Staying Club Level at AKL - perks OTHER than food & FPs ???

[JayWhy]

Me and the wife & 2 year old are staying at AKL in September. I opted for the Club Level because it was only a few bucks more a night vs/ Savannah view. I know we will be getting our money's worth in snacks/drinks alone, but I was curious about other perks. So, without rambling on too much...what are some perks other than free snacks/drinks and the extra FP/day ???? If I'm in a time crunch, is there any way they can help me get to a park quicker than using the bus? Just looking for any info on perks

***Full disclosure: I read through some of the Club Level pinned thread, but didn't find too much on this topic.

 

[Dave006]

Yes the CL is a good value for any guest that is already planning to pay for a Savanna view. I am not sure the extra "paid" FP+ are a good value for everyone at $50 per person per day with a 3 day minimum.

Now some CL benefits that you did not already cover, the lounge is a nice place to relax before and after Park days. The Disney Signature Services (DSS) team is available to assist with your pre-arrival planning and reduce some issues that you might have with your "time" crunch. The lounge is a nice place for parents to switch of when putting the little down for naps or even in the evening at bed time.

Dave

 

[Marionnette]

Me and the wife & 2 year old are staying at AKL in September. I opted for the Club Level because it was only a few bucks more a night vs/ Savannah view. I know we will be getting our money's worth in snacks/drinks alone, but I was curious about other perks. So, without rambling on too much...what are some perks other than free snacks/drinks and the extra FP/day ???? If I'm in a time crunch, is there any way they can help me get to a park quicker than using the bus? Just looking for any info on perks

***Full disclosure: I read through some of the Club Level pinned thread, but didn't find too much on this topic.

They can book tours and ADRs for you but don't have access to any sold-out events or booked up restaurants. They can do your check in/out from their desk. The extra FP+s are $50 per person per night with a minimum 3-night purchase. They will book those FP+s at 90 days (instead of 60) for you and they will do your regular 3 FP+ at the same time if asked. If you need ground transportation, they can make arrangements for it but you will pay for it.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

Me and the wife & 2 year old are staying at AKL in September. I opted for the Club Level because it was only a few bucks more a night vs/ Savannah view. I know we will be getting our money's worth in snacks/drinks alone, but I was curious about other perks. So, without rambling on too much...what are some perks other than free snacks/drinks and the extra FP/day ???? If I'm in a time crunch, is there any way they can help me get to a park quicker than using the bus? Just looking for any info on perks

***Full disclosure: I read through some of the Club Level pinned thread, but didn't find too much on this topic.

The part that's bolded. They only thing they could really do is call a cab, uber/lyft or a Minnie Van for you, and you could do that yourself from an app on your phone. And you'll pay for it regardless.

 

[Dave006]

A second vote that DSS can't get you to a Park any faster than you can do self-service. The Minnie Van service is $25 from Disney location to Disney location and uses the Lyft ride sharing app. Yes this is higher than Lyft or Uber but on the plus side, the Minnie Van can drop you off closer to each Park.

Here is how to contact DSS by phone or email: 407-939-7777 / disney.signature.services@disneyworld.com when using email, please include your reservation number. Note: DSS likes to work via the phone, so consider calling or sending an email with a request for a call-back during their normal hours: 9 AM - 5 PM ET.

Dave

 

[JayWhy]

I'm appreciative of all the responses. Thank you all

 

[trishadono]

Me and the wife & 2 year old are staying at AKL in September. I opted for the Club Level because it was only a few bucks more a night vs/ Savannah view. I know we will be getting our money's worth in snacks/drinks alone, but I was curious about other perks. So, without rambling on too much...what are some perks other than free snacks/drinks and the extra FP/day ???? If I'm in a time crunch, is there any way they can help me get to a park quicker than using the bus? Just looking for any info on perks

***Full disclosure: I read through some of the Club Level pinned thread, but didn't find too much on this topic.

Yes you get food and drinks but the important thing IS THE TIME SAVINGS . You are not waiting in a line at QS or a waiter to bring a menu. You can eat in the lounge or take food n beverages back to your room. Sit inside or out on the balcony watching the animals at akl.

Hands down that is mainly why I do cl. When we get back from the park, I can grab a coffee for me, a water for dd and milk n cookies for ds ( even at 21 that's his fav )and then to the room we go.

The other benefit is having extra space. At night I may sit in the lounge while the kids watch tv or ignore me while on their devices. (They are 23,21) akl lounge has a huge TV plus another for kids. I enjoyed watching a movie there last year.

As often as I go to Disney I still find I need to ask a q at least once and having a cm right there is convenient vs going to the lobby.

Ok and it's fun to need to use a MB to access the lounge on the elevator

Akl often leaves a nice gift in the room too!

Hope those help. Dd woke me early cause she at the airport on her way to Hawaii to visit her friend and family. Lucky girl!

 

[Best Aunt]

The part that's bolded. They only thing they could really do is call a cab, uber/lyft or a Minnie Van for you, and you could do that yourself from an app on your phone. And you'll pay for it regardless.

I don't think that's right. They can call a cab. But you need to request Uber through the app on your phone. You need to request Lyft or Minnie Van on the Lyft app on your phone. Uber, Lyft and Minnie Van can't be requested by a phone call, so I don't see how a cast member could do that for you.

Also, make sure you are aware of the hours that food is served in the Club Level lounge. Will you be leaving for the day before they start serving breakfast? Will you be coming back at night after they have stopped serving food?

When I stayed Club Level there it was back when you had to go to the front desk to check in upon arrival (before you could go straight to your room with your Magic Band if they gave you the room number). I was taken to the lounge to check in. It took FOREVER. Much longer than it would have at the regular front desk. There was only one person working at the desk in the lounge, and they were on the phone helping someone else for a long time. If you are at the front desk and one person is taking a really long time to help another guest, there are other cast members available to help you; even waiting my turn, it would have been faster at the front desk.

 

[rwdavis2]

We stayed CL there in 2012 to be able to do the Sunrise Safari. We mainly used it for breakfast. I don't think I would pay for it again unless there was access to something special.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP, your specific questions have been addressed, but just wanted to say we stayed AKL CL in April and really enjoyed it (first time). I rank CL there as pretty high on my personal favorites list.

FYI, the larger CL thread has lots of people with current/recent CL experience - if you need to dig in any further regarding AKL CL, that’s a great place to stop by.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Best Aunt]

We stayed CL there in 2012 to be able to do the Sunrise Safari. We mainly used it for breakfast. I don't think I would pay for it again unless there was access to something special.

That's exactly why I stayed there Club Level! That Safari was wonderful. I got great pictures.

 

[mickeynut1]

Yes you get food and drinks but the important thing IS THE TIME SAVINGS . You are not waiting in a line at QS or a waiter to bring a menu. You can eat in the lounge or take food n beverages back to your room. Sit inside or out on the balcony watching the animals at akl.

Hands down that is mainly why I do cl. When we get back from the park, I can grab a coffee for me, a water for dd and milk n cookies for ds ( even at 21 that's his fav )and then to the room we go.

The other benefit is having extra space. At night I may sit in the lounge while the kids watch tv or ignore me while on their devices. (They are 23,21) akl lounge has a huge TV plus another for kids. I enjoyed watching a movie there last year.

FYI, the larger CL thread has lots of people with current/recent CL experience - if you need to dig in any further regarding AKL CL, that’s a great place to stop by.

I agree! The CL thread is a great thread with a lot of knowledgeable/friendly posters who are always willing to help .

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Alcohol

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

I don't think that's right. They can call a cab. But you need to request Uber through the app on your phone. You need to request Lyft or Minnie Van on the Lyft app on your phone. Uber, Lyft and Minnie Van can't be requested by a phone call, so I don't see how a cast member could do that for you.

Also, make sure you are aware of the hours that food is served in the Club Level lounge. Will you be leaving for the day before they start serving breakfast? Will you be coming back at night after they have stopped serving food?

When I stayed Club Level there it was back when you had to go to the front desk to check in upon arrival (before you could go straight to your room with your Magic Band if they gave you the room number). I was taken to the lounge to check in. It took FOREVER. Much longer than it would have at the regular front desk. There was only one person working at the desk in the lounge, and they were on the phone helping someone else for a long time. If you are at the front desk and one person is taking a really long time to help another guest, there are other cast members available to help you; even waiting my turn, it would have been faster at the front desk.

I'm not the OP. I gave them advice that the front desk or concierge at the hotel can't really do anything for them that they can't do themselves regarding getting somewhere faster.

If you have further advice for them please address it to them and keep me out of it.