Does anyone know if you can ask IPO to book a private cabana at TL for you or should I call and do that myself? Thank you! Also, do they have cabanas at the BWI pool?
Yes, they can do that for you. No, BWI doesn't have cabanas, only the monorail resorts do.
Hi -
I'm really trying to think of ways to avoid getting refillable mugs. If I bring older WDW mugs and thermos' can I fill them in the lounge to bring to pool?
I do plan on getting one case of water from GG for the parks.
I don't see why you couldn't do that, but you might get some stares from guests who think you're using the mugs from a past trip to get refills in the QS. The lounge has cans of soda which you can also bring down to the pool or store in your fridge and there are styrofoam cups with lids that you can fill to take with you.
So I had a wonderfully useless exchange with IPO.
My email to them:
Subject: Re: Introduction and Cali Grill ADR
Hello,
We are staying at the Beach Club club level (deluxe room) from June
27-July 1 (a gift from my wife for my 40th Birthday!).
Here is our info:
Leslie & Paul XXXXXX
Res # XXXXXXX
(other info)
We have been trying to get an ADR for two at California Grill on either
Thurs, June 28 or Friday, June 29, in the 7-7:30 range, but have had no
luck. (Only thurs at 5:30 or 9:30 and that is too early/late.). Do you
have any special concierge magic you could use to get us something? 
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Paul
Their reply:
Good Afternoon,
The only times we have avaliable is on June 28th, 5:30pm or 9:25pm. In
order for me to book either one, I will need a credit card to hold the
reservation. Please contact us at 407-934-1448. The office closes at 6pm
eastern standard time.
Have A Wonderful Day!
Gloria
Concierge Itinerary Planner
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
First, I was surprised that they weren't more personal (or personable) in the email, since this was our first contact with them. Second, she is giving me the same times I mentioned we could book ourselves. She basically could have said no, the times she has are the same, and doesn't have special availability. Just an odd exchange to me. Hopefully not an indication of the service we'll get on site! She did write back in less than an hour, so at least the response was quick.
Keep in mind that the IPO for any resort is NOT the same as the onsite concierges who work CL. Also, IPOs share multiple resorts, whereas the onsite concierges stay only at one resort. So you'll feel more "valued" once you check-in than you will now.
The IPOs use a from letter for almost all correspondence: Insert guest name HERE, insert guest dates HERE... you get the picture. So yes, it does come across as cold and impersonal. I assume they just don't have the time nor the training to instruct each IPO CM on how to personally reply to CL guest queries. I have also noticed that for some IPO CMs, English does not appear to be their native tongue and the spell check feature is often disabled
.
MM1 is correct that they don't have any special wands or spells they can cast to make ADRs magically appear. They have a system in place that will search for ADRs right at the 180-day mark which is nice. I once had an IPO CM email me that they couldn't get and ADR for me that I wanted, but that
I should keep checking online for an opening. I also once had a CL CM who told me that they couldn't get an ADR for us in the restaurant in the resort that same day. So, we went right over to the restaurant without an ADR and were seated within 15 minutes. CAG also has some limited seating available near the food prep. area (like a bar) that doesn't require a reservation.
Since CAG requires a CC, guests WILL cancel if they can't make it so the easiest thing to do is to either take the early ADR or keep checking the online system everyday for your preferred time.
if possible.
They will definately make your stay fun. Can't wait-only 66 more days
Just want to make sure I'm not overlooking any important details. 
