Concierge at AKL..worth it?

[WizTracy]

Is the concierge service at the AKL worth the rather high cost? I was planning a split visit (6 days at WL-2 days at AKL) and was wondering if I should splurge.

If you hated it, could you please explain why (same for if you totally loved it)? It sounds so nice.

 

[ducklite]

This is a subjective question.

If you want a higher level of service, amenities such as robes and turndown service, a private lounge with private check-in, and the sunrise/sunset safari's which are additional charges, and are willing to pay extra for this, then sure, go for it!

If you are looking for a mealplan, then no, you will not get your monies worth. Yes, it will save you on breakfast, but the fare is continental, no hot food unless you count toast or instant oatmeal. There is no lunch served, afternoon snacks are gummy worms and gold fish. The AKL does have tea time in the later afternoon with some tea cakes, but again, these are not a meal. At dinner there are one or two hot appetizers as well as cheese and crackers and veggies with dip, but again, appetizers, not a meal.

Additionally in order to partake of the offerings, you have to be there. Many don't like to take time from the parks to return. If you don't usually return to your resort to freshen up before dinner, than this is not going to work for you.

Concierge is a service, not a meal plan. Of you don't mind paying for service, than go for it. If you think it's going to save you money, you'll be disappointed.

Anne

 

[WizTracy]

Hmmmm...I was kind of hoping the food would make up for the cost. I'm not a "hop-to" kind of guest...and while fluffy robes and turndown service are nice...they are not worth $400. I can easily spend that on a romantic dinner at Victoria & Albert's and be much happier I think.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Perfect response ducklite!

 

[my3kids]

The pre planning aspect can't be discounted either, though. While I am most hopeful that the food will help keep our family of 5 out of some restaurants, the staff has been amazing in getting my priority seatings arranged. They also just make us feel excited about the trip with preplanning emails or mailings. I am also hoping that being ther over a potentially busy weekend that the lounge will give us a quieter place, aside from our room, to relax over a drink or snacks.

Speaking of robes though, will they bring 3 for my children as well?

 

[MarkLem]

Very subjective, to each their own. For us, Concierge is not worth the extra $$ at any resort. Id' rather spend the extra $$ eating at a really nice restaurant one or two nights, etc. We are either sleeping, dressing to get to the parks, or in the afternoons swimming at the pools. We don't have any need or desire to spend more time in a concierge level accomodation. Sheet turn down is not important. With a little bit of planning it's quite easy to do your own priority seatings and anything else. Again you need to evaluate it for yourself. Others love concierge stays.

 

[Brina]

As the others say, this is a very subjective question - what is "worth it", and how much of a stretch is it for you. We are doing a split stay this year, 4 nights at AKL conceirge and 2 nights at GF, lagoon view. We wanted a suite for the majority of our stay, and a suite is automatically conceirge. The help with the reservations, the sunset safari, the chance to run out and grab coffee and a quick snack for the kids to hold us while we get dressed in the morning, to us, seemed "worth it". For the last 2 days of the trip I really wanted close proximity to MK. The cost of a suite at GF was significantly more than it is at AKL, and once we were not going to be in a suite, the extra cost no longer seemed "worth it".


Recently I asked a similar question at a parenting board. One of the replies I got back said, "unless you can afford to have every meal as a character meal and buy your kids every souvenier they want, I wouldn't stay anywhere but a value resort." I found this response hilarious. I would never buy my kids everything they asked for, regardless of what hotel i was staying. We all have different priorities.

 

[my3kids]

Recently I asked a similar question at a parenting board. One of the replies I got back said, "unless you can afford to have every meal as a character meal and buy your kids every souvenier they want, I wouldn't stay anywhere but a value resort." I found this response hilarious. I would never buy my kids everything they asked for, regardless of what hotel i was staying. We all have different priorities.

WOW! Maybe we can afford to stay in a concierge room BECAUSE we never buy our children every souvineer they want! If we did buy them everything they wanted, we'd have to leave them at home they'd be so unruly! You're right, it is hilarious!

 

[ducklite]

WOW! Maybe we can afford to stay in a concierge room BECAUSE we never buy our children every souvineer they want! If we did buy them everything they wanted, we'd have to leave them at home they'd be so unruly! You're right, it is hilarious!

I have to agree as well--that's a hilarious thought!

I think most parents tend to set a $$ amount for each child to spend on souvies either each day or during the trip, depending on their budget.

Could we have afforded to get every souvie our son ever wanted at WDW? Sure. But Jeez Louise!! Not a chance it was going to happen, that ould have been ridiculous. We gave him Disney Dollars as stocking stuffers, and usually a set amount for souvies that we would hand over. Also he could save his allowance. Of course his grandparents would often slip him something on the sly as well, but what can you do?

But we never let him just go hog wild. Kids need limits.

Anne