Useful Concierge Information

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm a huge fan of the Hawaii concierge at the Poly. I think they have the best lounge, and I've never had an issue with the CMs. The IPO office recently had some staffing changes, so there are a lot of new people in there still learning the ropes, but even then there are only minor delays in the replies, and nothing that bothers me

Thank you for posting how good the CM's at the Hawaii building are. My family and I are booked into a Garden View Concierge room at the Polynesian, so it's good to see a positive review of their Cast Members because this will be our very 1st stay at the Polynesian.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

It seems like you would have to stay around your resort a lot to take real advantage of the any of the Concierge levels at the resorts. Is this true?

 

[BCV23]

I'm a huge fan of the Hawaii concierge at the Poly. I think they have the best lounge, and I've never had an issue with the CMs.

We love it there and the CMs are wonderful. We've actually had pleasant CMs at each WDW resort we've stayed club level but that view in the lounge is amazing!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

People very rarely complain here about the on site concierge staffs, they complain about the IPO. The IPO is lacking at times especially the GF staff and its well documented.

 

[BCV23]

It seems like you would have to stay around your resort a lot to take real advantage of the any of the Concierge levels at the resorts. Is this true?

Sure, to an extent. But even if you're gone all day, you can enjoy continental breakfast before leaving.

We've always taken midday breaks for swimming, golf, boats, etc.. So we're usually around for appetizers before heading off to dinner, too.

And the CMs are on duty until 10pm if you need help with reservations, etc..

 

[WoodysRoundup]

People very rarely complain here about the on site concierge staffs, they complain about the IPO. The IPO is lacking at times especially the GF staff and its well documented.

VERY well said !

 

[asmarykay]

Sorry - but what is IPO?

 

[grannyminnie]

Sorry - but what is IPO?

Itinerary Planning Office

 

[grannyminnie]

It seems like you would have to stay around your resort a lot to take real advantage of the any of the Concierge levels at the resorts. Is this true?

I personally think that's true...on a short trip such as the one I'm making soon, we'll come back to the room during the evening offerings to experience that...and get our money's worth!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we usually book CLub level but we dont do it for the food. If we are at the resort and need something its great. If not thats ok to. I do it for the extra service. We have stayed club at gf, wl, bc, and BWI. All of the food has been wonderful, the on site service was great at all except teh GF and even there there was only 2 poor CMs. I think the lounge is nice to have and I have to agree the POly lounge is fab. The view and space are really great. Much bigger than most of the other lounges.

 

[Ursine1]

Hello -- Hopefully this is the right place for this; if not, I apologize!

We've booked a land/sea thru DCL, with our land portion at AKL. I called DCL about upgrading to concierge level at AKL (primarily, but not only, so we can do the sunrise safari) and was told someone would try to set it up with the resort and call me back. I didn't hear back, and after about a week I called DCL, and was told that they were "unable to clear the waitlist". The DCL rep said that, basically she thought that they were done as far as trying to get us concierge. I do know that AKL won't even receive our reservation info until about a week prior to our visit... but, in the meantime, is there anything I can do to try to get upgraded? Aly advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

 

[Lilysmom]

Hi all

I booked a surprise trip this morning for us to stay at WL CL in July. My parents will be there staying in the VP suite and we are surprising them (and the kids!)

Anyway, I have two questions.... firstly is the VP Suite on the CL floor?
Secondly, will I be contacted by IPO or will I need to initiate contact with them?

We are also booked WL CL for November's trip but I'm not within the ADR window so I'm assuming that's why I haven't heard from them on that trip yet. But I know that I can book ADR's for July now.

I was chatting with my dad today and he said someone from IPO contacted him immediately. I just don't want to be a big ol' pain about it.

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

Ursine, I'm afraid you are probably out of luck on an upgrade. The AKL is undergoing some major renovations right now and a large number of concierge level rooms have been taken out of inventory. That doesn't mean there won't be cancellations, but it sounds like you may need to be the one who calls and checks for that going forward. My suggestion is to call at the 45 day mark, as that's when package payments are due and people can cancel their room at that point without penalty. 7 days is the cancellation deadline for room only reservations without penalty. You may get lucky, but I wouldn't get my hopes up too high.

 

[Princess Tinkerbell]

Ursine1: I would just keep calling back. Maybe you will get a more helpful CM. Some are more into helping than other. I would also try calling the AKL directly, maybe they would have some better info for you. Have you checked the website to see in concierge at the AKL is available for yoru trip? If it's not, that's the problem. The good news is that you could keep checking for cancellations and then call DCL when/if a room became available.

Lilysmom: I would contact the IPO directly. They won't think you're being a pain at all. They were very nice when I contacted mine directly. Here is my thought on the IPO office. They work for Disney, and Disney is not sypathetic to early planners. They don't even give us a calendar until 6 months out and then they change it on us all the time. When we call to book stuff at 180 days, they don't see a need for urgency. I always get eager beaver comments when I call at 180 days . My IPO representative confirmend her receipt of my ADRs immediately. Two weeks later she still hadn't made them. Oh well, I made them myself that morning. That evening she called to finalize everthing b/c she was getting ready to do them . She was a little slack and I was a lot impatient. No biggie, they got done. I am always thrilled w/ the CM members on the club floors. Some are better than others, but most are very friendly and knowledgeable!

 

[jaycns]

Does anyone have any idea on who I would contact about IPO service at the GF? I am not looking for the IPO contact number...but rather does the IPO department have a manager (I am sure they do) or would I contact the resort manager to address concerns I have?

Thank you for any help and or direction you can offer!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Does anyone have any idea on who I would contact about IPO service at the GF? I am not looking for the IPO contact number...but rather does the IPO department have a manager (I am sure they do) or would I contact the resort manager to address concerns I have?

Thank you for any help and or direction you can offer!

They have concierge managers. I spoke with one last NOV after the issues I was having. I would call the resort and ask to speak with the concierge manager. They will probably want to know if you are an upcoming guest or one that was just there.

 

[jaycns]

They have concierge managers. I spoke with one last NOV after the issues I was having. I would call the resort and ask to speak with the concierge manager. They will probably want to know if you are an upcoming guest or one that was just there.

Thank you Alice! That is just what I needed!!

 

[Dana49]

If you're staying YC concierge, do you e-mail your ADR's and special directly to the concierge staff? In the days past, I always received a letter from them asking about my requests, and maybe that's still done. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Lilysmom]

My father received an email from them (IPO). I didn't. (We are both staying WL CL at the same time.)

As a matter of fact I have emailed them twice and still haven't heard back from them. I'm going to call them today if I don't hear anything, but that sort of bugs me. Isn't part of CL service that they help in handling my arrangements or am I wrong? The trip is in July so I'm definitely in my window to make ressies. Maybe I'm just being pissy.

 

[momofthreegamers]

My father received an email from them (IPO). I didn't. (We are both staying WL CL at the same time.)

As a matter of fact I have emailed them twice and still haven't heard back from them. I'm going to call them today if I don't hear anything, but that sort of bugs me. Isn't part of CL service that they help in handling my arrangements or am I wrong? The trip is in July so I'm definitely in my window to make ressies. Maybe I'm just being pissy.

I've tried to email them for a couple of days and kept getting back undeliverable messages...mailbox full. I ended up calling them....actually on the phone with them right now...well, i'm on hold, but I can never get enough of the music they play.....just like being on Splash Mtn! 'How do you do?' lalala