For those that have e-mailed AKL concierge, how long did it take for a reply?

[FairyDust2008]

Just curious how long it took you to get a reply through e-mail after 1st contacting them. Thanks!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

About 2 days. They called and asked me about my ADR's and the safari's we wanted to sign up for then they sent a confirmation email with all the details. If it was over the weekend it did take longer to hear back. HTH.

Edited to add that last trip to WL IPO kept asking I put my travel dates and ressie number in the title of my email. I have never done this before so maybe it is something new or just something WL wanted but it might help save you and them time.

 

[NJBILL]

Give them a day or so on your initial contact. After that I usually received an answer the same day I asked the question

 

[themilesfamily]

24-hours -- and I do think it's a good idea to put ressie # and travel dates in the e-mail.

 

[Safari Queen]

We booked AKL concierge for late October. I thought they would contact us, but it sounds like I was wrong. Can someone explain what I need to do?

 

[RachelTori]

We booked AKL concierge for late October. I thought they would contact us, but it sounds like I was wrong. Can someone explain what I need to do?

Use this link to email AKL IPO. Put your reservation # and dates in the subject line. Let them know what your interests are: booking one of the safaris, ADRs, etc. and they will contact you. (I always include my phone # too. They're very good about getting in touch via email or telephone once they know you're coming! )

Here's the link: animal.kingdom.lodge.itinerary.planning@disneyworld.com

 

[FairyDust2008]

I e-mailed on Feb 11 and today it is the 15th and I've heard absolutely NOTHING. Not really off to a great start with the ole concierge service. I got an automated response that said I would receive an e-mail within 24 hrs., however this did and has not happened. I've heard nothing. I haven't e-mailed back because I don't want to appear too pushy but it does kind of not sit well with me to have this as my 1st contact experience. You would have thought that they would have gotten back to me by now. Little disappointing. While I realize my ressie isn't the only one, I'm still a paying upcoming CL concierge guest and it would be common courtesy for someone to at least get back to me within a reasonable timeframe. Maybe they are extra busy, which I can't see FEB as being a BIG DISNEY RUSH TIME, oh well.............guess I'll wait and see how long it takes before I e-mail again

 

[FairyDust2008]

Here is the automated response I received.



Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort Itinerary
Planning
Office. It will be our pleasure to assist you with any questions or
requests pertaining to your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort
reservation. You will receive a response from a member of our team
within 24 hours of receipt of this message.

 

[FairyDust2008]

That automated response was received on Feb 11th. It is the 15th today and I've heard nothing from them.

 

[lilyv]

Have you checked your spam filter to make sure the next message hasn't been sent there?

You can always write again. Is your trip in the next couple of months, or are you a long way out?

 

[FairyDust2008]

Yes, I've already checked my bulk mail everyday-NOTHING. Our trip is in about 4-5 months from now so it is a little ways out but still it would be nice to hear something to acknowledge my reservation, etc. Things book up quickly with ADR at places and going in the midst of summer, I'm sure they book up faster so that is why I wanted to hear back from them and for the Sunrise Safari, etc. You have to plan ahead you know Hopefully, I'll hear back soon. When you pay extra for the CL concierge service, you do expect a higher quality of service. Like I said, maybe they are extra Disney busy or something, I don't know. We shall see

 

[RachelTori]

Yes, I've already checked my bulk mail everyday-NOTHING. Our trip is in about 4-5 months from now so it is a little ways out but still it would be nice to hear something to acknowledge my reservation, etc. Things book up quickly with ADR at places and going in the midst of summer, I'm sure they book up faster so that is why I wanted to hear back from them and for the Sunrise Safari, etc. You have to plan ahead you know Hopefully, I'll hear back soon. When you pay extra for the CL concierge service, you do expect a higher quality of service. Like I said, maybe they are extra Disney busy or something, I don't know. We shall see

Don't worry about appearing "pushy". Put a call in to them at: 407-938-4755 and if you get voicemail, leave a message and tell them you expect a call back. If you don't get to speak with someone when you call, you should also send a new email - make sure the reservation # and dates are in the subject line.

Occasionally something like this happens, even with this great IPO - and believe me, once you do establish communications with them, they're awesome to work with.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Call and leave a message and then send another email. I am guessing maybe someone is on vacation or something of the sort. You do need to get in contact with them for ADR's and sarfari's. I recommend the sunrise safari and they will need a cc to hold this.

 

[FairyDust2008]

I just sent another e-mail today, Feb 15th so I'm going to see how it goes from here. If I don't get an e-mail or call, I'll make a call to them. Hopefully, my 2nd e-mail will be enough to get things initiated to hear from them. We are just looking forward to our stay and I especially wanted to get the ADR's in and the Sunrise Safari. Thanks all I'll let you know

 

[FairyDust2008]

This is the copy of the automated response I just got back from the 2nd e-mail I sent to them today, Feb 15th. Hopefully, I'll get a response back from a "real" person now It could be perhaps that someone is on vacation but you would think that their e-mail would have a vacation response to say that this is the case. I'm just anxious to hear/connect with them because it will make our reservation even more "official" and getting our fav ADR's squared away would be more off my preparation list. *keeping fingers crossed*

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort Itinerary
Planning
Office. It will be our pleasure to assist you with any questions or
requests pertaining to your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort
reservation. You will receive a response from a member of our team
within 24 hours of receipt of this message.

 

[Sysyphus]

I have to say that my experience with AKL concierge has not quite been the VIP personal attention I was expecting... they seem to be very overstretched/understaffed... that said, when you do get to talk to them Don and the other CM I have spoken with (whose name escapes me right now) have been a pleasure to work with: extremely helpful, offering all kind sof suggestions, and they pulled off just about everything I requested of them, except for Friday dinner at le Cellier - which I will admit was probably asking a bit much at less than 50 days out

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

They are running behind. I e-mailed them 2 days ago, got the auto-response, then realized today they never responded. So I called and spoke to someone. She said they have a backlog right now. My ADR had been made, they just hadn't sent the confirmation for it yet. They made all of my other arrangements as requested and I already had confirmations for all of those.

 

[bouldertcr]

I called itinerary planning at AKL this morning (7am) and then sent a follow up email sometime mid morning to book the wanyama safari. I received both a phone call and email message and was able to take care of booking the safari by 11am. Very pleased with the response time.

Sorry others had different experiences. Hope you heard by now.

 

[FairyDust2008]

If they are backlogged, that is completely understandable as it happens, however, they should still set up an automated e-mail reply saying such is the case, so that one isn't left to feel like I do about getting no contact from anyone. I have no way of knowing they are backlogged. First I hear of that, is from someone here on the board. I have ADR's to make and getting setting up for the Sunrise Safari. Part of the reason for booking CL concierge was to get the opportunity to book this so I wanted to get the ressies in. I'll keep my fingers crossed in hopes that I hear something SOON

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Hmmmm. You know now that I think of it I called first each time and then emailed my requests once I figured them out. A few ADR's I booked myself so I didnt have to risk not getting them. Since the sunrise safari is for CL guests only I dont think you have to worry about not getting on one. Keep us posted as to what happens.