IS Conierge Level really worth the $$$?

[pbharris4]

Just wondering....neither of us have ever stayed Concierge level before but may in a few years. Is it really worth it? We're using points (DVC members) and only go to WDW 1x a year (for now..will more often once kids are older). I probably wouldn't do CL every time, but here and there. SOmeone enlighten me, please! Thanks!

 

[goodferry]

It is hard to say if it would be "worth it" for you to stay club level. For us, it is. However, we have four kids and we are back at the resort every day for a nap and swim break. We make good use of the lounge and of the pre-planning services. I like having the lounge available to relax in while the kids nap or watch TV for a little bit, and being able to have breakfast in the morning before we leave is a real time saver.
For me, I love the luxury of feeling like I am being pampered. I love the bathrobes and the turn down service, I love knowing that someone else is booking Cinderella's Royal Table for me and arranging surprises in the room for the kids, I love being able to sit in the lounge of the Polynesian and enjoy a glass of wine while we watch Wishes.
After our last trip, DH agrees and says he wouldn't want to go unless we stay club level.

 

[sleepyone]

OMG!! They book CRT for you?? How far in advance do you have to reserve your suite at the resort? I am unable to book a suite for this year online and the site won't let me book for 2006.

 

[VAgal76]

OMG!! They book CRT for you?? How far in advance do you have to reserve your suite at the resort? I am unable to book a suite for this year online and the site won't let me book for 2006.

Sometimes the suites will not show up on their web site so I'd say call CRO to book it instead of messing with it. Yes, concierge's IPO will book your dining and recreation including CRT, parasailing, firework cruises, spa treatments, etc. I think many people that have stayed concierge were able to obtain a CRT ressie from IPO from what I gather. It's not guaranteed, but it is definitely an advantage.

For the OP as to whether it's going to be of value to you, we can't really say because everyone has a different opinion on this subject. I love having the extra service and that to me is 'worth' it, but some say they can book their own ressies and bring their own snacks so it's a no go. If you're open to it and have a realistic expectation of CL, I feel you'll completely enjoy it. Maybe stay concierge every once in a while or every trip you take. I'd say to start off at AKL CL if you going to try it since you can participate in one of their safari's (at an extra charge of course). You'll see how it works, get pampered, have great service and staff and a relaxing resort on top of the safari experience. Can you tell I'm a little partial???? BTW, BWI is right with AKL if you're looking for that same great service/resort feel but don't think AKL is resort for you!

 

[Rowlf]

They take care of all of your reservation requests - you work with a concierge rep pre-visit and they print out your schedule when you get there. You can't quantify concierge in dollars - you can certainly buy snacks for less than the price difference. But the easy check in, no-stress breakfast, and other amenities are pretty much worth any price to me, especially with a toddler.

Last September, for example, we were late getting back from the MK to meet our babysitter from KNO who was coming so that DH and I could go ride Mission:Space and Test Track together. I just called the concierge; she went and got the babysitter and told her that we were late, we were on our way, and we would, of course, pay her for the extra time. It was nice to have someone to do that for us!

 

[dreamflight99]

I love having the extra service and that to me is 'worth' it. If you're open to it and have a realistic expectation of CL, I feel you'll completely enjoy it. Maybe stay concierge every once in a while or every trip you take. I'd say to start off at AKL CL if you going to try it since you can participate in one of their safari's (at an extra charge of course). You'll see how it works, get pampered, have great service and staff and a relaxing resort on top of the safari experience. Can you tell I'm a little partial???? BTW, BWI is right with AKL if you're looking for that same great service/resort feel but don't think AKL is resort for you!

DITTO!! I've NEVER had any regrets with a CL/Concierge stay. It's worth a "try" just once, to see if it would be beneficial for you.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Concierge is one thing that we "treat" ourselves with!!! It's a splurge for us and we love feeling pampered. We don't make too much use of the pre-planning services but we do make use of the planning services while we are there.

Last time we went the only pre-planning we did was for an Illuminations Cruise. The cruises themselves are usually pretty hard to get but we didn't find out about them until about two weeks before our trip. I called the IPO office and they tried to get a cruise but they were all book. They assured me that they would check for us every morning when the cancellations were released to try to get us a ressie. Two days before we left home we received a call that everything was set! They were able to book one that had been cancelled and set up everything for our DS birthday! All that was left was to tell them what flavor cake we wanted!!!

For us, the breakfast in the morning is wonderful. It's so nice to get breakfast there before heading to the parks. Some mornings we ate in the lounge and some mornings we'd go to the lounge and bring breakfast back to the room to eat while the boys were still in pj's!!

If you can afford the cost difference I would say try it! Everyone should get to be pampered like that once (or twice...or three times or .... ) in their lifetime!!!

 

[fam4jc]

No. jmho.

 

[amee]

We have done concierge once at Beach Club.......it had its great and its ok pieces. The great part was "Amy" the concierge........she pre-planned everything we needed....ps's, cruises, etc.......it was also my 40th bday. She worked with my dh to leave lots of surpises and treats for me and our 2 kids....choclate mickeys and choc covered strawberries....baskets of goodies...."autographed" pics from characters, etc..........those things made it really special and memorable. The "oK" part? The food offerings........it certainly was convenient to have bkfst, etc available, but we didn't feel like the quality lived up to Disney standards(at the high end)......it was just ok....nothing bad about it....just ok.............I am not sure we'd do it again, unless it was a long stay....one where we felt lke we had plenty of time to hang around the resort to make use of the food offernings, etc............

Just one opinion....obviously lots of folks love "concierge" 100%

 

[WDWDennis]

If money is tight and your on a budget, then I would have to say NO, concierge is not worth it. You get some great perks, but most things you could do yourself.

If money isnt really that much of an issue and you just want to have a great time, then YES, I say go for it. I absolutley love concierge service!

 

[sugermouse]

What a waste of money.......... Worth it? Everytime we do it I can't figure out which is worse, the food or the service. Save your money!

 

[pbharris4]

I've been away from the computer for a few days so sorry I didn't get back sooner. Thank you for your opinions! As far as the room goes..money isn't a problem because we won't be using any. We'll use DVC points (which are already paid for). I'd like to try it just to check it out, but not sure which resort. Our upcoming trips are a 7 nt cruise, a week at the BCV (1 bdrm), a week @ the GF and a week at either OKW or VWL (Studio). The vacation after that would be the Concierge stay. I'm thinking either AKL, Poly or one other one. I am a planner. I plan so much that by the last week before vacation I am so tired of planning that I say "whatever" I am going with the flow. (BUt I make sure the room/tickets, PS's and major things are done and set!)

To me, I love the 1 bdrm villas in the DVC resorts..they are spacious and have a full size fridge, microwave, jacuzzi tub and a W/D if I need it. Although..I do not cook on vacation, I do laundry because we go through ALOT of clothes. I absolutely love to be pampered though! Little gifts, breakfast ready, etc. would be a nice touch. And also housekeeping on a daily basis, but they are really necessary. Most defintely we'll try it once to see what it's like. Thanks again!

 

[CaipiraBob]

OMG!! They book CRT for you?? How far in advance do you have to reserve your suite at the resort? I am unable to book a suite for this year online and the site won't let me book for 2006.

They've done it twice for us within weeks of arrival at the Polynesian.

They're very good at getting what you want. As I understand it, they usually have a few extra slots for concierge guests to slip into at the last minute. I don't think it's the best to chance it for high volume restaurants, but they will watch for cancellations if your chosen time is booked.