To concierge or not conierge -- that is the question

[Rneighh]

I am starting to plan a 5-6 day trip with my two DDs (10 and 13) and my 72 year old mother. Hubby is Disneyed out and is staying home. My mother had not been in 20 plus years (last trip Epcot was being built). She is very excited. We usally go for 8-10 days and stay at a moderate. We are in the room so little I just can't justify the deluxe cost. On this trip I think my mother (and all of us) would love AKL. I expect we may be on the go a little less and in the resort more than on past trips.

Is the concierge service worth the cost difference. Rack rates appear to be almost twice that of a savanna view. What exactly does concierge give us over a standard room? How much of a discount can I expect during the value season in Feb?

Renee


02 -- CSP
98 -- offsite
97 -- DXL
78? -- offsite

 

[amw5g]

From my conversations with CRO, concierge rooms are the last to be dealt discounts, if at all.
-Andrew

 

[Janet2k]

Rneighh, the AKL is my favorite resort. The AKL has, in my humble opinion, the best concierge staff on property. The AKL has, also in my humble opinion, the best Cast Members on property. There have been AKL concierge discounts offered periodically in the past. I will keep my fingers crossed that you will be able to get one of them for your upcoming stay.

Since you are interested in saving money (as are the rest of us), I would like to point you at either Dreams Unlimited Travel (a full-service travel agency who, once your reservation is booked, will check with Disney periodically to see if a cheaper rate is available for you) or the new DISavers Club (they will also check with Disney periodically to see if a cheaper rate is available for you). I have used both Dreams and now the new DISavers in order to save money on my vacations. Both of them are worth checking out. If they can help you achieve your dreams, so be it.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope your vacation is magical.

 

[Janet2k]

By the way, here's the link to the Dis' "AKL FAQ" Thread. You should find lots of info regarding the resort in that thread.

 

[ducklite]

I agree with Janet2K. I'd like to add a bit more.

With your mom along, I think you'll be in the room more than usual. Also the AKL draws you in and it's hard to leave, even for the parks.

The savings on breakfast for four people can be pretty high. Figure even at food court prices it would cost close to $30 to feed the four of you ceral, milk, juice and coffee/tea each morning.

There are some munchies during the afternoon. In the evening they offer wine and cordials, as well as appetizers. Some people find that they can eat a large lunch, and then the appetizers and desserts served in the concierge lounges in the evening are enough. We haven't found this to be the case, but we're not big lunch eaters usually.

We look at it this way--we'd spend the following that we get for "Free" in the concierge lounge (this is for two adults):

$30 Breakfast (If we aren't in a DVC room or concierge, we tend to eat a full service sit-down breakfast, and DH is a big breakfast eater.)

$15 various snacks and tea/water/juice/soda during the day

$10 evening wine and cordials

$15 appetizers we skip at dinner and eat in the lounge instead

$15 desserts we skip at dinner and eat in the lounge instead

So we "save" $85 per day by staying concierge. It doesn't generally cover the entire cost of concierge, but it's a big start. In your case with four people, it would probably cover the cost. You do need to think about your day though, and see if you'll be around enough to take full advantage.

Not to mention the robes in the rooms, and the ease of having them handle PS for you. Plus an added benefit of AKL concierge is the Sunrise Safari.

In your case I think a lot of it comes down to money. If you are stretching your budget tightly, then probably not. If you are the type that always worries about spending too much, and is frugal, then probably not.

Anne