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

[born2BAPrincess]

Okay, so I need a 101 lesson in concierge ettiquette. I've booked my standard CL room at BWI, but I really wanted the deluxe CL room and especially the garden suite. I was willing to pay the extra $$ to get the room, but they were not available at the time of my booking (still checking to see if one comes available for the package I got). Is it in poor taste to ask for an upgrade when you check if you already on the CL level? I thought it might be a little tacky, but wanted to see if I'm wrong on this issue since they have different level rooms on the CL. Has anyone done this?

 

[KerryCM]

When you check in you can ask if the accomodations you really want are available. Let them know you are willing to pay the difference. I've only done this to upgrade to concierge at the BWI, but I don't see how asking for what you really wanted would be a problem.
You are staying at my all time favorite place. I will be there in just 6 short days. I am so looking forward to seeing the CMs in the Innkeepers Club and having fun with some good friends. Then I will be back there in Oct. with my husband.
Have fun.

 

[steveanddonna]

I don't think it would be tacky at all to ask for an upgrade to what you really want. It's not as if you'd be demanding special attention or asking for a freebie. For our March trip we couldn't even get concierge, and the CM who made the ressie not only advised us to "just keep calling" but also to ask upon check-in if anything had opened up in concierge. Being the start of spring break and all, we didn't get lucky, but the CM at the front desk was as helpful & gracious as could be. He tried over, under, sideways & down to find something for us. He even called the Hawaii building to make sure that his info on the computer system was still current & correct. I'm sure a polite request prefaced with "If it's at all possible..." or "We were hoping..." would be perfectly acceptable.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Glad the website seems to be "up to speed" again.

Since Poly was mentioned here, I have a ques. for those who have stayed there. Was the recent renovation done to the Hawaii bldg. extensive? If so, how extensive? Was it completely torn out and re-done?

 

[steveanddonna]

Nope - mostly electrical, plumbing, etc. They do have a new A/C unit which definitely sped up the drying of swimsuits hanging in the lavatory! Other than some new showerheads, stripping of wallpaper and painting the ceiling solid ivory in the lounge and concierge office, you probably wouldn't notice anything. Melissa in the concierge office said it was more of a maintenance type of refurbishment. They aren't due for new soft goods for a couple of years. We were kind of hoping they'd get double sinks like some of the newer longhouses have. Oh well, I'll just keep sharing the sink with my messy DH, 'cuz it still beats non-concierge!

 

[born2BAPrincess]

Thanks steveanddonna! You made me feel a lot better.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Thanks for the Poly info. I read somewhere else that Hawaii was completely gutted down to the studs - I didn't think so. I am SO interested in Poly (maybe next year? ) Of course, it would HAVE to be concierge!

BTW, your DH sounds a lot like mine!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Although we've saved for a "trip of a lifetime" in order to stay at GF/RPC, I'm panicking a bit. We plan to take our young family to WDW every year from here on out. This year, we were able to really splurge with our trip planning. In the coming years, we will probably not be able to stay at the GF. Of course, that's absolutely fine. ANY trip to WDW for me has ALWAYS been great.

Here's where the panic comes in...I just keep thinking about all the OTHER things we could do with the $$. Lately, I've been wondering if we should just try for Poly LVC. That way, we'd still have a wonderful experience, just not so much $$. We do have AAA and am hoping for codes too.

So, should we do the "trip of a lifetime" b/c we may never see GF/RPC again, or be a bit more conservative in our trip planning. I'm so torn! I know AAA rates for RPC are hard to come by and we did secure one of those - still expensive. We DO have the $$ saved, but should we use it for the luxury? If we DO change, I wonder if we'll regret having had the opportunity to stay there and didn't take it.

Opinions? Thanks a bunch!

 

[#1hockeymom]

The memories WILL last a lifetime!

The trip is paid for! Enjoy it! Yes, our Disney dollars can go for other things, but family moments are the best moments! You've read the "How do you go every year" boards. Have a wonderful time and keep smiling!

Debbie

PS Who fed Dory this weekend? I forgot!

k&a&c>> Keep calling!

 

[Majestic]

We will be staying there in May and will give you all the scoop then.

Fred

Originally posted by WoodysRoundup
Thanks for the Poly info. I read somewhere else that Hawaii was completely gutted down to the studs - I didn't think so. I am SO interested in Poly (maybe next year? ) Of course, it would HAVE to be concierge!

BTW, your DH sounds a lot like mine!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Debbie - Dory is probably feeling left out!! I'm still calling, but starting to lose hope - all the resorts are booked to the teeth for our stay!! I feel like we're lucky to have what we've already booked!!

WoodysRoundup - Talk with your family - see if they would rather spend the money on a luxurious resort stay, or a slightly less expensive resort and a few more activities (water mice, mini golf, etc.) If it were me, I would run with that RPC booking, but you have to do what is best for your family!! In two weeks, I'll be at the Poly concierge, and will let you know how wonderful it is when I return!!

 

[steveanddonna]

WoodysRoundup,
We always stay at the Poly and we love it. Honestly, you wouldn't have a lesser vacation by doing the Poly instead of GF RPC, just having a different kind of vacation. BUT, as much as we love the Poly, I have always wanted to try GF, and I probably always will until I do! If you are going to have regrets, I would keep the GF RPC. How long are you staying? Could you split the stay between GF and Poly? It would be a really easy switch. Most importantly, don't second guess yourself! Whatever your decision, you'll have a wonderful time (it's Disney!) and it's only a blip in the grand scheme of things anyways.

Majestic,
We finally have our dates for May. Looks like we'll be there right before you: 12-15. Hawaii refurbishing was just finished when we were there in Nov. I'd have to say the A/C was the most noticeable difference.

 

[Byrd]

and I have to add that it is a wonderful place to stay! They were probably shocked that we turned down an upgrade! They were so happy to give us an upgrade, we were really happy til they took us to the wonderful garden suites.

We would have loved it if we had been with our husbands. We went back to the desk and asked to be moved, thought that some lucky couple needed that suite and not two old school teachers that were getting a Disney fix before a reading conference.

Diane in concierge was super. She rearranged California Grill at the last minute for us to get a different day at 7:30. Everything was great. We couldn't have asked for a better stay!

Peabody Club was not bad, but we couldn't wait to get back to the BWI concierge before returning home. If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer. I hope what I wrote made sense... it was a long drive home.

Byrd

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Thanks all for your replies! DH says a monorail resort is a "must" for him due to the ages of our kids. I think if we stayed at CR again or Poly, I may gaze longingly ant the GF. We are staying one week and I'm afraid a split stay with toddlers would be a nightmare for us. I guess we will keep our GF/RPC and I'm VERY EXCITED about that. I was just starting to feel a little guilty about the extravagance in price. DH says he'll do whatever I decide, and our children are too young to get an opinion from! We hope to do concierge again in years to come but I'm certain we won't be able to do RPC again. Time will tell!

How are everyone else's plans going? It is so exciting to hear about all the planning going on! Yippee!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

WoodysRoundup - Good for you!! Go and have that dream vacation, don't feel guilty, we only live once, right?!! Gotta grab those memories while we can!

BTW - sorry, you've probably posted your children's ages at some point, I should have remembered!!

DD and I are gettin' so excited - 2 weeks, woohoo!!

 

[BCV23]

With regard to the Hawaii work, I think it was gutted if I understood Tikiman's posts correctly. Gutted to the studs but not reconfigured so no changes to the bathroom set up.

We were in Samoa over the summer and you could see that the concierge lounge was gutted on the garden view side.

Stayed in Hawaii in November and besides the air conditioner change that steveanddonna talked about, I also noticed a new vventilation system for the bathrooms....motion activated too I believe. Much more efficient because in both our rooms there was no fog on the mirrors after a shower...big improvement.

No more wallpaper in the halls or bedrooms although the same pattern of wallpaper is up again in the baths.

As others have noted, the soft goods are the same patterns except the carpet is new with the slightly bolder pattern that has been in Tahiti and Rapa Nui for a few years.

DS2 and I should be there in about 54 HOURS

New automatic door at the east end of the first floor...another nice change.

DS2 and I should be there in about 54 HOURS! Can't wait!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Thanks for the "cheers"!!! Now, will you help me survive 8.5 months until we can leave? I'm TRULY Disney obsessed! I'll never make it to Dec.!!! LOL

TWO weeks for you? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be waiting for your report on Poly concierge!!!! Don't forget to post right before you go so we can wish you well!!!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Thanks for the Hawaii info. Have a GREAT trip!!! Will you post about Poly concierge and the Hawaii bldg. when you return? We'd love to hear all about it!!!

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by WoodysRoundup
Thanks for the Hawaii info. Have a GREAT trip!!! Will you post about Poly concierge and the Hawaii bldg. when you return? We'd love to hear all about it!!!

Thanks a lot. I'll be sure to post although I expect this trip to be like any other to the Polynesian, concierge or not...a little slice of paradise.

Happy planning for your trip! We've never stayed in RPC although we have had two vacations in Sugar Loaf. Sounds like a very special trip!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Originally posted by BCV23
Thanks a lot. I'll be sure to post although I expect this trip to be like any other to the Polynesian, concierge or not...a little slice of paradise.

Happy planning for your trip! We've never stayed in RPC although we have had two vacations in Sugar Loaf. Sounds like a very special trip!

THANKS!!!!! Again, have a FABULOUS time!!!