Useful Concierge Information

[Alicnwondrln]

thats to bad
for what anyone pays to stay at gf thats crazy
i am happy you are getting good service at akl and they have a 10 rating on allears the highest of any concierge
i hope you have a great trip

 

[TammiMcMan]

Irisbud, unfortunately, what you've described with the GF's IPO has been my experience also. Anytime I asked them for help with something, they'd give me the phone number to call myself. Considering that the service is the most important feature to me, it's really disappointing. We've had excellent responses from the on-site staff, but the pre-planning department leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[CastleLight]

Does anyone know if Beau is still at AKL? He used to be at GF's RPC, but I know he was promoted and moved to AKL some years ago. He is the best concierge level CM I've ever encountered.

 

[irisbud]

CastleLight, I've never gotten an e-mail from AKL signed from Beau, and we have exchanged several, but that does not mean he is not there. Don and Juanita are really great, I can't imagine what Beau would be like!

Tammi, everyone seems to have fairly good experiences while staying at GF RPC, which is why I chose to spend part of our trip there. I'm sure everything will work out fine when we get there!

I just get frustrated when they tell me to do things myself that would actually be easier for them to do. I am incredibly shy on the phone and don't like calling people I don't know. The internet is a Godsend for people like me!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i dont think IPOs should tell clients to call places but what do i know
i know when we had switched the BWI I wasnt hearing from them and when I did it wasnt good for me. I cancelled and moved to WL and within 5 min and i am not kidding I had an email from the BWI ipo planner telling me to get in touch with the WL ipo. Im glad I did.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Irisbud, I didn't bother with GF RPC IPO much before our trip, but the service once we got there, I felt, was just as bad as what you're describing. For what it costs to stay there (we were in a 2-bedroom suite), you'd think they'd be a little more accommodating. We were really disappointed in them. Small things, like NEVER getting our names right, even after repeatedly correcting them (they called us completely the wrong name, not even misprouncing or anything minor like that -- we have a very simple last name). I had brought a bottle of champagne and asked if they would chill it and send it up later in the evening. I was told they would chill it, but I could come down and get it myself and be there before 9 pm to get it. We had a total of 4 ADRs, 2 of which were wrong, and then they had the nerve to argue with us that they weren't (did we really need 2 ADRs for Victoria & Albert's on the same night?!). There were other things as well, all small, but when added up over the course of the short trip, left me thinking RPC was so not worth the $$$$$ price tag. Of course, others have had far better experience, and this is where RPC needs to improve: in its consistency.

 

[ppony]

Irisbud, how VERY disappointing! I don't blame you one bit! I've only spoken to Don at AKL yet (and he is MAGNIFICENT!!!!) but sounds to me that the AKL con. people should give at least the GF and teh the conc. people a good crash cource in doing THEIR JOBS! When people ask about whether con. is worth it, for the tangibles and bang or your buck, it's not but for the intangibles like being cared for and helped yadda yadda yadda, it IS! And if you're not getting it, what's the POINT?!!?!?
Have you gone yet or can you switch back to being at the AKL the whole time? I have to admit, the GF conc. was what got me hooked on the whole idea of Conc. BUT I never dealt with a single IP because it was a surprise free upgrade so we just enjoyed things as they were. if I had actually relied on any of them to do somethig for me, it sounds like it might have been a different story. It was at the Poly. Sadness.

 

[penlanspice]

This sounds like my experience with the CR IPO. They haven't been very helpfull at all, I even waited nearly 3 weeks for a reply to one of my emails!!

When I asked for help with planning something special (it's our wedding/honeymoon) they told me to contact private dining, they didn't even offer any suggestions.

I can see AKL are able to suply items with turn down service? what sort of items do they offer? I'm just looking for some little suprises.

 

[irisbud]

Thanks everyone for your support. As I said, I'm not really angry, just a little disappointed (maybe I should be angry, and I probably would if it weren't for Don and Juanita...)

ppony, since AKL has been very kind and agreed to make all of my arangements, I still feel like I can manage doing a split stay. I just love the GF so much. My dad and I stayed there on my last trip when I was naieve and knew nothing about Disney. I wanted to stay in the main building then because it was so beautiful. Now, I get the chance to with my BF who has never been to Disney! He also hates to wait, so I thought transportation from AKL to MK and Epcot might be a small issue so we will spend 1/2 our time at his dream resort that he picked out (AKL) and 1/2 at mine. BTW your artwork is very beautiful and lifelike. Lots of people don't get the eyes right and you do. (I'm a horse trainer, so I would know!)

Penlanspice, I don't know if the offerings are the same for every resort, but this is what Don sent me when I inquired about turndown service add on options. (It had beautiful pictures that made me drool, but my computer ate them) :

"Here are some of the offerings for turn downs. If these will not suit you and you have something special in mind let us know and we will get a quote from room service:

Ceremonial Mask
A chocolate mask and warrior shield beside a hand made chocolate swirl. Accompanied by delicious truffles on a rustic tile.

Honeymoon
A cold bottle of our House Champagne served with four Zebra strawberries.

Indaba
Animal Kingdom Lode logo on a sugar banner beside unique cookies, brownies, and paw prints gathered on a rustic tile.

Jambo
A delicious fruit basket with an African flare; apples, oranges, bananas, mango, kiwi and a bunch of grapes.

Karibuni
A deluxe fruit basket with oranges, apples, bananas, mango, kiwi and a bunch of grapes. With Brie cheese, spreadable cheese and crackers.

Kwa Heri
Animal Kingdom Lodge chocolate logo served with miniature cookies.

Tamu Bekri
A variety of large cookies, Chef's choice. Served with a cold carafe of milk.

Tamu Cake
A delicious vanilla cake with a butter cream filling and a fluffy whipped cream frosting decorated with sprinkles, and accompanied by hats and streamers

Tribal Pride

A sugar Giraffe looking over a chocolate covered pretzel fence with our unique Animal Kingdom Lodge chocolate logo, accompanied by Zebra striped strawberries placed on a rustic tile.

At your service,

Don (as in Donald Duck) "

Now I'm hungry...

Have a wonderful day everyone!

 

[firkat]

Wow! That sounds pretty sporty! Wonder what they might have at the Poly???

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i was thinking the same thing but for the WL
LOL
love your avatar firkat !! it is so cute

 

[mirlow]

We had reservations in August for the BWI, PR and the AKL. I switched our dates to October since we have some close friends going to WDW during then for the first time. When I had the August reservation the IPO at the Polynesian and the AKL were great as usual. I never heard or recieved anything from the BWI IPO.
It's a bummer because I had twelve nights planned and now I only have 8 for the same price, rack rate stinks. When I switched reservations I really wanted the Polynesian since it has been two years since we stayed there and I miss it. They didn't have availability for all our dates so we booked Sugarloaf with our friends. I was excited to try something new (we had only stayed in a GV room at the GF on a previous visit) but I really wanted to do my favorite Polynesian/AKL split. I called today and I got all but our first night I'm not giving up hope on getting the first night at the Polynesian. Who knows maybe we'll have to try the new lounge at the CR for that night?

I'm getting excited about going in October. It will be nice since it won't be so hot. We get to experience all of the activities going on then. My dh is so excited to be able to go to the golf tournament. Every year when he watches it on tv he's always yelling at me to come look at the Disney sites that they show during the program. He still can't believe he will be able to go!

irisbud I had know idea that you could order any of those goodies for turndown service. We have stayed on CL at the AKL on four different occassions. I wonder if there are other things I don't know about??????
Well I love the AKL and I can't imagine a visit to WDW without ending our trip there.

 

[firkat]

I'm with Mirlow . . . what are the things we don't know about . . .???? I'm gonna post on the Poly thread about the concierge turn down service thing and see what pops up. I'll let ya know. But ya gotta know if one deluxe does it, the others probably have something comparable. I don't know, the Poly probably has . . . a chocolate covered pineapple dressed in a hula skirt on a piece of broken surfboard. Sounds good to me.



Kelly - Thank you so much for your nice complement on the avatar!

 

[TammiMcMan]

irisbud I had know idea that you could order any of those goodies for turndown service. We have stayed on CL at the AKL on four different occassions. I wonder if there are other things I don't know about??????

They're not necessarily just for turndown service. I know over on the GF FAQ thread, there have been many postings about the special items that they offer. Things like chocolate champagne glasses, chocolate cigars, a chocolate box with the image of the GF, plus the usual strawberries, etc. Private dining is amazing and very helpful to work with, but you would think that part of the concierge service, would include a notifying their guests of what's available.

 

[penlanspice]

If I could get any info out the CR ipo I would be greatful!!

Anyone know whats offered at CR?

 

[KristineN]

For people with upcoming stays at the Polynesian:

The Poly IPO emailed me the following::

Room Service for Polynesian Amenities


Birthday Package; includes a 6inch cake w/mickey on it, hat's horn's and balloons. # of People _____ $25.00 Age ______

Aloha Snack Basket $35.00

Child Snack Pail $10.95

Large Fruit Basket # of People _____ $60.00

Small Fruit Basket # of People _____ $30.00

Turndown Services are priced for up to 4 people each...$5 Add'l fee pp
Milk and Cookies $25.00

Standard package includes cookies and a sea shell bowl filled with candies and truffles # of People _____ $25.00

Chocolate Strawberries # of People _____ $25.00

VIP is two chocolate center pieces on a plate with an assortment of truffles around them # of People _____ $30.00

Romance s a white chocolate Mickey and a white chocolate Minnie with an assortment of truffles # of People _____ $30.00

Romance Package Romance package is all the above in romance plus a bottle of house champagne. # of People _____ $70.00

Sparkling Wines and Champagnes

Domaine St. Michelle Blanc de Blanc, Washington State $32.00 Bottle
Iron Horse Fairly Tale Cuvee Brut, Sonoma $50.00 Bottle
Moet et Chandon White Star Extra Dry $74.00 Bottle
Moet& Chandon Cuvee Dom Perignon Brut $220.00 Bottle

I'm with Mirlow . . . what are the things we don't know about . . .???? I'm gonna post on the Poly thread about the concierge turn down service thing and see what pops up. I'll let ya know. But ya gotta know if one deluxe does it, the others probably have something comparable. I don't know, the Poly probably has . . . a chocolate covered pineapple dressed in a hula skirt on a piece of broken surfboard. Sounds good to me.



Kelly - Thank you so much for your nice complement on the avatar!

 

[glass- slippers]

Hi, I just discovered this thread, wow!! We'll be staying AKL concierge in December. Originally we were going in August/ free dining, buy had to cancel because my DD was involved in a riding accident and won't be recovered enough to make the August trip. She is kinda bummed since we were going on her birthday, but I was wondering if it would be ok to set aside a day to celebrate on our December trip?
We are all really excited about being at WDW for Christmas and this is our first trip with concierge!!

 

[irisbud]

Glass Slipper, when are you going to be at AKL? We will be there December 5-7. I'm glad your daughter is doing better. Was it a horseback riding accident, or some other type of riding?

If you haven't stated working with them yet, Don and Juanita are great!

 

[glass- slippers]

irisbud,

We'll be there 12/19-12/27. Yes, it was a horseback riding accident, it was scary, but she'll be ok and can't wait to get back on a horse!

 

[firkat]

KristineN - Thanks so much!!!

I am counting the days!