Disney's Club Level (CL) Information & Questions

[AngiTN]

Before going back out again that night we told a CL CM about our earlier issue and he was very kind, checked our bands once again and said regardless of the elevator issues, our bands should finally work because they have found even though it says access is granted, sometimes it takes a couple hours for it to actually work. A very straight to the point answer, and he was right. Our bands finally worked when we returned around 11pm (still seemed to be only one elevator, though it was back to two the next day.)

What is truly sad, and what I was told years ago, you need to open the door to your room before your band will access the floor reader on the elevator. To always have every member in the party use their band on the door when you arrive so that from that point on, everyone in the party can use the elevator access reader (all but at BWI, since their floor is a mixed floor).
The CM should know this. Sounds like this may have been what made it work, not "time"

ETA - I should have included, I don't know if this is still the case quite honestly. With online check-in, it may well not be. Anytime there's a problem it sure would be the first thing I made sure of, just to rule it out.

 

[starrysilver]

What is truly sad, and what I was told years ago, you need to open the door to your room before your band will access the floor reader on the elevator. To always have every member in the party use their band on the door when you arrive so that from that point on, everyone in the party can use the elevator access reader (all but at BWI, since their floor is a mixed floor).
The CM should know this. Sounds like this may have been what made it work, not "time"

Hmm that would make sense, but I'm not quite sure if that was even the case this time. Because we still couldn't use the elevator after returning from DHS when we had already previously entered our room. Could have to do with who opened the door/scanned the elevator reader as you mentioned. Either way, I wish we got a straightforward answer!

 

[HBGdancermom]

What is truly sad, and what I was told years ago, you need to open the door to your room before your band will access the floor reader on the elevator. To always have every member in the party use their band on the door when you arrive so that from that point on, everyone in the party can use the elevator access reader (all but at BWI, since their floor is a mixed floor).
The CM should know this. Sounds like this may have been what made it work, not "time"

ETA - I should have included, I don't know if this is still the case quite honestly. With online check-in, it may well not be. Anytime there's a problem it sure would be the first thing I made sure of, just to rule it out.

I have never known this...Good to know!

 

[mickeynut1]

BWI CL is my absolute 100% favorite for an adults' trip- or with older kids. The evening apps are chef-prepared to order and always excellent (things like small portions of chicken & waffles, pork belly, fish, steak). The CMs are wonderful. It has a fun vintage vibe that I really enjoy without being stuffy. You don't have tea time like at GF and I'd say the selection of food is more limited, but it's all very very good. Breakfast is less chaotic. Evening apps and Sunday brunch are high points.

I agree

We got back from YC CL on Saturday and it was fantastic! I'm not sure how we will ever go back to a regular stay. The convenience of the lounge can't be beat. Just the money saved on breakfast made it worth it for us!

Sorry about the MB issues, but glad you had a great time overall and enjoyed YC CL .

 

[BlueSkies]

If you can time it right jump on a boat and take the ride over (sit up front if possible) from WL and stay on the boat and come right back!!!


#Freefireworkscruise



Edit: This works for all MK resort boats!!!

This is something we always try to do and have often recommended also....

LOL that’s too funny!! We were actually thinking of trying a Fireworks Cruise next summer! We never rented a boat there before, thought it might be fun!

We have done this also...very very nice way to view the fireworks and just enjoy the Seven Seas lagoon...and all of its evening sights and sounds!

ETA..you can also order food and beverages (fro private dining) to have during the cruise.... (you know its always about the food...lol)

I noticed this Rose and Crown Tea experience today. I was able to book it for our upcoming trip, looks like fun.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/dining/epcot/rose-and-crown-tea-experience/

gwynne Just booked this the other day too! So looking forward to trying it...

We got back from YC CL on Saturday and it was fantastic! I'm not sure how we will ever go back to a regular stay. The convenience of the lounge can't be beat. Just the money saved on breakfast made it worth it for us! I will say though that our stay kind of got off to a strange start...

On the magical express bus we received a room ready text (around 11:30am) and we were thrilled since we wanted to change in the privacy of our own room and get out to Hollywood Studios as soon as possible. We got to YC, went to the elevator and our bands wouldn't work for the 5th floor. Reader flashed green, then wouldn't light up the 5th floor button. Understandable that it maybe wouldn't work yet so we got on quite a long line at the front desk to speak with someone. Finally we explain the issue, and honestly she didn't quite understand what it was which was confusing. But then she checked our bands, said we are all set and we should go give it another shot. Another CM also mentions that they are having problems with one of the elevators' reader not working so it might just be that. Seems odd there is no signage of that, but it's ok! Then we go call another elevator, a different one comes and we get in, try our band, and it works! We head up, making several stops along the way..4th floor door closes, number changes to 5...then the elevator stops and goes down to 3rd floor? We ended up trying this elevator several times and we had no luck getting up to the 5th floor even though the button was pushed and it was seemingly headed that way. It was honestly a little scary when doors just close and leave you there with no buttons pushed.

We go back to the front desk and the CM who helped us is not there. Finally we get help, one CM is apologetic, but still for some reason didn't understand our problem? They check our access and like yes, I understand that our bands should work, but we have been trying to get to our room for like 45 minutes at this point!! He ends up taking us in the one that won't go to the 5th floor at all and as expected it doesn't work. So we switch to the other elevator which ends up working with his card. And he casually mentions that only 2 elevators out of 4 are actually operational anyway, and it seems like we cannot use neither one. He tells us to request an escort from the front desk when we need to go up which is fine I guess, if not very inconvenient.

Later on when returning, our bands still would not work, but luckily a CM was already on the elevator and could help us. And at that point she said there was only one operational elevator. Someone else on the elevator asked her about stairs and she was like "oh they're around, but its not close by." When they are having so many elevator issues, you would think stair access would be clearly offered?

Before going back out again that night we told a CL CM about our earlier issue and he was very kind, checked our bands once again and said regardless of the elevator issues, our bands should finally work because they have found even though it says access is granted, sometimes it takes a couple hours for it to actually work. A very straight to the point answer, and he was right. Our bands finally worked when we returned around 11pm (still seemed to be only one elevator, though it was back to two the next day.)

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm unnecessarily complaining or something, but it was very annoying to deal with this issue immediately upon arrival and it seemed like no one could explain it to us. We did enjoy the rest of our trip though and we would return. But I can't say I would be too confident in the front desk CMs to help us with an issue.

Thanks for the review! I think that you were far more patient than I would have been trying to get to the room....Yikes..what a challange!!

IceQueen Our absolute fave split stay...I call it the best of both worlds!

GaDisneyDad Hope that you are able to get back to the YC soon....I know that you had a great quick visit....We too have this booked for early 2019...

 

[mrsap]

This is something we always try to do and have often recommended also....



We have done this also...very very nice way to view the fireworks and just enjoy the Seven Seas lagoon...and all of its evening sights and sounds!

ETA..you can also order food and beverages (fro private dining) to have during the cruise.... (you know its always about the food...lol)



gwynne Just booked this the other day too! So looking forward to trying it...



Thanks for the review! I think that you were far more patient than I would have been trying to get to the room....Yikes..what a challange!!

IceQueen Our absolute fave split stay...I call it the best of both worlds!

GaDisneyDad Hope that you are able to get back to the YC soon....I know that you had a great quick visit....We too have this booked for early 2019...

Hey! Thanks for letting me know! Do I set up the private dining when I call to book the cruise? Is there a menu that you know of that I can look at?

 

[Rachel GB]

We are sadly at the airport now, headed home from our 7 night stay at BWI CL. We stayed at RPC 2 years ago and SL one year ago. We typically only eat breakfast in the lounge and maybe some desserts at night, however due to all the rave reviews that Redgie gets at BWI, we made a point of sticking around at night and we were NOT disappointed. He was there 4 of our 7 nights, but there is a chef there every night. He prepared several items including steak, pork belly, mussels, sea bass, sword fish. There was always a vegetable type item or soup to accompany along with 1 or 2 salads. There was bread/fondue pretty much every night along with the regular fresh vegetables and meat/cheese platter. A few nights there was cold shrimp as well. On Sunday the lounge serves custom omelettes with bloody mary’s/ mimosas. Very nice. The other days I would say the breakfast offerings are very similar. I think there were Mickey waffles one day while at SL. I too would vote for BWI if you are looking a something different. The CM’s in the lounge were very friendly and helpful.

@Lovinallthingsdisney , leaving Disney is awful, but I'm so glad you had a fantastic BWI CL stay! Thank you for your detailed response !

Hi! I've stayed at both BWI CL and RPC. Both are great, and you really can't go wrong.

At RPC, the food was excellent and I loved sitting at the lounge at night with a glass of wine listening to the band play. The lounge location in the main building of GF is really special, as you know. The CMs at RPC, though, were...I hate to say...cold. The lounge was also a chaotic mess at breakfast time. Scones/tea time daily and Mickey Waffles certain mornings were also great. Evening apps were just OK compared to BWI, but there was a larger selection of foods like cold salads, cheeses, soups, and a few pre-prepared hot items.

BWI CL is my absolute 100% favorite for an adults' trip- or with older kids. The evening apps are chef-prepared to order and always excellent (things like small portions of chicken & waffles, pork belly, fish, steak). The CMs are wonderful. It has a fun vintage vibe that I really enjoy without being stuffy. You don't have tea time like at GF and I'd say the selection of food is more limited, but it's all very very good. Breakfast is less chaotic. Evening apps and Sunday brunch are high points. I dream about my annual trip with DH to a Garden Cottage at BWI.

For me, it comes down to (1) whether you're traveling with young kids, and (2) which parks you plan to focus on. My 6 year old DD enjoyed RPC and it was obviously convenient to MK. I don't think she'd like BWI CL as much. But DH and I love to grab those wonderful apps and a drink at the Innkeepers Club and stroll over to the World Showcase for an evening. Different pros and cons. Have a wonderful time, whatever you decide!

@IceQueen182 , thank you for input! I really appreciate the comparison between the two CL lounges. It sounds like the Innkeepers Club is fantastic! I think we are slightly more interested in staying in an MK area resort, but after hearing so many good things about BWI CL, we have a lot to think about!

 

[Rachel GB]

I had such fantastic feedback on the last comparison, so here goes another...
POLY CL Food & Standard Rooms vs. RPC/SL CL Food & Standard Rooms vs. WL CL Food & Standard Rooms

Can't wait to hear... TIA!!!!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

I had such fantastic feedback on the last comparison, so here goes another...
POLY CL Food & Standard Rooms vs. RPC/SL CL Food & Standard Rooms vs. WL CL Food & Standard Rooms

Can't wait to hear... TIA!!!!

Wow......

IMO these are all wonderful!!!

I would put GF food before the other’s but that’s just me, the nighttime view from the Poly lounge is Spectacular!!! Although if at RPC not to shabby either, literally if choosing where to stay I would go off of what theme or atmosphere you would like best!!!

 

[Rachel GB]

Wow......

IMO these are all wonderful!!!

I would put GF food before the other’s but that’s just me, the nighttime view from the Poly lounge is Spectacular!!! Although if at RPC not to shabby either, literally if choosing where to stay I would go off of what theme or atmosphere you would like best!!!

@DisneyLifePapioNe , I agree, they all seem wonderful! Thank you for your feedback!

 

[AEA1127]

Well it's official! We just came home from our first club level experience and we are SO hooked! The OFC was fantastic and all of the cast members there were so wonderful. I can not say enough about how fantastic everyone was. And being able to view the fireworks from our room with a glass of wine while the kids slept wasn't too bad either!

 

[mickeynut1]

Well it's official! We just came home from our first club level experience and we are SO hooked! The OFC was fantastic and all of the cast members there were so wonderful. I can not say enough about how fantastic everyone was. And being able to view the fireworks from our room with a glass of wine while the kids slept wasn't too bad either!

CL can be addicting! Glad you had a great time and enjoyed WL CL .

 

[kkbookmom]

Just checked out of BWI & sitting in the lounge waiting for our Tragical Express. Always a little depressing but made better by knowing that I'll soon see my little Brewster (Maltese) a ND that we'll be back Deck 2019. We made the plunge & booked a BB offer. Hoping (I know nothing is guaranteed) to score another BB when we come back for 2020. Brining the kids & grandkids then. If no BB offer then no worries. We'll still be at Disney.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry you’re leaving @kkbookmom, great pool weather today! Hope you had a great trip.

 

[MicroBeta]

We're staying at Poly CL 11/25 to 12/5. We're taking the MK Train Tour and we need to be at the main gate at ≈7:15 am. We're wondering how early the Monorail runs this time of year.

If it runs early enough I'm hopin' we can take the Monorail. If not we'll probably drive over to CR and walk from there.

Mike

 

[MicroBeta]

Sorry you’re leaving @kkbookmom, great pool weather today! Hope you had a great trip.

View attachment 353047

A cold one at 11:30 on vacation. I like it!

I've been know to imbibe before noon. Especially on a cruise with the drink package. You can get that bloody Mary or mimosa with breakfast.

I don't drink much but there's something about being on vacation....

Although, that may be a previously taken picture.

Mike

 

[Rachel GB]

Sorry you’re leaving @kkbookmom, great pool weather today! Hope you had a great trip.

View attachment 353047

@GADisneyDad14 , are you staying SL or RPC? Can’t wait to see more pics and read your review!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

We're staying at Poly CL 11/25 to 12/5. We're taking the MK Train Tour and we need to be at the main gate at ≈7:15 am. We're wondering how early the Monorail runs this time of year.

If it runs early enough I'm hopin' we can take the Monorail. If not we'll probably drive over to CR and walk from there.

Mike

In general I believe it’s 1 hour before park opening. Although I have personally seen and used the monorail and boats prior to 7am. Hope that helps!!!

Have fun on the train tour that is something I’ve thought of doing for years!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Just checked out of BWI & sitting in the lounge waiting for our Tragical Express. Always a little depressing but made better by knowing that I'll soon see my little Brewster (Maltese) a ND that we'll be back Deck 2019. We made the plunge & booked a BB offer. Hoping (I know nothing is guaranteed) to score another BB when we come back for 2020. Brining the kids & grandkids then. If no BB offer then no worries. We'll still be at Disney.

Sorry your trip is over, but booking a BB makes it a little easier to leave. Have fun planning your trip .

 

[WalkDisneyWorld]

Hi everyone! I just purchased my first AP(yay!!) due to the fact that we have an upcoming trip in November, a trip in March for my nephew’s Disney wedding(also yay!!), and because we can fit next year’s annual trip into my AP window. (Disney math at its finest!) My questions for all of you are about reserving CL rooms with the AP discount:
-How quickly will I need to jump on the CL discounts when they are released?
-Do some resorts always immediately sell out of CL rooms? If so, which ones?
-Are there any tips I need to know about this process??

Thank you so much for your input! I’m super excited about the thought of some potential CL trips that may get to come our way bc of this. I already told DH that we need to plan an anniversary CL trip bc of the AP...And so it begins...