Concierge level worth it?

[ConcKahuna]

They also have the IPO offices, wich are nice for pre-booking stuff as you don't have to call frequently to make the reservations yourself.

And depending on your resort, some of the IPO offices do have "Wait lists" for restaurants like CRT (although I think it's just the 3 MK resorts).

 

[cara loves the poly]

1) This is a question frequently asked.
2) For monetary payback, Club Level IS NOT worth the added cost.
3) What you get cannot equal the added costs.
4) But, some people enjoy Club Level
. . . they can make ADR's for you *
. . . you can get turn-down service, but any Deluxe Resort room can get this
. . . the lounge has snacks and drinks
5) It all boils down to personal choice.


* Club Level staff will make ADR's for you, but they cannot get hard-to-get ressies any better than you can. They DO NOT have a special "in" for ADR's. They can sometimes get a last-minute ADR at their own resort for booked restaurants, but no special inroads at other eateries.

hmmm, not to sure about not having "special" "in's", when we arrived, Chef Mickey's was suppose to be our first ADR, they had us down for a couple of nights later, I was REALLY upset, and poof, we had a reservation at 6:00 PM. (Poly concierge)

 

[Tiffany]

It's my hubbies 50th b-day and our anniversary on our next trip. We're thinking of splurging for a conierge level room. Are they worth it for two adults? Does the investment make your trip better? Are the rooms different then the standard rooms?

Has anyone stayed at the Wilderness Lodge concierge level? I would like to hear about other resorts as well.

I would also love to hear about any other thoughts on how to make our trip special - and especially his birthday special.

Thanks

Well, it is just my husband and I and we have stayed concierge at the AKL twice and will be staying for our third time this coming Sept. Is it worth it? Only you will be able to answer that. They will make your ADRs for you and if you are staying at the AKL concierge you can sign up for two tours, the Sunrise Safari and the Sunset Safari. Both are additional costs but they are only open to AKL Concierge guests. The standard sized concierge rooms are no larger than the regular rooms but you get access to the concierge lounge on the 6th floor. The lounge offers snacks during the day, continental breakfast foods in the morning and finger foods in the evening. These are not intended to be meal replacements.

You will be greeted at the door and taken upto your room if it is ready to up to the concierge lounge to check in if your room is not ready yet.

Is it worth it? To us the added cost of the room and tours fits into our vacation budget so it is worth it to us. If the additional cost of the room is going to cause you to stress over finances then I would not recommend you book it, if the additional cost is going to cause you to try and "justify" the additional cost I would not recommend it, but if the additional cost fits into your budget then go for it and enjoy.

 

[Grandma Debby]

We are going back and forth about concierge and was wondering if anyone has taken advantage of "ability to participate in the Wildlife Discovery Excursion - offered only to a limited number of Club Congiere-level guests for an additional fee"

 

[SeaSpray]

We are going back and forth about concierge and was wondering if anyone has taken advantage of "ability to participate in the Wildlife Discovery Excursion - offered only to a limited number of Club Congiere-level guests for an additional fee"

We're interested in this too, so I hope some other DISers reply here In the meantime, here's what I found on All Ears: http://allearsnet.com/tp/ak/wildexcursion.htm

 

[Scouter37]

I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge (standard room) and the Polynesian Conceirge and would definetlysay that concerige is woth it.

 

[Cool-Beans]

1) This is a question frequently asked.
2) For monetary payback, Club Level IS NOT worth the added cost.
3) What you get cannot equal the added costs.
4) But, some people enjoy Club Level
. . . they can make ADR's for you *

So can Disney Dining, it is just a matter of dialing a different number. And Disney Dining answers the phone, makes the reservation and gives you the confirm #, all in one call. No calls back, no multiple emails. Bing, bang, boom. Done. Even when I stayed in club level rooms, I called Disney Dining.

. . . you can get turn-down service, but any Deluxe Resort room can get this

As you say, everyone can get it. It just doesn't have to be requested in the club level rooms. I never cared about it and actually prefer not to have it. I like to flop down on the bed when I get back and not get everything dirty.

But if you enjoy having your bed turned down and don't want to bother having to ask them to do it...club level is great for that.

. . . the lounge has snacks and drinks

If you happen to be there while they are serving them, that's nice. But if you make a stop at the grocerty store, you can pick up snacks that you love and pop you like (even if it is Diet Pepsi) and have exactly what you want, there in the room, without having to walk down the hall. Better.

The one and only thing I miss about staying in club level rooms is that they deliver park purchases to the room - no stopping in the gift shop or standing in line. But I sure as hell am not willing to pay those guys over $100 a day to bring me my bags. I just shop less, which is a good thing, anyway.

 

[Mayl]

Do you all realize the cost of the services for the conciege level run about $3.00 per per , per day

Yet you pay ohh about 500% more for that.

Been in hotels as a GM for 20 years. Concierge level is a huge money maker for the hotels. You get NOTHING that justifies the cost. Plus the "services" can all be had at the front desk for the most part

You want to pay all that money for a .37 cent piece of french toast? It is not costing more then that and it is frozen and bought from a major US vendor..

Sorry folks but don't put the pixie dust in your eyes and pretend otherwise

 

[SeaSpray]

Do you all realize the cost of the services for the conciege level run about $3.00 per per , per day
Yet you pay ohh about 500% more for that.

Been in hotels as a GM for 20 years. Concierge level is a huge money maker for the hotels. You get NOTHING that justifies the cost. Plus the "services" can all be had at the front desk for the most part

You want to pay all that money for a .37 cent piece of french toast? It is not costing more then that and it is frozen and bought from a major US vendor..

Sorry folks but don't put the pixie dust in your eyes and pretend otherwise

Do YOU realize that it's not always about the cost, for everyone?? We love concierge at the Polynesian, for many reasons, NONE of which are related to what you get "for the cost". Not everything can have a price put on it Some things truly are...(to quote a popular commercial...)... "priceless".



Do you honestly think that ANYONE who stays concierge/club level thinks that the individual amenities add up to the cost difference?!??!

SORRY, but try getting the dollar signs out of YOUR eyes.....


P.S. You obviously know nothing about Disney concierge/club levels because there's no french toast, frozen or otherwise, in any of the lounges.

 

[RachelTori]

Do YOU realize that it's not always about the cost, for everyone?? We love concierge at the Polynesian, for many reasons, NONE of which are related to what you get "for the cost". Not everything can have a price put on it Some things truly are...(to quote a popular commercial...)... "priceless".



Do you honestly think that ANYONE who stays concierge/club level thinks that the individual amenities add up to the cost difference?!??!

SORRY, but try getting the dollar signs out of YOUR eyes.....


P.S. You obviously know nothing about Disney concierge/club levels because there's no french toast, frozen or otherwise, in any of the lounges.

I "second" that! Well said, Terry.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Do YOU realize that it's not always about the cost, for everyone?? We love concierge at the Polynesian, for many reasons, NONE of which are related to what you get "for the cost". Not everything can have a price put on it Some things truly are...(to quote a popular commercial...)... "priceless".



Do you honestly think that ANYONE who stays concierge/club level thinks that the individual amenities add up to the cost difference?!??!

SORRY, but try getting the dollar signs out of YOUR eyes.....


P.S. You obviously know nothing about Disney concierge/club levels because there's no french toast, frozen or otherwise, in any of the lounges.

I also agree with what you said and a lot of the reasons you mentioned is why my family and I enjoy staying on a Club Level floor or building. For us it makes our time at WDW so much easier with having the lounge for breakfast right there and a lot of other things which also helps us.

 

[MissionMouse]

We're thinking of splurging for a conierge level room. Are they worth it for two adults?

You have already read the other responses which cover both yes and no. Worth is a matter of your budget, personal expectations and value coupled with the utilization of the club offerings. If you are using a calculator then the answer is very clear and you should never pay rack rate. Typically, I have found if you are asking others if it is worth it with all the information about club offerings readily available the answer is normally no.

Does the investment make your trip better?

It is an expense, not an investment. We have small children and find the club experience to provide convienece (snacks/drinks) and comfort (break away from the crowds) to make our trip more enjoyable....this is our return.

Are the rooms different then the standard rooms?

Same rooms but you have a club lounge as an "extension" of your room. Normally have level or building security card access absent from other components of a resort. The club locations along with assigned rooms are normally above average.

 

[DLBDS]

I've stayed on the WL CL and really enjoyed it. We enlisted the services of the staff a few times. They aren't very personable but are professional. We never dealt with any rude CMs. I can't tell you what a relief it is not to have to run around for dinner ADRs every night! After a long day in the parks, we mosey on back to the WL for a great dinner (anyone who says you can't make a meal out of the dinner offerings is crazy) and the desserts are wonderful. Anytime you need a snack all you have to do is go to the OFC (Old Faithful Club). You don't have to bring snacks from home or pick them up on your way in from the airport. Is it worth it just for the food? IMO...YES. Having the food there enables you to really relax and enjoy your vacation without running from one ADR or CS to another 2-3 times every day. (Obviously, we ate inside the parks while there and had a couple of ADR dinners. We ate more at the OFC though.)

I've done the Wildlife Excursion. It was informative but it helps if there are more adults on the tour asking questions. Kids tend to dumb-it-down and then it's just 'eh'. Sometimes the animals cooperate and sometimes they don't. If things aren't clicking just right, the tour can kinda be boring. I wouldn't do it again. The most eventful thing for us.....a rhino blocked our path and we had to wait it out for several minutes. The rhino won that standoff. We had to back up, turn around and go another way. It was pretty cool though. The guide said she/he had only done that once or twice before.