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

[bluejasmine]

So is the general consenses is that it is better to do online check in even if staying CL?

Poly had always told me not to but thinking back on it, I do recall check in taking forever..

We will be checking in between 7 and 73. am which I emailed the grand floridian ipo b/c we want to check in as quickly as possible, grab breakfast in the lounge and head to MK for RD.

Do you think we would have a quicker check in if we do it online then? I do want to check in at CL tho so kids can go ahead and eat in lounge while I check in..

Opinions please!

 

[wallawallakids]

The green sofa in the CL rooms also function as a daybed, so each room sleeps 5.

There are actually 6 of us. 4 children, 2 adults. We are in a deluxe room which she said has 2 queen beds and one pull out sofa. I was wondering if they would allow a rollaway in there as well? I should have asked when I had her on the phone but I didn't think of it until after I hung up. It would be nice if they did have them so I could split my 9 and 10 year old up. They would prefer not to share a queen bed if they don't have to. Is that possible? Or are there no rollaways at the BWI? Thanks!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

So is the general consenses is that it is better to do online check in even if staying CL?

Poly had always told me not to but thinking back on it, I do recall check in taking forever..

We will be checking in between 7 and 73. am which I emailed the grand floridian ipo b/c we want to check in as quickly as possible, grab breakfast in the lounge and head to MK for RD.

Do you think we would have a quicker check in if we do it online then? I do want to check in at CL tho so kids can go ahead and eat in lounge while I check in..

Opinions please!

I've never done on-line check in before and we have always been taken up to the lounge (or our actual room in RPC) and I do the "paperwork" while DH and DS hit the lounge for a snack. Its never more than 10 minutes. We tend to check in around 11am.

 

[WDWKOOK]

So is the general consenses is that it is better to do online check in even if staying CL?

Poly had always told me not to but thinking back on it, I do recall check in taking forever..

We will be checking in between 7 and 73. am which I emailed the grand floridian ipo b/c we want to check in as quickly as possible, grab breakfast in the lounge and head to MK for RD.

Do you think we would have a quicker check in if we do it online then? I do want to check in at CL tho so kids can go ahead and eat in lounge while I check in..

Opinions please!

You'll be checking in pretty much when the CL concierges arrive (0700) so there shouldn't be many others checking-in at that time, but there could be some check-outs. It won't hurt to do OCI so my advice is to go ahead and do it, especially since Poly check-ins can be slow and OCI could only help speed up the process for you.

I tried it out at BWI/CL in March and we were able to check-in immediately (around 5:30). I didn't do it at WL/CL last month and we checked-in immediately there, too (around 0930). The only difference with OCI was that our credit card had already been processed online and I didn't have to give it to the CM at check-in.

There are actually 6 of us. 4 children, 2 adults. We are in a deluxe room which she said has 2 queen beds and one pull out sofa. I was wondering if they would allow a rollaway in there as well? I should have asked when I had her on the phone but I didn't think of it until after I hung up. It would be nice if they did have them so I could split my 9 and 10 year old up. They would prefer not to share a queen bed if they don't have to. Is that possible? Or are there no rollaways at the BWI? Thanks!

Oh, I didn't know you were in a Deluxe room. They do have a queen sleeper and two queen beds and rollaways are available at BWI. Just email the IPO and request a rollaway

 

[wallawallakids]

You'll be checking in pretty much when the CL concierges arrive (0700) so there shouldn't be many others checking-in at that time, but there could be some check-outs. It won't hurt to do OCI so my advice is to go ahead and do it, especially since Poly check-ins can be slow and OCI could only help speed up the process for you.

I tried it out at BWI/CL in March and we were able to check-in immediately (around 5:30). I didn't do it at WL/CL last month and we checked-in immediately there, too (around 0930). The only difference with OCI was that our credit card had already been processed online and I didn't have to give it to the CM at check-in.


Oh, I didn't know you were in a Deluxe room. They do have a queen sleeper and two queen beds and rollaways are available at BWI. Just email the IPO and request a rollaway

Great!!! Thank you so much!! My DD will be so happy.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Thanks for the advice mickeynut1 and WsPrincess. CL at the Contemporary is full, but I hadn't thought of the Poly. The theming there reminds me of the worst of the 70s, but the hubby has always wanted to give it a try.

Going to give it another couple of days before I make a change I might regret. After further research, it looks like all of the CL rooms at the Boardwalk have a daybed as well. Can anyone confirm that? Also, has the Kid's Club there reopened? I have an old guide book that says it was closed indefinately. I wonder if the theming and orientation is more towards an adult crowd? We were at the BC over Christmas, and my son wan enamored by all of the lights shining from across the way.

 

[sfbank]

adrianna-we have stayed concierge at the BW since DD was 4. At age 6 she started taking a friend every year. We have never felt the kids were out of place. The cast is wonderful. The first year DH & I met Nascargirl and her DH we took DD and her best friend over to the kids club at the Beach Cub one of the evenings we went out and it worked out fine. Since you have stayed in the area you know how close everything is. I think they will enjoy it and you will love the CMs at the Innkeepers Club

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for the advice mickeynut1 and WsPrincess. CL at the Contemporary is full, but I hadn't thought of the Poly. The theming there reminds me of the worst of the 70s, but the hubby has always wanted to give it a try.

Going to give it another couple of days before I make a change I might regret. After further research, it looks like all of the CL rooms at the Boardwalk have a daybed as well. Can anyone confirm that? Also, has the Kid's Club there reopened? I have an old guide book that says it was closed indefinately. I wonder if the theming and orientation is more towards an adult crowd? We were at the BC over Christmas, and my son wan enamored by all of the lights shining from across the way.

You're welcome . It seems to me that people either love or hate the Poly. We love everything about it, but I can see your hesitation because I would have a hard time booking somewhere that the theme/decor didn't appeal to me. As far as daybeds at the BWI, I'm pretty sure all rooms come with one .

 

[adrianna_sarah]

You're welcome . It seems to me that people either love or hate the Poly. We love everything about it, but I can see your hesitation because I would have a hard time booking somewhere that the theme/decor didn't appeal to me. As far as daybeds at the BWI, I'm pretty sure all rooms come with one .

Funny how two married people can hold such different views. We are able to stay at Shades of Green and do when it is peak season or there is not a mil disc being offered, so we will frequently get off the monorail at the Poly and walk up the hill to SOG. Without fail, when we walk through the lobby, he always says "Man, we have to stay here!" and I always reply, "Seriously???"

I mean no disrespect, its just not my cup of tea. But... it is his vacation, too.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

adrianna-we have stayed concierge at the BW since DD was 4. At age 6 she started taking a friend every year. We have never felt the kids were out of place. The cast is wonderful. The first year DH & I met Nascargirl and her DH we took DD and her best friend over to the kids club at the Beach Cub one of the evenings we went out and it worked out fine. Since you have stayed in the area you know how close everything is. I think they will enjoy it and you will love the CMs at the Innkeepers Club

This is reassuring. I wondered if the reason that the Kids' Club had closed was lack of necessity. I have left the decision in the hubby's hands, and once he makes it, I am going to quit stressing. It's not like it is my last trip to WDW or anything...

He has never been CL. The kids and I came alone at Xmas and were upgraded at the BC. Now I know what all the fuss is about! I want for him to have the best possible experience, so that I can get him to agree to it for future vacations.

 

[mickeynut1]

Funny how two married people can hold such different views. We are able to stay at Shades of Green and do when it is peak season or there is not a mil disc being offered, so we will frequently get off the monorail at the Poly and walk up the hill to SOG. Without fail, when we walk through the lobby, he always says "Man, we have to stay here!" and I always reply, "Seriously???"

I mean no disrespect, its just not my cup of tea. But... it is his vacation, too.

There's nothing wrong with you not liking the Poly. Not every resort is for everybody....that's what is so great about Disney.....there is something for everyone . Good luck deciding because I know how trying it can be to choose .

 

[MartyM]

I'm reserved at WL CL for 10-28 to 11-4.

If I have reserved through a TA, will I still hear from the IPO? I have not heard from them yet.

I'm having trouble getting a decent time for Cali Grill on 10-28, and wondered if they could help me keep a check on the open times.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I'm reserved at WL CL for 10-28 to 11-4.

If I have reserved through a TA, will I still hear from the IPO? I have not heard from them yet.

I'm having trouble getting a decent time for Cali Grill on 10-28, and wondered if they could help me keep a check on the open times.

I always use a TA and sometimes I hear from IPO, sometimes I don't. If they contact her, she always forwards me the link.

Since you have a reservation, feel free to contact IPO directly, using the WL IPO address. They will be able to help you with checking the Cali Grille ADR.

 

[mmmears]

I'm reserved at WL CL for 10-28 to 11-4.

If I have reserved through a TA, will I still hear from the IPO? I have not heard from them yet.

I'm having trouble getting a decent time for Cali Grill on 10-28, and wondered if they could help me keep a check on the open times.

I agree with the PP -- plus definitely don't wait until they contact you (since they may never). Call or email them to let them know you are coming. Sometimes they don't get your contact info and don't know how to reach you. Other times people just slip through the cracks. Either way, they have always been very welcoming when I have made contact.

 

[wallawallakids]

I agree with the PP -- plus definitely don't wait until they contact you (since they may never). Call or email them to let them know you are coming. Sometimes they don't get your contact info and don't know how to reach you. Other times people just slip through the cracks. Either way, they have always been very welcoming when I have made contact.

How do you contact them? Do you just send them an email with your information? If they do contact you, how soon do they normally do that and is that done by email as well? Thanks?

 

[Mousemommy1]

How do you contact them? Do you just send them an email with your information? If they do contact you, how soon do they normally do that and is that done by email as well? Thanks?

Send an email with your reservation number. You may get a generic response right away, but then an actual person will respond to you shortly after that. They only work until 6 pm though, keep that in mind...Oh, and they do work on weekends.

 

[Lehuaann]

How do you contact them? Do you just send them an email with your information? If they do contact you, how soon do they normally do that and is that done by email as well? Thanks?

You should receive an email from Disney Destinations or the resort itinerary office 6 months (or less) in advance. If not, contact them.

Assuming by your siggie you are staying at BWI - here is the email you need to contact them. They will send respond with a IPO form for you to fill out.

Boardwalk.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com

 

[wallawallakids]

You should receive an email from Disney Destinations or the resort itinerary office 6 months (or less) in advance. If not, contact them.

Assuming by your siggie you are staying at BWI - here is the email you need to contact them. They will send respond with a IPO form for you to fill out.

Boardwalk.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com

Great! Thank you. I will email them. So excited!!!

 

[turningleaf]

Just wanted to let you know we decided NOT to book WL CL as I was concerned about the renovation noise. We went for GF Sugarloaf instead, for a very short (2 nights) trip.

I did online check-in where I entered my cc details and also our arrival time (noon). It does say in the online check-in directions that you should proceed to the online check-in desk so I was not sure what to expect. Well we arrived at 1.30pm, and were met by a CM who walked us to Sugarloaf, directly to our room, no stopping at any desks anywhere. On the way he gave the standard tour speech about the resort and the CL amenities. We signed the papers in the room and the whole thing from the car took less than 10 min. I didn't even need to sit down.

I also emailed the IPO separately giving them our arrival time (I had ADR's to book), so not sure if this is a factor. But the check in was so quick I think I'll do online check-in again next time (if staying CL).

We requested a high floor and were assigned a 3rd floor room with no room above us - so we got that high ceiling which I love as it makes the room seem so much more spacious. We had a nice quiet view of the marina. I also like SL for the location near the Mousekeepers Club, it's just out the back door.

The lounge was very crowded on our first night, but table turnover was quick. I noticed they stepped up the table bussing during this time, someone was always actively patrolling to clear plates and clean the tables. The second day was much less busy though. Food was delicious and plentiful. My DH commented how much more relaxed he feels at GF than BWI (the only other CL we have tried) - I think it's because the food is replenished so quickly and the variety so plentiful at GF that he doesn't feel he has to wait for anything, unlike the BW they tend to be slower. I don't mean this to say they are slow at BW, but the staff at Sugarloaf is just quicker and more alert, refilling food, glasses, napkins, coffeepots, etc. at almost marathon pace, even as I noticed they were training new CMs as they did so. I guess could say BW is more sedate, which in a way is more relaxing and club like. Sugarloaf is almost cafeteria paced, although this did not bother me.

I really appreciated the juice and water we could grab on our way in or out. Some kids were refilling water bottles which I thought was a good idea. This is the first trip I did not pack any snacks for DD5, so I really liked being able to grab that cookie or banana for her snack.

I really didn't expect DH to like a particular resort so much to want to return to it again (stayed here 2 nights in March this year). I was pleasantly surprised when we met a CM on the grounds who asked us how our stay was going and DH replied "I want to live here!" He is already showing interest in staying at RPC some time. I never thought I would see it happen.

One last thing I noticed is how there are more younger people on the staff now. From the person who greeted us, the CMs at the lounge service and also the CMs at the desk. I rather like it.

 

[turningleaf]

The lounge actually has 2 floors -- most of it is on the 2nd floor, but there's a seating loft on the 3rd. You can enter it from the 3rd floor and go down the stairs to the food and drinks on the 2nd. Or take the elevator to the 2nd floor and enter from there. It's really convenient -- we stayed at almost the end of the hallway on the 3rd floor and it really was still easy to get to the lounge.

Thanks this is just what I wanted to know!