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

[steveanddonna]

Gosh, 3 days and I feel like I've been away from the boards for eons! I missed you all!

You gave me hope for e-ride night when we go in June! If it'll help to put my 2 cents in, what e-mail address do I send it to?

VAgal - the address I used was:
guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com but the reply address on the e-mail they initially sent was:
WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com. I would think either would work.

I was glad to see kudos for Melissa @Poly on this thread - she has been a tremendous help to us both when working in the concierge office & in IPO. She's definitely one of our favorite CMs!

I know there were half a dozen posts I wanted to reply to, but I've lost track, so an enormous
WELCOME!
to all the new posters and you all are right - you're gonna love this thread!

 

[Gottalovedisney]

Thank you, Thank you for the warm welcome! I think I'm going to like being a lizard! Especially in such a friendly lounge as this!

Just heard from Annalisa at the Beach Club Concierge today! Now my trip feels real!. I love getting that phone call

Thanks again for welcoming me in such grand fashion BambiTamby!

Tracy

 

[hunnypotmama]

I have priced 3 different concierge rooms for this fall (the "7 nights for 4" deal). All prices include UPH's for me, hubby and 2 kids. WL is $2,700; AKL is $3,135; BC std view is $3,135 and BC water view is $3,358.

The only resort we have already tried is BC, and we loved it, DH especially loved the location. If it were my DD8's choice, she would pick AKL...we explored it some on our last visit and she LOVED it! So of those of you who have experience these concierge resorts, which would you suggest we try?? My kids are 4 and 8. I think AKL is gorgeous, but I'm afraid the dark and gloomy look would wear thin after 7 days...same with WL...I don't know how appealing the dark, woodsy theme is. I guess right now I'm leaning towards BC, but I love that WL is so close to MK; and I would like to try AKL, esp. given how much DD loved it there.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wdwdvcdad]

anyone have a contact number for poly concierge? my 90 day window is approaching & i need some help. thanks.

 

[luckywife]

wdwdvcdad


407-824-2466

and their email, just incase you didn't have it

wdw.Polynesian.Island.Planning.office@disney.com

 

[crs7568]

hunnypotmama, isn't it nice to have such happy things to worry about? I totally obsessed over my resort decision and ultimately chose the Yacht Club. I personally like AKL but my husband finds it too dark and would not want to spend one week there. I have never tried WL but there are people on this thread who love it. Fred will probably be along shortly to tell you great things and I think that BambiTambi also is planning to stay there.

I was so happy with my Yacht Club decision until I saw the thread about "Storm Along Bay in July" and now I am not nearly as thrilled. It is something that I had not thought about and you may want to consider. Yuck! Now I can deal with 4th of July crowds at the pool as well as the parks. I am really hoping that it won't be as bad as many people described.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[hunnypotmama]

Ok, I'll bite...what did you like about Yacht Club conc??

I read a bunch of reviews of concierge at allears this morning and I didn't see any good ones about Beach Club...OTOH, people were RAVING about AKL. So I've nearly changed my mind just from that!! The Sunrise Safari also sounds like an awesome experience. I may change my choices to Yacht/WL/AKL...this is supposed to be a surprise for my DH, so I'm trying to gather all the info I can to make a decision!

Thanks!

 

[crs7568]

hunnypotmama, I liked the central location of the Yacht Club and the pool sounded great for the kids. Like I said, I loved the AKL but my husband did not so we decided to give a new place a try. You do hear people rave about AKL conceierge. We stayed in a regular room there so I do not know about the concierge. It is rare to read a report of anyone being unhappy there.

I am waiting for mon_rules to return from her vacation at Yacht Club conceierge to hear all about her experience. She did a brief teaser and it sounds like she loved it.

 

[hunnypotmama]

Looks gorgeous online, but are little rowdy kids welcome there lol? Mine are 4 and 9. It almost seems like a place for adults only.

Yes I read that teaser of the Yacht Club conc. and it sounded wonderful! I bet my DH would love it.

 

[VAgal76]

Welcome Hunnypotmama, wdwdvcdad & crs7568!

Hunnypotmama - I know it's hard to make a decision on which resort to pick for CL. It depends on what kind of atmosphere you are looking for. Yes, AKL CL is getting four hundred thumbs up from the lizards on this thread that have been. AKL is definitely KID FRIENDLY - it was voted the #1 family resort this year by travel channel!! BambiTamby & k&a&c'smom have both recently been to AKL and could give you more insight on this resort. Fred is definitely the man for WL CL. Bambi has also recently been to YC and could let you know what the perks were there, too! Happy planning !

 

[k&a&c'smom]

hunnypotmama - We LOOOOOVe AKL!!! The atmosphere is so relaxing, after the hectic parks, it's hard to pack up and go home!! And I love the smell of the lobby, it's just wonderful. We stayed on the 6th floor on the Sunset Savanna, and had a good view of ostrich, crowned cranes, vultures, and some kind of antelope that we were unable to identify!! Although we did not get to look out on our favorite, the Arusha Savanna, we really enjoyed the location for it's proximity to the lounge. Speaking of which, the lounge was fantastic!! The food offerings were plentiful and delicious, and if you drink coffee, they have a cappucino machine that(I think) also makes fresh-ground coffee!

As for the Yacht Club and little, rowdy kids, absolutely!! We did not stay at the Yacht, but visited when we stayed at the BC, and there were plenty of children there during our visit in Dec. Don't worry that your children will not be welcome there, many children accompany their parents to YC! And as crs7568 mentioned, the central location of YC/BC can't be beat, especially if you love Epcot/MGM, these two parks are sooo easy to access from YC/BC!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

crs7568 - Just a note: I wouldn't get too upset over the pool issue at YC just yet. It seems to me that many people on this board are good at scaring people away from resorts (maybe that's their intention! ) There were numerous posts about the "pool-hoppers" crowding out the "paying guests" at the Poly before our Easter trip, but we did not find this to be the case at all. It was in use all day, yes, and you could not often find a "choice" lounge chair, but there was plenty of room to swim, and there were always chairs available, though maybe not a shady one!! DD swam often during our stay, in a week that is the second busiest week of the year. The Poly was completely booked, and the MK was elbow-to-elbow, yet we did not find the pool to be unpleasant. SAB is the most popular pool, yes, but the attendants are rigorous in checking for resort ID, and it is much larger than the Poly volcano pool, with more seating. I really think you will enjoy your stay!

 

[Steffy]

Originally posted by k&a&c'smom
crs7568 - Just a note: I wouldn't get too upset over the pool issue at YC just yet. It seems to me that many people on this board are good at scaring people away from resorts (maybe that's their intention! ) There were numerous posts about the "pool-hoppers" crowding out the "paying guests" at the Poly before our Easter trip, but we did not find this to be the case at all. It was in use all day, yes, and you could not often find a "choice" lounge chair, but there was plenty of room to swim, and there were always chairs available, though maybe not a shady one!! DD swam often during our stay, in a week that is the second busiest week of the year. The Poly was completely booked, and the MK was elbow-to-elbow, yet we did not find the pool to be unpleasant. SAB is the most popular pool, yes, but the attendants are rigorous in checking for resort ID, and it is much larger than the Poly volcano pool, with more seating. I really think you will enjoy your stay!

Thanks k&a&c'smom. I needed to hear that about the Poly. I think I'm going to stay away from threads that I KNOW will upset me. I don't have any idea why I visit them.... I don't need to read about bedbugs, bedspreads and pool hopping until the pool is bursting with non-resort guests. Why I even look..... it must be the rubber-neck-car-accident-syndrome in me....



I know you have said that the MK was elbow to elbow, did you stay there, or did you hop to another park? I am still trying to calm myself by thinking that although I'm going at the busiest time of year... with help from the CL to make sure I don't starve and they will help me get the few ps that I need and that WDW won't run out of food, and if it does, I can still eat in the lounge....

And I'm hoping that with the help of the CL, my DGD can do the pirate cruise and have a birthday celebration at Chef Mickey's. My wants are few....

I'm so happy that the Osborne Lights are back, I just can't speak... :

I am now down to 34 weekends to drive you all nuts..


BTW, my DD (who doens't know about the CL level) has put her foot down. No MK on Christmas. That's it, she won't go. Kona Cafe for breakfast, 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Other than that, Poly. She HATES crowds. The only reason she is going is because I kidnappped the kids.....

 

[BambiTamby]

Good morning to all you lounge lizards!!!

crs7568 and huneypotmama...
We were at the YC CL last end of July/August, and it was great!
SAB was full, but we thoroughly enjoyed our swims there!
As for the chairs, we simply looked for one with a wadded up towel and asked people around if anyone was currently using this chair.
We only need one or two chairs to put stuff on and have a place to dry off and relax. (for me to relax!)

YC/BC CLs are very nice and we absolutely fell in love with the CMs there. Our recent stay at the BC CL, was great and DH and I enjoy the healthclub facilities.
And the location, like the Swan/Dolphin, is awesome!

But, the AKL CL, so far, is my favorite.
Hands down...what else can I say? They are just AWESOME at the AKL and the resort is fabulous!
Close 2nd, the Poly CL, and YC/BC...ok they are tied with the Poly.

LOL! That's why we often split our stays!


As for the WL CL, we are returning there this June.
We haven't stayed there for years, and we did their CL when they first started to offer concierge. Very limited!

But, so far, I have been very impressed with the CMs and IPO,
which share their IPO with the Poly CL.
So, all looks very promising.
And if Fred and floridafam says WL CL is great,
I believe them and am looking forward to our next CL stay there.

Of course, I'm still confused what to do for June.
We have an Exec Suite booked at Dolphin and 2 rooms booked at BC CL, Poly CL, CR TOwer Club, 2 bedroom Princess Suite at the Poly and I got the Yosemite Suite and another WL CL room booked for the entire stay!
Ack!

Now....since we're bringing my 6yo niece, this is mostly going to be a MK/Epcot trip. ( and Epcot will be MS, TT and the princess thing at Norway)
Maybe a quickie at the Studios, for Little Mermaid, Beauty, and Muppets.
So, MK is our primary park in June.

Plus, mom uses a wheelchair, so I'm leaning towards just staying at WL CL the entire stay and
NOT SLEEPING AROUND like we usually do!

but....I'm tempted to do the Poly CL, (mom's favorite) and then go to WL CL, (dad has always wanted to stay there..so this is his father's day present from me).

What do ya'll think?
SEE? Even BT needs help, assistance and your opinions!~

 

[sarha]

CRS7568, I started the thread on Stormalong Bay in July and I'm sorry if I scared you. A friend of mine got me totally paranoid about how crowded she thought SAB would be. But we have decided to stick with YC because I've come to think ANY pool is going to be crowded in July.
I've read so many great things about YCCL that I'm not going to keep waffling back and forth with my decision. At least for now, LOL. My kids love the YC and I'm surprising them with our first stay at CL.

 

[BambiTamby]

She HATES crowds. The only reason she is going is because I kidnappped the kids.....

LOL, Steffy!

About the negative issues we read here and on other boards,
I take them all with a grain of salt.

I've found that focusing on the positive is much better!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by sarha
CRS7568, I started the thread on Stormalong Bay in July and I'm sorry if I scared you. A friend of mine got me totally paranoid about how crowded she thought SAB would be. But we have decided to stick with YC because I've come to think ANY pool is going to be crowded in July.
I've read so many great things about YCCL that I'm not going to keep waffling back and forth with my decision. At least for now, LOL. My kids love the YC and I'm surprising them with our first stay at CL.

sarha...you go girl!!!
I'm glad you're sticking with the YCCL.

I LOVE keeping "good" secrets, too, from my loved ones!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Steffy - LOL!! The MK was definitely elbow-to-elbow during the late morning 'til the fireworks were over!! It was much better early morning, and especially so during EMH. We spent quite a bit of time at MK, as usual, so it was bearable, but WOW!! I've never seen it so crowded!! The very worst time was during the parades, as this brought everybody together in a huge mass. DD and I held hands to get anywhere in the park during this time. We made the mistake of thinking we would leave Fantasy Land to go to one of the shops on Main Street at about 12:30, big mistake! But, if you stick to the back ways, from Frontierland to Fantasy Land to Tomorrow Land, you can still have fun. You just have to remember the huge draw on Main Street!! Edited to add: There were 2 afternoon parades this week, at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. instead of the one at 3:00 p.m.!

By 10:00 a.m. many of the top rides had wait times of 1+ hours, we did not ride as many rides this time. Since we go so often, we don't wait more than, say, 30 minutes for a ride anymore. We figure we'll catch it next time, and just soak up the atmosphere. MK takes on a life of it's own during the busy season, and it's great, in small bites!! We would try for a ride, and if too busy, we'd grab a strawberry swirl and sit in the shade and people watch!! Still fun, just different!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

sarha - No offense intended, believe me, I never want to make somebody's day worse! There's far too much of that, IMO. Just trying to alleviate concern, the pools definitely get a lot of use, but it's not unbearable and still enjoyable, IMO. Don't take anything I said to heart, that was not my intent!!:happy1:

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Bambi - I've been reading your post about June, and I think, if it were me, I'd do the Poly/WL split. You stated your mom is in a wheelchair, and if she likes to swim, the Poly has zero entry. And, the monorail is such a great help when you have mobility problems. As much as I adore AKL, it was a little better to just hop the monorail back to the resort when my ankle started hurting, than have to wait for the bus.

What do you think? I know how hard it is to pick the resort, they're so many great ones to choose from!! Not a bad dilemma to have, though, right?!