King Kamehameha Club at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

View from The King Kamehameha Club

King Kamehameha Club, at Disney’s Polynesian Village and Resort, was the first club level (originally called concierge level back when it opened in the mid-80’s), to be offered at a Disney resort. It was much different back when it first opened and was located in the Great Ceremonial House and didn’t have the view it has today.

And what a view it is!  It was the first thing I noticed when I walked into the lounge.  It’s gorgeous and vast and showcases all of the Seven Seas Lagoon. From Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and everything in between, including Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain in the distance.

The lounge itself is spacious and airy with the tall ceilings and the huge, two-floor windows.  The dark wooden beams and furniture, along with the rest of decor reflect the Polynesian theme throughout.  It’s very relaxing and a great place to hang out during the daily rainstorms, especially with one of the board game you can borrow.

 

We checked-in online, so after a quick escort to the Hawaii building where the club is located, it took less than five minutes in the club lobby.  The kids were given sand buckets filled with stickers, crayons, and a small coloring book.  They offered us water or sodas but we were there pretty early and just wanted coffee.  We were given the schedule of events and of the hours of service, which were as follows:

 

King Kamehameha Club Concierge Hours of Service

Kakahiaka (Continental Breakfast)     7:00 am – 10:30 am

Auinala (Refreshments)     12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Ahiahi (Appetizers, Wine, and Cheese Selection)    5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Aumoe (Desserts and Cordials)     8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

 

Inside the Lounge

Kakahiaka (Continental Breakfast)     7:00 am – 10:30 am

Kakahiaka, a continental breakfast, has a large variety of food to meet all tastes.  The selection was almost the same both days with sliced meats, cheeses, boiled eggs, oatmeal, pastries, yogurt, fruits, and cereals. The first day they had had a few extras like smoked salmon, red onions and capers, and when paired with the bagels and cream cheese, they made a wonderful Lox and Bagels.  I was disappointed to find them missing the second morning. The sliced meats varied with the ham being replaced by pastrami the second day.  The pastries were basic but fresh, nothing fancy.  My kids told me the chocolate chip muffins were really good. The yogurts parfaits were popular.  Everything was replenished quickly.

Kakahiaka – Meats, Cheeses, Smoked Salmon, and Oatmeal

 

Kakahiaka – Croissants, Chocolate Chip Muffins, Danishes, and Cinnamon Rolls

Kakahiaka – Cereals

 

Kakahiaka – Mango and Berry Yogurt Parfaits

 

Kakahiaka – Bagels, Bread, Cream Cheese, Jams, Butter, and Peanut Butter

All Service Offerings – Ice Tea, Orange, and Cranberry Juice, and Filtered Water

 

All Service Offerings – A selection of Teas and a Nespresso Machine

 

All Service Offerings – A selection of Sodas, Beers, and Hard Cider.

All Service Offerings – Regular Coffee and Decaffeinated Coffee

 

Auinala (Refreshments)     12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

During Auinala they served lettuce wraps with grilled chicken on the first day and shrimp on the second.  Dan wasn’t as thrilled about the shrimp as I was, and asked if they still had some pastrami left over from breakfast, which they did.  While the kids did enjoy the wraps, they also requested some Uncrustables which a cast member grabbed from the back. They also brought out a Perrier and a glass of Chardonnay from the back by request. If you don’t see something out that you would like, you can always ask a club cast member and they will get it if they have it.

The chips were delicious and very addictive, and when Auinala was over a friendly cast member put the remaining chips in a bag and gave them to our children.  They made an excellent snack at the pool the following day. I especially enjoyed the chips with the mango salsa.  The vegetables were fresh and crisp.  I really liked that the offerings were light and healthy for the most part.  They also offered gummy bears and chocolate chip cookies the first day and oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies, along with Swedish fish the second day. Plus they had bowls of almonds, macadamia nuts, and goldfish and dried fruit, coconut to make a trail mix.

Auinala – Lettuce Wraps and Sauces

 

Auinala – Polynesian Chips and Wonton and Potato Chips

 

Auinala and Ahiahi – Vegetables and Dip

Auinala – Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa and Chardonnay 

 

Auinala – Wonton and Potato Chips and Mango Salsa

 

Ahiahi (Appetizers, Wine, and Cheese Selection)    5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Unlike the earlier servings, during Ahiahi, the chef was present and ready to answer any questions.  Both nights the pineapple rolls and pita bread were served, along with hummus, and one other dip, and a large cubed cheese platter.  They also had the fresh vegetables out again, along with the ranch dressing.  For children, they had cut up pineapple served alongside a caramel dip, and quartered Uncrustables.  There were mini salads and some unique and delicious appetizers.  I especially like the seafood stew that was served the first night with mussels, scallops, shrimp in it.  The servings were very small, which was nice because we could try everything and still not be overly full.  The staff was quick to whisk away the empty little dishes so they didn’t pile up on our tables.

 

Ahiahi – Pineapple Rolls, Pita Bread, Baba Ganoush, Red Pepper Hummus.

 

Ahiahi – Teriyaki Chicken and Broccolini and Crab Fondue

Ahiahi – Tropical Salad

 

Ahiahi – Pork Belly and Pineapple Skewers

 

Ahiahi – Shrimp with Aioli

 

Ahiahi – Cheese Selection

Ahiahi and Aumoe – Wine Selection

 

Aumoe (Desserts and Cordials)     8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

During Aumoe, there was a wide selection of desserts being offered, including Key lime Tarts and Chocolate Mousse Cake on the first night, and Smore’s Tarts and Carrot Cake replaced them on the second night. There were a variety of cookies and also rice crispy treats and chocolate cupcakes on the second night.  The wines were left out for the guests, and the cordials, Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, and Grand Marnier were added, along with a large carafe of milk.  We were able to watch the fireworks while the accompanying music was played while we enjoyed our desserts and coffee.  It was a lovely end to a perfect day.

Aumoe – Key Lime Tarts

 

Aumoe – Chocolate Mousse Cake

 

Aumoe – Chocolate Cupcake

Aumoe – Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, and Grand Marnier

 

So is the club level worth the extra money?  It would be impossible to give a blanket statement for an answer.  I guess it depends on what is important to you as a guest. For us, with 3 constantly hungry and thirsty kids, it is worth it financially and especially for convenience.  Just being able to send the kids to grab some breakfast while I sleep in a little longer is worth it alone but we aren’t heading off to restaurants or going to the parks when we stay at a resort. We’re solely there to relax and unwind.

If you plan to eat out at restaurants often, especially if you’re using a meal plan, or spending long days at the parks, I would say it’s probably not for you.  You can just as easily see the fireworks from somewhere else and you probably won’t be eating in the lounge very often.

However, Disney is now offering extra perks for those staying at club level but it will cost you even more.  At an extra $50/day per guest staying in the room, for a minimum of 3 nights.  This will get you:

• 3 additional FastPass+ selections per day which can be reserved in more than 1 theme park with a valid Park Hopper option is purchased.
• The 3 additional FastPass+ can be reserved up to 90 days in advance and can be booked at multiple top-tier attractions. You can not choose the same attraction more than once per day.
• 1 preferred viewing location for nighttime spectaculars per day. Preferred viewing locations are limited.

You must be staying at a Club Level at one of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts, or in the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Villas & Bungalows, or in the Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, or in Presidential Suites, Governor Suites, Parlor Suites, Premium Alcove Rooms at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

 

To read all about our Polynesian stay go here.