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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yes. They serve yummy goodies from the Boardwalk Bakery.

Thank you for letting me know that.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You never know...

Count me as a multiple-resort CL guest that has NEVER been contacted by IPO prior to check-in.

I do my own Itinerary planning anyway, so it's never been a big deal for me. I get value from the Concierge staff "during" my visit.


ps: You're gonna LOVE the BWI, but it shines best during F&W!

It's not a big deal that the IPO departments never e-mail us anything because the only request we ever make is for a half a Grapefruit for my mom, which we always do when we arrive at WDW and we never had problems getting it. Plus we don't make ADR's before we arrive so. In fact I remember a few years ago the Contemporary IPO department once called us a few days before we arrived out of the blue and asked if there was anything we needed? So we told them the request for the Grapefruit however when we checked-in that was not listed on our reservation, which was a surprise to hear but not a big deal. Also around that time the Contemporary IPO would mail us the welcome package to our house, but they stopped doing that along time ago.

 

[emmysmommy]

So.... from what I'm reading....some people hear from IPO prior to their arrival and some don't?? We're staying BC CL in August and I'm not quite sure what the IPO dept. would do for us (I've made my own dining ressies and not sure what else we want to do...) I've booked and paid in full for the trip so if that is a trigger for contact perhaps I'll hear from them???

In any event, I'm looking forward to the stay even if it wasn't CL.

Oh and I did notice that the welcome email from Disney Destinations was different for our CL booking versus my BLT booking. The CL version mentioned IPO.

 

[luvthatdisney]

So.... from what I'm reading....some people hear from IPO prior to their arrival and some don't?? We're staying BC CL in August and I'm not quite sure what the IPO dept. would do for us (I've made my own dining ressies and not sure what else we want to do...) I've booked and paid in full for the trip so if that is a trigger for contact perhaps I'll hear from them???

In any event, I'm looking forward to the stay even if it wasn't CL.

Oh and I did notice that the welcome email from Disney Destinations was different for our CL booking versus my BLT booking. The CL version mentioned IPO.

I too had made our ADR's before we decided to stay BC CL, but they have made some changes and additions for me. They also will provide you with a nice typed itinerary that was great as I did not have to do it myself.

I never did receive anything from the BC IPO, so I just emailed them to let them know of our upcoming CL stay. I also asked for a few recomendations and they were very informative and made our ADR for the Afternoon Tea at GF. Be sure to include your reservation number if you email them.

If I were you I would just call or email them if you have a request.

 

[emmysmommy]

I too had made our ADR's before we decided to stay BC CL, but they have made some changes and additions for me. They also will provide you with a nice typed itinerary that was great as I did not have to do it myself.

I never did receive anything from the BC IPO, so I just emailed them to let them know of our upcoming CL stay. I also asked for a few recomendations and they were very informative and made our ADR for the Afternoon Tea at GF. Be sure to include your reservation number if you email them.

If I were you I would just call or email them if you have a request.

Thanks for the info. Did they print your itinerary and provide it upon check in? It would be nice to have that handy.

Oh one more question, does the concierge folks assist with printing your airline boarding passes? Not sure where to do that when we leave.

Thanks!

 

[kittycat9]

I will say that I was HIGHLY Impressed with YC/BC IPO today. I sent over our ADR, Special Event and Activity Requests last night. 9 days of DxDDP, multiple signature and hard to get locations. Several activities, special tickets and child care requests, and this morning by 9:30AM CST they phoned to review a few Dinner time issues they had already noted with timing for fireworks, etc. While my husband and I decided on those items, they confirmed times and pricing on other activities, and researched some non-food birthday gift options that can be delivered to restaurants for my son and emailed those over. When I called back and confirmed our changes, we had everything we needed to decide on the other activities. By the end of the afternoon we had a multi-page itinerary, in an easy to read format sitting in our email box for review before they do the booking on Tuesday (some things have already been ticketed or reserved). They informed me that they are even able to get us an ADR at a TS location that doesn't accept ADR to the general public, just CL guests reserving through IPO.

This is exactly why I wanted to stay club level to begin with - helping to make our planning process as complete and stress free as possible, while having as much access to inside information as we can.

 

[livie1205]

we tend to stay at AKL CL and they have ALWAYS contacted us before the 180 days out mark so that they have have our ADRs done on the day they are due.mine is 2 weeks away and they have spoke to me 2 times.they have GREAT SERVICE! They also made a note on the resi that they made a mistake with a bday cake for dd last time and plan to make sure a nice cake is sent to the room.

 

[emmabelle]

Going home a day early????

It hurt to pay what I did for airfare-I averaged $300/person RT on Jet Blue. I'm used to paying around $200 but have done SW for $105.60 RT. We do best flying out of Logan-the last time we flew out of Providence my DD was sick so it was a very long ride home. Now my flights are $425.

Yup, scratch the going home a day early idea. The flights went up to $154 one way today. I'll change rooms before I pay that ridiculous rate!


I'm glad that I rebooked yesterday, because this morning I don't see any deluxe rooms for my time period.

 

[minniejack]

Just doing some thinking on this Sunny morning:

On our our trip to FL last year while driving, we stopped at a hotel outside of Savannah. Not much of a hotel--only one who actually had a room--yippee. But bonus--decent breakfast for all staying--including hardboiled eggs. Croissants, bagels, etc.

Recently went to Columbus and stayed at a Drury Inn hotel--very nice with...evening appetizers, wine and mixed drinks ( 2 per adult) and drum roll please....a breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and the price was about $110 per night.

I'm just thinking that if these little hotels can provide for all of their guests decent breakfasts, wouldn't it be nice if club level guests, who paid extra for the privilege, could be provided with a fuller spread--not just now adding a hard boiled egg?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone!

My DD (11) and I (DH will be deployed to Afghanistan) are doing a split stay at AKL (savanna) and YC (water) in August. I'd like to surprise DD by switching to CL at both resorts, (feel free to provide lots of encouragement).

I have a few questions before I change our reservation:

Are all AKL CL rooms savanna views? If so, what would you request that is in a quiet location? I can't tell from the map which rooms are CL rooms. Should I just request "far from elevators and club lounge"?

Also, looking at the YC map, if I want to avoid a parking lot view, does requesting "gazebo view" sound right? Would this request put us in a noisy location such as near the club lounge or elevators?

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[DCDisney]

I don't think you'll have an issue with noise at AKL. There are more than 1 elevator so that may be confusing. But anyway I really really need quiet too and on our last visit we had the very first room off the lobby by the gift shop and it was totally quiet. We loved that room location and had a nice view of greenery and pool but far enough from the pool that there was no noise from that.

 

[mmmears]

WDWKook -- all the CL rooms at AKL are on the 4th floor facing the Arusha Savannah. IMO AKL is a really quiet resort, so I don't worry about noise when staying there. IMO it's worth it to upgrade to CL at AKL -- from the great IPO office to the lounge and the chance to take the Sunrise Safari! You don't need to worry about the lounge noise, unless you're staying DVC. The lounge is on the 6th floor and the rooms are on the 4th.

The hallways are long, so I actually like being near the elevators, but I'm sure it's quieter away from them. Since your room will look out over the animals and not the pool area, there shouldn't really be any noise coming from that direction.

Hope you have a great time!!!

 

[PrincessLilly]

Hi!

I was wondering with the Grand Floridian Club Level - do they serve coffee all day in the lounge or only during certain hours?

Thank you!!

 

[jdd]

I'm not sure this is the right place to ask this question, but I'm wondering about tipping at the Concierge Level. We've never stayed CL before, and just realized there will be many more people "involved" with our vacation than in the past. Are there any guides out there about who to tip?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I don't think you'll have an issue with noise at AKL. There are more than 1 elevator so that may be confusing. But anyway I really really need quiet too and on our last visit we had the very first room off the lobby by the gift shop and it was totally quiet. We loved that room location and had a nice view of greenery and pool but far enough from the pool that there was no noise from that.

WDWKook -- all the CL rooms at AKL are on the 4th floor facing the Arusha Savannah. IMO AKL is a really quiet resort, so I don't worry about noise when staying there. IMO it's worth it to upgrade to CL at AKL -- from the great IPO office to the lounge and the chance to take the Sunrise Safari! You don't need to worry about the lounge noise, unless you're staying DVC. The lounge is on the 6th floor and the rooms are on the 4th.

The hallways are long, so I actually like being near the elevators, but I'm sure it's quieter away from them. Since your room will look out over the animals and not the pool area, there shouldn't really be any noise coming from that direction.

Hope you have a great time!!!

Thank you mmmears and DCDisney

I just called to upgrade and there wasn't availability for AKL CL using the -40% military discount, BUT there was for the YC where we are staying 8 nights. While disappointed, we are only staying 3 nights at AKL and we do have a savanna view. In the interim, I can check back with the WDTC to see if something comes available.

For a quiet location and non-parking lot view at the YC/CL-GV, I requested "gazebo view, away from lounge". Let me know if there's a better request. Since all my ADRs are already made, should I let the YC IPO know of my room request or do they not pass that info. on to the room assigner?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm not sure this is the right place to ask this question, but I'm wondering about tipping at the Concierge Level. We've never stayed CL before, and just realized there will be many more people "involved" with our vacation than in the past. Are there any guides out there about who to tip?

This is the right place and here are some tipping guidelines from the first page:

Tipping Guideline: Thank you to TheRustyScupper, for the following information (9/22/08)

"1) Concierge (and Front Desk) CM's can be fired for taking cash tips.
2) They are supposed to refuse up to three times.
. . . if you ask a fourth time, they take it
. . . but, they must immediately turn it over to a manager
3) The tip goes into a fund, and the manager buys donuts or coffee for all.
4) If they do not turn in the cash, it can be immediate termination.

NOTE: They can accept gifts of up to $75 value (like candy, doll, etc)."

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi!

I was wondering with the Grand Floridian Club Level - do they serve coffee all day in the lounge or only during certain hours?

Thank you!!

I believe they do. CanadianGuy posted this to the GF/FAQ:

All Day:
7:00am - 10:00pm
whole fresh fruit & beverages

He also specifically lists coffee as being available during breakfast and mid-day.

 

[scottmel]

I'm not sure this is the right place to ask this question, but I'm wondering about tipping at the Concierge Level. We've never stayed CL before, and just realized there will be many more people "involved" with our vacation than in the past. Are there any guides out there about who to tip?

When you firstdrive up the 'bell captain"who unloads your luggage gets a tip. he is not the guy that will carry it up, but simply unload and flag down a bellhop. I tip the bell captain 1.00 a bag or $5.00. then the bellhop who brings up my luggage i usually tip 2.00 a bag. Then mousekeeping 3 in the AM cleaning and 2 for turndown..

 

[jdd]

This is the right place and here are some tipping guidelines from the first page:

Tipping Guideline: Thank you to TheRustyScupper, for the following information (9/22/08)

"1) Concierge (and Front Desk) CM's can be fired for taking cash tips.
2) They are supposed to refuse up to three times.
. . . if you ask a fourth time, they take it
. . . but, they must immediately turn it over to a manager
3) The tip goes into a fund, and the manager buys donuts or coffee for all.
4) If they do not turn in the cash, it can be immediate termination.

NOTE: They can accept gifts of up to $75 value (like candy, doll, etc)."

Thanks! I didn't even see this on the first page...

 

[jdd]

When you firstdrive up the 'bell captain"who unloads your luggage gets a tip. he is not the guy that will carry it up, but simply unload and flag down a bellhop. I tip the bell captain 1.00 a bag or $5.00. then the bellhop who brings up my luggage i usually tip 2.00 a bag. Then mousekeeping 3 in the AM cleaning and 2 for turndown..

Thanks - this is very helpful. We don't usually use a bellhop, just carry our bags ourselves, so I wasn't sure about this. Also, are there two different mousekeepers that do the cleaning and the turndown? I usually have one envelope ready for each day for mousekeeping - didn't realize we should actually tip twice