Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[Mousemommy1]

Ok, now you're making me apprehensive about our upcoming stay at WL CL. I guess we really only booked for the availability of the lounge food options. I never go to Disney expecting anything, but the little things mean a lot,and it's nice when you are taking someone that hasn't been before and you want them to get the "magic" you know and love.

I can only say that WL CL exceeded my expectations in every single way. Absolutely magical and the CM's were above and beyond, even wrapping up a bunch of cookies for my oldest DD on our departure day so she could have some "for the road"....she does love those cookies...I love WL CL!!!

Oh, we stayed there last July.

 

[25eels]

Have the Nescafé machines been removed from the lounges yet?

I'm there now, and no. I'm not especially fussy about coffee in general but those machines are dreadful.

 

[2manypets]

No, I didn't either, they said it was noted, but didn't go into detail like that, but then again, I didn't give them a list of our ADR's either.

I didn't give them a list of ADRs either, they were nice enough to pull them up anyway. It's possible that they're taking it serious because two of my allergies are life threatening

I do feel more confident now after reading his email though. I only hope they can follow through with the help after I arrive.

 

[samnbilly]

Speaking of CL experiences..we've had very good past experiences..in 2001 we stayed in Sugarloaf GF (not called that anymore) & there was a hurricane & the park closed (never happened in the history of Disney before-lol) We were in the room with my DS who was 3 @ the time & my DD who was 7mo. We bought the Monorail train set & we needed screwdrivers & batteries (our son was crying a little) so my DH asked concierge if they had a screwdriver..not thinking much of it, the C.M. not only found us a screwdriver to fit, he got us batteries!!
We mostly make our own ADR's.
We've had COncierge help us print out flight papers, change ADR's, suggest ADR's, go out of their way to help us..
I can certainly tell the difference in dealing with IPO. I hope were going to have a wonderful experience in WL! I will let all of u know!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I can only say that WL CL exceeded my expectations in every single way. Absolutely magical and the CM's were above and beyond, even wrapping up a bunch of cookies for my oldest DD on our departure day so she could have some "for the road"....she does love those cookies...I love WL CL!!!

Oh, we stayed there last July.

That makes me feel better then

I didn't give them a list of ADRs either, they were nice enough to pull them up anyway. It's possible that they're taking it serious because two of my allergies are life threatening

I do feel more confident now after reading his email though. I only hope they can follow through with the help after I arrive.

Well, the allergies aren't mine, my friend and her baby are the ones with allergies and they are staying in the room with us. The baby only has a milk allergy and it isn't life threatening. Her mother is allergic to milk, but can drink Soy milk, she will break out in a rash from strawberries and shellfish can become life threatening, she can touch it, just not eat it.

I made note on our ADR's when I made them, and just noted them on the form for IPO for the lounge.

 

[abk96]

I'm praying they will at least meet us out at the curb when we pull up at 730 am this time

I hope you get greeted.

I was anticipating this happening when we arrived at BWI around 9:20AM like we were at the BC last year. Nope! We were just greeted by a random worker who had no idea who we were and wanted us to go to the regular check in area. I had to tell her we were club level guests. So we sat in the lobby while she called upstairs to check and then brought us up to the Innkeepers Club.

I was just hoping for that little bit of specialness when you are greeted by name at the door. It's just a magical feeling.

We arrived by ME bus too and I also emailed IPO with our ETA.

 

[mickeynut1]

Ok, now you're making me apprehensive about our upcoming stay at WL CL. I guess we really only booked for the availability of the lounge food options. I never go to Disney expecting anything, but the little things mean a lot,and it's nice when you are taking someone that hasn't been before and you want them to get the "magic" you know and love.

I think you're going to love WL CL as it really is amazing. Our CL stay at the WL was quite some time ago (Oct/Nov 2004) and from reports I have read over the years since then, CL at the WL still gets amazing reviews . During our stay, the CL CMs were willing to help in any way they could and were constantly making sure we had everything we needed and were being taken care of. They told our boys (9 & 11 at the time) that anything they needed/wanted that they didn't see to just ask and they would get it (and they did ). WL CL was our first CL stay so I didn't have anything to compare it to at the time, but over the years I see people report that they had the same great experience we did years ago .

Speaking of CL experiences..we've had very good past experiences..in 2001 we stayed in Sugarloaf GF (not called that anymore) & there was a hurricane & the park closed (never happened in the history of Disney before-lol) We were in the room with my DS who was 3 @ the time & my DD who was 7mo. We bought the Monorail train set & we needed screwdrivers & batteries (our son was crying a little) so my DH asked concierge if they had a screwdriver..not thinking much of it, the C.M. not only found us a screwdriver to fit, he got us batteries!!
We mostly make our own ADR's.
We've had COncierge help us print out flight papers, change ADR's, suggest ADR's, go out of their way to help us..
I can certainly tell the difference in dealing with IPO. I hope were going to have a wonderful experience in WL! I will let all of u know!!

We've only stayed 3 club levels (WL CL, GF SL, and GF RPC), and although it's not a lof of experience compared to the number of CLs, we have yet to have a bad experience. Our most recent was RPC in May 2011, SL in 2010, and WL CL in 2004). I didn't care for SL, but it wasn't due to the CL CMs or problems, I just didn't care for the lounge size and location. We are trying CR CL and Poly CL in December, so it will be nice to compare those stays to the ones we've had in the past at other resorts .

 

[MiramarQE]

Now the IPO and CL CMs are basically just regurgitating information that anyone could find online at the Disney website or here on the DIS. Want to order flowers? Here's the phone number. Want a fireworks cruise? Here's the phone number. Need a birthday cake? Here's the phone number. You lost something in the park? Here's the phone number. You need to speak to a manager? Here's the phone number. What do they actually do to help people??? Most of us are booking our own dining reservations online now, we are even checking in online, the amount of interaction with CL CMs is dwindling down to basically "here's your keys". I stopped at the desk last week to see about tweaking a dinner ADR, and guess what? They can't do anything for me I have to go to the restaurant and ask for myself.

Unfortunately have to agree with the rant - at least at BC. I travel internationally a great deal for business (that's not a boast - it gets old quick) and foreign hotels can show you the REAL value of a concierge.

In the future I'll stick with the regular floors - and use MDE to handle anything I need in terms of assistance. $120/night for a few bagels and bad coffee in the morning (total value of the CL at BC last trip) is not worth it.

 

[chester629]

I hope you get greeted.

I was anticipating this happening when we arrived at BWI around 9:20AM like we were at the BC last year. Nope! We were just greeted by a random worker who had no idea who we were and wanted us to go to the regular check in area. I had to tell her we were club level guests. So we sat in the lobby while she called upstairs to check and then brought us up to the Innkeepers Club.

I was just hoping for that little bit of specialness when you are greeted by name at the door. It's just a magical feeling.

We arrived by ME bus too and I also emailed IPO with our ETA.

AKL IPO told me that we should be greeted at the door of the ME bus when we arrive. She also did warn that sometimes it can be crazy for them trying to sort out which family is which and if we are not to find a CM holding an iPad and they will a CL CM to take us up to the lounge.

I really hope CL ends up being as magical as some of the stories on here. I've never stayed CL before and for us honestly it was more for the room type we wanted and the CL came as a bonus but after reading about all the benefits and hearing about them from IPO our hopes have been built high! The AKL IPO has been absolutely wonderful thus far, and I've emailed them several times with ADR changes and requests already! They've even been great about providing general info too...I inquired about the new MagicBand system and if it will be up and running come our Oct stay. So I must say, so far I am impressed!

 

[mickeynut1]

I really hope CL ends up being as magical as some of the stories on here. I've never stayed CL before and for us honestly it was more for the room type we wanted and the CL came as a bonus but after reading about all the benefits and hearing about them from IPO our hopes have been built high! The AKL IPO has been absolutely wonderful thus far, and I've emailed them several times with ADR changes and requests already! They've even been great about providing general info too...I inquired about the new MagicBand system and if it will be up and running come our Oct stay. So I must say, so far I am impressed!

We've never stayed AKL CL, but I have read nothing but rave reviews about it. With that said, everyone's opinion/experience is different, but AKL CL (that I have seen) does not get the negative reviews like those of some of the other resort clubs.

 

[mirage0306]

I am sorry to hear about the decline of CL service. I just posted elsewhere that when we checked in to BWI CL last year it was bizarre and not magical at all (this was our first CL stay). I had to track down someone to help us and they basically told us to do regular check in. I had to ask to have someone accompany us up to the 4th floor--they weren't going to do it. Once we got up there things were fine.

This year we were at AKL and Poly CL and i thought both were really good, actually. Then again, I don't have too much to compare it to. At Poly we didn't ask for much...Once I asked for them to check what time we were supposed to be at Pirates and Pals, and they checked right away and let me know. I did ask a CM to pay down our room balance with gift cards and she was happy to do it. At AKL, they also used several gift cards to pay down my balance and it wasn't a problem--the CM was so nice about it. We did have an issue there. When at the pool, my husband bought me a drink with a gift card. Shortly after, there was thunder and lightning so we evacuated. The pool bar closed. We realized when we got up to the room that the CM at the pool bar didn't give the GC back and it had over $40 on it. Normally we'd just go back down there and get it but it was closed. The CL CM was awesome. She got on the phone right away and was able to track it down, got it back and gave it to my husband. She really helped us out. I know $40 isn't a ton of money, but I would have been bummed to just throw it away.

Another CL CM at AKL saw how much I liked the amarula liqueur...he asked if i liked coffee and when I said yes, asked if he could make me a drink. He made me the BEST ICED COFFEE EVER OMG.

Like i said, I don't have too much to compare it to and i'm certainly not trying to say others posts are invalid!!! Just sharing that we have still had some pretty good experiences, that's all.

ETA--we were greeted and taken up to the CL building/floor right away both times this year.

 

[BringingUpDisney]

I have to say that I too have been watching recent posts with growing concern. In our upcoming December trip we are trying CL for the first time, starting at the Poly and then at the YC.

I am beginning to wonder if I should change one to a regular reservation to just test the CL waters. I don't have super high expectations but would like our room cleaned before 1:00 as I have a toddler that will be napping daily. I would also like good customer service, a few beverages, and the space to hangout and not have to always have both adults tiptoeing around the room while DD is sleeping.

Any recommendations on which resort I should choose to keep as a CL reservation? TIA

 

[sjs314]

You're welcome mickeynut1 and sjs314.

It is a great resort. Enjoy your stay in Nov.

abk96 Thank You

abk96- your turndown service sort of mirrors what we experienced at YC in April. We found it odd that they came around to do it at between 3-4 in the afternoon.

That was our prime napping time, and I just didn't understand why it was so early.

YC's food selection was not great either. Also a lot of repeats of tiny fried items. We loved YC as a resort and would absolutely stay there again, but we are pretty much all set with CL. I'd be fine paying the money for an exceptional experience but it's just too expensive for mediocrity.

MM we also tend to return after lunch for a rest/nap, last trip one day when we returned the mouse keeper was doing our room so we left and came back later, another day we were not feeling well so we just put up the do not disturb sign but we ended up missing out on the BB change over that occured 11/30-12/1 do to missing Mousekeeping (it went from FD to RO discount)

Granted we were not staying CL that trip but still Mousekeeping was a disappointment.

Not sure if it will do any good but I am thinking of calling and requesting our room gets made up in the morning in Nov.

Yesterday I took the survey and noted everything that needed to be said.

Last night my husband and I talked for a while about our next trip and we have decided to skip the club level and just use the money we save to pay OOP for snacks and such.

Our trip was very enjoyable and we had a great time. Just don't think we'll be doing club level anytime soon.

abk96 It's a little disappointing hearing the negative comments but glad to know what to expect when this upcoming trip will be the first time we are trying(paying) for the Expierence. We were upgraded to CL at YC many years ago('94)

Just to let everyone know, I sent an email to IPO about my food allergies. This is the response they sent back:

Good Morning Ms. -------,

On everyone of your reservations I have added your allergies to all of your dining reservations. When you arrive just allow the Concierge Cast Member know about your allergies and they will have one of our Chefs call you and explain the food in the lounge of what you can and cannot eat. I will also be sending an email to our Cast so they are aware of the allergies as well.

If we can assist you any further please let us know,

Nick

Concierge Itinerary Planner

Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort

Disney's BoardWalk Resort

Phone (407) 934-1448

Fax Number (407) 938-6508

Email: Yacht.Beach.Club.Itinerary.Planning@Disneyworld.com


Where Dreams Come True

This sounds very promising.

2manypets excellent response!

Setting aside the decline in lounge food quality and looking at CL based on customer service only I have definitely noticed a big change in what they are willing to provide. Years ago the CMs on CL would literally move mountains to make guests happy. I could tell you so many magical stories...

For example, I remember a trip when our youngest son lost his Sorcerer Mickey hat. It was in the bottom basket of the stroller and fell out probably when we were loading and unloading from a boat or bus. I briefly stopped at the desk, told them about the lost hat and asked if they could track one down for me and just charge it to our room. That night when we returned from dinner a replacement hat was on the bed with a note from Mickey saying this new hat was even more magical and special than the one he lost. Another trip I remember our boys asking for ice cream one night when we were in the lounge having desserts. I explained to them that we couldn't have ice cream because we were going to bed soon. About 10 minutes later a CM showed up with two bowls of ice cream ... he had overheard our conversation and run downstairs to get some. Did we expect that to happen?? Heck no! But it was little things like that over the years that made us feel every extra penny paid was well worth it. If you needed a dinner reservation they would get you one somewhere even if they had to call the restaurant personally. If you had a question and they didn't have the answer they would call around until they got the answer! If there was some piece of merchandise you saw in a store and wanted, or needed a different size, they would just have it sent to your room and add it to your bill. If you had the money then they could make it happen. Now the IPO and CL CMs are basically just regurgitating information that anyone could find online at the Disney website or here on the DIS. Want to order flowers? Here's the phone number. Want a fireworks cruise? Here's the phone number. Need a birthday cake? Here's the phone number. You lost something in the park? Here's the phone number. You need to speak to a manager? Here's the phone number. What do they actually do to help people??? Most of us are booking our own dining reservations online now, we are even checking in online, the amount of interaction with CL CMs is dwindling down to basically "here's your keys". I stopped at the desk last week to see about tweaking a dinner ADR, and guess what? They can't do anything for me I have to go to the restaurant and ask for myself. I don't think we should be paying for a middle man, I think we should be paying for someone to get the job done. Why can't they call the restaurant and ask if I can push my ADR time back 30 minutes? If we can't move it then at least I would know and I wouldn't have to run there and find out for myself.

Another example. Last week I spoke with 3 different CL CMs trying to find out the time for the American Idol "Limited Time Magic" parade. You would have thought I was asking them to cut off their arm to find out this information. The first person never got back to me, the 2nd person gave me the wrong time, and the 3rd person finally was able to help after I strongly told her our entire day was being planned around this parade and that I desperately needed to know the time. Guess what?? She called the Studios and spoke with someone to find the time... it took about 2 minutes. Was that really so much to ask???? I don't know, maybe I expect too much, but I feel these CMs have the connections and resources to find information if they want to take the time to do their job right.

Rant over!!!! And I'm not mad or dwelling on all this, I just wanted to get it off my chest.

I'm sure we will still stay CL in the future. We do enjoy the convenience of the lounge. But personally I don't feel like I'm getting any help from anyone working the desk. After our nightmare in May at the YC CL I was hoping to rekindle my love of CL at the Poly last week. But it didn't happen.

TigrLuvsPooh The level of service Definately seems o be on the decline. My only Expierence with CL was the free upgrade at the YC years ago.

Mousekeeping was always completed when we returned mid-afternoon, Turndown service was never missed and the Concierge would call each morning asking if there was anything He could do and kept saying if there were any Reservations we wanted that He could get them for us no matter where at.

Reading your post I have to agree that it does seem as if some of the "Magic" has gone out of staying CL. Sad considering how much extra it does cost.

All in All I am still looking forward to our CL stay in Nov and will go in with a positive attitude

I did contact IPO yesterday with our room requests and rec'd a reply from Gloria saying she noted our requests on our reservation.

Now I just have to decide about doing online check-in or not. We have never done it before as I rather enjoy the lobby check-in procedure and have to say I am looking forward to being met when we arrive and the CL check-in.

 

[Ofinn]

I have to say that I too have been watching recent posts with growing concern. In our upcoming December trip we are trying CL for the first time, starting at the Poly and then at the YC.

I am beginning to wonder if I should change one to a regular reservation to just test the CL waters. I don't have super high expectations but would like our room cleaned before 1:00 as I have a toddler that will be napping daily. I would also like good customer service, a few beverages, and the space to hangout and not have to always have both adults tiptoeing around the room while DD is sleeping.

Any recommendations on which resort I should choose to keep as a CL reservation? TIA

The only resort where my room was consistently cleaned before noon was the Poly. All the other resorts seem to be hit or miss. It's irritating to come back to the resort at 200 pm and walk into a dirty room. We have had issues at every resort CL or not. I would put in a request to have your room cleaned early. I would keep the Poly not because of the housekeeping, but because it hands down better than YC. YC CL is just so-so IMO.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I think you're going to love WL CL as it really is amazing. Our CL stay at the WL was quite some time ago (Oct/Nov 2004) and from reports I have read over the years since then, CL at the WL still gets amazing reviews . During our stay, the CL CMs were willing to help in any way they could and were constantly making sure we had everything we needed and were being taken care of. They told our boys (9 & 11 at the time) that anything they needed/wanted that they didn't see to just ask and they would get it (and they did ). WL CL was our first CL stay so I didn't have anything to compare it to at the time, but over the years I see people report that they had the same great experience we did years ago .

You have made me feel a lot better. I knew what I had been reading about WL CL was all pretty positive. Traveling with a baby (that's not ours) is going to be challenging as it is, I need some special treatment.

I hope they meet us at the door, that's one of the things I am anticipating the most, that and having our packages sent back to our room.

We were staying in a standard room at BWI in Aug 2012 and were met at the door by a CM and I thought maybe we had been upgraded, unfortunately not, but our room was ready, as was our room key and packet. It made us feel so special and we had even gotten the same room we had had during our Jan 2012 trip, it was an awesome room too, at the curve in the building and it was huge.

 

[mickeynut1]

You have made me feel a lot better. I knew what I had been reading about WL CL was all pretty positive. Traveling with a baby (that's not ours) is going to be challenging as it is, I need some special treatment.

I'm glad you're feeling better about your stay .

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm glad you're feeling better about your stay .

All stays at WDW resorts are amazing! Sometimes I just get nitpicky and stressed about certain things. But it sure won't stop me from coming down all the time and I know we'll still do CL even with the changes.

 

[Welcome Home]

abk96 Thank You

MM we also tend to return after lunch for a rest/nap, last trip one day when we returned the mouse keeper was doing our room so we left and came back later, another day we were not feeling well so we just put up the do not disturb sign but we ended up missing out on the BB change over that occured 11/30-12/1 do to missing Mousekeeping (it went from FD to RO discount)

Granted we were not staying CL that trip but still Mousekeeping was a disappointment.

Not sure if it will do any good but I am thinking of calling and requesting our room gets made up in the morning in Nov.

We are a rope drop family and like the room to be cleaned early. We always tell the IPO staff that we will be out of the room by 8:30 and need the room cleaned by noon. 95% of the time mouse keeping is done by the time we return. We were once told they appreciate that because then they know what room they can start on early without disturbing someone.

 

[sjs314]

We are a rope drop family and like the room to be cleaned early. We always tell the IPO staff that we will be out of the room by 8:30 and need the room cleaned by noon. 95% of the time mouse keeping is done by the time we return. We were once told they appreciate that because then they know what room they can start on early without disturbing someone.

Excellent to know Thanks!

 

[abk96]

I want to apologize to those who are fearful of their upcoming CL trip possibly due to my comments. That was definitely not my intent. I just wanted to say it like it was and not sugar coat anything. That being said, we really did have a great trip and are planning our return next year. It will just be on the regular floor. CL did have it's pros and cons for us and everyone does have a different experience.

I wish everyone happy planning and a wonderful trip.