Concierge Thoughts.........................

Wendi

Wanna be at Disney World!
Joined
Aug 21, 1999
Messages
508
Ok,

First let me start out by saying that this is just my opinion and I don't intend on hurting anyone's feelings.

I have been reading a lot of information about the different experiences with Concierge at the many Deluxe Resorts.
I have stayed Concierge at: The Grand Floridian, Yacht Club and
the Polynesian. I personally (all family members in agreement) feel that The Yacht Club was the best as of Jan. 2003.

Let's step back a minute and compare. We all have different personalities, likes, dislikes and expectations. Therefore, I don't believe that everyone can be pleased 100% all of the time. We compared what we have heard that each offers, we look at the money, time we will be spending at the resort and what we would like to do as far as Non-Park time. We have tried several.
Each Resort has an "Atmosphere" which is mostly what we are drawn into. Then there is a "Comfort Factor" and the most "Bang" for our buck factor. We have tried some that others absolutely love and found that we liked only 1 or 2 things about it. Most of the complaints we complain about are CM's rudeness or lack attention. I think it is just a hit or miss situation. For spending the extra money on Concierge, "Yes" I expect a "Hello" when I say "Hello" to them. That's not much. I don't EVER make them do my PS's. The only thing I have used them for is to arrange a special occassion or make a last minute PS. (Not for a hard to get place). As for room, I "do" expect it to be cleaned but I don't expect to be able to eat off the floor. As a family we put all our towels in a pile and even tie up our trash bags so that all they have to do is grab, go and refresh. We don't leave trash all over, we clean up our tables and keep things neat which is how we like things at home.

The reason for this e-mail is that I have noticed that if anyone posts a "Negative" response to someone's favorite resort it seems as if people start blaming the person and trying to convince them that it wasn't that bad. I personally don't mind
comments, but to blast someone about the problems that they had is sad. I look at it this way, you were "NOT" there, you didn't deal with that person (who might have been having a bad day and took it out on that person) and so I am very hesitant to post any reviews. I just returned from a "Not so Good" trip to the Poly LV Concierge and as of now I won't post. There are many of you that want to hear the good the bad and then weigh there options for a later trip. There are a lot of you that are very sweet and understanding and sympathetic, it's sad that those few that blast make some of us shy away from posting.

I just wanted to basically say for those of you who are looking at staying Concierge level at any of the Resorts that you should look at the whole picture and go where you feel you will like and not necessarily where someone else liked. It's great to try different places, but try the one's that you will like regardless of any mishaps.

This is just a thought, not ment to upset anyone.
Thank You!~
 
Excellent post Wendi.

Sorry you had a "not so good" experience at the Polynesian. We were there last summer and feel the same way about our trip.

Teresa
 
I would love to read about your bad experience at the Polynesian concierge. Although I stayed in GV concierge last month and I didn't have any problems, I'm not necessarily a "Polynesian Lover" so anything bad you might say won't offend me at all. I read all posts that interest me, both good and bad reviews, and I take them with a grain of salt and go to WDW with an open mind.
 

Great post Wendi!!! I like to read negative comments as well as the positive ones. I use them as part of my education about each resort and services provided. If all you read are good comments and get there and have the WORST experience of your life, you're very suprised. I had a bad experience at GF RPC, and I had read a bad review of GF RPC before I had left. I had hoped it was a one time event, but unforunately in my case it was not. Some of the same things that occured to that other poster happened to me. I did post my review upon returning, so I could let other people know that there could be a trend there. Like you said, it could have been a bad for the CM, bad day for me, etc, but it is my experience!! Somebody could have been at RPC the same time as me and had a WONDERFUL experience. They just might not have encountered what I did. I also have the same expectations of concierge as you, and I don't think they're too high.
 
Hi.. I enjoyed your comments...

Not to worry, I take everything with a grain of salt... everyone is different - like you said, I appreciate the bad comments as much as the good on any topic.

>>^..^<<
 
I actually posted on this very issue on another board on DIS. It gets old when someone posts and gets blasted because someone disagrees. There can't seem to be any understanding of another perspective and respect for another person, people just take it personally and say very ugly things.

I think too many people post the first thoughts that flash into their brains and don't bother to be polite or tactful or understanding. Then if you call them on what they have said they can't "back down" and apologize for some reason, then next time they seem to feel compelled to reiterate their earlier position.

Anyway, we stayed Polynesian concierge last month, too. Our experience overall was good, but varied from F to A+. Concierge lounge staff was nearly perfect, but our dealings with CM's at the desks varied greatly. The most difficult one, instead of losing my temper I just said "never mind" then went back and dealt with another CM who handled the situation in 30 seconds. But for the cost that should not been necessary. Another was just grumpy. I don't want to deal with someone's moodiness when I am trying to checkin on vacation!

We checked in, had a couple of questions, and got the confirmations for PS previously made. It should not have been a big deal and it was tiresome to not know what sort of reaction you would get when you approached a CM. Not a huge deal, but not what I would expect from concierge.

We would likely do it again for a couple of days if the price were right, but we are getting too spoiled to staying at DVC villas and like that space!
 
Great post! Thanks!

I have learned a great deal about how to handle certain situations from another posters bad experience.

Negative or positve it is all valuable information when planning a trip, and I love all the info I can get!:D
 
Hi Wendi,

We stay Poly Conc. 2-3 times a year. I agree that every visit is not "magical" or sprinkled with pixie dust but most are. We also rarely ask for help w/PS and do not have overly high expectations. We go to the Poly Conc. specificallly for the ease of breakfast in the lounge, fireworks from the third floor and the convenience of being at a monorail resort. I very much look forward to the Poly despite that some stays were not as fantastic as others. I too, am a bit afraid to post any negatives as I don't want to be seen as spoiling another's expectations. I think your point is well taken. I would like to add that what surprises me on the DIS are posters who had what I feel were minor problems and people expecting personal responses or compensation from management(I do not mean issues that significantly decreased the value of a trip). No World is perfect and neither is Disney. Threehearts
 
I just want to say - great post.
I recently was looking for an objective opinion of condition of Poly Concierge since it is going for rehab one month prior to our proposed trip. I was very happy to see that I rec'd opposing viewpoints which helped greatly with our decision.
Positive viewpoints are wonderful to reaffirm a decision. Negatives also help to avoid potential situations or problems.
In my case without the "heads up" on the not so good , I would be walking straight into a problem situation for us.
Please keep up all points of view - the good, bad and ugly!! And please remember to be nice - after all, they are just "IMHO"'s
Thanks!
 
I agree, I want to hear the good, bad, and the ugly. I don't want to hear JUST the good with everyone else afraid to comment about any "bad" experiences they had. :(
 
Thanks for the post. We stayed at Poly concierge in Dec. (first time ever concierge) and have booked a split stay in May for our anniversary at YC concierge and AKL concierge. I'd really like to know why you like YC the best. We're mostly going for the convenience to EPCOT and because we've never stayed there. I haven't heard much about their concierge and would be happy for some info. Thanks!
 
You'll find the AKL concierge to be as comfortable and casual as the Poly concierge. The CM's are wonderful. At the YC it's much more formal. We were almost afraid to sit on the furniture. Didn't find the lounge inviting at all :( It was something I would have expected to find on the Club floor at the Hilton when I'm on business--fine for that, but on vacation I want a more casual atmosphere. JMHO.

Anne
 
I would first of all like to say "Thank You" for all of the wonderful posts. I just wanted to get everyone to step back a minute when getting so excited about going to Disney World and think about themselves and there family. I too like many of you wish that there was a way to make every Disney Vacation wonderful from start to finish as if Tinkerbell was sprinkling us with Pixie Dust the entire time. I know the reality is maybe, maybe not.
I firmly believe that the atmosphere is what draws us to most of the resorts as well as our likes and dislikes. If we just go knowing what we know armed with the education of what is there and what is best for us we will have a great time. I would agree with the other poster that if you encounter a "Rude" or less than polite CM, simply excuse yourself and come back later and talk to someone else. I live by the standard that, "I treat people as I want to be treated by them". If they can NOT be nice back then I go on and understand that they don't wish be polite and deal with anyone else but them. Thank You for being so nice about this. I am just very hesitant to post a NEG about a few of these places with fears of being "BLASTED" by those that truly LOVE the resort.

As for the one that wanted to know about the Yacht Club. First off: We are "NOT" big EPCOT people (don't get me wrong) we go every trip and enjoy the time there, but we have 2 young girls who "LOVE" MK and most of our time is spent there. The Yacht Club is very Beautiful, you definitely get the "Cape Cod" feeling when you are there. The Concierge CM's were 75% of the time very friendly then the other 25% of the times it was as if they just got through dealing with a "not so friendly" guest and they needed some thinking time. They don't have the soda's or water out but never blinked an eye at giving us extra's and offering other things that we didn't know they had, such as chocolate milk. The lounge has been changed since we where there, but we never were afraid to sit. I will say that many did not sit and stay, most went back to there rooms. The lounge is very close to the elevators so people would grab and go. All of the CM's made it a point to smile or say "Hi". Several were even chatty. The food offerings were the best. The Chef there is a Pastry Chef by trade and makes some of the Best Cordials. We found the atmosphere to be very nice and comfortable. We like that kind of stuff and it suits us just fine. It might not for others. Since we are more MK people that is why we will stay at a Monorail Resort next time. I hope you enjoy your trip. If you really like that type of place you should fit right in. PM me if you have any questions. I will be glad to help.
 
Wendi--Just and FYI--When we stayed at the YC it was shortly after the refurbishment, and the lounge has been furnished with very formal looking upholstered furniture. Like I said, it would have been great for a Hilton Club floor where busines people gather, but for a vacation it wasn't comfortable. It made the BWI and GF concierge lounges seem like a basement rec room :(

It was beautiful, but very "stiff" :(

Anne
 














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