Ok, I think I will take the concierge plunge

[Pig Pen]

I haven't even finished planning my May trip and and I am already obsessing about September.

After reading about all the perks, I am thinking about going concierge in Sept. But I am so afraid this will spoil us completely!

We already have ressies at BCV for Sun-Thurs as DVC owners, but will be adding on 3 nights (Thurs Fri Sat) to the beginning of our trip. I want to stay in the MK resort area for these 3 nights. Since we are already staying at VWL in May I want to try the Poly, GF or Contemporary for Sept. We love all 3 resorts for different reasons (never stayed there, just explored during previous trips).

It will be just DH and me and have never stayed concierge before.

We have APs and it will be value season. Can you get AP discount for concierge? What are good prices for value season at these resorts for concierge? Are there any major differences in concierge service between these 3 resorts?

THANKS.

 

[lynr]

Pig Pen:

You can get AP discounts on Concierge. If this is your first time using concierge, then I would suggest the Polynesian. I have used concierge for most of my trips and I can definately say there is a big difference between the Polynesian and the Contemporary.
The Contemporary concierge is what they call light concierge and in my opinion is not worth the extra money. When I stayed with them in November of 2001 the staff was gone in the afternoon by 4 PM, there was no separate check-in and for most of my reservations I was sent down to the guest services desk on the first floor. The food selection on the concierge floor was not very much to speak of.
The Polynesian on the other hand is great. I have been staying with them since 1993 and eventhough their staff has changed and they had a few bumps in the road they are back on track. The staff is available from 7AM to 7PM and they are there to help you with whatever you may need. The food selections are terrific and plentyful. I would suggest that you check out Tikiman's website. He did a great job with it and it has plenty of great information.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Have a great trip.

Lyn
lredles8610@comcast.net

 

[Pig Pen]

Thanks. I think GF will be out of my price range. I forgot about Tikiman's site. I will see if I can find it.

Staying at the Poly has been my DH's dream forever. I am wondering if I can manage to book this and surprise him! (since he basically ignores my obsession with WDW and goes along with anything, I bet I could tell him we are staying at a mod and he won't suspect a thing till we pull up into the Poly entrance)!

 

[rkamer]

I stayed at Poly concierge last year and at GF this year. Poly is more value oriented and the concierge lounge had much more food. You can stock up on canned soda, water, fruit and muncies as well as eat a meal. In fact, our grocery stop before going to the poly was almost wasteful.

On the other hand, the GF concierge only puts out snacks that are nice but not substantial. We had a suite at GF and they told us it included concierge service. However, the suite was in a different building from the concierge lounge. I complained loudly about it and the manager gave us free room service breakfast each day. Judging by what was available at the lounge, I did pretty well. The best thing they did was get me a table at the HoopDee Do Revue at 5:00. Two weeks before the trip I couldnt get ressies except at 9 which was too late for us. The concierge said they would try each day to see if there was an opening. Finally, on the morning of the day I requested, they called me and said they scored me a table. I was impressed with that service. If I wasnt concierge, I never would have gotten in.

 

[lizzie64]

We too decided to take the plunge and go concierge for our AKL stay.

Can't wait. While I've booked most of our priority seatings myself, I'm too much of a control freak, they have so nicely given me a wonderful itinerary. The correspondence with the concierge staff to this point has been phenomenal, and I haven't even gotten there yet.

They have every one of our requests, our arrival information and can't wait to make our stay a most enjoyable one.

I'm afraid, I'll never be able to go non-concierge again.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by lizzie64
We too decided to take the plunge and go concierge for our AKL stay.

Can't wait. While I've booked most of our priority seatings myself, I'm too much of a control freak, they have so nicely given me a wonderful itinerary. The correspondence with the concierge staff to this point has been phenomenal, and I haven't even gotten there yet.

They have every one of our requests, our arrival information and can't wait to make our stay a most enjoyable one.

I'm afraid, I'll never be able to go non-concierge again.

Hi lizzie64,

My husband and I took the concierge plunge at the AKL this past trip Feb 1st through the 6th. I also had already booked all of our p.s. becuase I am also a control freak. The staff is outstanding and if you are staying over a Sat or a Tue book the Sunrise Safari. It is about $50 per adult but it was the best $100 my husband and I have ever spent. Say hi to Don for us and if you are a wine drinker they serve great South Aferican wines at the 5pm serving. We had requested a non-smoking room with a view of Arusha Savanna and got both. It did spoil us and are now planning on going back to AKL Concierge for our winter trip from now on.

 

[lizzie64]

Hey Tiffany,

Wouldn't miss the sunrise safari. Already have it booked. My boys are so excited. I will say hi to Don for you.