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

[emmysmommy]

One particular CM from BWI/YC/BC IPO told me that she could not send an itinerary with dining reservations for my entire trip - she could only send me just the days that I was staying CL at BC. No worries I told her. Another CM immediately emailed me ALL my dining reservations for my split stay and apologized for it not being done when requested. If I was asking for something outside the scope of their duties I really didn't mean to be a pain in the patootie!!

 

[BethA]

the CMs I have dealt with for the upcoming trip have also given me a hard time about checking on a few things for me. I tried to find out about them taking care of purchasing a park hopper for my son'e friend and they told me to call central reservations-they tried to get me to do most of the things myself and it took 4 requests to get an itinerary sent to me.
not what you expect

 

[WDWKOOK]

One particular CM from BWI/YC/BC IPO told me that she could not send an itinerary with dining reservations for my entire trip - she could only send me just the days that I was staying CL at BC. No worries I told her. Another CM immediately emailed me ALL my dining reservations for my split stay and apologized for it not being done when requested. If I was asking for something outside the scope of their duties I really didn't mean to be a pain in the patootie!!

I'll add to your confusion and report that I had already made all of my own ADRs prior to booking my August YC/CL stay so I didn't need any assistance from the IPO. However, subsequently I made a reservation for a non-CL stay at a different resort for December. I e-mailed the YC IPO and asked if they'd be willing to book the non-CL ADRs. They made them immediately, no questions asked

It must be their "new thing" because more than one cm has encouraged me to keep checking online. It just doesn't seem right. Part of staying club level is having someone else do the leg work of getting the ADR's especially now during the crazy free dining time. I'm not even doing free dining and I'm having such a hard time getting ADR's at my restaurants of choice. Just a bummer.. Oh well... I'm still excited about going.

To be fair I do want to add that most of the ADR's I requested they were able to fill, but it has been a few tough ones like Le Cellier and 'Ohana, that they tell me that I can keep checking on myself. It just rubbed me the wrong way, but I'm over it. I don't linger on things too long...

I received a similar response from the YC IPO regarding Le Cellier:

"Mrs. X,

At this time there are no openings for Le Cellier. Please keep checking
via the Internet from home or when you get here check with concierge."

 

[baler31]

Well, that was harsh!
I will say when we were trying to get last minute ADRs in June I called the regular Dining number and they said the system locks them out an hour prior to the ADR time. For example, I was calling at 6 PM. They were showing availability at 6:30 PM but they couldn't reserve it because it was less than an hour away. So they told us to hoof it downstairs becasue if anybody else walked up ahead of us they would get it.

We were also looking for last minute but I thought as CL resort guest it would have merited a phone call to the restaurant on our behalf. Honestly, we are not difficult guests with many requests, I believe during our 8 day stay we requested things 3 times including this dining request. Also, they were simple things, Diet Coke when it was not available, a bathrobe because we had none and were used to having those on CL and the one dining request.

 

[Briarmom]

the CMs I have dealt with for the upcoming trip have also given me a hard time about checking on a few things for me. I tried to find out about them taking care of purchasing a park hopper for my son'e friend and they told me to call central reservations-they tried to get me to do most of the things myself and it took 4 requests to get an itinerary sent to me.
not what you expect

The CM that's been helping me for our upcoming trip was helpful in doing a few things, but not getting park hoppers. I was thinking maybe they don't do that? But I do want tickets as soon as we arrive.

 

[baler31]

From Allears TIW page:

Thanks so much this is something that will come in handy for our upcoming trip in Oct.

 

[baler31]

My recent CL experiences at WL and RPC included phone calls down to the signature restaurants (within the hour). One CM at WL even walked us down to AP for our table to get us in on a very busy Sat night.
BC/YC/BWI IPO had an email for our BB trip awaiting us on our return from the GF RPC trip. Able to secure everything, including a LeCellier dinner at 7 pm. Made all dietary requests for the lounge and all it set.
GF IPO was just as outstanding also. Poly/WL IPO was lacking, even though the WL CL was outstanding.

I wonder if this is from new trainees/CMs or new protocol slowly coming into effect?

Will be at YC CL in 12 days. Will check and see my old friends.

I am curious to see how it seems when we return to RPC in Oct. The service for our May trip at the CR CL was not what I was used to and I love CR. Now, we had been away from Disney for approx 2 year due to my Mother's illness and caring for her before her passing, but we did notice quite a dramatic change from our previous trips.

Our IPO service before arrival was wonderful for the May trip and has been for planning the upcoming Oct trip as well so I have not had those problems that some have experiencedl.

I also wonder if this is a new protocol that they are exploring/seeing how many will complain

 

[MissLiz]

I haven't been told to check online for ADRs, but they did just say "Sorry, nothing available for your dates and times."

I did ask Poly IPO to make a reservation at Main Street Barber Shop for DD1's first haircut and they came back with "They do not take reservations." I asked again and said that I had read that they did now accept reservations. Again I got "They do not take reservations."

So I ended up calling and making my own reservation for her first haircut.

We booked our September trip pretty late, so I understand that dining is limited, but I feel like it's pulling teeth to get any assistance or information. I was going to have them get our MNSSHP tickets for us, but I'm thinking I'll probably do that myself.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Wow! That really is a shame to hear (read). I admit, I have changed my ADR's a gazillion times on line, but forward them to IPO to update my itinerary. So far the BWI staff has been great (far superior to what we experienced with the GF IPO). I wonder if it is a training issue?

 

[jetskigrl]

Poly IPO has been pretty good about making ADRs for me (the couple that I requested, the rest I did on my own anyway....but they did update my itinerary with them). I had asked if they could arrange to have stuffed animals in the room for my kids when we arrived (with us paying for them, of course). They just referred me to Disney Florist. Then when I told them I had arranged baskets from Memories by Betsy to be delivered and could they place them in the room, they said they could not guarantee that they would be in the room when we arrived.

They did book our Wildlife Discovery Tour and Fireworks Dessert Party with no problems.

But then on Monday I asked if they could assist with an anniversary surprise for my DH through Disney Dining and they never even answered that email

They have been really good for the most part but it hasn't exactly been the "we are here to help with your every need" that I had expected based on the description of their service and the reviews I have read. But I don't know if that is the CMs or the management that drives what they can and can't do. I don't have anything to compare it to though, since we have never stayed Club level before.

 

[ClareH37]

Re. the BWI/YC/BC IPO, I also wonder if it's a training issue or the same CM who perhaps is a little less magical than his/her colleagues?

I've dealt with those guys since 2006 and have never had any issues, they've been wonderful and have actioned any request for me, I'm a terrible 'tweaker' and on more than one occasion I've got them to cancel all my ADRs (over 14) and make different ones, then changed them back again , they've never given me the impression that I was a pain in the backside (even though I know I am lol), and even said to me they love it when I call them (my last trip was May this year).

This just doesn't sound right, I really hope it's a temporary thing - I'm at the GF RPC next year and my first (and only until now) experience with their IPO back in 2007 wasn't great so goodness what they'll be like if this is a new protocol

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well I have to say we have had excellent service from BC IPO. We had to change our whole trip after my dd broke her leg and they helped so much to make it a smooth transition.

I asked to have gift baskets made up from the BC Marketplace - no problem. They even helped order dd's birthday cake through CakeMan Brian! We have been thrilled with all the help they have given us and would recomment BC IPO to anyone.

 

[jetskigrl]

Poly IPO has been pretty good about making ADRs for me (the couple that I requested, the rest I did on my own anyway....but they did update my itinerary with them). I had asked if they could arrange to have stuffed animals in the room for my kids when we arrived (with us paying for them, of course). They just referred me to Disney Florist. Then when I told them I had arranged baskets from Memories by Betsy to be delivered and could they place them in the room, they said they could not guarantee that they would be in the room when we arrived.

They did book our Wildlife Discovery Tour and Fireworks Dessert Party with no problems.

But then on Monday I asked if they could assist with an anniversary surprise for my DH through Disney Dining and they never even answered that email

They have been really good for the most part but it hasn't exactly been the "we are here to help with your every need" that I had expected based on the description of their service and the reviews I have read. But I don't know if that is the CMs or the management that drives what they can and can't do. I don't have anything to compare it to though, since we have never stayed Club level before.

Update on my own post, LOL. I just sent another email as a follow up about the anniversary dessert for my DH and they emailed me right back and have it all arranged

Looking back on all my requests of them, I would have to say that the things that they could help me with far exceeded the things that they couldn't

 

[MattDisney]

We were never contacted by Poly IPO prior to our most recent trip. I made all of our ADR's on line so it didn't really mattter, however, I was disappointed since this is not how things have taken place in the past.

 

[lucyem]

We were never contacted by Poly IPO prior to our most recent trip. I made all of our ADR's on line so it didn't really mattter, however, I was disappointed since this is not how things have taken place in the past.

We have BC CL reservations for October. I have not heard a thing.

 

[bean bunny]

Hi Everyone I was directed here from the YC FAQ board. It looks like CL is still available for our trip in a week and a half and I'm considering the upgrade. While worth is of course subjective I'd still love feedback on what made it worth it for you personally. I'm curious also about food offerings. As vegetarians I'm not sure what's available in the evenings. TIA for anything you can offer!

 

[cyndisun]

Hi Everyone I was directed here from the YC FAQ board. It looks like CL is still available for our trip in a week and a half and I'm considering the upgrade. While worth is of course subjective I'd still love feedback on what made it worth it for you personally. I'm curious also about food offerings. As vegetarians I'm not sure what's available in the evenings. TIA for anything you can offer!

We've always stayed CL and for the first time I'm starting to doubt that decision. As Disney has cut back more and more on the CL offerings and level of service, it just doesn't make as much sense of us. Our main reasons are breakfast and water (even though we both dislike Evian). I know...

DH and I really try to watch what we eat so we don't go for many of the fried appetizers or cheese. We don't drink soda so that isn't a plus for us either. However, DS is 13 and eats all the time so maybe we will get our money worth.

If you like a glass of wine or beer before you head out to dinner, that is nice. And if you are around for the desserts, they are just okay IMO.

Many other (non-Disney) hotels really make CL special. Now that you can make your own ADR's online, we haven't really gotten much value out of their service.

I never thought I'd say this, but for our family Disney CL may not be worth it anymore.

 

[danielle782001]

Just back from our stay at AKL CL...As many others we stayed CL to gain access to the Sunrise Safari....The safari was amazing...Truly, a once in a lifetime experience that I recommend all that love animals and/or Disney to do....We were not all that impressed with CL on a whole...The food offerings were very limited....We would recommend to our friends to stay CL to do the safari but then move if they are staying more than a couple of nights.

One specific issue that I had; I cut my lip on a broken glass that was at the water station at the club. Nothing was done for me beside ME asking for a clean cloth napkin to apply to the cut. The CM did get a napkin for me. That is it! We were a bit surpised nothing else was done.

I think we might do it again in a couple of years.

 

[emmabelle]

We've always stayed CL and for the first time I'm starting to doubt that decision. As Disney has cut back more and more on the CL offerings and level of service, it just doesn't make as much sense of us. Our main reasons are breakfast and water (even though we both dislike Evian). I know...

DH and I really try to watch what we eat so we don't go for many of the fried appetizers or cheese. We don't drink soda so that isn't a plus for us either. However, DS is 13 and eats all the time so maybe we will get our money worth.

If you like a glass of wine or beer before you head out to dinner, that is nice. And if you are around for the desserts, they are just okay IMO.

Many other (non-Disney) hotels really make CL special. Now that you can make your own ADR's online, we haven't really gotten much value out of their service.

I never thought I'd say this, but for our family Disney CL may not be worth it anymore.

Just back from club level, two days ago and...

I have to say that I liked club level, but by the seventh morning, I was craving some eggs for breakfast, but couldn't bring myself to pay for breakfast when I could just suck it up and eat another bagel.

The only thing I didn't like about club level is that I felt I was always watching the clock so that we didn't miss out on the evening cordials. I just hate to pay for extras and then not take advantage of them.

 

[wdwfan]

Just back from club level, two days ago and...

I have to say that I liked club level, but by the seventh morning, I was craving some eggs for breakfast, but couldn't bring myself to pay for breakfast when I could just suck it up and eat another bagel.

The only thing I didn't like about club level is that I felt I was always watching the clock so that we didn't miss out on the evening cordials. I just hate to pay for extras and then not take advantage of them.

Did you enjoy BWI CL? For me, when I was there in the past, the cm's were absolutely wonderful. How did you find them to be? I'm not impressed with the service I have received from IPO so far. They can't make all the ADR's and today I was told that although they can purchase some gifts for my children using my credit card,the gifts cannot be placed in the room since my room could be changed up until the moment I check in, as per the email they sent me this morning. I used to be able to purchase gifts and have them waiting for my children when we first arrived, but no more it seems. If I don't enjoy my CL stay this time, I won't stay CL at Disney again. They're scaling back all the perks of staying CL.

I guess I have tepid optimisism right now. So we'll see....