AKV Concierge booking help?

[cocowum]

I have been reading how hard it is to book a concierge room at AKV, so I was looking for tips in booking. Obviously, I call at 9am exactly 11 months out. But as this will be my first time calling MS to make a ressie is there anything I should know? Can those of you, who were successful in booking, offer me any tips/ insight? TIA!

(For instance, when making an ADR for breakfast with Cindy, you press 1 3X and blurt out, politely I need CRT for a party of 3 on 8/1)

ETA: Thanks everyone! I was able to book it!!! Woo hooo!

 

[DebbieB]

See this thread. 11 months from check-in might be too late. You may need to "walk" it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1861954

 

[cocowum]

I'll definitely be "Walking" I read all 209 pages. But even if I'm walking I was wondering if anyone had any additional tips?

 

[juliebrooks35]

I recently managed to book 6 night in concierge for next June(Sat-Thur). I didn't walk the reservation but did phone on 9am on my first check in day.
Prior to phoning I called and timed in seconds how long it took me to reach MS (42 secs from UK!) to do everything I could to be as close to first in the queue as possible. It's sounds a bit over the top but I've lost out booking concierge under the day by day booking despite phoning exactly at 9am at 11 months out so I know those rooms can go very very quickly and every second sounds.

In addition to this, when you get through, don't be rude or anything but don't waste valuable seconds chatting to MS, just give them your membership number and what you would like to book. You will have plenty of time to thank them, discuss the weather etc after they have (hopefully) booked that elusive concierge room for you.

This worked for me so good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[dclfun]

I feel that people "walking" their ressie is negating the reason the policies were changed regarding having to book day-by-day vs. having the ability to book up to 7 days in advance... which was to prevent people from having to call every day and also tying up the phones to add another day. Now they're calling instead to "walk" their whole ressie. I don't want to play games to book something. I hope DVC gets a handle on this and perhaps charges a fee when guests modify an existing ressie each day after it's been booked. Being able to "walk" a ressie allows those with more points to squash those who have less, esp. for some without the points to hold something over a weekend stay without borrowing. It also makes it difficult for someone like myself who has to be at work before 9 am and can't call right at 9 am day by day. I know, I know.... no one is doing anything that isn't legally allowed but I personally don't like the new system for this reason. That said, I've not had a problem getting AKLV concierge ressies booking at 11 months out and haven't tried to "walk" anything either. Unless the rules change then people will continue to find a way to get what they want by using the new policy to their advantage, and to the disadvantage of those with less points or time to be on the phone in the a.m. To me it's not fair to screw some members chances of getting what they thought they'd bought- a membership at AKLV with the chance to stay concierge( if that's what they wanted). Of course since there's no constraint to doing this, then to each his own and every member to themselves. The whole thing makes me weary. I didn't purchase an add on at AKLV to have to play such a game.---Kathy

 

[Disney_Villain]

I hope DVC gets a handle on this and perhaps charges a fee when guests modify an existing ressie each day after it's been booked. ---Kathy

Kathy, I couldn't agree with you more! Rest assured that MS is very aware of this dialogue regarding walking and - as I've been in touch with them about it - they aren't going to be tolerating it. They don't want the loophole and they are going to try to close it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I recently managed to book 6 night in concierge for next June(Sat-Thur). I didn't walk the reservation but did phone on 9am on my first check in day.
Prior to phoning I called and timed in seconds how long it took me to reach MS (42 secs from UK!) to do everything I could to be as close to first in the queue as possible. It's sounds a bit over the top but I've lost out booking concierge under the day by day booking despite phoning exactly at 9am at 11 months out so I know those rooms can go very very quickly and every second sounds.

In addition to this, when you get through, don't be rude or anything but don't waste valuable seconds chatting to MS, just give them your membership number and what you would like to book. You will have plenty of time to thank them, discuss the weather etc after they have (hopefully) booked that elusive concierge room for you.

This worked for me so good luck and let us know how you get on

Congratulations on your being able to book this hard to get reservation. Have a great stay!!
Bobbi

 

[BCV23]

Kathy, I couldn't agree with you more! Rest assured that MS is very aware of this dialogue regarding walking and - as I've been in touch with them about it - they aren't going to be tolerating it. They don't want the loophole and they are going to try to close it.

Good.

I too agree with you, Kathy.

Good luck cocowum.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Kathy, I couldn't agree with you more! Rest assured that MS is very aware of this dialogue regarding walking and - as I've been in touch with them about it - they aren't going to be tolerating it. They don't want the loophole and they are going to try to close it.

I hope you are correct. In all of the times that I've chatted with Disney Satisfaction team, I never got the feel that they were concerned about this issue at all.

Bobbk

 

[henri + katie's mum]

Just wondering how many concierge rooms are available of each type (Studio, one, two and are there grand villas)?

 

[LisaS]

Just wondering how many concierge rooms are available of each type (Studio, one, two and are there grand villas)?

There are five 2BR lockoffs. Most of these will be "locked off" and rented as a 1BR and a studio, so I would guess the room breakdown is one 2BR, four 1BRs and four Studios or two 2BRs, three 1BRs and three Studios. There are no GVs with concierge access.

Three of the 2BR lockoffs face the Sunset Savanna, the other two face the pool area.

 

[dgaston]

There are only 5 2 br lock-offs, so a maximum of 10 rooms.

Oops -- I see LisaS answered much more comprehensively as I was typing.

 

[LisaS]

There are only 5 2 br lock-offs, so a maximum of 10 rooms.

Oops -- I see LisaS answered much more comprehensively as I was typing.

I like it when two people post the same response. It means the answer is probably correct! On the other hand, it could mean that there are two equally confused posters...

 

[cocowum]

I recently managed to book 6 night in concierge for next June(Sat-Thur). I didn't walk the reservation but did phone on 9am on my first check in day.
Prior to phoning I called and timed in seconds how long it took me to reach MS (42 secs from UK!) to do everything I could to be as close to first in the queue as possible. It's sounds a bit over the top but I've lost out booking concierge under the day by day booking despite phoning exactly at 9am at 11 months out so I know those rooms can go very very quickly and every second sounds.

In addition to this, when you get through, don't be rude or anything but don't waste valuable seconds chatting to MS, just give them your membership number and what you would like to book. You will have plenty of time to thank them, discuss the weather etc after they have (hopefully) booked that elusive concierge room for you.

This worked for me so good luck and let us know how you get on

Congrats on getting your room!!!!!

And THANK YOU for this info, it's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[podsnel]

I just wanted to add, after you say your membership #, say the last four digits of your social that they always ask for- You know, "My membership # is.... and the last 4 digits of my ss are... I'd like to book..." I got Concierge for next May this way. I tried telling them I was calling to book AKV CL first, but they couldn't remember that EXTREMELY important info after all the #'s!
Good luck!

 

[cocowum]

I just wanted to add, after you say your membership #, say the last four digits of your social that they always ask for- You know, "My membership # is.... and the last 4 digits of my ss are... I'd like to book..." I got Concierge for next May this way. I tried telling them I was calling to book AKV CL first, but they couldn't remember that EXTREMELY important info after all the #'s!
Good luck!

Thanks sooooo much! It is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[dclfun]

I'm really glad to hear DVC is looking into closing the loophole. While I don't blame people at all for trying to get what they want, I also have a big problem with how unfair "walking" is to us as members. We all should have an equal chance and not have to play games to get a sought-after ressie. Should we still be writing letters to member services or is this something that, since they are already aware and trying to close the loophole, would not be meaningful correspondence?---Kathy

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm really glad to hear DVC is looking into closing the loophole. While I don't blame people at all for trying to get what they want, I also have a big problem with how unfair "walking" is to us as members. We all should have an equal chance and not have to play games to get a sought-after ressie. Should we still be writing letters to member services or is this something that, since they are already aware and trying to close the loophole, would not be meaningful correspondence?---Kathy

I've decided to contact them again. My last correspondence with them was earlier this month. I had received 2 calls, from the same person. I honestly do not feel that she fully understood my frustration with the "walking" of reservations, particularly during busy times, like NYE, and at any time for a reservation for a Beach Cottage at VB. I asked that another Member Satisfaction team call, and I never got that call.

So, I'm going to write a letter which outlines some of the points mentioned on this thread.

Bobbi

PS. Is there a Diser who is constantly walking a reservation? Is this person constantly getting rid of a day or two and adding on? I get that understanding when it was mentioned that there was another call planned for the next day. I have not read every page, and I have not found the post in which this person mentions exactly what is trying to be done. Can anyone give me a post number or link? Thanks.

PPS. I realize that this is not the thread that has the "walking" problem addressed. I am sorry.

 

[ITGirl50]

PS. Is there a Diser who is constantly walking a reservation? Is this person constantly getting rid of a day or two and adding on? I get that understanding when it was mentioned that there was another call planned for the next day. I have not read every page, and I have not found the post in which this person mentions exactly what is trying to be done. Can anyone give me a post number or link? Thanks.

PPS. I realize that this is not the thread that has the "walking" problem addressed. I am sorry.

Here is the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1861954

I don't think a lot of people have tried it, because the policy hasn't been changed long enough. There are a few people trying it to see what happens.

 

[MatterhornMiss]

I recently managed to book 6 night in concierge for next June(Sat-Thur). I didn't walk the reservation but did phone on 9am on my first check in day.
Prior to phoning I called and timed in seconds how long it took me to reach MS (42 secs from UK!) to do everything I could to be as close to first in the queue as possible. It's sounds a bit over the top but I've lost out booking concierge under the day by day booking despite phoning exactly at 9am at 11 months out so I know those rooms can go very very quickly and every second sounds.

In addition to this, when you get through, don't be rude or anything but don't waste valuable seconds chatting to MS, just give them your membership number and what you would like to book. You will have plenty of time to thank them, discuss the weather etc after they have (hopefully) booked that elusive concierge room for you.

This worked for me so good luck and let us know how you get on

Thanks for showing everyone this can be done fairly without trying to get around the new rules DVC has set up!