Useful Concierge Information

[dislover123]

Do they ever offer AP discounts for Concierge rooms?

 

[BrianD]

Do they ever offer AP discounts for Concierge rooms?

Yes, though not a huge discount. Earlier this week I booked GF RPC for 6 nights using the AP Best Rate Program. The discounts go pretty quickly though. Now it cannot even be booked for our nights any more. In fact, we wanted 7 nights, but the first night was not available.

 

[Julia M]

How early would you email the concierge planners if you want them to make your dinner reservations? Our 100 days begin September 8, so it will be coming up fast!

Can you also ask them to book the Candlelight Processional dinner? Since we want Xmas Eve, maybe they can help with that?

Also, we are staying one night at PO, then transferring to the Poly for 9 nights. Will we be able to start booking our 10 days based on the one night at PO?

Since we are going at Xmas time, I am expecting meal times to go fast!

Thanks

Julia

 

[BCV23]

From my understanding, it is still 90 days out it is just at that point you can make ADRs for 10 days.

Anyway, yes you can book all those days at 90 days even with a split reservation. You would just need both reservation numbers...or provide them to the concierge.

The Candlelight Processional package usually comes out in advance of the 90 day window. Well, maybe it always does! So I would email that request by sometime in August and if you are asking them to make all your ADRs, it would probably be easier for both parties to do it all at once.

We've gone twice during Christmas week and other than Christmas Eve and Day and NYE, it hasn't seemed that hard to get ADRs so don't worry too much about that.

 

[chi-mom]

Actually, the planners can book earlier than 90 days now. My 90th day was yesterday(Sat.), and I got an email on Monday confirming all my requests.

I guess they still don't have the 90+10 thing worked out yet!

 

[BCV23]

I guess not!!

I also saw a post on the restaurants forum about someone booking for themselves further than 90 days too. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[BionicEar]

Soooo... If I'm not mistaken, the Poly concierge rooms should have already been redone?

If so, has anyone seen them? Your report on that? Anyone have pictures? I'm curious....

And I am so very excited about our upcoming trip! The kids still do NOT know. We're telling them at Christmas, and I've already got the gold mouse ears from Disneyland that I ordered. We're going to present them to the kids as our way of "breaking the magical news." Any other ideas to add to that?

I've already heard from Jeffrey at the Poly IPO, and I'm still trying to work out the dining plans before I send him my itinerary requests. I remember someone saying something about having the dining mapped out on Excel? Can someone help me out here?

I. Just. Can't. Contain. My. Excitement!!!

 

[VAgal76]

I'm back from AKL, CR & BC! AKL is still our favorite resort.

BC's Newport Suite (presidential) had a superb view of the lagoon. If you're standing on the sidewalk facing the back of the lobby on your left is the pool so look to your right at the top. That whole wing on the top floor is the Presidential Suite that you see. The Newport suite boasts three balconies. The balcony dead center of the lagoon is small and can only be used for standing while the the other two off from the bedrooms were large with chairs for sitting. It's bright and airy. It does lack a sink in the galley kitchen. We were greeted with a fruit arrangement and welcome card and sent off with a chocolate with a picture on it and a card thanking us for visiting. I was very impressed with this added touch. I believe Janet2k had a similar arrival and depature gift at YC's presidential suite. I love this resort, despite the atmosphere of the lounge. I'd visit again in a quieter time without hestiation. The master bedroom has a plush king size bed. The master bedroom alone is huge. We could easily do a couple's massage in here with room. The 2nd bedroom also has a king size bed though not as cuddly soft as the master's. There is a small parlor with a day bed. The lounge at BC was a little on the small side. I actually ran into the crazed herds in the lounge that I've read about here and there on the boards. It was like an all you can eat buffet and happy hour. People pushing to get through and going nuts over muffins and appetizers. Let's not forget the beer that everyone wanted right at 5 o'clock and would come in waves just to get one! I was shocked. I'm here to relax, not feel like I'm in a Golden Corral. It was sweet bliss on Saturday during the in between time when people were checking out and before a new herd checked in.

The AKL's Presidential suite is very nice as well. The two large domes you see at Arusha Rock Savannah are the VP & Presidential Suites. Standing at the Arusha rock facing the door, the Royal Asante suite is on the right. The dome is the living area, large kitchen but the refrigerator is not stocked. CR had the only stocked refrigerators. The 2nd bedroom is like a concierge room with 2 queen beds. All of the beds slept like a dream. Can you say closets galore in this suite? There is actually a long hallway separating the 2nd bedroom from the rest of the suites. Three bathrooms - one in the entry way with toilet/sink, Masterbath - (HUGE) with double shower and whirlpool tub, double vanity and the full bath with the 2nd bedroom - outside double vanity, toilet/tub/shower.

The 14th floor had impeccable service, great offerings and a spectacular view! I can't wait until the do the rehab on the rooms. CR's 1 bedroom suite has a large living/dining area, kitchen and bedroom with 2 queens. Two bathrooms - one with a shower and the other with a tub/shower. I missed the whirlpool tub I had grown accustom to at AKL. I hope they will incorporate whirlpool tubs in the newly designed suites. The rooms are showing age and the rehab couldn't come at a better time. It's going to be done in Black, white and silver. Everything was clean and in working order. There were a few things with the room that wasn't so appealing, but I knew the room wouldn't be in tip top shape because of the rehab that was to come. The personalized service and the view far out weighed the few problems our room had. The pictures you see out there of the view just don't do it justice. A pipe bursted in our room, but that's another funny story to come. A little of the wall paper was scratched up behind a bed, the shelf where the fridge was a little "worn" and a baseboard seems to be coming from the wall behind the dining table. All else just looks dated to me. Not dirty, not molded or falling apart - just simply not up to speed with today's decor. If my husband hadn't pointed the few imperfections out, I wouldn't have noticed as I was captivated by the view of the castle.

AKL & CR's lounges were pretty relaxed and not crowded at all. I don't think we hit them at off times either. I think there was maybe a family or two at most at CR's lounge during the times we visited. Only a few families at AKL as well. Once we sat on the sofa because the tables were taken at AKL, but it still didn't feel crowded.

At AKL they had chicken fingers, BBQ ribs, chicken wings with different sauces and hummus. They had something from Boma's that I liked a lot too, but I can't remember the name. I had one or two things and they were very good. I enjoyed the wine at AKL & CR. Guess what - hot oatmeal is at AKL! One plain and one with cinnamon and brown sugar.

BC had standard fare with a turkey/ham wrap that seemed pretty good as well as hummus with crackers. The BC did have a tomato bisque one evening that I enjoyed. Veggies, crackers, etc.

CR had veggies and dip, salmon, steak, herb cheese with crackers. They had mini-cupcakes with edible chocolate mickey ears and the tuxedo strawberries.

CR and BC both had Krispy Kreme donuts in the morning. I remember muffins being offered at all three. BC had banana bread for breakfast as well. I'm a sucker for banana bread.

The service was great across the board. Each personality quite unique.

I have pictures coming soon of the rooms. The Newport Suite at BC was our favorite. We want the BC's Presidential suite with the AKL's or CR's lounge - LOL! I think lounge wise AKL & CR are neck and neck when it came to service and atmosphere for their own reasons. I'll have more to report later!

 

[YCFAN]

Oh I'm so excited to hear this report! We have the AKL Presidential Suite booked for next July. Did they also give any special amenities the way the BC did? Any tidbits about this suite would be greatly appreciated. How was the view from the balcony? Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

[eddieras]

I'm back from AKL, CR & BC! AKL is still our favorite resort.
They had something from Boma's that I liked a lot too, but I can't remember the name.

probably zebra domes!! YUMMY!!

 

[VAgal76]

probably zebra domes!! YUMMY!!

I'd never forget the name of the zebra domes. LOL! It was in a pastry like shell, it wasn't hot. Darn, it's killing me not to be able to remember.

YCFan - They didn't have a special hello and good bye like the BC. I do wonder if this is particular to YC/BC resorts or if most resorts do something special for Presidential suite guests. I had IPO purchase Golden Mickey ears and had them personalized along with the Happiest Celebration pins, an autograph book and lanyard sets for MIL & SIL for our arrival. It'd be nice if they did a nice welcome gift as well. The gifts were nicely presented and we were upgraded our first night to the Presidential suite so I got to enjoy this beauty for 4 nights thought we didn't arrive until a little after 11 pm on our first night. I guess the upgrade itself was my welcome gift. One heck of a welcome gift if you ask me. I actually had the same valet check us in that checked us in last year. Too funny I remembered him, but he was trying to open the door of the VP suite with our room key. Our room was next door to the VP suite and it looked like a regular room door. Poor thing hadn't worked there very long. It still gives me a chuckle when I think about it. Anyway, we stayed up until after 1 in the morning checking everything out including the huge balcony. We hardly slept a wink because we were finally in the world with a full agenda the next day. Though the beds were comfy, we're we just too excited to sleep. My husband's mouth dropped and eyes popped out when he entered. I was outside with the valet and he just leans to my MIL and whispers "Oh my god, this is the Presidential suite!" Somethings are just priceless! There's a treadmill on the balcony in case you feel like jogging/walking while admiring the view.The view is of the Arusha Rock next to the pelicans. I think I like the decor of the VP suite a little more, but it's still a gorgeous suite. I'll have tons of pictures to share later. I have to find time to upload all these babies to webshots and give you the link. Did I mention I loved the whirlpool tub? I'd like to get one of those for my masterbath at home. LOL! I have the room for it without a doubt...btw, the tub has it's own remote control. Good luck on figuring out all the light switches and dimmers. I struggle with the simpliest things.

 

[eddieras]

I'd never forget the name of the zebra domes. LOL! It was in a pastry like shell, it wasn't hot. Darn, it's killing me not to be able to remember.
.

oh, i figured that after such a wonderful review- i just thought i'd add a bit of levity!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Soooo... If I'm not mistaken, the Poly concierge rooms should have already been redone?

If so, has anyone seen them? Your report on that? Anyone have pictures? I'm curious....

And I am so very excited about our upcoming trip! The kids still do NOT know. We're telling them at Christmas, and I've already got the gold mouse ears from Disneyland that I ordered. We're going to present them to the kids as our way of "breaking the magical news." Any other ideas to add to that?

I've already heard from Jeffrey at the Poly IPO, and I'm still trying to work out the dining plans before I send him my itinerary requests. I remember someone saying something about having the dining mapped out on Excel? Can someone help me out here?

I. Just. Can't. Contain. My. Excitement!!!

Poly concierge will be closed mid September - mid October for the change to the new rooms. Hopefully just in time for our visit 10/14! There is a photo on Tikiman's site of the new room design.

I use Word for my itinerary. I found it easier to use a table in word rather than Excel. I have a column for each day and then rows for morning, noon, and night. On arrival/departure days I put our flight times and #'s, I have all confirm #'s for dining and any special tours.

My kids know we're going in October but my 4 year old DS doesn't yet know that I'm taking just him for 3 nights on August 28th. I'm anxious to tell him but not his 6 year old sister. I'm taking her 2 nights early in October (she knows that). I have read an idea on the boards here about ordering a Disney cake at the grocery store and instead of "Happy Birthday" have them write "the Bioicear Family is going to Disney". Don't know how you'ld do that at Christmas though.....

 

[lovesdumbo]

VAGal-great review! Sounds like a wonderful trip!

 

[lovesdumbo]

And I am so very excited about our upcoming trip! The kids still do NOT know. We're telling them at Christmas, and I've already got the gold mouse ears from Disneyland that I ordered. We're going to present them to the kids as our way of "breaking the magical news." Any other ideas to add to that?

I just read a post over on the budget board about stocking ideas and someone said they'd like to put Disney tickets in a stocking and say "we're going to Disney...."

 

[Angel16]

Bumping for a friend.

 

[triplefigs]

Should I email or call the GF IPO to confirm what they have listed and times for my ADR's? They are making them all for us. Any particular info I should make sure is correct? Oh, and when should I do this? We're at 104 days!

 

[Julia M]

Well, I had my first experience with concierge services today. I had requested (last week), the IPO to book our Candlelight Processional. As of today (TH) at 3pm Florida time, it hadn't been booked. I discovered this because I called Disney dining, to ask them. I was on hold with the IPO about 25 minutes, when I fainlly got through, and was very snottily told that the Candlelight Processional packages opened up yesterday (Wed), and that they were behind because of the virus.

Since I wanted Xmas Eve at Rose and Crown, I booked it myself.

SO, my impression of the Poly concierge at this point is not very good. I'm not one of those people who planned on trying to "make up" the cost differential in food.....I was expecting the convenience of not having to book reservations frmo CA, and the extra space of the concierge lounge.

I am now worried about how they will book my meal reservations in a month.......will it get done? I know Xmas is busy, and things go fast!!

Julia

 

[TammiMcMan]

Unfortunately, first impressions are usually the ones we remember the most. While I'm sure that the virus wreaked some havoc yesterday, that doesn't mean that someone should respond to you that way. I haven't stayed at the Poly, but it does seem to be their process to not respond to your requests until after they are in the system and confirmation numbers applied. I had much better luck dealing with the staff at the YC/BC/BWI. Everytime I asked for something, they would acknowledge my e-mail and send over an updated itinerary. Even before the requests could be confirmed, I could at least see that they were entered as pending.

I hope the rest of your plans go more smoothly.

Tammi

 

[Julia M]

Do concierge guests receive the use of the health club at the Grand Floridian (Poly guests)? I thought I remembered reading that somehwere.

If not, what is the daily fee?

Julia