Can you say "Concierge Mania?"

[dbond]

As I scrolled through the posts this morning, I saw the word concierge over and over and over. What's up with this? I read about how great one concierge is, how terrible another is. My question is, why do you need it at all? It's just extra money, but for what? I rarely see that the extra expense truly meets your expectations. To each his own, and if you like to spend your money on things like that, I don't have a problem with it, it's your money, I just don't understand why you want to pay exorbitant amounts to someone to do things that you can easily do yourself and you also pay extra for them to do some of the things that you should expect from the resort anyway just because you are a guest. Then I read a post from someone who says that in order to get the concierge service you expect, you have to be a heavy tipper. What's up with that? I thought the extra cost of concierge was so you could enjoy the extra service, but now you also have to grease their palms in order to get the service you expect? I'm sorry, I'm a penny pincher and will most likely never be willing to fork over the bucks for concierge. I would rather do it myself and spend that money shopping. I would like to see Disboards add a new board category for Disney Concierge because to those of us that enjoy Disney on our own and on a budget, wading through all of the concierge posts is getting a little tedious. Please don't turn this thread into a pro and con about concierge, those of you who enjoy it are entitled, those of us that don't think it's necessary are OK too, I just think it's being talked about too much here and would like to see the discussion moved to it's own board. It seems to be taking on a life of its own.

 

[Poohbear123]

It just so happens a poster and her Sister were not happy how they were treated by Concierge Staff at Grand Floridian and now we have posters who were Happy posting thier opinions! So, its gotten a little out of hand, but I do NOT blame the Sisters for posting about thier Problems--I hope they get it resloved. I would think if you paid that much money out, you should be treated that good!

 

[jrmasm]

read about Concierge experiences than the whole CBR thing.

I guess it's just a matter of what is most relevant to your particular situtation.

 

[robinb]

At least the CBR thing has it's own thread now, which I've posted on BTW. {I'm going to the Poly! I'm going to the Poly!}

I don't understand the whole concierge thing either. {shrug} I'm perfectly happy with a refillable mug and chips from the Publix . FWIW, I'm a Hilton Honors Gold member and my DH is Diamond. We get free concierge lounge access and breakfast everytime we stay at a Hilton. It's nice, but I wouldn't pay extra for it.

I think that some folks just like to "treat" themselves, which I think is great. We all need a treat . Some other folks must be from the "money is no object" camp. These are the people who always seem to stay concierge and do other "first class" things at WDW. You know who you are. Can you adopt me?

Instead of staying concierge or suites, we joined DVC. Now, that's first class. The only problem is you have to chill your own darn Evian.

 

[disneyholic family]

i never spend money on anything (although i can afford to if i liked)....
with one exception.....when i travel i spend a small fortune...
it's my little quirk....i like to go 5 star super deluxe, concierge, business class flights etc etc....
that's the only thing i'll spend money on.....nothing else...
and i don't feel guilty about it at all.....i enjoy every single second of all of it....

and then i come home to my 10 year old honda civic and am happy as can be...

as they say, to each his own.....

 

[ducklite]

No more so then the posts from those trying to find the best deal for the All Stars, or asking over and over if they can get a microwave, or pool hop to the deluxe resorts.

It depends on your perspective.

I enjoy concierge service. I have no problem paying for it. I'm not a penny pincher. So to me, these posts are quite relevant.

You say you are a penny pincher, which is something that I find rather tedious to see over and over--people asking how to save a few cents here and there on their vacation.

To each their own.

No one is forcing you to read the posts about concierge. Just skip those threads.

Anne

 

[dbond]

I think you are missing my point, sorry if I didn't make it very well. There is a budget board, why couldn't there be a concierge board? When you scroll through the resort posts, and there are 14 posts on page 1 with the word concierge in the subject title, I was just implying that since this is becoming so popular and showing signs of taking over the resort board with a single subject, maybe it's time to start a new board. That's my only point, I don't deny that it's a subject of interest to many, just that it seems to need it's own space, that's all.

 

[tinkerbelle30]

We decided to upgrade to concierge at the poly for the convience. We have a 8 yr old DD and a 16 mo old DS. The difference in price is @ 12.50 a day per person. Between having a fridge in the room and the pop and bottled water we will recover the added expense. For anyone with a toddler you know when they want a drink or a snack they want it NOW!!! We're spending quite a bit as it is and the less hassle the better!

 

[pigletpooh]

dbond, I completely agree with you.

 

[Jillpie]

The original poster to this thread is not trying to make you defend why you stay in concierge. She is merely trying to have all these posts, which are becoming a little overwhelming, their own "home", thats all. Nobody needs to explain their reason why they like or dislike concierge here, its just that its becoming way too much on this board.

 

[pollyanna]

I've found all the wailing and teeth knashing of the "Horror Stories" some DISers have posted rather amusing.....and *I* actually feel sorry for Concierge employees who have to deal with overdemanding guests!

I started a Debate thread on this very subject...for anyone interested.

 

[mrsapalm]

As far as I could tell, it's only been within the last few day (a week maybe) that concierge threads have come out in plentiful numbers. The Budget Board deals with budgeting issues on all sorts of things - not just resorts.
Whenever something is a "hot topic," it will attract all sorts of attention (i.e. the concierge debate). Just look at all the MNSSHP threads on the Theme Parks board! Although that topic has nothing to do with me, I see nothing wrong with scrolling past them to find threads that do interest me. The boards are for everyone, not for His or Her's own special interests.
That's what I love about the DIS... it's something for everyone and I stand the chance of learning something new every day.
So, I hope dbond doesn't shy away from the Resort Board just yet... wait a week or so, and something else will become the new hot topic.
-MrsAPalm

 

[4greatboys]

Hi everyone,

Im a newbie here so so far Im reading everything, lol. We booked our trip thru Expedia and got a good deal on a conceirge room at YC. With 4 boys--2 are teens--I felt it was a really good deal. However we couldnt not afford to stay conceirge rack rate and my dh would pass out if I even asked. If I would have have know about renting dvc points we prob would have gone that route.
But theres always next time

 

[pooh6890]

I think some people just like to treat themselves well on vacation. I only take one big vacation during the year and that is my November Disney trip for 6 days. I have only stayed Consierge one other time and that was at the Cont Tower Club. We payed $340 plus tax for that visit. That is before I found the codes and AP rates or even AAA. We are staying YC Lagoon Consierge this November and I will explain why. I booked a standard view at the YC with a AAA rate of $272 first. Then, the codes came out I got a consierge lagoon view for $50 more. Than, the AP rates came out and I saved another 58.00. That is why we are going with Consierge this time.....for a few of my hard earned bucks more we got a better room and better rate. I just really hope it is worth the extra $$$.

 

[Jen D]

Concierge appropriately belongs under the resort board, as it is a category of resort service. I think it would be a pain if we started breaking up the resort board. I personally just skip the threads I'm not interested in. No need to balkanize things any further, IMO.

 

[adams66]

I don't mind reading the all of the concierge posts because I am actually considering upgrading for January. I agree that it is a resort topic and should be on the Resorts Board. Besides, up until the topic started popping up a while back, I never even knew Disney offered it!

You learn something new everyday on the DIS. Actually today, I learned two new things (thanks to Jen D's post). I learned a new vocabulary word - I had to get out my dictionary for "Balkanize". I will now attempt to use it in conversation at least 10 times today

 

[JerseyJanice]

Things run in cycles on all Discussion boards. It's the nature of the beast.

This week it's concierge; next week it may be towel animals.

 

[JLS]

I just wanted to say that while I probably would not pay for concierge service, I really have enjoyed the concierge threads posted of late. In fact, I will read (and usually enjoy) any "rant" thread because it is interesting, and often entertaining, to hear what people consider to be unacceptable service, etc. Those types of threads (the ones that start "HORRIBLE experience with X resort") always take the same form on the DIS. Someone describes, in detail, their bad experience, and then the posters divide into two camps. People in Camp #1 will post something along the lines of "I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. You should write a letter to X person and continue to complain until you are satisfied." People in Camp #2 will say "Well, I can't understand how your experience was so bad because when WE went to X resort, WE had a fantastic time. WE think that X resort is the greatest resort in the World." I think those threads are so funny (not to in any way diminish the bad experience of the original poster).

I don't think that Concierge should be its own board. I think that the Resort Board should be a place you can check for posts about any resort topic. Since the concierge threads usually have the word concierge in the title, it is easy not to read those threads if they don't interest you.

 

[lookingforward]

I enjoy reading all the different threads. I can always learn new things about disney and you never know when you might need the info. (even if someone would NEVER pay for it..perhaps someone might get upgraded to a concierge room and then they will know exactly what to expect from reading these posts...)

JLS..GREAT description of the usual "camps" to concierge complaints. You forgot camp #3 though...the people who say "my, my, my, you should feel lucky you got to go to Disney AT all. Be thankful that you can. Be happy that you live and breath."

Personally, I am usually in camp 1 because everyones perspective is different and it is a shame if someone does not enjoy their rather expensive vacation.

 

[Jen D]

I learned a new vocabulary word - I had to get out my dictionary for "Balkanize". I will now attempt to use it in conversation at least 10 times today

Well goodness I hope I used it right!!

JLS and lookingforward, thanks for the great description of the three "camps" on the resort boards!

You forgot camp #3 though...the people who say "my, my, my, you should feel lucky you got to go to Disney AT all. Be thankful that you can. Be happy that you live and breath."

ROFL!!!!