Downgrading from Concierge at AKL

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

I would appreciate everyone's input on this. We just returned from 5 days at the Polynesian in a GV concierge room. While there were no major problems, there were little annoying ones that should not have happened given the very high price. Now my husband and I are planning to spend 3 nights at AKL. I have booked a concierge room through DU and the cost for the 3 nights is roughly 1,000. I'm now thinking that if the experience is anything like that at the Poly, it is not worth the money. I have stated at AKL concierge before but that was with 4 teenagers and it was worthwhile for all of the money saved on breakfast and snacks. I would like to hear opinions about this because I can't make up my mind. Thanks.

 

[Patty3]

I had friends who stayed there and thought it was great and well worth the money. I am thinking about staying at the Poly concierge and would you please share your concerns about your stay there. I too do not want to be disappointed. Thanks.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

When we went to the valet stand at the Poly and told them we were checking into concierge, one of the three young men there called to get the room number, handed me a map and pointed us in the direction of the Hawaii bldg. On previous trips, we were driven over and didn't have to haul our luggage ourselves. I have to say that this stated the trip off on a bad note for me. When we got to the room, I found that it reeked of smoke (i had requested a non-smoking room), the bathroom door didn't close, and the TV remote was covered in some unknown material. The bathroom door would not have been a big issue for me except that I felt that my son's girlfriend was not comfortable with it. Although they did offer to switch us to a different room the next day, I didn't want to waste the time moving when we were only going to be there a total of 4 days. Also, we found some of the concierge CMs to be totally apathetic about their jobs. One was more concerned about her personal phone call than she was about helping the several guests who approached her.
Please understand that none of these are major problems and did not ruin our trip. However, for close to $400 per night, I expect much better. I don't mind spending the money if I feel that it has been well spent. I don't think that we will be returning to the Poly. Also, compared to other resorts that we visited during that trip (YC, BC, AKL), the poly was so crowded. I think that I used the pool only twice during our stay because of the crowds. On the other hand, we are used to going to WDW in late August when the crowds are not as bad.

 

[lyncruiser]

When we stayed AKL Concierge, we really enjoyed it. But we were a group of 8 in two rooms, with two teenage boys. The continental breakfast, snacks, etc., were great with a group and we felt we got our money's worth. Like you, we found it was great with teenagers. It was also great for my parents because they often stayed at the resort while we went to the parks, so they would stop in for snacks, evening desserts, etc. If I were to take my parents with us again, I would definitely do concierge.

If just DH and I were to go alone, however, I'm not sure I'd spring for concierge. I'd probably use the extra money for romantic dinners at Jiko and other great restaurants (like V&A perhaps). Not sure concierge would be worth it just for the two of us.

Having said that, when we were there the service was great. As soon as we arrived, they were ready for us, took us on a tour of the hotel and then to our room. We'd already been checked in. The CMs were wonderful.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Thanks Lyncruiser, I was also thinking that for just two of us, concierge would not be worth it. Also, I occasionally like a regular hot breakfast and I wouldn't do that if I know that I can get breakfast in the lounge. I think I will try to change my reservation.

 

[lynr]

Disney Freak Numero Uno:

I have stayed in both and I have to say that AKL personnel is above and beyond the Polynesian hands down in my opinion. I return to the Polynesian Concierge only because of the location. I can't say enough good things about the Concierge at the AKL Lodge they just dote on you it is great to be pampered when you pay the big bucks. It is even better though when you are able to get Concierge at a discount.

In my opinion go and you'll have a great time. Request the King size bed.

Lyn

 

[Minybear]

Disney Freak Numero Uno

We did AKL concierge about 3 to 4 years ago and it was just the 2 of us going and we have just made another resv for AKL concierge for December (cannot wait to go back) for the both us again. When we originally left AKL on our first visit I thought $$ spent on AKL concierge wasn't worth it but now thinking about it we got a lot of services from them. Prior to our trip I was constent contact with them via email regarding our PS's and we kept on changing things. When we got to AKL we used them again regarding our schedule and it was great going to the lounge for breakfast, snacks, cappaccino coffee, coke, water, ect. We also got presents from them due to we were celebrating our anniversary and we were also celebrating my husband's birthday. Even after we left (for years afterword) we have been recieving their phone calls saying "Happy Birthday" and "Happy Anniversary". We love those phone calls and it makes us want to go to AKL conciere more desireable. Everytime we get those phone calls and we had resv's else where due to we are DVC members it made us feel so guilty. Now we are guilt free due to we cannot get into a DVC resort and we are doing AKL concierge again .

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I also liked AKL concierge better than the Poly. But for this short trip and only the two of us, I think I would feel guilty about spending that much more money. I think for a longer trip with the entire family, concierge makes more sense. I'll let everyone know how our stay is in a regular savannah view room.

 

[GailT]

a regular Savannah room is real nice. Like you It is just me and my son going in November and I am starting to second guess my decision to stay concierge again. I guess I have gotten spoiled. I know you will enjoy your stay at AKL, waking up or before you go to bed and seeing animals out side your door is fun and great to watch there actions. Have a great trip

 

[Minybear]

GailT
I understand what you are saying. When you have stayed in a concierge level room (liked all the little perks) its hard to go down to a regular room. Boy do I know that one. We had originally booked savanna room and guess what we did we upgraded to concierge and that day emailed AKL/concierge with all of our PS's and safarie resv's and its just the 2 of us. NO KIDS. YAHOO. Cannot wait.

 

[PartyOf5a]

This is a little odd. We were supposed to go to Poly concierge at the end of August but had to change our dates to the end of July. We still stayed at the Poly concierge though.

We also found some minor things wrong with our room but nothing to ruin a trip but enough to aggravate you when you are paying $340/night.

Here is what bothered us:

We had trouble flushing our toilet. We finally figured if we held the button down counting to 10 (slowly), things worked better. Otherwise, it looked like the toilet was going to back up.

Our hot water faucet lever would fall off when we turned on the water to wash our hands.

One of the drawers on our dresser was broken. If you opened it, it just fell out and was hard to put back in. It would also fall out it we opened the drawere above it.

We would wake up each morning to our neighbors wake up call. We could hear the ringing through the walls. I thought this was odd because the last time we stayed here I heard nothing from any of our neighbors.

Speaking of neighbors, I think we had the performers from LaNouba in the room above us.

Also, on our first night there, our speaker phone went on and a loud dial tone went through the room (about 2:00 a.m.) We thought maybe we hit something but everytime we hung it up, it would go off again. We finally had to unplug the phone until morning and then everything seemed OK.

Again, nothing that would actually ruin a trip but quite a few little things.

On the positive, we found the staff to be wonderful. And the rooms were always made up in a timely fashion...the mousekeepers come out in full force as there were several carts on the floor at one time.

As far as downgrading from AKL concierge to a regular room...I always said that if I would return to AKL I would skip the concierge and get a room on a lower floor to get a better view of the animals. We also didn't care for most of the food in the AKL lounge as we aren't into African food.