HELP! which concierge is worth it?

[Candice30]

i swear i must book soon because i keep changing my mind on where i want to stay. i decided to splurge earlier this year and stay at animal kingdom lodge (my first deluxe resort) and now i can't go back to moderate. i am planning a special trip for my mom and i (no KIDS!! YEA!!) and keeping tossing back and forth btwn the resorts. i think i want to stay concierge and wondered which ones you guys thought were worth the money. my dream and my mom's is to stay at grand floridian. the main bldg is out for my budget but sugar loaf is not.

here are my needs: close proximity to parks so my mom can return midday to relax; room doesn't have to be very big, just the basics (2 queen beds, etc.) and of course a view; a balcony, i hate the walkway thing; lastly, a good concierge level and staff, i have alot of PS to make and show reservations - who has been the most helpful?

thanks so much you guys........help me narrow this down because i am all over the place now!

 

[catheren]

Personally, I don't think concierge level is worth the money when you are at WDW. Concierge is great when you are staying at the resort. Now if you can upgrade at check-in for a nominal fee -- I would do it.

We got a complimentary upgrade to Concierge at the WL. Top floor, beautiful view and wonderful food. Problem is you have to be there to get your money's worth. We took advantage of breakfast and bottled water, sodas and snacks. But we missed dinner and nightly coffee/desserts due to the fact we were still at the parks.

For example, Concierge closes at 10PM, by the time you get back from Illuminations we missed coffee/dessert.

You mentioned you had lots or PS and show ressies for them to make. Guest Services will also do that for you or you can do that from your home prior to visit.

Anyways, its just my opinion but I would rather spend the extra money on a 2nd WDW trip. But I would not turn down an upgrade.

 

[Candice30]

i have heard some people say the same about not being at the resort for the night snacks. my mom has been to disney before but never to animal kingdom and only 1/2 of epcot so we will be spending most of our time there. on the other days (we are going 5 days) we will be doing 1/2 days at magic kingdom and mgm. the only meals we will be around for in the concierge lounge is breakfast and the night snacks. any other opinions?

 

[giatocj]

We stayed at, and paid for, concierge at AKL this past March and have not regretted that decision. We were traveling with my 3 year old grandson (his first trip, so we splurged) and it was wonderful to have the lounge to go to to relax anytime of the day. We took breaks from the parks and the pool and when he was done sitting on the balcony watching the animals we would head up to the lounge for some snacks and a little r & r. Christian loved having other kids to hang with and watch TV or play with. Also, he really enjoyed the Sunrise Safari, which I know can be tricky with little ones this young, but he was GREAT!!! We snagged a couple of boxes of cereal from the lounge to bring on the trip and he was as good as gold...his binoculars also kept him quite content.

We will be bringing him back this coming March for his second trip and have booked concierge at WL. AKL was our first deluxe this past trip, and like you, I would find it hard to go back to moderates, although I really enjoyed Dixie Landings the many, many times we stayed there.

I hope this helps.

Donna C.

 

[lentesta]

Having stayed at a couple of concierge-level rooms recently (it's a tough job, I know), I'd say there's almost no way I'd spend the money for the GF concierge. The rates are absurd, the food isn't great, and the concierge staff couldn't handle the one minor issue I brought to them (exchanging a Cinderella dress for one size bigger).

The AKL concierge, OTOH, is probably one of the best values in all of WDW. Better food (and more of it) than the GF, and a nicer concierge staff.

I've stayed concierge at Boardwalk, and sampled the fare are the Contemporary. The Boardwalk's food is better than the Contemporary, but I haven't haven't had a chance to try the service.

I'm staying concierge at the Poly in a few weeks, and my dealings with the concierge there have been uniformly positive. We'll see about the food.

Incidentally, I know of a couple of people doing systematic comparisons of all the concierge areas in WDW. Let me know if you'd like to speak to them.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[KerryCM]

I have stayed at all of the Epcot resort's concierge and the Poly. My favorite is the Boardwalk by far. The cast is what makes this the best place to stay. They far exceed any expectations you may have as far as guest service goes. They are friendly and have may repeat guests because of the cast. I was there last March for my girls trip, in October with my husband, son and his family and I will be returning in March again. I just can't bring myself to stay anywhere else. Stephanie was my Itnerary planner and she was fantastic. I wrote a letter to her supervisor to let him know what an assest she is to the company. She was in constant contact with me and when my son was diagnosed with diabetes 2 weeks before we went, Stephanie arranged special things for his diet. The cast in the lounge also provided special dietary needs for Jimmy.
I could go on and on!! Some people say it isn't worth the extra money, I feel it is just for the way I feel and am treated before I arrive, when I am there and when I return home.

 

[Cinderella37]

I must agree with Kerry - we just returned from the BWI concierge (converts from the GF) and were simply stunned with the level of service. From the itinerary planning to the amazing cast members at the Innkeepers Club, my fiance and I were thrilled with the experience and can't wait to return in July. The Deluxe Concierge room is beautiful and the location of the resort cannot be beat. It was worth the extra money and then some.

 

[princess angel]

I agree also..with Kerry, the level of service from the concierge, and the way I feel when I stay at the YC concierge make it all worth while! we have breakfast at the lounge almost everyday, but other than that, we hardly even walk into the lounge, is it"worth" it ? money wise, maybe, mayybe not, but is it worth it becasue of the way I feel....extra convenience, extra attention and pampering,,,yes! to me it is absolutely worth it.
I have stayed concierge at the Poly, YC and the GF, all were great, YC is my favorite!