AKV concierge- great service

[Inkmahm]

No, they couldn't get us anything we wanted. We sent them our requests about a week or two before the booking window opened about a week after the booking window had passed we e-mailed them and they responded with the info about the screw up. I guess we should have checked within a day or so but I just though hey it's concierge they'll take care of it. I would have thought that they would have been able to do something for us but they couldn't. The best they could have done was an 11:15 ressie at Le Cellier but we have a 3 yo and 6 yo with us. My sister tried talking to the manager at AK and also to DVC member services and had no luck.

Yes, I think if I'd been booking for such a popular timeframe (NYE) I'd have either done it myself or insisted on getting the ADR list from concierge on about the first day the reservations could have been made. I'm surprised they couldn't get any meals at all for you though. I didn't think the restaurants booked 100% at 180 days out, even at holidays.

 

[kimberh]

When you sent your emails, did you supply your credit card number with the initial email for the Safari's or were they able to book without the number? I have sent two emails... still have not heard back. I am within the 190 day booking window.

 

[kimberh]

Don just called me!! He said, "he did not have any record of my first email." I litterally just resent it with a note that it was my second time sending it. He is so nice!! I booked both Safari's plus another tour. I will get back with him on ADR's once I go over my calander for the safari dates. I was not picky, I was so happy to get them!

He did say that it was not necessary for me to have sent CC information. I am leary about doing this, He said some do and there has never been a problem. I told him he was all the rave on the disboard, he laughed and said, " there was one of him, he did try to do his best."

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Oh, he is well aware of his rep here on the boards!!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Don just called me!! ...............................
........He did say that it was not necessary for me to have sent CC information. I am leary about doing this, He said some do and there has never been a problem.................

He told me the same: CC #s aren't being required for DVC members. See............it must mean we ARE special!

 

[kimberh]

He told me the same: CC #s aren't being required for DVC members. See............it must mean we ARE special!

Hey...It's about time, right?

 

[bsusanmb]

I sent him an email today to request ressie for SR and he sent me an email asking for cc information....I am DVC member staying on points. Should I email back and tell him this? Or was he just doing some of you a favor by not taking cc numbers until you get there?

 

[kimberh]

I sent him an email today to request ressie for SR and he sent me an email asking for cc information....I am DVC member staying on points. Should I email back and tell him this? Or was he just doing some of you a favor by not taking cc numbers until you get there?

I booked a tour that did require a cc (Backstage Magic) but the two safari's he said, he would get when I checked in. I sent my confirmation number and I did tell him I was a DVC member. I told him that I didn't originally send my CC with my email, he said some do and some don't... there has never been a problem. I really figured he needed it. Hope this helps.

 

[tor]

He did say that it was not necessary for me to have sent CC information.

Why would they need a CC to hold the res when they have your DVC to use as collateral

 

[bsusanmb]

Here's a good one...every month my checking account is debited by DVC for my dues and my loan for my piece of the magic....and I have a lot of points...2 years ago DH, me and DD (20) went to VWL, one of my home resorts. I was trying to stay debt free (CC's to me mean I have money....bad me) and decided I would pay via check for my DDP for 14 days at check in. Left CC's at home and had $500 in cash with me. They would not approve my check. It was a big bru ha ha....telecheck I believe is their approval agent...and there was no reason given...code something...and when I called i was told that it could be for anything...amount of check, number on check, not recognizing the bank or credit union...anything or it could be a glich in the system...I was not happy to say the least...never a bounced check and certainly never a bounced bank draft to DVC and they would not take my check...manager would not intervene...eventually I got my cc numbers and paid for everything with cc...but imagine that!

 

[Inkmahm]

He told me the same: CC #s aren't being required for DVC members. See............it must mean we ARE special!

I think it means they know where to find us so the guarantee isn't necessary!

I booked the tours I wanted that required credit cards on my own since they are charged right away. But I didn't think of the ADRs where credit card info is usually needed- California Grill, etc. He didn't ask me for cc info, either, so that must be an advantage of booking through concierge.

 

[Inkmahm]

I booked a tour that did require a cc (Backstage Magic) but the two safari's he said, he would get when I checked in. I sent my confirmation number and I did tell him I was a DVC member. I told him that I didn't originally send my CC with my email, he said some do and some don't... there has never been a problem. I really figured he needed it. Hope this helps.

The safaris are booked through an entirely different system is my understanding, one that the concierge people at AKV control (and there is more than one of them... I just assume they all use the "Don" email address.) Since they are AKL activities, it makes sense that they can just be added to your bill when you're there. The other tours etc. are processed through the "normal" Disney reservation system for tours, etc so you prepay for them.

 

[bsusanmb]

Anyone have any suggestions for tours? I have done the keys to the kingdom and the sunrise safari...but doing ss again....loved it. Anyone do the sunset safari? Just DH and I going.

 

[DVC Grammy]

The safaris are booked through an entirely different system is my understanding, one that the concierge people at AKV control (and there is more than one of them... I just assume they all use the "Don" email address.) Since they are AKL activities, it makes sense that they can just be added to your bill when you're there. The other tours etc. are processed through the "normal" Disney reservation system for tours, etc so you prepay for them.

Inkmahm,
Please................... let me keep the illusion of being SPECIAL!

 

[Inkmahm]

Inkmahm,
Please................... let me keep the illusion of being SPECIAL!

sure!

 

[kimberh]

Why would they need a CC to hold the res when they have your DVC to use as collateral

Not my reservation... I have used my points. CC would be for my Safari's and my Backstage Magic Tour that I have booked. The CC was needed for Backstage Magic when I made the booking.

 

[kimberh]

Anyone have any suggestions for tours? I have done the keys to the kingdom and the sunrise safari...but doing ss again....loved it. Anyone do the sunset safari? Just DH and I going.

If you have Disney visa, the tours are 20% off. I booked Backstage Magic, it was highly recommeded by the Concierge at WL, last May, but sold out. It includes lunch. I believe this is the best discount I have heard about. There may be 15% discounts out there from other things, but I am really not sure. I seen to remember reading about them.

We are doing Sunset Safari, this is DH and my birthday trip. If staying Concierge it is at a discount. It includes dinner at Jikos.

 

[bsusanmb]

Oh good, I knew that Disney visa would come in handy for something!

 

[Inkmahm]

If you have Disney visa, the tours are 20% off. I booked Backstage Magic, it was highly recommeded by the Concierge at WL, last May, but sold out. It includes lunch. I believe this is the best discount I have heard about. There may be 15% discounts out there from other things, but I am really not sure. I seen to remember reading about them.

We are doing Sunset Safari, this is DH and my birthday trip. If staying Concierge it is at a discount. It includes dinner at Jikos.

I just booked Keys to the Kingdom at 20% discount and the Seway tour at Epcot for a 15% discount using Disney Visa. There were other discounts, too, but the Disney Visa was the highest %.