Concierge/Club Level Information (Sept 2008)

[addiesmom]

Wasn't sure where else to post this question, but this group seemed like the best place! We are planning a trip in September and I'm struggling to decide between Poly Garden View Concierge and AKL Concierge. Good problem to have, right? But it's driving me nuts! We've stayed at AKL before and I LOVE the resort, but we have never stayed at a monorail resort. Only location we've stayed concierge was Boardwalk years ago. I don't mind the buses or location from AKL, but then I've heard about crowding issues at the Poly pool...oh this is so confusing!

So my question is this...which would you choose and why? Many thanks in advance for your wisdom!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Wasn't sure where else to post this question, but this group seemed like the best place! We are planning a trip in September and I'm struggling to decide between Poly Garden View Concierge and AKL Concierge. Good problem to have, right? But it's driving me nuts! We've stayed at AKL before and I LOVE the resort, but we have never stayed at a monorail resort. Only location we've stayed concierge was Boardwalk years ago. I don't mind the buses or location from AKL, but then I've heard about crowding issues at the Poly pool...oh this is so confusing!

So my question is this...which would you choose and why? Many thanks in advance for your wisdom!

How long are you going to be there? If long enough, why not do a split stay? Than you don't have to make a choice. That way you could do AK from AKL and Epcot and MK from the Poly and DHS from whatever you feel like doing it from. Get to use the best of both worlds. How's that for a trip?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

That's great advice! We have 2 CL stays with our split-stay, and I don't think that either IPO knew that until I told them. Definitely don't assume that they know about any other reservations.

I will send them another e-mail and include our first check-in date! Thanks!

 

[juliebrooks35]

Julie, were you able to send in your requests early? Many folks send their ADR requests at least 2 weeks to a month (or more) ahead of their arrival date.
I realize sometimes folks don't know their plans, or their plans/dates change.

Good to hear the IPO worked to find an acceptable alternative! Have a great trip!

Thanks, I'm sure we'll have a fantastic time. Yes, I did let them have all my requests early. I had advised them originally at the 180 day mark last Dec, added to it at about 120 days and then reminded them again just before the 90 days came around. To be honest, I think the kids will like Ohana's better than Le Cellier and either fireworks cruise should still be a wonderful birthday experience so I'm more than happy. IPO are also going to deal with ordering a birthday cake to be delivered to the marina before the cruise.

 

[mmmears]

Wasn't sure where else to post this question, but this group seemed like the best place! We are planning a trip in September and I'm struggling to decide between Poly Garden View Concierge and AKL Concierge. Good problem to have, right? But it's driving me nuts! We've stayed at AKL before and I LOVE the resort, but we have never stayed at a monorail resort. Only location we've stayed concierge was Boardwalk years ago. I don't mind the buses or location from AKL, but then I've heard about crowding issues at the Poly pool...oh this is so confusing!

So my question is this...which would you choose and why? Many thanks in advance for your wisdom!

We couldn't possibly make that decision, so we're splitting our upcoming trip between those two CLs. So far, both the IPO offices have been great to work with . I can't give you a comparison until we get back, but IMO, 2 resorts are always better than one!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just subscribing!

 

[housetomouse]

It sounds like the CL lounge is going to be too crowded to eat in, so I'm thinking we'll grab some food and take it to our room to eat (unless there are tables outside the lounge where we could sit). When it's really crowded, is it okay to take food out of the CL lounge? Do they give you big plates or small plates? Paper or glass plates? We won't want to take a lot of food to our room to eat, but I don't want to be running back and forth to refill a tiny plate either, especially if our room isn't near the CL lounge. Any experience with this? Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It sounds like the CL lounge is going to be too crowded to eat in, so I'm thinking we'll grab some food and take it to our room to eat (unless there are tables outside the lounge where we could sit). When it's really crowded, is it okay to take food out of the CL lounge? Do they give you big plates or small plates? Paper or glass plates? We won't want to take a lot of food to our room to eat, but I don't want to be running back and forth to refill a tiny plate either, especially if our room isn't near the CL lounge. Any experience with this? Thanks!

In the past when my family and I have brought back food from the Atium Club lounge we just took it on a regular plates that they have out and put it all on a tray.

 

[addiesmom]

How long are you going to be there? If long enough, why not do a split stay? Than you don't have to make a choice. That way you could do AK from AKL and Epcot and MK from the Poly and DHS from whatever you feel like doing it from. Get to use the best of both worlds. How's that for a trip?

That is a good idea-best of both worlds! We are only staying for 5 nights this time and it's 3 adults. I was worried it would be a hassle to change/ move rooms, but I'm guessing concierge service makes it a breeze. To make this a bit more confusing, we are using the military discount if we stay at the Poly, but AKL didn't have concierge for that discount, so we were paying rack, but getting the free dining if we do AKL. (the cost is almost exactly the same between the two options) I had thought splitting the stay wouldn't be an option since it was two different discount types, but surely with a little pixie dust we can make it work! Maybe I'll have to make two seperate ressies or something...definitely going to call and find out. So thanks!!

 

[housetomouse]

In the past when my family and I have brought back food from the Atium Club lounge we just took it on a regular plates that they have out and put it all on a tray.

Did they provide the trays? Do you think other resorts would provide trays? Thank you!

 

[addiesmom]

We couldn't possibly make that decision, so we're splitting our upcoming trip between those two CLs. So far, both the IPO offices have been great to work with . I can't give you a comparison until we get back, but IMO, 2 resorts are always better than one!

Excellent way to look at it! Which resorts are you staying at? Do they help coordinate the "move" when you swap resorts? If it doesn't take too much time from the day, this seems like a great option! Thanks!

 

[blissventure]

We couldn't possibly make that decision, so we're splitting our upcoming trip between those two CLs. So far, both the IPO offices have been great to work with . I can't give you a comparison until we get back, but IMO, 2 resorts are always better than one!

Such a good idea! May I ask how long is your stay? Will one resort take care of all your ADR's, or did you split them? Any other advice to a potential split stayer?? Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[Tess]

Did they provide the trays? Do you think other resorts would provide trays? Thank you!

At the Polynesian, most people use the trays located near the coffee service in the room. It is a round black tray and can be used to help transport your items from lounge to room.

Years ago, there were the common orange or brown trays to take food to and from. Since the resort put the coffee service in the rooms, they did away with the plastic trays.

It is certainly not frowned upon to take food to your room to enjoy. At which resort are you staying?

 

[housetomouse]

At the Polynesian, most people use the trays located near the coffee service in the room. It is a round black tray and can be used to help transport your items from lounge to room.

Years ago, there were the common orange or brown trays to take food to and from. Since the resort put the coffee service in the rooms, they did away with the plastic trays.

It is certainly not frowned upon to take food to your room to enjoy. At which resort are you staying?

We'll be at the Yacht Club. Thanks for the help!

 

[mmmears]

Such a good idea! May I ask how long is your stay? Will one resort take care of all your ADR's, or did you split them? Any other advice to a potential split stayer?? Thanks a bunch!!!

We'll be at AKL for a few days and the Poly for a week -- I wanted to make it more even, but we got the 4/3 deal at the Poly and saved a bunch of $$$ that way).

I was told by AKL IPO that since both stays were CL, they could make all the reservations for me. I did end up using both IPOs, though. We always do a split-stay since we just feel like to get to experience more of Disneyworld that way.

If you do a split, I recommend staying in 2 different resort areas (like MK, Epcot, AKL) and if you are staying at different levels (like mod & deluxe or only one CL) then make sure you move "up" instead of "down" so you wont be disappointed.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Did they provide the trays? Do you think other resorts would provide trays? Thank you!

They were available in the lounge so anyone could get one if they needed it. However if they are not out just ask one of the Cast Members to get one for you.

 

[housetomouse]

They were available in the lounge so anyone could get one if they needed it. However if they are not out just ask one of the Cast Members to get one for you.

Thanks!

 

[livinlife25]

Does the IPO contact you to let you know that they could not get some of your reservations? How soon would be okay to contact them to see what they were able to get you?

 

[kathyfranklin]

I received an email with my itinerary at around 7:15 on day 90.
The e-mail itself said they had gotten all my ADRs.
I would imagine that they would have spedified any ADRs they could not get.

I really think that as long as you get them your ADRS before the 90 days, they will be able to get you what you would like. Good luck.

 

[mmmears]

Does the IPO contact you to let you know that they could not get some of your reservations? How soon would be okay to contact them to see what they were able to get you?

They sent me an emailed itinerary with all of my ADRs on it the day they were able to make them. The times were very close to what I had asked for (except for one, but that was because Disney was messing around with their restaurant hours, not because IPO didn't make the ressies on time).