Ah, Club Level. Disney World’s take on hotel concierge lounges and bespoke service. Typically frequented by business travelers and those with deep pockets, this exclusive room category at Walt Disney World hotels can be a bit of a conundrum for the average family visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth.
However, we’re hoping to change that with this handy-dandy guide. So, if you’re pondering an upgrade to a club-level room at Disney World, read on as we tackle all your most pressing questions like, “What does Club Level include at Disney World?” and, of course, “Is Club Level at Disney World worth it?”
Disney Club Level 101
For the uninitiated, there is some mystique around not just Club Level at Disney World, but staying on the club level in general. Add in other terms like “concierge floor” or “club lounge”, or any other combination of the words, and the whole thing can be very confusing.
In general, they both mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably between hospitality brands and even within Disney itself. While the exclusive experience is called “Club Level” at Disney World, Disney Cruise Line refers to it as “Concierge Level.”
Whatever you call it, club-level service basically amounts to guests having access to special perks like a dedicated check-in desk or line, a lounge serving refreshments throughout the day, personalized vacation planning, possibly a floor reserved only for other concierge guests, and much more.
Intrigued? We thought so. But before you splurge on that pricey room (that’s right, this experience won’t come cheap), keep reading as we break down everything you should know about staying in a Disney World Club Level room.
What Does Club Level Mean at Walt Disney World?
Picture this. It’s vacation time and you and your family arrive at the Disney World hotel where you’ll be staying for the length of your trip. You stop by the front desk, give them your name, and are then whisked up an elevator to a keycard-access-only floor for your personalized check-in – no wait necessary.
After settling in, you and your crew head to an exclusive lounge for a bite to eat and maybe a cocktail or two. Best of all, there’s not even a bill, as it’s already included in your room rate. By the time you return to your room, you notice that the bed covers have been turned down and chocolates left on the pillows. And this doesn’t just happen on the first night of your stay. It happens each and every evening you’re there.
Sounds pretty magical, right? Well, all of this and more can be yours by booking one of the Club Level rooms at select Disney World resort hotels.
What Does Club Level Include at Disney World?
As anyone who has ever stayed on a concierge floor at Disney World can attest, one of the https://www.parksavers.com/17-best-places-to-sip-on-cocktails-disney-world/main benefits of staying in Walt Disney World Club Level rooms is the included food and drinks (even alcohol!). But that’s not all. There are even more perks – which is great given the high price tag – like elevated toiletries, comfy robes & slippers, complimentary fax assistance, and much more.
Access to the Club Level Lounge & Daily Refreshments
When staying in a Disney Club Level room, the biggest plus is being able to visit the hotel’s concierge lounge throughout your stay. To top it all off, you’ll even be able to get into the lounge until midnight on the day you check out. These exclusive retreats are a great home base for you and your group, with TVs, comfy seating, and free newspapers. At one point in time, guests were even able to purchase additional FastPasses for $50 extra per day per person, but we’re not sure if this selling point will be sticking around due to Covid-19.
However, the real draw here is the complimentary food and beverages that are served at multiple points throughout the day. (If you want to get technical, the price is actually included in your room rate. But that’s ok, there are plenty of other free things at Disney World for you to try.) Each club operates differently, so not only will you find a unique atmosphere and design, but an exclusive menu as well. Cast members will also be happy to accommodate any food allergies or other dietary restrictions you might have.
Here’s what the schedule typically looks like:
- 6:30am-7:00am – Coffee
- 7:00am-10:30am – Continental breakfast
- 11:30am-4:00pm – Light snacks
- 5:00pm-7:00pm – Hors d’oeuvres and drinks (beer and wine included)
- 8:00pm-10:00pm – Desserts and cordials
The coffee kicks off at around 6:30am and runs through the rest of the day. Drinks like soda, lemonade, tea, and water are also available from the lounge’s refrigerator any time you want. Breakfast is usually the most lackluster offering of the day, generally looking like a very generous continental breakfast spread at a regular hotel.
Think breakfast pastries, yogurt, fruit, breakfast parfaits, and sliced meats and cheeses. At lunchtime, food at Disney club lounges is usually on the sparse side with items like pretzels, crackers, veggies, chips, dip, and candy for dessert. In short, definitely not enough to make a meal out of it – or at least, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Dinnertime, however, is a completely different story. Without a doubt, the best Disney Club Level food and drinks come out during the evening. An array of small bites which are usually cooked up by the chefs at the hotel’s signature restaurant are on offer, and if you play your cards right, you can easily make that your meal. And of course, all the adults in the room will be grateful for the included wine, beer, and cordials. Who needs to go to a bar?
Personalized Vacation Planning from Signature Services
A dedicated concierge staff is another convenient benefit. Signature Services cast members are on-hand throughout the day to assist you with everything from booking a dining reservation to finagling your FastPasses (when they were being offered anyway). Many Walt Disney World Club Levels also print out a personalized daily itinerary and deliver it straight to your door, making it easy to keep track of everything you have scheduled for the day. Want to make some changes while you’re out and about? No worries! Simply call or send a text to the team’s line and they’ll take care of it.
Now, keep in mind that these aren’t like your typical concierge with connections everywhere. Cast members aren’t able to magically pull things out of thin air. In other words, if you’re looking for a particular timeslot at a certain restaurant and it isn’t available on My Disney Experience, they won’t be able to make it happen. That being said, it’s still a helpful perk at a place like Disney World.
Exclusive Check-In Experience
As long as you arrive between the hours of 7am and 10pm when the Club Level concierge desk is staffed, club-level Disney World hotel guests are able to go to a special desk to check in. Oftentimes, a cast member or manager will greet you at the main entrance once you arrive. But if they don’t, just head to the front desk and let them know you’re staying on the Club Level, so they can escort you to where you need to be. While this perk may not seem like much now, you’ll definitely change your tune when you get a look at the long lines to get checked in.
Evening Turndown Service
This is a nice little touch to return to, especially after a long day in the parks or traveling. Towards the end of the evening, a cast member will go into your room to tidy up a bit and turn down your bed linens so you can slip right in once you’re back. To end your night on a sweet note, indulge in the chocolate left on your pillow before bed.
Complimentary Fitness Center Access
It can be hard to work out at Disney. Fortunately, staying at Club Level at Disney World makes it easy thanks to complimentary access to the hotel gym. For those who are especially concerned about stay in shape at Disney World, we highly recommend you stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs, as it easily has the most workout options available including two fitness centers, several group exercise classes, and even a fun run.
Extra Security and Peace of Mind
Whether you’re a Disney VIP or just trying to keep up with the Joneses, knowing that you can rest easy in your hotel room is a huge bonus. Walt Disney World Club Level rooms are usually separated in some way from the other guestrooms in the hotel, whether by separate floors or completely different buildings. Since you must have a valid MagicBand to enter the area, there aren’t as many guests milling about. This helps keep things quiet and secure.
As a cast member at the Wilderness Lodge, I would often hear stories about different celebrities staying on Club Level while visiting Disney, the Grand Floridian and Yacht Club being the most popular choices. And honestly, if some of Hollywood’s finest can keep a low profile while staying in one of Disney’s concierge-level rooms, then anyone can.
Which Disney Resorts Offer Club Level?
A Club Level lounge and rooms are offered at each of the deluxe resorts and Disney World, as well as at the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs, the only moderate resort of the bunch. In fact, two deluxe resorts at Disney World – the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Contemporary Resort – actually have two different Club Level experiences.
At its most basic, Disney Club Level is simply a room type with special benefits and a steep room rate to match. While many of the Club Level rooms at Disney World hotels feature specific views or are on dedicated floors, other resorts allow a wide range of room types to have access to the concierge lounge. And just like how each of the resorts at Disney World is unique, so too are the lounges, with each having its own themed name.
The following hotels at Walt Disney World offer Club Level Service:
Kilimanjaro Club at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Animal Kingdom Lodge club-level lounge is known as the Kilimanjaro Club. Concierge-level rooms here all offer stunning views of one of the hotel’s savannas, home to incredible African wildlife like giraffes, zebra, gazelles, and more.
Stone Harbor Club at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
All rooms at the Stone Harbor Club at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are located on the 5th floor. Both Garden View and Water View rooms are available, or you could also a Standard View to save a tiny bit of cash.
Innkeeper’s Club at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Called the Innkeeper’s Club, Disney BoardWalk club-level rooms are available in two different sizes, a Deluxe Room for up to 6 adults or a Standard Room for up to 5 adults, with views of either Disney’s BoardWalk or the hotel leisure pool, respectively.
Atrium Club & Tower Club at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, club level is available for a wide variety of room types, from standard-view guestrooms to rooms with sweeping views of Magic Kingdom Park. Nighttime fireworks from the hotel balcony, anyone? One of the only Disney World hotels with two concierge lounges, the Atrium Club is located on the 12th floor while the Tower Club is on the 14th.
Chronos Club at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Located in the Gran Destino Tower, the Chronos Club at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the only Club Level experience available at one of the moderate resorts at Disney World. Best of all, with bird’s-eye views of Walt Disney World below and the high expectations of the resort’s convention travelers, Coronado Springs’ Club Level offering easily stacks up to what’s available at the deluxe resorts.
Royal Palm Club & Sugarloaf Club at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the only other Disney World hotel with two concierge lounges: The Sugarloaf Club in one of the outer buildings and the main building’s Royal Palm Club. Grand Floridian club-level guests, particularly those staying in Royal Palm, will especially love the live music that drifts into the lounge from the lobby.
King Kamehameha Club at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Featuring views of Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom, and lush gardens, the King Kamehameha Club at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a picturesque pick for club level. Polynesian resort concierge-level guests can even enjoy views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the lounge.
Old Faithful Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Located on the 7th floor on the balcony that overlooks the lobby, the Old Faithful Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, making for an especially festive view during the holiday season. The Wilderness Lodge club-level lounge even offers views of the nightly fireworks display at Magic Kingdom, although you won’t be able to see Cinderella Castle through the line of trees.
Regatta Club at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
At Disney’s Yacht Club, concierge-level guests have access to the stately Regatta Club Lounge. Guests can choose from a standard, garden, or water-view room or splurge on a club-level suite.
How Much Does Club Level at Disney World Cost?
If you’ve read through everything and are thinking, “That sounds pretty great! I wonder what the cost of Club Level at Walt Disney World is?”, the answer kind of depends on what you’re looking for.
The Chronos Club at Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is easily the most affordable Club Level option at Disney World. As a moderate resort, club-level rooms here start out at around $400 in 2021. That’s at least $300 less per night than what it will cost you at one of the deluxe resorts. That being said, as the newest, and arguably the best, club level at Disney World, rooms tend to sell out pretty frequently.
As far as the deluxe Disney World resorts go, the cheapest Club Level experience can be found at the Wilderness Lodge, with rooms starting at roughly $700 a night depending on the season. The best way to analyze Disney Club Level prices, however, is by comparing the cost of a concierge-level room to that of a regular room.
For example, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the most inexpensive room is around $450 during the low season, while the lowest-priced Kilimanjaro Club room is around $780. That’s a $330 premium PER NIGHT. Ouch!
The most reasonably priced Disney World hotels to upgrade to club level are (unsurprisingly) Coronado Springs and (surprisingly) the Grand Floridian, specifically the Sugarloaf Club in the outer building, ringing in at around $130 and $150 more per night, respectively.
Is Club Level at Disney World Worth It?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? And just like the price tag, it really depends on you.
It Comes with Some Great Perks…
Staying on Club Level at Disney World definitely has its upsides. There’s plenty of complimentary food being served throughout the day, much of which you could easily make a meal out of, particularly during breakfast and dinner. Personalized vacation planning, including a dedicated text line to make midday changes, can be incredibly helpful for those who are too busy to book reservations and sort things out themselves.
Nice bonuses like upgraded toiletries, covetable views, and access to the health club are also great selling points. Not to mention, it’s hard to not feel fancy when using your Magic Band to get into exclusive locations, checking in at a club-level-only desk, or rubbing elbows with incognito celebrities on holiday.
But There Are Some Caveats (Because Of Course There Are)
With hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont absolutely crushing the concierge-lounge game, Disney Club Level has a lot to live up to. And as you’ll pick up on after checking out some reviews, most of the time it doesn’t really get there.
While most club-level experiences at Disney World offer charming theming and a pleasant ambiance, they can’t usually compare to what you’ll find in many lounges around the world, particularly when you’re paying similar (i.e. expensive!) rates for vastly different experiences. Lounges can get crowded, usually because there are fewer tables available than there are club-level rooms in the hotel, meaning that there’s a good chance you’ll be overhearing someone’s conversation, or they’ll hear yours.
Depending on which club you stay in, the food can be pretty uninspiring, specifically breakfast. Some lounges can get clogged up with dirty dishes due to understaffing. And although the dedicated check-in area and concierge team are nice perks, they also aren’t necessary, especially since the My Disney Experience app makes planning your trip easy.
Plus, this is nothing like the club-level treatment you’re used to in the real world. While cast members might be able to work a little bit of Disney magic, they won’t be pulling strings for hard-to-get reservations like a big-city concierge could. Though the service will be good, you won’t be treated like a VIP (even if you’ll be feeling like one if it’s your first time staying on the club level).
Our Verdict
If money isn’t an issue (or if the Chronos Club at Coronado Springs happens to be available), Club Level at Disney World can definitely be worth it if you follow these helpful tips:
- Nix the Disney Dining Plan when staying club level. (If it comes back, anyway.) Disney World’s concierge lounges already serve food on and off throughout the day. Paying for the Disney Dining Plan would just be spending unnecessary cash on food that you’re not going to eat.
- Think of where you’ll be and where you’ll want to go. Having access to complimentary eats all day long is great – as long as you’ll actually be around to enjoy them. Some Disney World resorts are close to the parks, meaning it will be easy for you to move back and forth and give you plenty of time to really enjoy the perks you’re paying for. If your resort is farther away but you still plan on spending a lot of time in the parks, it will be difficult for you to fully take advantage of everything.
- Eat as many meals in the lounge as possible for the most bang for your buck. Food isn’t just one of the main club-level benefits, it’s also one of your biggest expenses while on vacation. So, the more you eat at the concierge lounge, the less money you’ll need to spend on dining elsewhere.
- Grab a few friends and split the cost. Walt Disney World Club Level rooms can be pricey, but they’re a lot more reasonable when shared between a few adults each paying their own way. And it’s a great way to make your adult Disney trip feel a whole lot more, you know, adult. Because complimentary alcohol.
- Only splurge on Disney Club Level if you’re going to be hanging out at the resort. Why pay out the wazoo for perks that you won’t be around to use? If you’re planning on being theme park warriors conquering the queues from morning to night, Club Level probably isn’t for you. But, if you’re going to be doing a resort day or two or returning to the hotel for a midday break, it can be well worth the cost. You can even consider doing a split stay with a night or two at Club Level and the rest of your stay somewhere else.
- If you’re looking for luxury, stay at the Four Seasons or Waldorf Astoria instead. Disney World can be luxurious, but if you’re hoping for an upscale experience in an elevated setting with impeccable, above-and-beyond guest service, and delicious food to match, you’d be better off booking a room at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando or Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
Most guests will not find Club Level worth the extra money. Spending hundreds of extra dollars per night for a light breakfast and snacks throughout the day wouldn’t ever be worth it. You would be better off spending $100 and going to Walmart for an unrealistic amount of snacks and breakfast. Again, unless you just have loads of money to drop and don’t care, it’s probably not going to be worth it.
Well folks, that concludes our guide to staying Club Level at Disney World. While it’s not for everyone or even every stay, if you know how to take advantage of the benefits, it can definitely be worth the steep price of admission.
To make the most of your Disney World vacation, maximize your time in the parks with our one-day plans for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios. Looking to maximize your budget instead? Save some cash with our discounted Walt Disney World tickets.
Have you ever stayed in one of the club-level rooms at Disney World? Which Walt Disney World club-level lounge is your favorite? Do you think it’s worth it? Let us know in the comments!
