Concierge/Club Level Information - Part II (Sept 2009)

[Aristocath]

I am really disappointed to read all these negative comments about the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. Before booking it for my family I had read lots of positive reviews, nothing about the bus being a sweat box. I booked this as a surprise for my 8 year old son for our July trip. Now I don't know what to do?! Is there anyone who has been in the summer months and had a positivie experience? If not, I may cancel...but then I will want to find a new surprise for my son. I was going to tell him about the excursion after school ended this year - he has gotten Straight A's on his report card so far this year and I really wanted to do something special while we are there. We are staying CL at Wilderness Lodge July 4 - July 10th.
Debbie

I think the positive comments far outweigh the not so positive ones. We are doing this for the first time in August and I'm still looking forward to it. I already know it is going to be hot; why get upset about it?

They do stop the so called climate controlled vehicle for pictures, you just can't exit the vehicle.

 

[luvthatdisney]

I have a question about making room requests for CL rooms.

We are staying at BC in June in a garden view CL room. I realize that this is really a standard room and I could have a view of a parking lot. However, I would like to know if I did make a room request, what should I request?

I do not know if I should ask for a room near the lounge (is it noisy in that area?) or ask for a courtyard view? Any ideas????

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I have a question about making room requests for CL rooms.

We are staying at BC in June in a garden view CL room. I realize that this is really a standard room and I could have a view of a parking lot. However, I would like to know if I did make a room request, what should I request?

I do not know if I should ask for a room near the lounge (is it noisy in that area?) or ask for a courtyard view? Any ideas????

Remembering that it's just a request - I request courtyard view.

We had a really nice gv Cl room and it looked out over the back courtyard near the volleyball area. My dd and her family had a nice courtyard Cl room looking out over the back entrance. My room had the daybed, her room did not.

 

[luvthatdisney]

Remembering that it's just a request - I request courtyard view.

We had a really nice gv Cl room and it looked out over the back courtyard near the volleyball area. My dd and her family had a nice courtyard Cl room looking out over the back entrance. My room had the daybed, her room did not.

Thanks Robyn!

I have been debating adding a request onto our reservation. I think I will send the BC IPO an email and have them add a courtyard view. I was thinking of asking for a room near the lounge, but really as long as we are not looking at a parking lot, I would be fine with that. Really, I would be fine with anything, but since everyone else asks I guess I will too!

Just to add, I have emailed the BC IPO several times already and have had nothing but good service (and quick too!). I wish I would have tried CL years ago, could have saved me alot of headaches!

 

[guarn3md]

I wrote an email to IPO at Wilderness Lodge and asked about the Wildlife Discovery Excursion and the climate controlled (?) vans. The person who wrote the reply said that she had been on the tour and the van was climate controlled, but that people put the windows down to get better pictures and thus the van tends to get hot. The driver has no control over people putting down the windows. Now I know the person works for Disney and they aren't going to talk me out the tour but I think I will stick with my plan and keep the tour...
Debbie

 

[scottmel]

This is exactly what my IPO told me last year....But at least you know wha tyou are getting into. Try to sit in the front row, thedriver fan kind of blows at you but not really. It is still a sauna.I wrote to disney about it last year and the same thought was concurred though they did admit there is NO AC b/c you need the windows down to tour.....Have a fun trip!

 

[kdubs]

I went on the Wildlife Discovery Excursion last June on a VERY hot day for the 1:00 tour. Yes it was hot. But, I have never had a better animal experience, including my two trips on the Sunrise Safari. The main difference was the time spent on each animal group. When we went by the elephants, several of the juveniles were playing in the water. The van pulled off to the side of the path and let us enjoy for several minutes. We also looped back to try to catch the mandrills that were hiding in our first go around which took us in VERY close proximity to several giraffe and wildebeast. I must say though that because we took the 1PM tour we were on a very empty bus. It was just my party of 3! Certainly not having someone sticky sitting next to me the whole time made it more enjoyable. But, it was, without a doubt, our best experience. So great that we're booking it again in June. Just providing a different viewpoint...

 

[lissiesmum]

They were talking about the Wildlife Excursion (or something like that) that is offered to all CL guests.

The Sunrise Safari is in the regular ride vehicles. You leave the lodge about 7am in a special bus that brings you into the back entrance to AK. The 2 times I did we were on the vehicles for just about an hour. A very awesome experience!!!! I went the first week of May last year and it wasn't hot.

Thanks, I am really excited to do something different, and we would love to get a little closer to the animals to get better pictures, plus I heard the breakfast is really good as well!

 

[irish dancer]

I am really disappointed to read all these negative comments about the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. Before booking it for my family I had read lots of positive reviews, nothing about the bus being a sweat box. I booked this as a surprise for my 8 year old son for our July trip. Now I don't know what to do?! Is there anyone who has been in the summer months and had a positivie experience? If not, I may cancel...but then I will want to find a new surprise for my son. I was going to tell him about the excursion after school ended this year - he has gotten Straight A's on his report card so far this year and I really wanted to do something special while we are there. We are staying CL at Wilderness Lodge July 4 - July 10th.
Debbie

We did the Wildlife Discovery Excursion last June at the 1p time and yes it was HOT (record breaking heat wave ) but I have to agree with the many positive reviews. Our tour was not full, just one other family so we were not squished. My kids were 7, 8 and 12 and they liked it too. We had brought a bottle of cold water for each of us and I recommend anyone going to do the same. The truck did make many stops and we got much better animal viewing than during any of our many rides on the regular safari. The guides are extremely knowledgable and shared a lot of information and had items to pass around for viewing.

I do believe the minimum age is 3yrs but to be honest I think it is better suited to those 6+ since there is a lot of information shared.

 

[2manypets]

Well, I was going to cancel the Wildlife Excursion but DH insists on going. He feels it'll still be worth it for the photo ops alone. He's a amatuer photographer. At least we know what to expect on the tour now. We'll be going on the 10am tour so hopefully it'll be a little cooler. I'll be bringing a few bottles of water and a fan though!

 

[teddygurl28]

hello everyone,

i have a quick question...im a total CL newbie....actually deluxe newbie! I had a ressie for GF theme park view booked for september, originally when i booked in august, CL-theme park view didnt exist...but since it does now, i decided to upgrade

My question, since my dining ressies are all done....can IPO make reservations for things like the spas and fireworks cruise? I am assuming yes on that....what about halloween party tickets? or am i just better off getting those? We are going in late september so im not concerned with the party selling out, i just figure if we have the chance to use IPO we might as well

Thanks!

 

[2manypets]

Yes, IPO can book all those extras for you (If the extras are still available ~ the cruises book up fast). We've got a request in for MNSSHP tickets at at our IPO.

 

[jackemail]

We took the afternoon tour when it was 95 degrees outside. We did bring along cold water, which made things much better ....AND you are not required to sit during the tour. You can stand and look out the open window, or go to the back of the bus and stand where there are no seats. My 3 grandkids, who cannot stand being hot, were with me and never uttered one word of complaint....although, I cannot tell a lie, we were sweaty on the bus---but not miserable at all.

 

[babydovesx2]

what about halloween party tickets?

Yes they can.

I emailed my IPO requesting tickets to MVMCP yesterday. They already had my credit card number on file. They booked the tickets this morning and emailed me a confirmation. If you have not given your IPO your credit card information give them a call so they will have it on file for anything you want them to book.

 

[teddygurl28]

Thanks!
i emailed them and once they responded i emailed them with my CC (i wanted to make sure i had the right email address before i gave them anything!)
they are booking mnsshp and a spa appointment and are also looking into the fireworks cruises for me

ahh it makes life easier for other people to find things !

 

[luvthatdisney]

Just wanted to post how pleased I am with the BC IPO. I have made many requests, changes, and additions ot our itinerary since we booked CL about 2 weeks ago. Day before yesterday I made a room request (courtyard view) to our ressie and Xio responded very quickly that she added it and that she would sprinkle a little pixie dust on it to help us get it!

Those little extras are what make Disney so special. Just wanted to share!

 

[beautyqueen]

Just wanted to post how pleased I am with the BC IPO. I have made many requests, changes, and additions ot our itinerary since we booked CL about 2 weeks ago. Day before yesterday I made a room request (courtyard view) to our ressie and Xio responded very quickly that she added it and that she would sprinkle a little pixie dust on it to help us get it!

Those little extras are what make Disney so special. Just wanted to share!

I just have to add that I have also had very prompt responces from Xio also, she has been very helpful.

 

[RachaelA]

hey everyone. I just wanted to post a link to my live report from AKL Club level May 1-10

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2456747

 

[monorail girl]

HI! Just wanted to share what a wonderful experience it has been working with the GF IPO. They have been wonderful, especially Claudia I ended up switching weeks right after our ressies were made and she was able to modify and get them all moved for us and at the times I wanted This is our first stay at the GF Sugarloaf and we are really excited

 

[Pumbaa_]

just got home last night from YC Cl. I think I am spoiled for life! It is just about time for afternoon swedish fix snack and I want my ice tea/lemonade I even had to bring in my own groceries this morning

We had a 40% off offer in the room. We rebooked for October