I need some opinions, please...

[ILuvMulan]

DH and I are planning a 20th Anniversary Trip to WDW next year and I can't decide where to stay. If I could get AKV Concierge (studio) should we stay there or pay cash and stay at the Grand Floridian (especially if there is a good special offer at the time)? We have stayed at Kadani Village (it is our home resort and we love it), but have never stayed concierge so are not sure what all the fuss is about. Opinions???

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I have not stayed Concierge at AKV, but we did get upgraded to Grand Floridian Concierge 4 years ago.

It was nice as a free perk, but I doubt I would ever pay the extra cash to stay concierege. At GF there is a nice balcony area in the main building where they had snacks / finger food / booze / soft drinks etc out through much of the day. Which was great. It was just me an my wife and we skipped a lot of meals and would graze at the food setup.

But we didn't eat enough food there to make up for the extra $$ concierge would have cost us at GF.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have stayed at AKV concierge, and we have stayed in Marriott concierge, each more than once. AKV's just doesn't have the amenities, food choices, or perks of the Marriott stay, but what it does do is provide the ability to book some special tours. Before staying in AKL CL, I envied the people who were riding around the savannah at the lodge. I wondered how they could be so lucky. Well, we booked the Wanyama safari, and had the experience ourselves. We especially enjoyed the Sunrise Safari/breakfast.

Even the concierge booking ADR's for you isn't a shoe in for you.

I have 2 upcoming stays in AKV concierge, so it's not that I "hate" it, but I don't think it's "that" special. I did expect more. We've had a savannah view and a pool view, and I think the savannah view was better. I have never stayed concierge level at another WDW resort, so I can't compare them.

For a one time, 20th anniversary, I would do it. It would be great if you could use your points, so you don't have to pay extra for the service.

Bobbi

 

[ILuvMulan]

Thank you that helps. What is the cost of the special safari tours and the breakfast? Is there a place on the DVC member website or disney website that I can find out what the perks are for booking concierge? I did not know that they would book your ADR's for you. Also, is there concierge at Kadani or are they all at Jambo? Sorry to be so full of questions...heck until we bought DVC, concierge to us was the free breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Since we usually don't go anywhere without 3 kids this is all new to us.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sure someone will help you with exact costs this is approx....$50-60 for the Sunrise Safari, breakfast...$170 for Wanyama, and that includes a full dinner served family style at Jikos and also includes the wine at the meal.

There are 10 CL units and they are all at Jambo, 6th floor. So if 2 were booked as 2 bedrooms, there would only be 3 studios and 3 1 bedroom units still available. We have only booked studios.

I don't have any current list of food offerings, and again, I'm sure someone here will send you a link.

Be sure that you book the first day you can if you want concierge!

Bobbi

 

[ILuvMulan]

If we have concierge should we need the dining plan? The diner at Jiko with the Safari sounds great, but if we got the dining plan we would just need to schedule more 2 table service meals in order to use them all?

 

[bobbiwoz]

If we have concierge should we need the dining plan? The diner at Jiko with the Safari sounds great, but if we got the dining plan we would just need to schedule more 2 table service meals in order to use them all?

The dining plan can't be used for it. So, yes, you'd have to schedule other meals, maybe Hoop Dee Doo!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'll chime in.....we've stayed AKV concierge and enjoyed it but I think for a 20th anniversary I'd do GF theme park view if that's on the table - especially if you plan on doing the dining plan. You'll have easy access to MK and also all the dining at GF/Poly/CR. Since you own DVC you'll have other chances to stay AKV concierge so GF would be an unusual treat.

If you do chose AKV concierge then do try one of the Safari's. We did both Sunrise and Sunset and thought they were great. Especially the Sunset with dinner at Jiko.

 

[ILuvMulan]

GF is still in the running and the easy access is one of the main reasons. We really want to spend most of our time at EPCOT, we never seem to have enough time to explore the countries when the kids are along. So with the monorail to EPCOT that GF is still an option. Thanks, that is a great point about good location for dining!! We love O'hana.

 

[rlovew]

We stayed at GF for our 10th Anniversary., We ended up with a free upgrade to Main Building concierge. It was an amazing trip. We had booked a theme park view and loved sitting on our balcony to watch Wishes many evenings. I would have to say if you can swing it- I would stay at the GF again for a specail event.

Rebecca

 

[Crystal_27]

For a big anniversary trip, if you can swing it, I'd go with the Grand.

 

[northwenald]

Another vote for GF !!!! We did that for my 40th birthday/15 year anniversary and it was wonderful !!!!! We booked the Magic Kingdom view and sat on the balcony and watched the firework - it was great. Plus you are so close to so many great restaurants - Citricos, California Grill, Narcoossees to just a name a few. We also stayed at AKL conceirge and it was nice but we did not have a great savannah view. From what I hear none of the views are that great on the conceirge floor but it was wonderful doing the safari tours.

 

[ILuvMulan]

Oh decisions, decisions. I just checked the points chart and using our points for GF is NOT an option. So it would be on cash, which is fine, I could bank those. Any tips on when to start looking for pin codes or specials for August 2011? Still taking all opinions too. Thanks to everyone who has responded. You haven't made the decision any easier, but you have given us lots to think about.