Missing Club level

[MissionMouse]

We have stayed Club level trip after trip over the years, but we could not ignore the decline in the offerings, decline in food/beverage theming (cost cutting), replenishing food/beverage during serving times (rationing), hiding items (cost cutting/rationing) and the advancement in ADRs (now on-line) the cost were seriously became an issue. You also have to realize the at some resort the club has restrictive hours. Add in the appetizer and dessert serving times often conflicting in park plans and we found the club wasn't worth it. The extra space to spread out is nice, but not that nice. Disney really should update the club level experience. Today, there taking advantage of customers who are trapped in the fear it won't be the same without it. I approach that Disney is coasting on a past reputation. You will be fine without Club level. Take the money you would have spent and indulge in the here and there food and beverage offerings. Splurge on your family...have fun. Disney is a place where your attitude and energy is actually the magic.

 

[caliope]

We have a split stay coming up in August, with non-CL at CR and CL at Poly. When we stay CL, I tend to book far fewer ADR because of the food and drink offerings. So our plans for this trip include favorite dining experiences (character meals for DS, California Grill for DH and me) the first few days, and virtually no ADRs the latter half. I look at staying CL or not as just a variation in the experience. If we couldn't get a CL room at our resort(s) of choice, I wouldn't despair because there are other ways to round out the vacation with special touches. If CL opens up for you, great! But if not, I'm sure you'll still love it and have an awesome time.

 

[lala5176]

We are headed to the Poly CL this June. Also a family of five. We really enjoy the extra space the lounge provides as my oldest is fifteen and she needs some space away from her siblings sometimes. It's very convenient, but I wouldn't have a problem not going that route. I would probably have a grocery delivery for breakfast stuff though. That is a very great option that CL provides. I hope you have a great trip either way. Also, keep checking and maybe even ask when you check in if any Hawaii rooms have opened up. Maybe I'll see you at the pool. Have fun!

Thank you. Grocery delivery is a good option too. Maybe we will see you by the pool! Have a great trip!

 

[lala5176]

I personally don't think it's usually worth the extra cost. We are a larger family (4 kids plus two parents) so our first few Disney trips were off site due to costs. Then in 2012 someone gifted us with a 2 bedroom club level suite at BWI (!!!) It was awesome, and our first "on site" experience as a family. The next trip, I treated my brother to club level at YC (I was able to get a great deal with a military discount.) The biggest advantage of that: We had a late afternoon flight so we had already checked out of our room--but it was HOT and HUMID and my brother wasn't able to tolerate walking around the parks. It was great to have the lounge as a place to just hang out and drink cold drinks.
All of our trips since then have been non CL--with the exception of a 5 night stay during marathon weekend 2017. Dh and I were on an adults only trip and got a garden suite that was CL. While the breakfasts/snacks/etc. were nice--I almost felt like I had to be at the lounge for appetizers each night, or else it was a "waste." Same with breakfast--I wouldn't have made a breakfast ADR, because it would feel like we were wasting the free one at club level.

So, in general, I actually PREFER to not stay club level--due to the "guilt" factor. I did choose a CL room for an upcoming stay at GF this summer--but only because it is for only one night, and we will not be doing any parks. I plan on "using" the CL lounge as much as possible from 7 am check in day until about 9 or 10 pm check out day!

I hear you on maximizing the benefits. We try to get to appetizers as much as possible and do feel bad when we don't, but breakfast is always a must. We aren't big drinkers either but try to enjoy a cocktail every day to get our money's worth

 

[lala5176]

We have stayed Club level trip after trip over the years, but we could not ignore the decline in the offerings, decline in food/beverage theming (cost cutting), replenishing food/beverage during serving times (rationing), hiding items (cost cutting/rationing) and the advancement in ADRs (now on-line) the cost were seriously became an issue. You also have to realize the at some resort the club has restrictive hours. Add in the appetizer and dessert serving times often conflicting in park plans and we found the club wasn't worth it. The extra space to spread out is nice, but not that nice. Disney really should update the club level experience. Today, there taking advantage of customers who are trapped in the fear it won't be the same without it. I approach that Disney is coasting on a past reputation. You will be fine without Club level. Take the money you would have spent and indulge in the here and there food and beverage offerings. Splurge on your family...have fun. Disney is a place where your attitude and energy is actually the magic.

We have noticed the decline in recent trips too. I have high hopes that it will get better again and we did have a great experience last summer at GF. I totally understand what you are saying. You have a great point that we could just spend the money on something else.

 

[lala5176]

We have a split stay coming up in August, with non-CL at CR and CL at Poly. When we stay CL, I tend to book far fewer ADR because of the food and drink offerings. So our plans for this trip include favorite dining experiences (character meals for DS, California Grill for DH and me) the first few days, and virtually no ADRs the latter half. I look at staying CL or not as just a variation in the experience. If we couldn't get a CL room at our resort(s) of choice, I wouldn't despair because there are other ways to round out the vacation with special touches. If CL opens up for you, great! But if not, I'm sure you'll still love it and have an awesome time.

Thank you. We definitely will live without it. We too book far less ADRs also. We just aren't as hungry. Now we can take the money saved and spend it on a dinner show or something .

 

[pixarmom]

We've stayed CL many times and non-CL many times. Even with a family of five, the value is decreasing. So I think we're done. Our kids would rather not be tied to the lounge at certain times of day and during our most recent CL stay (earlier this year) the lounge was so crowded that the extra "space" of CL just wasn't available to us. Also, during our last stay, there was a TON of food during evening appetizers and a chef making various items each evening (BWI - not Poly.) The CMs seemed very proud of the heavier appetizers in the evenings, which I think is great for many guests. But we don't want food that heavy and we'd prefer the light offerings like fruit, cheese and a small warm appetizer to sample, because we have ADRs most nights. So then I end up feeling like all that extra cost isn't such good value for us.

When we don't stay CL, I think we miss easy breakfast the most. But that's about it. We've stayed both CL and non-CL at Poly many times and I'll admit that I get a little tired of the breakfast routine at Captain Cook's. So we mix it up by getting a couple breakfasts at Captain Cooks and then grabbing something in the parks on other days (sharing cinnamon rolls at Gaston's Tavern, or Les Halles in France at Epcot, for example.)

 

[Kimberle]

Sometimes we stay Club, sometimes not. During the "not" stays, I don't miss Club. I generally choose to Club based on the room locations and views, rather than the "goodies". I have found the "goodies" to be less and less at WDW. The resorts I prefer Club are the CR and AKL. Can't beat the views. During our "not" stays, I just purchase some treats in the gift shop for our room. The new room coffee makers make a wonderful cup of coffee, so I don't miss the Club level coffee.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We stayed CL in 2012 (WL), 2013 (YC), and 2014 (BC), but then in 2015, we had a standard room at CR and in 2016 we stayed at AoA and a standard room at GF. While we absolutely love staying CL, we didn't find it hard to stay in a standard room. We try to reserve CL for special occasions unless we get a really good deal.

I will admit that I am VERY excited for our upcoming 9 nights Poly CL in August - but we are celebrating my DH turning 40 and our 15 year wedding anniversary!!!

 

[anita46]

We don't always stay CL but we always stay CL or Villa with more than 3 people.
Relaxing spaces make for happier campers