DSS...Can this be correct?

[wdwfun!]

Hi all! I emailed DSS with my room requests as recommended here. I also requested that they note in my reservation that my wife's birthday is our arrival day and perhaps some acknowledgement could be made. The reply confirmed my room request had been noted but nothing noted for my wife's birthday. The reply said "the front desk could provide a birthday button" during check-in. My first question is whether I actually need to check in at the front desk? I thought CL guests had their own check in area near the lounge. Is that not how it works anymore? CL guests do need to stand in line at the front desk.? After an early morning and airlines I was hoping to avoid standing in the check-in line too. I know there is on-line check in. But I was hoping to speak to someone regarding the room assigment to understand where it is. My second thought is what happened to acknowledging a celebration...I thought they would leave a card, some mickey confetti or something Disney....nothing of any value. I thought they would do that in the past. I am beginning to think Disney only cares about the money

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I’ve been staying CL the better part of 10 years, including numerous birthdays, and any sort of acknowledgement would be the exception, not the rule, in my experience. We make our own magic and if by chance the CL CMs do something unexpected, then bonus. But while I do usually note celebrations on my reservation, going in expecting something can be a recipe for disappointment in my opinion. I’ve often had to ask for a button even though that info is presumably somewhere on their screen or files.

Some (not all) CLs will call guests in the days leading up to the stay - this call comes from CL CMs actually at the resort and it is worth noting your celebration with that CM. They often ask if you are celebrating anything but if they don’t, feel free to bring it up.

CL guest check in is usually in a dedicated CL floor/area. Exact procedures vary a bit by resort. Sometimes if there’s not a greeter or manager type around the lobby and your MagicBands or phone won’t work to access the CL floor/building (I’m personally around 50/50 here), a stop at the regular check in desk is required.

Enjoy your upcoming stay.

 

[WLWildlife]

I have never stayed club level, but in years past when we would celebrate an anniversary there would be a special message on the phone, usually Mickey and Minnie singing "Happy Anniversary." This year, nothing, and it was an important one, 25 years. I had to go down to the front desk and ask for the buttons.

On our arrival at WL, we came across several employees between the door and the elevator who kindly asked if we knew where our room was. I also had a room request and checked in online.

After that trip, to me, it was obvious that Disney is all about the money. It certainly wasn't as magical as past trips, but we made some wonderful memories.

 

[Mle8308]

And I had the opposite experience this time. I was at the WL, not club, regular room. It was noted on my reservation that it was my birthday during the stay. I had forgotten about it, the DRC CM had asked if anyone was going to be celebrating anything during our trip when I called with a question. I mentioned I was. We came back to our room the second night and they had left a few balloons, a card signed by Chip and Dale, and a birthday button! I was so surprised. I go right around my birthday every year - for years, and this is the first time I’ve ever had it acknowledged at the hotel. It was really nice.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hi all! I emailed DSS with my room requests as recommended here. I also requested that they note in my reservation that my wife's birthday is our arrival day and perhaps some acknowledgement could be made. The reply confirmed my room request had been noted but nothing noted for my wife's birthday. The reply said "the front desk could provide a birthday button" during check-in. My first question is whether I actually need to check in at the front desk? I thought CL guests had their own check in area near the lounge. Is that not how it works anymore? CL guests do need to stand in line at the front desk.? After an early morning and airlines I was hoping to avoid standing in the check-in line too. I know there is on-line check in. But I was hoping to speak to someone regarding the room assigment to understand where it is. My second thought is what happened to acknowledging a celebration...I thought they would leave a card, some mickey confetti or something Disney....nothing of any value. I thought they would do that in the past. I am beginning to think Disney only cares about the money

“…beginning to think Disney only cares about the money…” Am. Dying. Of course they only care about money, Disney is a business, not a charity!

Practically speaking we’ve celebrated at Disney CL before, never had special acknowledgement. I’ve see sporadically where others have so I agree they are the exception, not the rule. Also know the CL CM might have buttons at their CL Concierge desk or they might not. If not they might offer to get one or you may need to get it yourself from the front desk/park.

 

[jemtx]

We had a birthday button with the person’s name waiting in CL room, but that was the only real acknowledgment. I noted it on our reservation, but also mentioned it to the CL CM from the hotel when they reached out a few days before our arrival.

 

[focusondisney]

I’ve found club level check in depends on which resort you’re staying at. In the last 2 years we’ve stayed at CR, GF, YC & BWI club levels. We always do online check in. We’ve found MBs won’t work for the elevator access until programmed at the resort. At CR & GF, we stopped at the front desk to have our MBs checked. We’ve been at both before, so declined the offer of an escort to our room. YC often has a CM with an iPad in the lobby. We’ve approached that CM, said we are CL & were escorted to the 5th floor for check in. We were at BWI this past July 4th. We had only been there once before & I also was unsure of the lounge & room location, so I stopped at the front desk. The CM was pretty dismissive, circling the locations on the resort map. I asked about an escort since that is what happens at other resorts & was declined.

As for the birthday, I’m not surprised the response only mentioned getting the button. So many people are celebrating something every day. People read reports of what someone else got & expect the same. CMs won’t promise personal acknowledgments in advance, there’s no way to do something for everyone who is celebrating. It just leads to disappointment & complaints if someone gets missed. Since reopening, I’ve read hardly any reports of spontaneous in room celebration acknowledgments. I’m sure that is in part due to how many people now expect Disney to “do something”.

 

[DJFan88]

Have always had a sit down at the desk for CL (AKL, WL, BWI). Bands don’t always work at first, but someone in lobby has always taken us up to let us in to the desk person.
The layout of where the desk is at BWI is seemed to make them more ready to help and have you sit down since you pretty much always have to go by there.
Found WL to be the standout in customer service, as far as any “magic” is concerned. For me though that occurred with a random question at a desk in lobby. BWI also helpful CMs.
I liked AKL too but found nothing above for CL, though front desk did help me out for sure.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I agree with @GADisneyDad14 we have been staying club level for 8 years. We are left a celebration pin in our room or are get one at checkin. The club level CMs have congratulated us on the actual day but anything beyond that would be pixie dust and should not be expected.

My experience with checkin is we go to the desk for club level checkin on our own and avoid the front desk, unless our magic bands don’t work and we need assistance. Being escorted to the club level checkin, when we have had had magic band issues, is hit or miss even within the same resorts from trip to trip. Even at club level checkin they have just circled our room on the map, I’m not sure what else you are expecting.

 

[mrsap]

We always stayed CL around one of our kids birthdays and have noted their birthdays on upcoming CL stays. Sometimes the kids would get pins, sometimes cards. The past 2 years, DD and I were in CL on each of our actual birthdays and same thing, they had pins waiting for us when we arrived. DD’s was 8 days past mine and one CM went above and beyond to make sure her day was special!! Definitely not the norm, and definitely not expected, but it was truly appreciated. Enjoy it!

 

[KBoopaloo2]

And I had the opposite experience this time. I was at the WL, not club, regular room. It was noted on my reservation that it was my birthday during the stay. I had forgotten about it, the DRC CM had asked if anyone was going to be celebrating anything during our trip when I called with a question. I mentioned I was. We came back to our room the second night and they had left a few balloons, a card signed by Chip and Dale, and a birthday button! I was so surprised. I go right around my birthday every year - for years, and this is the first time I’ve ever had it acknowledged at the hotel. It was really nice.

I’ve stayed at WL quite a bit since 2021 and have found the cast there to be consistently exceptional. I’ve had some really great customer service there from bells services to the front desk manager to the food and beverage CMs. Whoever their GM is is doing a fantastic job. Not surprised to hear you got a little extra magic during your stay there.

 

[Marthasor]

Just remember, this is "Club Level", not "Concierge Level" - there's a huge difference. We stopped staying CL years ago because we found the pre-arrival "help" to be useless and the food and beverages offer no value for us. The last time we stayed CL was at AKL - we arrived and our MB's didn't work in the elevator, so I waited in a long line at the front desk to check in. They went through the entire process of checking me in only to realize I had to go to the club lounge to check in. So after 30 minutes of wasted time, we went up the elevator to the club lounge only to wait again to be helped and had to check in all over again . . . no thank you.

As others have mentioned, there are typically CMs in the lobby with iPads trying to help guests bypass the front desk line. I would try to find one of them to help you. I would also mention the birthday to the club CMs when you arrive - I wouldn't expect anything, however.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I thought there was a specific time period several years ago (something similar to "The Year of a Million Dreams") where they asked you at hotel check-in, dining reservations, etc. whether you were celebrating anything, and if you were, the event was honored. Way back when we celebrated our 30th anniversary, over 10 years ago, we got balloons, a card from Disney characters (signed). Why? Because they asked at that time. Fortieth Anniversary? Nothing-they didn't ask. I've noticed that they don't ask anymore so that's why I figured that they don't do anything anymore. Anyone else remember them asking?

 

[Mle8308]

I thought there was a specific time period several years ago (something similar to "The Year of a Million Dreams") where they asked you at hotel check-in, dining reservations, etc. whether you were celebrating anything, and if you were, the event was honored. Way back when we celebrated our 30th anniversary, over 10 years ago, we got balloons, a card from Disney characters (signed). Why? Because they asked at that time. Fortieth Anniversary? Nothing-they didn't ask. I've noticed that they don't ask anymore so that's why I figured that they don't do anything anymore. Anyone else remember them asking?

If you call Disney's reservation number and speak to a CM, they will often ask if you or anyone in your party is celebrating something and they note it. They did ask me. Now if the resorts do anything with that information is another story!

 

[focusondisney]

I thought there was a specific time period several years ago (something similar to "The Year of a Million Dreams") where they asked you at hotel check-in, dining reservations, etc. whether you were celebrating anything, and if you were, the event was honored. Way back when we celebrated our 30th anniversary, over 10 years ago, we got balloons, a card from Disney characters (signed). Why? Because they asked at that time. Fortieth Anniversary? Nothing-they didn't ask. I've noticed that they don't ask anymore so that's why I figured that they don't do anything anymore. Anyone else remember them asking?

Yes, they’re still asking. We’ve been going to WDW for 30+ years. I’ve been asked about celebrations the whole time. I was asked when I called in July to book a bounceback reservation for next year. As @Mle8308 said, it’s what the resorts do with the info that matters. For years, if you got a birthday card or balloons in your room, you told a few friends & family. Now, if someone gets a card or balloons, they post about it in fan forums or on social media. Hundreds of people see it. And they all want the same thing when they go. They complain to CMs or online about their celebration not being recognized. Given the challenges of the last few years, theres no way absolutely everyone celebrating everything can possibly be acknowledged. I’m sure Disney doesn’t need 1 more thing for people to complain about if they get missed. So I can understand them cutting back. And I totally understand why CMs won’t promise anything.

 

[wdwfun!]

Well thank you for all of your responses. I guess I didn't expect so many conflicting opinions. For check in, I really was only hoping to avoid a line and make sure the room assigment wasn't in the area that those on this board recommended avoiding. I didn't think it was too much to see if a birthday card could be left in the room. It doesn't seem too challenging or difficult to have mouse keeping have a stack of generic cards available to leave one in the room. I am glad to hear BWI CL does have it's own check in area. I very much appreciate all of the info provided!

 

[focusondisney]

Have always had a sit down at the desk for CL (AKL, WL, BWI). Bands don’t always work at first, but someone in lobby has always taken us up to let us in to the desk person.

Many of the club level check ins have removed the desks & seating with the recent remodels. The CMs have podiums to stand at & the guest stands. BWI had a couch, but there were 2 CMs working with guests so the area was crowded. We had to stand while the CM worked with out MBs.

 

[DJFan88]

Many of the club level check ins have removed the desks & seating with the recent remodels. The CMs have podiums to stand at & the guest stands. BWI had a couch, but there were 2 CMs working with guests so the area was crowded. We had to stand while the CM worked with out MBs.

So the entryway to BWI CL no longer has a CM with a desk there? Where you have to pass to get in and out? Seems like a small area for a couch. Things change quick, we’re there only a year ago.

 

[focusondisney]

So the entryway to BWI CL no longer has a CM with a desk there? Where you have to pass to get in and out? Seems like a small area for a couch. Things change quick, we’re there only a year ago.

They just remodeled this spring, when the whole resort got remodeled. There is still a CM there, but they were sitting on a couch, not at a desk. They used an iPad to work on. Disney seems to be going away from the business desk type area. CR & YC only have podiums for the CMs to stand at. No chairs for the guests either, you stand while talking with the CM. I haven’t been to other CLs his year except those 3. But I think I’ve read others are removing the desks too.

 

[SharonZ]

Think of the amount of people "celebrating" an important event at Disney. Birthdays, anniversaries, first trip to WDW, first tooth pulled, etc. There's no way that they could keep up with that demand. Get the buttons, enjoy your trip and if your wife's birthday is acknowled - great. This reminds me of back in the old days when everyone wanted towel animals.