was after 10:00 PM last night when we returned (CL closed for the day) I sent an email to the IPO staff and asked them to forward my message to management this morning. I got an email from IPO around 8:00 AM that said someone would be contacting me shortly. The manager called our room around 10:00 AM.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

With all the cuts going around, it sounds like CL was not exempted from feeling the pain. You're right though, if the services and amenities included have changed, guests have a right to know ahead of time.

Exactly, and I hope they understood what I was saying. Does the lack of turn down service adversely affect my trip? No. But if I come back late at night expecting it to have happened while I was gone then it is a letdown.

 

[bookluvingbabe]

Wet carpet, no clock, no cups, dirty towels in the bathroom. I remember now why I haven't stayed at POR in 15 years. It will probably be another 15 before I go back. If I would have been staying longer I would have definitely gone to management. But we basically slept and left. Very glad to be here at AKL now.

Alas, I think clocks are a thing of the past at most resorts. But I'm with you on POR. It will be a long time before I go back, if ever. Send them an email though. There is something seriously rotten in their management that these issues continue there.

 

[eeyore81]

Loving your report! Keep it coming!

 

[Ruth B]

When I spoke with management this morning her first comment was "You must have stayed CL before". Uhhh, yeah a few times. Obviously they know that long time CL guests know what to expect and immediately know when something is different. She said she'd been at AKL for 3 months and they hadn't given any welcome gifts or chocolates to anyone since she arrived, so I'm guessing this must have changed right around the 1st of the year. I mentioned the animal shaped chocolates and she said she'd never seen them. She also said turn down service is BY REQUEST only now. She said "it is still complementary for club level guests"... uhhhh, I should hope so for the amount of money we pay! Anyway, moving on, she did bring us a 2nd robe and the remaining toiletry items that were missing (mouthwash, aloe, and toothbrush). I was really honest with her and just said that I wasn't asking for any special treatment or extra amenities, I only want what I've paid for. I said if things have changed and certain perks have been taken away then guests need to know that.

Now, onto a positive topic... breakfast! We just had a great breakfast in the lounge. The kids were happy to see cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins and croissants. There was plenty of everything and empty items were being refilled quickly. I've had my coffee so now I can function!

The sun is shining and we're headed to Epcot for the day! Very excited to see the Flower & Garden Festival!

Interesting... On the Disney site under CL amenities they no longer list turn down arrive ( I'm sure it was there when we booked!) will have to request when we arrive! What a shame.

Hope you have a lovely day at Epcot!

 

[Cotillard]

Happy early birthday. Sorry to hear about the decline in amenities at CL. Good that you got to the bottom of that. Hope you're having a magical day

 

[NicoleLarson]

Exactly, and I hope they understood what I was saying. Does the lack of turn down service adversely affect my trip? No. But if I come back late at night expecting it to have happened while I was gone then it is a letdown.

This exactly! I don't stay on CL just for the welcome chocolates, mouthwash and turn down service BUT it is something that I expect and makes the stay special. We pay a lot for CL and there has to be a breaking point of "is this really worth it?" when you keep raising prices but keep taking stuff away. My question is, what's next, afternoon snacks, alcohol, soda? Ok, rant over....

Glad breakfast went well, I love the oatmeal with the toasted quinoa and brown sugar on top! Hope you are enjoying F&G !!!