Disney's Club Level (CL) Information & Questions

[trishadono]

Celery I can eat, but wouldn’t go for it unless there was no other options! I have the appetite of a 5 year old!!!!

FYI my dd22 loves the uncrustables but loves the make your own PBJ that cr has.


The little breads and bowls to make your own were the kids fav. Other CL's do this too.

 

[beesly]

Just wondering... is AKL club level unpopular? My husband asked about it tonight, and I’ve never read a review on here about it!

I visited AKL CL in March of this year and absolutely loved it! If I were going sometime other than Christmas, that's where I'd be staying next. Instead, we're booked for a Poly CL and YC CL split so that we'll within monorail or walking distance of MK and Epcot on the 30th and 31st. AKL was my first CL experience so I'm hoping Poly and YC can live up to it! Here's a link to some of the photos I posted when I returned. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Rachel GB]

Positive experiences with certain private car companies for airport transfers? Need to have car seats provided also. The news of ME picking up four hours prior to departure time now is crazy!!! TIA!!!!

 

[Rachel GB]

I visited AKL CL in March of this year and absolutely loved it! If I were going sometime other than Christmas, that's where I'd be staying next. Instead, we're booked for a Poly CL and YC CL split so that we'll within monorail or walking distance of MK and Epcot on the 30th and 31st. AKL was my first CL experience so I'm hoping Poly and YC can live up to it! Here's a link to some of the photos I posted when I returned. Let me know if you have any questions!

@beesly , thank you for your response! I can’t wait to go through your photos!

 

[mrsap]

FYI my dd22 loves the uncrustables but loves the make your own PBJ that cr has.


The little breads and bowls to make your own were the kids fav. Other CL's do this too.

LOL Don't be too surprised, but I love PB, hate jelly Just don't make fun of never when we meet up at RPC and you see just bread and chips in my dish!!!!!

 

[beesly]

Positive experiences with certain private car companies for airport transfers? Need to have car seats provided also. The news of ME picking up four hours prior to departure time now is crazy!!! TIA!!!!

Whaaaat?! I hadn't heard this news. Heading to search now!

 

[Rachel GB]

I think most people's issue with AKL CL is not about the CL itself, but more about the location of the resort. Some people love the isolation and bus transport there, but many people prefer a monorail, boat, or walking path to parks, which would put AKL at the bottom of the CL choices.

We stayed there in April of this year, but only for 2 nights. We REALLY enjoyed our experience there. I thought I would mind not having the lounge on the same floor as my room, but I ended up not minding at all! We were not too far from a staircase that led up to the lounge, though, so our room was in a good location. If you have a room more in the savanna, then you'll have a better savanna view but you'll also have further to walk to get to the lounge.

We thought the lounge food was good, but yes you'd probably need to be a bit willing to try new things. No bunny stew for me, but I did try the other things offered.

Only thing we didn't love is the non-daybed. We are only a family of 4, but with 2 teens so we really need that daybed to spread out for sleeping. But that's not really a CL issue, just more a resort issue.

We left there saying we'll definitely return someday. For us, though, we wouldn't be able to stay longer than 3 nights because of the sleeping issue and bus transport to parks. So we'd do a split stay and start at AKL CL and then move to any monorail resort or else BC.

@TJA , thank you for your input! I am laughing at the bunny stew- pretty sure we would pass on that as well. Your review is very helpful! It sounds like a beautiful resort, and like all resorts, has its benefits and drawbacks!

I did a akl cl stay past January. I loved the food!!! The lounge was spacious and unique looking. The rooms were nice. Transportation was fast. The pool was nice (yep I swam in Jan).

Why am I not going back anytime soon? Just a family quirk. DD and I NEED to see the castle from resort grounds. I would def go back again. If I get mom to want to go back sometime I may take her there. The animals were plentiful to see from the balcony.

Slight downside is the lounge on 6th floor and std cl rooms on the 4th. However we didn't have a problem with that for our group.

@trishadono , thank you for your feedback! I'm surprised to hear about the quick transportation! I really appreciate hearing about your experience.

 

[Rachel GB]

Whaaaat?! I hadn't heard this news. Heading to search now!

@beesly , http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ick-up-guests-four-hours-before-their-flight/

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Positive experiences with certain private car companies for airport transfers? Need to have car seats provided also. The news of ME picking up four hours prior to departure time now is crazy!!! TIA!!!!

I agree. I think three hours is bad enough.. but four hours in advance, NO WAY. Waiting that long at the airport with kids my age (at the end of a Disney trip) is like he** on earth, for me at least!

As to car services....

Tiffany Town Car - They were my go-to service for many, many trips. Pretty primitive website, but great service. I had a couple of drivers that were a bit off earlier this ear so decided to try some other places (see below). But they’re probably the best I’ve tried. I’d use them again.

FL Tours - One of the more ‘popular’ names you tend to see around here. Used them once earlier this year. GREAT trip from MCO to Disney - professional driver, clean car, very friendly. The ride back (different driver and car) was HORRIBLE. Car had been smoked in - heavily - and we could barely breath. I was really close to refusing service, but with a flight to catch I didn’t want to risk it. I was so disappointed because our arrival experience was gso good....but I won’t be using them again.

Bayhill Transportation - Another one with a bad website, but don’t let that throw you. Used them on my last trip. Professional driver, clean car. The only thing I wasn’t totally thrilled with was the installation of the car seat for DD3 - I basically had to re-do it both coming and going to get it to a point I was comfortable. The driver - while super nice - obviously had never had kids nor been trained in proper car seat installation. I will probably use Bayhill again on my next trip.

So yeah - I guess I sound like a totally picky customer based on the above, but I’m really not! I think the problem with all of these companies is finding and keeping quality drivers in this economy, so as the consumer we’re sort of left with the variability in really good and not so good drivers.

FYI, people will tell you that if you still want to use DME but don’t like the return time, just enter a “fudged” flight that lines up with a time that you’d rather be leaving for the airport. I’ve never done that myself but I’ve seen it mentioned.

Maybe others have some ideas as well.

Hope that is helpful.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

LOL Don't be too surprised, but I love PB, hate jelly Just don't make fun of never when we meet up at RPC and you see just bread and chips in my dish!!!!!

So not to be too nosy, but what exactly do you eat?

 

[Rachel GB]

I agree. I think three hours is bad enough.. but four hours in advance, NO WAY. Waiting that long at the airport with kids my age (at the end of a Disney trip) is like he** on earth, for me at least!

As to car services....

Tiffany Town Car - They were my go-to service for many, many trips. Pretty primitive website, but great service. I had a couple of drivers that were a bit off earlier this ear so decided to try some other places (see below). But they’re probably the best I’ve tried. I’d use them again.

FL Tours - One of the more ‘popular’ names you tend to see around here. Used them once earlier this year. GREAT trip from MCO to Disney - professional driver, clean car, very friendly. The ride back (different driver and car) was HORRIBLE. Car had been smoked in - heavily - and we could barely breath. I was really close to refusing service, but with a flight to catch I didn’t want to risk it. I was so disappointed because our arrival experience was gso good....but I won’t be using them again.

Bayhill Transportation - Another one with a bad website, but don’t let that throw you. Used them on my last trip. Professional driver, clean car. The only thing I wasn’t totally thrilled with was the installation of the car seat for DD3 - I basically had to re-do it both coming and going to get it to a point I was comfortable. The driver - while super nice - obviously had never had kids nor been trained in proper car seat installation. I will probably use Bayhill again on my next trip.

So yeah - I guess I sound like a totally picky customer based on the above, but I’m really not! I think the problem with all of these companies is finding and keeping quality drivers in this economy, so as the consumer we’re sort of left with the variability in really good and not so good drivers.

FYI, people will tell you that if you still want to use DME but don’t like the return time, just enter a “fudged” flight that lines up with a time that you’d rather be leaving for the airport. I’ve never done that myself but I’ve seen it mentioned.

Maybe others have some ideas as well.

Hope that is helpful.

@GADisneyDad14 , WOW- thank you!!! In your experience, is it worth booking the private transport, or is ME just as good? Do you get to/ from your resort much faster which the private car (I'm guessing 'yes' on this one)? About how long before your flight would you book the car? Thank you SO MUCH in advance... I agree, sitting around at the airport with my children will be a very UNmagical way to end our vacation!

 

[dansdad]

Positive experiences with certain private car companies for airport transfers? Need to have car seats provided also. The news of ME picking up four hours prior to departure time now is crazy!!! TIA!!!!

Your best bet is to ask this over on the Transportation Board. Very knowledgeable DIS members in this area hang out there.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/transportation.16/

 

[Rachel GB]

Your best bet is to ask this over on the Transportation Board. Very knowledgeable DIS members in this area hang out there.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/transportation.16/

@dansdad , I started a thread over there! TY!

 

[beesly]

@beesly , http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ick-up-guests-four-hours-before-their-flight/

Thanks for the link! I've been debating for a while now between taking DME or hiring a car for our trip next month. I'm definitely taking a car on the way back now!

I agree. I think three hours is bad enough.. but four hours in advance, NO WAY. Waiting that long at the airport with kids my age (at the end of a Disney trip) is like he** on earth, for me at least!

As to car services....

Tiffany Town Car - They were my go-to service for many, many trips. Pretty primitive website, but great service. I had a couple of drivers that were a bit off earlier this ear so decided to try some other places (see below). But they’re probably the best I’ve tried. I’d use them again.

FL Tours - One of the more ‘popular’ names you tend to see around here. Used them once earlier this year. GREAT trip from MCO to Disney - professional driver, clean car, very friendly. The ride back (different driver and car) was HORRIBLE. Car had been smoked in - heavily - and we could barely breath. I was really close to refusing service, but with a flight to catch I didn’t want to risk it. I was so disappointed because our arrival experience was gso good....but I won’t be using them again.

Bayhill Transportation - Another one with a bad website, but don’t let that throw you. Used them on my last trip. Professional driver, clean car. The only thing I wasn’t totally thrilled with was the installation of the car seat for DD3 - I basically had to re-do it both coming and going to get it to a point I was comfortable. The driver - while super nice - obviously had never had kids nor been trained in proper car seat installation. I will probably use Bayhill again on my next trip.

So yeah - I guess I sound like a totally picky customer based on the above, but I’m really not! I think the problem with all of these companies is finding and keeping quality drivers in this economy, so as the consumer we’re sort of left with the variability in really good and not so good drivers.

FYI, people will tell you that if you still want to use DME but don’t like the return time, just enter a “fudged” flight that lines up with a time that you’d rather be leaving for the airport. I’ve never done that myself but I’ve seen it mentioned.

Maybe others have some ideas as well.

Hope that is helpful.

I know I wasn't the one who asked, but thanks for sharing this! Tiffany is one of the companies I was thinking of using for next month. I'll check out Bayhill, too.

 

[mrsap]

So not to be too nosy, but what exactly do you eat?

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pizza, hamburgers, chicken, pasta, hot dogs ummmm.... can you say - kids table?! Oh and I like salad and steak. (But only Filet cause I hate fat in steak!!)

 

[gwynne]

Thanks for the link! I've been debating for a while now between taking DME or hiring a car for our trip next month. I'm definitely taking a car on the way back now!



I know I wasn't the one who asked, but thanks for sharing this! Tiffany is one of the companies I was thinking of using for next month. I'll check out Bayhill, too.

We've booked with Tiffany for years. Our most recent experience was Sept 2017. The driver is always waiting for us at the bottom of the escalator to baggage claim. Very helpful.
On our return day, we like to get to MCO about 3 hours early so I put that specific change with a time in the notes. My preferred time change shows in the receipt email. Occasionally it doesn't, and then I call or email to make sure we are on the same page.
(Otherwise the time auto generates to about 2 hours before flight. That may have changed recently with the delays at MCO, don't know.)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@GADisneyDad14 , WOW- thank you!!! In your experience, is it worth booking the private transport, or is ME just as good? Do you get to/ from your resort much faster which the private car (I'm guessing 'yes' on this one)? About how long before your flight would you book the car? Thank you SO MUCH in advance... I agree, sitting around at the airport with my children will be a very UNmagical way to end our vacation!

I have more experience with a car service vs ME so I’m probably not totally qualified to answer. We used it a few times, but I’d generally rather pay for the time savings on the front and back end of the trip that comes with a car service, especially the back end. I’m in the minority on this sentiment though.

As @gwynne noted, the default for Tiffany (and the others I’ve tried) is pickup 2 hours prior to your flight time, which is what I’ve always done. To me, 2 hours is perfect. Note that I have Clear, pre-check, and am an experienced traveler that doesn’t stress out too much about airport timing, so it works fine for us. Plenty of other people like to build in more time, which works well for them too. I don’t have experience going through MCO without pre-check, so that fact may skew my perception.

I’m hoping this new MCO security stuff doesn’t mess up my typical plans!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Just wondering... is AKL club level unpopular? My husband asked about it tonight, and I’ve never read a review on here about it!

I know others have replied but I'll throw my two cents in...

We stayed CL at AKL April 2016 and we really enjoyed it overall, however it was different from our other CL experiences (BC/YC) in some ways. We were way out on the Kudu trail, so it was a bit of a haul to the lounge, but we didn't really care since the view was fantastic. I will say we had a hard time getting out of the room because we couldn't stop watching the giraffes! It was different from our BC/YC stays, however because at BC/YC the lounge was more convenient to the room, so we'd usually bring stuff back and sit on our balcony, whereas with AKL we would just stay there, but we liked the lounge and how it overlooked the lobby area. Plus we're generally social so we like to chat it up with people...

When we were there, they had recently "eliminated" the more kid friendly items from the 4pm offerings, and added the chef. We loved the food and my kids did fine - my daughter tried a lot of new things and if my son didn't see anything he liked he got something at the Mara and brought it up with him. I remember we enjoyed some type of African stew but I do not recall whether it was bunny stew, but who knows! Not sure if the more kid friendly stuff has been added back or not?

Generally, the buses were fine. Ironically, the worst experience was for an AK am EMH. We were the first family there but the bus never came, and the time kept changing, and soon there was a huge mob since people wanted to take advantage of the EMH. When the bus finally arrived, it wasn't pretty! But otherwise, the transportation wasn't bad...

We loved the resort...the pool, the restaurants and the activities! It is the only place that we all agreed we could have done a full "resort" day, which we've never done! I will say, however, it is more isolated than the other resorts, and we did it as part of a split stay with the WL and did a lot of MK focus on that end of the tri

Right now, I'm planning a trip for this April. I asked DH and the kids to each write down their top three choices in case I can bump up to CL when the last spring discounts come out - whether we have stayed there already or not - just in case I have to make an executive decision when no one is around. AKL was the only resort that was on all four of our lists, which I think is kind of interesting!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@Rachel GB - One other thing about a car service is that most give you a grocery stop at no charge on the way from MCO to WDW. We've never taken advantage of this, but if you have an extended stay and need to get some things like water, snacks, etc, it's a really nice feature.

 

[saintrob]

We love AKL but it's the least favourite of all the club levels we've stayed at. We had a DVC 1 bedroom on the same floor as the lounge which was fabulous however we just didn't find the CL to be up to other lounges. We'll try any kind of food but it was very repetitive although we did enjoy some of the offerings from the chef. We found the CMs to be nowhere near as friendly as in other lounges - very few greeted us when we entered/left the lounge. We'd like to return as the villa was excellent but maybe we'll stay in a regular room and save our DVC points for another resort.