Changes to AKV concierge lounge

[dclfun]

I just returned from a very brief stay at AKLV's concierge using my points. When I checked in, I was told that the evening "menu" had changed. In fact, where it used to mention evening offerings, now the wording is "wine and cheese". There are no more soups and only two hot appetizers. Other than that, every evening is the same-hummus and yogurt dip with various flatbread crisps, PB & J uncrustables, various cubed cheeses and soft cheeses, olives, pickled carrots, celery. That's it. The plates are now a small saucer size to encourage you to take less, lol. Continental breakfast remains unchanged and I never checked out the other daily afternoon treats or tea. No more Bailey's in the evening. I remember when AKL first opened and staying in concierge. The evening treats were incredible and sometimes included a cooking demonstration. I wonder if other concierge lounges are cutting back on what's offered? It's okay for us as the lounge was never supposed to be a substitute for dinner, but it's vastly different from the past and even from the recent past. We stayed during Memorial Week and although there was less offered it wasn't such a drastic change.---Kathy

 

[El&Asmom]

Makes it seem less worthwhile for the extra points. I especially wouldn't want to be paying CRO rates for those offerings.

 

[pyrxtc]

they did change it quite a bit and re-arranged the furniture as well. No more fancy name for the african smoothy either. I did miss the soups last week for appetizers and it definately wasn't as filling. I usually miss everything but breakfast so what makes me book concierge is breakfast and the special room things.

It is till good but not as great. Too many cookies and stuff and not enough special snacks.

 

[BoomNLeon]

We had a "not so great" experience staying in concierge in July this year. Hopefully it will turn around soon. As of now, it is not worth the extra $$$ or points.

 

[bobbiwoz]

See, what you don't know, you don't miss. We stayed in Concierge at AKV just last Friday so we could do the Wildlife Discovery Expedition on Saturday. We enjoyed the experience very much. We especially enjoyed that wine and cheese and the two sorts of hot appetizers.

Bobbi

 

[bookwormde]

I wonder if all the CRO versions at other resorts have done this also, if so I will certainly not be booking them in the future

bookwormde

 

[Cyndibear]

We stayed in Concierge in September. We were very dissappointed in the choices. I was hoping for some soups too. The choices were mostly the same every day, by day 3 I was hummused (?word) out! I did enjoy how close the rooms were to the lobby, bus stops, and eating places so I think we may do it again. We also enjoyed the Sunrise Safari too.

Cyndi

 

[LIFERBABE]

I did enjoy how close the rooms were to the lobby, bus stops, and eating places so I think we may do it again. We also enjoyed the Sunrise Safari too.
Cyndi

The Value Villas at Jambo sit right below the Concierge level so those are an excellent location too, for alot less points.

We enjoy concierge, and I hope it does not change too much. It is a major reason we are holding onto our AKV points. Concierge at AKV points make BLT point stays look reasonable, and I already prefer the BLT 1 bed layout, so BLT is looking better to me.

Sorry to hear about the offerings. I also wonder if all lounges have changed?

Do they still offer the Hennessey and Courvosier? (Sp)

 

[LisaS]

Do they still offer one vegetarian appetizer? On our stay, one of the three appetizers was often (but not always) a vegetarian option. So as it was, we were used to having very little to eat in the evening anyway, especially when the three appetizers were all meat based. If they have eliminated the veggie option altogether, that's not good.

 

[dclfun]

There was no veggie option for the hot appetizers. Out of the two that were offered, one contained chicken and the other was a small tart that had cheese/shrimp. I asked about the soup and was told that because other concierge lounges don't offer soup- AKL decided not to offer it either. We stayed at BW concierge last year in October and the evening selections were quite extensive but again, things could've changed across the board with all WDW concierge lounges. Oh...and the other change was that there is the trash can and area for you to bring your plates and cups after having a snack. Originally there was a trash can only which was removed. We were told to leave our dishes and they'd be picked up for the past few years. Now it's quite obvious to guests that they should pick up after themselves. I don't mind- it's not a restaurant- but it's a change worth noting. I think the thing that bothered me most is that the African name for "evening offerings" ( can't remember it offhand) was replaced with "wine and cheese". I don't recall any concierge at WDW being only wine and cheese in the evening. As to location, we had a SV room that overlooked someone else's balcony, had a huge thatched roof overhang, and a small view of the savannah. From the bed you could only see a wall. We definitely had a much nicer SV from a value studio last year. I know I sound gripey but truthfully I was mostly shocked at the changes that have turned what was once a premium experience into a lesser one.---Kathy

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed there in June 08. I think the main reason to stay AKV concierge is for the Sunrise Safari, you can't get that with a regular room. That was really awesome. The food alone is not worth the extra points. As mentioned, the savannah view isn't that great and it isn't even guaranteed, you could get a pool view.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I've never viewed the lounge as a place to have dinner.. Wine & cheese, and a drink is perfect for us... And what it should be IMO.

MG

 

[bobbiwoz]

They had lots of beer in the refrigerator when I wanted the yogurt We never made it to the evening offerings, 7-9...I had been hoping to get Bailey's, so that's something I will miss.

Not a biggie, but I really enjoy the potato chips and having access to fresh fruit.

We both agree that we would do the concierge again...even on a weekend, even with the pool view which we had this time. Had savannah view the last time.

One of the hot offerings was a lamb something, about the size of a mini muffin, it was delicious.

Bobbi

 

[quirty30]

It very much sounds to me like they are attempting to be more consistent with the offerings in all the concierge lounges. We had access to CL at Beach Club last summer, and I researched the CL thread over on the resorts board at that time. From what I read and pics I saw back then, it sounded like several of the club lounges had far more extensive offerings than others. Now keep in mind that we booked a deluxe room at BC, which I really wanted for the extra space and water view - the CL access was a bonus. After studying the CL thread, I had very realistic expectations as to what the lounge offered. The evening offerings were very much like what the OP described as being currently available at the AKL lounge.

P.S. That BC stay was booked before I bought DVC. My original contract was for BLT, but I added on at AKV just so we could book an occasional CL stay, as we really enjoyed that perk on our BC visit. As long as AKL continues to offer something similar to what we enjoyed at BC, I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This is disappointing news. Of course DVC is such a small part of the concierge level that I imagine it will be complaints from the hotel guests that would get the notice of the AKL management.

DH will be devastated by the no Bailey's!

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Interesting... maybe by the time we get to AKL CL in Mar 2010, they'll be serving Cheez Whiz and Ritz.

 

[PatMcDuck]

More important, the savannah view is not a good one. And the pool view is also not good, you are looking at a roof with the pool in the distance. Top it off that the lounge does not face the savannah, and this lounge NEEDED to have great food offerings to make it worth it.

I would do a night to get Sunraise Safari, but that is it.

And we like concierge very much, we always do it at Universal, and at other locations.

 

[dclfun]

We've never looked at the lounge as a substitute for meals either, but it was nice to have the more extensive evening offerings as there were new "African" things to sample and learn about on the evenings we were there. I don't drink wine so that's not a draw for me, but of course it is for other guests as well as the beer. We loved the cooking demo ages ago when a chef came up with a portable cook island and made chicken satay on skewers and shared the recipe. We loved the check out gift of bottled waters in a woven bag and the accompanying African message regarding the gift of water, and we once received a carved giraffe upon check in as well as a tray with birthday cake, horns, and hats for my daughter one year when she celebrated her BD there. One year on my birthday I got a CD of African music that I still enjoy. I certainly can understand why these things have not been continued, but I'm glad I got to experience what I considered over-the-top guest service and luxury. I wish the CL lounges would still be themed to the resort and as I mentioned, I'm not sure if things have changed at the other CL lounges at WDW either or if it's just AKL that has gone to mainly cheese and dips. I know guests at the Poly CL have always raved about the Polynesian-style foods- noodles and such which immerses guests in their "Polynesian" experience through those offerings. When we stayed at BW concierge there were very extensive choices in the evening and it was presented in an elegant fashion with several hot options. As to the value of concierge,we've done the Sunrise Safari three times which we thoroughly enjoyed, but remember there is a cost associated with it. It's not a free perk of staying CL. Some guests use the services extensively that the Club CM's provide but we never do as I have enough experience to book our own dining ressies or special event ressies. It's all about individual needs and perceptions of value. The point structure is still worth it, IMO- CL isn't that many more points than a SV room, for instance. I agree with Pat 100% though- it's not about the views there. We had a pool view once and I didn't mind it since I know that the SV isn't great. Indeed they should have built the lounge with a great SV overlook vs. a place to watch TV. Most lounges have a view of fireworks. We are satisfied with what we get for our points at AKL concierge but still....it was quite shocking to see the changes since our last stay in May. I am wondering if they'll make changes to the breakfast and it will be pastries, cereal and coffee/juice/milk only vs. the wonderful fresh fruits, oatmeal, and quinoa that are also put out. We would gladly pay extra for those things if we had to, just to avoid the trek and lines in Mara. Shhh...don't mention using the villa kitchen either- not how I want to start my day on vacation!. ---Kathy

 

[bookwormde]

It is funny how everyone’s perception is different. I have stayed at WL CL and the best part about it is getting to sample all the specialties from the main kitchen. We are not a big restraunt family so the CL lounge was perfect and since we eat light it replaced several meals and made the extra cost of CL worth it (we only occasionally use the concierge services). I was going to transfer in enough AKV points to try to get a AKV CL room (yes I know it was by no means a sure thing even at 9am at 11 months) but there is no reason for me to do that now.

bookwormde

 

[Maistre Gracey]

No more Bailey's in the evening.

Hold the phone..
No more Bailey's, or no more Amarula?

I would imagine if Bailey's is gone, the Amarula went with it.. This is truly a crisis.

MG