Disney's Club Level (CL) Information & Questions

[mickeynut1]

Yep, this will be our one and only BC stay. It's nice but no wow factor for me at all.

I agree, nice resort but I didn't find anything spectacular about it .

We head to RPC in a few weeks.

Have a great time!

 

[Rachel GB]

Edit: I'd posted about something I'd heard from a TA, but further investigation gave me the information that it was a rumor... Can't delete, so I'm just doing this edit!

 

[grannyminnie]

Where did you get that information?

 

[Rachel GB]

Where did you get that information?

@grannyminnie , this came from our Disney authorized travel agent. She is a DVC member so she's at WDW a lot, and she was just there a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure hoping they do away with it!

 

[gwynne]

@grannyminnie , this came from our Disney authorized travel agent. She is a DVC member so she's at WDW a lot, and she was just there a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure hoping they do away with it!

Was the CL lounge access deal offered at check in?

 

[RachelTori]

Was the CL lounge access deal offered at check in?

My DD works at WL. I can confirm that, as of today (I say that because we all know things with Disney can change overnight!), you can inquire at checkin for club access. Your room will not be on the Club Level, the charge is $99/night (plus tax). You must purchase it for all nights of your stay and there is a maximum number of guests (total) per night.

For instance, if there are 4 on your room reservation and when you check-in there are only 3 slots available, you won't be able to purchase Club Access.

Like I said, that's as of today! Who knows what tomorrow holds!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just found out WL has been trying out charging non-CL guests $99/day to use the club lounge!!!! This is putting a serious damper on my plans to book a 2018 WL CL stay... anyone else have any info/ input on this? TIA!

There were a few reports of this around here late last year/earlier this year, but I haven't seen anyone mention it in awhile. That doesn't mean they haven't been doing it, just hasn't been reported here to my knowledge. At the time, I assumed it was a height of construction/low booking level thing to pump up revenue.

If true, I guess Disney thinks the lounge has excess capacity (not entirely surprising given the reduction of over half of the CL inventory). Or just trying to get in our pockets more!

When I was there last year, a CL CM said there had been discussions of making the 6th floor CL also to make up for what was removed for DVC (given the source, obviously take that with a grain of salt).

If true, I wouldn't let it mess with your plans. Lots of time between now and when you're looking to go, so they can change things 100 times between now and then. Plus $100 a night seems a bit on the high end to get a ton of takers, from my perspective (I know that's a highly subjective comment, just my gut reaction).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Opps, I was typing my post when @RachelTori posted. Thanks for that real-time info!!! Very, very interesting.

 

[Mousemommy1]

All packed and going to bed!!! Off to the Poly 1st thing in the morning!!!! It's finally here!!!!

 

[mystery222184]

I'm not in love with this club level upgrade test. We pay a couple hundred more a night than a standard room to have club access (I can care less about IPO, upgraded soaps, etc). This would mean I'm paying $600 more than I should over the course of a week by booking a club room.

 

[jods]

All packed and going to bed!!! Off to the Poly 1st thing in the morning!!!! It's finally here!!!!

Woohoo! Enjoy.

 

[SeaSpray]

What's the consensus on doing Online Check-In?? We'll be at the Polynesian starting on Thursday, probably not arriving at the resort until around 4pm or so, as long as our flight is on time. I know things are different these days, but I don't know exactly what has changed and what hasn't.

Also, do they do the golf cart ride to the Hawaii building anymore? That was always such a fun way to start our vacation. We're not using ME, so we'll have our luggage with us; if no golf cart then we'll let Bell Services bring everything to the room.

I've been having health issues flaring up, plus dental work that's still healing, so I haven't been giving the logistics of this trip much thought yet! Finally started getting suitcases out and tossing some clothes into them. We won't be at WDW until Thursday, but we're leaving our house early Wednesday morning to take Amtrak from Boston to NJ so that we can fly to Florida out of Newark together with our great-niece, on Thursday.

We've been to WDW as well as other vacations a lot, but sometimes before a trip I feel as if I've never traveled before! lol Do any of you ever feel that way?? I guess the pain medication that I'm currently on isn't helping my concentration much either.


I just noticed that my countdown timer is off by a week. It says 11 days instead of 4 days.

 

[grannyminnie]

@grannyminnie , this came from our Disney authorized travel agent. She is a DVC member so she's at WDW a lot, and she was just there a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure hoping they do away with it!

I'm definitely hoping this is NOT going to last long!!

 

[patty57]

My DD works at WL. I can confirm that, as of today (I say that because we all know things with Disney can change overnight!), you can inquire at checkin for club access. Your room will not be on the Club Level, the charge is $99/night (plus tax). You must purchase it for all nights of your stay and there is a maximum number of guests (total) per night.

For instance, if there are 4 on your room reservation and when you check-in there are only 3 slots available, you won't be able to purchase Club Access.

Like I said, that's as of today! Who knows what tomorrow holds!!

Does your daughter know if this is only at WL? I wonder is this is a leftover from the construction, or a test for other resorts? Only Disney knows I suppose.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

What's the consensus on doing Online Check-In?? We'll be at the Polynesian starting on Thursday, probably not arriving at the resort until around 4pm or so, as long as our flight is on time. I know things are different these days, but I don't know exactly what has changed and what hasn't.

Also, do they do the golf cart ride to the Hawaii building anymore? That was always such a fun way to start our vacation. We're not using ME, so we'll have our luggage with us; if no golf cart then we'll let Bell Services bring everything to the room.

Probably no consensus one way or the other I guess. I do online check-in, but I also check-in when I arrive as well... I like to chit chat with a CL CM, get any paperwork, get the sand pales for the kids, get a welcome drink (if one is offered)., etc. The whole "direct to room" thing just doesn't appeal to me with CL. Doing online check-in takes care of some of the administrative check-in matters (like payment), so it makes the physical check-in quicker.

We've never been offered a golf cart ride in the years we've been staying Poly CL (2014+). I don't think I've ever seen them give rides to anyone, but I could be wrong? It's not like GF where you see this all the time.

I've seen reports of people being greeted out front and escorted back to Hawaii, but we haven't been greeted at Poly in forever. We're usually on our own for check-in. During the day there is usually a "Club Level Check-In Desk" to the immediate right when you walk in. If no one is waiting I'd probably suggest stopping there. If people are in line, I'd probably recommend just walking back to Hawaii yourself.

Note, with online check-in, I personally leave the room request options blank.

I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing trip!

 

[mickeynut1]

My DD works at WL. I can confirm that, as of today (I say that because we all know things with Disney can change overnight!), you can inquire at checkin for club access. Your room will not be on the Club Level, the charge is $99/night (plus tax). You must purchase it for all nights of your stay and there is a maximum number of guests (total) per night.

For instance, if there are 4 on your room reservation and when you check-in there are only 3 slots available, you won't be able to purchase Club Access.

Like I said, that's as of today! Who knows what tomorrow holds!!

Thanks for posting this information .

What's the consensus on doing Online Check-In?? We'll be at the Polynesian starting on Thursday, probably not arriving at the resort until around 4pm or so, as long as our flight is on time.

We never do OCI as I like checking in at the resort, but wanted to say I hope you have a great trip! .

 

[MinMou]

Yep, this will be our one and only BC stay. It's nice but no wow factor for me at all.

From what I gather, you go to BC and YC for the pool, not the CL. It's a shame you have to choose.

 

[Eastern]

I don't like non-CL guests being offered CL access. It crowds the lounge and decreases the value for those who have paid full price for this feature. I am assuming they have a non-CL room location.

Different if they are offered an upsell to a CL room because they have availability.

 

[Eastern]

What's the consensus on doing Online Check-In?? We'll be at the Polynesian starting on Thursday, probably not arriving at the resort until around 4pm or so, as long as our flight is on time.

I have been doing online checkin. It allows you to bypass the lines and if you want to speak with the CL CM upon arrival, you can still do that. If you want to request a room change, you can still do that. If they are going to upgrade you, they will still do that.

 

[gwynne]

From what I gather, you go to BC and YC for the pool, not the CL. It's a shame you have to choose.

Chiming in here-I've had some very nice stays CL at YC. I wouldn't hesitate to go back, and probably will next year if we go to WDW.
I think there are pluses and minuses at many of the CL's. We like BW, but would not want to be in a CL "outsider" room. I am hoping we are inside the doors on our upcoming stay. I often bring back coffee for us in the morning. It's just easier (and closer) to be inside.