Best conceirge level resort

[jfoofj]

Ok... I know I just got back (only a few days ago, from WL w/ DH, DS, and DSS and we LOVED it) but I have a question for the concierge resort pros...

My stepson is going to Disney w/ his mom in April for school break week (brave souls) and DS was having a hard time dealing w/ the fact that DSS will be going again and he wasn't. He probably won't be going w/ his Dad anytime soon, if ever. I know it is important for kids to learn that life isn't always fair and sometimes one gets more/ does more than another, but it is hard explaining to a 7 year old why his brother is going to Disney and he isn't. FYI, DSS is with us approx 40% of the time and DS is with us almost all the time, so they spend a very significant amount of time together. This has been and will be a big issue.

SO, my mom has offered to split a trip 50/50 with me. It would be my mom, myself and my son. We were figuring on 4 to 5 nights. She will not go during school break time (we did that once when I was a kid, never again) so we are looking at late April, early May. We are going to play it by ear when we go based on the best room deals, airfare etc. I bought an AP for this August's trip in anticipation of going again and because we got a great rate at WL with it. Hoping to get a good deal with it again! My mom, being the hotel snob that she is (I mean this isn the NICEST way possible... but she is PICKY) wants to stay at a concierge level resort only. I'm not complaining, I have always wanted to do this too, but we are having trouble deciding on one. Like I said we were just at WL and we loved it, but my mom is not the lodgy/woodsy type. She said that if we got an incredible deal there she would try it, but she wants BC, YC, BW or GF. She thinks POLY and the Contemporary are too "dated". I think I could sell her on the POLY, but she thinks the Contemporary is ugly too, so ugly and dated makes it a no go in her book. GF is crazy money, so I think that is out.

I am looking for info on what you guys think is the "best" CL resort, and why. I appreciate any insight into this! TIA.

Jfoofj

 

[Disney1976]

Well, I haven't stayed there YET (December 2009!) but I hear that AKL gets rave reviews for their concierge level service -plus CL there gives you the opportunities to do the sunrise and sunset safaris (at additional expense). I also got a fantastic (like 30 percent off) rate through AAA recently for my stay. I have an AP, but not sure the AP rates for December 2009 will be better then that. I've also heard wonderful reports on these boards from people who stayed at the Poly CL and GF CL. CR CL gets good reviews too. I've seen negative reviews from people who stayed at YC/BC CL.


One thing with CL -are you going to be in the hotel to enjoy it? If you are going to the parks open to close, it's probably not worth the extra expense. Why not stay in a deluxe but not CL?

 

[SBubba18]

My family and I LOVE the Cl at the Boardwalk. It was wonderful. We had a wonferful view of the quiet pool and we could also soo the fireworks from EPCOT at night from out balcony and also the lounge area. All of the staff there was wonderful, and the lounge had amazing breakfasts and deserts at night.

Wow. Talking about it makes me want to go back to the CL level for our Sept. trip. We couln't because of the free dinning, but we are still staying at the Beach Club. I'm sure if we like the Beach Club, we will go back sometime in 09 and stay CL there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I have stayed Club Level at both the Contemporary and Polynesian. While both of them are great in their own way we like the Contemporary just a bit better. Part of the reason is we have had so many Club Level stays there so some of their Cast Members who have worked there for a lot of years remember us. Besides that the lounge on the Atrium Club Level is amazing, the foods they serve are great and each time we have always had a positive experience.

 

[jfoofj]

I have heard great things about AKL too, but we aren't even considering that one. I feel it is too out of the way, I want a resort that I can walk/boat/monorail to something from and my mother is convinced that the resort will smell like animal poop . I have told her many, many times that it is DISNEY and surely Disney has found a way to make sure that their animal's poop doesn't smell. Kidding. I know that this wouldn't be an issue, but that resort isn't in the running for us.

I am currently reading reviews from allears, and looking at pictures of the CL areas. We will be at our resort a great deal, so I do think that it would be worth it for us. We have been to Disney enough that we aren't going to be in the parks constantly trying to fit it all in. We have seen/done most of it, so we will be returning to favorites, enjoying the atmosphere, checking out new stuff and it won't be marathon style. We want a relaxing Disney vacation (is that an oxymoron?). One thing I have learned after spending all this money these great resorts with wonderful theming is that you need to spend some time in them to appreciate it, or it isn't worth the money you are spending to stay there.

Thanks again, and I would still love to hear what anyone else has to say about CL resorts.

Jfoofj

 

[thesupersmartguy]

YC/BC and GF.

 

[Singinglizzie]

I'm not sure if Coronado Springs is on your list, but they have recently added a Business Club Level (similar to concierge) beginning in Jan. 09. I was told by one of the CM's (I called on the phone to ask some questions) that there will be a dedicated club floor for both the Casitas and Cabana buildings with restricted access to the lounge. The club rooms will include new queen beds, at a rate of $255 and up depending on the season. Since your Mom is willing to split the cost, this might be another option to consider. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Oh, one more thing. Have you considered either the Dolphin or the Swan? I think they also offer concierge rooms and these may appeal to your mother as well. I have read that these hotels do not offer as much "disney magic" as the Disney resorts, but they do have a very loyal following, and they do offer extra's such as the friendship launch that takes you from the hotel to Epcot and DS studios. Wish I had direct experience to offer you!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Oh, one more thing. Have you considered either the Dolphin or the Swan? I think they also offer concierge rooms and these may appeal to your mother as well.

They haven't offered a club level for quite some time now.

jfoofj, although it's the most expensive, I think your mom would truly enjoy the main building of the GF. There are two levels of concierge, lodge and main building, so be sure you are pricing out the right one. If that is a little out of the budget, I'd go with BWI. I've stayed YC/BC and was truly not impressed. I don't like the rabbit type hallways and the lounges are tiny and crowded.

You can find a lot of info and pictures of the GF on this thread, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1811276 .

 

[Loverly]

We were on the 4th floor at AKL and never smelled any "poo"
There are actually outside room freshners that spray intermittedly.
However the rooms are the same size as WL-but the place IS a little far out.
I do love the large quick serve meal area and the lobby is WOWZER!


IMO only WL and AKL are in our budget-for regular rooms. All the other deluxes are crazily priced & the Contemporary has ZERO appeal for us-stayed there once and it had no Disney magic -at all!

 

[jfoofj]

Yes, my mother has always wanted to stay at GF, but it is quite expensive. Perhaps I will get a discount postcard or an AP or Visa discount that would make it reasonable. Actually, I'm not even sure if they discount the CL rooms.

I didn't know about CSR having CL or busines level, I have never even set foot on that resort. My mom had just asked me about the Swan and Dolphin, if I had considered them, I will look into that, thanks. I had a friend stay there a few years back and they were happy with it.

Right now I am leaning towards BW, with BC a close second. I would do WL in an instant, because I LOVE that resort (and it is one of the more reasonable CL resorts) but my mom wouldn't like it.

I will keep you posted, and I truly appreciate the input. If anyone else reading has anything else for me, I'm all ears (lol).

ETA I know the AKL is a wonderful resort and I am SURE that it doesn't smell awful, that is just my mother's way of saying she doesn't want to stay there. I didn't want to offend any AKL fans.

Thanks again~

Jfoofj

 

[lvloopingbag]

BWI is definitely better than the YC/BC when it comes to club levels.....

 

[TammiMcMan]

My mom had just asked me about the Swan and Dolphin, if I had considered them, I will look into that, thanks. I had a friend stay there a few years back and they were happy with it.

They're a great option, but she'll have to reconsider concierge. They took out their club level a few years ago.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Based on what you've said I vote YC/BC first, then BWI. Your 7 year old son will LOVE Stormalong Bay... my boys (7 and 9) loved it so much we pratically had to force them to get out and go back to the parks. YC/BC are both very close to Epcot, you've got boat transportation to the Studios, you've got tons of dining and entertainment along the boardwalk... it's a great resort.

I'm not sure why your mom is so caught up in concierge level, I mean it's very nice... we've done CL at BWI, WL, GF, AKL, Poly... but I wouldn't make it the #1 reason for choosing a resort. I'd first consider which parks you plan to spend the most time at, what type of room view is important to you, if swimming is important, where you'll be dining, etc, etc. Then once you've picked out your top 2 or 3 resort choices price out the different room categories to see which is in your budget.

Also, I just have to add, that your comments about AKL, Poly, and CR are so completely wrong that I had to laugh out loud. Smelly, dated, wow, totally off base. No concierge level anywhere at WDW can compare with those 3. They are the best hands down.

 

[sfbank]

Another vote for the BWI. The Cast members at the Innkeepers Lounge are the best! They go above and beyond to make your stay wonderful. They have become just like an extended family to us. We love the BWI resort itself-stayed there on our first trip in 2002. 2005 comes along and we got hooked on Club Level and have never looked back.

 

[Binknsassy]

i think the poly is the best concierge it wasnt out dated it was like going to hawaii its beutiful and they are so nice we came to our room with a new surprise everu night ,,,we got a cake for our anniversary and strawberrys and our kids got goodies too...we had the best time and we are going back in dec 2008

 

[PEANUT1]

just wondering....are you bringing your stepson? If not, won't he wonder too why his brother is going without him? This was the first thing that popped into my head after I read your post.

 

[PlainJane]

Out of the resorts that are still in the running I would go with the BWI. I think it's the clear winner over YC/BC if your staying CL, BWI just has the superior lounge. Except for the pool, BWI wins or ties with YC/BC based on the resorts amenities.

BWI still has a very nice pool btw, but it's no SAB.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Also, I just have to add, that your comments about AKL, Poly, and CR are so completely wrong that I had to laugh out loud. Smelly, dated, wow, totally off base. No concierge level anywhere at WDW can compare with those 3. They are the best hands down.

Just wanted to clarify that it was the OP's mom who made those comments about the AKL and CR. The OP wasn't interested in the AKL strictly because of it's location and thought she may be able to talk her mom into the Poly.

I know we all have our favorites, but theme and the overall aesthetics of the resort really do play a big part in choosing. I know the Poly has had some wonderful interior upgrades, but I can't get past the fact that it reminds me of the 1970's Brady Bunch in Hawaii show . The CR is commonly, although lovingly referred to as "the toaster" and there are many people who will never stay at the GF because it appears stuffy and too froo froo. It's funny to hear the arguments on the differences between the YC and BC. Two resorts that basically share everything but for some reason, guests have very strong opinions over which one is better. Ah, one of the things I just love about the DIS though .

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I vote Poly. Definitely not Brady Bunch tacky, IMO (though I admit it can look that way in pictures). Very nice, relaxing, quiet. Magical in the sense that (in Lagoon View rooms) you can lay in bed and watch the castle change colors. Sit on the beach and watch the monorail, boats, Electric Water Pageant, Wishes - just take it all in. My favorite part of all are the Tiki torches lit at night, very soothing. Love it!