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

[mmmears]

How many of you staying CL also do a dining plan? We originally wanted to stay CL, and do the basic dining plan, but we need to cut something out, and I'm thinking the dining plan because I really want to stay CL! LOL...

I'm sure we would take advantage of the morning and afternoon offerings, maybe grab a quick appetizer and beverage before heading off to dinner (thus elimating the need to buy an appetizer) and then have some sweets later in the evening...

Thoughts/opinions???

Thanks!

We don't use the DDP. But it really depends on what your meal plans are and if you will save money with it or spend more. For my family, it's way more than we would spend on our own most days.

We have a CL breakfast, then have a big sit-down lunch, usually in one of the parks. But even then, we mostly drink water by choice, and if we do order dessert, it's one for the table, not one per person. I have a DD who is 12 and can't finish an adult portion, so we usually split a meal. So we're looking at 2 entrees and 1 dessert for our sit-down. Then we'll have apps in the CL in the evening. Sometimes we'll have a sit-down dinner (not very often), but mostly we'll just pick up a bite to eat while we're out in the parks at night.

Also, we prefer not to count up how many TS vs. how many QS we need to eat to fit into the plan. It's our vacation and we really just want to relax and enjoy it.

I can understand that many people prefer to get the DDP since it's prepaid. But now that you still have to get the bill, deal with money, and pay the tip, it is less of a time and hassle saver than it was in the past.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We always did the regular ddp when staying CL and would do the deluxe dining if we were staying in a regular room. Now that the dds are "Disney adults" (11 and 12) I think we're better off not doing the dining plan and staying CL. They really always order off the kids menu anyway! We still make a ts for dinner every night, a few breakfasts and a few lunches. However without the ddp we're trying Fulton's Crab House (not on DDP) and I think we'll be much more relaxed about cancelling any reservations if we just don't feel like going. When we were on ddp I planned out our credits and didn't want to "lose" any.

We usually eat breakfast in the lounge (for a two week trip we'll probably do 5 full meal breakfasts) lunch at the park or resort and appetizers in the lounge before dinner. A few times we liked the appetizers so much we didn't feel like eating dinner afterwards. Just because of our schedule we've only been up the CL for desserts a few times - without ddp I think we'll only order the desserts we really like and use the lounge for desserts more frequently.

 

[Kara]

How many of you staying CL also do a dining plan? We originally wanted to stay CL, and do the basic dining plan, but we need to cut something out, and I'm thinking the dining plan because I really want to stay CL! LOL...

I'm sure we would take advantage of the morning and afternoon offerings, maybe grab a quick appetizer and beverage before heading off to dinner (thus elimating the need to buy an appetizer) and then have some sweets later in the evening...

Thoughts/opinions???

Thanks!

We are doing the DP with club level. There are restaurants we want to try and will use the CL as snacks,etc only.

 

[JUJU814]

How many of you staying CL also do a dining plan? We originally wanted to stay CL, and do the basic dining plan, but we need to cut something out, and I'm thinking the dining plan because I really want to stay CL! LOL...

I'm sure we would take advantage of the morning and afternoon offerings, maybe grab a quick appetizer and beverage before heading off to dinner (thus elimating the need to buy an appetizer) and then have some sweets later in the evening...

Thoughts/opinions???

Thanks!

We are a family of 5. Two years ago, we purchaed the Deluxe Dining Plan and when we arrived, were upgraded to CL at Grand floridian.

We never used our refillable mugs. When we left, we had 52 snack credits unused and 15 unused meal credits...and we ate at a ton of TS restaurants, some signature.

Had I known what the CL offered and that we were going to be there ahead of time, I wouldn't have purchased the dining plan. I probably wouldn't have gotten the regular one because we don't like CS. We always have the AP discount so now we just use our Tables in Wonderland card for 20% meal discount rather than getting the DP.

Personally, I'd give up the dining plan in a skinny minute to stay Club Level.

 

[JUJU814]

I would contact the IPO staff. I always make the first contact. I think they could help you arrange some surprises for your DD but I don't think I would ask them about towel animals. If you have several stuffed animals in the room I bet the mousekeeper will arrange them for her.

I'm sure you'll have a very special trip with DD.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not going to ask about the towel animals. I do hope they leave one at some point..it sure would be nice.

Anyone know how Beach Club CL is with leaving towel animals? or is it just hit or miss depending on the Mousekeeper and how busy they are?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not going to ask about the towel animals. I do hope they leave one at some point..it sure would be nice.

Anyone know how Beach Club CL is with leaving towel animals? or is it just hit or miss depending on the Mousekeeper and how busy they are?

We've always had a mickey shaped towel on the bed when we checked in. THe only other ones I remember at BC CL were some cute little animal toothbrush holders made out of towels. If you see mousekeeping you could always ask.

HTH.

 

[kaffinito]

Hi all,

I hate to ask yet another beverage question on here but here goes.

Do they have root beer in the lounges? If not, can I request some for DS9?

TIA!
Karen

 

[WendyisDarling]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not going to ask about the towel animals. I do hope they leave one at some point..it sure would be nice.

Anyone know how Beach Club CL is with leaving towel animals? or is it just hit or miss depending on the Mousekeeper and how busy they are?

As you know you can't count on anything, but when we stayed last summer we got a towel animal everyday. They weren't the "take home" kind (glued on eyes, stitched together, etc. We were told we could keep).
They were the birds and such made from resort towels. I kept them in tact while we were there so maybe mousekeeping saw that we appreciated them I know tipping is a touchy subject. We did, but not a crazy amount. However, we pre-made cute envelopes for the tips, so maybe that had something to do with it?

Likely, it was just pixie dust, which we were absolutely showered with the whole time we stayed BC CL.

I have a very high opinion of their IPO.

 

[WendyisDarling]

I emailed Poly IPO for the first time with brief introduction and ADR requests 3 days ago.

We've stayed Poly CL a few times and I've always received the auto generated reply quickly and usually a response in a day or two. Are they taking awhile longer to reply lately? I hate to call or email if they just haven't had time to get to my requests. However, I want to follow-up if my message got lost in the shuffle of things.

Our trip is in June, so I know a lot of ADR's are filled (took us a while to decide on a trip).

Experience with current Poly IPO reply time posts would be much appreciated.

TIA

 

[babydovesx2]

I have several questions regarding using the IPO since this is our first time staying CL.

1.) Our 180 day is May 22nd. I already know what ADR's I would like. How far in advance of May 22nd should I contact my IPO to give them my desired schedule?

2.) For my must have ADR's, should I let them know that these are top priority and how many alternate dates should I give for my most desired ADR's.

3.) We want to go to MVMCP do I need to book this myself or can I have my IPO book it for me and charge it to my card on file.

I am sure I will come up with many more questions and any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Tess]

I emailed Poly IPO for the first time with brief introduction and ADR requests 3 days ago.

We've stayed Poly CL a few times and I've always received the auto generated reply quickly and usually a response in a day or two. Are they taking awhile longer to reply lately? I hate to call or email if they just haven't had time to get to my requests. However, I want to follow-up if my message got lost in the shuffle of things.

Our trip is in June, so I know a lot of ADR's are filled (took us a while to decide on a trip).

Experience with current Poly IPO reply time posts would be much appreciated.

TIA

I sent my requests (also for June) to IPO a couple of weeks ago and had reservations within hours. I did immediately receive the auto generated response. Perhaps check your e-mail, Polynesian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com to be sure it is an accurate address and/or resend the e-mail. Hoping you receive contact soon.

 

[Tess]

I have several questions regarding using the IPO since this is our first time staying CL.

1.) Our 180 day is May 22nd. I already know what ADR's I would like. How far in advance of May 22nd should I contact my IPO to give them my desired schedule?

You can send your ADR requests as soon as they are decided. IPO will hold the ADR requests until it is time to book.

2.) For my must have ADR's, should I let them know that these are top priority and how many alternate dates should I give for my most desired ADR's.

You could certainly provide alternate dates. It would be my guess that IPO shouldn't have trouble securing the requested ADRs at 180 days out.

3.) We want to go to MVMCP do I need to book this myself or can I have my IPO book it for me and charge it to my card on file.

I have no experience with MVMCP ticketing, but would guess this could be secured for you as well provided the IPO has your credit card information on file.

I am sure I will come up with many more questions and any help is greatly appreciated.

Hope that answers the questions you have at the moment!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Dates for MVMCP are not out yet, so i don't think you can book/buy tickets until the dates are out.

I always send my ADR's a few weeks in advance, and then a day or so before my booking window I remind them they have been sent

I do not remember there ever being root beer anywhere, but maybe there is?

 

[Aristocath]

So, I'm still debating the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. I've read lots of reviews and it seems mixed. I take it that rainy, cold weather makes it a lot less fun. But we are going in August so does anyone have experience with rainy, hot weather and this excursion? Basically, is it really worth $250 for our family of five to take a souped-up version of the Safari ride?

I have three boys, ages 12, 10 and 7 if you think that makes a difference.

 

[PamelaKay]

So, I'm still debating the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. I've read lots of reviews and it seems mixed. I take it that rainy, cold weather makes it a lot less fun. But we are going in August so does anyone have experience with rainy, hot weather and this excursion? Basically, is it really worth $250 for our family of five to take a souped-up version of the Safari ride?

I have three boys, ages 12, 10 and 7 if you think that makes a difference.

I would like to read reviews of the exursion. If anyone has a link to one, could you please point me to it. I also would like to know if the excursion is primarily a seated event and if someone with a mobility disabilty would be able to enjoy it.

 

[Aristocath]

I would like to read reviews of the exursion. If anyone has a link to one, could you please point me to it. I also would like to know if the excursion is primarily a seated event and if someone with a mobility disabilty would be able to enjoy it.

I've read reviews on the allearsnet.com site and I did a search on the DIS.

 

[WendyisDarling]

I sent my requests (also for June) to IPO a couple of weeks ago and had reservations within hours. I did immediately receive the auto generated response. Perhaps check your e-mail, Polynesian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com to be sure it is an accurate address and/or resend the e-mail. Hoping you receive contact soon.

Aha! TY. I used an old address that I had in my email addresses and it was indeed different. Glad I didn't keep waiting around. I sent it again.

My message was never kicked back, so it is probably out there is WDW cyber space.

ETA: That was definitely it. Less than ten minutes and I got the automatic generated reply.

 

[PamelaKay]

I read this on the first page about tips. NOTE: They can accept gifts of up to $75 value (like candy, doll, etc)."

and my question is, can they accept gift cards for places like Starbucks or restaurants?

Thanks!

 

[Tess]

Aha! TY. I used an old address that I had in my email addresses and it was indeed different. Glad I didn't keep waiting around. I sent it again.

My message was never kicked back, so it is probably out there is WDW cyber space.

ETA: That was definitely it. Less than ten minutes and I got the automatic generated reply.

My pleasure. . .you should be hearing from IPO soon.

 

[irish dancer]

So, I'm still debating the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. I've read lots of reviews and it seems mixed. I take it that rainy, cold weather makes it a lot less fun. But we are going in August so does anyone have experience with rainy, hot weather and this excursion? Basically, is it really worth $250 for our family of five to take a souped-up version of the Safari ride?

I have three boys, ages 12, 10 and 7 if you think that makes a difference.

I would like to read reviews of the exursion. If anyone has a link to one, could you please point me to it. I also would like to know if the excursion is primarily a seated event and if someone with a mobility disabilty would be able to enjoy it.

We did the WDE in Oct 08 and very much enjoyed it. It was very HOT but very interesting and much more than a souped-up version of the Safari ride. My kids were DD7, DS8 and DD11 and liked it too, they give the kids a page with the animals on it and they had fun 'finding' all of them. The guides are very knowledgable and share a lot of animal and park info. They also take questions. As for the rain, I think that would almost make it better as the animals would be more active in the rain.

PamelaKay - the WDE is completely in a van/truck and there is no walking involved. I'm not sure if they have wheelchair/ECV access vans but if they can step up into the van they will then be seated for the entire trip. I would definitely recommend inquiring to specifics if you are unsure.