To Concierge or Not to Concierge... THAT is my question!

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone

I've always felt strongly about NOT staying concierge because I could never see the benefits to it, really. But after reading the current thread on it, I am now wondering if I should give it a try on our short stay next summer, just so I can try it and then form an opinion, after actually using the services. SO.... here are the facts, and let me know if YOU think we should stay concierge or not! Thanks!

Who: Myself, DH, DS16, DS13

What: Are there really benefits to staying Concierge? I don't want help making PS's, I don't need help planning an itinerary, so what else is there that Concierge does for you, other than providing a lounge area and snacks? Personally, the rooms at the Polynesian are a pretty good size, and I'd request a room with a balcony, so I can't see myself spending any time "lounging" in the lounge

Where: Polynesian Concierge, probably Lagoon view (Possibly Wilderness Lodge Concierge instead)

When: For 1 or 2 nights following our 7-night Western Caribbean Disney Cruise (next Labor Day weekend)

Why: Why?? That's what *I* want to know! LOL

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hmm, why? I'm curious too. If you won't spend time in the lounge, and you don't need help with any PS's.. then basically it would be all about the location (specific rooms for concierge only- right?) and the food... right?

 

[dandave]

I've only stayed on the concierge level at WDW once, so my experience and opinion count for very, very little.
There was just *something* about sitting in the lounge at the AKL, looking out over the lobby, sipping my coffee, that was so relaxing. Of all the times I've visited WDW and all the resorts in which I've stayed, this was the only time that I was not itching to go ride the rides. I honestly cannot say if it was the resort or the concierge service, but I felt overwhelmingly peaceful sitting in that lounge. The CMs, (some of the) other guests, and the atmosphere were just sooo relaxing.
IMHO, if you can get a few days of that kind of relaxation out of concierge when you need it, then it is worth the extra expense. I didn't need them to make any PSs or do anything "special" for me either- I just needed to feel relaxed and a bit pampered. It's hard to put the real experience into words, but I got more than I paid for.

 

[CarolMN]

Don't let the opinions of others (good or bad) overcome your own good judgement about what works for your family. (It's easy to do - I still have to give myself a good "talking to" every now and then, LOL).

Since you will only be staying for 2 nights and have teens, won't you be spending most of your short stay in a park? Won't your boys want to go to one of the waterparks? September is usually quite warm!

What will you actually be getting for the extra cost? Not much, IMHO. I'll bet you won't even be around much during "snack times" - our family sure wouldn't be, given the short stay.

Enjoy - whatever you decide.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Well, personally, I'd have to say for you to go with either Polynesian Garden or Lagoon View, or Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View. For such a short stay, would you really be able to use all the services of concierge? Now, if you plan on just relaxing at the resort those two days, I would go for concierge.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the votes in the poll, and for your opinions. I REALLY should've mentioned in my post that we're NOT planning on going to any of the parks, except probably Typhoon Lagoon. (We're using these couple of days as a relaxation period after the cruise, and as a buffer between the pampering on the cruise and getting back to the "real world". LOL) So, it is possible that we'd be spending a fair amount of time at the resort.

DH REALLY wants to stay at the Polynesian. So do DSs. I do too, I guess. There are so many resorts I want to try, that I'd be happy at one of any of the deluxe Disney resorts. lol We *may* do one park, but we're not sure yet. If we stay only 1 night, we wouldn't do a park, but if we stay 2 nights, I'd like to at least do the MK. Got to do the "classics" such as Pirates of the Caribbean, but we also all loved Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (or whatever it's called)the last time we were there. Also, Hall of Presidents wasn't open the last time we were there so I'd like DH and DSs to see that.

At night we'll probably do Disney Quest and walk around DTD.

I think before I decide on whether to do Concierge or not, we'll have to decide exactly how much time we'll be spending at the resort VS how much time we'll be out and about. DH would love to just stay at the resort the entire time, but as for me, I've got to get out and feel the excitement of being at WDW

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Well, in that case, my vote goes for Polynesian Concierge Lagoon View.

 

[jillhou]

We have become really spoiled to the concierge experience. We are a family of 5 - so we are somewhat restricted in where we can stay anyway. We either have to get 2 rooms - which we might do sometime - or we have to go to a deluxe resort. I am not interested in the 'home away from home' thing....don't even want to see a stove or dishwasher while on vacation!

We love the Poly concierge...the staff is so very nice and helpful. On several trips, we have made the decision sort of at the last minute and they got us every Ps we wanted. If we have enough planning time - I do just fine making all of my own.

The way we justify the extra expense is strictly based on convenience. I have never put pen to paper to figure it our economically, but I do know I enjoy the convenience of having breakfast just 2 seconds away. My sons are old enough to go get their own breakfast if I (and/or DH) are not quite ready to leave the room. If we are there during busy periods - we frequently come back to the room for swimming or rest during the afternoons.....the snacks are a nice extra for the boys. My DH is a big soda drinker - coke! - and the convenience of having them right there is very nice. I like being able to bring a few drinks down to the fridge and having them there when we get back late - after the food courts have closed.

If you are considering the Poly Conc and hoping to save money - probably not worth the effort. "Lounging" in the lounge is also not something I can imagine really.....it isn't like there are comfy recliners and cashmere throws! Bamboo type chairs with pads are not my idea of relaxing for a few hours. Meeting new people can be fun...if anyone is there! Proximity to the pool is a big plus for us. Limited access to the building is a big plus - if we are going to let our children go down to the lounge (they are well behaved, have been to nice places before, have relatively good manners and range in age from 9 to 16). Knowing that just not anyone can walk in while our kids are there is comforting. I would never let them run to a food court from our room at POR or AllSTars......

Whatever you do - have fun - have a DISNEY DAY!

 

[SeaSpray]

jillhou:

You brought out some good points, regarding your DSs. Mine are old enough that I'd let them go to the concierge lounge to get breakfast for themselves, and snacks if we're there at that time. My DSs are 15 and 12 now and will be 16 and 13 for our next trip. I tend to place a high value on convenience too, and concierge would be very convenient for breakfast, at least. I need to give this a lot of thought because we are considering going to the Kona Cafe for breakfast (I love the Tonga toast!) so maybe the concierge breakfast wouldn't be an issue afterall.

Anyway, thanks for your opinions, I have been enjoying reading about how others view and use the concierge services!

 

[susy]

If you do it, do the Poly. The WL con was nothing to write home about. There is no lounge, just tables around the railings. That view from the Poly beach is unbeatable.

 

[deb305]

It really depends on rate differences, family habits etc. Last year we did GF concierge SL. With the AP rate Concierge was only $40 more per night. We ate breakfast there most mornings, and usually caught at least one other snack during the day. We would have spent more than that for the 4 of us in the parks for breakfast and one snack. The convience of having one of us go down and get breakfast while the other got the kids dressed was immeasurable. With DS then 1 yr and DD 4 yrs, one less meal in a restaraunt helped a lot. We used Concierge to make our PS, they got us into Cinderella's breakfast, and we were seated immediately at Rainforest Cafe. With kids as small as ours that makes a big difference.

 

[4greatboys]

If its just dh and I then no I probably wounldnt but if its dh I and some or all of the boys and getting a good AP discoun then yes its great. Just hop down to the lounge for breakfast or milk, sodas or whatever. In the evening its great to grab a snack from without having to take the kids back out if they are tired. But we wouldnt pay rack rates for concierge--its just to much.

 

[airhead]

...I would think it would be worth it,but from our past stays at Disney,we usually don't get back to our room until 10 or 11 at night sleep and we're gone early the next day,ALL day. So,for us its a total waste of money.



airhead

 

[jennymouse]

I voted to give it a try at the Poly. Since you've never tried it and you're obviously curious, you should try it on this short stay. I've never tried it and I've always been like you thinking that it's not worth the money. So I figure we both ought to try it for ourselves and see. I've booked 2 nights AKL concierge at the end of our 5 night BCV stay in June for a few reasons.

1) Sunrise Safari-I really want to experience this and concierge is the only way I can. I have to say that this is the main reason.

2) This is how I justify reason #1. This trip will be me, my DGD and two of her friends. My DGD requested AKL because she loved it on our 8 night stay there Oct '02 and she wants her friends to experience it. I'm figuring that with the 3 girls and myself, it would paritally pay for itself with the breakfasts, sodas, and snacks. We'll only be spending a 1/2 day in the parks (AK after the safari) while at AKL so we should be around the resort to take advantage of this.

3) Just curious as to what all the hoopla is about.

 

[Mamu]

Am doing concierge at AKL for the first time. We have always spent most of our time in the parks. This time we plan on spending a lot of time at the resort.

I picked concierge because out of the 5 days we are planning on going to the parks only 2 days. So I thought I would give it a try.

 

[PamNC]

we did concierge twice and didn't see a big benefit other than the lounge. We too like to make our own PS before we leave home and didn't use concierge for anything else. We did eat breakfast there most mornings but we ate out for other meals. The snacks are nice but we didn't make meals out of it like some folks do.

I wouldn't do it again. But, it's just me and my husband. I guess if you had a big family there might be a cost savings for the food but otherwise I didn't find the level of service to be that much better than what you get with the regular rooms.

PamNC