Concierge/Club Level Information - Part III (October 2010)

[west&east]

Booked Deluxe Room at BC CL for 12/16-12/22 using a PIN! I had been waiting for a discount and finally got a PIN in the mail the day I was leaving for a DCL Med cruise a couple of weeks ago. I took a quick break from my packing, got online, and booked exactly what I was hoping for! This will be my 4th CL stay and my 2nd CL at BC. After stays at AKL and WL, I really prefer the BC location. This year, I am taking my kids and will be sharing a room with a great friend and her daughter. The 5 of us will appreciate the extra space and it will be nice to share the cost of the room so we have some funds to do some other special experiences!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone. Just returned from staying cl at animal kingdom 5 nights and wilderness lodge 5 nights. Had a great time but noticeable difference between the two resorts. WL being far better, ak did not meet us for check in we were left wandering the lobby waiting for some one to take us up to check in, wl met us at the car. The staff were far more attentive at wl, talking to us help us make plans, the food was better at wl. More choice, more of it. It was my sons birthday at ak we had to ask for a badge for him, despite home bouncing into the lounge stating it was his birthday, even then they handed over a badge without even wishing him happy birthday! The closeness to the lounge made a difference, it was quite a hike in ak as we were on the fourth floor at the end of a long corridor, so being on the 7th made it far easier. Ak lounge was always busy, with breakfast time being the worst no seats available. Wl lounge was usually very quiet only a few families with lots of space. I would stay at Wl again in a heart beat, but not Ak (even with a great rate), we stayed there to take part in the safaris which were excellent, so now that we have done that there is no desire to return. Any questions feel free to ask

So glad you loved WL/CL. We had the same experience a few weeks ago and at Christmas and we will definitely be returning. Did you ever meet Randy, the CL manager? (He always wears a suit).

Just returned from WL and CL was great! We were greeted at the bus and brought right inside, our room was ready at 11:00. They wished my DD a Happy Sweet Sixteen and while we went to the park that afternoon they decorated our room with balloons and sent an adorable chocolate Donald all decorated for her birthday. Food offerings were great theyremembered everything we requested. We couldn't be happier with WL. Can't wait until next year!

What a great birthday for your DD. I found the Old Faithful Club staff to be wonderful, too. They were attentive and warm and we really felt like valued guests. And, the lounge was immaculate and always had available seating. Randy, the manager, is just wonderful. Did he ever stop by your table in the lounge?

 

[WsPrincess]

Just returned last night from 5 nights at the CR Atrium Club! Despite my disappointment with IPO, the CL staff was amazing! The trip was magical. We were taken upstairs as soon as we got off the bus. Paul checked us in and was so sweet. We were in 4840 which is a Theme Park view 2 doors down from the lounge. It was perfect. The view was amazing and so was the location. The CL staff was amazing. Paul at check in, Maggie and Carolyn through the stay, Bobby trying to help me change reservation, Nick for spending so much time with my kids and I just cannot thank them enough for all the kid and how nice they were. The breakfast, snacks and desserts were so tasty. Sad to say we never saw the evening appetizers since we had ADRs around 5 each day. We will for sure be returning to CR, especially with the kids being young.

I am working on starting my Trip Report but I told myself no writing on it until everything is put away.

 

[LBAK]

What a great birthday for your DD. I found the Old Faithful Club staff to be wonderful, too. They were attentive and warm and we really felt like valued guests. And, the lounge was immaculate and always had available seating. Randy, the manager, is just wonderful. Did he ever stop by your table in the lounge?[/QUOTE]

He stopped by several times and we always felt important. They couldn't be more helpful. Kash switched ADR's and found ADR's several times for us. They booked a Segway tour for us and they actually seemed happy to help! Mousekeeping was great too, even arranged my DD's make-up for her. Who would have thought?!

 

[brazilgirl]

We will be staying at BWI CL in January...at what point can I ask them to book my ADRs? I have already paid in full.

Thanks!
Kim

 

[WsPrincess]

We will be staying at BWI CL in January...at what point can I ask them to book my ADRs? I have already paid in full.

Thanks!
Kim

Since you are already within 180 days it sounds like I would send them your requests ASAP. They start booking for guests at 180 +10 so they can do yours now but you might not get all your first choices for places or times though they will do their best for you.

 

[brazilgirl]

Thanks! I have already booked some , just want to add one more!

Kim

 

[bluejasmine]

Just returned from WL and CL was great! We were greeted at the bus and brought right inside, our room was ready at 11:00. They wished my DD a Happy Sweet Sixteen and while we went to the park that afternoon they decorated our room with balloons and sent an adorable chocolate Donald all decorated for her birthday. Food offerings were great theyremembered everything we requested. We couldn't be happier with WL. Can't wait until next year!

Thats so nice!!! See I dont understand, I emailed POLY IPO twice asking if they could put those cheap balloons in our room and one of their cards and was told I needed to contact disneyflorist... I adore the Poly but wondering if I need to switch to a different Deluxe resort..

 

[mirage0306]

Just returned last night from 5 nights at the CR Atrium Club! Despite my disappointment with IPO, the CL staff was amazing! The trip was magical. We were taken upstairs as soon as we got off the bus. Paul checked us in and was so sweet. We were in 4840 which is a Theme Park view 2 doors down from the lounge. It was perfect. The view was amazing and so was the location. The CL staff was amazing. Paul at check in, Maggie and Carolyn through the stay, Bobby trying to help me change reservation, Nick for spending so much time with my kids and I just cannot thank them enough for all the kid and how nice they were. The breakfast, snacks and desserts were so tasty. Sad to say we never saw the evening appetizers since we had ADRs around 5 each day. We will for sure be returning to CR, especially with the kids being young.

I am working on starting my Trip Report but I told myself no writing on it until everything is put away.

We are staying CL at the CR next year. I would love to read your trip report! So glad you had a great time!!

 

[Disneymama5816]

Just returned last night from 5 nights at the CR Atrium Club! Despite my disappointment with IPO, the CL staff was amazing! The trip was magical. We were taken upstairs as soon as we got off the bus. Paul checked us in and was so sweet. We were in 4840 which is a Theme Park view 2 doors down from the lounge. It was perfect. The view was amazing and so was the location. The CL staff was amazing. Paul at check in, Maggie and Carolyn through the stay, Bobby trying to help me change reservation, Nick for spending so much time with my kids and I just cannot thank them enough for all the kid and how nice they were. The breakfast, snacks and desserts were so tasty. Sad to say we never saw the evening appetizers since we had ADRs around 5 each day. We will for sure be returning to CR, especially with the kids being young.

I am working on starting my Trip Report but I told myself no writing on it until everything is put away.

So glad you had a good time. We will be arriving on Tuesday! Thanks for the info!!!

 

[pmdeve]

Just returned last night from 5 nights at the CR Atrium Club! Despite my disappointment with IPO, the CL staff was amazing! The trip was magical. We were taken upstairs as soon as we got off the bus. Paul checked us in and was so sweet. We were in 4840 which is a Theme Park view 2 doors down from the lounge. It was perfect. The view was amazing and so was the location. The CL staff was amazing. Paul at check in, Maggie and Carolyn through the stay, Bobby trying to help me change reservation, Nick for spending so much time with my kids and I just cannot thank them enough for all the kid and how nice they were. The breakfast, snacks and desserts were so tasty. Sad to say we never saw the evening appetizers since we had ADRs around 5 each day. We will for sure be returning to CR, especially with the kids being young.

I am working on starting my Trip Report but I told myself no writing on it until everything is put away.

.

Thank you for your review. We will be staying at CR Club level for the first time in Dec and can't wait

 

[sto6917]

What would be an appropriate amount to tip a wait staff person(not concierge cm) who helped in lounge?

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Hello everyone!
AKL newbie here. Currently we are booked at a value and are thinking about booking AKL since the AP room discount offer came out. This will be the first time ever staying deluxe.
I am also thinking about splurging for club level. This will also be our first time for that as well—at ANY hotel.

A few silly questions…
What times can we get a beer?
Is there a limit? I mean, can we sit in there in the afternoon for an hour and have 4 beers a piece?
Can we take drinks/food back to the room?
Any pictures out there of the lounge?
Any info on the safari that we can book?
What section for the rooms in? Jambo house?

Thanks so much!

 

[swwake]

Hello everyone!
AKL newbie here. Currently we are booked at a value and are thinking about booking AKL since the AP room discount offer came out. This will be the first time ever staying deluxe.
I am also thinking about splurging for club level. This will also be our first time for that as well—at ANY hotel.

A few silly questions…
What times can we get a beer?
Is there a limit? I mean, can we sit in there in the afternoon for an hour and have 4 beers a piece?
Can we take drinks/food back to the room?
Any pictures out there of the lounge?
Any info on the safari that we can book?
What section for the rooms in? Jambo house?

Thanks so much!

Rooms will be on the 4th floor, savanna view. We loved our CL stay last year, but made little use of the lounge. We were out at the parks more than at the resort, and to be honest, it takes awhile by bus to get to and from AKL from almost anywhere in WDW.

However, the sunrise safari is worth the upgrade to CL. I highly recommend this. The safari was amazing - we saw and learned so much more than on the regular attractions. In addition, the brunch at Pizzafari was out of this world. Best meal we've had in WDW next to Cali Grill dinner overlooking Wishes.

Sorry I can't answer the other questions, as we really weren't in the lounge much.

 

[west&east]

Hello everyone!
AKL newbie here. Currently we are booked at a value and are thinking about booking AKL since the AP room discount offer came out. This will be the first time ever staying deluxe.
I am also thinking about splurging for club level. This will also be our first time for that as well—at ANY hotel.

A few silly questions…
What times can we get a beer?
Is there a limit? I mean, can we sit in there in the afternoon for an hour and have 4 beers a piece?
Can we take drinks/food back to the room?
Any pictures out there of the lounge?
Any info on the safari that we can book?
What section for the rooms in? Jambo house?

Thanks so much!

You can ask for a beer even if they are not out. We never asked for one in the morning, though! I don't think anyone will count the number of beers you drink unless you are rude or rowdy about it. We have always taken drinks and food back to our room either for a snack while we were getting ready for dinner, a nightcap, etc. The sunrise safari is as others have said, simply amazing.

 

[pmdeve]

What would be an appropriate amount to tip a wait staff person(not concierge cm) who helped in lounge?

I didn't even think about tipping? What is an appropriate tip for cm? There will be 4 adults.

 

[WsPrincess]

I didn't even think about tipping? What is an appropriate tip for cm? There will be 4 adults.

OK, now I feel horrible. We did not even think of tipping. There were so many CL staff members who helped us I am not sure who we would have tipped and who not to. Do most people tip?

 

[jackemail]

OK, now I feel horrible. We did not even think of tipping. There were so many CL staff members who helped us I am not sure who we would have tipped and who not to. Do most people tip?

The CL staff is not supposed to accept monetary tips.

No, most people don't tip. Some people show appreciation in other ways--they can accept small gift cards, and other goodies. We always bring items specific to our city, or things we are known for. Last trip I brought several bottles of BBQ sauce, gourmet chocolates decorated with scenes from Memphis, Elvis chocolates, and some locally made hand lotions. I put them in a couple of baskets and gave them to the staff to share.

 

[honeymo78]

The CL staff is not supposed to accept monetary tips.

No, most people don't tip. Some people show appreciation in other ways--they can accept small gift cards, and other goodies. We always bring items specific to our city, or things we are known for. Last trip I brought several bottles of BBQ sauce, gourmet chocolates decorated with scenes from Memphis, Elvis chocolates, and some locally made hand lotions. I put them in a couple of baskets and gave them to the staff to share.

Our last stay at AKV concierge we bought a big chocolate bar (like 2 ft long) from the Italy pavilion. We asked the CM at the desk if that would be okay to give them (in case candy wasn't something much of the staff liked). If they hadn't wanted it were going to take it home and find something else to give them. Of course, they loved it. When getting breakfast one morning the CMs in the kitchen area thanked us and pointed out where they were keeping the bar in the back so everyone could snack on it.

We have also ordered a cookie basket for the IPO staff when we had used the Platinum plan at CR and weren't staying concierge level.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I have had sent items from Harry&David when I have stayed YC CL....our first stay at YC CL the IPO was wonderful!

Just booked GF RPC for December! Hoping a certain CP narrator will also be staying there! LOL