Concierge service: MUCH more than meets the eye!

[SeaSpray]

For a long time I was one of those people who couldn't figure out, aside from the lounge food offerings, why anyone would choose to pay for concierge, especially in my case since I LOVE to research and book PSs and other special things myself.

Eventually I realized that concierge could be good for our family; with 2 teen boys the availability of snacks and drinks during the day would be a great convenience. I also like knowing ahead of time exactly what floor and/or longhouse and view we'll have. I like being able to choose exactly what I want. So, for our upcoming trip we will be at the Wilderness Lodge concierge and then the Polynesian concierge.

However, I am now SO thrilled about something that I just had to post about it!!!!!

We will be in WDW for our anniversary this year. For that part of our trip we'll be at the Polynesian, concierge. I decided that I wanted a special anniversary cake, as a surprise for my husband. We saw the special about the "Fairytale Weddings" and both liked the wedding cakes created at the Grand Floridian. I called the Polynesian resort today and they told me that while they can create a wedding cake for us, it wouldn't have the fondant, which is what I want. So, I called the Grand Floridian bakery and spoke to a wonderful CM named Ellen who was very helpful and suggested that I order a 6" cake (she said the cake is 4 layers, and will be plenty for 4 people!), then she described the different things I could add, such as topper, cake flavors, cake fillings, decoration, etc.

Ok, so all set on the cake... Now what...? I had read over on the Restaurants Board that if you order something from the GF Bakery, it MUST be either picked up personally, or eaten at a restaurant at the GF. How do I get the cake from the GF (they don't deliver), to either our room at the Polynesian, or better yet, have it delivered to our table at 'Ohana after dinner...??

I emailed Tara who is one of the concierge itinerary planners and she just emailed me back saying that not only will they go and pick up the cake from the Grand Floridian for me, they will deliver it, so I can surprise DH, at 'Ohana!!!

Let me tell you, that alone is worth what we are paying for concierge! DH LOVES to be surprised, and I know there was no way that I could go to the GF myself and hide the cake!

So in case anyone is wondering, there is MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE when it comes to the personalized service you will receive when you stay at a concierge room at Disney World!!!!!!!!!!

 

[triplefigs]

That's great! I hope you have a terrific anniversary. We had our honeymoon at the Poly, and we just loved it. We will be at WL during Christmas, and I'm debating upgrading to Concierge for our stay. We have 2 rooms, so it would be a little expensive. Trying to decide if the extra cost would be worth it with our triplets (they'll be 5 when we go and don't eat much food).

Enjoy the cake and Happy Anniversary early!

 

[monorailsilver]

That is super & I am sure your husband will be so surprised.

I haven't done concierge (yet) since it is usually just my husband & me going & we don't like to eat all day (but by the looks of us you would disagree!) & we like to eat a certain places.

Our summer trip this year will not be concierge & I doubt our summer trip in 3 years from now will be either.

We have 2 kids a girl who will be 4 in a few months and a son who is 18 months old. He eats (but you can't tell by his 18 lb frame) & my daugter just picks (which you can tell by her 30 lb frame) so we know in 3 or 4 trips from now concierge will be worth it just for our son & his eating habits assuming he outgrows his dairy allergy.

Oh & it will be at the Poly when we do. I see you are going in July, when? We will be at the Poly the 19th-26th.

Kerri

 

[TammiMcMan]

There are some things that the concierge staff do that you just can't put a value on. I'm so glad you are having such a good experience.

Tammi

 

[kirbsam]

Hey Seaspray, hope your dh doesn't read your post. would spoil the surprise. I agree with all you wrote about concierge. For us, the convenience is worth it. Getting a snack or drink anytime. Wandering home from the parks and grabbing a bite to eat. Grabbing a cocktail, on our way down to the pool for an evening swim. Grabbing breakfast while others are getting ready in the morning. Definately worth it.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Well I hope you have better luck than I did with the cake I ordered. It was supposed to be delivered to our table at Ohana for my dh's birthday and it never came. I was so sad and mad I didn't know what to do. We weren't staying concierge, just in a garden view room, so maybe that was the problem. I had made 4-5 phone calls to get it all arranged, but something must have gone wrong. Luckily they reimbursed my credit card, but dh never did get a birthday cake that year.

 

[SeaSpray]

Erika:

I'm sorry that happened to you What a disappointment it must've been. Was it a cake from the GF Bakery? I spoke to the same people that make the actual wedding cakes, and they noted that Polynesian concierge will be picking it up, so I'd hope that even if concierge forgot, someone at the GF bakery would make a call to find out what the situation was. Then again, I think I'll make SURE that day that SOMEONE will be responsible for getting our cake to 'Ohana. I don't want a case of "I thought someone else was handling it", if you know what I mean. I really want to pull this surprise off, for DH

 

[hugsquared]

We saw the special on the weddings at WDW too. What a great idea. Here's wishing a day full of magic and surprises for you both. Have fun

 

[LLeinecke]

I don't usually reply, just like to read posts. but...

we did the concierge at AKL a few weeks ago and WOW! the 1st is the sunrise safari... the CM told me that it is for concierge guests only but ANY resort concierge level can do it, not just AKL. that alone is worth the money.

the other thing that happened to us is PS arrangements were scarce. we wanted Rose and Crown for dinner, but didn't ask until 3pm for a 8pm PS and the concierge CM said it was all booked. he saw the disappointment in my DH face and called the restaurant. the manager asked to speak with me and assured me that there would be a table for us even though they were completely booked! we got our dinner and a great view of illuminations all thanks to concierge service! now my DH won't stay any other way!

good luck!

 

[Jasminetigger]

SeaSpray,

I always love reading your posts as they are always very insightful. And you have a very lovely looking family. I am so glad you are getting the wonderful service you are from concierge. You are going to love Wilderness Lodge concierge. From what I hear it is probably a little bit smaller than the other resort concierge levels, but I like it that way. It is a very relaxing atmosphere up there. We have stayed there the last three years and will be back again in June. The concierge staff at WL is just wonderful. They have been able to get us so many last minute PS's when our plans have changed. Last year when my DD was sick they looked everywhere on property until they were able to find her some gingerale. They are absolutely awesome there. Have a great trip. Let us know how it goes.

 

[disneyworld!]

thats one of the special things that they do!! on my 40th birthday...when I got back to my room at the yc...connceirge, I walked in and there were ballons and this beautiful cake!!! hats plates, napkins, blowey thing for a party!! it was great....and I never asked for it!

 

[trappednabox]

Tara at the Poly is the GREATEST! She has helped me soooo much in planning our upcoming trip! Hope it goes well!

 

[yohomatey]

can you tell when the concierge will contact me to nake arrangements?

 

[cowtownmom]

That is great! What a wonderful surprise that is going to be. I just love their wedding cakes too. We always love watching the wedding special on The Food Network (I think that's the one) - where they show so many of the cakes. It makes me think I want to try to convince at least one of my DD's to have her wedding there!!

 

[trappednabox]

can you tell when the concierge will contact me to nake arrangements?

I would e-mail them. I couldn't wait to get my planning started so I made the 1st move. I can be so impatient somtimes!

 

[TammiMcMan]

can you tell when the concierge will contact me to nake arrangements?

There are really no set rules. Sometimes they'll contact you at 90 days and other times, it's not until 30 days. Bascially, once your reservation is in the system, you can send them an e-mail to introduce yourself. I recently worked with the Epcot staff of pre-planners and they were nice enough to send out a whole package of information with park maps, recreation guide, resort information, etc. Most priority seating arrangements can't be made until the 90 day window, but if you know what you want, they'll put them into the computer and just followup when the dates become available. I believe things like Cirque tickets and the Hoop De Doo can be booked much sooner. If you are interested in anything like that, just let them know.

Tammi

 

[D&R love Disney]

SeaSpray, Tara at IPO is wonderful. She arranged the slipper dessert and a mini wedding cake for us and had it delivered to Narcoossee for our anniversary dinner. The Polynesian concierge was great and really helped us celebrate our anniversary.

 

[lulu71]

Yep, great service, that's what it's all about!

 

[deanna2426]

I, too, had great luck working with Tara and the others at the Poly IPO. I am now working with Don at AK and he seems just as wonderful!

I hope your DH is surprised and your trip is full of magic!

 

[ead79]

SeaSpray, we worked with the Poly concierge cast members to coordinate getting a small recreation of our wedding cake delivered to our room. It came off flawlessly, and the cake was delicious! The concierge had the cake delivered to our room where they added some balloons and a congratulations card. They acted as a go-between between us and the GF bakery (I was able to send the GF Bakery a picture of my wedding cake as well as the description of it from my wedding order form and they reproduced a smaller version of it). Concierge service really can be wonderful!