Is concierge worth it?

[bsjs0708]

Thinking about up-grading our room from standard to concierge. We are staying at Paradise Pier and this is a very special trip. However, I DO NOT have a money tree but if concierge is worth it I can budget for it. What do you think? It will be me, mom 81,DD 21,DD 24, DGS almost 4.

 

[bumbershoot]

Would you be drinking lots of bottled water? Would anyone be eating Uncrustables in the kid's meals? Would anyone eat breakfast bagels, pastries, cereal? Would anyone buy coffees or cocoas in the morning, and beer or wine in the afternoon-going-to-evening? Would you buy fruit during the day?


If you're going to spend money on those things, you might add up what that would cost, and compare it to the price difference. Now if PPH is like DLH, the waters are the kid size, not the bigger ones, so adjust the cost of the waters you would buy.

Although we didn't outright pay for concierge (used DVC "bonus" points), I will say that it was our most hydrated and fed trip, because we got 2 waters for each of us each time we were there, I got my coffees, we had some wine/beer...the fruit was nice... We don't eat uncrustables (corn syrup and HFCS don't work for us) and the meat appetizers DLH set out each dinnertime didn't work for us either, and the desserts weren't all that great, but just for fruit and water it worked really well anyway.

But that only makes it worth it if you would be buying all that anyway...

I think the only way to truly know is to do it...which makes the decision difficult!

 

[teatime]

How much more is concierge ?

 

[blackjackdelta]

I do not care for the term "worth it". What is to me is not to others. You can purchase alot of goodies for the increase in price.

Jack

 

[darph nader]

Well said Jack.

 

[lulubelle]

I think the key question is how much more is it?
We are staying Concierge at PP for the first time ever BECAUSE the rate was only $20 per night than what I had booked (a view room). So, I took the plunge and booked it knowing that we would get at least that much in perks each day. You start talking $50 or more extra per day, you have to have a group of at least 4 who will (like Molly said), eat and drink at least twice each day. Good luck deciding and have a great trip.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I think the key question is how much more is it?
We are staying Concierge at PP for the first time ever BECAUSE the rate was only $20 per night than what I had booked (a view room). So, I took the plunge and booked it knowing that we would get at least that much in perks each day. You start talking $50 or more extra per day, you have to have a group of at least 4 who will (like Molly said), eat and drink at least twice each day. Good luck deciding and have a great trip.

I could see maybe $20.00 or maybe $50.00 to four very hungry people, but I have never been quoted those prices when I have asked. I must be missing the specials during my travel times. If someone else see's these rates please let me know it would be appreciated.

Jack

 

[lulubelle]

I could see maybe $20.00 or maybe $50.00 to four very hungry people, but I have never been quoted those prices when I have asked. I must be missing the specials during my travel times. If someone else see's these rates please let me know it would be appreciated.

Jack

Hi Jack
The AP rates I am referring to are for a trip booked Sept 18-21. We had a view room reserved at $159 and Canyon Girl reported she got PP concierge for $179 and just for grins I checked the AP rate calendar. Rates held at $288 for a few days and then I saw $179. I immediately called and was confirmed for our 3 nights. I haven't seen them pop up since, but many report the rates change daily, so it pays to check frequently.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Hi Jack
The AP rates I am referring to are for a trip booked Sept 18-21. We had a view room reserved at $159 and Canyon Girl reported she got PP concierge for $179 and just for grins I checked the AP rate calendar. Rates held at $288 for a few days and then I saw $179. I immediately called and was confirmed for our 3 nights. I haven't seen them pop up since, but many report the rates change daily, so it pays to check frequently.

I may have miss-understood what was being posted. I had not noticed the AP issue. I was thinking GP rates. I always check rates for where we stay but unfortunately we live to far and have a nasty work schedule to be able to justify the AP expense.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[boiseflyfisher]

We paid $169 AP rate for concierge a few years ago and would do that again in a heartbeat. We have had the discussion more than a few times in our house about what concierge would be worth to us. As long as the room rate was fairly reasonable, we would be willing to pay $50 more a night for concierge. We ate breakfast every day and were even able to make dinner out of the evening offerings, so the only meal we paid anything for in the park was lunch. It is nice to have a place to go if you are an early riser and the rest of your party likes to sleep in. We also took advantage of the DVDs and the turndown service and chocolate coins were a nice bonus. You also get Mickey Rice Krispy treats the first night of your stay.

It is hard to say what is "worth it" for someone else, but for us, $50 more a night for our family of four is the "worth it" price.

 

[Canyon girl]

Just a word of warning before everyone upgrades to an AP (I saw Blackjackdelta's thread.). Make sure that you can get the rate before planning on upgrading. You can book the room before you get the AP. You only have to have the AP in hand at check in. Even though I got the rate of my dreams ($179 for PPH concierge and was told rack rate for those nights was $391), the rates have increased for most if not all of my nights since then. One night during my stay is not available anymore, and one night has gone up to $340. At the rate that I got, I will save hundreds on this trip in food and water. We will do most mornings in the lounge for breakfast and will be able to take water into the park from the lounge as well. I will not have to ship snacks or breakfast items and will not have to wait for a grocery delivery. At the rate that I got, concierge is worth it. At over $300, I don't think that I could justify it. This is our third trip on our APs. We had gone on a package last Oct. and ungraded to APs at that time. The APs paid for themselves when we went on our trip in Feb. with AP8 rates of $149 at DLH. Then, we got a "magic moment" (or whatever) for the last two nights when they moved us to Mickey Character Quarters. This trip in Sept is just icing on the cake. There is no way that we could have done any trips this year if we had not upgraded to our APs. It is our preference to stay onsite when we go to DLR, so APs are the way to go!!! Good Luck to all for great AP rates!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We paid $169 AP rate for concierge a few years ago and would do that again in a heartbeat. We have had the discussion more than a few times in our house about what concierge would be worth to us. As long as the room rate was fairly reasonable, we would be willing to pay $50 more a night for concierge. We ate breakfast every day and were even able to make dinner out of the evening offerings, so the only meal we paid anything for in the park was lunch. It is nice to have a place to go if you are an early riser and the rest of your party likes to sleep in. We also took advantage of the DVDs and the turndown service and chocolate coins were a nice bonus. You also get Mickey Rice Krispy treats the first night of your stay.

It is hard to say what is "worth it" for someone else, but for us, $50 more a night for our family of four is the "worth it" price.

When you say $169, is that the rate for the whole stay? How many nights? Which hotel was it at? What time of the year? I am sure there must be date vs cost variables.

Jack

 

[Canyon girl]

When you say $169, is that the rate for the whole stay? How many nights? Which hotel was it at? What time of the year? I am sure there must be date vs cost variables.

Jack

Jack,

It sounds like he stayed at PPH. I haven't seen the DLH that low for concierge AP rates. The price would be per night before resort fee and taxes.

 

[kylieh]

I noticed your Mum is 81 - I don't know how fit or full of energy she is so this may not apply.

Next year we're expecting to take MIL who will be in her late 60s. She has had a look and thinks it a nice idea to have it available to her during the day. Why? She won't have the energy to go around DL/DCA all day and would like to rest, drink tea, read a book, talk to others, etc. She also wouldn't want to be stuck in her room for all of her resting time, while DH, DD and I are in the parks. So regardless of which hotel we stay at, probably GC or DLH, concierage will be a high priority for us.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

When you say $169, is that the rate for the whole stay? How many nights? Which hotel was it at? What time of the year? I am sure there must be date vs cost variables.

Jack

Jack, $169 per night was at PP, but you have to also add resort fees to that price. We actually stayed for 10 nights for that October trip...I believe it was in 2007. We went back for a week in December that year and stayed concierge for $179 per night. We like PP since the rooms feel larger and my kids like the pool, so it is our onsite hotel of choice.

 

[Canyon girl]

Of course, the best AP prices are going to be when (relative speaking) no one wants to go. We have found incredible rates in Jan, Feb, end of August, and Sept. So basically close to when traditional schools go back to school after breaks. Since we homeschool, this is when we tend to go anywhere, so the AP works for us. If you have kids that you don't want to take out of school, it might not be such a great deal.

 

[Sherry E]

Here is a link to a great thread started by Pycees312:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2181963

She has done the Concierge level at all 3 DLR hotels and has taken wonderful photos of all that is offered at each one.

If I had the money, I would probably do concierge at least once a year. Last December I most definitely could have used it, as I was on my own at the PPH for the night (my friends left), I came back to the room after wandering around DL, and I was hungry later in the evening but did not feel like going back out to get food, nor did I feel like ordering room service. The Concierge would have been perfect for me, as I could have just popped out and grabbed some snacks and gone back to my room. Also, in the morning, sometimes I need that cup of coffee RIGHT AWAY, and can't wait until we get to a restaurant to eat breakfast. The in-room coffee never tastes right, so again, concierge would have been perfect. I would also like to be able to grab a banana or something and take it with me into the park. And water? I can't get enough water! So there are times when it would be very helpful for me. I wouldn't do it every time (like let's say I went to DLR 2 - 3 times a year). I would probably just pick one trip out of the 2 - 3 and do it then....if I had the $$$.

 

[Hound 109]

We paid $169 AP rate for concierge a few years ago and would do that again in a heartbeat. We have had the discussion more than a few times in our house about what concierge would be worth to us. As long as the room rate was fairly reasonable, we would be willing to pay $50 more a night for concierge. We ate breakfast every day and were even able to make dinner out of the evening offerings, so the only meal we paid anything for in the park was lunch. It is nice to have a place to go if you are an early riser and the rest of your party likes to sleep in. We also took advantage of the DVDs and the turndown service and chocolate coins were a nice bonus. You also get Mickey Rice Krispy treats the first night of your stay.

It is hard to say what is "worth it" for someone else, but for us, $50 more a night for our family of four is the "worth it" price.

This is exactly how i see the value.

My thought was $15 per adult & $10 per kid (per day).

But if one enjoys a beer or wine in the late afternoon....or (like me & the FlyFisherman) enjoys a place to have coffee in the early morning while the family sleeps/gets ready.....you might add an extra $10-20 for the value.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The rate I was quoted for our stay at the GCH in August was an additional $455.00/night for the 4 of us. I guess you see where I am going.

Jack

 

[drag n' fly]

For our family of five with 2 hungry teenagers it is definitely worth it. We use points to stay CL. I would not pay cash however as I am too much of a cheapwad