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

[WoodysRoundup]

STEVEANDDONNA...It's SO funny that you mentioned Blizzard Beach. I was discussing this with BT a month or so back and I said the same thing! No, Blizzard Beach just won't cut it. I don't suppose they would build another WDW in the middle of the Colorado Rockies???

VAgal76 --- Congrats on your WL ressies! I remember how excited I was when that magical call worked and our room (and rate) opened up at RPC!!!! Good for you!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Woody'sroundup>> How about Disneyland Paris, with a side trip to the Alps? This could work!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Is it the norm or the exception that a member of the concierge staff contacts you 90 days prior to your arrival? I've read numerous posts where people stated that they were never contacted. I know they are supposed to contact you but do they consistently?

Also, can you use their services for booking ALL PS's? Can they also assist with the pre-arrangement of baskets/gifts in the room upon arrival?

We've stayed concierge before but have never utilized the service for anything but the lounge.

THANKS!!

I don't even want to LOOK at my counter...too depressing!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Disneyland Paris with a trip to the Alps, huh? DH does like Paris! We were there together the year after we married. I went to DP shortly after it first opened, and did enjoy it! DH has skiied in the Alps twice before. Don't know why I never thought of that one! DH would never go yet with 2 toddlers, but in a few more years???Maybe that IS our angle!! Wooohooo!!!!! Thanks, Hockeymom!!!!!!! (And have a GREAT wknd. prepping for your trip!)

 

[ead79]

WoodysRoundup, I typically just contact the concierge staff myself just before my 90 day mark if I need any PS's, fireworks cruises, etc. I have been contacted by them occasionally, but often not. From what I understand, the resort itself might not have your contact info if your reservation was done by a travel agent. Since I use Dreams Unlimited (two huge thumbs up for my agent, Liz!), they sometimes don't have my contact info. They have always been very nice when I have contacted the concierge myself though.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Debbie - Yes, I called again today, but there's still no avail. at AKL CL! I occasionally check the website to see what's left for each day of our stay, and the resorts are sooooo booked!! I'm feeling lucky we have our res. And, yes, I have started packing, which is out of character for me - normally, I start the night before we leave, and finish washing about 1 hour before we head out the door!! But I'm so excited this time, I can't wait, I've got most of our sundries packed already! Can't wait 'til Tuesday!!! Oh, I thought of another common thread for us - we both serve the community. You are a teacher, and I just retired from the post office (see, sep. at birth!) I worked for the Federal gov. for 10 yrs. but had to retire early for health reasons.

Have a great weekend, everybody!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Oh, Debbie, I forgot to ask - how did you like Pal Mickey? You must have liked it alot to buy another, huh?! The cm's at the Poly are helping to arrange some chocolate-covered strawberries in the room for DD when we arrive, I thought about a Pal Mickey, too. Couldn't decide, whaddaya think?!

 

[#1hockeymom]

We loved Pal Mickey! It was like having a third person on our two person trip! Sort of like a "what does Mickey have to say about it" thing! LOL Yes, his jokes are lame sometimes, but I think if you know the parks he's almost more fun than if you don't. It was fun hearing what he would say as we changed areas. You can always rent him for a day and see what you think. As you probably have read in other posts, his back clip does break. We bought a bottle strap and "hung" him by the neck. It made him easier to carry, and then we were able to bring him close to our ear when we needed to hear something in a loud area.

In a few hours I change to single digits!
Debbie

 

[goodferry]

Dumb question alert: what are water mice?

 

[steveanddonna]

...are little personal run-about boats you can rent at some of the resorts. They are a lot of fun and feel like they go way faster than they really do.

WoodysRoundup , concierge staff contacting us has been kind of inconsistent, but we usually plan our trips less than 3 months out. If we don't hear from them within a couple of weeks of making ressies, we call or e-mail IPO. We do make some PS's on our own, but if we're trying to juggle several in a short time frame or get a particularly popular one, the IPO is invaluable. They have also made great suggestions (Tara is the one who told me about the rehitching ceremony for our 10th anniversary last fall) and just make you feel so taken care of.

#1hockeymom - you helped us decide. We've been waffling on Pal Mickey, esp. since it's usually just DH and myself, but I think we're going to get him for May.

k&a&c'smom Still sending pixie dust and crossing all digits for those AKL Cl ressies. Good luck!

All you single digit dancers - I'm GREEN with envy! Have a great trip!

 

[Majestic]

Small one to two person water crafts. They look like little speed boats. Lots of fun!!

Originally posted by goodferry
Dumb question alert: what are water mice?

 

[MamaTink]

Hi, all--
DDwants to do the single-digit dance

 

[TinkTatoo]

This is a really great thread - we have never even stayed on site before and now I wanna stay concierge

It is too late to do anything about it this trip as it is all booked but we are back again in August 2005 and have 3 weeks in a villa to which we will add 5 to 7 days concierge.

I really can't decide between AK and the Polly, we are drawn towards AK as I know DS and DD (who will then be 7 & 8) will love it (so will DH & I) so I am thinking this will be the one but the Polly sounds great too. (Might have to do the Polly in 2006 ) Do you think AK would be a good introduction to the concierge experience?

Anyway I have a couple of questions

1. If I book through a TA (probably dreams Unlimited) can I still contact concierge staff myself about PS's, pillow gifts and the Sunrise Safari etc. (It would be easier to book through a TA as they could apply any AP rates for us - rather than me trying to make an expensive international phone call from Ireland.)

2. Would concierge staff take care of all my PS's for the entire trip including the 3 weeks we are in Florida before staying on site, or would they only arrange PS's for the time we were staying
concierge

Sorry for the long read and thanks to all for a great thread

 

[steveanddonna]

TinkTatoo : We are Poly lovers to the max, but if I could talk DH into it I would try AKL after all the wonderful things I've read here. Maybe someday!
In answer to ? #1, yes you can contact IPO yourself. This is probably a good idea, because they might not have your contact info when you book through a TA. Even better, you can contact them via e-mail instead of that expensive transAtlantic call (& I do know how expensive, as we have family in Keady, Armagh). The e-mail address is:
WDW.Polynesian.Island.Planning.Office@disney.com
I can't answer your second question, but I'm sure IPO could tell you.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Thanks Steveanddonna, It is reading all the great comments on here that has made me want to try it.

Sorry to ask an obvious question but what is IPO? - also I thought I read on another thread that the concierge staff wouldn't talk directly to someone but refered the person back to their TA.

I can't remember why she contacted them - perhaps it was something to do with the room rather than PS help.

Thanks

 

[PSherman37]

I am so glad someone else asked that question, I am a serious lurker, but I was lured out to ask that same question...

What is an IPO???




Amy

 

[k&a&c'smom]

IPO for the Poly stands for "Island Planning Office" but for the other resorts, it stands for "Itinerary Planning Office." Little twist for the Poly, ya know, the "Islands!" They make PS's and get Cirque tickets, or any other special requests you have.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Debbie - Thanks for the Pal Mickey info, sounds like fun! I read a review on allearsnewsletter and thought we might like him!

steveanddonna - thanks for the well-wishes, we may get lucky with y'all's help!!

Bambi - Where y'at, girl?!

 

[#1hockeymom]

MamaTink>> I'll join your DD in that dance! I was so excited that I watched my countdown for the two minutes before it hit single digits this morning!

Tinktatoo>> I haven't been to the Poly, but my youngest (10) loves AKL and only wants to go back there for now. (Yes, Poly is on the list! He especially loved the concierge lounge and the ability to feel grown up but in a subdued atmosphere (lighting is great for that!) Of course, the animals can't be beat! I think the Poly also holds special appeal. Our first night we have a PS at Ohana's so I finally get to visit the Poly. I am planning on checking everything out for a future stay! What theming would your family like?
I am not sure where you're staying offsite, but dreamsunlimited might be an option for making those PSs when you're not concierge. I am just not sure if they only make them if your trip is onsite or not.
SteveandDonna>>I think you'll enjoy your new travel partner!

I contacted AKL concierge by phone the first time we went, and by email for this trip. I have been emailing both Sue and Andrea and have been extremely happy with the responses and the PSs they have made for our family.

This morning I woke up humming Hakuna Matata... I love the planning, but I can't wait to be there! I can almost smell the lodge!

Debbie

 

[#1hockeymom]

k&a&c'smom>> We posted at the same time! He was a lot of fun, and made the line waits *what few we had in January* go by quickly! Like I've said, it was like another traveler with us and I thought it was cool from his point of view. I cracked up when he started screaming during Space Mountain!

Don't forget the sunscreen!
Debbie