Question about Club Level extra paid fast passes

[Jess.stw]

We have decided to do a split stay for our 25th anniversary trip. We are going to try and stay in the same room as our honeymoon at the Beach Club (or close anyhow) for the bulk the trip, ending with 2-3 nights at the Animal Kingdom lodge and are considering upgrading to club level there.

So here is my question...if we book two nights at AKL Club level, can we do the paid fast passes? I understand there is a 3 day minimum, can we do that with a two night stay? Sunday-Tuesday or Monday-Wednesday fast passes based on a Sunday/Monday or Monday/Tues stay? Or do we have to have three nights for that?

Second question--I understand we can book those extra fast passes 90 days out instead of 60. Can we then book all our fast passes that far out? Or just those 3? Do we have to do that over the phone or can we do it online? Finally, if we can book all the fast passes 90 days out, is there a way we can link the stays so we can book the Beach Club regular fast passes 90 days out too? Wishful thinking, I know, but just trying to decide if club level and paid fast passes are work the investment! Especially since it isn't the busiest time of year--we are going in September.

Things have changed SO MUCH since we used to go back in the 90's! Trying to get up to speed!

 

[focusondisney]

We have decided to do a split stay for our 25th anniversary trip. We are going to try and stay in the same room as our honeymoon at the Beach Club (or close anyhow) for the bulk the trip, ending with 2-3 nights at the Animal Kingdom lodge and are considering upgrading to club level there.

So here is my question...if we book two nights at AKL Club level, can we do the paid fast passes? I understand there is a 3 day minimum, can we do that with a two night stay? Sunday-Tuesday or Monday-Wednesday fast passes based on a Sunday/Monday or Monday/Tues stay? Or do we have to have three nights for that?

Second question--I understand we can book those extra fast passes 90 days out instead of 60. Can we then book all our fast passes that far out? Or just those 3? Do we have to do that over the phone or can we do it online? Finally, if we can book all the fast passes 90 days out, is there a way we can link the stays so we can book the Beach Club regular fast passes 90 days out too? Wishful thinking, I know, but just trying to decide if club level and paid fast passes are work the investment! Especially since it isn't the busiest time of year--we are going in September.

Things have changed SO MUCH since we used to go back in the 90's! Trying to get up to speed!

If you only book club level at AK, you would have to do the paid fastpasses the days you are there. I seem to remember a single, isolated report from someone who said they were able to book on a nonclub level day during a split stay. But that poster never returned to answer questions, so I am skeptical about their post. You would be able to book the day you transfer to AK, the next day & your departure day.

These are booked 90 days from check out. The CM can book your regular fatspasses for those days at the same time. Normally they book the regular FPs for only the days you have paid for the extra ones. Any other day you make at the regular 60 day mark.

There are many pros & cons. This is the dedicated thread with lots of useful info. You might want to check it out to help make your decision.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...se-program-planning-discussion.3657573/unread

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

My understanding is that the option to purchase CL FPs requires a 3 night CL stay.
You can book the CL FPs and your ordinary FPs for the same CL days, 90 days from check out, not check in. I sent an e mail to Signature Services, they called me back at a prearranged time, then closer to the 90 days I sent an e mail confirming my FP selections and Signature Services called me at 90 days to confirm the FPs booked.
They won’t book your BC FPs.
AKL CL is very nice.
I hope that you have a wonderful 25th wedding anniversary celebration.

 

[Wendy12]

Yes, it would work with a 2-night stay as you can use check in and check out days. I think this is correct! Someone more informed may need to correct me.

You book 90 days from your check out day of the CL stay. You can book your CL and regular FPs at that time for the days you are paying for the CL extra FP. So no you cannot book the BC FPs then. You have to wait until the 60 day mark.

You have to book over the phone.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yes, a 2 night CL stay is eligible.

Remember you book the program 90 days from your check out date for the CL stay.

 

[Jess.stw]

Thanks so much, all!

I guess maybe I will have to contact Disney to find out for sure about the 2 or 3 nights required, I knew it required you to buy 3 days, but don't know if arrival and departure days can both count, allowing me to buy 3 days for a 2 night stay.

@Welsh_Dragon thanks for the info about AKL CL! If we spend a lot of times in the parks and won't be doing much food...is it still a good option? We will at least to Savannah View so Club Level isn't a big jump in price from that.

I have read that post, but it was a LOT to try and absorb, but yes I remembered 90 days from checkout, and doubted that I could book the Beach Club too, but thought I might have missed something. I will go back and re-read the thread!

 

[Jess.stw]

Yes, a 2 night CL stay is eligible.

Remember you book the program 90 days from your check out date for the CL stay.

Oh great, thank you! That helps a lot.

Right...90 days from check out, got it, thank yo so much!

 

[focusondisney]

If we spend a lot of times in the parks and won't be doing much food...is it still a good option?

That is one of the biggest drawbacks & reasons some skip the paid FPs. Doing 6 fastpasses a day requires spending a lot of time in the parks. And then you miss out on club lounge time.

I have done them twice myself, but don’t do them most trips. But they are a great way to ensure you get the popular, hard to get fastpasses. And to bypass the tiers are the parks. Your 3 regular FPs must follow the usual rules, but the paid ones can be used for any tier, in any park. So you could park hop & still get on the popular rides with little waiting. Definitely a hard decision!

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Thanks so much, all!

I guess maybe I will have to contact Disney to find out for sure about the 2 or 3 nights required, I knew it required you to buy 3 days, but don't know if arrival and departure days can both count, allowing me to buy 3 days for a 2 night stay.

@Welsh_Dragon thanks for the info about AKL CL! If we spend a lot of times in the parks and won't be doing much food...is it still a good option? We will at least to Savannah View so Club Level isn't a big jump in price from that.

I have read that post, but it was a LOT to try and absorb, but yes I remembered 90 days from checkout, and doubted that I could book the Beach Club too, but thought I might have missed something. I will go back and re-read the thread!

The AKL CL lounge is a very calm environment and the staff are courteous and helpful. Even if there is no food out, they will get snacks for you and you can request soft and alcoholic drinks, including champagne, at any time. We treated the food as canapés but there were people in the lounge who were very obviously treating the offerings as a complete meal. There was certainly enough variety to do that. When I booked the CL FPs for September 2019, I was told that a three night stay was required, so it may be worth re checking that when you book. As you mentioned the upgrade cost from Savannah to CL is very reasonable.
The CL lounge was quite far from our room. Also you can take open bottles of beer, glasses of wine etc and food boxes from the lounge and find a nice quite spot overlooking the Savannah to enjoy them or take things back to enjoy on your balcony.