Concierge..What are the benefits?

[betterlatethannever]

No fridge at the AKL conceirge at all. Were there in May. We asked for one (pay for) and didn't get it.

 

[hmerritt]

Just wandering what kind of, if any, tips are involved with picking concierge? That could really start getting up there?

Heather

 

[Richyams]

I am definitely going to have to get a fridge. I am way to used to OKW.

We had a bunch of 'found' DVC points due to an error on their part, its a long story, but they were my points that they lost, so I had a bunch I needed to use.

GF was very tempting, very tempting for sure. We visitied the AKL for a day during our last trip. It was magnificant, really stunning, really makes me long for an AKL DVC. I think the Sunrise Safari was the kicker. You need to be an AKL Concierge guest to participate in the Sunrise Safari.

I have also read and heard the the AKL Concierge offerings are some of the better ones found in the concierge lounges. I am also looking forward to a savanah view, I realize that there is a small chance of getting a pool view, I hope not.

The only bad part of our decision is our travel dates. We are going Thurs-Sun, lots of DVC weekend points, we are going at the end of October, the food and wine festival will be in full force. An Epcot area resort would have been more convinient, but the AKL was a really great resort and since this type of stay is very rare, we always stay at OKW, I just thought the AKL won.

 

[princess angel]

imho, yes, concierge is worth it!
you get all to have access to a nice lounge all day long! with breakfst and snacks through out the day.
you get robes in your room (great for a late night dip in the hottub!!! )
you also have a wonderful concierge staff there to help you with your planning, whether it is pre-arrival planning, or while you are at the resort! they are great for getting you last minute PS!

have a great trip!!!

Laura

 

[DisneyMim]

Rich, I just wanted to add, as another old time OKW owner myself, we LOVED the AKL. Have stayed there 2X since it opened, just stayed this past April. Hope you like it as much as we do!!

ENJOY!!!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by hmerritt
Just wandering what kind of, if any, tips are involved with picking concierge? That could really start getting up there?

Heather

First of all, if it's more than you can afford, simply don't do it. If you tend to be frugal, or are working within a strict budget, or are the kind to always worry about if you got the best deal, don't. You don't want to spend the entire vacation planning around "getting the most out of the concierge lounge so you can justify paying for it". It will only cause stress.

Much depends on any deals you can get, or your budget, or how many in your party. Also take into consideration the way you normally vacation.

We are DH, DS, and myself. We tend to eat "simple" for breakfast. DS is 16 and an eating machine. We tend to spend a good deal of time at the hotel relaxing. We go back to the hotel every day before dinner to freshen up and change. So we are there a lot when the lounge is open.

Given this, it works for us. We get up in the morning and have breakfast in the lounge. We're in the hotel in the afternoon for snacks or soft drinks or tea. We have wine and appetizers before we head to dinner. In our case, it makes sense.

Now, if you are looking for a place to sleep and shower and will be in the parks from opening to closing every day, it's not going to be worth your while.

Only you can make the choice of what's right for you given your situation.

Anne

 

[cottontail]

Hello: I agree totally with Anne, if you are gone all day it would not make sense to pay the extra money. Just get room only and have your meals/snacks somewhere else. We had four in our family.

Deb.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by hmerritt
Just wandering what kind of, if any, tips are involved with picking concierge? That could really start getting up there?

Heather

I just reread this post and am now wondering if she meant gratuities. You do not tip the concierge staff. however you get nightly turn down service, and it is cusomary to leave a couple dollars for the housekeeper, in addition to a housekeeping tip each morning.

Anne

 

[lynn46356]

Just got back from a four day stay at the Beach Club Concierge. It was wonderful and I do believe I am hooked. Our family, DH and DSs, 14, 13 and 4, and myself took advantage of the breakfast offerings each morning. Our boys aren't big breakfast fans so the krispy kremes were just right for them. DH and myself enjoyed the other offerings which included fruit, whole and cut up, cereal, variety of breads for toasting, pastries, juice, milk, coffee and tea. It was so nice to just walk down the hall and get what we wanted. Although the lounge wasn't near big enough. But there would be no problem in taking it back to your room. Lunch offerings included peanut butter & celery, pb&J sandwiches, popcorn, pretzels, salsa, nacho chips, raw veggies & dip, cookies, pop, water, lemonade, ice tea. Dinner included pb&j, fancy tortilla wraps, chicken nuggets of sort, mini corn dogs, veggies & dip, pop, etc. Desserts came out in the evening around 8:30 p.m. and it included a variety of cakes, cookies, fancy pastries, and your cordials. I think I gained 10 pounds in 4 days. They were always willing to fill our water jug which we took to the park each day. I just can't say enough. Even though it might be pricey at times. We were wanting to extend our stay by one night (room only) and I checked on the cost and it would have been $519. Needless to say, we didn't get to. We did get quite a few comments from those staying in the hotel when we would put our key into the slot so we could get to the 5th floor. Can't wait to go back and stay longer.

 

[ead79]

I very much enjoyed my Poly concierge stay this past December. We did utilize the lounge quite a few times. The desserts were amazing! We also drank the complimentary soft drinks, juice, and bottled waters. The staff was very friendly and rearranged several priority seatings for us. I hope to stay concierge again on my next trip. As far as technically getting the extra money it cost us out of the service, we probably did not. It was still worth it to us for the personalized service and great lounge offerings. Give it a try if it fits your budget and plans.

 

[Bobrow]

Lynn,
So glad to hear good things about the BC concierge. I'm going in August with husband and 3 sons 13,11,7. What times were the different offerings? Like what time was lunch,what time was dinner? How was your room and which one was it? Any other info would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[lynn46356]

Luckily I kept the card that posted the times that the Concierge lounge was open. My memory is gone. The times are as follows: Sunrise Starters (a/k/a breakfast) 7:00 - 10:30; Seaside Snacks (a/k/a lunch) 11:30 - 4:30; Twilight Treasurers (a/k/a dinner or us farmers call it supper ) 5:00 - 7:00; and Regatta Delights (a/k/a sweets and drinks) 8:00 - 10:00. Vilma and Jennifer were two of the women who worked at the concierge desks during our stay and they were WONDERFUL. A few of the other employees could have taken some pointers from them. Our room wasn't ready when we checked in at 8:00 a.m. When we went up to the 5th floor after checking in down stairs at the front desk, which might not have been what we should have done, oh well though, we introduced ourselves and that we were just looking around, etc. She asked us our name and looked us up on the computer. Within minutes she had found a different room for us that was READY. She took us to it, Room 5709, which met all of our needs. The view was wonderful. It had a full balcony and overlooked SB and part of the Boardwalk. I believe our original room overlooked more of Epcot. I just can't say enough. I want to go back tomorrow. I'm sure you will enjoy it. If you have any other questions, let me know. I'll try to answer them.