Useful Concierge Information

[BCV23]

when can I mail with my adrs and requests

Whenever you want but since your stay is still fairly far out, maybe wait until 200 or so days out? Far enough out to give them time to set things up before the 180 mark but not so far off that it could slip through any crack. I don't know...maybe 220 would be better? Or email them and ask that question....and report back!

 

[KerryCM]

Disney1992, if you are sending a thank you gift to the cast who has made your ADRs and other special arrangements then you send them to the resort where the IPO is. For example, the Epcot resorts are all covered by the IPO at the Yacht Club. These cast members are not the ones you will come in contact with at your resort, for the most part. I have had planners come over to the BW because I wanted to meet them. I usually bring a gift from my state for the cast at the lounge to share. In May I brought chocolate lobsters and cranberry turtles.
I also write a letter to the concierge manager when I return home to compliment any cast members who have gone out of their way for me. In my case it is the entire cast of the Innkeeper's Club.

 

[Janet2k]

...ME... what do you suggest I do?

Mlwear, I will be in WDW for an extended vacation (five plus weeks) that encompasses quite a few resorts (I like to sleep around). I am having a hard time keeping track of everything since I have two different travel agency reservations, a Group Reservation, a few concierge reservations, a few non-concierge reservations, plus a few DVC reservations. I didn’t know who should book my Magical Express ground transportation so I decided to pick up the phone and handle things directly.

I telephoned the Magical Express folks and booked my reservation. I requested that my ME booklet be sent directly to my address (West Coast) instead of to my travel agent’s business address (East Coast). The ME folks were more than happy to oblige my request. Believe it or not, my ME booklet showed up in the US Mail yesterday. I was very impressed since I had just phoned them a few days prior.

So, pick up the phone and call the ME folks. Have them verify that you are in their system correctly. Only then will you be able to put your mind at ease.

Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[Janet2k]

Everyone, I rarely pop into this thread but found a need to do so today. I was looking for the IPO e-mail address for the Beach Club. I just wanted to say thank you for having that information stated on the first page of this thread.

I hope everyone is doing well. I also hope you're planning vacations to the most magical place on earth. I know that I am very much looking forward to my upcoming escape from reality.

Janet

 

[mlwear]

Thank you Janet2K. Wow, your vacation sounds wonderful.

 

[cortegro]

I second Janet2K! I also came looking early this morning for IPO email info and phone numbers and there it was all neat and tidy!

Thank you all for keeping this up!

-cortegro

 

[skyscanr]

great idea, #1hockeymom to post the lounge offerings; here's what I remember from the Poly. I thought I still had my Poly literature, but didn't, so I'm doing this from memory, so excuse my (mis)spellings!

Hours of service for food and beverage offerings (as with the other resorts, offerings change periodically:

7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. -- Kakahiaka - Morning Service

Whole fresh fruit, orange juice, pastries, bagels, English muffins, peanut butter, cream cheese, jelly and other assorted condiments, cold cereals, milk, coffee and assorted teas. Yogurt and instant oatmeal on request.

Noon - 4 p.m. -- Afternoon Service

Whole fresh fruit, cookies (super yummy oatmeal, chocolate chip, sugar) and other snacks, including gummy worms, Skittles, goldfish crackers, trail mix. Orange-guava juice, lemonade, tea, coffee, bottled water (in large bottles, not individual ones) and sodas.

5 - 7 p.m. -- Ahiahi - Evening Service

Hors d'oeuvres, including vegetable crudites, cheese and crackers, cut-up fruit, and various hot appetizers. Some of the appetizers we've seen more than once are: sushi, vegetable spring rolls, fried rice, chicken & beef satay, Hawaiian pulled pork w/mini-buns and chicken wings. Wines and beer. The beer is sometimes out in a galvanized tub on the counter, but other times you must request it from a CM. Children's snacks include "uncrustables" pb&j sandwiches.

8 - 10 p.m. -- Aumoe - Late Evening Service

Bite-size desserts (miniature eclairs, key lime tartlets, etc. ) and cordials, including Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Courvoisier, Frangelico, Kahlua and Bailey's.

Coffee and tea are always available and there is an espresso/cappuccino machine that also does lattes, mochas, and hot chocolate.

You forgot to add that soda (coke,diet coke and sprite ) Is in 12 oz cans and is there anytime you want some. This was very nice and the bottle water avan is in big glass bottles but they will give you one to take if you just ask

 

[RedsoxMickey]

Staying concierge - Which Resort is the best and why?

Family of 4 - DD(7) DS (10)

The things that are important to us
1. Transportation to MK and Epcot - getting to these parks quickly
2. View from room - Maybe Wishes fireworks or other type of view
3. Disney feel - Hard to quantify but stayed Dolphin Conceirge and Swan regular room and did not feel it at those resorts
4. We have stayed AK non-conceirge with Savana view and loved the room and the resort(favorite so far) but not close enough to parks

I think my top choices are - I have not stayed at any of the below:
CR (assuming new lounge will be done for my trip at end of August) and we get MK view.
Poly - Theming sounds increadible - Can you see wishes? -
GF main building - but we don't like to get dressed up and worried that we will be with mostly couples trying to have romantic trip
GF Suger - concerned about view

 

[TammiMcMan]

CR (assuming new lounge will be done for my trip at end of August) and we get MK view.

Chances are good that the new 12th floor will be open. Unfortunately, at this time, you can only request an MK view, but my understanding is that the lounge will offer incredible views. MK transportation, walk right into the park from your resort. Epcot transportation options, monorail from the resort to TTC where you'll switch to the Epcot monorail or walk to the MK bus stop and hop on the YC/BC resort bus, enter Epcot quickly & easily right through the back International Gateway.

Poly - Theming sounds increadible - Can you see wishes? -

You can book lagoon view concierge and request MK, but like the CR, it's not guaranteed. Wishes views are incredible from their lounge also. MK transportation includes monorail or resort boat. Epcot options, taking the YC/BC bus option as above or walking to the TTC and getting right on the Epcot monorail.

GF main building - but we don't like to get dressed up and worried that we will be with mostly couples trying to have romantic trip
GF Suger - concerned about view

Sugar Loaf does not have an MK view from any of their rooms, but you can step right outside and watch from the marina. Main building MK views can be requested, but not guaranteed. You'd be surprised at how casual everyone dresses. Other than guests grabbing a glass of wine before or after dinner reservations, most are in simple park attire. Someone posted that you could see Wishes from the lounge, but I didn't think that was possible.

 

[RedsoxMickey]

I understand that once the 12th floor is open they will be closing the 14th floor for renovations. Do you think they will keep the 10th and the 12th open or just have the 12th?

I love the picture - My DD is a figure skater and my DS is a hockey player (along with a bunch of other sports)
Logging in lots of ice time

 

[mlwear]

Staying concierge - Which Resort is the best and why?

Family of 4 - DD(7) DS (10)

The things that are important to us
1. Transportation to MK and Epcot - getting to these parks quickly
2. View from room - Maybe Wishes fireworks or other type of view
3. Disney feel - Hard to quantify but stayed Dolphin Conceirge and Swan regular room and did not feel it at those resorts
4. We have stayed AK non-conceirge with Savana view and loved the room and the resort(favorite so far) but not close enough to parks

I think my top choices are - I have not stayed at any of the below:
CR (assuming new lounge will be done for my trip at end of August) and we get MK view.
Poly - Theming sounds increadible - Can you see wishes? -
GF main building - but we don't like to get dressed up and worried that we will be with mostly couples trying to have romantic trip
GF Suger - concerned about view

Our kids were the same ages as yours last year when we stayed Poly LVC. (We have two boys, though.) The kids loved it. I think the casual atmosphere is perfect for a family with children. Transportation is a breeze. Watching the Electric Water Parade and Wishes by just stepping outside our room was awesome. Everyone was pleased with what the lounge offered. Check in was great, also. Our kids were told to go on up to the lounge and get some juice and a snack. It was nice to have a minute of peace to get checked in and get paperwork. The kids were each given a pail and shovel kit. That stuff stands out to me because it just seemed that the kids were as nicely welcomed as we were. I could go on and on. We are returning this year. Also going to give AKL concierge a try this time . Good luck with your decision.

 

[mirlow]

I just switched our reservations from the BC to a deluxe room at the BWI. I have been trying to find information about their CL, but there doesn't seem to be much info. We have only stayed CL at the AKL and the PR. I've seen some pictures online and the lounge looks pretty big. I thought I have read that there is an area to view the fireworks? Is that from inside or is there an outside patio? I have three kids and I am hoping it is kid friendly. I didn't come across a picture of a children's area in the lounge.
Is the lounge on a different area from the rooms? How far of a walk is it to the main pool? I believe I read that the lounge is open all day? Can someone please tell me what the breakfast service is like? Is it more simple like the PR or is there more variety like the AKL? I didn't make any room requests and I haven't a clue about the BWI because I never really gave it much thought.
Can our kids take part in the activities at the activity center at the BW or is it for BWV members?
Thanks so much I'm off to see if I can find more info!

The hard part now is deciding between the CL at the AKL or the PR for the last five nights.

 

[KerryCM]

BW is my favorite resort. I have stayed CL for my past 6 trips and will be back in December, just went in May. The deluxe rooms are on the 3rd and 4th floors. The lounge is located on the 4th floor. You can request this through your planner. The food offerings in the morning are pastries from the BW Bakery, bagles, fresh fruit, cereal and juices. There is also yougurt. The lounge is open all day and if you need something you don't see the cast will be happy to get it for you. They are all wonderful there.
I don't have any young children, they are grown and married, so I can't tell you aboput the activities, but I am sure all children can participate.
The main pool is quite a walk, I alwqays used the quiet pool.
If you PM me your email adress I will send you pictures of the deluxe rooms.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I understand that once the 12th floor is open they will be closing the 14th floor for renovations. Do you think they will keep the 10th and the 12th open or just have the 12th?

There are only 5 standard concierge rooms on the 14th floor. My guess is that they will just absorb those reservations into the 12th floor. If any suite guests are going to be impacted by the 14th floor rehab, they'll most likely be offered a suite at another resort.

I love the picture - My DD is a figure skater and my DS is a hockey player (along with a bunch of other sports)
Logging in lots of ice time

Thanks, that's my son and his dance partner. I'm sure we share things in common, like lots of time spent in the car and very early mornings at very cold rinks .

 

[mlwear]

Can anyone easily direct me to the AKL concierge offerings? I'm sure it is posted somewhere. I'm getting an error page when I try to use the Search Specifically, I think I read that there are smoothies in the mornings, is this true?
TIA

 

[JanetMom]

I'm getting very excited! I just got a great new job so we are going to celebrate by booking a Feb. 2007 vacation at WL. I've just finished reading this entire thread and after hearing all the great reviews we are definitely booking Concierge - yeah!

I have three questions that I am hoping you can help answer:

1 - Can I use Concierge staff to assist with off site arrangements? We would like to take one day off from Disney and go to Cape Canaveral to see the Space Centre. Can I ask the Concierge staff to help with our car rental etc. for that day trip?

2 - Is the in room fridge on the CL a pay as you go mini bar, or is it stocked with drinks that you can enjoy for no extra charge?

3 - How many staff work on the WL CL? If I were to bring thank you gifts for the staff, how many would I bring?

Thank you for helping me to keep my excitment over the top for this trip!!

 

[VAgal76]

Can anyone easily direct me to the AKL concierge offerings? I'm sure it is posted somewhere. I'm getting an error page when I try to use the Search Specifically, I think I read that there are smoothies in the mornings, is this true?
TIA

The breakfast in the morning is continental in variety - muffins, danishes, cinnamon or regular oatmeal, fresh fruit, cereal. It's an african smoothie and it's very good. I really can't remember if it's offered in the morning. I'm always chugging coffee first thing in the morning so my eyes are always zeroed in on the coffee and not much else. They have chips, cookies, crackers for mid-day snacks with sodas, smoothies, lemonade. Evening appetizers could be a few hot things like chicken tenders, tandoori chicken, cous cous with wine/beer out. Evening desserts - zebra domes, tarts maybe and a few other things along with the cordials.

Are you going to AKL soon? Can I hitch a ride with you? I'm homesick already.

I'm getting very excited! I just got a great new job so we are going to celebrate by booking a Feb. 2007 vacation at WL. I've just finished reading this entire thread and after hearing all the great reviews we are definitely booking Concierge - yeah!

I have three questions that I am hoping you can help answer:

1 - Can I use Concierge staff to assist with off site arrangements? We would like to take one day off from Disney and go to Cape Canaveral to see the Space Centre. Can I ask the Concierge staff to help with our car rental etc. for that day trip?

2 - Is the in room fridge on the CL a pay as you go mini bar, or is it stocked with drinks that you can enjoy for no extra charge?

3 - How many staff work on the WL CL? If I were to bring thank you gifts for the staff, how many would I bring?

Thank you for helping me to keep my excitment over the top for this trip!!

1. I've heard of concierge helping with arranging transportation such as a limo service but you'd probably be better off booking your own rental car. They have a National/Alamo car rental agency on site that you have the shuttle pick you up and drop you off at the resort if you rent it just for the day. If you belong to Emerald Club you can get a better rate and I hear annual passholders can get a discount too. I don't believe they can get you tickets to the Kennedy Space Center. I bet you could get that yourself on line or when you arrive.

2. You have a mini-fridge but it's not stocked with anything. You could take a few drinks from the lounge to store in it and enjoy when you want to. They will stock it for you but you will most likely be paying for it as it'll go through in-room dining. The only resort that stocks the fridges for you is CR 14th floor. I think other CL's should follow suit.


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.

So I take it that it'll be your first concierge stay at WL? When are you headed there?

 

[ppony]

We had a stocked fridge at the GF conc. when we were there a few years back. It may have changed but it had quite a it of stuff in there. All we took was the Minney Pez.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we asked if some drinks could be put in our fridge and they said the staff would do at no charge

 

[VAgal76]

I haven't been at GF and no one has commented on the stocked fridge situation there. Thanks for chiming in. I really think all CL rooms should have fridges stocked with at least some drinks. I was in the presidential suites and they had full size fridge with nothing in it.

Aliceinwonderland - Thanks for confirming this. I asked back in 2004 and I was told they'd put sodas in it but the drinks would be ordered from in-room dining. I'm glad they've changed their position on it.
I need to keep that in mind next time. :