concierge lounge hours - holiday season

[Tinkmom]

I was assuming that concierge lounges would be open late during the holiday season, specifically New Years Eve, particularly so guests at resorts with views of fireworks could watch from the lounge. That would mean that the lounge at Polynesian, for example, would be open past midnight.

Is that an incorrect assumption? Anyone know the hours for concierge at Polynesian and AK 12/30 through 1/3?

Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I can't speak for the lounges that close during the day or night when there is no food service going on. However from what I saw at the Polynesian when my family and I got to tour the lounge in the Hawaii Longhouse this past August, it should stay open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year even when the Cast Members have left at 10:00 PM. Plus I have read other threads of guests who claim they went to the lounge at the Poly past 12:00 AM and got some drinks from their mini fridge, which is an example of how it never closes.

 

[TammiMcMan]

As CRFan pointed out, some of the lounges are "open" all the time. The staff leaves at 10pm and they may lock up the fridge and turn down the lights, but you are still free to sit in the lounge and relax. I know the Poly and GF both have the open lounge and I'm pretty sure that the AKL is setup the same way. That's a good question about New Years eve hours though. My guess is that they do extend the hours and probably offer champagne. If you have a club level room booked, you can send an e-mail to the IPO staff and they can probably confirm any holiday specials.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As CRFan pointed out, some of the lounges are "open" all the time. The staff leaves at 10pm and they may lock up the fridge and turn down the lights, but you are still free to sit in the lounge and relax. I know the Poly and GF both have the open lounge and I'm pretty sure that the AKL is setup the same way. That's a good question about New Years eve hours though. My guess is that they do extend the hours and probably offer champagne. If you have a club level room booked, you can send an e-mail to the IPO staff and they can probably confirm any holiday specials

The last time my family and I were in WDW for New Years was in 2005 and at that time the Atrium Club did not serve any champagne or had extended hours. I guess it's because the CM's wanted to get home to celebrate with their familes. The only thing they were handing out to the guests were those New Years part hats and etc. Of course I can't speak for the other Resorts at that time, so maybe things at the Atrium Club have changed since then for New Years.

 

[TammiMcMan]

The last time my family and I were in WDW for New Years was in 2005 and at that time the Atrium Club did not serve any champagne or had extended hours.

Had it become full service then, or was it still "light"? Just wondering if maybe that had something to do with it. I can't remember when the new lounge was completed.

 

[ducklite]

Had it become full service then, or was it still "light"? Just wondering if maybe that had something to do with it. I can't remember when the new lounge was completed.

We were fortunate to be able to take advantage of a special discount and stayed 14th foor in January 2005 and the 12th floor was still "concierge light." I think that changed in later 2005 or maybe early 2006.

 

[BCV23]

I don't think the concierge hours change for NYE. At least I know they didn't in SL a few years back.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Club Floor lounges do not change hours.
2) Staggered CM scheduled hours are 6:00am-10:30pm.
3) That allows 1/2-hr before and after lounge service for prep and cleanup.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Well, it sounds like the lounge won't be staffed on New Years eve, but you can definitely still use the lounges that are "open" all the time. You could have a bottle of champagne on ice in your room and bring it down to the lounge, or make arrangements with room service to have food/snacks delivered and enjoy them in the lounge. I imagine that you wouldn't be alone doing that, especially if you selected the Poly.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Had it become full service then, or was it still "light"? Just wondering if maybe that had something to do with it. I can't remember when the new lounge was completed.

At that time they were temporarily on the 10th floor and they did not start the Hors D'Oeuvres at 5:00 PM and deserts at 8:00 PM until the January 1st, 2006. So while it was considered "light" in terms of the food offerings before New Years Day, the Cast Members were still working from 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM, the whole time we were there.