Recommendation for CL

[Claire]

My beloved Poly CL will be closed for remodeling in Feb. I am looking for recommendations for a new CL. Thanks.

[josh]

Grand Floridian Main Building!

[ke_page]

Loved BWI CL.... best out of the ones' we've tried including Poly.

[Claire]

Josh- have you toured it or are you going to sponsor my family to stay there.

[clanmcculloch]

I would LOVE GF RPC but yeah, I'm with you on needing a sponsor for that. Maybe GF Sugarloaf would work. I actually think it works pretty similar to Poly CL since the Sugarloaf building is fairly close the boatlaunch and you have to walk to the main building to get the monorail plus it's a contained building that I believe (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) is near one of the pools.

I'm not a big fan of the style of CR so I'm thinking I don't really want to try them.

I'm thinking maybe AKL or AKV and skipping CL since all the restaurants over there have me wanting to eat a LOT of TS meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner (varying which meals we do as big meals each day for the sake of our stomaches) plus with CL you could be anywhere on the floor but if we book a regular AKL room we can book poolview or standard view and know that we'll get a location that meets our particular needs rather than being at the end of a loooooong hallway.

Then again, BWI gets RAVE reviews for their CL rooms.

It really does depend on what kinds of deals are available as well. I really do think that for me it's kind of between GF Sugarloaf and AKL regular, assuming we end up going next February.

[Micklessor]

I'm a GF girl - I've stayed at Sugar Loaf and it was ok. The bldg. is near the "quiet" pool. On my trip last week, I got a tour of RPC (lounge, and a Theme Park veiw room) - very nice! We will be staying there next yr. If you don't want any construction/refurb going on you might want to consider BWI. The DVC construction at GF will still be happening in Feb.

[clanmcculloch]

Ooooooh, good point about the construction. I don't want my first GF experience to be marred by that construction. I think the Sugarloaf building is pretty close to it all so yeah, not the time to try it. Hmmmm... We've both got some thinking to do.

I think BWI would be an easy decision if I knew we could book a category that would keep us relatively near the lounge and elevators but I really dislike long hallways to ammenities. Yes I know we walk a heck of a lot more in the resort and we'd be walking a lot to get to EP and DHS but that's different. My mind rationalizes these in different categories and I don't have a problem with park walking or getting to and from the resort but something about in my own resort I don't want to have to go far to get to ammenities. I'd irrational and I own the fact that my feelings on this matter are irrational but it's just how I am and I'm glad I at least know this about myself. Is there a room category that can be booked at BWI to ensure that your room is near the lounge and elevators? How far is it to the pool (any of them, even a quiet pool) from there? Clearly I haven't looked much at BWI. Oh, one more question; do the BWI rooms have a sleeper bed or would we need to book a deluxe room? Just trying to get a feel for how BWI works.

[Betty Crocker]

We have stayed GF RPC, BWI, BC and YC. While RPC is my favorite, it also has the heftiest price tag so seldom makes out list. We like YC the best. The lounge isn't as crowded feeling as BC CL is. Plus we like the ease of walking to EPCOT and DHS. YC is closer to the boat dock and first on and off the park buses.

BWI has great lounge staff, but I hate the CL area is down the hall from the elevator banks and through a separate keyed entry. I prefer getting off the elevator and having the lounge right there the way it is at YC and BC. (I also HATE sharing the buses with Swan and Dolphin to every park, plus YC and BC to AK and DTD)

[Claire]

Thanks. I'm pricing a few!

[clanmcculloch]

SWA flights opened today. YIKES!! Vacation week from NH is EXPENSIVE. JetBlue hasn't opened up their bookings yet so maybe I'll catch a better deal for late February with them.

[jmanz]

I've stayed CL at GF RPC & Sugarloaf, AKL & YC.
First, let me clarify that Sugarloaf is not near the GF construction, actually RPC in the main building is closer. However, I preferred RPC. The Sugarloaf lounge was too small, in my opinion. But since RPC was a pixie-dust upgrade on our honeymoon, I don't expect to be back any time soon $$$$.
YC CL was nice, but did not wow me personally.
AKL is my second favorite resort, after GF, and I just adore it! Especially considering it's the least-expensive deluxe, I think it is the best deal.

[drj898]

Well...I think I'm going to be a little biased towards AKL since I JUST got back from there lol. The club level there is incredible.

[lynette542]

The past 5 trips or so we've stayed at GF RPC. We made an impromptu birthday trip in mid February and stayed at the Contemporary CL. I cannot say enough great things about our time there. The staff was always available and accomodating. I always felt like an inconvenience dealing with the staff at GF RPC. The food was about the same. The views are MUCH better at the Contemporary CL. We had a theme park view but sometimes the kids liked staying in the main area so they could snack and watch the fireworks, etc., out their large picturesque windows. I was very skeptical about staying at the Contemporary b/c of it being older and noise levels (with the monorail and Chef Mickey's). However, we never heard anything from within our room and we felt the rooms were larger and better layed out at the Contemporary. Not sure we'd ever stay at GF RPC again.

[mousehelper]

For food-- I like the WL. AKL the lounge is on a different floor than the rooms. BC was best location for the park, thoughI guess that's true of Any room there. : )

I would like to try Poly. They have a ceiling to floor window where you can sit, in Air Conditioned comfort, with a glass of wine while your kids have dessert -- and watch Wishes.
: )

[Claire]

I think we have decided on WL. It's nice to be forced to try something new......but we will be back to see the Poly remodeled! Thanks for everyones input.

[jmanz]

Sometimes its good to be pushed to try something new. You'll have a great time.

[busymom11]

You will absolutely love WL CL. We just returned from there and we will never stay anywhere else. The food is amazing!!!

[ke_page]

We've done CL @ AKL, BC, BWI, and Poly.

By far (even including Poly) BWI is our favorite. The staff is wonderful, the location is great, and food offers were terrific. The lounge is significantly bigger (or at least feels that way) compared to BC, though not nearly as large as Poly so it still feels quaint.