When Club Level at Walt Disney World Makes Sense (and when it does not)
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@chaliplansmagic Club Level at Walt Disney World brings up a lot of opinions, and honestly, I get it. It is not meant to be the best fit for every trip or every family. For some vacations, value or moderate resorts make the most sense. For others, especially longer or more resort-focused trips, Club Level can add real convenience and comfort. There is no wrong way to do Disney. There is only the right fit for how you vacation. #WaltDisneyWorld#DisneyResorts#DisneyTips#DisneyPlanning#chaliplansmagic♬ Morning Happy Melody - Donguri
When Club Level at Walt Disney World Makes Sense (and when it does not)
Every time I share content about Club Level at Walt Disney World, I see the same reactions pop up almost immediately.
“It does not seem worth it.”
“That is way too expensive.”
“I would never pay for that.”
And I understand why people who haven't experienced it feel that way.
Club Level is one of those Disney topics that tends to get judged quickly, often without much context. It is easy to look at the price and make a decision before understanding how it actually fits into a vacation. That is why I keep talking about it. Not because it is right for everyone, but because for the right trip and the right travel style, it can genuinely change the experience.
Different Trips Call for Different Priorities
My family spends a lot of time at Walt Disney World each year, and our trips can look very different depending on the situation.
Some trips are all-day park hopping trips, where we are moving between parks and spending very little time at the resort. For those kinds of vacations, a value or moderate resort can be an excellent fit.
Other trips are slower, with more built-in downtime, resort breaks, pool time, and intentional space to relax. On those trips, the resort itself becomes a bigger part of the vacation experience, and that is where deluxe resorts and, in some cases, Club Level can make a noticeable difference.
Disney is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone does Disney differently, and every way of doing Disney is correct.
Let’s Talk Pricing First
To put real numbers behind this conversation, I pulled pricing for a few different deluxe resorts and compared a standard Resort View room to a Resort View Club Level room.
On average, the difference came out to around $300 per night, looking at rack rates and not accounting for any available promotions. Club Level rooms are sometimes included in promotions, which can narrow that gap depending on dates and availability.
That number is usually where people immediately decide whether Club Level is “worth it” or not. And the truth is, for some guests, it simply will not be.
When Club Level Will Not Make Sense
For guests who prefer the fun, energetic vibe of Disney’s value resorts, with their bold colors, larger-than-life icons, and heavy Disney theming, Club Level is probably never going to feel justified.
The same goes for guests who plan to spend almost all of their time in the parks, who see their resort primarily as a place to sleep and shower, or who simply prefer to spend less on their vacation overall.
If value resort pricing is where you are most comfortable, jumping from that price point to a Club Level room will not feel like a logical upgrade. And that is completely okay.
When Club LevelCanMake Sense
Where the conversation changes is for guests who already prefer staying at deluxe resorts.
If you gravitate toward the higher level of amenities, quieter atmosphere, and overall feel of Disney’s deluxe resorts, then looking at Club Level as an upgrade of roughly $300 per night, again depending on rack rates and any available promotions, can make a lot more sense.
At that point, the comparison is not value resort versus Club Level. It is standard deluxe versus deluxe with additional services, food offerings, and concierge support built into the stay.
For those guests, Club Level is less about luxury for the sake of luxury and more about convenience, comfort, and how it affects the overall flow of the vacation.
Club Level lounges offer food and beverage service throughout the day, including breakfast in the morning, snacks in the afternoon, and evening offerings.
In the evenings, you will typically find complimentary beer, wine, and alcoholic beverages available. In the mornings, mimosas are often offered alongside coffee, juice, and breakfast items.
That said, Club Level is not only valuable if you plan to drink alcohol. For guests who do not drink, or who only drink occasionally, there is still plenty of value in having easy access to breakfast, drinks, and snacks without needing a plan or reservation.
It is about convenience, not consumption.
One of the things guests appreciate most about Club Level is having someone available on-site to help when plans need to shift.
Whether it is a Lightning Lane question, help navigating the My Disney Experience app, dining confusion, or a small issue that comes up during your stay, concierge Cast Members are there in real time. They act as an extension of your planning team, helping handle things on the ground so issues can often be resolved quickly and efficiently.
That on-the-ground support works alongside all of the planning that you and your travel advisor have already put into your vacation, helping to curate the best experience for your family and ensuring your vacation continues to run smoothly while you are on property.
Another benefit that often gets underestimated is the lounge itself.
Club Level lounges are not just places to grab food. They function as an additional space to relax during your stay. Think of it as an extension of your room, especially helpful when you want to be indoors but do not want to be confined to your room or sitting in a busy lobby.
The lounges typically include comfortable seating, tables, televisions, and areas where kids can relax, watch something, or play games. For families, this can be a meaningful advantage.
Club Level With Kids, Not Just Older Kids
I often hear guests say they will “do Club Level when the kids are older,” but Club Level can be just as beneficial with younger children.
Having a quiet, climate-controlled space to decompress between park time, with food, drinks, and seating already available, makes midday breaks much easier. It gives families another option besides heading back to the room or staying out longer than everyone is comfortable with.
For families traveling with kids, the lounge can become a natural reset space during the day, helping everyone recharge before heading back out.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Disney Vacation
Every Disney trip is different, and the perfect fit for one family will not be the perfect fit for another.
I have personally stayed at nearly every resort on Walt Disney World property, across all resort categories, and one of my favorite things to talk about is Disney resorts and everything they have to offer. From standard rooms at value resorts to Club Level stays at deluxe resorts, each option creates a different kind of experience.
One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping families figure out which resort, room category, or level of service will truly fit the way they want to experience Disney. Where you stay matters more than many people realize, and finding the right match can make a meaningful difference in how your vacation feels.
No matter how your family chooses to do Disney, there is no wrong way to experience it. If you ever want help finding the best fit for your next Walt Disney World trip, I would love to help guide you through those options.
Get in touch with Chali Francis
Chali Francis
I am Chali Francis, a Travel Advisor based in Oklahoma specializing in Walt Disney World vacations, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and family cruises. As a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder and frequent Disney traveler, I use firsthand experience to help families plan vacations that fit their travel style, priorities, and budget.
Whether you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, a Disney Cruise Line sailing, a Universal Orlando getaway, or your next family adventure at another destination, I provide personalized guidance throughout the planning process, helping with everything from choosing the right resort, cruise ship, or itinerary to maximizing your time and experience.
Many of my clients return year after year, trusting me to help plan their family’s vacations and create lasting memories. I would love the opportunity to help you plan your next adventure.
Chali Francis
When Club Level at Walt Disney World Makes Sense (and when it does not)
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I am Chali Francis, a Travel Advisor based in Oklahoma specializing in Walt Disney World vacations, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and family cruises. As a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder and frequent Disney traveler, I use firsthand experience to help families plan vacations that fit their travel style, priorities, and budget. Whether you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, a Disney Cruise Line sailing, a Universal Orlando getaway, or your next family adventure at another destination, I provide personalized guidance throughout the planning process, helping wit... Read More >>>
An expert destination wedding travel agent near me with five star luxury travel packages with a luxury travel company, Vincent Vacations.
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This is your girl!! She helped us so much in planning our trip and was so courteous to continually reach out to us during our trip! She let us know things to do at Disneyland, and some things to get before our trip to make our lives easier and it made our trip just that much better!! We loved our experience with her!! This will definitely be the person to go to for our future adventures! -Daniela H
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Thank you so much to Chali Francis for helping me plan the most magical vacations! She has helped us multiple times and she exceeded all my expectations each time. She’s so easy to work with and very knowledgeable. We will definitely be booking with her again in the future! - Laci M
Disney has officially announced dates and details for both Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios for the 2026 holiday season. If you are trying to decide which event deserves a spot in your vacation plans, the good news is that there really is not a wrong answer.
My family has attended both parties for years, and while they are both holiday events, they offer very different experiences. The best choice often comes down to what your family enjoys most.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: The Classic Disney Christmas
If your idea of the perfect holiday celebration includes Christmas music, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., festive decorations, and the kind of nostalgia that makes you feel like you stepped into a Christmas movie, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party may be the perfect fit.
This event is built around Disney holiday traditions, including:
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Frozen Holiday Surprise at Cinderella Castle
Complimentary holiday treats
Character meet-and-greets, including the incredibly popular Jack Skellington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Magic Kingdom also offers shorter wait times for many attractions during the party. Guests can often experience favorites like TRON Lightcycle / Run, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and more with reduced waits compared to a regular park day.
For many families, especially those with younger children, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party delivers the quintessential Disney Christmas experience.
Disney Jollywood Nights: Holiday Glamour with More 'high ticket' rides and rare character interactions
Jollywood Nights takes a different approach to the holidays.
Rather than focusing on classic Christmas traditions, this event blends holiday entertainment, vintage Hollywood style, rare characters, and some of the best attraction access available during the holiday season.
Guests can enjoy:
Multiple live entertainment offerings throughout the park
Rare character meet-and-greets
Specialty holiday entertainment
Unique food and beverage offerings
Snoap (Disney fans know exactly what I mean) falling along Sunset Boulevard near Tower of Terror
One area where Jollywood Nights really shines is attractions. While both holiday parties offer lower wait times than a typical park day, Hollywood Studios is home to several of Walt Disney World’s most in-demand rides. Guests often have opportunities to experience attractions like Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Toy Story Mania with significantly shorter waits than they would normally encounter.
For families who prioritize rides, that can be a major advantage.
Character Experiences: A Different Kind of Magic
Character fans will find plenty to love at both events, but the experiences are very different.
At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, guests will find beloved Disney characters in festive attire, classic holiday interactions, and one of the most sought-after character greetings of the season with Jack Skellington and Sally.
At Jollywood Nights, the focus shifts toward rare and unique characters that are not commonly available during regular park hours. For Disney fans who enjoy checking unusual characters off their must-meet list, this event often has the edge.
Some of the characters listed for Jollywood Nights include:
Phineas and Ferb
Powerline Max
Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers
Santa Stitch
Santa Duffy
Baloo and King Louie
José Carioca and Panchito
Lotso
Bo Peep
Partysaurus Rex
Bing Bong
Joy
Sadness
Mike Wazowski
Edna Mode
Frozone
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Chewbacca
Donald and Daisy
Mickey and Minnie in their holiday attire
Scrooge McDuck
Goofy and Pluto
Good News for Nightmare Before Christmas Fans
If your family loves The Nightmare Before Christmas, there is something special waiting for you at either event.
At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, guests can meet Jack and Sally in person.
At Jollywood Nights, guests can enjoy What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, one of the event’s most popular entertainment offerings.
In other words, if Jack Skellington is part of your holiday season, you really cannot go wrong.
Which Party Does My Family Prefer?
This is where my answer has changed over the years.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will always hold a special place in my heart. There is something magical about watching snow fall on Main Street while a Christmas parade makes its way through Magic Kingdom. For families with younger children, it is often the party I recommend first.
But as my daughter has gotten older, we have gradually become more of a Jollywood Nights family.
We love meeting rare characters. We enjoy being able to experience some of Hollywood Studios’ biggest attractions with shorter waits. And there is just something special about strolling down Sunset Boulevard with holiday music playing while snoap drifts through the air.
Choose Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party if your family loves:
Christmas parades
Fireworks
Snow on Main Street
Classic Disney holiday traditions
A nostalgic Christmas atmosphere
Choose Disney Jollywood Nights if your family loves:
Rare characters
Lower waits for major attractions
Live entertainment and shows
Hollywood Studios attractions
A unique holiday experience with a different vibe than traditional Christmas events
And if your budget and schedule allow for it, I genuinely recommend experiencing both at least once.
They are not competing events as much as they are two completely different celebrations of the holiday season. Whether you find yourself watching snoap fall on Main Street on Sunset Boulevard, there is plenty of Disney holiday magic waiting for you this year.
Thinking about attending a Disney Holiday Party in 2026?
My name is Chali Francis and I am a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder and Oklahoma-based travel advisor who loves all things Disney. Reach out! I would love to discuss Holiday Parties and help you get the most magic out of your Holiday Walt Disney World vacation
People on the internet have some very big feelings about this new Walt Disney World policy.
Whether you love it, hate it, or are just here for the comments, Disney has officially shared more details about the new transportation policy coming to Disney Springs beginning June 28, 2026.
Guests traveling from Disney Springs to a Disney Resort hotel via Disney bus service or the Sassagoula River Cruise will now need one of the following:
• A valid Disney Resort hotel reservation (shown through a room key or MagicBand)
• A dining reservation at a Disney Resort hotel
• An Enchanting Extras reservation at a Disney Resort hotel
One detail Disney has now clarified: if you have a dining or Enchanting Extras reservation, you can begin using transportation from Disney Springs up to 2 hours before your reservation time.
For example, if your dining reservation is at 6:00 PM, you can begin using Disney transportation from Disney Springs at 4:00 PM.
This change only applies to transportation departing from Disney Springs to Disney Resort hotels. Transportation from the theme parks to Disney Resort hotels will continue operating as usual.
Guests can still park hop and visit other resorts during their day. They will just need to begin by parking at a theme park and using Disney transportation from there rather than starting at Disney Springs.
One of the things that makes Disney feel so magical is the sense of ownership many guests feel toward it. The flip side of that is that whenever Disney introduces a new policy, guests tend to have some very strong opinions about it. This change has been no exception. I personally see both sides of the 'argument' but in the end, I think it is a benefit to Walt Disney World Resort guests and that is who the company will ultimately cater to the most (I say this as a Passholder, remembering that we can park at the theme parks for free and start a park hopping day there!)
My name is Chali, I am an Oklahoma-based travel advisor and Walt Disney World Annual Passholder who spends arguably too much time at the parks. Things at Walt Disney World change often and quickly- my job is to make sure guests who plan with me know current policies and events so they don't have to spend their free time stressfully doom scrolling afraid they will miss something. If you would like someone on your team for your next trip- reach out! I would love to connect
This *complimentary* princess meet and greet gives guests the opportunity to meet multiple Disney Princesses during a single experience. For many families, especially those traveling with young princess fans, the Royal Gathering is one of the most anticipated character experiences onboard.
Because reservations are limited, understanding how to book the Royal Gathering can make a big difference in your planning experience.
What Is the Disney Cruise Line Royal Gathering?
The Royal Gathering is a complimentary character experience that typically takes place in the Grand Hall aboard the ship.
During this special event, guests have the opportunity to meet multiple Disney Princesses, take photos, and collect autographs in one convenient location.
Rather than waiting in several individual character lines throughout your sailing, the Royal Gathering allows families to meet multiple princesses during a single reservation.
Guests may only reserve the Royal Gathering one time per cruise.
It is important to know that every guest attending the experience must have a valid reservation, even adults who do not plan to take photos themselves. When booking, make sure everyone who will be going through the line is included in the reservation.
How to Book Royal Gathering on Disney Cruise Line
One of the most important Disney Cruise Line tips I share with guests is that the Royal Gathering follows a different booking schedule than many onboard activities.
Royal Gathering reservations open at exactly midnight Eastern Time, 30 days before embarkation, regardless of Castaway Club status.
For first-time Disney Cruise Line guests, this booking window opens at the exact same time as online check-in.
If you are a first-time cruiser, I strongly recommend reserving the Royal Gathering before starting your online check-in process.
While there is certainly value in completing check-in quickly, especially if you are hoping to secure an earlier boarding group, the Royal Gathering is one of the fastest-selling reservations on Disney Cruise Line. In many cases, waiting until after check-in is complete means the reservation will already be gone.
What Happens If You Miss Securing a Royal Gathering Reservation?
Many guests stress about the possibility of missing a Royal Gathering reservation, and for good reason.
The reality is that Royal Gathering reservations can disappear very quickly, within minutes. It is also common for guests to experience website errors, app issues, or other technology glitches during the booking process.
If this happens to you, it is completely normal to feel disappointed.
However, missing the Royal Gathering online booking does not mean completely missing the opportunity to meet Disney Princesses onboard the ship.
You can go to Guest Services when you board the ship to enquire if they have spots available- often guests find there is additional availability when they ask on board! (Please note: there is no guarantee there will be more openings, but it is always worth asking!)
Disney Cruise Line offers additional princess meet and greets, character appearances, and special character experiences throughout your sailing. Once you are at the port/onboard and connected to Disney Cruise Line Wi-Fi, the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will display character greeting times and locations throughout your cruise.
The Royal Gathering is a wonderful convenience, but it is not the only way to experience the magic.
Disney Cruise Line Tips for First-Time Cruisers
My biggest piece of advice is simple: set a reminder for when your booking window opens, be logged into your account before midnight Eastern Time, and be ready to hit 'Book' as soon as the clock strikes 12!
And if you do not get a reservation, try not to let it define your cruise experience.
Some of the best Disney Cruise Line memories come from unexpected moments, *surprise* character encounters, and magical experiences you never planned for.
Planning Your Disney Cruise Line Vacation
As a Gold Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club member, Walt Disney World Annual Passholder, and travel advisor specializing in Disney destinations, I help families navigate Disney Cruise Line planning from the initial quote all the way through debarkation day and beyond.
Whether you are sailing for the first time or returning for another Disney cruise adventure, I help my guests understand booking windows, character experiences, onboard activities, dining, and all of the details that can make planning feel overwhelming.
If you are planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation and would like personalized assistance, I would love to help your family create a magical sailing.