Splurges We Think Are Worth It: Club Level at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
There are a lot of ways to spend a little—or a lot—more money at Disney.
Some upgrades are fun for a moment. Others can actually change the wayyou experience your vacation.
For me, staying Club Level at a Disney Deluxe Resort is one of those splurges that is worth considering.
It isn’t something I would recommend for every Disney trip or every traveler.
But when we’re looking for a little extra comfort, convenience and relaxation, Club Level is one of those upgrades we really enjoy. And before you write this off as an expense worth skipping, let me give you a few real reasons to go all in.
Free Food (Something everyone loves!)
There is something so nice about starting a Disney morning without having to think too hard about breakfast. We can head to the lounge, grab a cup of coffee and something to eat, and then head out to the parks ready for the day.
As the day goes on, there are snacks available in the lounge, which is perfect when you need a little something but don’t necessarily want to stop for a full meal.
Then, in the evening, the offerings get even better. Hot appetizers and savoryselections are served, and depending on your plans and appetite, it can feel like much more than a pre-dinner snack.
And then, of course, there is dessert.
Heading to the lounge for the selection of evening sweets and cordials might be your best decision of the day to make before bed. Whether you enjoy your desserts in the comfortable lounge or bring them back to your room, it’s a great way to relax after a park day.
I’m not saying Club Level replaces every meal of your vacation. But when you add up breakfast, snacks, evening appetizers and dessert, the food and beverage offerings can make the price difference feel much more reasonable.
The Relaxation we are all looking for...
As much as we enjoy the food, I don’t think that’s the only thing that keeps us coming back to Club Level.
Club Level offers a higher standard of relaxation, in my view, and part of the appeal is simply where you are and how easy everything feels.
Club Level rooms are located in some of the most desirable areas of the Deluxe Resorts, with convenient access to the lounge. After a long day in the parks, that convenience can be surprisingly valuable.
And then there is the lounge itself.
Disney vacations can be busy. There is always somewhere to go, something to see and another attraction to get to. Having a beautiful, comfortable place where you can simply sit for a while gives you permission to slow down.
Maybe you want a cup of coffee in the morning. Maybe you need a snack in the afternoon. Maybe you want to sit with your family and talk about your day instead of immediately rushing off to the next thing.
Those little moments can become some of my favorite parts of a Disney vacation.
Giving problems to someone else
The Cast Members in the Club Level lounge are another part of the experience that can be difficult to put a value on.
There is always someone nearby who is willing to help. Have a question? Need a recommendation? Trying to figure out transportation or work through a problem?
Having knowledgeable Cast Members available to assist can take some of the stress out of a vacation. And while they certainly can’t solve every Disney dilemma, having someone there who knows the resort and is ready to help is a wonderful feeling.
For me, that’s part of what makes this feel like a luxury—not just having more, but having someone there to make things a little easier.
Finding the Magic faster than standard accommodations allow.
Here’s a benefit that I think is easy to overlook.
Your Club Level experience doesn’t necessarily begin when you get the keys to your room or end when you check out.
When you arrive, you can generally use the lounge even if your room isn’t ready yet. You can settle in, grab something to eat or drink and relax while you wait.
And on departure day, you can continue to enjoy the lounge after your regular room check-out time, based on the resort’s current lounge hours.
That can make a late flight home feel very different.
Instead of feeling like your Disney vacation ends the moment you leave your room, you still have a comfortable place to relax, grab a snack and enjoy a little more Disney before heading home.
Club Level works for everyone.
I think this is one of the reasons Club Level is sometimes overlooked. It’s easy to think of Disney upgrades in terms of what makes things easier for families with young children. But Club Level can be just as wonderful—or even more appealing—for adults. Couples. Adult children traveling with their parents. Multigenerational families. Friends traveling together.
Anyone who appreciates a little extra comfort and enjoys spending time at the resort can really appreciate what Club Level offers.
Disney doesn’t always have to mean racing from attraction to attraction from morning until night. Sometimes the best part of the day is sitting in a beautiful resort lounge with a cup of coffee, enjoying an afternoon snack or having dessert while talking about the day.
So, is it worth the splurge?
That depends on the trip and only the end user can really make that decision. If you’re planning a short stay and know you’ll be in the parks from rope drop until fireworks every night, you may not get as much value from Club Level.
But if you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort, planning some resort time, traveling as adults or simply want your Disney vacation to feel a little more relaxed and luxurious, I think it’s absolutely worth looking at the numbers.
And when you compare the cost, don’t just look at the difference between the two room rates.
Think about what you’re actually getting in return: food and beverages throughout the day, a beautiful lounge, convenient room locations, exceptional Cast Member service, and the ability to enjoy those amenities on both arrival and departure days.
For us, it’s not about having a more expensive room.
It’s about having a different kind of Disney vacation—one that feels a little less rushed and a little more relaxed.
Sometimes the best Disney splurge isn’t adding more to your itinerary. Sometimes it’s making the time between the magic a little more magical.
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