How many of ya'll been "bitten" by the Concierge "bug"!

[BambiTamby]

Yes! At the GF, there's two different levels of concierge.
One is in the "Sugar Loaf" building, and the other is in the
main GF building, the RPC, or Royal Palm Club.

And the Contemporary offer two levels of concierge,
on the 12th floor is the TowerClub, which is "light" concierge,
and on the 14th floor, is the original concierge floor, that offers full concierge services, which includes evening snacks, wines, cheeses, hors d'ourves, stocked frig in room, etc.

The AKL concierge is on one floor- the lounge is on the 6th, but, alot of the rooms, for the deluxe savannah view are on the 5th.


I think I got them all.

 

[BambiTamby]

And also, katiedid0801.....

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[ead79]

BT,

I like my new title very much. I shall make my husband call me "DIS Concierge Queen" from now on. LOL!

As far as GF RPC concierge goes, it's definitely the most elegant of the lounges that I've seen. The staffers at every concierge have been friendly to us, and GF RPC was no exception--very nice CM's. The food was very elegant (much more fru-fru than Poly concierge for example), and the evening desserts were fantastic. For the most part, I think each lounge has its own appeal and charm, and the GF concierge wins on elegance.

 

[BambiTamby]

You are, in my book, one of the DIS Concierge Queens!
(I need to make a queen smilie, LOL!)

For Elizabeth and all other DIS Concierge Queens....

I'm almost given up on getting an AP rate, or anything for the
CRT Club!
I think I'm going to wait another week, and call if I feel lucky!

Meanwhile, I'm on the AP patrol for the next wave of discounts!
Need a summer fix!
Told DH about the AKL Sunset Safari thing, so he's really looking forward to doing that this early summer!

I really want to rebook the GFRPC for our 10th anniversary, which is this September!
What do you think about me just calling and getting a deluxe concierge or a honeymoon suite at the GF?
Are all the honeymoon suites in the main buiding?

 

[TammiMcMan]

DH and I just returned from celebrating our 20th anniversary at the GF RPC. We booked a standard room and were lucky enough to get a beautiful turret room on the 5th floor. I don't know if it was because our TA told them about our anniversary, or the fact that we went during a non-busy time. My guess is that it was a combination of both those things. After being there so many times and staying in an array of rooms, I don't think that I would have actually spent the extra money and reserved that type of deluxe or honeymoon ahead of time. IMO, all the rooms are very nice and I'd take that extra cash and book some spa treatments or a private dining experience instead.

Tammi

 

[BambiTamby]

Tammie....did you just book a standard concierge room or just a standard room?

either way...WOW!!!!

DH and I are the types though that spend alot of time in our room and at our resort.
So, you feel that GF RPC didn't offer a good value for the price--
Right?

 

[maggiew]

If rates were similar for AKL concierge and Poly Concierge, which would you choose and why? We have a family of 4: DH, me, DD12 and DD9. We would have 3 days free to explore the resort and do any offsite things we want (like shopping), so I thought these might be good days for doing Concierge. We could relax and enjoy all the concierge had to offer on those days.

Being on the monorail isn't too big of a bonus for Poly because we probably wouldnt' go to the parks those days. Plus we are used to the buses and don't mind it much. My kids are older so no strollers to open and close getting on the bus!

We haven't been to AKL and want to go there, but haven't been to the Poly either.

What are the difference in snacks they have in the lounge?

I am on the fence about the Sunrise Safari. I am not sure it would be worth it for the $200. It would cut into the budget elsewhere.

Maggie

 

[twinmomplus2new]

If your intent is to relax and hang out at the resort there is no question, I would pick AKL. We always do a Sunday through Friday trip at out DVC and we do the parks. By Friday evening when we check into AKL it is sooo relaxing. It is without a doubt our fave part of the trip. I notice you have some similar ages to mine. I have DD17 ds9, ds 3, ds 3. All of the children love AKL. I love the pool, simply because I can see the 9 year old on the slide from almost any vantage point in the pool.
The club staff is the best I have encountered. As I said we are there to relax so we use the lounge quite a bit. Ann, Andrea, Allanna are great for preplanning and are very nice and welcoming. Oh yes Juanita as well... It is like relaxing in your own private nook. The view from the lounge and to see the reflection of the lights against the glass walled lobby is incredible. I never once did not feel AKL was worth every cent paid. I would rather do a few days there than the 3 day cruise. I would go with AKL all the way.


As for the original topic of this post. I would be quite happy to sell my house all my "Stuff" to live full time in the 2 bedroom suite at AKL. I would be very happy! And yes, I definately am hooked on the Kilamanjaro club. I wish I was there right now. Of course after we get a foot of snow tommorow I will really want to be there!

 

[BambiTamby]

I think we'll be looking at our next concierge, after the Spring break trip, in May, and split it between Poly concierge
(which I ADORE!) and the AKL, so DH and I can do the Sunset safari.
and I would do the Poly first, then move over to the AKL.
It's the best resort to unwind and "take it all in"!

The food offerings differ a little for breakfast, like AKL had some hot cereals, and one night the chef from Jiko's prepared a special "meal" for the concierge guests for dinner!
But, Chef Dick, at the Poly, always has a fabulous spread every evening, and it differs every night!

These two resorts are like apples and oranges.
(That's why BT likes to make "fruit salad" for her WDW trips!)

Still haven't gotten that GF RPC out of my mind for our 10th anniversary though!

 

[BambiTamby]

If your intent is to relax and hang out at the resort there is no question, I would pick AKL. We always do a Sunday through Friday trip at out DVC and we do the parks. By Friday evening when we check into AKL it is sooo relaxing. It is without a doubt our fave part of the trip.

twinmomplus2new .......you hit it right on !

 

[jeankeri]

When planning our trip last December, I showed my DS a map of the Poly and asked which longhouse he would like to stay in. Right off he picked Hawaii ("It's close to everything")! I quickly found out it was the concierge building, noted the difference in $, talked it over with DH and decided it was too much. Well, my DH qualified for the Armed Forces Salute discount, and when I was booking I asked "That doesn't include concierge rooms, does it?". Long story short, we booked concierge and I kept it as a surprise for my family until we arrived. In the room. With a view of the castle......My DH had NO IDEA we ended up going concierge!! He kept raving about the service, the location, the snacks upstairs, the view of the fireworks!! So on that first night when my DH said (and keep in mind, he was my biggest worry about the whole trip- cranky in lines, can't sleep out of his own bed!) "We should start a vacation saving account to come back. But we have to be here again! I love this place"- I kept it to myself! AP rates here we come!!!

 

[BambiTamby]

AP rates here we come!!!

LoL, jeankeri!

Believe me, that's how we are able to afford concierge!

I have paid rack rate for the Poly concierge once, though.
But it was for my mother/daughter trip, and we were celebrating her second year with her new kidney!
Poly concierge had a " 2nd Birthday party for her Kidney" party waiting for us one night when we got back from the MK!

Worth every cent to have my mother enjoy herself and those fond memories from the Poly concierge will never be forgotten!

 

[BambiTamby]

Bumping up for Jet!

 

[BambiTamby]

bumping up for Mom_rules!

Also, I just went ahead and did it!

I added the AKL concierge to our Spring Break trip,and
booked the Sunset Safari!

DH seemed to be quite pleased, as he LOVES the AKL concierge!
And the idea of having an outing (Safari) w/o any kids,
was the right touch that got the BIG OK from him!

Yippeeee!!!!

 

[Janet2k]

I have resisted opening up this thread for the past week or two. I knew that if I read it, I would be reminded of how wonderful a concierge vacation can be at WDW and I would be forced to book one (I am a DVC member and was only planning on staying in a DVC resort this year). But, oh, no, I had to go and blow it by opening up this thread tonight. I found that BambiTamby not only mentioned one of the best resorts at WDW, she also mentioned my very first stay at the AKL (during Opening Week). Yikes! Now I am furiously trying to figure out how many nights I need to stay at the AKL in a concierge room in order to satiate me. BambiTamby, my bill will be in the mail. You have been warned.

My very first WDW vacation was in the main building of the GF and on the Grand Plan vacation plan. Boy, that vacation ruined me for life. ‘Nuff said.

For all you Lounge Lizards (as in Concierge Lounge), I don’t know where all my photos are (I’m missing the YC, the GF’s Sugar Loaf, and a bunch of the AKL’s Kilimanjaro Club), but here are a few:

AKL Kilimanjaro Club
CR Tower Club
GF Royal Palm Club (lounge)
GF Royal Palm Club (afternoon offerings)
GF Royal Palm Club (evening offerings)

I hope that will satisfy you folks until your next WDW stay.

For anyone who has not experienced a concierge stay at WDW, I should mention that many of my vacations have been in non-concierge rooms. Those vacations have all been wonderful, have no fear.

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by Janet2k....
For anyone who has not experienced a concierge stay at WDW, I should mention that many of my vacations have been in non-concierge rooms. Those vacations have all been wonderful, have no fear.

Yes, the non-concierge vacations or resort stays are wonderful!
But, you, my dear, are the classiest DISer on this board,
without any doubt!


and,also from Janet 2k....

I found that BambiTamby not only mentioned one of the best resorts at WDW, she also mentioned my very first stay at the AKL (during Opening Week). Yikes! Now I am furiously trying to figure out how many nights I need to stay at the AKL in a concierge room in order to satiate me. BambiTamby, my bill will be in the mail. You have been warned.

ROTFL......

Hey Janet, what can I say....you're my hero!

 

[#1hockeymom]

I have to say that it was only DS and I on our last stay and the more I think about it, the more I am glad we went concierge. Since it was just the two of us, we were able to still relax and not be in our room. Enjoying a glass of wine while he listening to a story in the lounge, reading the paper with a glass of ice tea in the afternoon while he watched some cartoons, these are all simple things but they made my stay that much more enjoyable sans DH. He was also able to perfect his (ten year old boy) manners, and felt proud doing so!
The highlight of our trip was the sunrise safari! That is a must-do if you have children around the age of ten! DS is still talking about it!

The whole family has enjoyed staying club level at the Swan. Thabo, MommaT, and chocolate croissants just can't be beat in the mornings, even if the rest of the day is concierge "light".

I am having a hard time convincing DH that we need a few days in AKL concierge.... then again... he hasn't tasted amarula in his night time coffee!

Debbie

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by #1 hockeymom.......
I am having a hard time convincing DH that we need a few days in AKL concierge.... then again... he hasn't tasted amarula in his night time coffee!

AKL concierge was the first one DH experienced, and he was
totally HOOOKED!!!!!

Sending PD~*~*~*~*~*~ your way for another concierge trip, Debbie!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by #1hockeymom....
The highlight of our trip was the sunrise safari! That is a must-do if you have children around the age of ten! DS is still talking about it!

in reply for maggie who wrote....

I am on the fence about the Sunrise Safari. I am not sure it would be worth it for the $200. It would cut into the budget elsewhere.

something to think about, Maggie!

 

[dreamflight99]

I too....refrained from opening this thread for some time now. I was fearful I would have to read posts from the nay-sayers and negative nannies whom have typed long-winded tales of CL horrors in the past. After seeing it remain on the 1st page for SO long, my curiosty/intrigue finally got the best of me. WOW...I'm amazed and impressed by the number of DISers whom stay CL each trip. I'm also relieved to read most have been wonderful and positive, reinforcing my own personal experiences.

As a seasoned traveler, it is absolutely the BEST way to go. While traveling Florida, we stay CL at each resort we visit, w/exception to Disney's Vero Beach (as it does not offer CL!). We are reserved for this summer in the Peabody Hotel CL, PBH CL Villa Suite, and WDW Dolphin Exec. suite CL. We will most likely add to this itinerary...and each resort where CL is available...we will be there~!

We've never experienced any negative aspects to the CL stays we've enjoyed. The Concierge at each resort have been wonderful in assisting us in a myriad of tasks, and each is proficient and professional (as well as personable). They even remember us by name upon each return, and greet us like "family."

Staying on CL certainly enhances our visits and resort sojourns. It adds that little extra "special" something to our visit, and makes the MAGIC seem much more alive/vivid. The only resort @ WDW we have yet to stay is the AKL. We have heard nothing but RAVE reviews (pertaining to CL), and are eager to give a CL suite a try.

I urge anyone and everyone whom is able to "swing-it" (either through AP rates, or other offers), to GO CL! It will be the BEST decision you ever made, and your family will be delighted with all the amenities available to them with this level of service. The extra $$$ expended is worth every single penny (IMOHO).

Great topic, BambiTamby!!

DF99