To Concierge or not to Concierge, this is the question

[melindaandrob]

Well, I've convinced dh that we should stay at CR. He's wanted to stay there since he was a little boy, and the POR room we've outgrown with our family of 5.
Now, how do I convince him that Concierge is a great deal! We would love some pampering, and don't mind paying extra for service! (this will also be our last trip for a few years, we want to sneak a trip in before our annual passes expire)

When weighing the pros and cons what do you base your decision on?
Thanks!

Melinda

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there...

Well for starters... how much does breakfast usually cost for the 5 of you + coffee/tea, soft drinks, bottled water... snacks, treats etc... etc.. etc..??

For a party of 5... concierge can be a substancial savings.

That is a good starting point!


Oh.. and it is a big time saver... you don't have to go far to get your breakfast... and you can send the kids ahead and have a shower or get dressed...

It's nice not to be all "on top of each other" in the room... the lounge is convienient to get to.. even just to read the paper while the family is getting ready.

Also the kids can watch a movie in the evening
>>^..^<<

 

[Mrs.A]

Just book it and tell everyone when you get there. It'll be a nice surprise.

We are staying AKL Concierge in Aug. I had a savannah room booked, but the more I read about the concierge services I just couldn't resist.

I was supppose to keep it a surprise for my family, but something like that I just had to tell my husband. When I told him all the things that are with the concierge and in the mornings he could go to the lounge and read his newspaper in "peace" without the kids interupting he said sure, lets give it a try.

Get alot of information on the CR and let him look it over . I'm sure he'll agree.

The way I look at it you work hard all year you deserve a nice pampering, relaxed, fun filled vacation in luxury.

I refuse to cook while on vacation, don't even want to make a sandwich.

Enough said. JUST BOOK IT AND ENJOY YOURSELVES.

 

[manhattan]

I too am questioning to concierge or not. I am currently the only income in my family, which puts that much more pressure on my decision. But, this is also our only vacation this year and with the FTP the prices are great. I have been working long days, nights and weekends so I feel I deserve a relaxing vacation. I have done the math for my vacation and it works out to an additional $512.96, or $64.12 per day, divide that among the four of us and its $16.03 per person a day, or $5.34 per meal. Even my husband couldn't argue with that! A glass of wine alone costs more than that here in NY! So sharpen your pencil and do the math and show him what the numbers are! Enjoy your concierge service.

 

[Lisa3]

I stuggled with this same question last week. We were booked GV Polynesian in Nov. but for $60/night I could upgrade to concierge. I too came to these board looking for someone to say "just do it!" Same as you we have APs that will expire in Dec. so the passes are already paid for. It also is probably our last trip to Disney for at least 3 or 4 years and it will be our 20th anniversary.

Everyone said that for a family of 5 I would be crazy not to treat ourselves. They are right. I called last week and we are now booked GV Concierge at the Polynesian (never in a million years did I think this possible). I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this vacation. We may even enjoy a glass of wine at night which we probably would not bother with otherwise.

I would say if you are even considering it and you feel comfortable with the rate then go for it. After the initial shock has worn off I think you will be glad you did.

 

[MichiganMommy]

We stayed on the concierge level at the WL with DS4 and DS7. It was really nice for both us and the kids. We loved the breakfast - so convenient and great offerings. I think that we also ate less junk food on this trip. I know that all 4 of us ate a lot more fruit than we would have otherwise. It seems like often the restaurants don't have a great fruit selection. We went back to the hotel to swim and relax every afternoon, so we hardly ever bought snacks in the parks. DH and I really loved the wine and cordials in the evening. Our kids go to bed early, so one of us would go to the lounge and relax while the other stayed in the room. We felt that it was definitly worth the money because it made the trip much more relaxing for us.

Have a great trip!

 

[CEDmom]

We (DH, DD - 3 1/2 and I) just back from WL where we upgraded to concierge for $45 a night and it was well worth it. Besides breakfast the WL also had substantial evening refreshments that meant DD and I didn't need dinner and DH just got something from Roaring Forks. We also got all the beverages we wanted.

 

[t2simon]

At the CR, there are two level of Concierge - Full and "Light". And Light was just that, at least when we were there. Dishes left in the hallway from when we left in the morning, until very late in the afternoon, cast members who were less than helpful (we asked if they had bottled water as we were cutting our DS juice at that time) and they said they did have any. At which time, my DH got one from the maids cart.

IMHO, Light is not worth the extra $$. If you can afford FULL concierge, I would say go for it, as everything I've heard about that is good. Maybe I'll try concierge at another resort, but not CR.

Just another point of view.

Terri

 

[sixcats]

I am a concierge fan but have also heard that the service at the Cont. is different. Maybe you can get more information on what they offer there on that level. I know that unless you book a suite there, you don't get full concierge service.

The Tower rooms are great. Even without concierge you will love the resort. Maybe if it doesn't offer as much as you would like you could reserve a tower room and splurge on a great dinner at California Grill.

 

[Darian]

There is a lot more to concierge than the offerings in the lounge. Many restaurants at WDW give concierge guests better tables. The treatment you recieve around the resort also seems better, though that could be self preservations instincts in the CM's surfacing. Perhaps concierge guests have a reputation for being premadonnas I don't know....

But when it comes to making ressies at restaurants or shows, is where being a concierge guest really shines. You want to breakfast at CRT? No problem and no spending hours on hold. Your personal concierge will get it done. You want last second reservations at the restaurant of your choice? Stop by the concierge desk and they will make the call. You'll be dining in moments. That was our experience at the AKL and at the YC. While at the YC we thought it would be nice to have a steak at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. We had walked by it and it was very busy. We went up to our room to dress for dinner and mentioned our desire to eat there in passing to the concierge. She made a call and after some discussion with the restaurant about a table for a concierge guest, the 45 minute wait was gone and we just walked right to our table. I know this is kind of hard luck on those waiting in the restaurant lobby for a table, but this is what comes with concierge. Its magic.

Darian

 

[hightown]

I struggled with this decision myself. Was thinking of doing 4 nights somewhere or in a standard room then 3nights AKL concierge-my dd(9) and myself.

Then Fairytale package hit and my mother (age 70) decided she did want to come with us. Since she liked the EPCOT area--it was easy for her to take things slow there. So figured the buy 4 get 3 free deal was like a sign from above. Booked YC Concierge Garden View. And with DM not being as mobile as she used to be, figured the Conc. rooms might be more conviently located. Plus I won't be running between room and food court or such to get stuff for her.

The price was still a shock but I've never done Concierge anywhere and figured what better place than WDW.

So looking foward to the Yacht Club Concierge 9/1. Tips anyone or experiences to share?

Sharon

 

[Darian]

its a small thing but when we stayed at the YC Concierge there were Krisy Creame donuts for breakfast. Terrible for you (nutritionally) but ohhhh sooooo delicious!!! I was in breakfast heaven!!! A short walk to the CL, hot coffee, fresh donuts, what could be better? Oh yeah.... I'm in WDW!!!!!! Yeeeeeeeehhaaaaaa

Darian

PS - since you have never done concierge before, remember to let them do your PS arrangements. Its a deep dark disney secret that concierge guests have many of the best tables and seats reserved for them... so they can make last second ressies. Its hard luck on the other guests so its not really publicised. If it were there may be a big backlash. But that is what you are paying the big bucks for. Want ressies for CRT? No problem. Want a special dinner over at V & A but didn't make advance ressies? Your concierge can fix it. Our concierge at YC was just extraordinary. She was great. A bit terrifying in some respects, but boy, she got the job done. Just remember they are there to help you, but they are not our personal slaves. I've seen some guests treat them very harshly, with a very demeaning attitude. Since you are here at the DIS I doubt you would be mean like that. My mom used to tell me "Darian, courtesy is the oil on the gears of society." I've seen other guests be just wonderful - polite and understanding with the CM's... and THEY are the ones who have nice things happen for them.

Let me explain why this long winded speal about concierge. My DW used to be a waitress years and years ago and the thought of people treating her like garbage because she was "only" a waitress. Guess I'm big on the respect thing. This sure has drifted off topic. Sorry about that.

I know you will have a great time with your DM and do her proud! All the best to you on your first concierge experience! You won't be able to go back you know.. to just "regular" rooms.. hehehe

Darian

 

[FreshTressa]

We are going to be staying at CBR from Oct 16-26th!

We went in October 3 years ago, it was PERFECT weather.

I can't wait!

 

[Darian]

FreshTressa - thats great! The CBR looks like a lot of fun. We'll be at the World during a few of your days at the poly - Oct 21-31st. The weather is the second big reason we go during october... the epoct international food and wine festival is the BIG reason to be there. But I still won't eat the aligator at the Florida booth!!!!

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time!

Darian

 

[FreshTressa]

LOL,

Thanks for your reply. You were probably wondering why I posted NOTHING about concierge level in my post. I have no idea how it happened, but I was replying to who is going in October and I posted here. I have NO idea how it happened, but I did something weird!


Oh well, I am still excited about our trip, no concierge level, but we did get the water view.

 

[Janet2k]

I had a lovely stay in a CR Tower Club room. The concierge CMs were wonderful, especially Bill. And the lounge had some great offerings in the morning, and some nice snacks in the afternoon. I had never stayed at the CR before, but had always wanted to give it a try. I really enjoyed my stay there and will definitely be back at the CR again. I have a few photos posted of my room and the Tower Club lounge: click here for my photo albums.

 

[hightown]

Darian, thanks so much for your P.S. I would imagine the concierge CMs sometimes have to deal with some real attitudes! After reading these boards however, I'm trying to think of little things or treats I can have ready for the CMs! Like a Colorado state pin w/Columbine flower or something like that. We always leave tips for housekeeping but also leave nice mints and chocolate for them.

You mentioned my one worry, that after going concierge, we won't want to go any other way!!!!!!! I think my Mom will really enjoy this and DD will be SOOOOOOOO spoiled (as if she's not already)

Sharon

 

[Lou-Ann]

I have heard that the offerings at WL are not as plentiful as at some of the other deluxe resorts. i love the Lodge and we are booked for our 25th Anniversary trip in a few weeks. If someone would be kind enough to tell me some of the things they served it might help make my decision easier. Do they provide soda and water as well. i had heard they did not. Thanks guys. In a bind here and need your help......

 

[Darian]

Lou-Ann,

I've never stayed at the WL so I can't speak about what they do or do not serve, BUT there is one common Concierge rule..."If you don't see it, ASK for it." Often bottles of water or soda are kept behind counters so the "bad" people (you've read the CL horror stories I'm sure) don't abscond with all the beverages.

I recall that last year the YC CL did not give out plastic water bottles but I beleive they did have soda cans. They did have large glass bottles of mineral water which were just perfect for quenching your thirst after a day at the park. Wonderful service!

Darian