Concierge/Club Level Information- Part IV, July 2012

[pamkat1820]

I was just reading on another thread that CL does not have bottled water. Is that true? So I will still have to order a case of water for the parks. We can't just grab a bottle in the lounge b4 we head out.

[MUFFYCAT]

Originally Posted by mickey2minnie1

I am so excited!! I just booked the last four nights of our trip at the Poly GVCL. I am looking forward to getting a new room and seeing the castle from the lounge.

Congrats! you will love it and may not want to go back to a regular room afterwards.

[AngiTN]

Wanted to get an opinion, or two, from the folks here

I am trying to surprise DH with the CL stay.
I have it booked/paid for. That part is easy.
We drive. Specifically, he drives.
As I understand it, when we get to the gate we are supposed to tell the security guard we are staying at CL.
If I haven't sprung this bit on DH before we get to that point he won't know to mention it.
If I lean over and tell the security guard that will announce the surprise.
I was hoping to wait till we actually walk up and are greeted and escorted to CL to let him find out.
So, any ideas on how to pull that off?
One option I thought of was to have him pull over sometime before we reach the gate and let me drive. He'll know something is up but not what.
The other is to wait till we go in to check in. I can let him wait off to the side with DGD while I approach the desk to check in.
Then we miss out on the greeting out front.
Or am I wrong on that. Do they come out and greet you if you check in at the security gate or not?
We'll be arriving mid day, oh, sometime between 11:00 and 2:00, let's say.

[hildarumpole]

Originally Posted by pamkat1820

I was just reading on another thread that CL does not have bottled water. Is that true? So I will still have to order a case of water for the parks. We can't just grab a bottle in the lounge b4 we head out.

They have litre-size glass bottles of water. Glass bottles aren't allowed in the parks, but you could ask a CL CM for a bottle to fill up your own reusable water bottles to take to the parks.

[TJA]

Originally Posted by pamkat1820

I was just reading on another thread that CL does not have bottled water. Is that true? So I will still have to order a case of water for the parks. We can't just grab a bottle in the lounge b4 we head out.

Some CL's stock the plastic water bottles and all you need to do is ask them and they'll get some for you. Both BC and CR did this for us. Or, as someone else posted, if you have termoses or empty bottles, CM's will let you actually take a glass bottle to your room. When we were leaving early in the morning, we actually did this the night before so that we were ready to just take off.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by AngiTN

Wanted to get an opinion, or two, from the folks here

I am trying to surprise DH with the CL stay.
I have it booked/paid for. That part is easy.
We drive. Specifically, he drives.
As I understand it, when we get to the gate we are supposed to tell the security guard we are staying at CL.
If I haven't sprung this bit on DH before we get to that point he won't know to mention it.
If I lean over and tell the security guard that will announce the surprise.
I was hoping to wait till we actually walk up and are greeted and escorted to CL to let him find out.
So, any ideas on how to pull that off?
One option I thought of was to have him pull over sometime before we reach the gate and let me drive. He'll know something is up but not what.
The other is to wait till we go in to check in. I can let him wait off to the side with DGD while I approach the desk to check in.
Then we miss out on the greeting out front.
Or am I wrong on that. Do they come out and greet you if you check in at the security gate or not?
We'll be arriving mid day, oh, sometime between 11:00 and 2:00, let's say.

You don't have to tell them at the gate that you're staying CL. You're still at WL, right? The guards have a list and when DH hands them an ID card at the gate, he just tells them you're checking in and they motion you to go through. After you pull away, the guard will usually radio to a greeter who will then come down or may already be there. They will be standing in the port cochere with a clipboard and when you get out, you can whisper to them that CL is a surprise for your DH, but that you'd like him to find out right now. They'll play along with you. You can also let the IPO know when you'll be arriving and that up to that point, DH won't know a thing. They may note this somewhere on the clipboard next to your name. They knew it was our anniversary as soon as we pulled up in August because it was noted in our reservation. If for someone reason there isn't a CL runner there for you, don't panic. Tell a bellman (or any WL CM) either outside or inside to the right, about the surprise and that you'd like to wait to be escorted to the 7th floor.

[AngiTN]

Yes, we are at WL.
Your idea sounds very doable.
I think I can pull off with a good bit of ease.
I can let DH get DGD out of the car, etc. She'll be on his side so I can reach back and give her things while we are traveling. That will give me a few seconds to speak to someone.
I was thinking of using valet when we arrived but now I'm thinking I'll just get us all unloaded and then let him go park. That should hopefully give me a chance to talk to the CL CM a bit more in detail
If I can wait to spring it on him till we get off on the CL floor, that would be great.
I'll let IPO know too, just to help the chance of it working out.
It's so rare I can surprise him with anything
Thank you so much for your ideas.

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

You don't have to tell them at the gate that you're staying CL. You're still at WL, right? The guards have a list and when DH hands them an ID card at the gate, he just tells them you're checking in and they motion you to go through. After you pull away, the guard will usually radio to a greeter who will then come down or may already be there. They will be standing in the port cochere with a clipboard and when you get out, you can whisper to them that CL is a surprise for your DH, but that you'd like him to find out right now. They'll play along with you. You can also let the IPO know when you'll be arriving and that up to that point, DH won't know a thing. They may note this somewhere on the clipboard next to your name. They knew it was our anniversary as soon as we pulled up in August because it was noted in our reservation. If for someone reason there isn't a CL runner there for you, don't panic. Tell a bellman (or any WL CM) either outside or inside to the right, about the surprise and that you'd like to wait to be escorted to the 7th floor.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by AngiTN

Yes, we are at WL.
Your idea sounds very doable.
I think I can pull off with a good bit of ease.
I can let DH get DGD out of the car, etc. She'll be on his side so I can reach back and give her things while we are traveling. That will give me a few seconds to speak to someone.
I was thinking of using valet when we arrived but now I'm thinking I'll just get us all unloaded and then let him go park. That should hopefully give me a chance to talk to the CL CM a bit more in detail
If I can wait to spring it on him till we get off on the CL floor, that would be great.
I'll let IPO know too, just to help the chance of it working out.
It's so rare I can surprise him with anything
Thank you so much for your ideas.

Yes, let him park the car - gives you some time and saves $12! You can sit on a bench while he walks back and the runner will wait with you for him to return. Even if he's been to WL, the lobby will still make him stop in his tracks a bit so be prepared that he'll already be a bit in awe as soon as he steps foot in there. He also might not understand that he's even on the CL floor unless the runner tells him. But, when he see's the lounge to the left as you get off onto the 7th floor, he'll know, but it will be closed if you arrive between 4-5.

[AngiTN]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

Yes, let him park the car - gives you some time and saves $12! You can sit on a bench while he walks back and the runner will wait with you for him to return. Even if he's been to WL, the lobby will still make him stop in his tracks a bit so be prepared that he'll already be a bit in awe as soon as he steps foot in there. He also might not understand that he's even on the CL floor unless the runner tells him. But, when he see's the lounge to the left as you get off onto the 7th floor, he'll know, but there is a chance it might be closed if you arrive between 4-5.

It is our first stay at WL and he's a structural engineer. I'm sure the entire facility is going to have him in awe. Part of the draw of why I choose WL over BC or ALK

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by AngiTN

It is our first stay at WL and he's a structural engineer. I'm sure the entire facility is going to have him in awe. Part of the draw of why I choose WL over BC or ALK

Make sure he takes the free Lodge tour one morning.

[mickeyluv'r]

Originally Posted by Angeejoe

Hello! Im newer to the board & I've just read thru all 43 pages, and wanted your opinion. My DH has it set in his mind that in order to do Disney to his liking he wants to always do DDP for meals. I'd love to try CL, I do understand that CL is by no means a meal replacement, but I feel like CL with DDP would be too much. We don't necessarily do 3 sit down meals every day as we enjoy signature dining, but we're so full with just our DDP tha CL seems over the top. So I'm exploring idea of a split stay to just try CL for a few days without DDP & then have reg stay at our fav BC/YC w/ DDP. Any thoughts on this?

Would you prefer to start split stay with CL or end with CL?

I think I'd like to try AKL for CL since its so far out & then just spend our few days at AK, the hotel & maybe try the Sunrise Safari. Any thoughts on this? Then reg BC/YC stay we'd do the other parks as I hate the buses.
Thanks,
Angee

We've done lots of split stays. If I'm splitting between CL and non-CL, I'd generally opt for making CL the later part of the trip myself...but you may also temper that by your arrival and departure times. One option we have done if we have a late arrival is to stay some place inexpensive the first night (or last night), then move to CL. You do lose time in moving, but if you pack stregically, then it's not too bad. The way I do it, we do a one day bag..or else we fill a suitcase full of dirty laundry. I also plan our park touring and ADR's around where we'll be. So AKL and Boma/Sanaa/Jiko is good pairing. CR/Poly/GF and the monorail dining, or BWK/BC/YC and area dining including Swan/Dolphin/Epcot's WS.

Disney will move luggage, but we've also found that having a car makes split stays easier, so you an usually leave part of the luggage in the car.

Another important consideration is if youa re doing a pakcage- then you really want to make that the firt part of your trip. You don't want to buy two sets of tickets, and you have until midnight of the day you check out to use up DDP credits.

For us, CL plus DDP is too much food. Also, my prime reason for picking DDP was to save money. In 2013, it is not priced to save money. You should look at the math yourself, but I think you'll find it a losing proposition. You are most likley better paying oop. Maybe look at deluxe DDP, but that would also be serious overkill IMO.

Keep in mind the new credit card fee cancelation policy too. I tend to go in a large group, and we are pretty eager to keep our signature reservations once we make them, but I hate the idea of a $20pp fee hanging over my head. So we've cut back on meals at places w cc holds.

Whichever part you pick for CL should ideally be days where you plan to spend *more* time at the resort, or at least where you'll take an afternoon break.

CL is a meal replacement for breakfast, just not lunch or a complete dinner.

[AngiTN]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

Make sure he takes the free Lodge tour one morning.

Yes! I was telling him about this the other day. We have 2 days where we are not going to a park so we'll do it then for sure. At least he will. Melody and I may find something else to do. We'll just see what the weather holds.

[mickeyluv'r]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

Yes, let him park the car - gives you some time and saves $12! You can sit on a bench while he walks back and the runner will wait with you for him to return. Even if he's been to WL, the lobby will still make him stop in his tracks a bit so be prepared that he'll already be a bit in awe as soon as he steps foot in there. He also might not understand that he's even on the CL floor unless the runner tells him. But, when he see's the lounge to the left as you get off onto the 7th floor, he'll know, but it will be closed if you arrive between 4-5.

Of all the resorts....WL is almost the only CL I have not tried, but at every other one, if we drove, we were not always greeted by CL staff. If we do ME then we usually are, but driving up it is not always the case. In my experience getting a greeter is about 60/40 at best.

I've done something similar twice for my extended family. They knew which resort, but I surprised everyone by bumping it up to CL thanks to extra discount offers. (though now I've spoiled everyone...) Basically, when you arrive to check in, the gig is up. It doesn't really matter how you handle it at that point. Staff more or less will greet you the same way, except on your second stay they add the work "back" to the word "Welcome." They also maybe spend a little more time explaining how CL works on your first stay. DH may want to know why you are not going to the check-in desk, which is quite visible in the lobby.

I'm not trying to be a naysayer, it's a fun surprise! It's just the staff doesn't really act differently if it's a surprise or not.

One more thing....Again, not trying to be a naysayer, but WL and AKL are very similar in a number of ways. They are both "lodges" with the lodge look. Don't quote me on this, but if I remember correctly they share a designer, and were developed in the Eisner years. They are both very nice resorts.

For us, I've found the best time to spring the surprise is around the time we arrive at the resort. Have fun!

[disneydee6]

Sorry I am such a newbie with concierge! So, since they only have liter sized glass water, if we brought our own reusable water bottles, what would be the best way to fill them without either a.hoarding glass water bottles in our room or b.feel like we are thieving the water from the lounge? Just trying to figure out if it would just be better if we buy a 24 pk of water from garden grocer? Anyone with experience on how they brought water to the parks? Through concierge?

[fly girl]

Originally Posted by disneydee6

Sorry I am such a newbie with concierge! So, since they only have liter sized glass water, if we brought our own reusable water bottles, what would be the best way to fill them without either a.hoarding glass water bottles in our room or b.feel like we are thieving the water from the lounge? Just trying to figure out if it would just be better if we buy a 24 pk of water from garden grocer? Anyone with experience on how they brought water to the parks? Through concierge?

Just simply ask one of the CM's for a bottle of water. You can take it back to your room and fill up your water bottles for the day!