AKV Conceirge Availability

[ScottakaMickey]

I was under the impression that the AKV Conceirge rooms were available in the AKV that has opened up already, but MS said today that they will be available with the fall opening of rooms they are currently working on. Is that other peoples understanding?

Also, Conceirge will only be in the original AKL building and they won't have them in the new village, correct?

 

[Inkmahm]

I was under the impression that the AKV Conceirge rooms were available in the AKV that has opened up already, but MS said today that they will be available with the fall opening of rooms they are currently working on. Is that other peoples understanding?

Also, Conceirge will only be in the original AKL building and they won't have them in the new village, correct?

Concierge opens Dec 1.

I don't think anyone knows for sure if there will be concierge in Kidani village but I think probably not.

 

[LisaS]

Concierge was originally scheduled to open in May 2008. As Inkmahm said, they changed the schedule and moved the opening date up to Dec 1, 2007. The bit of AKV that is open now is a small number of rooms on the 5th floor of the Zebra trail, just off the lobby. The Concierge rooms will be on the 6th floor on either side of the lobby.

Everything Disney has published about Concierge has stated it will be in Jambo House only. But if it proves wildly popular, who knows. Adding Concierge to Kidani would require building and staffing a Concierge Lounge there, so there would be more cost involved doing that rather than just expanding the number of Jambo House Concierge guests. But again, who knows what changes they might make if Concierge proves to be very popular.

 

[zumbergc]

I have a different question. We all know they are working on rooms at VAKL.

When do they start booking people into the rooms there?
Do they forcast rooms that are going to be done by november ? and let people book those rooms now?

Or do they wait until they are done, and then the people on the waitlist slide into the newly opened rooms?

Anyone have any number, or point me to a post about how many different type, and number of each units are available at VAKL?

I'm on the wait list for nov and was wondering what my chances might be.

Thanks!
Connie

 

[LisaS]

When do they start booking people into the rooms there? Do they forecast rooms that are going to be done by november ? and let people book those rooms now? Or do they wait until they are done, and then the people on the waitlist slide into the newly opened rooms?

I've wondered this myself, but don't have the answer.

Anyone have any number, or point me to a post about how many different type, and number of each units are available at VAKL? I'm on the wait list for nov and was wondering what my chances might be.

The only published info we have is the original construction schedule which is now out of date. Originally, the entire 5th floor of the Zebra trail was scheduled to open Sept 1st, followed by the Kudu trail in December 2007, followed by the lobby area (concierge/6th floor rooms + 5th floor rooms) and value villas (Ostrich and Giraffe trails) in May 2008. They rearranged the schedule to get the Concierge and Value villas open in Dec 2007 rather than May 2008. The rumor is that construction is ahead of schedule, but no dates have been provided for completion of the Kudu Trail. So it remains a mystery when the Kudu trail rooms will be open. The only thing we know for sure is that the Zebra trail is still scheduled for Sep 2007 and that the Concierge and Value rooms will be open on Dec 1st.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

Lisa,

Thanks for the info. On another thread you mentioned that there are only 5 2 Bdr conceirge rooms. If I read the points chart correctly it seems to show that you can make a conceirge ressie for all categories of rooms. Am I reading this right.

Also, when we were there a month ago, the guide mentioned the accelerated dates, but it didn't stick in my head as I was focusing on other questions. He did say they put out some incentives to get things moved up and ready sooner and it was proceeding very well.

 

[LisaS]

Lisa,

Thanks for the info. On another thread you mentioned that there are only 5 2 Bdr concierge rooms. If I read the points chart correctly it seems to show that you can make a concierge ressie for all categories of rooms. Am I reading this right.

Yes, there are only five 2BR lockoffs in Concierge. A 2BR lockoff is a 1BR connected to a studio (as opposed to a dedicated 2BR which cannot be split up). So they can rent each of those lockoffs as a 2BR or book it as two separate units: a 1BR and a studio.

Also, when we were there a month ago, the guide mentioned the accelerated dates, but it didn't stick in my head as I was focusing on other questions. He did say they put out some incentives to get things moved up and ready sooner and it was proceeding very well.

I just wish they would publish an updated construction schedule! For folks considering going on the waiting list, it would help to know how soon Disney expects to have new units available.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

Yes, there are only five 2BR lockoffs in Concierge. A 2BR lockoff is a 1BR connected to a studio (as opposed to a dedicated 2BR which cannot be split up). So they can rent each of those lockoffs as a 2BR or book it as two separate units: a 1BR and a studio.

Wow, so at most there can only be 10 family's, that seems low for the overhead with staffing a conceirge area. At BC the conceirge usually had at least 1 CM to handle the reservations and park assistance, sometimes there were two at the desk. Plus they had additional CM's taking care of the food and keeping the lounge area clean.

 

[LisaS]

Wow, so at most there can only be 10 family's, that seems low for the overhead with staffing a conceirge area. At BC the conceirge usually had at least 1 CM to handle the reservations and park assistance, sometimes there were two at the desk. Plus they had additional CM's taking care of the food and keeping the lounge area clean.

The lounge and CMs are shared by both AKL guests and AKV guests. When DVC moved into AKL, they took over the 5th and 6th floors. The AKL concierge lounge is on the 6th floor. So the way they worked it out is to have AKL concierge guests stay on the 4th floor and come up to the 6th floor to use the concierge lounge. DVC now owns the lounge and AKL will pay AKV based on the number of AKL guests that are served.

 

[isyt]

Hey Lisa,

From your past expertise when do you think the concierge rooms would be available to book (assuming Dec1 is the open date)? I am extremely anxious to book and the other day others advised me if I owned VAKL I would do better so I bought 100 points on Tuesday and they are already in the website!! They are itchin" for a reservation!!!
Thanks

 

[LisaS]

Hey Lisa,

From your past expertise when do you think the concierge rooms would be available to book (assuming Dec1 is the open date)? I am extremely anxious to book and the other day others advised me if I owned VAKL I would do better so I bought 100 points on Tuesday and they are already in the website!! They are itchin" for a reservation!!!
Thanks

Booking for AKV Concierge opened back in June. As an owner, you can book 11 months in advance of your check out date. For concierge, I would book day by day since there are so few rooms. Good luck!!

ETA: Welcome home!!

 

[pyrxtc]

I just booked a week at the end of April for a 2-bedroom concierge. No problems there.

Also, I hope that they do a have a concierge lounge in the new building. I know I want to stay concierge when i go down. I love being pampered like that!

 

[its_jason]

I just booked a week at the end of April for a 2-bedroom concierge. No problems there.

We might just miss you, going April 5th-12th. Studio Concierge.

Had no problem booking it about a month ago.

 

[Duchie]

We've never stayed at any of the concierge rooms. What does "concierge" mean and what does it include?

 

[dclfun]

We booked day-by-day for Memorial week checking in on Sun, May25-30 for a studio concierge room exactly at 11 months out . I was so relieved to get the whole ressie. We've stayed with cash concierge at AK before and loved the whole experience and are really looking forward to having this option to book with our points. I would think it would be easier now to get a concierge ressie than when we are competing with many more AKV owners who also have the 11 month window. I used to be lax about booking, but I'll be booking now for this resort in the room type I want right at that window. ---Kathy

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are staying concierge in March and booked it back in June. I can't wait to do the sunrise and sunset safaris!!!

 

[scottie]

We are sooooo looking forward to our stay in the concierge level in February. Unfortunately, it is only for one night before we set sail with Disney.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

We've never stayed at any of the concierge rooms. What does "concierge" mean and what does it include?

The rooms are the same as any other room in the resort. Concierge level is service provided by the hotel that gives you a dedicated lounge area where they serve food throughout the day, it changes with each meal. The evenings are nice as they offer wine and beer. You can get soda and water throughout the day, coffee and other drinks are also offered. You also have direct access during normal day hours to a CM who can make reservations for you and in some cases they can get access to events that may otherwise be harder to get, no guarantees. If you are around the resort a lot during the day it is a great deal. If you are out in the parks from early morning to very late at night, then you won't be able to take advantage of concierge.

 

[Duchie]

The rooms are the same as any other room in the resort. Concierge level is service provided by the hotel that gives you a dedicated lounge area where they serve food throughout the day, it changes with each meal. The evenings are nice as they offer wine and beer. You can get soda and water throughout the day, coffee and other drinks are also offered. You also have direct access during normal day hours to a CM who can make reservations for you and in some cases they can get access to events that may otherwise be harder to get, no guarantees. If you are around the resort a lot during the day it is a great deal. If you are out in the parks from early morning to very late at night, then you won't be able to take advantage of concierge.

Sounds nice! I don't think it was offered when we stayed at AKL back in 2001, and ever since then we've stayed at DVC. I'm thinking I might be taking a trip with my sis next year, and this might be a good option for us. Sounds like I'd be lucky to get it at the 7-month mark, though.....

 

[kgc07]

Does the concierge level offer daily mousekeeping? I know the standard for DVC is on the 4th day, it is the same way for concierge?