CL - I don't get it

[samnbilly]

No, really? I had no idea..again, if I wanted to waste my time on the phone, or in the lobby on my vacation, I would..

 

[sonofanarchy]

No, really? I had no idea..again, if I wanted to waste my time on the phone, or in the lobby on my vacation, I would..

What is the difference between wasting your time on the phone from your room and wasting your time talking with CL to make an ADR? If anything, it's probably quicker to use the phone.

To each his/her own, but let's not give people who have never stayed CL a false sense of what you get from it. It's not as if you can decide to change an ADR at the last second, let them know on your way out, and head off to the restaurant of your choice.

 

[jaykorf001]

I am reading a lot of negative reports from people staying CL across WDW property. They are reporting small portions, not a lot of variety, long lines.

I don't understand why someone would pay $150 more a night for something they can provide for themselves for so much cheaper. For example, they can stock their fridge with drinks for the week, order from garden grocer their own bagels, muffins, etc. Heck, for $150 a night you can eat an extra TS if you want.

I don't get it. Please help me understand.

I can only answer for us. CL at AKL, at least at the time we visited, was not a lot more money than an Arusha view room -- and we'd already decided on an Arusha view room. We got that by booking CL. As I remember it was $50-$70 more a night than a regular nonCL Arusha view?? I could be off a little.

It also provided us with an opportunity to do the Sunrise Safari, which we loved. We did eat breakfast there and had snacks in the evening. The alcohol was cheap wine and cheap beer plus some cordials. We definitely did our own thing for that mostly. The other thing we liked was having the extra room to spread out in during the evening. My son watched some Disney Jr as we relaxed. I realize AKL and WL have the smallest rooms out of the deluxes but I thought the room was small and I was happy to have some extra space for downtime. This is just my opinion as to what works for our family but I cannot imagine paying Disney prices for a room smaller than that. We really enjoyed AKL but we also would not have wanted to stay any longer mostly because we felt crammed into a hotel room. At the time it was my DH, myself, and DS4. I'm stunned when I read on here that people squeeze blowup mattresses in the mods or values.

I would consider CL again if I really wanted to stay at a particular resort -- for instance I'd like to do a shortish stay at the Poly. I'd like the extra room, even though the Poly rooms are larger than AKL. For a longer Disney stay we figured out a condo offsite or renting points would work better for us.

I agree with your premise that it is difficult to get that much tangible value out of CL. The extra $100-$200 a night can buy a lot of things.

 

[Momand2coolgirls]

We were (surprise!) upgraded the day we arrived last December;5 adults and 2 kids at the Grand Floridian to Royal Palm Court CL theme park view. The experience blew us away and we have booked again for December 2014 same accommodations. It is worth it to us to save for 2 years. We use every amenity of a Deluxe resort and this gives us even more to look forward to!

 

[jaykorf001]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a quick question. A few of you have mentioned grabbing bottles of water to take to the parks. The first time we stayed CL (6 years ago) we could do that, but since then I haven't seen it. They've had the large bottles of Evian. Has this changed again? Or do they have bottles to go but you have to ask for them?

I don't think AKL, June 2013, had bottles of water in the lounge.

 

[samnbilly]

Why do you care? If when I check in, I ask them to make changes for me or do it when I walk by, I don't see why you care? I'm not trying to convince you where to spend your $$? It amazes me that ppl talking about how they're going to make up there $500 they spent on staying at the hotel & eating it in the lounge, but I tell you what I use it for and it's the hot topic.
Have you seen those lines in the lobby or a huge hotel ' everyone asking the same thing?
Or, have you ever spent forever on the phone trying to change your dining reservations?
Or say your kids want to rent boats in a few days & they set it up for you, so u can spend the time with your husband that commutes 5 hours a day?
To me, on our vacation, where our time together is limited, I don't want to waste it spending it doing stuff that someone else can do it for me, for once.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I don't care. I'm just stating my opinion and explaining to the OP and others who are interested, what CL is all about. You're making it sound like it's so exclusive and they're doing something for you that no one else can. For some (myself included), planning is part of the fun. I like to plan our ADR's and make the reservations at the 180 day mark. If I have to change something, I do it - Online. No wait at all.

Heck, Disney even has an app to make/change/cancel dining reservations. Takes you about 45 seconds.

 

[samnbilly]

What is the difference between wasting your time on the phone from your room and wasting your time talking with CL to make an ADR? If anything, it's probably quicker to use the phone.

To each his/her own, but let's not give people who have never stayed CL a false sense of what you get from it. It's not as if you can decide to change an ADR at the last second, let them know on your way out, and head off to the restaurant of your choice.

Your wrong.
It's not quicker to use the phone.
Don't tell me that using the lobby concierge is quick when it's a mile long.
Please don't tell me that on our way in from the parks, it takes 2 seconds to tell them of my change, & it's done by the time I'm leaving.
If its to each his/her own, you wouldn't be sitting here arguing with me for the reasons that I use it. A question was asked & I answered it. Obviously you don't agree, but making quick comments that I'm blatantly aware of, is rude! I could care less if you hate it & think it's a waste of money.

 

[samnbilly]

I also said that its not as if they get you an ADR that ppl have booked months in advance! No one is saying that you'll get CRT in 5 min on ur way to ur room.
If anyone didn't read that part, I'll elaborate.

 

[mefordis]

What is the difference between wasting your time on the phone from your room and wasting your time talking with CL to make an ADR? If anything, it's probably quicker to use the phone.

To each his/her own, but let's not give people who have never stayed CL a false sense of what you get from it. It's not as if you can decide to change an ADR at the last second, let them know on your way out, and head off to the restaurant of your choice.

No kidding! Its even more efficient to go on the smart phone and do them on the way to the parks! If you dont have a smart phone you can buy one with the money you save not staying cl, and have enough left for some goldfish abd bagels. Lol!

 

[samnbilly]

I don't care. I'm just stating my opinion and explaining to the OP and others who are interested, what CL is all about. You're making it sound like it's so exclusive and they're doing something for you that no one else can. For some (myself included), planning is part of the fun. I like to plan our ADR's and make the reservations at the 180 day mark. If I have to change something, I do it - Online. No wait at all.

Heck, Disney even has an app to make/change/cancel dining reservations. Takes you about 45 seconds.

That's the great thing about an opinion..everyone has one, except some ppl want to sit here and argue their point & shove it down ur throat!
I'm giving my personal, not just opinions, EXPERIENCES!!

 

[jcjen519]

I think somehow Concierge has changed from what it was designed for, to a food substitution for some people.
If you've ever stayed Concierge at other travel destinations, you'd be able to compare.
For our family, it's for the help & convenience of adjusting our travel arrangements, ADR's, and other planning details.
No, I don't think they have the pull that some Concierge does to get an ADR that ppl book months & months in advance.
We change around our ADR's & such & they do that for us & I don't waste time on the phone or running around to do so.
They've helped me in the past in an emergency to set up a rental car when we were unable to fly home. I could've done this myself, but I wanted to enjoy my vacation & not deal with the details.
We use the lounge to let the kids grab breakfast while I'm getting ready in the a.m. That's a time saver. I don't look at it as a food savings plan. I have two teenagers that could clean that place dry if I let them, which I have seen people do that-
After we come back in the afternoon, my kids will grab a few snacks. Again-they're teenagers & they could eat all day!
We aren't usually there In the evening for appetizers or whatever is there-were out @ the parks & we have dinner reservations when I believe that's open. Probably if you were just adults & ate later, you'd have time & grab a few appetizers prior to dinner. Teenagers or not, we don't eat late, we never have & to me, there's nothing worse than an overtired baby, child or teenager during dinner..now that I'm getting older, I guess that sentence should include adult! Lol
We also stay Deluxe for the convenience of the proximity to the parks that those hotels are in.
I've stayed off-site & loved the extra room, but hated how far it seemed.
As for the alcohol & whatever else they serve @ night, my hubby will have one or two beers while we enjoy the balcony at night & our kids wind down & watch T.V. or whatever they're doing. I'm not a real big drinker, except when I pass the Margarita machine in Mexico! Yum! Lol

I'm not sure why people feel the need to justify the amount of money and ask themselves if they can possibly eat, say an extra? $500 for example on Concierge food? I suppose you can, & I'm pretty sure I've seen people who have tried, but that's not what my family uses it for. Everyone is different, & I don't begrudge whatever ppl use it for..for me, it's worth the extra $$, to use their services to free up my time sched activities last min. & changing ADR's & even travel plans. There are a few extra things I use them for, & to me, it's worth it. Like I've seen many other PP write, it's YOUR worth of something.

well said.

i do kind of find it odd they dont have more pull at the restaurants. every cl/concierge level i have ever stayed at (outside Disney) has. and these are DISNEY hotels and we are talking about DISNEY restaurants. it is what it is though and i am not losing sleep over it.

 

[samnbilly]

No kidding! Its even more efficient to go on the smart phone and do them on the way to the parks! If you dont have a smart phone you can buy one with the money you save not staying cl, and have enough left for some goldfish abd bagels. Lol!

If your smart phone is so amazing, why didn't you ask this Concierge question to it, so we didn't have to listen to any of your preconceived notions.

 

[jimim]

I am reading a lot of negative reports from people staying CL across WDW property. They are reporting small portions, not a lot of variety, long lines.

I don't understand why someone would pay $150 more a night for something they can provide for themselves for so much cheaper. For example, they can stock their fridge with drinks for the week, order from garden grocer their own bagels, muffins, etc. Heck, for $150 a night you can eat an extra TS if you want.

I don't get it. Please help me understand.

We stayed CL at WL 3 years ago in July. Busy busy time. Never had to wait. Small portions? They are finger foods (apps) they are always small portions? you can go back to grab more?

Regarding drinks. They even went and grabbed me bluemoon which wasn't in the frig cause they heard me mention it to my wife that i wished they had it. Everyday they asked me if i wanted one at night.

Everyday before we went to the park they had a snack bag ready for my daughter after breakfast. She loved it. it was the greatest thing that ever happened to her i think in her eyes.

Ya it's a lot more but it was just a great experience. We didn't need the CM's for ADR's before cause we do all that ourselves but the CM's who work the CL up there are just awesome. just awesome!

we are staying CL at AKL next april with our DVC points. I heard theirs is really nice too!

jim

 

[jcjen519]

That's the great thing about an opinion..everyone has one, except some ppl want to sit here and argue their point & shove it down ur throat!
I'm giving my personal, not just opinions, EXPERIENCES!!

i agree. cl is worth it to our family but i hate these posts that are basically `convince me to stay cl or deluxe or whatever` no...you don't feel its worth it? well..maybe its not for your family and that's OK.

 

[sndral]

..., but with five in a room, we already need more space, and the added space to store food and paper goods, and eat, and then having to clean up? Not for me.
We ate breakfast every day at poly. No lines ever. Would have cost us about $40 per day with the things we ate at breakfast. We grabbed extra snacks and fruit to bring to the parks. We grabbed snacks in the afternoon and had wine and beer at night. But because we have young kids, we are not at the parks from 9am to 10pm. We took a break each day, and loved the snacks and drinks. We aware back 5 out of 8 nights as the kids needed an early bedtime and we enjoyed the nighttime stuff as well. ...

Well for starters it was only $80 a night more for CL when we did it so not nearly as much as you mentioned. And for a party of 6 once you eat breakfast and have a few drinks at night it's pretty much already worthwhile. We used it a lot more than that though and got bottled water daily on the way out to parks as well as drinks and snacks on our way in and out throughout the day. We did appetizers several times even making a meal out of it once and grabbed desserts at the end of the night too.

Is it worth it strictly from a financial perspective? Around $100 per day? For us, yes. Add in the convenience and it can't be beat.

But here's why it was worth it to us (2 adults and 2 kids-12 and 9). We did CL at GF SL.

1. Breakfast every day for 4 people. Food choices were fine and adequate for us. Figure that's $20 or so, and way more if we did a TS.
3. Allowed some flexibility in the mornings in terms of getting breakfast-if adult(s) or kids awake they can go down and eat-while others can stay in room, sleep, hang, get dressed, etc. Don't have to go together as a pack.
5. We spent a lot of time at the Courtyard pool. So kids could run back and get snacks and drinks. And adults were able to get adult beverages all afternoon-unpublicized perk. Figure $30 on average per day.
...
So IMO, definitely worth it.

...My kids also love getting DVD movies and playing them in our room. And most lounges are accommodating as far as food not set out, such as my kids love strawberries and they would gladly bring us a whole bowl of them whenever we asked.

It was about the continence. I had small children with me both times. MIT was nice giving them a bigger area to be in, a place to sit down in the mornings to eat breakfast or snacks rather than trying to do in in a room with 5 people. For me it's not just about the cost of food, but things I can have them help me with when I have 3 small children to handle.

We use the lounge to let the kids grab breakfast while I'm getting ready in the a.m. That's a time saver. I don't look at it as a food savings plan. I have two teenagers that could clean that place dry if I let them, which I have seen people do that-
After we come back in the afternoon, my kids will grab a few snacks. Again-they're teenagers & they could eat all day!
... if they can possibly eat, say an extra? $500 for example on Concierge food? I suppose you can, & I'm pretty sure I've seen people who have tried, ...

I've collected these to point out why concierge is not worth it to me @ WDW (except I may try GF just to stay in RPC.) If you have 4 or 5 or 6 in a room, then perhaps, but I don't do hotel rooms as sardine cans, thus we have 2 per room and every one is an adult now - so per person the cost is higher than say a family w/ 2 or 3 children/teenagers in their room.
Through the years one of the most frequent complaints about CL @ WDW I've read on dis is the unruly behavior of hordes of children, unsupervised or inadequately supervised grabbing loads of food w/ their fingers, taking up all available seating space, etc.. I assume that most children/teens don't behave this way, but it only takes one or two groups during your stay to impact everyone. I'll save my concierge dollars for places where the experience is truly concierge.
Plus, from photos and reports the CL food offerings are not tempting to me - practically all carbs, little protein (which is cheaper to offer - but does not suit my taste.) We don't drink cheap wine.
So, I'll stick w/ my deluxe dinning plan and let those who truly appreciate it stay CL

 

[samnbilly]

i agree. cl is worth it to our family but i hate these posts that are basically `convince me to stay cl or deluxe or whatever` no...you don't feel its worth it? well..maybe its not for your family and that's OK.

Are you talking about my quotes?
I love it for my family, except when ppl ask u for an opinion & then sit here & think it's ok to joke u & say things about their smartphone & just stupid stuff..to me, it's like, Well? Why did u ask?

 

[jcjen519]

Are you talking about my quotes?
I love it for my family, except when ppl ask u for an opinion & then sit here & think it's ok to joke u & say things about their smartphone & just stupid stuff..to me, it's like, Well? Why did u ask?

i do agree with what you are saying. all anyone can really do is offer perspective and experience and let others decide for themselves. pretty rude to solicit this kind of info and then insult someones choices. it sounds like the op has decided that he wouldn't appreciate the benefits of cl. not sure why that means he/she has to mock the rest of us who have kindly offered our two cents.

eta- i meant that op has essentially asked us to `convince him to stay cl`. i just don't like these posts in general. if he does not think cl is `worth it` then all the more goldfish and bagels for me

 

[jaykorf001]

We stayed CL at WL 3 years ago in July. Busy busy time. Never had to wait. Small portions? They are finger foods (apps) they are always small portions? you can go back to grab more?

Regarding drinks. They even went and grabbed me bluemoon which wasn't in the frig cause they heard me mention it to my wife that i wished they had it. Everyday they asked me if i wanted one at night.

Everyday before we went to the park they had a snack bag ready for my daughter after breakfast. She loved it. it was the greatest thing that ever happened to her i think in her eyes.

Ya it's a lot more but it was just a great experience. We didn't need the CM's for ADR's before cause we do all that ourselves but the CM's who work the CL up there are just awesome. just awesome!

we are staying CL at AKL next april with our DVC points. I heard theirs is really nice too!

jim

Make sure and do the Sunrise Safari. Rats! Wish I'd have thought to ask for Blue Moon.

 

[tarak]

Make sure and do the Sunrise Safari. Rats! Wish I'd have thought to ask for Blue Moon.

The Sunrise Safari is amazing! If you can book it, you should.