Are you wondering if staying at Club Level at a Walt Disney World Resort is worth it for your family and friends next Disney vacation? If you are looking for a way to “plus up” your vacation, staying club-level and taking advantage of the concierge services could be perfect for you! Keep reading to find out more about what staying concierge level at Walt Disney World hotels is like!
What are the benefits of staying club-level at Walt Disney World?
There are several benefits to staying club level at Walt Disney resorts. Club-level guests stay in the club-level rooms, located closest to the club-level lounge. Most club-level rooms are located in Disney deluxe resorts, however, there is also club-level service at one of the moderate resorts, Coronado Springs.
If you plan a club-level stay, you will have access to the concierge lounge throughout your stay. This may be the biggest perk! The club lounge features a continental breakfast, snacks throughout the day, light appetizers in the evenings, along with desserts and drinks at night. Beer and wine are also available at no extra cost in the club lounge.
Club level guests also have access to the concierge desk. A cast member can help you get checked into your club-level rooms. Be sure to avoid the long lines at the front desk and head to the concierge floor or check-in online through the My Disney Experience app. Your hotel room will most likely be on or near the club-level floor. You will need your room key to access the club-level floor and your Disney club-level room. Your Magic Band can also give you easy access to your Disney hotel room.
Once on the concierge floor, a staff member from the concierge staff can help you review dining options, make dining reservations and make suggestions. If you need help navigating the My Disney Experience app or understanding Genie+, asking a staff member from the Walt Disney Company is a great option!
Concierge cast members can walk you through the app right then and there at the resort hotels before you hit the Disney parks. They can also help with transportation concerns, questions about your Magic Bands, and even concerns about your park tickets. You will have a specific phone number to call or text throughout your stay which really elevates the club-level experience.
Which resorts feature club-level at Disney World?
If you want a club-level stay, the deluxe Disney resorts offer club-level rooms in addition to their standard rooms. Deluxe resorts that offer club-level access include the monorail resorts near Magic Kingdom. These include Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
It is so nice to return back to the club-level lounge at the monorail resorts after a long day in the parks. You can opt for the monorail or even just take a short walk back to your room. Club-level lounges near Magic Kingdom also offer some of the best views of the nightly fireworks!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge also offers club-level service. This is one of our favorite resorts on Disney property! Located just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful resort in close proximity to Mickey and Minnie.
If you are planning some days at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, consider a stay in the Boardwalk area. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort all offer club level rooms and lounges.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge also features club level rooms and a lovely lounge called the Kilimanjaro Club. This is one of the favorite Walt Disney World resort hotels of our family. We absolutely love walking out to see the animals from our hotel room! We also really love the dining options at Animal Kingdom Lodge, like Boma, Jikko, and Sanaa.
The moderate option is at Coronado Springs. The club is located in the Gran Destino Tower and is called the Chronos Club. From the Chronos Club, you can get great views of attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Tower of Terror, and Spaceship Earth while enjoying your complimentary food and drinks.
What are the names of the clubs at Disney World?
Each club has a different name for each of the Disney World resorts.
Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kilimanjaro Club
Beach Club Resort – Stone Harbor Club
Contemporary Resort – Atrium Club and Tower Club
Grand Floridian Resort – Sugar Loaf Building (outer building) and Royal Palm Club (main building)
Wilderness Lodge – Old Faithful Club
Boardwalk Inn – Innkeeper’s Club
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – King Kamehameha Club
Yacht Club – Regatta Club
Coronado Springs – Chronos Club
What is served at the club lounges at Disney World Resorts?
Every club lounge is different in its offerings since each has its own chef, however, the pattern is generally the same at each Disney hotel. In general, the clubs are open from around 7 AM to 10 PM.
Breakfast includes continental options from around 7 am to 10:30 am. Juice, coffee, tea, cereals, baked goods, fresh fruit, and an assortment of bread is provided.
From 11 to 4, light snacks are provided throughout the day. You can find crackers, pretzels, cookies, nuts, and beverages.
Light hors d’oeuvres are served throughout the late afternoon from 5:00-7:00 pm. These include items like hot appetizers, cheese, vegetables and dip, and beverages. Beer, wine, and cocktails are also included, but you may need to ask the cast member about availability.
From 8:00-10:00 PM, desserts and cordials are served in the club lounges. Throughout the day, you can access the club with your room key, including your check-out day! You can always grab bottled water, drinks, and snacks to take into the parks with you.
What concierge services are offered at Disney World hotels?
As mentioned earlier, club-level concierge staff members can help you secure dining reservations. Of course, the best way to get what you want is to make those dining reservations 60 days before your trip. If you have a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations, they can also help you with this!
In addition to the complimentary food and beverages, club-level guests receive turndown service each evening. This is in addition to your daily housekeeping service. Upgraded toiletries can also be found in the bathrooms. Robes and slippers are provided in each club-level room and newspapers are delivered each day! It truly is a special stay when you book club level at Disney World!
Is it worth staying club-level at Disney World?
Staying club-level at a Walt Disney World Resort is a unique experience! If you are wanting to save money, this isn’t the stay for you. You most likely will want to book at the value resorts or the moderate resorts for a budget trip. Also, if you are planning to be at the theme parks from dawn to dusk, you may not take full advantage of the club-level service. In that case, it might be best to save the extra money and spend it on dining, tickets, and souvenirs.
However, if you are coming to Disney World for special events, or to celebrate an occasion like a birthday or anniversary, it may be the perfect trip for you! It is also great if you have a family that appreciates the extra snacks and quick dining options. On our recent stay, our kids loved being able to go into the club lounge and watch Disney movies while snacking on chips and drinking soda! What kid wouldn’t love that?
It’s especially great if you want to plan some resort days away from the parks. Spend some time at the pools, grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the club, and watch the fireworks from the lounge (if possible!) The club lounges also give you some extra square feet in the hotel, besides just your hotel room. This is particularly handy if traveling with extended family members. You can just plan to meet up and hang out in the club!
If a club-level stay is not in the budget for your entire stay, you can also consider doing a split stay. Stay at a lower-priced resort or a standard room in the deluxe hotel for a few days of your Walt Disney World resort vacation. Spend those days in the parks and then transition to club level when you are ready to relax at the resort!
Which Disney club level resort is the best?
This is a hard question to answer since it is fairly subjective depending on your preferences. Let me give you a list of pros and cons for each resort club to give a better idea. In general, the hours and offerings are fairly similar between each club.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you and your family love animals, Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great pick. Spend your time exploring the resort and unwinding in the huge rocking chairs around the property. Eat some zebra domes and make a dining reservation at Sanaa (in addition to taking advantage of the club food offerings.)
Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, and Yacht Club
If you are a fan of Epcot and Hollywood Studios, all of the Boardwalk resorts are a great choice. The Boardwalk Inn has a smaller lounge but may be worth it if you want the ease of eating near your hotel room. Beach Walk has a larger, beautiful club and is a solid option. The Yacht Club is another smaller club lounge, and though nice, it may be better to plan on dining at some of the fantastic Boardwalk area restaurants than spending money on club level here.
Grand Floridian Resort
The Grand Floridian resort offers a beautiful club-level experience. If you love the elegance and class of the Grand, you will also love the beauty of the club and concierge level. You can hear the lovely classical music from the main lobby throughout the lounge. Of course, you will also love being so close to the Magic Kingdom. You can easily take the monorail to Magic Kingdom or even take the newer walking path into the park.
Contemporary Resort
The Contemporary Resort club level is one of the most expensive, but it is a fantastic experience. If you are looking for one of the ultimate experiences at the club level, consider a visit to the Atrium Club or Tower Club at the Contemporary Resort.
The Atrium Club features an amazing lounge with a wall of windows looking out to the fireworks of Magic Kingdom. The Tower Club is a bit smaller but equally delightful in views and food offerings. Definitely put this one on your list if you are considering club-level!
Polynesian Resort
The Polynesian Resort is also on the monorail line, close to Magic Kingdom. It is one of the most expensive club-level options of them all, but it is so beautiful! Again, you can view the fireworks from the club level while enjoying your favorite snacks and drinks.
The King Kamehameha Club will definitely get you into the Disney spirit with its delicious food offerings and lovely atmosphere. Check this one out for your next special stay at Disney World!
Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge is one of our family’s favorite Disney resorts. The Northwest Pacific design is fantastic, and the lodge motif carries through into the club lounge. You can also view the Magic Kingdom fireworks from this lounge.
If you are a Magic Kingdom fan, you will love the boat access to the park from Wilderness Lodge. You can grab a quick breakfast from the club and head right over for Early Entry hours!
Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs
The Chronos Club at Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs is one of the newest clubs at Disney World. This is also the only moderate option offering club level currently. Considering staying club level at a Walt Disney World Resort but wanting to stay on a budget? Check out Gran Destino Tower! It is a great option offering delicious food and amazing views of the parks.
Can you take snacks and drinks from the club level to the parks?
Yes! You can take snacks and drinks into the parks from the club level. Of course, you will want to leave enough for the other patrons but it is perfectly fine to grab some crackers, chips, and water for the road. One of my friends even makes a little sandwich from the breakfast offerings to carry into the parks for lunch!
How much does it cost to stay club level?
When considering staying club level at a Walt Disney World Resort, on average, costs will be around $600-$900 per night. Of course, this will vary depending on the type of room you select, the time of year, and the resort. As you crunch the numbers, remember you will be saving money on dining out and grocery shopping by taking advantage of eating in the club lounge.
Also, consider having some non-park days to enjoy the club level and the resort during your club-level stay. This way, you can reduce costs on park tickets while you spend more on your resort room.
Do promos come out for club-level stays at Disney World?
Yes! Promos come out for club-level rooms frequently. Room discounts, annual passholder discounts, and package discounts can be applied to the club-level rooms if they are available. As a travel agent specializing in Disney travel, I recommend grabbing club level with your $200 refundable deposit if you see them for your dates. You can always think about it before your final payment is due but since there is limited inventory for the club level, it is worth reserving.
I hope this post helps you determine if staying club level at a Walt Disney World Resort is right for you and your family. It is a fantastic way to celebrate milestones and achievements at a beautiful Disney resort. Be sure to consult a travel agent (like me!) specializing in Disney vacations before you plan your next magical vacation.
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