Concierge + SV/ 3 or 4 nights = confusion!!

[podsnel]

I'm getting ready to dial for a 3 or 4 night AKV stay next May- and I have 54 points to use. I want to try for Concierge for part of our stay, for the amenities (of course!) and the safaris. How does booking the safaris work? Are they every day? Thank-you for the advice-

Ellen

 

[LIFERBABE]

The Sunrise Safari (exclusive to AK Concierge Guests) is on Sundays and Thursdays.

Not sure how often the Wanyama Safari is offered.

 

[BCV23]

I think the Sunset is offered M,W, F and Saturday but I was told that's subject to change.

 

[podsnel]

So then to do both, I'd need to book concierge for Weds night?

 

[BCV23]

So then to do both, I'd need to book concierge for Weds night?

You're only trying for one night? I think doing the Sunrise on the day of checkout would be hard. You'd really need to be out of the room before the Safari begins. When I did the Sunrise, we left KS about 9am and then walked to breakfast at Pizzafari. It would be next to impossible I think to finish breakfast, get a bus back to AKL and checkout by 11am. Well, at the least very stressful. But you could checkout and leave your stuff with bell services before the Safari.

BTW, I was wrong about Sunday night it appears. The Sunset Safari is only offered M,W, F and Saturday according to an email another DISser received from IPO. I'll fix my other post.

 

[podsnel]

You're only trying for one night? I think doing the Sunrise on the day of checkout would be hard. You'd really need to be out of the room before the Safari begins. When I did the Sunrise, we left KS about 9am and then walked to breakfast at Pizzafari. It would be next to impossible I think to finish breakfast, get a bus back to AKL and checkout by 11am. Well, at the least very stressful. But you could checkout and leave your stuff with bell services before the Safari.

BTW, I was wrong about Sunday night it appears. The Sunset Safari is only offered M,W, F and Saturday according to an email another DISser received from IPO. I'll fix my other post.

No, not just 1 night, but I did make it sound that way- sorry!!! I agree, it would be a HUGE hassle to check out and make it to the sunrise safari and stay awake all day and fly home!! YIKES!!! That's a bit too much for me in a day, especially because I have yet to leave MCO on time- my plane is always delayed at least a couple of hours leaving at night-

The info on the sunrise being just the 2 mornings makes the choice clear for me on this trip, though- I will be arriving on Sunday and leaving on Wednesday (just realized the boys will be in a baseball tournament, so that cuts this qiuckie trip to a definite 3 nights). Looks like the sunrise will have to wait- that's hoping I can get concierge at all, now or ever!!

Wish me luck- and thanks for the advice!!

 

[BCV23]

No, not just 1 night, but I did make it sound that way- sorry!!! I agree, it would be a HUGE hassle to check out and make it to the sunrise safari and stay awake all day and fly home!! YIKES!!! That's a bit too much for me in a day, especially because I have yet to leave MCO on time- my plane is always delayed at least a couple of hours leaving at night-

The info on the sunrise being just the 2 mornings makes the choice clear for me on this trip, though- I will be arriving on Sunday and leaving on Wednesday (just realized the boys will be in a baseball tournament, so that cuts this qiuckie trip to a definite 3 nights). Looks like the sunrise will have to wait- that's hoping I can get concierge at all, now or ever!!

Wish me luck- and thanks for the advice!!

Good luck!!!!

 

[kgc07]

Did you get concierge? I'm also going to be trying in a day.

I see you aren't calling today. How many nights are you planning on staying concierge? If you have 54 points, wouldn't that only be enough for one night? Or am I missing something (which is possible)?

 

[bobbiwoz]

What time do you meet for the Sunrise safari? I was hoping to do that on a Sunday, the day we check out in March. We have a Thursday to Sunday stay. If you get to breakfast at 9...did the safari begin at 7? What time do you think we would have to check out? I don't think it would be too difficult since it's only DH and myself.

Thanks.
Bobbi

 

[BCV23]

What time do you meet for the Sunrise safari? I was hoping to do that on a Sunday, the day we check out in March. We have a Thursday to Sunday stay. If you get to breakfast at 9...did the safari begin at 7? What time do you think we would have to check out? I don't think it would be too difficult since it's only DH and myself.

Thanks.
Bobbi

Bobbi, checkin was between 6:30 and 7 am in the lounge. The concierge arranges for payment and collects your admission or checks your AP. You're given your nametag and in Feb we also were given two blankets for our group of three as it was a record low (or at least record was predicted and it was very cold). My DH had done the safari on a previous stay so both in Feb and May my family stayed in our villa for a while after I checked us/them in.

Around 7:15, they encouraged everyone to head down to the lobby to meet the guides. We checked in with them. Then probably around 7:40 or so, we were led out to the buses. They do a security check before you board. The guide starts the tour then with background info. We rolled onto the grounds of AK right at 8 am and transferred to a safari vehicle.

If you're really organized, it would probably be possible to load your car or drop your bags off with bell services before or after checkin at 6:30.

But what about doing it on your arrival day? I wonder if that will work. I'm hoping so as our next club level villa stay is just Sunday through Wed.. I hope we can do it after a very early am checkin.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you, BCV23. I'll be coming over from BWV, a Girlfriends stay, but DH has to work on Thursday and will be arriving in the evening, so Thursday morning isn't going to work. After reading what you have described, I think we'll be fine on Sunday.

Bobbi

 

[podsnel]

Did you get concierge? I'm also going to be trying in a day.

I see you aren't calling today. How many nights are you planning on staying concierge? If you have 54 points, wouldn't that only be enough for one night? Or am I missing something (which is possible)?

No, not yet- I just called and it was available but I can't book it until tomorrow- it goes by the check-out date, which I forgot. It's all a learning process, though! And I do have enough points, I only need 45 for a 3 night stay during the week in a studio, which is what I'm after (can't really splurge for more at this point, especially without DH & kids, and my friend and I are just fine in a studio!).

But what is confusing to me is, she checked availability for the rest of the week and said there was none in concierge. How is that?!!! She said either they were booked by cash, or just have not been released. I hope it's the latter, because it would really stink if all the concierge rooms are rented out before DVC members even have a crack at them! I think I will call back in a little while to speak with someone else-

 

[tinker_me_happy]

When do you have to book the safari? I am staying Feb 7-10 2009 for my birthday and would like to do the morning safari. BUT I hope it is not just on Sunday, as the 8th is my birthday and I want to eat at CRT (wearing a tiara and all!)
TIA

 

[LisaS]

The Sunrise Safari is on Sunday and Thursday morning. It can be booked 180 days in advance. If you contact the Itinerary Planning Office (the folks who make reservations for people staying in a Concierge room) they can take your information earlier than that and then book it when the 180-day window opens. I would book it as early as possible because it does sell out.

 

[podsnel]

No, not yet- I just called and it was available but I can't book it until tomorrow- it goes by the check-out date, which I forgot. It's all a learning process, though! And I do have enough points, I only need 45 for a 3 night stay during the week in a studio, which is what I'm after (can't really splurge for more at this point, especially without DH & kids, and my friend and I are just fine in a studio!).

But what is confusing to me is, she checked availability for the rest of the week and said there was none in concierge. How is that?!!! She said either they were booked by cash, or just have not been released. I hope it's the latter, because it would really stink if all the concierge rooms are rented out before DVC members even have a crack at them! I think I will call back in a little while to speak with someone else-

So I called back and a different CM said that the first cm this morning was reading the screen wrong- That they only show up to checking out on today + 11 months, no further. I hope CM #2 was right, I'll find out in the next few days, I guess! Too bad there's no smilie with fingers and toes crossed...I bet that one would get used ALOT around here!

 

[kgc07]

So I called back and a different CM said that the first cm this morning was reading the screen wrong- That they only show up to checking out on today + 11 months, no further. I hope CM #2 was right, I'll find out in the next few days, I guess! Too bad there's no smilie with fingers and toes crossed...I bet that one would get used ALOT around here!

Good! You had me a little bit worried and confused at the same time. I will also be calling tomorrow, but not for a studio, so at least we won't be calling for the same rooms! Good luck to you tomorrow, I know I will need the luck too. Post tomorrow and let me know how it goes!

 

[podsnel]

Good! You had me a little bit worried and confused at the same time. I will also be calling tomorrow, but not for a studio, so at least we won't be calling for the same rooms! Good luck to you tomorrow, I know I will need the luck too. Post tomorrow and let me know how it goes!

Yes, it had me worried and confused, too- just goes to show that you can't believe everything the cm's at member services say, need to take it all with a grain of salt. And call back and speak to someone else if it doesn't sound right!

Good luck!

 

[podsnel]

And that's the most important one, because I needed it in order to do the sunset safari on the 18th- What a relief!!!! How did you do, kgc07? Are we going to be neighbors next May?
So now I will try for the next nights, but if I don't get concierge for them, it's not the end of the world- although, I would prefer it, obviously!

 

[kgc07]

I also got my first night! One down, four to go!!! I was stressing because she was taking forever to look for the room and she almost lost it. I hope tomorrow they move faster. It looks like we will be neighbors!

 

[podsnel]

I also got my first night! One down, four to go!!! I was stressing because she was taking forever to look for the room and she almost lost it. I hope tomorrow they move faster. It looks like we will be neighbors!

Great!! Are you planning on doing the Sunset Safari on Monday?