Just Returned 14th Floor and AKL Concierge

[joliesmom]

Just Returned 14th Floor and AKL Concierge
I just returned after staying 5 nights on the 14th floor of the CR and then 6 nights at AKL concierge. The bad, I had posted some concerns about the CR IPO dept before my trip and unfortunately my concerns were correct. The IPO for the CR was the worst that I've encountered. I didn't make many requests, a pair of gold ears, an autograph book and pen, and a non-birthday cake. Let's just say my 4yo thought it was her birthday for a few days since Ariel sent her a cake. I did pay for what was requested except for the cake since it was there on the wrong day and it was a birthday cake (the cost would have been $45). What irked me even more is that I placed numerous calls to clarify everything in the weeks before my trip with either no return phone calls or nonsensical e-mails. The other odd thing is that the staff that work at the desk are also responsible for setting up and maintaining the lounge. That seems a bit odd since it is not that way at AKL or Poly. The good, Jessica a staff member on the 14th floor was a divine angel and upgraded us to a 1 bedroom suite on the 14th floor. I could have lived there, but I will say if I had paid for that room I would have been put off by the condition of it especially after seeing the renovated rooms. The lounge is very beautiful and well stocked, but a little uninviting because it appears very formal (my group is not formal). The food offerings were exceptional. We need to mention Jessica, Al, Louanne, and Paulo as great staff members.

Then we moved to AKL concierge for 6 nights. I found the lounge to be very comfortable and it was a great place to hang out. The girls that were working in the lounge were some of the friendliest that I've encountered at WDW. I found the food offerings to be a little too off the beaten path for me, but very nice.

My own personal opinion is that so far out of the 3 concierge floors I've experienced (we did Poly previously) I like the lounge at AKL, the staff on the 14th floor, and the food offerings at the Poly.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi!! Welcome back!

I am sorry that IPO goofed for you. Sounds disappointing - big time. That is funny about your daughter thinking it was her bday, though!

We stayed in a MK view one bedroom suite, too. The closest one to the MK. I was actually very sad & bummed about the state of that room. We were paying over $1200/night for it and I was SO DISAPPOINTED. Sure it was large, but come on - the suites should be knock you over gorgeous, not so old and poorly maintained. Ugh. At least it was an upgrade for you. We have stayed at the CR tower club 12th floor about 25 times in the past 13 years and NEVER been upgraded. After seeing the state of that MK suite, I wanted to move down to 12th floor, but nothing available. (It was last Thanksgiving)

I agree about the concierge staff. They are very nice. I also thought it odd that they take care of the lounge. There are lounge staff at Poly and GF. I kind of felt awkward in that small, quiet, lounge with my 3 kids, too. They are VERY well behaved/mannered, but it is sort of ......makes you feel self conscious about what you do or talk about as it is sooooo quiet and the concierge sits right there!!

Thanks for the report!

Lives4Disney

 

[glass slipper girl]

We just put a hold on a 14th floor room for next year. I am wondering if I should switch that now? We have 2 little kids too who are very well behaved as well, but they are still young kids. Maybe I should wait untill they are older to try 14th floor out.

Any word on if the 14th floor rooms will be redone by next spring/early summer?

were the food offerings kid friendly?

 

[joliesmom]

We just put a hold on a 14th floor room for next year. I am wondering if I should switch that now? We have 2 little kids too who are very well behaved as well, but they are still young kids. Maybe I should wait untill they are older to try 14th floor out.

Any word on if the 14th floor rooms will be redone by next spring/early summer?

were the food offerings kid friendly?

They had the typical continental breakfast food, for snacks they had individual bags of snacks, cookies, and goldfish (complete with silver spoon), at dinner they had uncrustables and gummy worms. Some of the hot entrees consisted of jumbo shrimp, scallops, steamed dumplings, lamb chops, beef pate, beef wellington, ribs, and wings. They haven't started any renovations yet. In all honesty we stopped down to the 10th floor concierge and that probably would have been a better fit for us since we hardly made stops at the evening offerings. I would probably pick Poly first since it was more kid friendly and the pool is more appealing.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I totally agree. The CR is my kids' ALL TIME FAVORITE WDW resort. We have stayed there too many times to count. We have loved it until our disappointing 14th floor stay. Now we are going back for a few nights over Thanksgiving to experience the 10th floor/rehabed rooms.

On the 14th floor, you cannot even hear or see the monorail going thru or the Chef Mickey's music & that was always part of the hotel's ambience. The "lounge" on the 14th is nice, but super small and intimate. It is not really kid friendly at all, IMHO. The concierge staff is nice & welcoming, but the small area is just too stiff and quiet. I think GF RPC is more kid friendly than the CR 14th floor. The only good thing about 14th was the view of the MK - and you can get that on the tower club floor in a more fun atmosphere.

As far as the rehab of the 14th floor, I believe it is going to be the last to be completed. I really don't know if it will be finished by spring. Maybe summer?? The suite we were in sure needed some MAJOR work.

I think the 10/12th floor concierge is more "us", too!

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney