Have you been "Bitten" by the Concierge "Bug"? aka The LIZARD LOUNGE!

[disneyholic family]

dreamflight99--
WOW!!! that suite is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!....WOW.....
we'll be staying at the PB, but only for one night (the first night of our trip) and only in a regular concierge room....but i'm looking forwards to it nevertheless...
it's interesting, from your pictures, that hotel really reminds me a lot of the Mira Costa at Tokyo's DisneySea......i wonder if they used the same architect....or just copied the ideas from the portofino bay....
anyway....that suite you have reserved really is to die for....wow!!...

Does anyone know the email address of the GF RPC IPO?...
i would like to send them a few requests but i don't know their email address...(they haven't contacted us....only the AKL concierge has been in touch with us)...

Also, can anyone suggest a particular room to ask for in at the GF RPC?....we'd really like a no-smoking room that has a view of the Magic Kingdom....

I'm now well into the PS and other reservations....so much to do...so little time...

time to go call WDW-PLAY (fishing) and DCL (parasailing).....I already have sunrise safari and segway reservations....i know there were other things i wanted to reserve but now i can't remember....hmm...i knew i should have written them down when i thought of them....

 

[WeLuvWDWx5]

disneyholic family - I have been corresponding with the GF RPC IPO's. Here is their email address.....WDWGFPlanning@disney.com

Happy Planning.

 

[disneyholic family]

thanks for the email address....i decided to call straight to the GF, but i forgot the planning office is closed on saturdays.....but the front desk of the hotel gave me the email address (well....actually, the person i asked for the email address said they don't have one.....so i told her that i was sure they must as the AKL has one....so she put me on hold.....when she came back on the phone she told me that the first 5 people she asked didn't know they have an email address...but finally she found someone who knew and knew the address....nice of her to keep looking to find it for me...)

meanwhile i think i got erroneous information when i called WDW-PLAY about the fishing excursion.....so i didn't make reservations yet...i'll ask the planning office to do it for me.....(at WDW-PLAY they claimed that they won't pick up at the GF....that you have to go to fort wilderness for it....but we've been doing that excursion for years, and they always picked us up....so.....i figure the person at wdw-play was reading the information incorrectly....unless it's been changed....which could be....but i'll check it with the GF IPO first)....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

WeLuvWDWx5 - Sorry, just got a new email from Alana at BWI IPO, and she wanted to correct Annalisa that there are not mini-bars in the room, but a fridge will be provided. I hate it when I pass on erroneous info, so wanted to rush over and let you know! (And anyone else headed to BWI! )

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks for sending magic to DH. He said YES. So the plane tickets have been purchased!

I am so excited. We're going to Disney World!

While I can't say that he was excited or even happy he didn't seem too bad about it. So now I've got to really start planning that nice, relaxing vacation for us.

 

[KerryCM]

k&a&c'mom I am going to the BWI, but not until October. I was there in March with friends, (my girls trip) and Jackie asked us if we needed a fridge, we didn't. We did have one last October. My son had one along with a microwave and highchair for Madyson.
You are going to have such a wonderful time. Please say hello to Jackie, Robin and scott for me and tell them I will be there soon. Oh, if Stephanie is working tell her hi also. She used to be in the planning office and was my planner for the past 2 trips. She is a miracle worker

 

[disneyholic family]

i've noticed that everyone here makes very heavy use of the concierge IPO. Is there an advantage to doing this?
I have always called the various reservation numbers directly rather than go through a go between. Am i making a mistake doing this?

 

[KerryCM]

disneyholicfamily I too used to make all of my own PS, but would get so frustrated when i couldn't get the times and dates I wanted. Having IPO do it takes the worry out of it all. Stephanie was able to get me an Illuminations Cruise only 42 days before I wanted it during Spring Break in March. It was so awesome. There were 7 of us that went and we had a ball. Also those hard to get PS are made easy through IPO. Everytime they made a Rose and Crown PS for us we have gotten a patio table too. I just think it is so worth using them. I always send a nice gift to my planner.
Last Oct. Stephanie went out on her own time to buy Pepsi products for my son, he is a manager for Pepsi here in MA. She came in on our arrival day, her day off, to make sure everything was in order. She shopped for me to have things in their room for madyson, my grandaughter. They do so much for you. I value their input for many things.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Please, transfer all of your restaurant PSs to the concierge and have them do them! I happened to look over at a few of our reservations after it seemed that we were always seated more quickly than when I made the PS. It says "concierge guest" right on the PS card. I only have to guess that quicker seating and seating requests being granted only come more easily if the card states that. Our last visit was VERY stress free, and this was during Easter week! They are also able to obtain PSs when all other options seem to be sold out. They don't always come through, but we have had exceptional luck in using the IPO in obtaining hard to get reservations.

Big wave to all of the lounge lizards! Cordials and desserts are out, along with some frozen drinks I just whipped up to celebrate Saturday!

Debbie

P.S. Vagal>> Congrats on passing the big test!

 

[disneyholic family]

To whoever it was who asked about resort hopping and any possible assistance provided by the CL.
I emailed the amazing people at the AKL itinerary planning office and received the following answer (within 5 minutes of my sending the question!!)

"Luggage transfer between resorts is very simple. You just let us know what time you want the luggage picked up. Our bell services team will transfer it over so that it gets to the Grand Floridian by 3:00 p.m.. You go to the parks and play or hang out here until you feel like going over there. That is all there is to it."

 

[disneyholic family]

KerryCM and Debbie..
Thanks for the quick answer!
you've convinced me...i'll do everything through the IPO...
(i hope i don't drive them crazy!!)

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by disneyholic family
dreamflight99--
WOW!!! that suite is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!....WOW.....
we'll be staying at the PB, but only for one night (the first night of our trip) and only in a regular concierge room....but i'm looking forwards to it nevertheless...
it's interesting, from your pictures, that hotel really reminds me a lot of the Mira Costa at Tokyo's DisneySea......i wonder if they used the same architect....or just copied the ideas from the portofino bay....
anyway....that suite you have reserved really is to die for....wow!!...

Thanks so much, Beth...and everyone else. I know you ALL know how amazing it is...when everything COMES TOGETHER! Loews actually based this resort on the REAL Portofino in Italy. There are photos in the rooms/baths, etc. When you are there...you will see these and notice the incredible similarities. The only difference is...Portofino Italy has HILLS behind the Port. Florida...is flat. I have seen the pictures of the Mira Costa at TDS...and have to agree with you! It appears they actually COPIED the PBH.

There is NO SUCH THING as a regular Concierge room in the Portofino! You will be impressed, and wish you had reserved the room/CL for a few more eves. If you have a chance, visit the Mandera Spa & Fitness center. It is a great place to "unwind" and treat yourself to a little slice of divinity.

BT~If you wish to reserve this suite...I'll PM you the numbers for this particular one. There is another one, a bit closer to the elevators, same exact layout with similar decor. Across the hall, I believe there are a couple which overlook the pool. We personally prefer the BAY VIEW. DH just LOVES this suite (DD too). I savor everything about this property. It has the best poolside "service" staff we have ever enjoyed. The HK dept is impeccable, and diligently honor the DND signs without hesitation/phone calls or any other problems. Turndown service is dreamy, better than most. Assuredly, this resort is at the top of my list (for travel destinations).

TTFN...DF99

 

[Steffy]

Hello lovely Lizards!

Long time, no post.

The next few months will speed by for me. Summer is my busy season.

Woody still thinking about you......

PD to all who requested it.

DF nice digs....

Anyway, I need some help, please. A co-worker is coming to Poly LVC for her honeymoon. Neither she nor her husband-to-be have ever been to Disney.... They are using the silver plan. I wanted to have the bride and groom ears in their room for them. Can I ask the conceirge to arrange that? (needless to say I'll use my Disney Visa for the charge...)

I need more help. The co-workers.. it will be a small wedding and we're not invited... but I suggested we take up a collection and give her Disney dollars... then I thought... they have money... could I get conceirge to book them the Breathless cruise for fireworks? I Know they love fireworks....We could all sign the card and I would mail it to the Poly....would the conceirge put it in their room with the reservation for the cruise???

 

[disneyholic family]

dreamflight99...
i have to admit that i'm sorry we can't spend a few more days at the PBH....but we're pretty tightly scheduled requiring us to be at the AKL for the sunrise safari...and then on to the GF and then our cruise and then the WL....
but that's ok....the way i view it, we'll sample it this trip and if we like it, there's always next time....this is the first time we're staying at any universal property so it will be interesting for us....
actually we're paying for two nights, so that we can stay late and not have to check out until the evening....but we'll only sleep there one night....i always do that on overlap days....pay for two rooms so that i don't have time that i'm 'homeless'....

by the way, my son and i were supposed to go to the mira costa last year, but cancelled when the whole SARs thing first broke (to get to japan we have to fly via hong kong, which was heavily hit at that time)...
But we've been thinking of going this december....if we do, we'll be able to see if it is a copy.....

after posting this i remembered the whole chain of events regarding the reservations at the PBH.....initially we decided to go back to universal/IofA this year to try the parks out again....last time we went was 3 years ago and we didn't particularly like them....at the time the kids were too young (or chicken) to ride the coasters....so DS suggested that we return this year to try out the coasters and the new attraction at universal.....so that was how it started....then as i researched it , i learned about the express entrance or whatever it's called for onsite guests.....so i decided i should reserve a room for one night so that we could have two days (one at universal/one at IofA) with express entrance....so i called up to make a reservation....i was going to get the cheapest room at the cheapest onsite hotel and not really stay there....but then i figured we should try out the hotel for comparison.....since the PBH looked beautiful, i reserved a room there.....then, about a week ago, i realized i was being foolish not reserving concierge....so i called back and upgraded to club level (concierge)....so that's how it escalated....but i'm not sorry....on the contrary, i'm very excited about it....moreso after reading your comments and seeing your pictures....
i am very interested in seeing the PBH....to see how it's run etc....i love checking new places out that way...
i wouldn't be surprised if their concierge service is better.....though Disney is nice, it's not nearly on the level of some concierge services i've experienced in other cities/countries...
so this will be very interesting...
and if we like it, we can go for your suite next time...

 

[ARF]

This will be my first CL trip and I was just wondering...do you contact IPO or do they contact you?

If they contact you when should I start looking for a package and if I have to contact them when should I?

We are staying at the AKL 11/23-11/28

Also how far in advance should I book a Towncar? I have always just grabbed a cab outside the airport, but I am liking the idea of having a car waiting for us.

Thanks for any help.

 

[mom_rules]

Oh my! One day and I've missed so much!!

Putting coffee and breaky out for you guys! Off to work I go!

I'll be at BWI but not until October also. I'd like a fridge in my room-was so excellent for taking back large bottles of water and filling sports bottles to take to the parks and also to have milk in the room for the evening etc. Should I request one now or wait until we get there?

I contact IPO via email first and leave my phone number etc - and usually get a call back within the hour.

As far as a towncar, I have ours booked for October already-much like a rental, you don't have to pay anything up front but if you decide to cancel make sure you do it well in advance and get a confirmation of the cancellation (does that make sense?) or they may charge your credit card as a no show.

 

[wdwfan]

I am also a lizard lounge. We have been coming to WDW for 5 years straight now and always stay deluxe. Just last summer we decided to stay concierge at the Yacht Club. We were hooked after that! We loved it there!

This year we decided that although we loved the Yacht Club, we wanted to branch out a bit and try something else. Boardwalk Inn is also another one of our favorite resorts (we are partial to Epcot resorts ) so we are staying concierge there for our August trip. I can't wait!

My interactions with the itinerary planners have been wonderful! They have helped me so much. I had to reschedule my tickets for Cirque even after I bought them, no problem, done. Just yesterday my daughter came to me and said that she really wanted to do the princess breakfast at the castle. I knew it was way past the 90 day mark, but this morning I got the email that it was taken care of.

You gotta love concierge!

 

[disneyholic family]

well....i hope this doesn't say anything about what it's going to be like when we're there but....
so far we've only had responses from the AKL IPO.....they are AMAZING....answering me within 5 minutes of receiving my email....even on Saturday....(Don and Andrea are the two i've been in touch with)..

meanwhile, the GF RPC IPO has not yet responded to my email...
maybe it was a bad few days?....and the truth is, i really need their help....oh well...it won't spoil my stay....

and i haven't yet heard from the WL, but neither have i contacted them, so it's too soon to tell.....

never mind.....we will have the greatest stay ever....of that i am 100% convinced..
oh... a bit of reality.....our cruise documents were delivered today by UPS express.....woohoo!!!....(don't ask how i was dressed or what the condition of my hair was....scarier than alien encounter....)

 

[VAgal76]

Welcome, wdwfan! I'm glad you joined us!

Steffy - That sounds awfully sweet of you to do that for the newlyweds. I bet they would enjoy that Breathless Illuminations cruise. I'm sure CM's would help you arrange everything including the bride & groom ears.

Well, I'm thrilled to say that not only has BambiTamby nabbed that sunset safari our two families, but we will also be sharing Grand1 cruise together on Father's Day! :thewave:
It was such a sweet surprise. I think I'm going to rename her "Princess Angel"

 

[#1hockeymom]

oh, you two are going to have an AWESOME time! Two more weeks and you're both off to Disney! WOO HOO!

Towncars>> I have only used Happy Limo so far, and I have booked from five months in advance to three days in advance and that was for Easter week! (forgot to reserve and ended up doing it during lunch at school!) I do know that it always has been cheaper for me to rent a towncar roundtrip, and get a taxi for those emergency situations I need one in, than to have a rental I hate and never drive for the entire time. I LOVE giving the driving to someone else! I even more love giving up being the direction/map person as we pass up the exit we need! I wouldn't have learned about towncars had it not been for these boards. The Swan/Dolphin ladies have taught me well, and I am getting my advanced degree between here and there!

Have a lovely Sunday! We're finishing up the yard work, and might even get the pool open if the rains hold out like they are supposed to! A fresh assortment of iced drinks have been put out, along with some fresh fruit, dips, and veggies!

Debbie