- Joined
- Feb 11, 2007
- Messages
- 17,547
I didn't see a thread on this already.
The Concierge upgrade definitely happens. I don't know how random it might be - you might be pre-assigned, or it may depend on check in time, I don't know.
In 2006, we decided we REALLY needed to have a good time at WDW (it was a particularly horrible Spring - within two weeks in March I was laid off, lost a new job that was "in the bag" but got vetoed by a higher-up who I never met, my mother passed away, and DW's grandmother passed away). It was a very stressful time on all of us.
We had twice previously stayed offsite, and in 2003 our first on-site was at ASMu (OK, not thrilling, especially with our bus waits).
So I wanted to splurge a bit. We booked a Garden View at the Poly for July.
When we arrived and I checked in (DW and the kids stayed with the luggage in the sitting area), the CM went to the computer, checked with someone (i got a bit puzzled and concerned, like something was wrong), and then she told me we had won "Disney's version of the lottery", and that we were being automatically upgraded to Concierge at no expense.
Now, I had looked at the Concierge stuff, but I'm also frugal. Having free meals wasn't a big sell since we'd have to BE there to get them, and we planned for quite a bit out of the resort, so we really didn't consider it. But hey, if its free, great. Of course, we would have to actually check in in the Hawaii building as they had their own staff there, but she first converted our tickets into KTTW cards (not sure why at this point).
There was no mention of a golf cart ride or anthing like that (Now I feel gipped!) but it really wasn't that far of a walk.
The CMs in the Hawaii building let us in (our KTTW cards did not at that point give us access to the building, which is restricted to Concierge guests), and checked us in. There was one CM, Sarah, who we dealt with several times over the week and was incredibly helpful with everything for us. She checked us in, gave us NEW KTTW cards (gold in color) which would get us in the building and our room, and even got us an ADR for the next day when we decided we wanted to do a Fantasmic package.
Our room had a view of the quiet pool and an area they were ripping up and replanting (no lagoon! gipped again!), a fairly basic but themed studio. We had a mini-fridge (we NEEDED that because one of the DDs was on medication), and a 42" flat panel TV (yet no HD programming...). The only problem I had with the room is that the metal plate that is glued on to the door to prevent the swing-lock from damaging the wood kept falling off.
The lounge was GREAT. Instead of having simple snacks or running to some early CS breakfast, there was a continental breakfast every morning. Muffins, cereal, bagels, etc. We aren't coffee drinkers so I can't speak to that, but there were two instant coffee makers that offered a variety of flavors, as well as tea I believe, which I think were available 24 hours. Didn't notice if other coffee was available. But it made for an extremely convenient way to start off the day.
There was a small fridge packed with cans of soda that you could grab at any time.
I don't recall us ever trying out the lunch or dinner offerings. We did however several times stop by for the dessert and aperitifs.
The chefs were always helpful as well. DW needed to ask for something (milk I for DD to help with the medicine I think) one evening and she ran right out back and got her some.
When we had forgotten our complementary glasses at the Spirit of Aloha show, Sarah shipped a set to us after we had left. Had we realized that they were actually simply plastic, we wouldn't have bothered asking for them, but she still went through the trouble.
Being able to watch Wishes and the water pageant from the air conditioned lounge was a big plus. Only problem is you can't hear the music from the water pageant.
When reality started breaking in with a call from a realtor (while in the middle of the Studios) as we were trying to sell my mother's house and the buyer was being a jerk about things, the Concierge CMs made sure I got all the paperwork that needed to be faxed to me and were ready to help me fax back anything I needed (which I was able to avoid).
In all, it was EXACTLY the experience we all really needed at the time. Now, I still would say that I wouldn't pay for Concierge - it is EXPENSIVE, and for the most part we are there to go to the parks. And now that we are DVC members, the likelihood is even more remote we'd go for that expense. But for someone who has the money and prefers more resort time, or perhaps more personal attention, I think it is a great option.
The Concierge upgrade definitely happens. I don't know how random it might be - you might be pre-assigned, or it may depend on check in time, I don't know.
In 2006, we decided we REALLY needed to have a good time at WDW (it was a particularly horrible Spring - within two weeks in March I was laid off, lost a new job that was "in the bag" but got vetoed by a higher-up who I never met, my mother passed away, and DW's grandmother passed away). It was a very stressful time on all of us.
We had twice previously stayed offsite, and in 2003 our first on-site was at ASMu (OK, not thrilling, especially with our bus waits).
So I wanted to splurge a bit. We booked a Garden View at the Poly for July.
When we arrived and I checked in (DW and the kids stayed with the luggage in the sitting area), the CM went to the computer, checked with someone (i got a bit puzzled and concerned, like something was wrong), and then she told me we had won "Disney's version of the lottery", and that we were being automatically upgraded to Concierge at no expense.
Now, I had looked at the Concierge stuff, but I'm also frugal. Having free meals wasn't a big sell since we'd have to BE there to get them, and we planned for quite a bit out of the resort, so we really didn't consider it. But hey, if its free, great. Of course, we would have to actually check in in the Hawaii building as they had their own staff there, but she first converted our tickets into KTTW cards (not sure why at this point).
There was no mention of a golf cart ride or anthing like that (Now I feel gipped!) but it really wasn't that far of a walk.
The CMs in the Hawaii building let us in (our KTTW cards did not at that point give us access to the building, which is restricted to Concierge guests), and checked us in. There was one CM, Sarah, who we dealt with several times over the week and was incredibly helpful with everything for us. She checked us in, gave us NEW KTTW cards (gold in color) which would get us in the building and our room, and even got us an ADR for the next day when we decided we wanted to do a Fantasmic package.
Our room had a view of the quiet pool and an area they were ripping up and replanting (no lagoon! gipped again!), a fairly basic but themed studio. We had a mini-fridge (we NEEDED that because one of the DDs was on medication), and a 42" flat panel TV (yet no HD programming...). The only problem I had with the room is that the metal plate that is glued on to the door to prevent the swing-lock from damaging the wood kept falling off.
The lounge was GREAT. Instead of having simple snacks or running to some early CS breakfast, there was a continental breakfast every morning. Muffins, cereal, bagels, etc. We aren't coffee drinkers so I can't speak to that, but there were two instant coffee makers that offered a variety of flavors, as well as tea I believe, which I think were available 24 hours. Didn't notice if other coffee was available. But it made for an extremely convenient way to start off the day.
There was a small fridge packed with cans of soda that you could grab at any time.
I don't recall us ever trying out the lunch or dinner offerings. We did however several times stop by for the dessert and aperitifs.
The chefs were always helpful as well. DW needed to ask for something (milk I for DD to help with the medicine I think) one evening and she ran right out back and got her some.
When we had forgotten our complementary glasses at the Spirit of Aloha show, Sarah shipped a set to us after we had left. Had we realized that they were actually simply plastic, we wouldn't have bothered asking for them, but she still went through the trouble.
Being able to watch Wishes and the water pageant from the air conditioned lounge was a big plus. Only problem is you can't hear the music from the water pageant.
When reality started breaking in with a call from a realtor (while in the middle of the Studios) as we were trying to sell my mother's house and the buyer was being a jerk about things, the Concierge CMs made sure I got all the paperwork that needed to be faxed to me and were ready to help me fax back anything I needed (which I was able to avoid).
In all, it was EXACTLY the experience we all really needed at the time. Now, I still would say that I wouldn't pay for Concierge - it is EXPENSIVE, and for the most part we are there to go to the parks. And now that we are DVC members, the likelihood is even more remote we'd go for that expense. But for someone who has the money and prefers more resort time, or perhaps more personal attention, I think it is a great option.
We got lucky.
