Useful Concierge Information

[Nascia]

Ours is a standard room and I understand that the only difference is size, maybe location . I think there was some mention of standard rooms being on lower floors to make room for DVC. I was told by AKL IPO that you will typically have a sav view unless you request a smoking room. I think she said that only 9 or so of the CL rooms are pool view and they are usually used as smoking rooms. HTH.

Kelly

 

[SharonLowe]

I've been studying this thread for hours, and getting a little confused!!

I really want to book 5 nights AKL CL in November, but am anxious to get Savannah view if I'm going to stay there. I see that this isn't guaranteed, and we may get pool view which I think would be v disappointing. Also on the first post, it states that the concierge is made up of 55 deluxe rooms, but the only option I'm being offered on the website is standard room - Kilimanjaro Club. My question is, are these standard rooms somewhat less than normal deluxe concierge? I don't mind about room size, but don't want to miss out on Savannah view....but really fancy the Sunrise Safari! Can anyone help?? Thanks v much!

Because DVC is taking over rooms on 5 and 6, AKL now has a standard room, CL option. We've been told they are all 4th floor Arusha Savannah view rooms. If so, that is actually a better guarantee than before. I must say, we have never been denied a savannah view room and we book CL every time we stay there (my DD has to do the sunrise safari!). There are way more savannah view rooms than there are standard view or pool view rooms. Plus, as someone else said, many of the smoking rooms are pool view or standard view - there is absolutely to be no smoking on balconies of savannah view rooms so making the pool view rooms the smoking rooms makes sense.

The only difference will be size. And, in reality, the 4th floor is a bit of a better view than the 5th and definitely the former 6th floor rooms - they were the least desired CL rooms which is why I think they are converting them to DVC units.

 

[SharonLowe]

When we were planning our trip for the first weekend in March, we were told it was offered on Thursday and Sunday only. We already signed and are ready to go for the 4th . It's fairly early in the morning, usually 6 or 7 AM I believe.

On the sunrise safari, you go around the normal safari ride route but at a very slow pace so you can see the animals and have time for photos. Since you have to be out of the safari area by the time the park opens, you can pretty much figure out how early you will go based on the time AK opens that day. They allow at least an hour for the safari plus some padding for unexpected animal encounters (like one lying down on the road and refusing to leave). Then, you'll go to a private room in Tusker House for a sumptious breakfast. They'll give you a fast pass for the safari ride - usually for around 10 am or so (again, depending on how early you go).

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

GoofyJoofy

In your first post could you add something that is probably important for some people to know.

The IPO will not have your address and phone number if you book through a travel agent or online. If they don't call or send you a itinerary planning packet then you should call them.


I have been told that they have a lot of people that they can not contact.

What is exactly included in the itinerary planning packet?

 

[Dis Ohana]

Where exactly is the AKL concierge lounge? I can't seem to find it on the map.
Also, how soon after booking can I expect IPO to contact me?

 

[SharonLowe]

Where exactly is the AKL concierge lounge? I can't seem to find it on the map.
Also, how soon after booking can I expect IPO to contact me?

It is on the 6th floor of the hotel overlooking the lobby.

Not sure on the second question - I was contacted right away but I made my latest reservation within the 180 day window. Not sure if they wait until closer to your stay if you book outside the 180 window.

 

[SharonLowe]

What is exactly included in the itinerary planning packet?

It is all done by email now, at least if they have an email address for you. It is just a list of questions so that they know who is in your party, etc. They will also include information about the sunrise safari and the one they do at AKL. And, they will ask if you want any show reservations (for which you will have to provide a cc #; ditto for safaris) and what ADRs you want with the dates, times and number in your party. You can also reply with room requests too.

 

[Dis Ohana]

It is on the 6th floor of the hotel overlooking the lobby.

Not sure on the second question - I was contacted right away but I made my latest reservation within the 180 day window. Not sure if they wait until closer to your stay if you book outside the 180 window.

Thanks, Sharon, for answering ALL my questions.

 

[marvin12]

subscribing: So much help here thanks. I still have alot to read. We will be staying at the poly gardenview cl in dec this will be our first stay here and we are so looking forward to it. It will be our 31 st anniverary and we have always wanted to stay here...

 

[JoeSam]

Because DVC is taking over rooms on 5 and 6, AKL now has a standard room, CL option. We've been told they are all 4th floor Arusha Savannah view rooms. If so, that is actually a better guarantee than before. I must say, we have never been denied a savannah view room and we book CL every time we stay there (my DD has to do the sunrise safari!). There are way more savannah view rooms than there are standard view or pool view rooms. Plus, as someone else said, many of the smoking rooms are pool view or standard view - there is absolutely to be no smoking on balconies of savannah view rooms so making the pool view rooms the smoking rooms makes sense.

The only difference will be size. And, in reality, the 4th floor is a bit of a better view than the 5th and definitely the former 6th floor rooms - they were the least desired CL rooms which is why I think they are converting them to DVC units.

Thankyou so much Sharon, I have now taken the plunge - 5 nights AKL Standard Concierge from 5th Nov. (after 9 nights CBR & 2 nights RPR Universal). I was a bit on the fence after such a glorious stay at the Poly last year - on monorail, fireworks on beach etc.etc.

Anyway, I'm hoping that the concierge extra special something will really be a good way to end the holiday, and make up for any location negatives. Any reassurance on AKL Concierge will be much appreciated!! And the price is excellent too - Poly was more for non-CL.

 

[SharonLowe]

Thankyou so much Sharon, I have now taken the plunge - 5 nights AKL Standard Concierge from 5th Nov. (after 9 nights CBR & 2 nights RPR Universal). I was a bit on the fence after such a glorious stay at the Poly last year - on monorail, fireworks on beach etc.etc.

Anyway, I'm hoping that the concierge extra special something will really be a good way to end the holiday, and make up for any location negatives. Any reassurance on AKL Concierge will be much appreciated!! And the price is excellent too - Poly was more for non-CL.

The AKL IPO and CL staff are the best so you will be happy. Make sure to eat at the restaurants there and allow yourself some time to really enjoy the resort. The night vision goggles are fun and the CMs around the viewing areas are really great. The location isn't a negative - you will feel like you really are in Africa and the bus system works well at AKL.

BTW, stayed at RPR CL last October with my DD - loved it - they had an awesome selection of food and gave water bottles, etc., which WDW doesn't do anymore (though you will get some when you check out from AKL CL).

 

[lklasing]

Make sure to eat at the restaurants there and allow yourself some time to really enjoy the resort. The night vision goggles are fun and the CMs around the viewing areas are really great.

I have a question, but it's not so much a concierge question as just an AKL question. What is the deal with the night vision goggles? We are staying at the Poly but doing dinner one night at Jiko. Would we get to do the goggles, or do you have to be staying at AKL? Sorry to go , but I'd sure love to find out!

TIA!

Leslie

 

[marvin12]

Hello everyone, This is a stupid question, but here it goes, we are staying at the poly cl. Does that mean we will be in hawaii longhouses, and do I need to request a certain floor...Thanks

 

[ksc37]

I have a question, but it's not so much a concierge question as just an AKL question. What is the deal with the night vision goggles? We are staying at the Poly but doing dinner one night at Jiko. Would we get to do the goggles, or do you have to be staying at AKL? Sorry to go , but I'd sure love to find out!

TIA!

Leslie

Leslie,

I've done the night vision goggle thing a couple of times, and we've never been asked for any kind of resort id or anything. Just walk out to the back of the "Kopje" (I believe that's the name) and a CM will be there with the night vision goggles and can answer questions, give info, etc. It's pretty cool, so Enjoy!

 

[klmall]

I wrote to the WL Concierge recently and received the following email:

From:WDW WLodge Itinerary Planning <WDW.WLodge.Itinerary.Planning@disney.com>

To:<klmall@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject:RE: Question and Thanks
Date:Friday, February 09, 2007 6:37:11 AM

Howdy Mallxxxxxxx Family,
Yes the Junior Suite's are know part of the Old Faithful Club.
Lynne
Disney World Itinerary Planning Office
Phone (407)824-xxxx Fax (407)824-xxxx
wdw.polynesian.xxxxxxxx@disney.com
wdw.wlodge.itinerary.planning@disney.

(My note: Junior suites and deluxe rooms are synonymous in WL parlance!)

This is good news for families with 5 - 6 people who can sleep using 2 queens and a sleeper sofa in two rooms. It is also a nice option for those who want a little more room than the standard WL room which can be a bit cramped for 3 or 4 adults.

Remember though that these rooms are located on floors 1 - 6 with some on the far ends of the wings and only one room on floor 6.

Here's the deluxe room (junior suite) floor plan:

Here are the room numbers from the WL FAQ:

"orignally posted by HumphreytheBear There are actually 25 "Deluxe Rooms" (Junior Suites) They are 1000, 1003, 1166, 1169, 2000, 2003, 2123, 2166, 2169, 3000, 3003, 3123, 3166, 3169, 4000, 4003, 4123, 4166, 4169, 5000, 5003, 5123, 5166, 5169 and 6123"

Here's a link to a map with room numbers:

http://users.hartwick.edu/heydukr/wlrooms.htm

A few pictures of the room:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...20&postcount=3

Kathy

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

I booked the WLC for my upcoming trip 9/16-9/24. I was wondering if anyone else has stayed there recently that can answer my questions. The IPO seems to be very quick with the responses but how many people actually got what they requested? We have some specific requests as well as dining requests and we just dont want to be disappointed that we spent the extra $$

For those of you interested, here is an updated list of the menu in the lounge:

Coffee Service
6:30 am – 10:00 pm

Fresh Coffee
Assortment of hot teas

Continental Breakfast
7:00 am – 10:30 am

Croissants
Muffins (Chocolate Chip and Blueberry)
Danish (Cherry, Strawberry, or Apple)
Fresh sliced and whole Fruit
Bagels (Plain, Sesame, and Cinnamon)
Assorted Cold Cereals
Hot Oatmeal (offered seasonally)
Hot Chocolate
Milk (White and Chocolate)
Juice (Apple, Orange, and Cranberry)
Panna Bottled Water

Snacks and Refreshments
11:30 am – 4:00 pm

Pretzels
Gummy Bears
Assorted Nuts
Cheese Crackers
Fresh-baked Cookies
Fresh Whole Fruit
Iced Tea
Juice (Apple and Cranberry)
Lemonade
Hot Chocolate
Milk (White and Chocolate)
Panna Bottled Water
Soft Drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite)

Wine and Cheese Selections
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Assorted Cheese and Crackers
Crudités Platter
Hot Entrée (which may include: Beef Stroganoff, Salmon Pot Pie, Buffalo Chili, Fiery Beef, Pork Tenderloin selections, and Chicken selections)
Soup du jour (which may include: Italian Wedding, Hearty Vegetable, Tomato Basil, and Clam Chowder)
Specialty Sourdough Bread with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Fresh Whole Fruit
Iced Tea
Lemonade
Hot Chocolate
Milk (White and Chocolate)
Juice (Apple and Cranberry)
Soft Drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite)
Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino Gris, and White Zinfandel)
Bottled Beer (Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Light, and Heineken)
Panna Bottled Water

Desserts and Cordials
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Fresh-baked Cookies
Chocolate Brownies
Magic Bars (7-layer bars)
Hot Dessert (Apple Crisp or Mixed Berry Cobbler)
Fresh Whole Fruit
Milk (White and Chocolate)
Hot Chocolate
Panna Bottled Water
Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino Gris, and White Zinfandel)
Cordials (Courvoisier, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, and Grand Mariner)

 

[mr.mike]

Can the concierge staff sell you annual passes?
can they exchange your ap voucher?
or upgrade an AP to a PAP?

thanks

 

[SharonLowe]

Can the concierge staff sell you annual passes?
can they exchange your ap voucher?
or upgrade an AP to a PAP?

thanks

I don't think so on selling them but I could be wrong. Exchanges and upgrades have to be done at the parks (and I think one location in DTD - at least it was there a couple of years ago).

 

[McKelly]

Has anyone had the concierge team arrange a rental car for them for one day? We would like to go to SeaWorld, but don't need the car for our entire trip. If you have, do they arrange it for you to be picked up at the Swan/Dolphin or Car Care Center, or do they arrange it so you can pick it up right from your hotel? Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Can the concierge staff sell you annual passes?
can they exchange your ap voucher?
or upgrade an AP to a PAP?

thanks

Concierge doesn't do anything with APs or vouchers. I bought tickets online for our Xmas trip - hoppers for my family and an AP for myself. The concierge staff took care of the hoppers with my printed receipt (I originally planned to pick them up at Will Call at the MK because I didn't know what concierge could do) & had the hoppers put on the room keys for us, but I had to go to guest services just outside the MK to exchange the voucher for my AP.

Lives4Disney