AKL Conceirge question

[vacation]

Is AKL conceirge worth the extra $$$?
DD and I love this resort but I have heard mixed reviews regarding views of the animals and servces offered.
I would love any info that could be provided regarding experiences

Thanks and Happy New Year (almost)

 

[my3kids]

Have not stayed yet, but their pre planning staff is fantastic. I'd say they are worth their weight in gold for making the reservations I wanted!

 

[ahoff]

We booked AL concierge solely for the opportunity to do the Sunrise Safari. As to the rest of the service, I guess it depends on what you are looking for. It has been posted on these boards that you will be contacted at 90, 60, and 30 days from your stay. I contacted them at 90 days, again just to be sure of the safari. Any other contact was always initiated by me. We had no specific dining plans, so pre planning was not needed. Any questions I did ask were always answered promptly. We had a nice room on the 5th floor, great veiw of the animals, and there always were animals present. But thought the room was not comparable to the DVC 1BR we usually get in regard to size and anemities. We took advantage of the breakfast offerings everyday, but only made it back once for the evening offerings. Which were very nice, but, well, having too much fun to come back. The check-in was easy and convenient. Overall I would say it was an enjoyable experience (especially with the Safari, which was excellent) but will stay with DVC.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We stayed AKL concierge on our trip last March, and we really enjoyed it. The main thing about AKL concierge vs. other resort concierge is the oppurtunity to do the Sunrise or Sunset safari. I wouldn't spend the extra money for concierge at this resort and not take advantage of one of the safari opportunities! We did the sunset and *loved* it!

I would also advise requesting a room on the 5th floor, as 6th floor rooms, while closer to the concierge lounge, have partially obstructed views. The roof has an overhang. We had a wonderful view from our fifth floor room, and one night we watched the zebras chasing each other back and forth under our balcony! They were at full gallop; it was really cool!

I don't know about staying concierge *just* to stay concierge, though, without a perk like one of the safaris. During snack times the lounge was pretty crowded, and as the poor CM was trying to set up the buffet, people were lining up like vultures. She had to ask three seperate times for people to please sit down until she was finished setting up. My reservations about concierge in general isn't just for AKL; it's for any resort.

On the other hand, though, it's very nice being brought straight up to the concierge desk to check in, and having the concierge staff helping to set up your PS's, etc. It makes you feel like a real VIP!

 

[Alaska Catdog]

We stayed in November there as well at the 14th floor of the Contemporary. We would do AKL Concierge in a heartbeat again. I worked with CM Andrea and she was just fabulous getting in room gifts for my DH's birthday and arranging our PS's. We took advantage of the Sunset Safari and had a spectacular time. Our room was on the 5th floor and we always had views of animals, mostly giraffe and zebras and warthogs and a flock of "lazy" birds that didn't do much at all (my husband named them the "lazy" birds because they never moved. We had the best experience with AKL Concierge staff. They are just awesome.

 

[Tiffany]

Is AKL conceirge worth the extra $$$?
DD and I love this resort but I have heard mixed reviews regarding views of the animals and servces offered.
I would love any info that could be provided regarding experiences

Thanks and Happy New Year (almost)

For us it depends on the price. We stayed concierge at the AKL in Feb 2003 and Jan 2004 on an AP rate of $277 a night inc. tax. We did the Sunrise Safari twice and the Sunset Safari once as it did not exist in 2003. We thought it was great and fully intended to return for our upcoming trip the end of Jan 2005 but, the AP for 2005 went up to $385 a night inc. tax. For us it was not worth the extra money and we are going to stay in a regular savanna view room with an AP rate of $168 a night inc. tax. For us concierge was not worth over $200 a night extra.

 

[dancermom]

I have been asking myself whether AKL concierge will be worth it, since I e-mailed my PS and Sunrise Safari requests in prior to 90 days and had a message the other day that they can get me a 10:30 reservation for breakfast at the castle, even though I asked for an 8:00 reservation. I asked about this request and was told I am waitlisted and they will try to get me in, but can't guaranty anything. Had I know this I would have made my own PS's. So, I have to say at this point I am disappointed in them, not for not getting the PS, but also for not contacting me to tell me they didn't. I am hoping that things will only go up hill from here.

 

[budwmn]

Dancermom - Most people have a hard time even getting reservations at the castle at all! We have stayed AKL concierge twice before and are going again in March. The first time, they were unable to get us in for Cindy's breakfast at the 90 day mark. However, they did manage to get us in 7 days out. (A few spots are saved for concierge guests until about the 7 day mark when they are released). We had no problems for the last trip or our upcoming one in March. Hopefully, they'll be able to get you an earlier time.

The concierge team has always made our priority seating reservations, transportation arrangements, and room requests. We've never encountered a single problem. I normally fax all of my requests at about the 100 day mark and then follow-up by e-mail as soon as we've cleared the 90 day mark.

I love AKL, but like it that much more because we normally stay concierge. The planning staff is incredible. (They've always responded to my e-mails within 15 minutes). We've never experienced any lines or overcrowding in the lounge, but I can imagine that that would be frustrating. It's always felt like a quiet, relaxing sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the parks. The coffee machine (latte, etc) is another huge plus. Great food and friendly staff. I can't wait for my next trip!

 

[Cass]

Hi there... we have stayed AKL Concierge twice (10 day stay & 1 week stay) it was absolutely wonderful and nicer IMO than BC & WL Concierge.

you can read about it and see some pics on my website link below.

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

We did AKL concierge a couple years ago on the 7 for 4 Farirytale package. That made it worth it as we also wanted to do the sunrise Safari. Last year, we did the RPC concierge at GF and thought we had much better concierge service at AKL. Since the concierges are located in the lounge and also take care of the lounge, it is much easier to get to know them. My wife once commented on the music played in the lobby and the concierge gave here a CD of the same music when we were leaving.

We have reservations again for AKL but have not decided on whether to bump it up to concierge yet. The lounge food paid off for us over the cost of breakfest alone. They were also able to get us PS at CRT and CP on short notice (less than a couple weeks) and at good times.

Unfortunately, the location of the concierge rooms are in some of the worst locations. I think I'd rather have a standard view room than a sixth floor room. We had a fifth floor room (by request) and although it was on Arusha savanah and had a good view, we felt that a better view of the animals would have been on a lower floor. The fifth floor puts you above the tree tops and so you can only see the animals close in to your room or the holes in the tree tops. Not too mention that you're looking down on them. The draw of AKL is the opportunity to "camp out in the middle of the zoo." The best views have to be on the second or third floor. If I had designed this hotel, that is where I would have put the premium rooms.

With that said, we love AKL and had a really good experience with the concierge. I've since made our own PS's for CRT and CP at even better times so I can't say going with concierge just to have them make PS's for you is worth it. Without a good discount to make lounge food service close to the break even point, I doubt we do concierge this time around. The Sunrise Safari is the bigger draw. If you read these boards enough, the one clear message that comes through with regard to Disney's concierge service is that none of it is up to what you get a similarly priced hotels.

If the choice is staying concierge or staying a few more days, stay for a few more days. You could always go concierge for a day or two if you want to catch the Sunrise Safari.

 

[vacation]

Thanks everyone!! I would love to do the "safari's" they sound great!!
Thanks again!!