Concierge level... Worth it?

[TRBelle84]

We know we are going to stay at AKL... but we've been going back and forth about CL. Do you think it's worth it? What does the CL get you that "Regular" does not?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Well it will give you preplanning assistance from the IPO. ( Itinerary Planning Office)
They will have a private lounge area where they serve food and drinks.
I would check out the AKL FAQ thread.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1633854

 

[TRBelle84]

Thanks Alic!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Kilimanjaro Club 7:00 am - 10:00 pm 6th Floor, Main Building
LOUNGE OFFERINGS


TIME OF SERVICE
SAMPLE OFFERINGS*

Morning:
7:00am - 10:30am
pastries, fruit, cereal & beverages

Snacks:
11:30am - 4:00pm
chips, cookies & beverages

Afternoon Tea:
3:00pm - 4:30pm
(Royal Palm & Sugarloaf ONLY)
scones, cookies, tartlettes, fruit breads, trifle & beverages

Evening:
5:00pm - 7:00pm
hot item samples, children's corner, crudites, cheese tray, beverages, wine & beer (champagne at Royal Palm & Sugarloaf)

Cordials & Desserts:
8:00pm - 10:00pm
assorted desserts and cordials

All Day:
7:00am - 10:00pm
whole fresh fruit & beverages

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Sunrise Safari
This tour is exclusive to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level Concierge Guests Only

A 45 - 60 minute in-depth safari experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (admission required) followed by a lavish African breakfast buffet at Tusker House Restaurant. This safari is offered on Sunday and Thursday to Concierge Guests staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The tour begins at 7:00 am on these mornings and costs $55 USD for Guests 10 and older and $27.50 USD for Guests ages 3 to 9. Prices include tour, breakfast, tax and gratuity. (Not included in Magic Your Way Packages)

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Club Level Concierge Amenities:

Available at *ALL* Disney Deluxe Resorts for Concierge Guests :
Nightly Turndown Service
High Speed Internet Access (access fees apply)
Bathroom Amenities (shampoo, conditioner, hand/body lotion, bath & facial soap)
Complimentary Fax Assistance
Complimentary Health Club Access
2 Adult-Size Spa Bathrobes (in-room use, additional robes can be requested)
Club Level Check-In from 7am - 10pm
Club Level Assistance from 7am - 10pm (tickets, dining, recreation, special events)
Advanced Itinerary Planning
Refreshments throughout the day in Concierge Lounges
Secured Key Access to Club Level Floors
USA Today Newspaper
Coffee Maker with Coffee & Tea Assortment
Iron and Board
Safe
Hair Dryer
Refrigerator - not stocked (available upon request at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
Library of Disney Movies at Concierge Desk
VCR and/or DVD Players in suites (upon request at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
CD/Clock Radios in Suites
Discovery Wildlife Excursion

 

[MickeyNicki]

I hope it is, we are staying AKL CL in Oct for the first time for both the resort and CL.

Having the chance to do the morning and evening safari that is for CL only guests is worth it to me

We have scaled back our breakfast ressies so we can use the CL food and a few dinners as well.

 

[mmmears]

Wow, Kelly! That's some great information!

I dont have much to add. It's really up to you if the $$$ difference is worth the services. For us, we really want to go on the Sunrise Safari, so it's worth the extra $$$ for our family to stay there. Also, the difference in price between a savannah view room and a club-level room isn't so much, IMO. At some hotels, the rates can be double -- then we really have to look and see if it's worth it to us (usually it's not!).

Good luck with your planning!

 

[peter1706]

I'd love to give you some tips on how to save on concierge but i'm afraid.

 

[TRBelle84]

mmm -- do you mind sharing what the cost per night difference is?

 

[mmmears]

We were quoted a difference of less than $50 per night, peak pricing. Check out the rates at allears.net -- they list hotel rates for different seasons and different room types. At some resorts, it can be a $300 a night difference, which is alot for a little food and someone to make your dining reservations, IMO!

With value for your money, it's such a personal decision whether something is worth the cost or not. For us, we dont have to go out to breakfast (saving both money and time), and that's a big plus with our travel style.

 

[Lmichele]

I think it is worth if for AKL. I will be there (club level) in December. As mentioned by a PP the price diference is not that much compared to other restorts. These were my main reasons for booking club level:

Savannah View
Advanced Itinerary Planning
Refreshments throughout the day in Concierge Lounges
Nightly Turndown Service
Complimentary Health Club Access
Club Level Check-In from 7am - 10pm
Club Level Assistance from 7am - 10pm
Sunrise Safari

 

[TPCShauna]

DH and I really enjoyed our CL stay at BWI and it is one of the resorts that is like a $300 difference between premium view and CL. I posted this note on the WL thread in response to someone inquiring about CL.

"I sent IPO a list of every ressie I wanted - all ADRs, tours, massage appointment, special Concierge trip at AKL. After they made the initial ressies, I sent any changes I needed and they took care of those as well. We had trouble getting DH booked for the Epcot Segway tour and they kept at it until they got it booked.

Once on-site, they switched around ADRs, booked a pedicure for me, had my pillows and bedding changed out (I needed hypo-allergenic) and got me some special cereal for breakfast in the lounge. They also picked up our packages at the hotel gift shop and delivered them to our room so we didn't have to do it ourselves. It was raining when we arrived and we remarked that we didn't have ponchos and asked where to buy them. They had Bell Services pick them up from the gift shop and deliver them to our room with our luggage and just had them charged to our room.

All in all, INCREDIBLE service. I brought ours a selection of tea bags from our local coffee/tea company and they really seemed to love them. I think they just appreciate being acknowledged."

We also enjoyed the turn-down service and the general friendliness of the CL staff. They actually seemed disappointed when we didn't need anything from them. Honestly, they were some of the best CMs I've ever come across at any Disney park or hotel.

Also, DH and I are not big breakfast eaters so the morning continental breakfast offerings were more then enough for us. The convenience of being able to grab a quick breakfast and head to the parks or take it back to our room to eat more slowly was just fabulous. It was also nice to be able to get snacks and drinks during the day as we were heading to or from a break.

I will say that we were on the DDP and did a TS dinner almost every night of our trip so we didn't partake in the evening wine/appetizer hour most days. Definitely factor that in when you are deciding on cost as it is not a value if you won't be using it.

All in all, the advanced planning, on-site service and easy access to breakfast and snacks made it worth it. I would do it just for the advanced planning and on-site service, but then again, I like to be pampered. The only reason we chose not to do WL CL this trip is because we are doing DxDP so would never use the lounge and my TA made all of our ADRs so I didn't need IPO. I will miss the service at the hotel but there is always next trip so I'm good with that for this one.

Having said all that, I would do AKL CL if it were me. Good luck in making YOUR decision.

 

[andys]

mmm -- do you mind sharing what the cost per night difference is?

I know this was not directed at me, but for late august a savanah view bunk bed is $320 per night, and club level (where all rooms apparently have savanah view) is $335 per night (before taxes). I can't figure why the incremental difference is so small.

That seems like a great value, especially for a family, just eating breakfast there alone is worth more than $15, and think of everything else you would get and the convenience.

 

[andys]

I'd love to give you some tips on how to save on concierge but i'm afraid.

Go for it peter, just put on flame retardant clothing!

 

[Dawn68PA]

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I think it's worth it.

 

[cogero]

I think it is a personal opinion for us it is worth it. We do like to spend time at the resort and we have met some great guests.

Then again we don't do the dining plan and some people swear by it just isn't our cup of tea.

 

[DesigningMouse]

The first year we went to WDW we stayed at AKL and had concierge, it was wonderful. One of my nephews was going to be leaving for the Navy shortly after we returned home and we were celebrating the b/days of my oldest and my sisters son. The first night we were there we all went to the lounge to just hang out and a CM brought out a cake that said "Thank you and Good Luck" for nephew. Total surprise and it really made us all feel really good that they did that for him. It was really nice to be able to go and sit and have a drink or a snack and the CMs were awesome. I'll never forget them, Don and Kenny, they were great. The food was always fresh and the drinks were always cold. I give it an A+++++. Now concierge at Contemporary....yuck! Anyway, go for it, I think you'll enjoy it.