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

[lovesdumbo]

Heard from Poly IPO today-they called me. I think it was Matt. I had already sent my PS list and he was also going to arrange a tour for DH, purchase ticket for my friend to go to the Sweet Sundays event at F&WFest. He was able to tell me who the chef will be so I can also purchase the chef's cookbook for my DF. He's also going to send me a Poly T-shirt for my friend. I have already purchased her a suitcase organizer-she's has borrowed mine in the past and wanted to put something in it when I give it to her. Matt also said he could arrange to have Mickey Bride & Groom ears in the room as we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. He also said he could send DD a card/photo from Pooh as she is always telling me how much she misses him and then asks me if he misses her too. He also asked what the other kids favorite characters are.

My sister is making my kids costumes for MNSSHP. Tinkerbell for DD(20 months) & Peter Pan for DS. I want DD(5) to be Wendy but she wants to be Tinkerbell too. I still haven't told her about the trip so she can be whatever she wants at home. I think her first choice is Sleeping Beauty.

Its all so exciting!

mmause- for you!

Woody-thinking of you & DS-best of luck tomorrow!

 

[tinkerbella22]

Loves Dumbo,

How long in between contacting IPO through email or message should I wait for a reply. I will be there in 39 days . I just recently switched to concierge so I don't have the luxury of being contacted way in advance. I already made all of my own ps and got everything I wanted. I wanted somethng special for my children and left a message yesterday and a more in depth email today. I do not want to be a pain......but I don't want to be overlooked. All you concierge veterens HELP!! What is the norm? Should I feel neglected or wait a few days?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Tinkerbella-I had sent them a fax last Thursday. I would have called earlier as I am approaching my 90 days but I just didn't get a chance. I was going to call today but they beat me to it. Donna said she's been waiting to hear from them too. I think must just be busy. If I were you I'd probably wait another day before leaving another message. What kind of surprises are you thinking of doing? I have purchased a few things on sale at the Disney store for my kids that I plan on mailing down. I was thinking of asking for some princess hats or autograph books but I actually think the kids would enjoy picking them out for themselves when we get there. I'm doing the Bride & Groom ears more for the kids but I do think they'll be fun!

 

[inthemood]

Would any of you tell me which car service co. you use? We have only used STARRS, but I never see anything written about them! It seems everyone uses somone else! Could you also add what you like or dislike about them!

Thank you in advance,
Jonna

 

[tinkerbella22]

INthemood,

I will be using STARS this year. How are they?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Oct will be my first time using a limo. I decided to go with FL Tours because they provide car seats for free and they allow 30 minutes for a grocery stop. I was thinking about Happy which lots of people seem to use but they would be $20 more and just 15 minutes for a grocery stop. I think a lot of people don't like that FL Tours doesn't take credit cards so you've got to pay cash or travelers checks. I've read good things about both and got good service over the phone and email from FL Tours.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Regarding STAR LIMO service. If you search the trip reports board for DELSWIFE'S.... Trip reports she in her Big announcement post. Reports that Star was a bad service. to paraphrase her... They were late, refused her grocery stop. and were very rude. On the return trip to the airport they were a no show. The family was forced to seek alternate arrangements. Just an FYI.

 

[#1hockeymom]

KerryCM and others>>I've only used Happy Limo and have been very happy haha with them. I have used the limo option which was nice, and the last two trips just did towncar, although we were picked up in an excursion one time. I really don't care what they pick me up in as long as I don't have to drive and its clean! They can meet you at baggage, but I prefer the "grab baggage/call them" option as then you get to Disney much more quick! They meet you at the usual end spaces where everyone is picked up. I have always asked for a grocery stop, but have never actually used it. I put it in as back up just in case I realize I forget something, like the entire bathroom bag/case! They have always been prompt and courteous.

I am so glad I started using towncar pick ups instead of getting a rental car! You learn so much from this board! We never used the car except to drive to and from Disney. It just sat in the parking lot in the sea of little tiny rental cars! Happy Limo is cheaper, and much nicer than getting a rental, plus my vacation starts the moment we land, rather than the moment we finally get through the tolls, lost, argue, and finally find where we need to be!

I drive a ton during the school year as hockey season is the same time frame and we don't live near either! I don't want to drive during my vacation and I relish Disney transportation! 150 miles I don't drive a day is a WONDERFUL vacation!

I hope this helps, rather than confuses! I had forgotten the name of the Limo Co that Delswife used! I think it is all bleeped out now! Thanks for the memory! Love ya mean it!

LovesDumbo>> I think we all want to be your friend now! You have some great surprises lined up!

Tinkerbella>>My advice on your PSs would be to have concierge remake all of them. I don't think it was my imagination that we were being seated before others, and also at better table locations. There is something to be said for "concierge guest" to be listed next to your name for a PS!

Thanks for the heads up on BT, cajunfan! I wish she could jet herself down to Disney for our sorority tea on Wednesday!

Debbie

 

[tinkerbella22]

#1hockeymom,

I asked concierge, wdw dining and the managemnt at guest relations about the preferential ps. Mind you these were three separate phone calls and I did not tell anyone about previous calls. I asked about the concierge making the reservation vs me making them. I was told by all three the identical answer. That being that they have access to the same dining line and there is no space available to note if the concierge made the reservation or not. All three also told me that the concierges only have special pull at the resturants in the resort you are at.....example Kona and Ohana at the Poly.

I even had someone in management who put me on hold and tried to go into the screen and notate that I was concierge...but again there was no where for her to notate it . I wish you luck with getting that preferential treament.....but if it is true they are certainly not admitting to it....so there is nothing that I can do. I did gice the IPO at the poly all of my priority seating #'s....maybe she will take care of that.

Still no one will admit that the rumor of VIP or concierge service is true.

I did call 3 separate places and got identical answers....

Tinkerbella

 

[#1hockeymom]

This is how I checked/decided we were getting quicker seats/better seats. At Brown Derby I looked over at their screen. On their screen right next to my name it said "concierge guest" or something like that. I know concierge was definitely one of the words. Do I think this is right? We're not sure as we had a huge talk about that during lunch. Yes, it was a nice perk. Are we better than everyone else there? HELL NO! Can I afford to keep on getting this perk? No, once again, but it was awfully nice feeling special for a few days!

Maybe some others here have similar experiences. I am glad you gave your PS numbers to IPO if only to have your schedule in one place! Happy planning!
Debbie

<i>Edited to add after reading johsonset's post! (thanks for the reminder!) AKL also obtained CRT for three during Easter week, this was WAY past 90 days out, more like a few weeks before we left on vacation. They also had tons of times for reservations for Ohana's, where if you would call disney dining they only seemed to have a 9:00.</i>

 

[johnsonet]

I know for a fact that on about 3 weeks' notice, AKL CL got me CRT...that we had "front row" seats to Wishes at Cali Grill...and that I was told by AKL CL IPO that they "go through Executive Dining" for their PS and call at specific intervals - something like 14 days out and 3 days out, in particular.
When you call and ask if a concierge guest gets preferential seating, I guess they feel they have to deny it - across the board - but I feel certain that staying Concierge helps you get good tables at the restaurants of your choice

 

[tinkerbella22]

johnsonet,

I believe that this is true for last minute reservations.....because they did tell me that the only VIP dining is executive dining. However they are forbidden to use it until very close to the requested PS date......in case some executive needs it. However the standard ps that they make 90 or 60 days out ...they use the regular dining because they cannot use the executive dining until a few weeks before the requested date.


I just again spoke to a CM in a management position.....they again assured me that my ps were identical to what they could do. He did however say if I needed any last minute modifications he could help with that.

 

[johnsonet]

Well, that jibes with what I experienced...I don't tend to plan trips any more than about 90 days in advance. I guess the key is to know what you want, try and get it and hope for the "Big Guns" to get pulled out at the end

 

[tinkerbella22]

I figure I asked and that is all I can do. I got CRT 1st seating. (got it twice last year) I even convinced them to let my non-magical gathering take the special dessert fire works cruise that is only for magical gatherings.....I did a good job on my own.... I even got VIP Cirque tickets only 60 days out.....groveling does work HA HA HA!

Now I did not book the Hoopdee or a couple of other things....if I need that while I am there...I will see what the concierge can do..maybe some exective dining is still in y future!!!

Tinkerbella

 

[ead79]

Hello all! Sorry I've been missing for a couple of days. We have a big sales force training going on, so I've been knee-deep in work trying to coordinate that.

As far as the special PS's go, it is correct that the concierge CMs have special pull at the restaurants at their resort, which is nice. Also, when I checked in at Liberty Tree Tavern, the words "Yacht Club Concierge Guest" were written by my name. I believe that you can also have VIP noted by your name (but that wouldn't necessarily be done for a concierge guest, but more for an actual VIP, I believe). I'm not sure that it got us any sort of preferential treatment, but who knows.

 

[ead79]

HInative,
I can't help you out with AKL concierge pictures, but I do have some of YC concierge. Sorry some of the pictures are a little dark, but you can still get the idea. I will say that the rooms are decorated really well and are nicely themed. Also, we loved our stay at YC CL and look forward to returning some day.

YC Pictures

Also, if you are looking for sites with resort pictures, you should be sure to check out www.allearsnet.com and www.ourlaughingplace.com.

 

[mmausse]

While staying at BWI CL this past Feb, I know from my own experience that being a CL guest did get me into unseatable restaurants (ie all booked). I hadn't made a lot of PS because my 16yo DN, did not want to be tied down (although after a week with a teenager I WAS THE ONE who could have been tied down ). She decided at 630pm she wanted to eat at the Moroccan restaurant at 7pm. Jackie at BWI CL called and they said they were booked ALL NIGHT. DN pouted and cried and Jackie did that voodoo that shedoo SO well and explained we were CL and she got us PS at 7pm. I have stayed CL at other resorts and will ALWAYS do so again.

BTW, I like to plan way ahead when I travel alone. That was my first, and last, trip with non-Disney relatives. So much better to be carefree and alone!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by mmausse
While staying at BWI CL this past Feb, I know from my own experience that being a CL guest did get me into unseatable restaurants (ie all booked). I hadn't made a lot of PS because my 16yo DN, did not want to be tied down (although after a week with a teenager I WAS THE ONE who could have been tied down ). She decided at 630pm she wanted to eat at the Moroccan restaurant at 7pm. Jackie at BWI CL called and they said they were booked ALL NIGHT. DN pouted and cried and Jackie did that voodoo that shedoo SO well and explained we were CL and she got us PS at 7pm. I have stayed CL at other resorts and will ALWAYS do so again.

BTW, I like to plan way ahead when I travel alone. That was my first, and last, trip with non-Disney relatives. So much better to be carefree and alone!

ITA, mmausse!!!Yes, you DO get those hard-to-get PS's and reservations with concierge "pull".
I've had VIP seating for Illuminations TWICE this year, able to get any meal at the last moment's notice (even during Sprink Break!) and even got an Illuminations Birthday cruise and a WISHES cruise booked just weeks before going to WDW.

I could call at 6:58 am to get CRT, but I didn't have to with IPO. Same for the Grand 1 cruise.
I own and run my business and I NEED my sleep! LOL!


To be very honest.....do ya'll think, if we had cancelled G1 ressies, we would've gotten a Magic Kingdom Dessert Party if we were NOT staying concierge? hmmmmm.....who knows?

Anyways, I just had to pop in and say HELLO to everyone here in the lounge!
and ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* to those in need and you're in my thoughts and prayers.


Also.....something for KerryCM...

DEBBIE!!!!throw everything in your suitcase and get going!

 

[mmausse]

Does anybody know of any deals to be had for CL at Las Vegas hotels in the 4-5 star range. I have a friend who's going at XMAS with her beau and money's tight for them. I figured I would ask my well-travelled friends her at "THE" Lounge, to see if y'all know of any place or site I could check for them. Who knows, if money is REALLY tight, I could always give them CL for XMAS....Ho-ho-ho!

 

[francie]

hi, i was just wondering where your "vip seating" for illuminations was? do you mean a table with a view at one of the world showcase restaurants? thanks in advance.