Paradise Pier Concierge level questions?

[Coconut36]

If there is a thread about this already I apologize and if you can point me there I would appreciate it

I have read about a "concierge level" at PP and was wondering about the cost involved for one. We booked our stay/tickets via Get Away Today so I am guessing concierge level is not included but know they will often upgrade you when you check in so I was curious about it as I never saw anything that specified "concierge lounge" or level when I looked at various sites before booking.

 

[skiingfast]

Third party sites often can not offer specialy rooms at hotels.

Don't expect an upgrade. When upgrades happen those are typically for one standard room to another standard room with a better view. Disney Hotels classify the room levels by views.

You can pay for an upgrade when you check in. It may cost about 30% more for concierge. It's worth it is highly subjective.

 

[been2marceline]

We paid an extra 100.00 per day for the upgrade a couple of weeks ago.

Unfortunately, the whole concierge thing has become more of a all-you-can-eat type of deal, at least during our recent trip.

We do concierge to have an additional place to relax, we do partake in the continental breakfast offerings, the evening events and do use the beverage service.

But what we witnessed this past trip....

One person we called the Strawberry Hoarder, she would take anywhere from a quarter to about half of each platter of chocolate covered strawberries each time the servers brought them out! This occurred at least 5 days in a row.

I like them too, but I eat one or two max...

Another party would come in and request cases of drinks. They provided them with no argument, but come on....

The other one that I couldn't wrap my head around, a mother and daughter came in one evening, the daughter ate probably 35 or 40 separate desserts, by herself. Not exactly the healthiest diet, there weren't enough of the berry tarts available or I would have honestly expected a replay of the Willy Wonka scene - "You're turning violet, Violet!".

The staff was great in dealing with everyone, so if the trough like feeding issues are something that you think is worth putting up with or in my case observing, then it may be worth it to you.

 

[Coconut36]

Thanks for the input...doesn't sound like what we want/need really and I would not enjoy the uh..issues like people who hoard/take with little regard for others. I just saw references to it but couldn't find enough details to help me understand how much/what it offers.

 

[jenpace]

We paid an extra 100.00 per day for the upgrade a couple of weeks ago.

Unfortunately, the whole concierge thing has become more of a all-you-can-eat type of deal, at least during our recent trip.

We do concierge to have an additional place to relax, we do partake in the continental breakfast offerings, the evening events and do use the beverage service.

But what we witnessed this past trip....

One person we called the Strawberry Hoarder, she would take anywhere from a quarter to about half of each platter of chocolate covered strawberries each time the servers brought them out! This occurred at least 5 days in a row.

I like them too, but I eat one or two max...

Another party would come in and request cases of drinks. They provided them with no argument, but come on....

The other one that I couldn't wrap my head around, a mother and daughter came in one evening, the daughter ate probably 35 or 40 separate desserts, by herself. Not exactly the healthiest diet, there weren't enough of the berry tarts available or I would have honestly expected a replay of the Willy Wonka scene - "You're turning violet, Violet!".

The staff was great in dealing with everyone, so if the trough like feeding issues are something that you think is worth putting up with or in my case observing, then it may be worth it to you.

That sounds really gross. My daughters and I were at PPH a couple of weeks ago and saw nothing but considerate behavior from the other guests in the concierge lounge. This was our 4th or 5th time staying there with the concierge services and aside from the occasional guest who over does the wine in the evening, we've yet to encounter anyone being as piggy as the people you saw. I feel really bad for the concierge CM's who had to deal with that!

 

[larina]

We did the concierge at the suite price in May and we are doing it again when we go in December. It is $125 for the suites, and if you use it, it is worth it. There were 6 of us in May and we'll have 8 in December.

We usually make a tray/s; the entire family descending on the concierge lounge during peak times is just too much (we always felt welcome to do so, but we prefer not to if we can avoid it). Besides, we're never all ready at once anyway so it works out better all around. My mom and I are early risers, so we go down, with a kid or two, and bring things back to the room.

Breakfast is from 6:30 - 10. We usually start our days getting two water bottles for each of us to take into the park. I didn't know about this great perk our first trip and we took our own water, but a Cast Member told me that they have small size bottles, perfect for taking to the park.

We're big fruit eaters, so tend to focus there, with cereal for my younger kids and the occasional sweet roll. Most of us are coffee drinkers, so we get coffee and then juice or milk for the kids. If you are looking for a big hot breakfast, this isn't it. But if you want a light meal before going into the park, this is your place.

Snacks are available from 10 - 5. This was generally fruit, cheese and crackers. Sometimes bread or pretzels or chips too. Oh, and sometimes at random times during the day they bring out chocolate chip cookies. You can also get sodas, juice, water and coffee.

From 5 - 7 they have the wine and beer reception and an appetizer type light meal (one night it was teriyaki chicken skewers). It is nothing fancy; just cheap domestic beer and probably even cheaper wine, but it isn't horrible, and if you are looking for a free wind down, this could be your place, especially if you have a very sick child in the room and have no way of getting away from the hotel. We could take turns going down and having a beer. It was a nice break while my mom was in the park with the other kids.

To finish the day, they have sweets from 7 -8. This was usually cookies and/or rice krispie treats and chocolate covered strawberries or other yummy treats.

If you are looking for GREAT food, this isn't it. If you are looking for quick easy food for your family, this is great. My teenagers have breakfast and don't make use of the lounge again unless we save them something, but the rest of us are back and forth with the younger kids for naps and changing clothes and such and we think it is great! Hope that helps (you're probably sorry you asked!).

 

[larina]

And I didn't see any of the type of behavior that been2marceline is talking about, other than the drink thing that the cast members recommended we do. They said we should get out drinks. They had us stock up on water in the morning and even gave us extra juice and Sprite because they knew my daughter was sick.

Was that lady just sitting there eating all those, or could she have been taking them back to her room to share with others? Just a thought. If she was just eating them, that is gross, but if she was taking them to share, that is a nice perk of the concierge service at the PP where they encouraged us to take meals back to our large family and save room for others.

 

[wildboyzmommy]

That is great information. Thanks larina! I have three boys (9, 11, 13) and I am thinking that this might be worth it for us. I am not sure why boys need 4x the calories of anyone else. It baffles me.

I would be the wino in the evening!

lisa

 

[larina]

That is great information. Thanks larina! I have three boys (9, 11, 13) and I am thinking that this might be worth it for us. I am not sure why boys need 4x the calories of anyone else. It baffles me.

I would be the wino in the evening!

lisa

I plan to be the wino on our next trip, LOL I would think with boys it would be good to do. I've heard some of the evening food choices weren't the greatest, but we were pretty happy with what we had during our stay.

 

[tallpkb]

I, too, have witnessed the "strawberry horder". I mean, come on! There are people who are THERE who want some too! I don't really care if you do or don't have family in room, it's just plain rude to clear out a newly placed tray when there are other people there.

You might also be aware that the cold drinks are in small refridgerators under the counter. You won't see them unless you see others getting them, because there are cabinet doors covering them.

If you have special needs, do ask a CM if they can accomodate you. I've seen them bring out items that were not normally stocked on the counter, and they certainly can bring you out something at a different time that is normally put out. Uncrustables for breakfast is a great example!

 

[larina]

I, too, have witnessed the "strawberry horder". I mean, come on! There are people who are THERE who want some too! I don't really care if you do or don't have family in room, it's just plain rude to clear out a newly placed tray when there are other people there...

You made me spit coffee out of my nose, LOL. We've never cleared a tray of anything!!! Who does that??? I'd be too embarrassed, even if there were 20 people upstairs waiting (you can probably request them to bring a 1/2 tray or whatever out to you so you don't do that, yuck!!!)

 

[jog58]

I plan to be the wino on our next trip, LOL I would think with boys it would be good to do. I've heard some of the evening food choices weren't the greatest, but we were pretty happy with what we had during our stay.

High five to that!