AKL Concierge: I'm Not Feeling the Love

[WDWLinda]

We check in to AKL Concierge next Wed. (Yea!) and so far haven't heard anything from the Concierge staff re PS's, special events we're celebrating, etc. I thought they usually called you beforehand to ask you about that stuff. Glad I made my own PSs!

~Linda

 

[MagicPrincess]

How long ago did you book your room?
If you just booked it- maybe that's why you haven't heard from them????
Good thing you made some PS's!
Have a good time- I'm sure they'll treat ya good once you get there!

 

[WDWLinda]

We booked the room Dec. 20th...that's another whole story...
As soon as we received the confirmation in the mail, we mailed out the deposit check. They didn't receive it on time and cancelled the reservation. Good thing we convinced friends of ours to come with us - we all decided to extend the stay by a day and when I called (about the first week of Jan.), I was told my reservation was cancelled! After a long time on the phone, they opened up the discount code (which had expired) and re-booked it with our credit card.

Hope it all goes smoothly from here on in...

~Linda

 

[BambiTamby]

Wow! Doesn't sound like the AKL concierge that I know!

Sending some Pixie Dust*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
your way for a magical concierge vacation!

 

[johnsonet]

The room cancellation is what's to blame for the concierge's failure to get in touch with you re. your stay, I am sure. You need to call the concierge or Disney today and make contact with them before you arrive. They will be happy to help you but you need to give them some warning. They can still get you PS you're interested in and also get your room preferences, if any. I would call right away if you're going to be there next week.

 

[nigel-bigel]

I have never stayed at AKL, but I have stayed Concierge level on my past few visits, and I've come to learn not to expect too much from them before my visit.

My first time staying Concierge, she wasn't able to get me a single PS out of 4 requested several months in advance. Of course, I didn't learn this until check in. I was pretty upset, thinking everything would be in place once we arrived, and literally nothing was. What in the world was I paying for!?

Once we were there, she did manage to get us last minute ressies at Cindy's after a cancellation, but I wouldn't count on them for advance planning.

They are great making plans for you once you are there, however. And I love having the snacks and lounge available.

Just be glad you already made those PSs.

Don't expect too much as I did, that can really ruin your trip - or a least your first day (as mine was - to say I was dissappointed is an understatment). Just go, enjoy the perks, and relax. Hey! You're in WDW!

 

[floridafam]

You should really try and contact them today.

They usually call months in advance to help arrange PS's, etc. while you are there.

Please let us know if you get in touch with them. Did you receive a packet from them with information to fill out? If not, something probably went wrong when your reservation was canceled.

I'm sure they will try and help you with anything you may need while you are there.

 

[johnsonet]

I made my concierge reservation about 40 days before our visit and b/c this was so close, the CM who made the reservation for me suggested I call the AKL concierge itinerary planners immediately to try and get spots on the Sunrise Safari. I had to call and leave a message and then someone called me back and went over everything over the phone (PS requests, room requests, how and what time we'd be arriving, etc.) Once the contact was made, my experience was great. But they tend to have long-range planning. I never got the letter/form but we went over everything on the phone. Every request was met and they got me the most amazing PS ever!
The lounge is wonderful and the CM's are (mostly) friendly. Contact them and then let them do the rest...

 

[Florida Princess]

Made last minute Ressies for AKL Concierge for --Jan 31 to Feb 3.
Did not expect to hear from Concierge prior to my visit so I TRIED to call for a few PS's and the Sunrise Safari. Last Thursday at 9:30AM I reached a recording and left a detailed message. After hearing nothing--I called again at 4:15PM and again received the recording. I called the main Hotel number and asked to be connected to the Concierge Desk.
After explaining my situation, I was told----"You have to understand --we are busy here." I was absolutely speechless---NEVER expected an answer like that from the Concierge!!!! He finally agreed to take my request---took my Credit Card number and THAT was THAT!!!! Have NOT heard another word from Anyone!!! My first impression of the AKL Concierge leaves a LOT to be desired.


Florida Princess



Too many Visits, Trips and Cruises since 1971 to List !!!!!

 

[MagicPrincess]

I was lucky to get a call from Itinerary planning just a week after I made my reservations.
She did suggest that it is easier to communicate with them via email since they do handle so many requests.
I have found that they are very prompt in responding to my email requests- usually within the same day- if not- then by the next morning.
good luck!

 

[johnsonet]

Florida Princess~ I can understand how sick you must feel about this. It's difficult b/c so many reviews rant and rave about how perfect AKL concierge is. My own experience was great in the end but did take some doing on my part.
iF i WERE you I'd feel like switching resorts. In fact, what did you do when you finally spoke to someone? request the safari? Since it's a last-minute trip, do you still have your heart set on it? I personally would probably switch my reservation and stay somewhere else and start off on a better foot with the other resort's concierge. Your safari would not be charged until the day of anyway. I'm sure they are busy but, really, they also use that as an excuse when it suits them and there is one man in particular up there who is very rude. Some of the women, like Andrea, who was my favorite, are sweet and more "people" people...better at that kind of work. Good luck. I hate for you to get off to such a horrid start when it should be pure pleasure.

 

[seallenz]

I've stayed at AKL concierge twice, Poly concierge once, and was not contacted prior to my stay on any of those trips. We usually make our reservations fairly last minute, maybe a month or so before the trip, and I figured that was the reason. Generally I've just made the PS reservations myself, but definitely call them if you want to do the Safari.

 

[dansyr]

Linda.
If you want, pm me and I'll give you the e-mail address. Jack Soll was our itinerary planner and he was awesome !!! He took care of several surprises for my dbf's birthday.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I was very curious who was the AKL person you found to be unmagical? I am curious to know if it was the same that left me a little annoyed. You can pm me if you want. You can also e-mail AKL that I found to be the best method of contact. I had a great experience with all the girls there. (Alanna, Andrea, Ann, Juanita, Martha) All were fabulous! Actuslly there are two Ann's both are great.You can E-mail them at the following. Good Luck!

WDW.AKLodge.Concierge@disney.com

 

[SonicLogic]

WOW! This has not been my experience at all. AKL concierge has always been great for us. We often make last minute reservations (within a few days of the trip) and just leave it to them. We never request advance PS. After all, concierge has spots reserved for all PS dining. We just tell them to get us Cindy's table when we arrive and it is done.

If concierge can't provide your every wish, then why pay the premium price for concierge in the first place?

 

[WDWLinda]

Thanks everyone for your replies and shared experiences. I'm looking forward to our stay and now I'm REALLY interested to see how the Concierge is...

Florida Princess...if I got that response, I would have asked for that person's name and my next call would have been to the hotel manager, probably followed by a letter expressing my dissatisfaction! Wow, that one surprised me...
Hopefully we'll both have a great experience and want to return.

Have a great trip!

~Linda

 

[PartyOf5]

If I were in your situation, and I made all my PSs, etc., I would consider downgrading to a regular savannah room. We stayed at AKL concierge for Christmas. The staff was great (except for one, there is always one!), but we were not impressed with the lounge compared to the Poly's. Our family has agreed that the next time we stay at AKL (and there will be a next time!), we still skip concierge and get a regular room on a lower floor. The views of the animals seem to be better the lower you go as you don't have tree tops in your way from the 5th floor view.