AKL or AKL Concierge - what are my options?

[harperwi]

Here's the thing. We have the Fairytale Package booked for the AKL (there are 4 of us, 2 adults, 2 boys 10 & 7) for 7 nights in August. Check in is Saturday night, with checkout the following Saturday morning.

I would REALLY like to get to do the Sunrise Safari one morning, but you have to be staying in a Concierge Room for that particular perk. Also, you have to be already booked as a concierge guest with deposit down to even score a reservation for the safari.

Here are my options. Please let me know what you would do, or if you have another suggestion (I'm sure folks on here can come up with scenarios I haven't even thought of yet!):

1) Book a separate one night room-only reservation for Friday night at the Concierge Level and then book the PS for the safair now. Move from the regular room to the concierge room for the one night.

The problem with #1 is that our UPH's would run out on Friday at midnight, and we wouldn't be able to get into the AK park on Saturday unless we paid for one day passes. Anyone see a way to beat the system here?

2) Wait until we get there and ask about an upgrade to Concierge and pay the difference at check in. This would save me having to pay the full amount by our due date, but it carries some significant risks: First, they may not have concierge availalbe. Second, the safaris may not be availalble still for booking.

3) Variation of #2: See if we can upgrade mid-week (say, Wednesday night) to the Safari, but this poses the same risks as number 2 along with potentially screwing up our UPH's or making us pay double for the UPH's the day we switch from one room to the other. We don't mind changing rooms though, and it would be cheaper than #2.

I'd sure like some advice on this one. I can't think of any other scenarios that are feasible, but I hope someone can come up with something that will work. I'd love to be able to surprise everyone with the Safari on the last morning of our trip (Saturday). Though....I wouldn't be opposed to taking the safari on the Tuesday we're there either, if it works out.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Or is there really no simple way to make this work?

Thanks, everyone!!

Jon

 

[>>^..^<<]

Well to save yourself all the agony - best to call concierge right this second and see if there are still spaces on the Sunrise Safari - if it is already sold out - that solves your problem.

You definately have to have park admission to participate on the safari - they collect everyones passes/cards prior to departure and process them - we saw an argument break out about people who thought their hopper was still valid - but it wasn't and the CM was making them pay admission - they refused and they did not go - there was a family on standby that took their place happily.

If the safari is available - I would book the one night concierge and confirm the safari... how many chances do you get to do this?

>>^..^<<

 

[harperwi]

I already called concierge, and they told me there were 8 spots booked so far of a maximum 40, so there is still time.

Any other ideas?

Also, are you suggesting that I actually pay for both rooms that day to keep the UPH going? I think with the Fairytale Package it's actually much cheaper to keep the regular room through Friday night and also get the Concierge room for Friday than it would be to check out of the regular room on Friday morning and buy 4 one day passes to the AK. Make sense?

Jon

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there - okay - if there are only 8 spots booked out of 40 - then you have a good chance...

How about this -

Go check in as usual... later go down to the front desk - (because this is a surprise for the family) ask about upgrading to concierge for the FRIDAY night only - You can keep the same room - that way you will get access to the lounge & the safari - but not have to pack and unpack again - and you can surprise your kids.

Hopefully they will not charge you too much for the upgrade... because as you know - you need to have the park admission and pay for the safari too.

I would say they would let you start using the concierge lounge at check in time Friday - 3pm - so you can enjoy it that evening.

Saturday Morning - have all your stuff ready - have the bellman pick it up early and store it and then just do express checkout - they put the bill under your door - go to the lounge at 7:00am and enjoy the safari & AK Park.

You can return to the hotel whenever you like after the safari/park and still use the concierge lounge until you leave to go home - but you will not have a room.

Another option - call Disney and add a day to your FT package- 8 nights instead of 7 so everyone would have park admission for the Saturday - this way you would not have to check out so early on Saturday would have a room to come back to after the safari - but you would still have to upgrade the Friday night to concierge and pay for the safari..

Goood Luck!

>>^..^<<

 

[floridafam]

I would do the FT package for 7 nts and book your SS after you have a confirmed reservation. Why?

I think upgrades will be few and far between with the FT package.

They may start requiring a minimum night stay on concierge level for the SS.

If you wait until you check in concierge and the SS may not be available.

You need park admission for the day of the SS so why not just do the FT package and stay the whole time.

It just seems easier and less of a headache to book what you sound like you really want-concierge-that way you have it, you can book the ss and feel good.

 

[floridafam]

I don't think you can upgrade mid week with the FT package because they are already giving you 3 nights for free. It doesn't make sense to give anyone a more expensive room for free.

Plus, if you don't have the UPH on Sat. and you have to buy park tickets then that will be almost $200.

How much extra is it just to book the FT package with concierge than what you have booked?

If the savings are minimal then I would just do it. Just having the UPH for Sat. keeps you from having to buy almost $200 in tickets.

 

[harperwi]

Here are some figures I've gotten from CM's:

To book a room only res for Friday night: $450.

To upgrade the whole week on the FT Plan to Concierge: $792.

Add in the cost of the safari: $160 or so (I may be off on this, but not by much).

And that is one EXPENSIVE 45 minute safari.

I think instead we'll ride Kilmanjaro Safaris six times or so and get the same effect. WOW!

Jon

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi - 792.00 does not sound bad to upgrade the whole week to concierge - how much do you usually pay for 4 people for breakfast a day?

Don't forget you get snacks, drinks, evening appetizers and desserts for 4 - all week plus you will get the deluxe room and the CM's will do your PS's for you (assuming you still have some to make)

Have fun on your holiday,

>>^..^<<

 

[>>^..^<<]

And one more thing -

aren't the UPH's that come with the FTP valid until midnight of the day of check out?

Wouldn't they be vaild for Animal Kingdom Park on the Saturday already?

Duh - I am getting a headache figuring this out.

>>^..^<<

 

[LAinSEA]

The UPH passes are good from the time you check in and pick up your passes until midnight on the day you check out...that is why they are considered length of stay passes.

enjoy your trip!

 

[harperwi]

I thought about calculating the savings from meals into the upgrade cost, but we are light eaters at breakfast, and we will probably be at the parks until very late each night. I don't see us saving a huge amount on food that way, especially since the AKL is so far from most of the parks.

Also, it's not that I can't afford the extra $700+, it's that I won't have it available until after 8/2, which is when the balance is due. So unfortunately I can't upgrade for that much money by then.

Thanks for your help though! I'm sure we'll have every bit as magical a stay at the AKL without being bumped up to concierge!
(though I'm still confident I'll at least inquire about it at the front desk, especially if there are safari slots open by then!)

Jon

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there... let us know what happens - we love trip reports!

>>^..^<<

 

[GasMan65]

GT

 

[eller]

Would it be possible to start your trip one day early? Book the Friday before. If I understand everything correctly, your UPHs will be good for that Saturday, getting you into the park.

Best rate I can find for AKL concierge is $340, but that's for AP holders. You could try to get a discount with Disney Club or AAA.

All things considered, if you are going to spend $400+ for the one night, another $300 for the whole stay would be wonderful. AKL concierge is our absolute favorate. If you have the money, do for it!

We've done the Sunrise Saffari and it is nothing like the park ride.

If you can do it, great. If not, plan it for another trip.

Have a great day!

Lori

 

[erikthewise]

I don't know if I can help or just make things worse...

It seems to me that issue #1 here is whether you can switch to or from concierge level in the middle of an FTP package. I strongly suspect that you cannot. IF you can't, your options are limited and not pleasant.
(A) Go concierge for the entire 7 days. Expensive, but nice.
(B) Book a separate 1-2 day reservation in concierge. In that case, the passes from your FTP package will not cover your Sunrise Safari day and you will forced to pay for AK admission one way or another.
My recommendation: leave Sunrise Safari for another time when you are not locked into an inflexible package. For the amount of money you may end up spending, you could go to Discovery Cove for a whole day!

If it turns out (against all odds) that you can switch to or from concierge level in the middle of an FTP package, then it's simple. Just spend your last two days in concierge, and do the Sunrise Safari on your final Saturday. Even if this is your checkout day, the passes from your package should cover it.

 

[floridafam]

You can't switch levels in the middle of the FT package.

For what you would pay for the FT package and then adding on a concierge room the last night-you should just do concierge for the whole package. You'll get 3 nights free. If you are thinking at all about doing concierge I would do it while you can take advantage of the FT package. This deal might not come along again.