Just back from AKL concierge - any questions??

[DisneyBee]

Goofy - it stands for Itinerary Planning Office. If you're staying club level, they should contact you with a short form to fill out regarding your dining reservations, etc. I believe there's a sticky post somewhere on this forum that lists all the IPO phone numbers and email addresses. I think it's titled "Useful Concierge Info." Good luck!

 

[SB in KY]

Disney Bee;
Thanks so much for the update and pictures...we will be checking in in less than 3 weeks!! Can't wait. I have 2 questions....how crowded did the lounge get...since it is in a smaller space I was hoping for a place to relax and drink my AM coffee in the lounge...was seating an issue in the AM or at happy hour in the evenings??

Second....the beloved cappacino/expresso machine from the lounge upstairs did not appear to be in any of your pictures...UGHHHH Please tell me it isn't MIA??

 

[DisneyBee]

SB - the "beloved cappacino/expresso machine" was, indeed, MIA. However, they told me they could make expresso for us if we needed something stronger than what was offered, so I'm guessing they have it in the kitchen in the suite. That's where they did all the food prep, etc. Sorry!

The lounge would be a bit crowded around 8:00 a.m. - we would usually be in and out by the time people were starting to file in. Mostly those with small children around that time. Also, it would pick up between 5-5:30 when they would put the twilight offerings out. I would say most would be out of there by 6:00. We were there early in our stay around 5:15 on a couple of evenings and the staff said it would slack off aroun 6:00 so that's when we would go in before heading back out to the parks. Seating is somewhat close and limited, however you can go out on the balcony as there are tables and chairs out there.

Good luck!

 

[amcjeep4life]

We are staying concierge 9-16 to 9-22, and can't wait. We are bringing our nieces, ages 10 and 12, for our first trip! They are thrilled staying at the local Motel 6, so I can't begin to imagine what they will think about this trip! Did any of the concierge staff do anything really superspecial while you were there? We are trying to make some arrangements fro some extras prior to arrival, and wondered if they really come through for you. I know that Don has been awesome with getting us our ADRs and fireworks viewings (staying Premium Plan too!), but I just wondered if they were as nice in person. I know I can sit on my phone and sound super pleasant to the caller on the other side, but be making faces and rolling my eyes meanwhile! Also, did you bring the concierge staff anything as a little "thank you?" I told Don we would bring him a T-shirt and some homemade clam chowder from our area, and he said it wasn't necessary, but I really want to do it. I also think it will be good for my nieces to be able to express their gratitude to the person who helped put their trip of a lifetime together , since I know I couldn't have done it without Don! I can't even begin to tell you how much he helped us out! And I'm so glad knowing my room is safe from the evictions!

 

[Ariel07]

Oh...I am so jealous!! I would love to have the opportunity (and $$) to stay there.

Let me ask you, is the view that much better on the concierge level than the regular floors? I know that is a big selling point. And to have all of that food and drinks readily available - what fun!! And I was also wondering about those "special" tours offered only for the concierge level guests - are they pretty amazing??

 

[joech]

I believe you can add the concierge service with any room. We had the concierge serive for our last trip in March and I think it worth the extra money if you take advantage of the foods and drink at level 6 as well as itinerary planner. With the itinerary, we did get all our dinner reservation booked without any problem 2 month prior to our trip. My DW called and tried to make all CD and CRT herself and none were availabe. As soon as she talked to one of the planner, her name is susan and she had all our request met which was wonderful. Susan also picked up a couple of the Disney birthday cap and left it in our suite before we arrived.

I believe the sunrise safari is only for guest with concierge service. It costs $50 for guest over 3. We did it for our trip and I don't think I will do it again. Our 3 year old DD sit on our laps the whole time and we still need to pay for her. I would sugeest take advantage of the extra magic hours and go to the safari once you get to the park.

Oh...I am so jealous!! I would love to have the opportunity (and $$) to stay there.

Let me ask you, is the view that much better on the concierge level than the regular floors? I know that is a big selling point. And to have all of that food and drinks readily available - what fun!! And I was also wondering about those "special" tours offered only for the concierge level guests - are they pretty amazing??

 

[icarus]

It is my understanding that the construction going on right now is to build timeshare facilities within the main resort structure. Is this correct?

If so, is it typcial of Disney resorts to have time share properties within the main resort building? I thought that such facilities were usually within a separate building.

 

[amcjeep4life]

 

[stm61]

Disney Bee: thanks for the pictures and the replys. I think we're still going to go with the meal plan (hoping for free again!) since a buffet meal for 5 cost us over $100 last time we paid cash, and that was before the alcoholic drinks!Next trip my oldest 3 will be almost 15, 9.6, and 9.6, and the formerly free youngest will be 5, so that's 3 "adult" meals right there. It sounds like the breakfasts are nice and I'm already looking forward to happy hour!

The only real concern I have is are they converting some of the club level rooms to dvc? If so, are the larger rooms and bunks being converted? I don't want to get the kids excited and then discover they won't accomadate our family. I'm SOOOO looking forward to this vacation, the "fanciest" we've ever stayed is POR AB so this should be a really nice change.

I also like amcjeep4life's idea of bringing a t-shirt or something to the cm who helps with all your reservations and stuff. Anyone ever done this?

 

[DisneyBee]

Wow - lots of questions!

First of all, yes, they are converting some of the concierge rooms - from what I understand, most of the 5th floor and concierge will be on the 4th floor. I don't know how many deluxe rooms that will leave for parties of 5. I also believe that they try to place all concierge guests on the (right now anyway) on the 4th floor, Kudu Trail with an Aurusha Savanna view. I don't know what they'll be doing as far as room assignments in the coming months.

I never actually got to meet Don, but did speak with him on the phone as well as via email. We didn't ask them to do anything super-special, but I know they will do pretty much anything you ask of them. Nor did we bring them any type of gift. We only had them book our ADRs and a couple of other small things for us - nothing worthy of a gift. However, I'm sure they would appreciate a gift!

The CMs in the club were always pleasant and would chat if you felt like it - they seem to be able to read people very well as far as who would like to chat and who just wants to be left alone.

Hope this helps!

 

[BCV23]

Great report. That balcony in the temporary lounge looks wonderful.

All rooms on the 5th and 6th floor are being converted to villas.
icarus, this is the first time Disney Vacation Club units will be stacked on top of regular hotel rooms but at the Boardwalk, the Inn and the Villas are essentially one very long structure.

There will be another new structure that will be strictly DVC.

 

[Kimberle]

To those of you bringing gifts. An FYI, the IPO planners are not the same people as in the Concierge lounge. They are located in an office somewhere.

 

[joech]

To those of you bringing gifts. An FYI, the IPO planners are not the same people as in the Concierge lounge. They are located in an office somewhere.

We met one of the IPO planner (Susan) and her office is the first or second room arround the corner from the bell desk. It is best to check with your planner before you knock on someone's door.

 

[amcjeep4life]

To those of you bringing gifts. An FYI, the IPO planners are not the same people as in the Concierge lounge. They are located in an office somewhere.

Yea, I think I knew that, probably from reading it here on the DIS somewhere! I plan on asking Don for his schedule and location right before we head down, that way I can make sure it gets to him. I honestly have had like 40 e-mails from him, one from Juanita, and 1 from Jim? As far as I am concerned, Don is da bomb! And he will be getting the goodies. Not to say I won't include a few munchie type things for everyone else, but the good stuff is for Don!

 

[amycishere]

Yea, I think I knew that, probably from reading it here on the DIS somewhere! I plan on asking Don for his schedule and location right before we head down, that way I can make sure it gets to him. I honestly have had like 40 e-mails from him, one from Juanita, and 1 from Jim? As far as I am concerned, Don is da bomb! And he will be getting the goodies. Not to say I won't include a few munchie type things for everyone else, but the good stuff is for Don!

I completely agree, Don is amazing!! I wouldn't know what to give him though!

 

[kim]

Hi DisneyBee!

We were on the 4th floor, Kudu trail, July 1-7 also. The resort was wonderful. I believe our room number was 4263, very close to the elevators.

We love AKL. We too saw lots of animals, minimal noise (none in our room). Everyone was very nice and helpful.

kim