I know there is a main thread for club level, but I find it a bit overwhelming to find an answer. I just want to know what exactly do you get for Club Level? What's so great about it?
Do you want a list of specific things you get? Then:
- Itinerary Planning team to work with you before your vacation. They can book ADRs, recreation like boat rentals, add special request to your room reservation or special dietary needs to ADRs, answer any questions, get special event tickets for you like Christmas Party, arrange transportation to/ from airport (Magical Express or private car service).
- Dedicated club level CMs at the hotel for check in & to make/ change ADRs, book events, add tickets etc. They basically do the same thing front desk CMs would do, but you don't have to go to the lobby & wait in a line. Club CMs are only there 7am - 10 pm, at off hours you need to go to front desk for any needs.
- Some club levels have upgraded toiletries or little extras like toothbrush & paste, but that isn't a promised benefit. There are robes in the room for you to use. Club level rooms automatically get turn down service every night. They tidy the room, turn down the beds & leave small chocolates on your pillow, replace used towels & empty garbages.
- All club levels have some type of lounge. Many are large dedicated rooms which are only open certain hours & are closed over night. A few are open all the time. For example, the Royal Palm Club in the main building at Grand Floridian are large open areas on the 3rd, 4th & 5th floors that you can relax in anytime of day. But the Yacht Club lounge is a dedicated room that is locked after 10 pm.
- Thee are food & beverages available at specific times of the day. Most have coffee starting at 7am. Then: 7:30 - 10:30 ish is continental breakfast. All the lounges have an expresso machine for coffee & tea. There are a few cold cereals, assorted mini muffins & pastries that change daily, bagels with usual accompaniments, yogurts, bread for toasting. Most have either oatmeal or grits. All the lounges have added some type of protein: either hard boiled eggs &/or a cold meat like turkey or ham. Fruit like it cut up melons & whole fruit like bananas & apples too.
There are snacks like gold fish crackers, house made chips & dip, gummy bears etc plus beverages like soda, used tea, lemonade during the afternoon. You can ask for adult beverages anytime too, but they aren't out during the day.
Evenings from 5 - 7 there are appetizers. Each lounge has at least 2 hot items plus several cold items. For example: bacon wrapped meatballs plus a chicken skewer with dip. Cold items are things like capreses salad, veggies & dip, cheese & crackers, bread, rolls, pb&j for the kids, etc. There are wines & beer plus the other beverages.
From 8-10 pm there are mini desserts: cookies, cupcakes, fruit tarts, gummies. Also cordials for the adults.
Each hotel has a slightly different menu since they get their foods from their own restaurants. But they all follow the same time frames & general types of offerings. Both lounges at GF also add a tea service in the middle of the day.
- The club levels are mostly dedicated floors or buildings. You have to use your magic band or room key to access the floor or building. This gives an extra bit of security/ privacy that many people appreciate.
As previous posters said, it is an individual decision on what makes it special or "worth it". If you have a family of teen boys, you will save money on breakfast alone. For my DH & me, we don't drink adult beverages but the morning foods are perfect for us plus we like not worrying about what floor we're on or what view we'll get. So we don't get our money back in food, but the value of the dedicated floor is worth a lot to us.
Hope this helps!
