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

[mom_rules]

Mama Tink what an awesome experience. A moment to truly remember always. Congrats!


YC concierge arranged what we now call a "birthday party on a tray" for my DS who turned 16. I just mentioned to my TA that my DS would be celebrating a birthday and I guess she had them note it on the reservation.

When we returned to our room the first night there was a huge tray, helium filled balloons, streamers, noise makers and party hats surrounding the most decadent chocolate mousse birthday cake I had ever tasted. There were candles on the cake and matches to light them. It was a very special b-day for DS and one he won't forget too soon!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

MamaTink, what a wonderful anniversary for the two of you!!

mom_rules, the birthday party for your DS sounds wonderful, too!!

This is why I love WDW so much, it's the only place I've been where this kind of thing happens on a regular basis!! The Disney Magic just can't be beat - those cm's go out of their way to make it happen.

mom_rules, I wish my DH would get hooked on something, then he would want to come along, instead of rolling his eyes when DD and I say we want another trip!!

 

[mom_rules]

It did take 10 years and the awesome magic of the concierge staff. We started out doing one Disney vacation every two years, then it was once a year and this past year we have been truly blessed and this was our third trip within a year. I'd settle for one every six month's if we could afford it but it looks like we'll be going to back to once a year unless some really good codes come out.

DH loved everything about the Yacht Club-the food, the staff, housekeeping, and especially our lagoon view room/balcony. This was his favorite spot every morning with his coffee and newspaper and every night with dessert and cordials. It was a beautiful place to start and end your day.

 

[hunnypotmama]

Ok I've narrowed our choices down for our fall trip to BC conc or YC conc. From the pics online, I think I prefer the decor of the BC more than YC...BUT I haven't found any reviews of BC conc. that RAVE about it, you know what I mean? The reviews of YC conc. are all glowing, they make me want to try it so bad, so i don't want the "decor" difference to get in the way of my family enjoying a truly great experience. Anyone out there done both and can compare/contrast them for me?

Thanks!

 

[ValerieK]

hunnypotmama

I was having the same problem. There were not many reviews for BC Con. I just went ahead and booked it. The IPO has been wonderful so far. They got us a birthday Illuminations cruise for DH and they are arranging present to be in the room for him. We will be leaving in 12 days! I will post a review.

 

[hunnypotmama]

Oooh, good, ValerieK!!! Thanks so much.

Dumb questions: what's IPO stand for?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

hunnypotmama - IPO stands for Itinerary Planning Office, or for the Poly, Island Planning Office! They're the great people who help you set up your PS's, Cirque tickets, etc.

mom_rules - Well, there's still hope for me, I guess!! Our first trip to the World was in 1996, so it's only been 8 years! DH and oldest DS are both very motion sensitive, and can't ride any of the rides. They can watch the shows, that's about it, so they just get to wait on the rest of us. I tried to convince them to try the Scop patch, but they don't believe it will work. DH is very tight with a buck, and hates to spend money, so it's hard to find ways to impress him on vacation, he always winces over the cost!! Our trip history is the same as yours...a trip every couple years, then every year, now several trips in one year(for DD and I, that is!!) I don't know what I'll do when she can't go with me anymore - job, etc.

 

[steveanddonna]

k&a&c'smom - my DH is motion sensitive, too, but in an irregular, erratic sort of way. He can do some rides some times, then other times they make him nauseous, sweaty, wobbly, etc. He really really really wanted to try Mission:Space in November, but chickened out, then again in January. Every time that I'd ride, he'd ask, "Do you think I'd get sick?" Well how the heck should I know? He can ride Space Mountain sometimes, but not others, but Tower of Terror is usually fine unless he's already ridden Rock 'n' Roller...so I told him he'd never know until he tried it. This last trip in March (after reading that they put airsick bags in some capsules, which actaully made him braver) we brought along the ginger lollipops you can get for pregnant women with morning sickness. We made sure that he was well-hydrated and had not ridden anything else yet before he did Mission:Space. He did get a little shaky at the end, but he sat down & worked on his lollipop & all was well. Can't say it would work for everyone, but we'll be carrying them on every trip now.

MamaTink - what a great story! Disney just does the most magical job!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

steveanddonna - I'm glad your DH was able to ride Mission:Space, I know my DH would love to be able to ride it, too. He is fascinated with all things space, and is a ham radio operator who has been able to make voice contact with the International Space Station. But, he can't even ride in the car, he has to drive and still gets sick if we go through hilly country!

On our first trip to WDW, the very first ride we went on was Space Mtn., and DH went on it with us. Big mistake. He got very nauseous, and was queasy for the rest of the trip. To this day, he claims that Space Mtn. made his motion-sickness worse!!

DS is not quite as bad as his father (yet,) but he still doesn't enjoy thrill rides. I watched a show about personality types, and figured out that DS and DH were the type that do not enjoy the adrenaline rush you get from being on the edge. Younger DS, DD and I are the other personality type, who love this activity!!

Last year, DD and I were on the bus with a couple of ladies who were in their 60's, and they were giggling like a couple of schoolgirls! We got to talking, and discovered that these ladies had been too motion sensitive all their lives to ride any of the rides. Just lately, they had discovered the Scop patch, and were riding ALL the rides, and having a blast!! Ever since, I have been trying to convince DH he would actually enjoy some of the less-thrilling rides, and would have a good time. So far, no luck, but I just keep trying!! One of these days, I'll be successful, I'm sure! If I could just get him to AKL concierge, I'm sure he'd be hooked!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Wow steveanddonna...what a GREAT IDEA! We have friends whom experience motion sickness, and are very reluctant to try some of the attractions. I never thought of the Ginger Pops. Thanks for a FAB suggestion! It's certainly worth a try. I believe the SCOP patches would work as well, and have urged them to try them (so they can reserve the Disney Cruise).
Kudos to you...for helping your DH enjoy a great experience.

MamaTink~WOW...what a wonderful post! Thanks for making my day, and posting your MAGICAL anniversary celebration. I LOVE reading about everyone's recent visits to the Kingdom of the Mouse!

mom_rules~CR Concierge did a similar thing for our DD last summer, on her "sweet 16th!" We stayed in a suite on the top floor (14th), and had used the form to notify the staff of the celebration date (prior to our arrival). It was incredibly SPECIAL, and they even gifted her with her favorite plush character (Donald Duck). We also surprised her with a Cruise on the Wonder, and they also pulled-out all the stops for her as well!

No one, does it QUITE LIKE DISNEY!

hunnypotmama~We have had the pleasure of staying in BOTH CL's (YC/BC) and enjoyed BOTH equally well! Go with whichever you desire, and I'm sure you'll have a delightful time.

BambiTamby~ &

TTFN...DF99

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Hi Steffy! Yes, BT gave me a fabulous new look. Thanks for noticing!

Thanks steveanddonna and k&a&c'smom for the WL link!

Now.....I can't stand it...I'm going to burst at the seams......Are you all ready for this???? we're doing WL concierge in 2 and a half weeks!!!!!!! Can you believe it? Here I thought we'd have to wait until Dec.! As it turns out, my mom will be joining me with my two children!

So, here we go....Any advice for CL room requests at WL? How can I get a Mother's Day gift in the room for my Mom? Any tips in general for WL CL?

You Lounge Lizards are SO awesome! This is such a great thread! I'd like to thank The Academy and my manager for all their support....LOL!!!! Ha! Ha! I'm on Cloud 9!!!!! Thanks again Bambi for the great advice!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

WoodysRoundup - WOW!! That's sooo great!! I'm so glad for you, I remember the excitement I felt last Nov. when we decided to head to WDW in Dec.! And it's great that your mom can go along!

 

[goodferry]

Woody's Roundup- I am sooo glad you decided to go with the kids, having your mom along will make it a lot easier on you than going it alone!! I am excited to hear your report about the WL, it looks gorgeous, we are having dinner there our first night.

 

[goodferry]

MamaTink--that has to be one of the most amazing things I have heard of a cm setting up for a special occasion.
What other wonderful surprise things have happened for you other lounge lizards?
DF99- Your daughter must have loved her b-day. I haven't been able to talk DH into a cruise yet. He is an on the go, park commando sort of guy, I don't know how he would do on a cruise, but I am working on him, especially since it is disney.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I'm Back!

I don't have very much time to post as I am in mountains of laundry, and I have to pack up DS for school camp which starts tomorrow morning! ACK! I did survive the first day back at work, though, although some nice cinnamon crisps and an ice tea in a calming soothing environment would have been nice! No PSs for tonight, either..... ACK!

We had a wonderful time! The highlight of our trip was meeting MommaTink and her family! Truly wonderful people and I am so glad they were able to celebrate their anniversary in great Disney style! We really enjoyed talking with both of them (great kids too!) and were hoping we'd run into them another evening but I think we were on slightly different schedules, or was that NO schedules!

DS was able to celebrate an early birthday with a cake and accompaniments (mentioned on another post!) and I know the only thing I did was mention in an email months and months ago that DS always wanted to celebrate his birthday at Disney but we weren't able to due to the timing of his birth and my work schedule. I honestly didn't mean it to be a suggestion, but it was a very nice suprise!

The lodge was beautiful as always, I had my room at the end of Zebra Trail, on Arusha savannah but overlooking the fence to Uzima so I was able to see my Ankole family! DH doesn't understand my obsession, but he doesn't need to! He was very impressed with concierge, especially when they offered to stamp/mail our taxes for us to the "state" rather than tell us where to find stamps. A small item, but made a world of difference to how he felt about concierge on April 15th! (Luckily, we did the entire federal return online before we left).

There were so many highlights I honestly can't think of them all right now! WAIT! Ohanas... redo of our missed first night PS... WINDOW SEAT! This was with a 9:20 reservation! Oh they seem to work magic with the good seats! I don't think we ever waited over 5 minutes for any of our PSs that were made through concierge.********btw, Wishes is spectacular from Ohanas! It was windy that day, but is seemed as if the firewords were coming towards you, and you were able to see both sides of the castle's fireworks! I wouldn't recommend this for an only showing, but it was great when you've seen the show many times from the park!

Laundry push through time! Just wanted to say hello to everyone, and let you know how wonderful our vacation was! I will write more, and will answer any questions that I am able to!

Have a Disney day, everyone!
Debbie

 

[goodferry]

Debbie--so glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. We are having dinner at O'Hana's at 9 pm and hoping to watch the fireworks during dinner also. I am glad to hear you liked it. More importantly, did you find someplace where you could watch the hockey playoffs?

 

[#1hockeymom]

The Redwings won, didn't they? LOL! AKL pool bar (home of the Nyami Nyami, mmmmmmm).... great drinks, DH was happy there (smoking) and DS could swim and watch the game! Speaking of good drinks, at the Tambu lounge we ended up meeting a gentleman who was there with his grandchild, who lived in the town just east of us! *the only other town included in our small school district!* Small world! *******I recommend the Lapu Lapu! I don't think you'll need more than one!

I did watch part of a game from our room, and the game they lost? MISSED IT! I knew they needed me!

(what is it with Disney and good drinks repeated twice? )

Go Wings!
Debbie

 

[ead79]

I am LOVING reading about all these special celebrations at WDW and the neat things they have done for people. Disney magic really is wonderful!

Debbie, Welcome back! I just did a mountain of laundry the other day, and it really isn't much fun. Maybe you could pop in a Disney planning video while folding the clothes to liven it up a bit.

 

[goodferry]

lol, my kids watch that Disney Planning Video constantly. They want to go to WDW soooooooo bad, they don't know we are leaving in June to go for a week. I don't know if I am going to be able to keep the surprise, but I will try. It gets harder every day!

 

[VAgal76]

Welcome back, Debbie! I'm glad you got your room with the view and had a terrific time. You said "good drinks" and now I'm totally tuned in - LOL!

WoodysRoundup - Yep, BT did do a good job! Lookin' good, lookin' good - Just 2 1/2 weeks and off to the WL you go!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Goodferry - Your kids sound like DH and myself. DS is more laid back then his parents - LOL!!! Still surprise June trip for your kids... That has to be terribly tough on you not to at least tell them you are going, but it'll be pretty cool if you can hang tough.

ead79 said it all - It is nice to hear about all the magic Disney has created recently. It makes me twice as excited about our trip!!

Dreamflight99 - WOW on that cake!! Disney does an awesome job. DS b-day is in May - maybe I should do a short surprise trip to celebrate??? Maybe I'm just fishing for a reason to move my trip up - hehehe!