Club level let down

[AngiTN]

We stayed at AKL CL just a week ago and found the offerings actually more than our prior stay 2 years ago. Aside from them removing the children offerings. Did miss those but DGD loved the items prepared by the chef
We stayed at BWI in Feb and found it more than sufficient. Definitely more options than you list. You sure you saw it all? I mean, no fruit? That seems really unusual for there to be no fruit
But I am annoyed at them serving the alcohol beverages. I'm sure it's in part to hope to control consumption (though I never had them tell me no) but also in part to control minor's access. We all know there are plenty of parents who wouldn't blink an eye at their kids getting a beer (even here in the US)
BC was serving last fall
Our other stays at WL and AKL were still self service but they were a bit longer ago.
All in all though, we still find the food good and if the trip is one where we know we'll be around to enjoy the foods then it's worth it.
Last week we were at the resort for the entire day, before moving to CR. We ate in the lounge for all meals and didn't have to buy any food. It was more than enough for our meals.
We don't opt for CL when we are not going to be in the resort at least half the trip

 

[Squirlz]

We stayed BWI Club twice in 2014, last time was December. I thought it was a great value then, with a substantial room discount. We made breakfast and dinner out of the Club offerings many times. Poured our own drinks in the evenings. So those days are gone?

 

[TJA]

We stayed BWI Club twice in 2014, last time was December. I thought it was a great value then, with a substantial room discount. We made breakfast and dinner out of the Club offerings many times. Poured our own drinks in the evenings. So those days are gone?

I saw pictures and a review from someone's recent stay, like within the last month, either in the BWI thread or CL thread so you can check it out there. We were recently at GF RPC a few weeks ago and found the offerings to be very substantial and like you, we made many meals out of them. I don't think it was a great value because we paid a lot being Easter week, but the overall experience was excellent.

 

[AngiTN]

We stayed BWI Club twice in 2014, last time was December. I thought it was a great value then, with a substantial room discount. We made breakfast and dinner out of the Club offerings many times. Poured our own drinks in the evenings. So those days are gone?

Just the days of pouring your own drinks. Stayed CL at BWI, BC and AKL this year and none of them had the alcohol out for the taking. But they gave you all you wanted anytime you asked. The * is you can't get any unopened to take to the room for later. You can take the opened ones back though so it's an options.
We still had no problems getting a complete breakfast and light dinner from the offerings. We then ate big lunches in the parks.

 

[TeamSy]

I'm sorry your experience wasn't great . I actually find Disney Club Level in general rather disappointing and we don't book it anymore. It's really nothing in comparison to other hotel's club levels and not worth the additional cost IMO. Plus, I think Disney dining (their restaurants) are one of the best things about Disney!

 

[isaboo]

We have stayed CL twice (YC and BC) and found that it got a bit old after a few nights of almost the exact same things. Also, I felt like we were planning things too much around when the lounge was open...like planning later dinners so we could make sure we were there for drinks. I'm not going to do it again. Like someone else said, I'll place a big order from Garden Grocer and set up our own club level in our room.

 

[AngiTN]

We have stayed CL twice (YC and BC) and found that it got a bit old after a few nights of almost the exact same things. Also, I felt like we were planning things too much around when the lounge was open...like planning later dinners so we could make sure we were there for drinks. I'm not going to do it again. Like someone else said, I'll place a big order from Garden Grocer and set up our own club level in our room.

I do that too, for longer stays. You are right, it can be hard to plan to be around the lounge at meal time. I will say, when we had the 1 full day without a park it work out wonderfully. My mom, who was on her first trip, felt quite special. And no, they aren't like concierge elsewhere but Disney's deluxe isn't like 4star elsewhere either. Still find CL can have a place at times

 

[isaboo]

I do that too, for longer stays. You are right, it can be hard to plan to be around the lounge at meal time. I will say, when we had the 1 full day without a park it work out wonderfully. My mom, who was on her first trip, felt quite special. And no, they aren't like concierge elsewhere but Disney's deluxe isn't like 4star elsewhere either. Still find CL can have a place at times

Yes, and we loved it the first time! We didn't enjoy it as much the second time. I did love being greeted by a cast member when we got off Magical Express and escorted up to be checked in.

 

[rcraw45425]

And the comment about waiting in line? That's terrible. Is that specific to BW or is this going to be the case at all moving forward?

Stayed in Hawaii (Polynesian) in September and we checked in there.

 

[conandrob240]

New reports saying special check in for club level going away.

 

[chrissyc72]

We just came back from our stay at the Grand Floridian. We were at SugarLoaf & the club level was great. I just went up to someone in the lobby & said we are club level & they took us right over t the building to get checked in. The offerings were great & hubby was able to get a beer whenever he wanted. They even filled his Yeti cup for him which holds 2 beers. Breakfast was cereal, oatmeal, hard boiled eggs, tomatoe & feta salad, tons of different pastries & bagels & toast. Later in the day was cookies, goldfish, gummiebears, homemade chips, cheese & crackers, brownies & a few other things that I can't remember. Evening was different each night but some things were, veggie egg rolls, potstickers, corn dogs, chicken tortellini, different mini bowls of soups & other stuff that I can't remember. We thought it was great! Definitely will do it again! Oh & soda, coffee, tea & different juices all day. The staff was awesome too!

 

[AngiTN]

When we arrived at AKL we were approached by a CM in the lobby and when they saw we were CL they escorted us upstairs
Same at BWI and BC
Otherwise our bands would access the lounge floor. At AKL it doesn't matter since the rooms are separate but the others are on the same floor and until you open your room door the band won't access the CL floor. At least that's what they told us at AKL last week

Someone still needs to show folks how to access the CL floor, explain the lounge, cover what is served when, introduce the CL staff so they can cover the services they provide, etc. I can't see that going away.

 

[DisCatGirl]

We have always enjoyed CL at AKL. We were also at BW last week. So disappointed there were parts of the day that there was nothing available. At AKL there was always something out - chips, candy, whatever. At BW there was a loud announcement at 10:30am that they were packing up everything and we had 2 minutes to take what we wanted.

Today, I changed my upcoming reservation to be non-CL.

 

[conandrob240]

That would really annoy me for sure. Seems to me that the clubs should be standard across the board. They don't have to have all the same foods but there should be consistency in leaving the food out, accessibility of drinks and a basic formula of things included. It sounds like BW is not a good CL choice. We've done CL a few times at AKV and love it. We have CL at Poly booked for 4th of July followed by an additional 4 nts of club at BC. I am nervous that I am going to feel like we wasted the $ especially at BC where you don't even have a big gorgeous lounge with a view as a perk. This thread is seriously making me think about just doing regular and putting the $1100 for the 8 nts towards a dining plan.

 

[dansdad]

We have always enjoyed CL at AKL. We were also at BW last week. So disappointed there were parts of the day that there was nothing available. At AKL there was always something out - chips, candy, whatever. At BW there was a loud announcement at 10:30am that they were packing up everything and we had 2 minutes to take what we wanted.

Today, I changed my upcoming reservation to be non-CL.

That stinks. My Aunt and Family are at BW CL right now, checked in Monday. She said the lounge has been great. She said food has been plentiful and constantly replenished. Said there is always something to eat. These first 3 days are resort only and they have been in the lounge all times of the day.

 

[aimhi]

And the comment about waiting in line? That's terrible. Is that specific to BW or is this going to be the case at all moving forward?

As far as I know it is also at the Yatch and beach as well

 

[aimhi]

I don't like this either. We are doing club at Poly. Are they doing pouring there? Will I get "the look" if I come in multiple times per day asking for a beer? I don't want to feel like I am being limited and dealing th resistance ( even passive)

The beer was in the fridge wine is poured for you as well as the after dinner drinks

 

[aimhi]

I stayed at CL just once...BC back in 2005. On our honeymoon and we got a surprise upgrade at check-in. We were gobsmacked! You should have seen us in the lounge...all wide eyed. Like the Clampetts.. "Are these sodas just to take??" We'd be squirreling away chocolate chip cookies and handfulls of goldfish crackers like they were gold LOL! In hindsight, it wasn't all that impressive. The room was super tiny for a deluxe too. Would never pay out of pocket for that, but it was nice when it was free.

It was better then it is now

 

[aimhi]

That stinks. My Aunt and Family are at BW CL right now, checked in Monday. She said the lounge has been great. She said food has been plentiful and constantly replenished. Said there is always something to eat. These first 3 days are resort only and they have been in the lounge all times of the day.

If you have never stayed club level before I'm sure it would be ok. But, if you have stayed in the passed and expect the same assortment and amount of choices you will be disappointed.

 

[aimhi]

We stayed at AKL CL just a week ago and found the offerings actually more than our prior stay 2 years ago. Aside from them removing the children offerings. Did miss those but DGD loved the items prepared by the chef
We stayed at BWI in Feb and found it more than sufficient. Definitely more options than you list. You sure you saw it all? I mean, no fruit? That seems really unusual for there to be no fruit
But I am annoyed at them serving the alcohol beverages. I'm sure it's in part to hope to control consumption (though I never had them tell me no) but also in part to control minor's access. We all know there are plenty of parents who wouldn't blink an eye at their kids getting a beer (even here in the US)
BC was serving last fall
Our other stays at WL and AKL were still self service but they were a bit longer ago.
All in all though, we still find the food good and if the trip is one where we know we'll be around to enjoy the foods then it's worth it.
Last week we were at the resort for the entire day, before moving to CR. We ate in the lounge for all meals and didn't have to buy any food. It was more than enough for our meals.
We don't opt for CL when we are not going to be in the resort at least half the trip

Sorry yes they had fruit at breakfast