Concierge questions...

[LtlTee]

We are in the midst of planning our first Disneyland trip after many, many trips to WDW.
We have stayed concierge at WDW, and I am just trying to figure out how the concierge services at DL compare to WDW, and if it's worth the price.
Also, do all three hotels offer concierge services and are the services the same at each hotel?

Thanks!

 

[cjsmom5]

We have stayed concierge at the DL and the Paradise Pier. The recommendation for Paradise Pier is ... don't do it ...it isn't worth the extra money. And, we probably won't stay there again. It wasn't a pleasant experience, all around.

We stayed at the DL concierge and it was nice. I don't think the offerings are as extensive as WDW, though. In the AM at the DL we had a couple different kinds of juices, milk, cereal, bagels, cream cheese and some small danish as well as some fruit. During they day they had pretzels, goldfish and cookies out as well as some apples and oranges. In the evening they have wine (not sure about beer) and cheese crackers, vegetables, dips, cookies (i think) but it wasn't as substantial as I have heard about being offered at WDW concierge's. The lounge is nice, though. Has a view of downtown disney on the 11th floor of the sierra tower. You can watch the fireworks from the lounge. They turn off the lights and pipe in the music. It is very enjoyable. It is open until 10pm which is much longer than at Paradise which closed at 8am. They have pop, juice and water available all day long. They ask you not take more than two cans at a time out of the lounge. Staff were friendly and helpful. If you stay, be sure to request the sierra tower as it is where the lounge is located. Otherwise you can end up in one of the other two towers and it isn't as convenient. The lounge is on the 11th floor. We stayed on the 10th floor and it wasn't bad. Rooms are not as large as those in WDW, though. But, they are nice and just rennovated.

Haven't stayed at the Grand Californian...perhaps someone else can help there.

 

[Firefly777]

We stayed on the 10th floor and it wasn't bad. Rooms are not as large as those in WDW, though

I think that would depend on the hotel.

 

[cjsmom5]

You are right in regards to size. The DL rooms, at least the ones for concierge, are smaller than those concierge rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian at WDW. The DL standard concierge rooms, though, are a bigger than the moderate rooms at the PO French Quarter, PO Riverside, and Coronado Springs. Perhaps that gives you some comparison.

 

[LtlTee]

Thank you all for the info! That helps a lot!

 

[JC Butterfly]

but what other "services" does staying concierge offer?

meal planning?

do they make arrangements for anything off Disney property?

Can they help plan "special surprises" like for birthdays and anniversaries?

do you talk with the concierge staff at all before your stay or is it only available to you once you arrive on site?

 

[cjsmom5]

The concierge service at Disneyland is a bit more limited than DisneyWorld. Here is what I know they do.

If you call the hotel ahead of your stay ... they don't call you ... they will arrange any priority seatings for you that you want. They did several for Goofy's for us, Blue Bayou, Ariels, etc. We always were on Disney Property so I'm not sure about off Disney property. You could call and they would tell you.

You can call and they will arrange for transportation for you with the providers they use. We found some on our own that were much more reasonable and very reliable.

They definitely can help with special suprises and celebrations, on Disney property.

While there they will do what you need, if you ask them. I didn't find them jumping with joy to volunteer but at the DL Hotel they were always very responsive once I had a request. Not the case at Paradise Pier, though.