Just back from WL concierge

[MichiganMommy]

We just returned from 3 nights at the Wilderness Lodge and it was great! We stayed on the concierge level and now we are totally spoiled. We really enjoyed the convenience of having breakfast right down the hall. The evening appetizers, desserts, wine, and cordials were also very nice. The concierge cast members were very friendly and helpful also. They made a few PS seating for us, and answered our questions. DS4 and DS7 totally enjoyed the pool. DS7 must have gone down the water slide 40 times! We borrowed a life jacket for DS4 and they let us keep it in our room until we left. The boat service to MK worked well. I think our longest wait for the boat was about 10 minutes. We took the bus to MGM one morning. After it picked us up, it went to GF before going to MGM. Total trip was about 45 minutes including the 10-15 minute wait for the bus. Another day, we took the bus to TTC and then took the monorail to Epcot. After Illuminations, we walked to the Beach Club and took a cab back to WL. I was worried about long lines for the monorails and buses after Illuminations. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a cab to come though so I don’t think we saved any time and it cost us $15 (incl tip). Next time we’ll follow the crowds to the bus/monorail. We then transferrred to the SWAN for 4 nights to be closer to EPCOT. All in all, we had a wonderful time. I learned so much from reading these boards and I think it really helped our trip go smoothly. Thanks!! I’d be glad to answer any questions.

 

[#1MMFan]

Hi

You sound like you had a great time. We are hoping to stay concierge level from 20th - 30th of this month! We haven't done that before at any resort so would be interested in all the JUICY details!!! Did you get turndown service, and if so, how did you separate the tip for the lodgekeeping and turndown service as dear sister and I are organising this (in secret from mum) and think we'll be out most of the day... what if lodgekeeping takes the full tip for the day (even if it is in a separate envelope!)? Dare I even suggest this? LOL

Anyway would love to hear everything about your stay in concierge if poss!

#1MMFan

 

[vbfamily]

When we stayed at WL Concierge in October we actually had no clue we should have left a tip for housekeeeping (we tipped bell services, etc. generously-I say this so I don't feel so guilty). I only realized people did this when I returned home and found these boards.

Anyway, you do get turndown service. They come in and tidy up a little in the evening, replace towels and leave WL chocolates on your pillows. They also turndown the beds.

Turndown service turned out to be one of our DD's and DS's favorite parts of the trip. They loved to come back to the room after a long day and see the chocolates. Once in a while, they even made a special little treat for them.

I would leave seperate tips for the housekeeping that does the first cleaning and then the one that does the turndown service. We did tip housekeeping when she brought us a fridge and she seemed very appreciative.

You won't have to pay for a fridge if you stay concierge.

You may not be able to leave 2 different tips if you are going to be out most of the day unless you mark the envelopes accordingly. Sometimes they already have your beds turned down before you get back in time to leave a different tip than the one you left for the housekeeper. If they happen to forget turndown service at all don't be afraid to call and ask for it.

If they don't have soda and bottled water out in the concierge lounge, just ask and they will get some for you.

We were treated very nicely by a CM. I believe her name was Anna. There was another CM who checked us in but I do not remember her name. She was also very nice.

Have fun and don't forget to do a trip report when you get back.

 

[dtuleya]

We stayed at WL Thanksgiving week 2002. I had asked about upgrade (from courtyard view) to concierge and was offered it at an extra $35/night (if my memory serves me). DH didn't want to trade view for food (even though I thought this was a mistake) and we learned to regret it! We changed our minds the next day and were told that it was no longer available. To add insult to injury, we found out what we were missing when we were the Flag Family on Thanksgiving Day. Walking by the tables of food with Ranger Stan with our mouths hanging open, we realized what fools we had been. Especially after we were sick of hearing the Electric Water Parade music nigthly from the inner courtyard speakers by the third night, this alone would have made us give up our courtyard view! (VBG) This was our big mistake of our trip and one I will never make again! It's WL Concierge next time for our family!!!!!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi.. I have never recieved a straight answer about the WL Concierge lounge area... I take it - it is not a room.. it is part of the hall that overlooks the lobby?? Are ther places to sit? How many tables/chairs etc?

Thanx!

>>^..^<<

 

[MichiganMommy]

>>^..^<< - There isn't a lounge "room" with a door - the concierge area is the top floor (7th) overlooking the lobby. The "common area" for hanging out is a u-shaped hallway, open on one side, overlooking the sides and back of the grand lobby. Hallways to the rooms lead off in both directions. Your room key must be inserted into a slot into the elevator to access the 7th floor. When you get off the elevator, there is a podium/desk area with computers and phones were the concierge CMs sit. There are also tables there with maps/brochures and newspapers. One table for kids has lincoln logs and some little activity booklets and crayons. The food is served in a wide section of the hallway overlooking the courtyard and pool (at the bottom of the U-shaped hallway). It sounds jammed in, but it didn't seem that way. At most there were 2 other families there whenever we were there so it never seemed crowded. Places to sit are arranged along the "sides" of the U - overlooking the lobby. From one side you can see the Whispering Canyon Cafe and from the other side you can see the front desk area. There are many chair arrangements, some with coffee tables, and others with regular (eating height) tables. There is one arrangement with a couch, coffee table and chairs also. It was nice because each seating area was sort of private. I didn't count, but I'd guess there were about 8 seperate seating areas with at least 4 chairs each.

#1MMFan - when I have a few more minutes I'll write some more!

 

[MichiganMommy]

#1MMFan - you'll have a great time! I wish I could come!

Some more details for you....

We had a room with bunk beds on the side of the resort. Our view was of the woods, and villas. We could see the bus stop also. The kids loved the bunk beds, except DS4 bumped his head while in the lower bunk a few times. There was a large airmiore for the TV. It also had 3 large drawers in it. There was a small chest of drawers in a niche closer to the door with 4 smaller drawers. Our room had a safe with a key and a refrigerator. Others have commented that the rooms seemed dark. Because of the color scheme and the roof design (shades the windows) it wasn't super bright. But we did find that when we turned on/up all the lights it didn't seem so dim.

The room was very nice and housekeeping did a great job. The best part about turn-down service was that they freshened up the room each evening.

At check-in they gave us a large folder with a Wilderness Lodge newsletter and other information. There was also a personalized card with the concierge services listed inside. There were goodies in the lounge at the following times:
Breakfast: 7:00 –10:00 am
Little cereal boxes, bagels, assorted muffins, and strudel (apple and cherry).Milk and juice were served in large carafes. Coffee was available all day long. They had foam cups with lids so you could take coffee with you.

Refreshments: 11:30 – 3:00
Afternoon Tea 3:00 – 4:30

The following items were served in the middle of the day, I just can’t recall if they werew “refreshments” or “afternoon tea”. Apple Juice, Lemonade, Bottled water, coffee, muffins, fruit (apples, oranges and bananas), cookies, pretzels, mixed nuts and gummy worms.

Wine and Cheese Selections 5:00 – 7:00
Assorted wines for self-serve. Cans of soda. Assorted cheeses, crackers, fresh vegetables, marinated mushrooms and hot appetizers. One night the appetizers were Lobster Bisque and Wild Game Stew. Another night they were BBQ ribs and baked beans. The 3rd night we weren’t there between 5 and 7.

Cordials and Desserts 8:00 – 10:00
Sometimes they left the wine out in the evening. They had several bottles of cordials out. There was always one warm dessert. It seemed to alternate between Mixed Berry Cobbler (outstanding!) and Warm Apple Crisp. There were also cookies available.

 

[ead79]

It's great to hear all these details about WL concierge! I am considering it for a future trip, and it sounds lovely.

 

[#1MMFan]

Wow MichiganMommy, thanks for the info. I'm really looking forward to going now!!!!

I can't wait to see my mom's face when we get up to the concierge level (she thinks we are going for a woods view only). She already thinks it's great because we paid her vacation, but boy does she not know what's in store for her. We also have fireworks cruise under wraps for her on Sat 22nd.

Thanks for the posts

#1MMFan