Useful Concierge Information

[Elitravelor]

How did you pick out/buy the plush characters before hand? What is the Epcot Passport? ( 7 trips and I am still learning! )

Sounds like your IPO/CL people are awesome!

 

[ConcKahuna]

My parents have always cashed their traveler's checks at the lobby concierge, because I don't think the Cast Members on the Club Level floors don't have cash up there.

Of course they have cash! If they choose to admit that or not is a different matter entirely....

 

[Lewanc]

Hello all! We are booked CL for the AKL in September. So far, the IPO has been very helpful (Yea Don!). I have asked them about doing some special things, and they have been agreeable to all. I have invitations (thanks Pat on the DISingns board) to the character meals printed off, and someone from CL will be delivering them to my nieces each day. Also, I am sending gift bags down with things the girls will need to start their vacation, like new cameras, film, lanyards, autograph books, lanyards, plush characters, etc. I stupidly bought some of the items thru the Laughing PLace store and paid way too much! So, I asked the IPO/ CL people if they would buy some other stuff for the bags when they get them, they of course agreed! (Help you spend your money ma'am, no problem! ) I recently saw an AK Passport, like the Epcot Passports, which I already have, and want the girls to have those too. I also want each girl to have a small character plush left on the bed each night by turn-down service, and they were more than happy to arrange that as well. They have always gotten back to me with in 24 hours, but usually much quicker. I was able to get all of our ADRs, including CRT, right when I wanted them, despite having to reschedule the whole trip! I guess what I'm trying to say is, so far, my IPO/CL experience has been fantastic!!! I can't wait to get there and actually see the place! IT"S OUR FIRST TRIP!

Hi There AMC Jeep 4 Life -- We joined these boards around the same time 5/07. Saw your post and just wanted to say hi. Glad you picked the AKL for your vacation. The CL staff at the AKL is wonderful as you have experienced. They always seem to be so willing to help with any special request. I know your family will love the lodge. Maybe it's the aroma of food preparation coming from Boma's or the great fireplace in the lobby, but all these things seem to enhance the AKL experience and sets it apart from all other resorts on property. When you return home, maybe you can post a trip report on one of the AKL threads.

Have a safe trip and enjoy your WDW vacation.

 

[amcjeep4life]

Hello to all!

Elitravelor- the Epcot Passports are these cool books that look like a passport. You go to each country, and they get stamped (like a Passport). there are stickers of different landmarks of each country to decorate the page with, and there is a pin to wear. Can't remember what it says and they are packed in the closet. Sorry! I just thought it would be nice to have a bit of education thrown in, since they will also be doing quiz sheets on each country. They are getting out of school for a week, we have to show it was an educational trip. I saw on memoriesbybesty that there is now an AK Passport, and I need to find out what they are about.

Lewanc- Thanks for the kind words. This is our first trip, and our first experience staying Club/ Concierge. I can definitely see what all the hype is about, at least pre-trip. I can't wait to get there and actually experience it! I think it may save our trip, since the CL guests do not seem to be getting moved from AKL! Yea! I can't believe you have over 100 trips and are only joining when I did. I have learned so much from here, I can't imagine trying to make this trip without all the advice. Congratulations for going it alone! And if there are any words of wisdom you would like to impart, I'm listening! Or at least reading!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I, too , learned the hard way abt the LP store...way over priced!
The YC IPO has been wonderful as well....they will have some items for DD..her favorite book, "Mickey and his Bear at MK"...something like that...and there is a plush bear also
And a bottle of the Iron Horse Fairytale Cuvee...we had that on our wedding day It will just be reassuring to know if we have to make any last minute changes with ADR's with the baby, they may be able to assist us as well

I am looking forward to booking a trip with AKL CL as well....

 

[amcjeep4life]

Elitravelor- I forgot, the plush! I posted a request for pictures, and someone suggested e-bay. That was a great idea, and was able to find pictures of almost everything I was interested in. I then sent my CC along to IPO, they bought me the plush, and are storing it for me. I made name tags from the mickey paint chips from Home Depot in the girls favorite colors and put them on some yarn. I will mail them down along with the gift bags, and the tags will get attached to the characters. That way, there will be no arguments in the room about which one is for who! My 10 y/o niece is seriously into PotC, so I got here those, my 12 y/o niece isn't really into one over the other, so I got her the Safari characters, we are staying at AKL, after all. I got my DH a variety, Test Track Mickey, Stitch on a motorcycle. Stuff like that. He is not getting one everyday, personally, I don't want them in my house afterwards. I have crazy dogs who think anything plush is meant to be destroyed, so I try not to have that stuff in the house. Hope this answered your questions. Have fun when you head out for trip 8!

 

[Elitravelor]

Thanks so much for the information Amcjeep4life! Now I better get shopping or rather requesting some shopping done for me I may even ask for an adult beverage type glass for my DS's first adult trip. That would really be a surprise for him.

 

[amcjeep4life]

Elitravelor when is your next trip? Good luck with it all! I look forward to hearing anyone else's ideas on goodies that we can have for the girls, or other things we can ask the IPO people to do. Any suggestions?

 

[diesel]

I'm staying at the poly concierge in October. Would I ask the IPO office about room request or do I ask some one else about a request. I realize they can't guarantee but just wanted to know if there's some one I can contact at the concierge about a room request.

 

[Elitravelor]

We are at the BWI From August 18th to the 25th! I am not the best about asking the IPO to do anything --It is just me. I get nervous about asking for Lactaid to be available in the lounge.

I did all our ADR's myself but they have bought us our P&P party tickets and made arrangements for a Wishes cruise. Shhhhh--that's a surprise for DD and DS

 

[jmkrat]

We are at the BWI From August 18th to the 25th! I am not the best about asking the IPO to do anything --It is just me. I get nervous about asking for Lactaid to be available in the lounge.

I did all our ADR's myself but they have bought us our P&P party tickets and made arrangements for a Wishes cruise. Shhhhh--that's a surprise for DD and DS

Don't get nervous, BWI concierge is wonderful. It is the best I have experienced. I have food allergies and have had contact with the Chef's to make special food for me. They seem more than happy to do it. They send a nice itinerary, you could e-mail them your arrangements and ask them to make an itinerary for you. Include the date, times and confirmation numbers. I had them include some things I booked on my own, just because I had discounts on them. They were more than happy to add it to my itinerary. It is nice to have at check in. Have fun on your Wishes Cruise.

 

[Elitravelor]

Yes, they already sent us an itinerary and park maps! We loved the concierge staff at the Poly and the Beach Club but we have heard the BWI is awesome. Can't wait to see for ourselves

 

[McKelly]

If I make a reservation that is ten months out, when should I expect to hear from the IPO? Do they contact you right away, or is it closer to the 180 day mark? Just want to give my delete happy DH a head's up! TIA!

 

[miller2470]

Ok, I guess maybe I missed it, but I cannot find anything telling me what kinds of goodies that the BC includes. What kind of food, etc...also, if we are hardly at the room, is it worth the extra, we tend to take advantage of the extra magic hours. I have always considered it in the past 9 trips but that was always a concern. The difference this time coming up though is that since we are going in June, we may stay around the pool more often and use late extra magic hours. Thanks in advanced for the help.

 

[DLBDS]

If I make a reservation that is ten months out, when should I expect to hear from the IPO? Do they contact you right away, or is it closer to the 180 day mark? Just want to give my delete happy DH a head's up! TIA!

I was just wondering about this myself. I believe it's 90 days out (about 3 months). We're going in Oct. and I was thinking I should have heard from them by now. Am I wrong? I booked through SWV.

 

[hedwig]

I believe if you booked through a TA, I don't know if SWV is considered a TA, then they do not have your contact information and you need to contact them. Most IPO's contact a little before 180 to make ADR's for you.

I would go ahead and contact them if you are at 90 days.

 

[DLBDS]

I believe if you booked through a TA, I don't know if SWV is considered a TA, then they do not have your contact information and you need to contact them. Most IPO's contact a little before 180 to make ADR's for you.

I would go ahead and contact them if you are at 90 days.

Thanks. I'm gonna go send them an email now. Ask them to confirm my ADRs.

 

[DarlingDumbo]

Has any one who has been working with Calvin not heard from him lately? I was working with him and was very happy now my emails are being responded to by some one else and I'm less than thrilled!

 

[Dis Ohana]

I haven't had to contact Calvin at GF for any reason lately, but when I was setting my trip up he was always very prompt with his responses to my emails. I hope he's still there. I am also working with the AKL IPO and have always had Don reply to any emails I sent, the past few emails I've sent were replied to by someone else. It is nice to be able to deal with the same person all the time, I hope there are no changes to the staff before our time there.

 

[DarlingDumbo]

I haven't had to contact Calvin at GF for any reason lately, but when I was setting my trip up he was always very prompt with his responses to my emails. I hope he's still there. I am also working with the AKL IPO and have always had Don reply to any emails I sent, the past few emails I've sent were replied to by someone else. It is nice to be able to deal with the same person all the time, I hope there are no changes to the staff before our time there.

ITA! I hope its temporary for the both of us!