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

[KerryCM]

I have always sent a small gift to my planners. I just sent one to Alana this week. She has been awesome and I feel athank you gift is appropriate. I sent something for her alone and something to share. I also bring gifts for the cMs in the Innkeepers Club. My son sent a large box in June with something for all the CMs. It is nice to write letters, but some of these people go way above and beyond for us. Last year our planner even came over on her day off to make sure we had everything when we checked in, to me this deserves a gift. I ahve given Disney Dollars as a gift also. Some of the cms like eating at the restaurants on property and they come in handy.
Just MHO, but I enjoy giving them gifts!

 

[steveanddonna]

...so glad to be back!!!!

Had lots going on recently, not the least of which was acting as temporary mom to my friend's special-needs 2-year old while my friend was hospitalized. Renewed my respect and admiration for parents!

First of all, to everyone who is celebrating something (new baby, birthday, anniversary, or just a really great day).
Prayers, PD and to everyone who needs them (especially KerryCM and mmausse who seem to have had more than their share of rocks and bumps lately) and finally,
WELCOME to the lounge!
to everyone I haven't "met" yet. This place is awesome!
BTW, Queenie don't worry - you ARE a Lounge Lizard by very virtue of having the desire to be one!

Shalida I have to concur w/BT and K&A&C'smom - we stay at the Poly all the time and I think you'll be really happy there, as long as you go expecting good things and not looking for the bumps and glitches. I'm not saying every one of our stays has been perfect, but they've all been pretty terrific. There have been a few CMs who didn't pass muster in our opinion, but the other CMs more than make up for this. When we run into something that doesn't meet our expectations, we are sure to let someone know (politely and patiently, of course, no for us!) and the situation is handled by one of the terrific CMs like Kathy or Aida.

On the gifts for CMs subject, we sent or brought small gifts for our planners and concierge desk CMs on two previous trips. We also had a small gift (t-shirt personalized with a drawing by our niece) for a non-resort CM. We were told both by that CM and a concierge desk CM (after asking if they would get in trouble for accepting) that they may accept a gift/tip but have to turn anything given to them over to their manager/supervisor, and it's up to the manager to decide whether they can keep it. We know the non-resort CM was allowed to keep the t-shirt, as we met his supervisor, but according to the concierge CM they are rarely allowed to keep anything other than edibles that can be shared with the rest of the staff. She said they are absolutely not allowed to keep gift cards, Disney Dollars, cash, etc. That said, she acknowledged that there are CMs who risk keeping these items. We gave chocolates last time, but we are sending a "peace and tranquility" sort of basket to IPO this time, more as a thank you for their grace and composure during and after the hurricanes. Figured their manager couldn't really argue with that!

We finally have most of our plans in place for the October trip. Can't wait to "bump into" lovesdumbo and family in the lounge. Too bad our own little social bee won't be with us until the December trip - he and lovesdumbo's DS could entertain the whole lounge!

Gosh, it's good to be back!

 

[BambiTamby]

Hey, steveanddonna!!!! Good to see you back and WONDERFUL idea about the "peace and tranquility" BASKET as a CM appreciation gift!!!

Well, I emailed some pics of the GF and WL to MIL and she wants to stay at the................WILDERNESS LODGE!

She still doesn't know about the Presidential Suite, and we got the adjoining room to make it a 2 bedroom/ 2.5 bath suite!
YIPPEE!

Got the sleigh ride booked and need to email GF IPO and transfer my PS's to the WL IPO.
Talked directly to Michael at the WL CL! Very nice and accomodating, answered alot of questions and told me that they have a NEW CONCIERGE MANAGER, Brian.
Sounds good to me!
Plus, I need to move all my $$$$$ over to the new WL reservations!

Now....I need to see about getting a couple of nights in January or May to experience the GF RPC!

 

[#1hockeymom]

*she lives! * I am back from death *not really, but if DH had it he'd say he was going to die. As it was, DH was up north, DD is at Michigan State, and DS is no help at all. He seemed to run away when he found out things were going downhill upstairs. I think I pushed myself too much last week and I lost. I still have the cold from you know what, but anything is better than the flu symptoms that were with it! Packing.. I need to start packing! That should put my coughs away!

DS won his first hockey game (of the season) on Friday night! We hope the same happens on Wednesday, hours before we leave for the world!

Talk at ya later! I have a house to uncover!
Debbie

 

[sfbank]

Thanks for all of the input as far as gifts for the cms go. KerryCM--what address do you use to send the gift to the planner? I have already been in contact with Alana and can tell already she is going to be great. I do want to be able to get her something--the rest I will bring with us in the form of something they can all share.
PS Good luck on your getting a suite. I think with the positive reinforcement I got here a few nights ago, I am going to change ours to a deluxe room as long as it has a Boardwalk view.

 

[KerryCM]

sfbank The adress is Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Concierge IPO
1700 Epcot Rsorts BLVD.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32803
Then I put attn: ALana Kitch on it.
Go deluxe, the extra room is so worth it. All deluxe rooms have a BW view. I have stopped worrying about a suite and will stick with the deluxe room because my husband wants a BW view. i am so excited now. I cannot wait to go. Most of my surprises are all set for everyone. I love seeing their faces when they get them.

 

[BambiTamby]

LOL! Kerry beat me to it!

Yes! Go for the deluxe room!

Kerry...you are so right! Nothing beats the look on their faces when they see all the suprises!

Besides...you never know what kind of pixie dust ~*~*~*~*~ will be in the air when you arrive!

hockeymom....!!!!Great! You're BACK and ready to go WDW!
Congrats on DS's game!!!!

Get packing!

Looks like annamonte is on her way to the CR 12th floor CL.
Here's ~*~*~*~* for a safe and happy trip for her and family!

Lots of popcorn, crackers, goldfish, cookies, smoothies, sodas, iced tea, coffee......on the sideboard!

Have a wonderful DISney day!

 

[nrsldy]

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I was reading on another thread about the closing flag ceromony every evening at MK. My husbands last weekend with the AirForce Reserves is this weekend. He is retiring after 24yrs of service. I was wondering if the AKL concerige staff would be able to arrange his participation in this ceremony. Would that be a good starting point to ask for information? I am not sure of what the concirege staff is capable of doing or arranging. Thanks for any help.

 

[sfbank]

Thanks KerryCM & BambiTamby!!! KerryCM--have a great trip! Can't wait to see the trip report!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by nrsldy
Good Afternoon Everyone!
I was reading on another thread about the closing flag ceromony every evening at MK. My husbands last weekend with the AirForce Reserves is this weekend. He is retiring after 24yrs of service. I was wondering if the AKL concerige staff would be able to arrange his participation in this ceremony. Would that be a good starting point to ask for information? I am not sure of what the concirege staff is capable of doing or arranging. Thanks for any help.

WOW, what a great idea, Tracey!

YES! Call the AKL IPO and see what they can do.
I know if they can't arrange it they'll connect you with the right person to make it happen!

Keep us posted!

 

[minniesota]

Good afternoon all!

I had the crud as well and am finally feeling halfway human. Just finished helping DS-10 with a timeline of his life project for school. It was so cute because every other major event in his life was a Disney trip, the Disney cruise or the many times he was injured at one stunt or another. I can only imagine what these teachers must think!

nrsldy Wow! I posted on that thread because I would love to have my dad particpate. He's a vet and is so patriotic - he puts up and takes down the flag every day at their home in the woods! Big flag pole, quiet little cermony with just the birds and wildlife to observe. Anyway, I'm glad to mentioned IPO because I'm going to check with GF and see what they can do.

YES, we are staying with the suite and sister seems okay with that. Any whining and in the lagoon they go!

Now in full planning mode for the December Mission Possible? trip - converting DH into a Disney-lover. Alana has been great - she highly recommends staying with the garden suite all 4 nights. Will I miss the boardwalk view???

Still trying to get just the right combination of deluxe service and not too much Disney to really hook DH. He loves great service and that always impresses him.
I do want to see CP and do the package so we don't have to wait forever in line (he hates waiting!). So far not much luck with the choices we've requested. Have any of you tried Chefs de France? How about Bluezoo (our first night?)

You all have such great ideas - how can I convert the man I love? (G-rated, now)

 

[steveanddonna]

You all have such great ideas - how can I convert the man I love? (G-rated, now)

minniesota think of the things DH loves to do at home and find the equivalent at WDW. My DH always liked WDW, but once he discovered their excellent golf courses, he LOVED WDW! Now he's the one who pesters me for "one more trip before the APs expire."

Had another scare with the December trip - discovered while checking something else that they had cancelled our ressie again - don't know what they're doing at CRO lately. Fortunately, the really terrific CM, Shania Shea (sp?) was able to put things right for the Dec. trip, AND offered to check on discounts for our October trip (even though I hadn't asked). We finally got the AP discount applied to part of that trip. Now I'm looking forward to it even more! Sending my spare pixie dust to BT for the same kind of magic with her Marathon ressies.

I left out a big box of Kleenex extra soft and a pot of homemade chicken soup for all the "crud" sufferers in the lounge.

 

[Steffy]

Originally posted by steveanddonna

I left out a big box of Kleenex extra soft and a pot of homemade chicken soup for all the "crud" sufferers in the lounge. [/B]

Oh thank you steveanddonna! I am down for the count for sure....

minniesota YES, we are staying with the suite and sister seems okay with that. Any whining and in the lagoon they go! I love that. Sounds like somethng I would say!

california dreamer Thanks so much for the cm tips, tip.

Bambi That is just so suite of you to ask your MIL what she would like.

Majestic! CONGRATS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL NEW PRINCESS!

#1Hockeymom You are going to have a wonderful trip. Enjoy the time with your DS. Just get well!!

Well, back to bed for me.....

 

[ead79]

Happy Sunday everyone! DH and I had a lovely brunch this morning at Cracker Barrel. Yum! It always reminds me of going to WDW when I eat there because we always stop at the Cracker Barrel in Valdosta, GA, when we drive down (it's halfway between here and WDW).

You can tell it's getting closer to our WDW trip because I have started having my Disney World nightmares, LOL! I have them every year. Usually they involve something not being quite right. For instance, this year the only attractions that WDW had were Snow White's Scary Adventure, a kiddie coaster, and a slide (yep, a slide, just like at McDonald's playgrounds). In every dream I'm always bummed about how great WDW used to be and now it's just got a stupid slide.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I had way too much free time on my hands today. I rearranged my living room, put up the fall decorations (I love autumn in New England) and still had time to obsess about our upcoming Disney trip. This whole surprise thing is just killing me though because I don't have anyone that I can bounce idea's off. Anyway, I hopped on line and found the 5th floor layout for the Yacht Club. Anyone have experience with rooms 5195, 5197 or 5199? They look like they are close to the lounge, but down a quiet hallway by the Commodore suites. Or how about room 5241? It's right on the end so I'm wondering if it might have a double balcony, or maybe an extra window. I know, we're talking major OCD here. For whatever reason, as I'm doing all this research, my first night hotel option jumps into my head. I booked our flight down so that we wouldn't miss another day of school or work, which means we won't get into Orlando until 10:15pm. Originally, I thought the easiest thing to do would be to stay at a local airport hotel for the night and check in at the YC first thing in the morning. Now I find myself thinking back to our GF stay a few months ago when our room wasn't ready until 3pm. It just felt like we had lost most of the day. Oh, I'm talking myself right into this. Another one of the surprises was a limousine transfer, so I don't even have to be concerned that DH will be too tired to pick up the car and drive all the way over to the resort. Just wondering if the surprise will be lost on my family though because of the late flight. Of course if they've just found out that Disney is their Christmas gift, my kids will probably still be bouncing off the walls with excitement.

What do you all think? 1. I should just splurge and add on the night in concierge. 2. Book a standard YC room at a $150 less. 3. Stay somewhere local and get a fresh start in the morning. The only thing that really concerns me with option #1 is that if we do check in late, will we get stuck with an awful room? If I go with #2, does anyone know how that would work? Do we get to keep that room until our concierge room opens up or would we be in the same predicament and possibly be "roomless" for a few hours? I think I'm going to grab a bottle of Merlot and a very long straw......

Tammi

 

[sfbank]

BambiTamby & KerryCM--had to share this. Just got an email back from Alana thanking me for her praise. She said BambiTamby had told her to check this board out to see what was being said about her and then she realized that KerrCM was on here too! I think it is neat how everyone just seems to be one big happy family!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

*waving to alana* You left AKL on me! I've never met you but emailed you plenty and you always got us a great view room on the ends!

I've had shania shea, and she is great! I forget what she needed to find for me, but I remember she managed to go through hoops and got it! I just talked to a hysterical CM named Radcliffe, who told me that he couldn't find anything at AKL so I was safe with my DH.... I guess it was real obvious why I was at pop, eh? *we were talking about my previous all concierge trips this year!* (yes, lizards, I tried to change!)

Made it through hockey practice... I am feeling better by the minute! I pray no one else gets this crud! I will wear a surgical mask in the lounge!

Elizabeth... Your dreams crack me up! Sure you're not pregnant?

Three days! Three days! Three days! Big wave to everyone!
Debbie

 

[storybookmum]

Oooh, I'm all a-tingle! Don just called me from AKL. DISNEY PHONED ME!!!!

Somehow, something got confused and he thought we were looking for CL for my ILs to stay with me (they're with us for the first four nights over at POR). I told him no, and then a light went off, and I said, "Hey, but --- is, and her dates are similar to mine!" Too funny, directed him to one of our people here, and he knew who I was talking about, of course (have her real name)...

It IS a Small World After All! Here's hoping that CL availability works for my CL buddy!

Laughing,

Kris

P.S. It's positively ridiculous how excited I got when he phoned. A voice from Concierge! Trying to pamper me, unexpectedly!! Oooh, be still my heart! (I REALLY need a vacation.)

 

[nrsldy]

I just wanted to let you know that it sure is GREAT having the concierge service to call on. Don,at AKL, arranged to have my DH participate in the flag ceremony at MK on Dec 2nd. He did let me know that they are setting up participants for the next 2 months ceromonies now. My DH came home tonight and showed me his new ID card with RETIRED on it. A new chapter has started for us.
Now keep it a secret or not!
I am getting more excited all the time.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Originally posted by #1hockeymom
I just talked to a hysterical CM named Radcliffe, who told me that he couldn't find anything at AKL so I was safe with my DH.... I guess it was real obvious why I was at pop, eh? *we were talking about my previous all concierge trips this year!* (yes, lizards, I tried to change!)

Debbie, I know a lot of bucks are riding on your potential sway to AKL, but I thought I'd throw in just a brief commercial for POP. My DSis was able to join us for a few days this summer. We offered to pay for her room as a treat, resort of her choice. But she preferred to pay her own way and at the last minute chose POP (FL Res rate). And she LOVED it! Swam late every night; loved the theming and the newness; drove her own car, but would use Disney transport next time as the busses were plentiful!

Just remember... Disney gives us the ingredients -- great resorts, great restaurants, great attractions, great CMs. But WE make the magic! My bet is you'll make it a magical stay wherever you go!