"Abusing" Club Level privileges

[PaintedStuff]

Originally posted by ktulu
...We felt guility when we took two diet cokes back to our room for when we got back that night. ...

Side note, what are those yummy little bars they put out at the WL, they had liike chocolate chips, coconut, maybe butterscotch chips, seemed like a little bit of everything, very yummy!

darren

...Simply say 10 "Hakuna Matatas" and 2 "Hail, Walts" and all will be forgiven!

Fuzzy Pink Slippers and Hair Rollers, wheel barrels...I'M PLOTZING FROM LAUGHTER AND DYING OF HUNGER FOR GOOEY CHOCOLATE COOKIES AND GLASSES OF WINE.

Darren - don't feel guilty - no one says you have to eat the stuff in the lounge - it's the hoarding that's the problem.

I'm going to the Contemporary in October - I think scoping out the food bandits will be as entertaining as the shows in the MK !

 

[Oh Kay!]

As someone else mentioned, it's not hoarding but wasting that really bothers me. Because we spend so much time at the parks, we rarely spent time at the lounge. The one time when I went for the evening service at Hawaii, all the deserts were gone. I was diappointed, but accepted the situation. What got my ganders up was that the next morning, I saw a plateful of pastries out in the corridor.

If someone wants to make a pig of oneself, that's fine with me, but at least eat what you take.

I've stayed at concierge twice, and I'm beginning to doubt whether we should go concierge again. I think I'm savvy enough--thanks to everyone on this board--to do planning by myself, and would rather spend the money on room service. I won't discourage others from trying concierge though, but personally, I've reached the point of diminishing returns.

Kay

 

[johnsonet]

oink, oink

 

[diskids2]

This is one thing that is a hot button for me. As my DH would say, "What isn't?", but seriously........

On one trip we stayed at CL. We never saw anyone taking excessive amounts of food or beverages, but every single time we went to visit, the supply of food and beverage was very low. (We tend to visit later.) When I asked the staff about this, I was told that people do take items in excess and that was the reason that things were missing - like no water bottles, colas, diet sodas, etc.

Now, the snacks are not the only reason why I chose to spend extra money for CL (and I did pay for the privilege), but I have to be honest, I did think about the cost and factored in that we would probably spend less money on breakfast and snacks.

It is because of this that I have never paid for CL again. One time I was offered an upgrade and took it, but we didn't have the opportuntity to visit the Lounge.

And I agree, this is just another example of people taking it the extreme.

I feel better now. At least you guys listen and don't roll your eyes, like DH does.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by kimmie
I will hold my tongue but.... I can come up with many ways to make the "cookie grabbers" look bad. Peer pressure, right? lol

This is what DH and I usualy do if something bugs us. Someone throws trash on the ground..."Excuse me you dropped something!" Someone cuts in line..."I don't think so-the line starts back there." A little one is touching all the buffet food and putting it back..."you know that is not polite and you are putting germs on everything." We always are nice about it and most people feel really stupid because everyone else is staring at them like yeah-you jerk

I would feel weird about saying something to the "horders" though. Like others have said they may just be taking things back to family. Although excessive hording is just plain rude. Like Anne said the wine/alcohol could be an issue too. AKL concierge in March was wonderful. Everyone was polite and the food was plentiful and no hording

 

[BCVNovember]

I have just finished reading this thread from beginning to now and I have to make one comment. I disagree with the statements regarding concierge being only for the elite and those with money to burn. Having money does not necessarily guaranty that one has manners. How can anyone be sure that the cookie hoarders are not well off? Too many assumptions are made based on appearances.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I am nowhere near "wealthy" by any means and I only stay concierge when I can get a great rate, but that doesn't mean I am of "low class" either. If you want to stay with the "elite" then I suggest you go to the Waldorf Astoria. Concierge is for anyone who wants to stay there, whether they are wealthy or not.

I think that the food that is put out is a nice help to those who need it and for our part we do utilize it for breakfasts, this helps us to take our time in the am getting out instead of rushing to make a PS for some place. As for the rest of the day, we usually get back by the end of the night when they are taking things down.

It's the few bad apples that ruin it for everyone.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I certainly was not trying to sound snobby in my comments, heck, I pointed out that I myself am not of the financial means to regularly partake of concierge accomodations, but I certainly don't consider myself "lowly".

Concierge WAS developed by hotels for its wealthier guests (not me). Maybe some of you don't see WDW concierge in that light but it doesn't change the fact. Further, being able to stay in concierge bears no specific reflection on anyone. But BCVNovember, if you think it's the upper 2% who are doing the majority of the 'cookie grubbing' I guess we'll just have to disagree (my comments aren't very PC I realize, but they're only generalizations).

Ducklite, I agree with you that Disney is missing the upscale boat (and profit margins) by not having a Ritz-Carlton/4 Seasons quality Resort on property.

Back on topic: I don't really know how Disney is going to handle what I think is a growing problem. If they just turn a blind eye to abusers and keep supplying the bounty their profits will take a beating. If they try and limit quantity they're bound to upset many who have always followed the rules...

 

[ead79]

I think that the reason that concierge quality can sometimes not be as high at WDW as in other places is more due to the "I'm gonna get my money's worth" attitude than the income level of people who stay there. People of any income level can certainly have that attitude. We have some wealthy relatives who are the biggest cheapskates in the world. They always try to get out of paying for stuff, and they even force us to eat at fast food restaurants for big family get togethers because they won't pay for a meal even at a place like Cracker Barrell. I think their point of view is that they have tons of money and they refuse to spend any of it now. They would never spring for concierge, but if they did, I can assure you they would hoard stuff from the concierge lounge.

That being said, I am sure that most very high income families at WDW are not like this.

I personally do not stay concierge anywhere but WDW. I do not have a large salary by any means, and I do save and budget to afford concierge. When I am there (and hopefully no matter where I am, whether it's Motel 6 or the Grand Floridian), I strive to be very polite, and I don't hoard all the food preventing other guests who also paid for the privilege of concierge from getting their food too. I realize you weren't talking about anyone specifically, just about the decline of concierge in general. I just wanted to share my point of view that not all "savers" are also hoarders/part of the reason concierge might be becoming less elite.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

I can understand where people might say, "Hey, it's Disney's job to make sure that when things run low in the lounge, they stock right back up!" But by doing so, aren't they only encouraging the treat thiefs? We all know that there are people out there who would think nothing of grabbing up every last Scrumpdeleishous bar, and then, knowing full well they'll be restocked in a few minutes, return and swipe up another batch.

I think it goes back to what's been said here before, and what so many parents have uttered - even before Michael Jackson and his brothers sang about it: One bad apple...

I guess what makes me sad is that I go to Disney to escape the bad apples. I know, I know, we can't truly get away from the world by going to The World, but wouldn't it be nice if we could somehow... I don't know, put a specially tuned version of a metal detector up. As you approach Disney, you go through the Bad Egg Detector (OK, someone's got Willy Wonka on the brain!) and a little buzzer goes off, saying, "We're sorry. Please come back when you've adjusted to the happy, peaceful, 'in fact we all CAN just get along' mindset being enjoyed by guests of Walt Disney World. Thank you, and have a nice day."

Sigh
Richard

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

I wish my family had had Club Level our past stay August 10-15 Last year we just used points at check-in and were able to get Club Level. This year it was ALL FULL!!! We were so dissapointed and asked if it was possible like last year to not stay on the Club Floor, but use the points to have access to the room. They told us they had dis-continued that two weeks earlier.

Oh well!

 

[Oh Kay!]

Having money does not necessarily guaranty that one has manners.

I agree.

Kay

 

[DrTomorrow]

jerseydizdreamer,

No, you're on the right track - go with it!

We should give the abusers Three Course Dinner Gum, then roll them away!

We should transmit them to the Concierge Lounge via WonkaVision - that way they'd be too small to eat all the food!

Erick - who'd really like to take a ride on the Wonkatania!

 

[callaghan]

Originally posted by BCVNovember
I have just finished reading this thread from beginning to now and I have to make one comment. I disagree with the statements regarding concierge being only for the elite and those with money to burn. Having money does not necessarily guaranty that one has manners. How can anyone be sure that the cookie hoarders are not well off? Too many assumptions are made based on appearances.

You said it!

Money doesn't buy class. And by blaming "low-class" people, you are enhancing the stereotype. I sat and watched people line up for free ice cream. One of the stores was giving away ice-cream scoops to support a charity. There was a collection basket, and most of the people who donated were what this board would consider "low class". The "elite" took their ice cream and kids and left. Please don't judge people by appearances, it is so deceiving and wrong.
Now if you ask me, there is a big difference between "old-money and new-money", but that is another debate for another day!

callie

 

[johnsonet]

..."you know that is not polite and you are putting germs on everything."
I would never say that to a child! The real problem is the PARENTS. The whole problem is people who run rough-shod over rules and common sense and manners. The concierge level was never intended to be a meal savings - but that hasn't stopped people from doing the math and realizing their family can offset their dining expenses by going concierge. And people go nuts to "get their money's worth" - or stock up on "free stuff", however you want to look at it.

Whoever said it was right on - concierge was originally a way to make more $$ off of those who could pay more to have extra pampering. Now it's something else. Also, I think everyone is well aware that money by NO means ="class" - especially not in modern America, that's for sure! It's a matter of awareness and manners. I'll bet you the staff of these hotels are really complaining about what it has turned into and I'm sure there will be new rules eventually.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

I stayed at GF concierge the same time as some very, very wealthy people. I was told that their family owns a large corporation, but I never heard which one. It was obvious by the way the staff addressed them that they were "VIPS". We only saw them a couple of times during breakfast time. These people with "class" were some of the rudest people I have ever seen in my life. One "gentleman" in the party bumped into a toddler that was standing next to her mother. He probably didn't see her since he was holding a few plates of food piled up high. He told the mother to "Please keep a closer eye on your child". The mom just stood there with her mouth open. Couldn't believe it. The rest of the party never smiled. Very serious people. I said "Good morning" to one of them, as I did to most people in the lounge, the woman looked at me and kept on walking. If that is what "class" is, then I'm glad I don't have it.

BTW, the nicest people we met on that trip was a couple on their honeymoon who saved up for 3 years to be married and honeymoon at Disney.

I haven't seen too many abusers on my concierge stays (8). If the lounge ever does run out of food, I blame the staff for failing to replenish it.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Nice post liz,

...I'm sure there will be new rules eventually.

I am too, I just can't figure out what they will be. Perhaps a return to the non-discounted, very expensive concierge level meaning (1) it probably will seldom be sold out and (2) it won't be full of people looking to "get their monies worth" and I'll never get the pleasure of experiencing it again.

Again, I will try to explain my apparantly controversial opinion. I realize that money doesn't make class or ensure good manners but in general I believe wealthier people will travel better than those of us in the masses (IN GENERAL) because (1) they do it more and (2) money isn't an issue. Certainly there are exceptions to these rules as we've had pointed out here but GENERALLY the expectations of the "haves" will be different than those of us I'll call "The has less". Where as the "has less" will save to stay at concierge and watch the bottom line by taking a breakfast here or a lunch there and save on Park expenses by using concierge water and soda in order to justify the extra savings on concierge, the "haves" will GENERALLY be more concerned with service, dinner reservations, tee times, hard to get tickets, etc.

If I'm still offending anybody I'm sorry.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

No offense, Peter Pirate. I actually agree that concierge rooms should not be offered with a discount. I haven't been in concierge when it was sold out. I don't think I could enjoy it if it were too crowded. I will be in YC concierge in a few weeks. I'm thinking that it will be crowded. I'll keep an eye out for ladies with curlers and sheer nightgowns.

 

[the disney queen]

Main Entry: con·cierge
Pronunciation: kOn-'syerzh
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural con·cierges /-'syerzh, -'syer-zh&z/
Etymology: French, from Old French, prob from (assumed) Vulgar Latin conservius, alteration of Latin conservus fellow slave, from com- + servus slave
Date: circa 1697
1 : a resident in an apartment building especially in France who serves as doorkeeper, landlord's representative, and janitor
2 : a usually multilingual hotel staff member who handles luggage and mail, makes reservations, and arranges tours

Hmmmm...I don't see anything here about it being for "wealthy" people to feel pampered. For that matter, a lot of "regular" hotels have concierge desks to help EVERYONE with things they might need while traveling.

 

[Peter Pirate]

LOL Queeny. Kind of funny throwing a literal definition out. Although the definition itself pretty much proves itself outdated don't you think? And while there is no mention of being for wealthy folks it doesn't say it's for schleppers either! But if its proof you want, call up your nearest Ritz-Carlton (or even a Marriott) and ask for the price of a concierge level room and see if an average Joe can afford it.

Further, all hotels have a concierge desk for us regular folk but they still have a concierge level with their own staff...What demographic do you think that would be aimed at?