Club level let down

[AngiTN]

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.

I think that's unusual to AKL. All the others we've stayed in closed their doors for an hour or so 3/4 times a day and overnight.
Probably because AKL lounge doesn't have doors to close

 

[Mama Lo]

I look forward to your review - we are hoping to go to AKL CL this summer. We have never stayed at AKL before.

Me too! I have AKL CL booked for November and am hoping to hear a good report from BenandMorgsmom when she returns.

 

[Ruth B]

Me too! I have AKL CL booked for November and am hoping to hear a good report from BenandMorgsmom when she returns.

Me too. There in Oct.

 

[AZMama2016]

I did on-line check in and still had someone take us over to the lounge and make sure all our info was correct. The only thing that stunk was the room wasn't ready by 3 so they gave us a different room but it turned out to be a great room!

Thanks, Chrissy. I think I might go ahead and do online check-in now just in case.

 

[Eastern]

The crazy part of Disney's discounts is that I got a better price for Poly CL standard room then a Poly TPV non CL. Those were the only discounts left. The Poly non CL Standard room was only $50 less a night than the Poly CL Standard room. For our family we will save that on breakfast alone. This was all on day 2 of the discounts. For us CL was definitely worth it.

At $50 more per night for CL vs standard, that is a great value. More often, it is $150-200 more per night. That's when value is debatable.

 

[Eastern]

Every night we were there, chicken nuggets were 1 of the hot apps. Not once did i see the sushi or BBQ offerings they used to have.

In their defense, chicken nuggets were a sought-after item at CR CL in January. I saw people piling them on their plates. One woman had a little nugget mountain sitting on the table; I guess she was waiting for her family to arrive. So I can see why they would do it: saves money/people like it. But I would also prefer that the nuggets be a 'kid' item and not one of the 2 featured hot apps for the evening.

 

[baler31]

Guess the location of the chicken nuggets !

 

[Disneytam]

We check into GF CL next week. I was going to hold off on online check-in because I wanted the in-person experience. That was one of the best parts when we stayed CL at the DLR: they knew we were arriving when we checked in at the gate and then a CM met us in the valet portico and escorted us up to the lounge to check in. I was hoping for something similar, but now I'm wondering. Should I still take a chance or do I check in online now?

We stayed at the GF RPC in Feb. and did not have a very welcoming check-in. I did do online check in but our room wasn't ready when we arrived. No one greeted us at the door and we asked a CM that was standing just inside the doors about checking in, making sure to tell them we were CL. He just pointed us to the hotel check-in were we stood and waited in line. After getting to the desk CM she checked us in and then had to leave her desk to go find a CM to bring us upstairs. That CM yelled over to another CM to see if they would take us up, and we were finally brought upstairs to the CL desk to be checked in by a CM who was just leaving for the day so after being introduced to her we again waited for someone else to come over and finally give us our paperwork and make sure our MB worked. Total time for all this was over a half hour. That doesn't sound like that much time but it was really uncomfortable and not what we had expected from staying CL in years past.

To be fair this was the first week of them not escorting CL guests directly upstairs so maybe things are a little improved by now.

 

[AngiTN]

We stayed at the GF RPC in Feb. and did not have a very welcoming check-in. I did do online check in but our room wasn't ready when we arrived. No one greeted us at the door and we asked a CM that was standing just inside the doors about checking in, making sure to tell them we were CL. He just pointed us to the hotel check-in were we stood and waited in line. After getting to the desk CM she checked us in and then had to leave her desk to go find a CM to bring us upstairs. That CM yelled over to another CM to see if they would take us up, and we were finally brought upstairs to the CL desk to be checked in by a CM who was just leaving for the day so after being introduced to her we again waited for someone else to come over and finally give us our paperwork and make sure our MB worked. Total time for all this was over a half hour. That doesn't sound like that much time but it was really uncomfortable and not what we had expected from staying CL in years past.

To be fair this was the first week of them not escorting CL guests directly upstairs so maybe things are a little improved by now.

I've found that the checking in CM is now the one that takes you upstairs. They haven't had to call someone over. This was at BC, BWI and AKL at least. I arrive on ME so there are usually other guests arriving then too but I've never had a lengthy way for a check in CM in the lobby. Maybe I just got lucky

 

[AngiTN]

We check into GF CL next week. I was going to hold off on online check-in because I wanted the in-person experience. That was one of the best parts when we stayed CL at the DLR: they knew we were arriving when we checked in at the gate and then a CM met us in the valet portico and escorted us up to the lounge to check in. I was hoping for something similar, but now I'm wondering. Should I still take a chance or do I check in online now?

Doing online check in has nothing at all to do with you going to the front desk and getting a person to complete your check in. It offers you the chance to skip it if you want but if you don't, nothing makes you. Even if you get the straight to your room text. I always do online check in and I always go to the front desk too. No matter what level we are staying at. What I like about online check in is if I'm arriving early it affords me the chance to inform them I'd prefer a room ready early over all other requests. Last few trips we've gotten our room before noon.

 

[happymommy]

After reading most of this thread, I have to say that while years ago we enjoyed the club level at AKL once (it was phenomenal, especially the food that they had at the time, and the service) it does seem sad that while the room rates have skyrocketed for club level, the offerings are declining.

Other than last spring break, when I booked a rental through redweek for AKL Kidani one bedroom villa, I am pretty done with Disney's deluxe resorts completely. The spring break in 2014 we stayed non club at BWI (but my friend was club, so I went in with her a couple of times). For what we paid, it wasn't worth it at all.

My DD and I are happily returning to Pop Century late August. And trust me, I have grown up a total hotel snob. It's just not worth it to me any more!

If I want a deluxe resort, I'll book the Swan.

I can order wine & beer from garden grocer, as well as snacks, and enjoy myself just fine.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

After reading most of this thread, I have to say that while years ago we enjoyed the club level at AKL once (it was phenomenal, especially the food that they had at the time, and the service) it does seem sad that while the room rates have skyrocketed for club level, the offerings are declining.

Other than last spring break, when I booked a rental through redweek for AKL Kidani one bedroom villa, I am pretty done with Disney's deluxe resorts completely. The spring break in 2014 we stayed non club at BWI (but my friend was club, so I went in with her a couple of times). For what we paid, it wasn't worth it at all.

My DD and I are happily returning to Pop Century late August. And trust me, I have grown up a total hotel snob. It's just not worth it to me any more!

If I want a deluxe resort, I'll book the Swan.

I can order wine & beer from garden grocer, as well as snacks, and enjoy myself just fine.

I agree with you...the one thing I can't get over at the Swan/Dolphin is that you can hear all the noise in the hall and your neighbors if there is a connecting door. The price is right though, but the pool can be very crowded if it is summer time. The bathrooms are awesome!

 

[happymommy]

I agree with you...the one thing I can't get over at the Swan/Dolphin is that you can hear all the noise in the hall and your neighbors if there is a connecting door. The price is right though, but the pool can be very crowded if it is summer time. The bathrooms are awesome!

I hate connecting doors! At the BWI last spring, I could hear EVERYTHING next door, and they were loud! I called security twice. When we checked in, I asked to be moved but was told there was nothing else. I should have gone down to the front desk personally.

I've never had noise issues at the Swan or Dolphin, and the new rooms at the Swan look lovely. We always use Starpoints to stay there free.

 

[Squirlz]

Next time we go we're renting points anyway. We had our Club Level splurge.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

At $50 more per night for CL vs standard, that is a great value. More often, it is $150-200 more per night. That's when value is debatable.

I know it is crazy sometimes how things work out. It was the only discount available. So we took it.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

I have stayed at almost all the Club levels, the only one that I found was lacking was the Yacht Club. Rude CMs acting like it was bothering them that my sister and I were there asking questions about anything and upon checking in they were unable to link up our magic bands, we waited 2 HOURS for someone to come help us get into our rooms, it was ridiculous. Other than that awful trip (which was for my sisters birthday last year, I might add) we had amazing CMs and amazing experiences. My favorites being the Poly and AKL. I loved the service and the food offerings at both.

 

[Shanti]

And yet there are still people who say it was amazing, or who don't really use the services, but liked the convenience, or who never go to cocktail hour, but had some amazing desserts one night. All for $200 extra per night. Sometimes I just don't get it. Our next reservations are for POFQ and BWI std room.

I think a lot of people are drawn to the implied exclusivity of staying club level, rather than for the real level of convenience or value it offers.

 

[Shanti]

On a side note on that same trip our DDs pocketbook was stolen from the Poly CL lounge after hours and she never got it back. It was a Gucci purse with our small camera in it - no wallet. We were told that a guest most have taken it. We have lost items all over DW in the parks and always got them back - including my sons wallet. To think that a guest would take a girls pocketbook and a camera is crazy.

I'm sorry this happened. However, there is nothing at all "crazy" about the possibility of a guest stealing a Gucci purse and camera. That indeed is the most likely scenario- it was probably a club-level teen who was up late and looking for a snack. If your daughter left that designer purse and camera unattended somewhere at her high school, do you really think no other student would think of taking it? The same kids at the schools are in the resorts. Disney doesn't owe an apology for our lost items (and I've lost items myself- not judging).

 

[nicolebridget22]

Unless DH and I are impressed by our CL options at AKL this Sept/Oct, we will not opt for it ever again...anywhere. Not until the value returns. No turn down, no club check-in, no self serve drinks? Well, damn, I didn't sign up for a few Uncrustables and some Goldfish crackers!

 

[Sytrace]

The last time we were at YC CL ( 4th of July weekend 2015) we were greeted and taken up to the lounge for some drinks and to meet the CM's. We arrived before our room was ready and so we hung out in the lounge for awhile and had some snacks and drinks. Let me clarify this statement...my husband and kids had snacks and drinks while I drove home to pick up the bathing suit bag my son forgot to load in the car. By the time I got back (about an hour round trip) the room was ready and they were delivering the luggage. My husband took some snacks and sodas from the lounge for me with no problem at all.
The food choices were plentiful, and my husband had a few beers but no cocktails, but I did notice they were pouring generously.

We have reservations at YC in a few weeks after a 4 nighter on the Dream to celebrate DH's birthday. I have asked for early arrival in lieu of any special requests as we will be coming from PC and should arrive no later than 10:00 AM. So they will text me the room number and notification that it is ready.
In any case, we will go right up to the CL whether or not anyone is there to greet us and escort us there as the MB's will be arriving in the next few days and I did online check in. I might rethink getting dining reservations for the second night we are there though based on reports that the food choices have been limited recently. I already have them for our last day there at EPCOT.
It will be interesting to see the difference this trip from the ones prior. We have also enjoyed CL at AKL, FWL, Polynesian and YC a few other times. But this is our most recent trip coming up and might be the deal breaker to whether we book CL again. We don't get Dining plans as we have AP's and only need a room anyway so we really the food options and drinks (I am a Diet Coke fiend)