Concierge Etiquette

[Ladyhawke10]

It DOES seem like most of the major infractions seem to occur most routinely at the Poly...though I haven't stayed there, I've stayed in WL, BC and AKL concierge and didn't really see anything that major. Once in a great while someone would pick up stuff w/ their fingers, or dip stuff into dips, take a bite, then dip it again for a second bite....not so good for others. But it didn't seem like the norm, it'd be like one guy doing it.

Honestly, I still can't wait to try RPC concierge (GF) someday soon. I didn't think the concierge service was worth the money for anything other than very special occasions when you want to feel pampered and having the use of that "special key" Mof the time I'd rather spend the money on fancy meals around WDW than concierge. However, RPC should be worth the money for the ambience, I would think. And I think I owe it to my favorite hotel to try concierge there at least once.

 

[mirlow]

Why is it that most people complain about concierge guests at the Polynesian? We have only stayed at the Polynesian and AKL concierge and to me there is a big difference in the attitude of the guests at two resorts. Why is that? Are there that many more concierge guests at the Polynesian? It seems like the more complaints there are about the Polynesian concierge guests correlates to the level of service and offerings going downhill as well
I do have to say on all of our visits to the concierge I have never noticed anything that really stood out. I've just noticed the cutbacks.
This upcoming trip we decided to skip the Polynesian concierge. We are giving the GF a try instead, but in a standard room. We will stick with the AKL CL. I love it there I'm not sure what we will do for our next Polynesian trip. You just can't beat the LV room from the Hawaii longhouse

 

[twinmomplus2new]

These threads always crack me up.... For the monetary differance between say a standard room at AKL and a club level room is huge. if people are just trying to milk the system. ( IE not buy meals) They could order room service and not be near the same dollar amount.


For Myself I one reason and one only reason only ease factor. I can not wait in a counter service line with my twin preschoolers. it is completely impossible. Breakfast in the lounge and room service or an off site drive thru for lunch/dinner. ( where they are strapped in thier carseats)

I will say I have seen this behavior a few times at AKL and alot at HRH. There was this lady last year, who just really rubbed me the wrong way at AKL. Every day she was there with her 2 sick, coughing hacking 2 and 5 year olds, terrible messes and just sitting. It was like the thyphoid ward...
Anyway one of my then 3 year olds wanted lemonade and there was none at that time of day and he was putting up quite a row. I calmy told him nope, there were Plenty of choices we will get some later, When it was put out. this woman who all week had been getting on my nerves came over and said, You know he can have lemonade. Tell the Cm's to get some from the back for him. And I thought He double L no. I politely told her, I was aware of that but he had enough to choose from. And she got very nasty. somthing to the effect of well you paid for the service he CAN get it. I think that is the attitude people are feeling here .

 

[DoomBuggyBabe]

Geez, why does it seem that "common courtesy" isn't quite so common anymore??? Kinda like common sense. Sigh.
Well, DH and I just booked concy at WL. Concy for the first time anywhere, ever. I promise we won't be rude or slovenly -- we like to make friends and keep them, LOL.
Oh, and we'll certainly keep an eye skinned for Booger Boy ... thanks for the warning!
Cheers,
Q

 

[Rudegrle]

OMG, I can't believe anyone would act this way in a public setting. People never cease to amaze me when it comes to getting something for "free". I have never stayed CL at Disney, but have stayed at other hotel/resorts equivalant, and would be shocked to witness these behaviors. I don't think I will be staying Disney CL anytime soon I could live w/ out running into "Booger Boy"

 

[Bracho]

For those of you that use the words "saving money" and "concierge" in the same sentence when booking your vacation... please!!! do everyone a big favor...book yourself into a parking lot view room at your favorite resort and buy yourself a nice meal... The concierge lounge is there to offer a snack, not a 4 course meal... and for those of you who think it's a huge buffet, please notice..."NO CONCIERGE DOGGIE BAGS"... man, people that do that are way past rude!!

I found my anti-flame suit and it still fits.. so have at it

And another thing.. if you don't dress in your P.J's to go down to 7-11 for your morning coffee, then stop doing it on the concierge floor... I'm not your brother or a buddy so stop trying to make me feel like family in the concierge lounge. Street Clothes people... give it a rest.... and no bare feet either, I have no idea if you have toe punk...

Man that feels MUCH better!!!

 

[cinmell]

I have stayed Concierge at WDW and on other vacations. I enjoy the extra amenities, but the food is always just a bonus. I never plan on it being anything else.
I agree with some of the other posts....if you stay Concierge at other hotels on non-Disney trips...then you have some sense of how people act. WDW is a whole other story. I have seen many posts on this board about how people are going to use concierge to pad their food budget. i.e...eat in the lounge,save eating at restaurants. I agree that WDW visitors feel they are "owed" more or something. I don't want to be flamed either but I am in the club that thinks.....don't stay concierge if you are doing it to save money on food. I have seen the examples of bad behavior people have listed here. I can't believe the people who horde.
anyway...the food just isn't that exciting to skip a meal over, except maybe breakfast. imho.
Concierge and being recognized for special events (bdays, etc) are the biggest instigators on these boards. Just think of all the posters who are mad over not getting something from the staff in recognition of their own event. but they expected it because they read about it here. ok, I am rambling.

I agree with everything you said.

 

[Threehearts]

I just returned yesterday from a long weekend in London with my nine year old daughter. We stayed at a LeMeridien in concierge and most of the guests were business travelers or subdued families. There was a gorgeous breakfast buffet and not only did people not overeat, they did not take extras to their room in napkins, push in line or fill their plates as if it was the "Last Supper". No one was yelling or making unreasonable demands of the staff. In fact, the background classical music was just the antidote to the frenetic day ahead of us. It seems that the rude behavior is very ramped up when you stay at the WDW concierge level. We are frequent guests at the Poly conc. building but these comments are bringing it all back to me. By the way, we paid the equivalent of Poly conc. rack rates at our hotel in London so everyone certainly could have felt entitled to "get their share" but of course, the mindset was completely different. We were in concierge for the heightened service and convenience of having a dedicated staff assist with our plans. I hope that the WDW staff is better able to communicate the concierge experience to the guests BEFORE they arrive. Perhaps an insert with the confirmation letter? Threehearts

 

[Lewisc]

When I first started to read this thread I was going to say that Disney should put more CMs in the concierge lounge. Anytime I've been in any type of lounge wine and beer were poured and given to the guests. I've never heard of people being able to grab a bottle and take it. The bottles are usually behind the person pouring. If people are grabbing all the food perhaps Disney needs to have a CM pass a plate or serve some of the items.

As the thread progressed it sounds more like Disney needs a bouncer at the door to enforce a dress code on people going in and to check how much food people are taking on their way out. I'd think a muffin and a cup of coffee to bring back to a spouse who's showering should be fine, a large plate to bring back for friends who aren't staying concierge isn't.

Part of this save money on food is Disney's fault. How many other hotels allow guests not staying in the concierge level rooms to just pay extra to have access to the lounge? I've read WL and AKL both allow for this. I understand you might get other amenities but generally concierge offers rooms with updated decor, special key access to the floor, better bath products robes and the like. People aren't paying extra just for the food. Having a rate for you to just get the food and drink doesn't help.

Disney probably has a lot more groups of people, multiple families and friends. Unfortunately people think resort amenities including concierge applies not just to registered guests but guests of the registered guests.

People who are looking to save money should use the refrigerator and coffee maker in their rooms. You can buy a lot of danish and drinks for the cost of the refillable mug and concierge service.

 

[ducklite]

I don't think anyone is saying there's a problem with bringing back a muffin and coffee to a spouse who's still dressing, or some cheese and crackers and a beer to sit on your balcony with.

On one of our trips to the AKL, our son came down with a 24 hour virus. Rather than having him infect everyone, we confined him to quarters in our suite and brought him some snacks and juice when we went to the lounge. The plate wasn't heaped and overflowing, just some crackers and fruit. I hope no one thought I was being "piggy".

I would never look twice at someone with a plate with a snack on it and a beverage that was leaving the lounge for their room. I would imagine lots of people do that. But the person who has several heaping plates with food dropping off, that's wrong.

Anne

 

[madalex]

I have stayed concierge many times at YC and AKL. Happily, I have not seen or noticed (or perhaps just not remembered) some of the more outrageous behavior described in other posts.

I will admit that we do use the concierge lounge for our breakfast meal and, as a result, I am often sent down to the lounge to get brekafast for the whole family (four of us) and then end up leaving with a tray full of food. For other meals, however, I enjoy eating out too much at WDW to ever think or want to use the lounge for such purposes.

I heartily agree that if cost is an issue, please don't stay concierge and then try to make up for the more expensive room by using the lounge as your meal plan.

 

[Candy]

I just returned yesterday from a long weekend in London with my nine year old daughter. We stayed at a LeMeridien in concierge and most of the guests were business travelers or subdued families. There was a gorgeous breakfast buffet and not only did people not overeat, they did not take extras to their room in napkins, push in line or fill their plates as if it was the "Last Supper". No one was yelling or making unreasonable demands of the staff. In fact, the background classical music was just the antidote to the frenetic day ahead of us. It seems that the rude behavior is very ramped up when you stay at the WDW concierge level. We are frequent guests at the Poly conc. building but these comments are bringing it all back to me. By the way, we paid the equivalent of Poly conc. rack rates at our hotel in London so everyone certainly could have felt entitled to "get their share" but of course, the mindset was completely different. We were in concierge for the heightened service and convenience of having a dedicated staff assist with our plans. I hope that the WDW staff is better able to communicate the concierge experience to the guests BEFORE they arrive. Perhaps an insert with the confirmation letter? Threehearts

I live in london and i have booked b c concierge reading these threads i am not so sure i have done the right thing. as the only knowledge i have is that of staying at concierge level in london hotels.which have always been very refined.the idea of having to be at the door of the lounge when it opens in order to have some food before it runs out.is not my idea of concierge.can anyone who has stayed at the b c tell me do the c m put more food out when theitems need refilling. or is it just a case of when its gone its gone.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I can say staying concierge at both the Swan and Poly, the Swan definitely has a better system. There are CM's in the lounge at all times and they make you sign in, I'm assuming as confirmation that you are a concierge guest. I think the Disney resorts should start doing the same thing because having families make an entire meal out of the concierge lounge isn't fair to those of us who know how to use it properly.

 

[leighe]

I don't understand how people can think that paying for a concierge room can help them "break even" with meals? I'm pretty sure that what DH and I spend on food most days (including a sit-down meal or character meal) is still less than what we would pay to upgrade to concierge at most Disney resorts? DH and I stay concierge on lots of his trips to other places but we never have yet at WDW. I just like to shop too much - I love knowing I can buy about whatever I want while on vacation with the money saved from not staying concierge.

We did used to stay Poly CL sometimes with my parents when I was still livign at home. The most shocking thing I have ever seen was a little girl (probably about 2) pulling a can of chocolate sryup off of one of the serving tables - right on to her head and all over the floor. Her mother looked up and then snapped at the CM - "Look what she's doing! Pay more attention!" and then went right back to her magazine! The only reason there was even syrup out was because this same mother had requested sundaes for her darlings - her other two little boys were terrors also. She used the lounge like a babysitting service!

 

[Harambe]

My dad recently passed away, leaving me a very small chunk of money. DH and I decided we would use it to splurge at AKL in a one-bedroom suite. It comes with concierge and I was so looking forward to that. After reading this thread, I'm feeling really bad.

It's a shame people only think of themselves (the people with the grocery bags! OMG!). I thought the conceirge would be a nice, homey place where you might meet other families with kids that your kids could hang out at the pool with, etc.

I'm still hoping it will be a nice experience for us. The way we do the parks, we won't be at AKL much, but I always plan one "resort day" and I was planning to use the lounge that day. We would never be able to afford this every year.

 

[MickeyFlirt]

I have had people tell me concierge isn't worth it for me since I spend so much time in the park and will not be able to spend enough time in the lounge, but I don't book CL for the lounge I book it for the service and ammenities the lounge is just always an extra bonus that we use early in the morning and sometimes in the afternon. I have am going to be staying in AKL in June and have been debating on whether or not to stay CL, but b/c I would not be guaranteed a savanna view, now I am wondering b/c of all that has been said.
I wish people would understand you can eat some very nice meals at WDW for cheaper than you are spending on CL, please don't book it for free food and drinks.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Concierge is worth it for our family because we start every morning with a good breakfast which probably pays for itself right there since there is myself, my DH and my two teenage sons. If we bought breakfast in the park for the 4 of us I can imagine what the cost would be. I also like to have off days from the parks and use those days to spend at the hotel to the club amenities are definitely worth it. In the evenings my DH and I enjoy going for cordials and drinks in the evening. So for our family the extra $$ for this is very much worth it.
It's also nice that the front desk takes care of all of my PS arrangements.

 

[Julia M]

OMG,

I just booked the Poly concierge for our December trip. This is a splurge for us, as we usually exchange our timeshare.

I had no expectations of "eating our way" through the extra cost, but rather, some extra space, so dh could watch tv while we came back and napped, the feeling of indulgence (watching fireworks while having a cordial) and so on. Even with three kids, I had no expectations of really getting my money's worth........I told dh it would be cheaper to order room service for b'fast and have some drinks in the bar!

Now I'm starting to get stressed.........I really won't be happy if I feel that instead of enjoying concierge, I'll feel that I'm "slumming". There's still enough time, I could probably change back my ressie.

Is concierge a mistake??

Julia

 

[thelees385]

Our experience with the Poly Concierge was wonderful. We were there last year from July 5-10. The lounge was quite crowded at times and there were lots of children (especially in the mornings). I have 2 dd's (10 & 4) myself. We frequented the lounge, but in no way did we or anyone else, that I noticed, overindulge or take large amounts of food or drinks from the lounge. Everyone in the lounge seemed well behaved and courteous of others. My husband and I, as did most of the other parents I saw, assisted the children with their food. The majority of the children (my 2 included) all gathered around the kids' table and watched cartoons every morning and I didn't think it offended anyone. After a couple of days many of the children knew each other and had made friends. The parents usually sat at a nearby table and kept an eye on the children.

We usually stopped in each morning before heading to the parks. If we came back from the parks later in the afternoon, we might stop and grab a coke and cookie and head to the room for a rest. If we were at the resort when the evening service or desserts were out, we usually stopped in then also. I hope that this was not considered poor etiquette because we were possibly in the lounge several times over the course of the day.

I hope I dont' get flamed for this, but I just wanted to present another side.
Concierge service encompases many things. I've never used the Concierge staff to arrange priority seatings or ask for anything special from them, but I may do so in the future. However, would it be considered any more a case of poor etiquette to have the Concierge Staff plan 3 PS for you everyday of your stay than it would be to visit the Concierge Lounge 3 times a day for food? I don't see a problem with choosing Concierge Service just for the food alone, even if you could fare better by dropping Concierge Service and eating elsewhere. Some may choose Concierge just for the PS planning, the robes, the location of the buidling, the special check-in location, etc.

It took me a while to compose this message and I considered not submitting it at all because I am definitely not a person who likes to "stir things up". I 'm just pointing out another view and I hope I have not offended anyone. My family and I loved staying concierge and are planning to be back this there this July.

 

[areno79]

Wow, I can't believe the behavior some of you have witnessed! It just goes to show money doesn't buy class
I'm sorry, but I'd be complaining to management for having to put up with that kind of behavior...especially from Booger Boy!!