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

[GoofyJoofy]

Hello everyone!
We arrived late last night and wanted to stop by and say Hi to everyone.

I'll post more details (maybe even a trip report)
but for now let me tease you with this....

There was plenty of magic and PD

Complimentary upgrades!!!

Special surprise gift

But the best thing was the Beach Club was just awesome, the staff great, and the concierge staff from pre-planning to final departing, made us feel welcome and pampered.

And the trip back was a bit bumpy due to Gaston. Hope all in its path are OK. We saw some of what Charley did on our ride from and to the airport.

Gotta go read the thousands of pages ya'll created while I was away. Once I've caught up, I'll post more.

Oh yeah one more thing. This thread has helped me so much in understanding what concierge can do, what to expect at a Disney deluxe and what things even Disney or concierge can't control. So a BIG thank you to all the wonderful people on this thread.

Got to start planning the next trip!

 

[mom_rules]

Welcome Back!! Do hurry and post details-can't wait!!

 

[ead79]

Welcome back GoofyJoofy! I can hardly wait to hear about the details!

 

[amcghfan01]

Originally posted by BambiTamby
BTW...those cards are PRECIOUS, GoofyJoofy!!!!

Can't wait to see pics of you and your beautiful family enjoying yourselves!!!!

And, we'll discuss the Summer Lizard meet after you get back! OK?

If anyone is lurking.....the email for the BC/YC/ BWI Concierge planning is
WDW.YBBW.Concierge@disney.com

Like GoofyJoofy, mmausse, KerryCM and others will confirm, they are wonderful IPO CMs!!!!

I staying Concierge for the first time at the Yacht Club (1st time at the Yacht Club too)... What can the planners do for us? Also what advantages are there of staying concierge?

THANKS

 

[ead79]

Alysa,

I noticed you asked about mini wedding cakes at the GF. I don't know much about them, but here is what I do know:

The Grand Floridian Bakery makes all the wedding cakes for all the Disney weddings. They can also do small cakes for guests (I think they can do both small two-tier cakes and small one-tier cakes that would look more like the very top layer of a wedding cake). They also have all sorts of choices for cake fillings. They are extremely talented!

 

[minniesota]

Wow! I just finished reading the entire 119 pages and feel like I've been to the best movie I've seen in a long time. Such wonderful characters, adventure, romance, trials and tribulations, heart-warming relationships and so much laughter. My DH keeps asking me what I'm doing on the computer and I said I'm in the lounge and getting to know some kindred spirits. Thank you, thank you for all the information and such wonderful stories. I feel as though I know you all!

I'll be contacting GF IPO today (a little late since we leave 6 weeks from Sat.) but we just reserved the 2 BR suite at GF last week. We've had 3 LV rooms reserved since last March but when no discounts were available we decided to have a suite adventure! We (there are 8 of us) start out at the Poly (1st visit), move to two 2-bedroom villas at the BCV, then end up at the GF. It's Mom and Dad's 75th birthdays (DH and I both turned 50 this year) and our DD turns 13 right before we leave. So excited! Have fun planning everyone and I LOVE THE LIZARD LOUNGE!

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Originally posted by GoofyJoofy
Hello everyone!
We arrived late last night and wanted to stop by and say Hi to everyone.

I'll post more details (maybe even a trip report)
but for now let me tease you with this....

There was plenty of magic and PD

Complimentary upgrades!!!

Special surprise gift

But the best thing was the Beach Club was just awesome, the staff great, and the concierge staff from pre-planning to final departing, made us feel welcome and pampered.

...

Oh yeah one more thing. This thread has helped me so much in understanding what concierge can do, what to expect at a Disney deluxe and what things even Disney or concierge can't control. So a BIG thank you to all the wonderful people on this thread.

Got to start planning the next trip!

Ditto to the above but just wanted to add one cute quote (between loads of laundry...)

When we booked our BC CL stay there were no lake views to be had for a family of 5. Much to our surprise we got an AWESOME upgrade at check-in to a PERFECT(!) Crescent Lake/Boardwalk view w/full balcony! When we walked into the room and looked out the windows our jaws just dropped and our DS said it best...

"We have Bambi's view!!!"


... and we did -- room 5661! So Bambi, thanks again for posting all those pictures. You now have a view named after you at least in our family's eyes!

More details to come... I did already post one response to another "Why Concierge" thread...
My reply's here

 

[suzimar57]

Bambi - my son & i stayed at the CR on the 11th floor the same time you were there recently (during the "water main break") - we really enjoyed looking at all of your recent CR 14th floor pix, especially the views from the balcony - my husband and i have never stayed concierge before, but we have a reservation for our 10th aniv in 2008 for one of the MK view King rooms on the 14th floor - really looking forward to that!

my question to you is this: during your CR concierge stay, what did you tip the staff? if they cannot accept cash, what should we plan to bring them? gift cards? (yes, planning WAY ahead!)

thank you!

susan

 

[Rowlf]

Hi! I'm barging into the lounge....!

I have Poly LVC booked for three nights, September 18-21. I've been to WDW many times, but DH never has. (And he has no real desire to, but I'm winning on this one!) We have a 14-month-old son who is getting the world's most expensive first haircut.

I booked through Small World; she copied me on an email she sent to the Poly Concierge, but I haven't heard anything. Should I wait or bug them?

Thanks! I can't wait!!!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by suzimar57
Bambi - my son & i stayed at the CR on the 11th floor the same time you were there recently (during the "water main break") - we really enjoyed looking at all of your recent CR 14th floor pix, especially the views from the balcony - my husband and i have never stayed concierge before, but we have a reservation for our 10th aniv in 2008 for one of the MK view King rooms on the 14th floor - really looking forward to that!

my question to you is this: during your CR concierge stay, what did you tip the staff? if they cannot accept cash, what should we plan to bring them? gift cards? (yes, planning WAY ahead!)

thank you!

susan

susan...WELCOME to the LOUNGE!!!!

I just answered this question on the Concierge tipping thread.
Click her to view thread.

this is what I wrote....

This is what I do.....I usually send GIFTS to the Itinerary Planning Ofice to the CM that works the closest with me on our planning end....that could include up to three CMs.
I usually get alot of little tidbit info and I come-up with little suprises to send them.

For example, one of the IPO CMs was going to have surgery during our stay, and SHE is ALWAYS so FABULOUS with our planning.....she had told me on one of our chats that she had just gotten a precious little puppy....
well, I sent her a sleepshirt with a big puppy on it, plus some candies....plus, I had flowers sent to her hospital while we were there at the resort.

I also send Texan-style candies, something they do NOT have in Florida.
And I take boxes of these to hand out to the CL CMs here and there during our resort stays.
Just the suprised look on their faces tell the story!
Just as the look on our faces when we enter our room, or receive some of their "pixie dust".

BTW, you don't have to give them anything, but it sure does feel good to give back something to someone who has made your vacation extra special!

Hope this helps ya'll out!

minniesota...I'm excited about the suite idea and ITA~!
If your going to stay in three rooms, why not a SUITE?
and yes, we have a wondefully close group here....this lounge is FULL of the BEST folks!!!!

amcghfan01....WELCOME to the LIZARD LOUNGE!!!!

And to answer your question....here's what Goofy's Muse wrote in another thread....

We just returned from our first family trip to Disney. Chose to stay Beach Club Concierge. For me my #1 reason for staying concierge is CONVENIENCE!

For our family, the pre-planning assistance from the BC/YC/BW IPO staff was outstanding!!! We had lots of our own ideas on how to plan a special trip for our family and the IPO staff offered many additional ideas to complement our own. When it came time to schedule PSs, we got daily e-mails confirming our exact choices of places and times including CRT first seating. All I know is that at 7 am every day I'm getting 3 kids off to school and myself off to work so NOT having to spend phone time with Disney saved me both $$ and more importantly TIME! We also had to change PSs late in the game due to our own whims as well as a "surprise rendezvous" with our extended family -- all those weekend PS changes were made without a hassle! During our stay the concierge staff changed a Friday evening PS for us with just a few hours notice. These are all things I could try to do myself, but considering I spend 51 weeks of the year as my family's "IPO Office", what a thrill it was to have this level of service for myself. Totally stress free!!

Some have felt that you get prompt seating and "better tables" with concierge bookings. We did have great tables and prompt seating, though I can't compare based on having no prior experience. We did get an AWESOME room upgrade at the BC from garden view to an absolutely perfect lake/Boardwalk view with full balcony! Perhaps we were just lucky... all I know is that we were EXTREMELY appreciative!! We also had several "special treats" in our room upon check-in -- some we'd arranged through IPO, others were pleasant surprises for us!!

We also enjoyed the convenience of having a quick concierge breakfast several mornings, an occasional snack and one "happy hour" (we were a bit "commando" on this first trip ), and several dessert and cordial treats. I would not do concierge for the food alone, but the convenience of NOT having to do restaurants to feed 3 kids every couple of hours was worth it to us.

Our kids got a kick out of the housekeeping and turn-down service as well. Several surprise "towel animals" joined their own menagerie over time and the animals took to "watching
TV" in the evening -- the kids trying to guess who would be "holding the remote"!!

Would we do it again? In a heart beat!! Necessary? Probably not, but definitely a convenience that made our pre-planning of our trip all the more enjoyable and hassle-free!

WOW! That's a perfect example of the "WHY STAY" concierge!!!!

GoofyJoofy and Goofy's Muse...I'm thrilled to see ya'll back in the lounge, that BTW Debbie obviously renovated,
(Thanks Debbie for those extra sofas and loveseats and tabels...we needed them here!)

Yes, that room is the "cream of the crop" on that floor!
Wonder how you got that gorgeous room?
Can not wait to read more of the "Goof Troup" concierge experience!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by Rowlf
Hi! I'm barging into the lounge....!

I have Poly LVC booked for three nights, September 18-21. I've been to WDW many times, but DH never has. (And he has no real desire to, but I'm winning on this one!) We have a 14-month-old son who is getting the world's most expensive first haircut.

I booked through Small World; she copied me on an email she sent to the Poly Concierge, but I haven't heard anything. Should I wait or bug them?

Thanks! I can't wait!!!

Rowlf....WELCOME to the LIZARD LOUNGE!!!

POLY LVC.....NICE!!!!!

Ok, you need to get hooked up now with the Poly's IPO.
You need to email and CALL them and introduce yourself, you date of arrival and your concerns of not being contacted.

407-824-2466 and wdw.polynesian.island.planning.office@disney.com

Lots of blueberry and coffecake muffins out!
Coffees, milk, sodas, juices, fresh cut fruits....help yourselves!

 

[Rowlf]

Thanks for the warm welcome, BambiTamby!

I'll call them today and get the ball rolling.

After I munch on these yummy muffins.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Originally posted by BambiTamby


GoofyJoofy and Goofy's Muse... I'm thrilled to see ya'll back in the lounge, that BTW Debbie obviously renovated,
(Thanks Debbie for those extra sofas and loveseats and tabels...we needed them here!)

Yes, that room is the "cream of the crop" on that floor!
Wonder how you got that gorgeous room?

Can not wait to read more of the "Goof Troup" concierge experience!

Hmmm... methinks you are one VERY magical woman BT!!!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by Goofy's Muse
Hmmm... methinks you are one VERY magical woman BT!!!

You got that room because you are so sweet and I'm sure Alana or Angie or another IPO CM had something to do with it!

I just sent a little pixie dust your way!

 

[QJ411]

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if I already posted here, but I've read so much info on GF/SL...I'm lost in translation.

If I already posted and you've answered me already, I'm so sorry to make you repeat yourself...

DH and I will be at GF/Sl to celebrate our 2 yr. wedding anniversary. This will be our first time at conceirge and I've already correspondended w/ the Planning staff at GF.

One this I'm still unsure about is the location on SL. We're smokers and wanted to see if anyone knew apprx. where they would set us and if there were something specific we can try to request for.

They've been wonderful w/ helping us plan out all the PS. We were asking for anniversary celebration ideas also. If you can recommend anything, we really welcome suggestions!

THANKS!!!!

 

[suzimar57]

thanks, Bambi, for the gift suggestions for CR CL staff - i will keep them in mind for when we go (in 2008!)

susan

 

[ead79]

Queenie,

Do you have a picture of your wedding cake? If so, you could contact the Grand Floridian bakery about making a little version of the top of your cake. I'm not sure about cost yet (I'm having them do this for us, but I haven't sent in my picture to get the price estimate yet), but I know they do a terrific job (at least they did with our wedding cake, LOL!). Also, some massages at the GF spa followed by a romantic room service dinner would be lovely.

 

[nrsldy]

Elizabeth,
I noticed that you are going to be at WDW the same time we are. We will be staying at the AKL starting Nov 29th. I think the first day we get there we are going hotel hopping to see the decorations and spend some time at AKL. I am soooo looking forward to this trip and starting the christmas season at Disney. I am most looking forward to the Sunrise safari.
It is going to be our 30th wedding anv this year. I don't know if they could reproduce a cake top that old. But it's a thought!

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Wanted to give you some information on our recent trip (8/22 - 8/29) to the BC CL.
I can't believe it is over already. We started by booking our trip in Feb, and now it is just memories, sweet and precious memories, but memories.

We arrived around 10:30 AM on Sunday 8/22. Our bags were collected at the outside desk, we walked into the beautiful lobby and were shown the way to the elevator. We used the key card that was previously mailed to us to access the concierge floor.

We checked in at the concierge desk and even though the food lounge was closed, a CM went in and got all 5 of us (me, DW, DD-13, DD-11, and DS-10) a cold drink. We were informed that the room was not ready yet and oh by the way, you have been given a complimentary upgrade to a lake view. As if we weren't excited enough already, we are on pins and needles now.

We decided to drop into Beaches and Cream for an early lunch, and were told to check back after lunch. Beaches and Cream reminded my wife and I of the kind of places we used to go to at the NJ shore when we were first dating (did I mention the 30th anniversary of our first date was this past July!)

The food was very tasty, the CMs friendly and it was just a fun place to be. Checked back with the lounge and our room was still not ready, something about the prior occupant not leaving on time. Now I suppose I could have raised a stink. After all the resort was not booked solid, so something must have been available. But I figured if we were being given an upgrade, I would wait for it. So we got our bathing suites out of the luggage (those CMs who handle the luggage storage were very helpful and friendly, even though we put stuff in and took stuff out, like 3 or 4 times before we got into the room).

Went for a swim in Storm-A-Long Bay. I liked the sand on the pool bottom and the kids took to that slide like it was made just for them. Called CL back at some point and the room was ready, just a little after 2:00 PM. Could not get the kids out of the water though. Close to 3:00 PM, finally got everyone out, and we went to check out our room.

Went up to the 5th floor and told our room was 5661. We went in and....

....all of our jaws dropped. We had an incredible view of Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk Inn. My wife was all choked up and the kids kept saying "wow" "awesome", as they looked out and took it all in.

The room was beautiful, spacious and clean. Moments later our luggage arrived. Meanwhile everyone was being amazed. There on the table were the autograph books, pens, Epcot passports and candy that we pre-ordered for the kids, along with a picture card from Cinderella inviting the kids to breakfast the next morning. But...

DW and I had another surprise, there on the desk next to the kids stuff was a special Disney pin commemorating our anniversary and 3 helium balloons with "Happy Anniversary" all over them (they were tied to the candy so they wouldn't float away). There was also a picture of Mickey and Minnie in front of the BC, with a Happy Anniversary message from Mickey and love and well wishes from Minnie. That 75-yr. old mouse surely knows how too greet guests.

 

[minniesota]

GoofyJoofy,
I am loving this story - it sounds so magical! And you've inspired me. I was looking for gift ideas for the kids - the autograph books, pens and Epcot passports sound great! And what a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary. We will be at the BCV in a little over 6 weeks followed by a 2-bedroom suite at GF - can't wait!