Useful Concierge Information

[ppony]

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Something I didn't know for the longest time, but you can subscribe to any thread without posting by just going to the thread tools at the head of the page though not the very top, it's just above the thread text itself, and go to subscribe to thread and whammo! It's awesome to know that now. I must ahve went eyars w/o knowing! So I thought I'd pass that along to ya.

 

[ksoehrlein]

This will be our first CL stay, and I have a mug question (no flames, please!!!). Do any of you bother with the refillable mugs, or is there no point to it when you're staying Concierge Level? I'm tempted by the frozen Coke machine in the F&FC but don't know if we'll ever end up going down there during our stay.

 

[SeaSpray]

This will be our first CL stay, and I have a mug question (no flames, please!!!). Do any of you bother with the refillable mugs, or is there no point to it when you're staying Concierge Level? I'm tempted by the frozen Coke machine in the F&FC but don't know if we'll ever end up going down there during our stay.

We never bother with the mugs when we stay concierge. But we also don't usually have any meals at the counter service places at the resorts, so it'd be really out of our way to go there just to fill the mugs. If you plan on having some meals at the counter service place anyway, then you might want to invest in the mugs

 

[VAgal76]

I've never done the mugs either. We are water drinkers so it would kind of defeat the purpose for us to do that. You can grab a soda from the lounge any time you want. So one your way down to the pool just get what you want and take it with you.

 

[CastleLight]

Thanks, ppony!!!

 

[BionicEar]

I've never done the mugs either. We are water drinkers so it would kind of defeat the purpose for us to do that. You can grab a soda from the lounge any time you want. So one your way down to the pool just get what you want and take it with you.

We didn't do the mugs either. On our last trip (our first time concierge!), we didn't even step foot inside Captain Cook's. We just didn't see the point of buying a mug when we could just grab a soda from the lounge. And the kids did that quite often!

 

[LisaRN]

If you go through the Disney Florist yourself, I'm pretty sure it won't be placed in your room until after you've checked in. If you want it in there prior to arrival, talk with IPO about your options.

I do know the staff at the WL CL placed my gift baskets for my girls in the room before we arrived. I don't know if they do that all the time, but I emailed them and specificially requested them to do so. I did get the "we can't place items in room ahead of time"..so I am thinking they quickly placed it before we got up to the room

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i cant wait to see the stuff they pull together for my sons
i know its gonna be great !!

 

[Disney? Again?]

3. You may come in contact with about 4 people. Most people work in the lounge pretty regularly. Remember, the folks that help with your pre-planning stages aren't the same folks you'll see in the lounge. I'm not sure how many work in IPO but bank on a good 4-6 people. There are some people you never correspond with but are in the background plugging away putting in all your requests. I typically sending a thank you gift to IPO and then I send another thank you gift basket after I get home to the ones in the lounge. I know some prefer to give it to them there on the spot. I just never know who I'm going to meet and I'm a gift ordering kind of gal. I'm sure they probably get lots of disney goodies all the time so I do try to switch it up a bit. I've heard of people giving them gift cards to Wal-mart, Target, etc. I've done that in the past too.

I just discovered this thread (okay, I'm still earning my ears) but had to comment because we have been fortunate enough to stay Concierge at all Deluxe Resorts except AKL. The IPO usually does all of the pre-trip work and there are many hard-working people behind the scenes (4-6 like stated seems accurate) making things happen. Some of them really do take "making magic happen" very seriously and often check up to see how each of the ressies they made turned out. We have tried very hard to make sure to give Gift Cards, or send baskets when we return. It has never been expected from them, we just like to say thank you for great service. Amazingly, I think they remember us when it is time for that next trip and there are times we get wonderful views and special care in return, so its a nice circle.

For us, the IPO service at Poly has really been great lately, and worth every penny for the service and the Concierge (one of the best lounges on property).

As far as excellence, the IPO at Yacht/Beach has gone above and beyond so often for us, its impossible to describe. Spa, boats, special room requests, ressies, last minute changes, we've thrown it all at them. I have discovered calls made to my DH for gifts to be put in the room for birthday or Mothers Day in order to make my trip more special, and all kinds of advance shopping and planning. And suggestions for new places we might not have checked out.

Given the opportunity, these people can really offer great suggestions. My advice for anyone paying Concierge is to utilize the services of the IPO as soon as it is possible to start your bookings (i.e. the 180 days), the more advance notice they have, the easier it is to have everything work out as you'd like.

My final comment about all of the Disney IPO and Concierge is that while they can do a great job, they cannot control everything -- weather, crowds, etc. so let them help you and then enjoy whatever happens from there as best you can. And no matter what, you can always reach for chocolate from the lounge!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I do know the staff at the WL CL placed my gift baskets for my girls in the room before we arrived. I don't know if they do that all the time, but I emailed them and specificially requested them to do so. I did get the "we can't place items in room ahead of time"..so I am thinking they quickly placed it before we got up to the room

I think it's different for items like alcohol and flowers though. I know that for alcohol, someone must be in the room to accept it. When I've done flowers directly through the florist, they ask what time I'll be checking in. That's why I suggested that they go through IPO instead, as they can probably accept them and place them in their room.

 

[VAgal76]

I just discovered this thread (okay, I'm still earning my ears) but had to comment because we have been fortunate enough to stay Concierge at all Deluxe Resorts except AKL. The IPO usually does all of the pre-trip work and there are many hard-working people behind the scenes (4-6 like stated seems accurate) making things happen. Some of them really do take "making magic happen" very seriously and often check up to see how each of the ressies they made turned out. We have tried very hard to make sure to give Gift Cards, or send baskets when we return. It has never been expected from them, we just like to say thank you for great service. Amazingly, I think they remember us when it is time for that next trip and there are times we get wonderful views and special care in return, so its a nice circle.

For us, the IPO service at Poly has really been great lately, and worth every penny for the service and the Concierge (one of the best lounges on property).

As far as excellence, the IPO at Yacht/Beach has gone above and beyond so often for us, its impossible to describe. Spa, boats, special room requests, ressies, last minute changes, we've thrown it all at them. I have discovered calls made to my DH for gifts to be put in the room for birthday or Mothers Day in order to make my trip more special, and all kinds of advance shopping and planning. And suggestions for new places we might not have checked out.

Given the opportunity, these people can really offer great suggestions. My advice for anyone paying Concierge is to utilize the services of the IPO as soon as it is possible to start your bookings (i.e. the 180 days), the more advance notice they have, the easier it is to have everything work out as you'd like.

My final comment about all of the Disney IPO and Concierge is that while they can do a great job, they cannot control everything -- weather, crowds, etc. so let them help you and then enjoy whatever happens from there as best you can. And no matter what, you can always reach for chocolate from the lounge!

You have a great attitude and what nice compliments for the IPO's you've been dealing with. Do send a quick e-mail to guest services for such outstanding service. I'm sure they hear all the bad and ugly so it's nice to hear the good. A CM received an award and they read my complimentary e-mail to the crowd. It was very cool they recognized her. They have some great ones out there, too.

 

[firkat]

Before I upgraded to Poly concierge, I had already made most of my ADRs. I have requested a couple and some have worked out and some not. Would it be appropriate for me to send them the ADRs I already have booked and ask them what they think? Will they give those sorts of opinions or am I overstepping?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

they try to help in any way
if you are looking for suggestions say that and you will get them
brandon is great and lynne and trish have both gone thru several with me

 

[TammiMcMan]

Before I upgraded to Poly concierge, I had already made most of my ADRs. I have requested a couple and some have worked out and some not. Would it be appropriate for me to send them the ADRs I already have booked and ask them what they think? Will they give those sorts of opinions or am I overstepping?

Actually, that information should have already transferred into their system when you upgraded to a concierge guest. I would simply ask them to send along a copy of your itinerary for review. It should have all your ADR's listed. Both the ones you made and those that did on your behalf.

 

[firkat]

Actually, that information should have already transferred into their system when you upgraded to a concierge guest. I would simply ask them to send along a copy of your itinerary for review. It should have all your ADR's listed. Both the ones you made and those that did on your behalf.

Thanks for the info. The email attachment they sent me with the couple of ADRs they made for me did not include the ones I had made for myself. . . That is why I asked if I should share it with them.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Thanks for the info. The email attachment they sent me with the couple of ADRs they made for me did not include the ones I had made for myself. . . That is why I asked if I should share it with them.

If they didn't pull them over, just let them know. That way, they'll all be on the same itinerary sheet and easier to keep track of.

 

[twojo21]

we stayed at the yacht club concierge in march for our wedding week & the ladies at concierge there were so helpful during our trip. we were lucky enough to get a gazebo view too which is where we were married march 21st.

the concierge helped arrange an anniversary gift for my parents, brought us extra robes for when myself & bridesmaids were getting dressed in our room, got us a reservation at fultons last minute and helped with all our boxes of welcome bags for our guests. i just want to say the yacht club concierge was great.

 

[BionicEar]

we stayed at the yacht club concierge in march for our wedding week & the ladies at concierge there were so helpful during our trip. we were lucky enough to get a gazebo view too which is where we were married march 21st.

the concierge helped arrange an anniversary gift for my parents, brought us extra robes for when myself & bridesmaids were getting dressed in our room, got us a reservation at fultons last minute and helped with all our boxes of welcome bags for our guests. i just want to say the yacht club concierge was great.

Oh how wonderful! Congratulations! I would love to do a vow renewal at Disney someday. But DH wants to do it in Vegas with Elvis "officiating."

I'm so glad the YC concierge was so helpful to you on this momentous occasion. Love the picture - the background is fabulous.

 

[irisbud]

I have a minor vent. (a little long, sorry) I'm not even really angry, just a little disappointed and wondering if I may have done something wrong.

When I first made my reservations, they were for AKL CL for all four nights of our trip. After our ADRs had been made, I changed to two nights at GF RPC, two nights at AKL CL. I introduced myself to the staff at GF in an e-mail similar to the sample at the beginning of this thread (thank you, BTW). I got a really curt but still professional reply that was almost a week in coming. I brushed it off, but decided to stick with the uber wonderful Don and Juanita at AKL.
Since then, I have contacted GF IPO 3 additional times. First, I asked what kinds of offers for an additional price they had with turndown service. When I asked AKL IPO, they sent me a nice list with pictures. GF IPO told me I should call private dining myself and ask them. Second was a question about moving between the two resorts, and if we could use our tickets on GF resort keys before checking into AKL if we wanted to go to a park early. GF IPO told me I would have to ask bell services how to do this, and didn't even answer about the tickets (I rechecked my origional email, and the question was in there). AKL IPO told me how easy it was, and said the tickets were no problem, that they do moves like these all of the times. Finally today I asked GF IPO for very, very general information about Victoria and Albert's. Guess what they told me? Call V&A's myself. I sent the exact same e-mail to AKL IPO. In less than two hours they responded with a ton of information for me.

I'm just a little disappointed in the service I am getting from GF IPO. I wish I knew how to get a better response out of them. I am always friendly and curteous in my e-mails (I know how badly the slightest thing can come across in print). If it had just been one time, it wouldn't have bothered me, but they have, in effect, blown me off three times now. I just seem to get so much better response from AKL IPO when I send both of the offices the EXACT SAME e-mail. Don and Juanita have made me love the IPO part of concierge service. GF IPO (they have never signed an e-mail, so I have no idea who they are) has left me with a bit of a bad taste. I'm sure my experience with concierge while we are actually staying will be better, but as of right now I feel RPC has not been worth the money.

Thank goodness for Don and Juanita, who I will be dealing with as exclusively as possible from now on.

 

[Viki]

You're right, Don and Juanita are simple the best!