Which club level for celebration

[Bird003]

We decided (again) we will book club level for long weeks. Mid December for my bday and our 10 year wedding anniversary. Front runners are wilderness lodge and grand Floridian. We have stayed club before but at poly and AKL. Any feedback is much appreciated

 

[Her Dotness]

Definitely The Grand.

We've done both of those, and WL's is decidedly second fiddle. Much less variety and fewer dishes, far less creative munchies.

I don't know if it still does, but the Royal Palm Club (GF main building) used to have four different spreads--lavish continental breakfast, midday snacks and pastries, afternoon tea with finger foods and late-night hors d'oeuvres, both hot and cold. WL had only three, all far more modest and ordinary foods like cinnamon rolls and chips with dips. A choice among several cordials, wine coolers and beers at the RPC, only 2-3 of each at WL.

Of course, your tastes may be more casual than ours. We love the creative snacks at the GF. The more homestyle fare at WL might be your preference.

I was unhappy as well at WL when DH felt unwell one morning and asked me to bring him breakfast on a tray. The lounge CM carrying a sizable tray said it wasn't for guest use and dug out this flimsy little cardboard one hardly bigger than a sheet of copy paper. More than once at the GF, I was handed a large cafeteria-type tray big enough for both our breakfasts and told to set it outside our door when finished rather than bothering to return it.

Such are the differences in service at the two club levels.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Annoying answer but I tend to let my park/location/plan preferences guide the resort choice first, then CL second. It’s hard to pick on CL alone, IMHO.

FWIW, to be the exact opposite of PP, I would pick WL CL over GF CL four times out of five any day. I just had a GF CL stay, for some context, WL was pre-Covid but I follow the current offerings/posts online pretty closely and things are relatively similar. GF CL has a loyal following and I don’t discount some its very positive attributes, but WL and WL CL is more of our particular style and I personally like their CL offerings over GF. I would suggest WL CL is one of the best CL/value/resort equations of all of the CL options. Small guest count, creative and unique offerings, very kind CMs, newly renovated rooms (a big “problem” at GF, if you ask me, glad renovations are coming soon at some point), and rates that are generally more appealing. To me it’s one of the better examples of a “good” CL if I had to judge CL alone, but obviously very subjective!

 

[Bird003]

I appreciate both opinions!

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Between those two, I would say GF. I like the WL club level, but it doesn't feel as conducive for or as nice for a celebration. Have fun!

 

[Bird003]

Really anything on monorail too. Completely unfamiliar with contemporary club offerings though

 

[gottalovepluto]

If money is no consideration GF. (But the price hikes have been pretty steep, so if you haven’t seen RPC price in a couple years check it before you commit.)

The CL Thread here has lots of current info on all the CLs FYI!

 

[mrsap]

I agree with the above and say The Grand. Spent my 40th birthday there a couple of years ago and it was wonderful. RPC is spacious and the food was delicious. Pools are great… I’d recommend a cabana as well! Don’t get me wrong, I love The Lodge and their CL too, but for a big celebration, The Grand is the way to go. Good luck deciding!

 

[Bird003]

I think we decided on wilderness. We have never stayed and I here it is amazing at Christmas

 

[focusondisney]

I don't know if it still does, but the Royal Palm Club (GF main building) used to have four different spreads--lavish continental breakfast, midday snacks and pastries, afternoon tea with finger foods and late-night hors d'oeuvres, both hot and cold.

From what others have said on the CL thread, afternoon tea is not back.

 

[mrsap]

I think we decided on wilderness. We have never stayed and I here it is amazing at Christmas

They are both amazing at Christmas!!! Best two resorts at Christmas IMO.

Wilderness Lodge:

Huge tree, fireplaces, decorations everywhere.



Grand…

Huge tree, gingerbread house, piano player, decorations everywhere

 

[GADisneyDad14]

From what others have said on the CL thread, afternoon tea is not back.

Since I was just there, just chiming in to confirm this is still the case.

 

[Her Dotness]

I don't know if it still does, but the Royal Palm Club (GF main building) used to have four different spreads--lavish continental breakfast, midday snacks and pastries, afternoon tea with finger foods and late-night hors d'oeuvres, both hot and cold.

From what others have said on the CL thread, afternoon tea is not back.

Since I was just there, just chiming in to confirm this is still the case.

No, you're both thinking of the Garden View Tea Room's Afternoon Tea. It is a completely different venue, open to the general public, which is located downstairs opposite the main entrance to the GF.

What I was listing were the food offerings set out in the 4th floor club lounge of the RPC.

Last time we stayed there, the 3rd setting at about 3:00-6:00 p.m. was called afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and small pastries.

 

[Her Dotness]

I think we decided on wilderness. We have never stayed and I here it is amazing at Christmas

Nothing comes close to Christmas at The Grand for me, but we all have our own special dreams.

I hope your WL stay makes your Disney dreams come true. Have a magical celebration!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

No, you're both thinking of the Garden View Tea Room's Afternoon Tea. It is a completely different venue, open to the general public, which is located downstairs opposite the main entrance to the GF.

What I was listing were the food offerings set out in the 4th floor club lounge of the RPC.

Last time we stayed there, the 3rd setting at about 3:00-6:00 p.m. was called afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and small pastries.

No, I am not talking about the Garden View Tea Room Afternoon Tea. GF CL’s afternoon tea service has not returned since GC CL reopened.

 

[Her Dotness]

No, I am not talking about the Garden View Tea Room Afternoon Tea. GF CL’s afternoon tea service has not returned since GC CL reopened.

Okay, I apologize then for stupidly misconstruing what was said.

 

[Bird003]

Nothing comes close to Christmas at The Grand for me, but we all have our own special dreams.

I hope your WL stay makes your Disney dreams come true. Have a magical celebration!

Thank you! I agree that grand is wonderful, unfortunately it came down to price. WL was 700$ a night cheaper which adds up on a four night stay. This way we can still enjoy club level which we really wanted to do again

 

[holden]

We've stayed CL at WL, Poly, GF and BC. They were all great. Our most recent stay was at BC last week. The staff there was wonderful. They couldn't do enough for us. Each cast member went out of their way to make sure we didn't want for anything.