Big changes in concierge

[AussieTink]

That's a pity that they have decided to do that. I was excited by the prospect of waking up early and venturing down to concierge to see the many offerings that has been listed on different websites. Having never gone to Disneyworld, staying at concierge was going to be a highlight. I hope the reviews for concierge in the future will be better.

 

[Leslie32]

We are staying Poly concierge in the middle of July and I am very upset about this news. I picked concierge for all the perks it has. I emailed the poly concierge staff to see what they have to say about this and if they are doing the same thing not offering as much food. I hope they get back to me soon and I hope they won't lie about it. Anyone who is going Poly concierge now until July please post your expierence it would be nice to know what is going on.

Leslie

 

[flyball]

We just booked BWI concierge, but we'll definitely downgrade if I hear from the concierge staff that the offerings are going to be this severely limited. What a shame. We really enjoyed our August AKL concierge stay so much. Some of our best memories from that trip are of sitting together in the lounge playing cards and shooting the breeze with a little snack. I hope they come to their senses, or I'm afraid they're going to lose a lot of concierge guests.

 

[valeriekc]

For the few of you that said your were going to Poly concierge in June I'd be anxious to hear your reviews when you get back. We're going in October.

We are going to be splitting our stay between Yacht club concierge and the Poly concierge on June 2nd and I will look this post up when I return and post our results.
We have stayed at the Poly before...so kinda know what to expect, however the Yacht concierge will be a new experience so I anxious to see what happens all over.
I hope that our lounges are awesome and we can help put everyone's fears to rest.
we will see.........

 

[disneyworld!]

wow....I have stayed at several concierge resorts...I thought there offerings were kind of slim to begin with!! hey, for the higher now prices...and LESS offerings...I problay will not be staying concierge anytime soon!!....prices are way to high!

 

[kirbsam]

Until it hits Disney in the pocketbook, don't expcet any changes. As long as concierge keeps filling up, they will not change back, no matter how many complain. This should open up more concierge rooms to discounts though, I would think.

 

[DVCconvert]

I am shocked & extremely disapointed that management would tinker on this!
I've stayed conceirge at almost every on property resort, many times at each resort. I expect to be there at the YC in late June, and I have meet before with, and will ask to again, with the GM to discuss this. A premium price requires premium services.

Aside from the oatmeal and plastic water bottles, can anyone here confirm these sorts of cutbacks at AKL?

I have never seen beer and have always been told it's not available at the YC.

Actually beer has always been available there. You do have to ask for it, but Thersa, Amy, Jason and others have gotton me beer there on multiple occassions.

 

[DawnCt1]

wow....I have stayed at several concierge resorts...I thought there offerings were kind of slim to begin with!! hey, for the higher now prices...and LESS offerings...I problay will not be staying concierge anytime soon!!....prices are way to high!

Off all of the hotels, the Disney concierge levels have the slimest pickings. Often at check in, Hilton will upgrade guests to concierge for $35. I have been offered a suite at an additional $50. The offerings of the Hilton concierge are so plentiful in the evening that we have often not gone to dinner. To me, it has not been worth the $$$ for Disney concierge.

 

[swimmom]

I have thought for years that the old standard of Disney Concierge was horrible overpriced and this new level just makes a bad situation worse. I love the concierge floor at the Ritz and you can really get value for money because their food offerings are really meal replacement. For kids offerings you don't get pb&j - you get chicken finger, mac and cheese, pigs in the bloanket and the pb&j. The growp uo food is what you would expect from the Ritz - superb. Not a Lenders bagel! Why not get a junior suite at the AKL with the extra space and stop off at the grocery store for $100 worth of snacks and wine?? The price is in line and the space is worth every penny

 

[cjsmith]

I have thought for years that the old standard of Disney Concierge was horrible overpriced and this new level just makes a bad situation worse. I love the concierge floor at the Ritz and you can really get value for money because their food offerings are really meal replacement. For kids offerings you don't get pb&j - you get chicken finger, mac and cheese, pigs in the bloanket and the pb&j. The growp uo food is what you would expect from the Ritz - superb. Not a Lenders bagel! Why not get a junior suite at the AKL with the extra space and stop off at the grocery store for $100 worth of snacks and wine?? The price is in line and the space is worth every penny

I agree with that. It's amazing how the Ritz does concierge. The club floor at the Ritz Carlton Cancun is even better. They cook to order breakfast on some mornings. The Intercontinental chain also does an amazing job, especially over in Europe.
We were never overly thrilled with the food offering at the YC, it was always okay but easy to do with the kids. But after what we experienced this past week, I doubt that I'll be booking this again.

 

[cottontail]

Hi: Did they reduce the nightly price for concierge to allow for these cutbacks.

When I looked at the poly concierge vrs gardenview room rate. It is usually coming up at $100 a day more to stay concierge than room only. If they have not reduced the price I wonder how they can justify chargeing l00 more over room only for the reduced food offerings.

Maybe this is how they are offering that magical express, back and forth from the airport. Taking from one area (concierge, and giving to another (magical express).

Deb.

 

[TammiMcMan]

In the past, they always had more offerings. Maybe they started phasing it out in December and just finished up the change at the YC. In the mornings, there used to be bagels, bread for toast, and english muffins over by the toaster. Then you had your cereals of course, but they used to be the mini boxes, not in a glass container like it is now. There used to be muffins, banana bread, coffee cakes, lots of different kinds of donuts, and fresh fruits.

The 11-4 snacks used to also have cheese and crackers and vegetables and dips as well as fruit platter, pudding packs, pb&j's, nuts, pretzels, and cookies. Now it's just apples, pb&j's, nuts, and pretzels.

They don't have the same amount of food at happy hour either, it has greatly slimmed down in choice. I have never seen beer and have always been told it's not available at the YC.

In the evening there used to be cupcakes, cookies, cakes, a platter of pastries, sometimes pie, rice krispie treats, there used to be a lot of choices. Now there is one small platter of pastries and cookies. Believe me, there was a lot even on our visit in the fall.

They used to even offer small bottles of water that you could take with you, now it's just the large bottle.

There were two different CM's and the concierge manager there this morning when I inquired about the difference in what was offered. They have gotten a few complaints already. They may have started to phase out some things and have now completely finished it.

I'm still confused then, but it doesn't take much with me. In December there were no english muffins or bread for toasting either. The cereal was in glass jars, no individual boxes, no muffins, coffee cakes or breads. There were donuts, they looked like Krispy Kremes. The 11-4 snacks were the same as you reported with no fruit tray or vegetables. Evening was the same with only a small plate of mini pastries. All of the resorts discountinued the small bottled water around a year ago. The only difference I can see is that there were bottles of wine on the sideboard and beer underneath cooling where they keep the soda.

I'm just doubting that what the CM's told you was correct in that it had just taken place 2 weeks ago. 95% of the items you mentioned were not there in December.

Tammi

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

We are going to be in Poly Concierge from June 3-5, we'll be back with tons of pictures and reports...infact we'll probably report from the lobby itself...possible poly concierge lounge webcam?

 

[Leslie32]

This is the email that I got from Poly Concierge. It really didn't help much because she said things can change at the last minute. So anyway, here is the email:




Dear Leslie,



As of this moment this is what our lounge is offering. Please note that this menu is sunject to change at a moments notice, but it should help to give you some insight.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to make your stay with us more magical!

Mahalo,

Paige Osborne
Club Level Itinerary Planning Specialist
Disney's Polynesian ^ Wilderness Lodge Resorts
Phone: (407) 824-2466 Fax- (407) 824-3162



Lounge Offerings:



7am-1030am

Apple/Cheese Danishes, Cinnamon Rolls, Pineapple Bread, Bagels, English Muffins, Blueberry Muffins, Fresh Cut Fruit, Fresh Whole Fruit, Yogurt, 5 Different Dry Cereals, Hot Oatmeal, and Beverages such as Coffee, Tea, Milk, Orange Juice



12pm-4pm



Cookies (Chocolate Chips, Sugar and Oatmeal), Fresh Whole Fruit, Gold Fish Snacks, Dried Fruit Mix, Candies, Juices (Lemonade, Guava Juice, Ice Tea)



5pm-7pm



Veggie Platter, Cheese Platter, Fruit Platter and 3 Different Types of Wine. Every evening includes a hot dish:

Sundays: Beef and Macaroni and Fruit Pasta Salad

Mondays: Sushi (four different types)

Tuesdays: Beef and Chicken Skewers with Rice

Wednesdays: Spring Rolls and Lo Mien

Thursdays: Luau Ribs and Chicken Strips

Fridays: Chicken Wings and Jasmine Rice

Saturdays: Pork Sandwiches and Vegetable Spring Rolls



8pm-10pm



Desserts (4 different types) and Cordials (6 different ones such as Amaretto, Bailey’s Irish Cream, etc)

Liquor Offerings:
Amaretto di Saronno

Kahlua

Courvosier

Grand Marnier

Frangelica

Drambuie

Bailey's Irish Cream

Mumm's Napa Cuvee

Burlwood White Zinfadel

Burlwood Chardonnay

Burlwood Cab Sauvignon

 

[cjsmith]

I'm still confused then, but it doesn't take much with me. In December there were no english muffins or bread for toasting either. The cereal was in glass jars, no individual boxes, no muffins, coffee cakes or breads. There were donuts, they looked like Krispy Kremes. The 11-4 snacks were the same as you reported with no fruit tray or vegetables. Evening was the same with only a small plate of mini pastries. All of the resorts discountinued the small bottled water around a year ago. The only difference I can see is that there were bottles of wine on the sideboard and beer underneath cooling where they keep the soda.

I'm just doubting that what the CM's told you was correct in that it had just taken place 2 weeks ago. 95% of the items you mentioned were not there in December.

Tammi

I don't know why the CM's and the manager told me that about 2 weeks ago the phase out was complete. I guess it doesn't really matter though as it has changed.
I think it's completely wrong that Disney doesn't lower the price but takes away the services. Then again, Disney has been doing this for years. A few years ago, valet parking was free, you just had to tip. Now they charge. They've raised the prices and made cuts throughout in almost all areas including staffing. I won't be willing to spend the extra money any longer for the concierge lounge as I don't really use their services and it's just not worth an extra $100 or so a night for what they have out now. I remember the day when they used to have the coffee and tea out in the hallway so you could get a cup of coffee even when the lounge itself was closed.
It's funny to hear other posters talk about the chef's from the various concierge lounges, in all our years I have never met or heard about one from the YC, has anyone else?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Carolyn, it does almost sound like the YC has been converted to light concierge if they've done away with the wine, cordials and beer. I was also very surprised to see that the entire lounge closed up in between servings. I'm used to the GF, where it's open all the time and although food might not be available, you could still get a drink. At the YC we had to ask a lounge CM to grab us something to drink if it was closed. Aside from the lounge offerings though, I do have to say that their pre-planning staff is probably the finest on site. The lounge for us is a nice added benefit, but I do tend to ask for a lot of assistance with planning our vacations. For that fact alone, I would consider an Epcot resort in the future. I also remember a time in GF concierge when they would have a guest chef each evening to cook a special appetizer in the lounge. It was the hook that got a lot of people into concierge and now that they're experiencing capacity and in some cases, a waiting list for concierge, they obviously don't feel a need to retain that amenity. Sort of eye-opening though when Disney ceases to be magical and becomes just a bottom line business.

Leslie, I just went back and looked at an old post regarding the lounge offerings at the Poly and what you've reported is basically the same exact thing. I do know that recently, in the past year or so, that bottled water has been discontinued and no more homemade oatmeal. That's now available in the packets.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

[
Leslie[/B I do know that recently, in the past year or so, that bottled water has been discontinued and no more homemade oatmeal. That's now available in the packets.

Can you ask for bottle water? My DH only drinks bottle water and we were hoping we could get some at the lounge.

 

[cjsmith]

Can you ask for bottle water? My DH only drinks bottle water and we were hoping we could get some at the lounge.

You can ask for the large glass bottle of water that they have to take back to your room with you. It's large and heavy so you wouldn't want to take it with you to the park.

 

[cjsmith]

This is the email that I got from Poly Concierge. It really didn't help much because she said things can change at the last minute. So anyway, here is the email:




Dear Leslie,



As of this moment this is what our lounge is offering. Please note that this menu is sunject to change at a moments notice, but it should help to give you some insight.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to make your stay with us more magical!

Mahalo,

Paige Osborne
Club Level Itinerary Planning Specialist
Disney's Polynesian ^ Wilderness Lodge Resorts
Phone: (407) 824-2466 Fax- (407) 824-3162



Lounge Offerings:



7am-1030am

Apple/Cheese Danishes, Cinnamon Rolls, Pineapple Bread, Bagels, English Muffins, Blueberry Muffins, Fresh Cut Fruit, Fresh Whole Fruit, Yogurt, 5 Different Dry Cereals, Hot Oatmeal, and Beverages such as Coffee, Tea, Milk, Orange Juice



12pm-4pm



Cookies (Chocolate Chips, Sugar and Oatmeal), Fresh Whole Fruit, Gold Fish Snacks, Dried Fruit Mix, Candies, Juices (Lemonade, Guava Juice, Ice Tea)



5pm-7pm



Veggie Platter, Cheese Platter, Fruit Platter and 3 Different Types of Wine. Every evening includes a hot dish:

Sundays: Beef and Macaroni and Fruit Pasta Salad

Mondays: Sushi (four different types)

Tuesdays: Beef and Chicken Skewers with Rice

Wednesdays: Spring Rolls and Lo Mien

Thursdays: Luau Ribs and Chicken Strips

Fridays: Chicken Wings and Jasmine Rice

Saturdays: Pork Sandwiches and Vegetable Spring Rolls



8pm-10pm



Desserts (4 different types) and Cordials (6 different ones such as Amaretto, Bailey’s Irish Cream, etc)

Liquor Offerings:
Amaretto di Saronno

Kahlua

Courvosier

Grand Marnier

Frangelica

Drambuie

Bailey's Irish Cream

Mumm's Napa Cuvee

Burlwood White Zinfadel

Burlwood Chardonnay

Burlwood Cab Sauvignon

That sounds nice. They did have cordials out at night at the YC, but only 4 types.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Can you ask for bottle water? My DH only drinks bottle water and we were hoping we could get some at the lounge.

Which concierge level are you staying at? My suggestion would be to arrange it ahead of time with the pre-planning staff, especially if you are staying at one of the Epcot resorts. You can absolutely ask them to stock your in-room refrigerator with bottled water.

Tammi