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

[VAgal76]

Samnbilly - You can come along, but you'd have to condense down and fold into fourths? Lol! I don't leave too much room in my suit case. I have a habit of packing the kitchen sink when I travel. July looks okay as far as crowds go from what others have been telling me. I've had to juggle our trip our SIL's "schedule." For almost 17 she's a nightmare to plan anything with these days. There was a point that I was thinking we'd have to go without her! She got lucky on her dates coming back from camp that we could go just that one week without interferring with her next trip. Kids go back to school the end of August and we didn't want to go closer to hurricane peak season. I wouldn't have wanted her to miss an opportunity like this nor did I want to wait another year. At least, we have things ironed out now and well on our way for another great trip!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

steveanddonna - Hope you got to have a nice celebration, Happy Anniversary!!

VAgal - Late July is fine with us, at least I think so! Your point about teenage girls being hard to plan around is gonna really hit home next summer, I think. DD is 15 this year, and plans on working next summer, hopefully at a vet's office (she has planned on being a vet since she was 4 years old!) I'm hoping we can still work around her schedule - work, dance, horse - without much problem.

Big room wave to all the Lizards!!! :thewave: Sorry so many are feeling puny, hope everybody's back up to snuff quickly!!!

 

[steveanddonna]

I guess what I am saying is, to my mind, this is not an auspicious start - and I really hope things get better! Have people in the Lounge had experiences good/bad with Poly concierge?

DutchsMommy - this probably will just confuse you more, but we have had both wonderful experiences and terrible experiences with Poly concierge/IPO, and all within the last 11 months. All of the bad experiences were pre-hurricane, so I definitely think there are management issues at work as well. Things have been very hit or miss with them lately, but I must add that we've enjoyed all our trips. We've had slow response times from IPO at times, but I don't hesitate to e-mail a little reminder, gently asking if previous e-mails were received and are being attended to. I do think they are tremendously understaffed (are you listening, corporate?) and generally trying to do their best. We've had competent help from the IPO staff, nothing extraordinary or magical, though Melissa got a real workout helping to plan the mini-lizard meet in August. We've had one IPO CM drop the ball on a PS and then, on a subsequent trip, completely screw up our itinerary, but it was resolved by another CM, though not until after our arrival. We've been repeatedly disappointed with housekeeping, but have always had our "bumps and glitches" remedied by a concierge CM. There are many CMs at the Poly who are just fabulous, making it hard for us to consider another resort. Kathy, Aida, Ivette, Chef Dick, Barb - these people have made the Poly feel like home to us.

I'm watching Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel as I type (*What a GREAT way to begin the morning!)...and she is checking-out the "Walt Disney Suite" at the GF...the very one I'll have to reserve for my next visit!! She said it goes for about 2K per eve, (not bad for such a lovely, well-appointed suite).

Thankfully we don't have cable, or I'd be on the phone with ATA planning an "in-between" trip!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Thank you so much for the great welcome back! I feel so loved! I feel so grateful to have friends like you guys!

I know I just returned, but I envy all the plans everyone is making, especially to the concierge levels at the different resorts! BTW, who owes money to whom on all the bets on me? I was so scared I'd book that I didn't even visit! What can I say... I've got it bad! Pop was fine for a four day mini break/Halloween visit and I'd do it again in a second. A day at a value is better than a day at work, eh? We were in the fifties, pool side between the pool and the main building. A good location, though after looking at the resort I think I prefer the 70's area, courtyard view, even though there isn't a pool there. I just thought the theming was really cool in that area and yes, I grew up in the 70's and early 80's! There were a few cabs hanging out near the front entrance if I had needed to be someplace immediately. That was a concern before we arrived. We ended up not needing a cab, though.

Off to do more cleaning and hockey records!
Debbie

 

[KerryCM]

Debbie Welcome home. I am glad you enjoyed your trip. What will power you have to stay away from the AKL!!!! I am proud of you.

BT Sorry I missed your call! I went back to work today. Not bad work a day and the go to WDW!!!!!

LOOK AT MY COUNTER!!!!!! I am almost all packed and ready to go. Can't wait for everyone to see their surprises in their rooms. That is my favorite part. I know my surprise is taking place at the MK. Spectromagic is my favorite all time parade and Jim tells me we will be there Saturday night for the 11pm parade. Now, he is not one to go all out so anything will be sweet of him.

I hope all of my fellow LL with flus and bugs are feeling better. I also hope all the mommies to be are doing great!

 

[lindeyspol]

Debbie--glad to hear you had a great trip. I do know what you mean about akl. I wish I could've gotten there this trip but only doing concierge 1 out of 4 nights--just happy to be going.

We leave Thurs am and with all the WL bashing going on, I am a little afraid. Of course, I booked cheapie std room and it's only for the first 2 nights so I think we'll survive.

Kerry cm--have a great trip. Maybe we'll bump into you. We'll be at dtd thrus pm---mgm fri----epcot sat and MNSSHP sun. I'll be the one in the orange shirt (ds 6 fave color) with Buzz and Woody. Can't wait to hear about your surprise. Boys are getting personalized mickey ghost bags w/candy from feralpeg. For my bday, I'm getting to go to Disney again!!!!

I've never done a trip report but I will post details and many pix. And of course, disney from the 1st trimester and next time, the second trimester!

Off to check the weather reports and secretly finish the packing---not telling the boys till the night before!

Prayers and pd to all who need it!

Lisa

 

[storybookmum]

Lisa, WL is definitely at the top of our next to try list, so I'm extremely eager to hear your thoughts. We hadn't realised my stepdaughter would be with us on this trip, so it eliminated many options once she was included (which is fine, but DH is dying to try WL).

We will be eating at Whispering Canyon for lunch one day, so I'll be checking it out!

Kerry, have a fabulous time!! I have counter envy (but still a few organizational things to do for packing, so tomorrow would freak me out a bit)....

Kris

 

[KerryCM]

lindeyspol I am going to the MNSSHP on Sunday also! Where are you staying this trip? I will be with a big and small Snow White, daughter-in-law and granddaughter! have fun and I hope we do run into each other.

steveanddonna I will give you a call next week, hope we can meet up! have a great trip.

 

[floridafam]

lindseypol,

You'll have a wonderful time at WL. It's just the IPO service that needs a little work. The Lodge is still wonderful-the smells, the feeling you get when you walk through the doors into the lobby.

It's wonderful. Enjoy!

 

[ead79]

Have a FANTASTIC trip, Kerry! Enjoy some R&R time and take lots of pictures to share with us.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Best wishes to all who are going in the next little bit. Kerry - hope your surprises go over awesomely, I'm sure they will...and hope DHs surprise is wonderful!

Thanks to everyone for their input on my IPO situation. It really wasn't the fact that I hadn't rec'd anything as much as the response that they'd gotten my requests and my 90 day date is Dec 11th - I am really hoping for a few ressies, and I don't want major mix-ups if I can avoid it! I responded to the e-mail and got an apology/response right away. They also sent a soft-copy of the Itinerary Planner, so I can fill that out. The funny/sad part of the whole thing is - guess what was in my mailbox when I got home today!!! LOL - just my luck, if I had've waited until tommorrow the whole thing would have been a non-issue

Either way, I will be a dutiful "type A" and fill out my form as requested. I am still waiting on the Planner for AKL, so hopefully that will arrive in the next few days.

I have a question for the LLs please - the name of the smaller boat (yacht?) for the Illuminations Cruise s called what?? I think it's "Grand One" but it is not sounding right to me. I am hoping to request that boat for our cruise (celebrating DSs b'day at the Poly). This is what the big deal is about for my 90 day ressie.

So, welcome back to all who recently visited, and have a great trip for those about to go, and to everyone suffering the lovely named *crud* - hoping you and your family feel better soon!

Take care,

Sarah

 

[storybookmum]

What planner for AKL? I didn't get any planner. Do you think they didn't bother because I already have all my itinerary mapped out and just needed a couple more PS for them to take care of?

The AKL itinerary that the emailed me was boring anyway, mine's all jazzy and full-colour, a thing of beauty, really...lol....talk about Type A!!

Love,

Kris

 

[TammiMcMan]

Sarah,

The smaller boat for Illuminations is called the Breathless. I was looking to book it for our December 9th trip, but was told that it is down for rehab. I don't know when it's due back, but you might want to check on it ahead of time. Unfortunately, the YC IPO department wasn't able to secure a cruise for us, so we're on the wait list for cancellations.

Tammi

 

[steveanddonna]

Have a wonderful trip, KerryCM! Can't wait to hear about your surprise. Hope we manage to connect while we're in the world.

All the recent trip reports and soon-to-be-leaving lizards are getting MY excitement level up. I've been trying not to look ahead, as there is way too much stuff to be done here, but now I'm Next week can't come soon enough. Well, yes it can, 'cuz I still have a few tweaks of the itinerary to do. I can't wait to see the castle from my room and have a hot dog at Casey's and visit our favorite monorail man and show my in-laws WDW the way we see it...

Sarah are you thinking of the Breathless? That's the reproduction wooden ChrisCraft runabout. It's currently being rehabbed according to Poly IPO. We wanted to get it as a treat for my FIL's b-day. His first boat was an old barrelback ChrisCraft. The Grand 1 is a 12 person yacht. There are also pontoon boats they use for both Illuminations and Wishes cruises.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I think I am referring to the Breathless.....thanks all!! My mind is so full of stuff I want to do/think I should do/might do etc., that I am losing track! I don't think we need the larger yacht or pontoon boats as there will only be the three of us, although I have thought of sharing if we do manage to get a ressie for one of the larger boats.

Storybookmum: I'm not sure what I am expecting from the AKL for an itinerary planner, the person who e-mailed me just said she would send one out. I don't really have many requests from AKL concierge; just the Sunrise Safari, hopefully a King bed room and an Arusha savannah view (fingers crossed) and maybe one or two PSs. If I don't end up with one in the mail in the next few days, I'm just going to do up my own "request sheet" and e-mail it off to them.

I am really looking forward to this trip and getting pretty excited - we are doing AKL and Poly concierge (3 nights each) and then going on the 4 night Wonder cruise. This whole thing started with the Travel Channel's piece on DCL (originally it was going to be a land/sea package, but with all the great advice I have picked up on the boards it is now a 10 night Concierge extravaganza!!!!!!

I havn't been able to justify the cost to do the Suite on the Cruise, but I would LOVE to have the ressies etc. taken care of for me there!! It's the only part of the trip that I know exactly what ressies etc I need!
I am still dreaming of an upgrade at the Port, but am not really expecting it.

So, in the next little while I will probably be looking for "not to miss" food/drink/entertainment advice from the LLs.

Thanks again

 

[DutchsMommy]

I need to book our towncare from MCO - WDW - Port - MCO pretty soon and I am looking for any past experiences. I know there has been alot of talk on the transportation boards, but I wanted to get your opinions if possible. Thanks!

 

[#1hockeymom]

I have never gotten the full "planner" from AKL's IPO. I've always emailed them and we just communicate through email tag! They've come through with anything I've requested, even CRT ressies a few days before our trip! The cakes were also a highlight! Birthday for DS and graduation for DD during separate trips. AKL has a great IPO! *big wave to them if they're reading these boards!* The sunrise safari is not to be missed! We have booked it twice! I hope to do the sunset safari sometime soon.

Just to reiterate, yes, Breathless is the chriscraft boat that you may rent for illuminations! It is a beautiful boat! My great grandpa had one of those out on one of the finger lakes *have no idea which one as I didn't "read" back then! I do remember the boat, though!

Have a great trip, Kerry!

Debbie

 

[lindeyspol]

Kerry--hope we see you on Sunday. We'll be at Mk in the am CP at 8:20 then back to CR to rest and LTT at 4:10. DH is a big guy with dark hair who will be wearing a short sleeve orange shirt. I have longer dark brown hair and will be wearing a long sleeve orange shirt with a little witches hat on it. DS 6 will be Buzz and DS 2 1/2 will be Woody. We'll definitely keep our eyes open for the double snow whites! We'll be at WL Th-Sa then CR thru Mon am.

Thanks for the reassurance on WL. Guess I'm relieved that they didn't have concierge when I called. Renee at GF/CR has been great for this trip and our Dec trip and of course, AKL is always great. Oh, last time we only received planner in mail from poly, no akl (but phone calls and emails). This time we received from GF and AKL (they have beautiful stationery). I never send them in, just email or they have both called me for our Dec trip (GF and AKL).

Well, must get packing. Trying to use only a small suitcase (very challenging for me!)

Hey Debbie, how was the weather at night? Should I bring long sleeves, pants, sweatshirts? Figuring since you're a fellow midwesterner you'd have about the same temperature tolerance.

As my 6 yo told me tonight, "only 2 more un-birthdays for you mommy!"

Sweet Disney dreams

 

[johnsonet]

steveanddonna and kerrycm Have wonderful Disney trips! Enjoy every minute

Again, Debbie Welcome Home!! I hope you'll share photos...

DD and I are getting excited. I am thinking of ordering the Mouseketree but since A) DD and I are travelling without DH and B) we won't be in WDW for Christmas day, but the week before...I feel that dreaded emotion no LL dare to experience...
GUILT
What to do? What to do? Should I forego the tree and do something else? I am torn...
Thanks and I'm doling out pennies for the LL gumball machine

 

[LATigger]

Hi Concierge Pros!

Has anyone ever requested of the CMs who plan ahead/send itinerary planner that you get a clean bedspread???? This topic came up on another thread. We have a honeymoon suite booked and at concierge rates, the darn things should be washed anyway. Is it too much to ask as a pre-arrival request?
Tks!
Nurse who can't forget germs too easily!