Useful Concierge Information

[samnbilly]

Goofy's Muse-you have always needed a card key to get into SugarLoaf. That must have been a fluke. I was just thinking today as I was at work-how wonderful it would be to be at the SugarLoaf right now Maybe soon.

 

[travlnman1]

Question..
We leave in a few days and we haven't heard from the Beach Club at all.
When we did CL at the Poly, I remember filling out request forms about dining and things like that.
Does the Beach Club typically get in touch with upcoming guests?

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Question..
We leave in a few days and we haven't heard from the Beach Club at all.
When we did CL at the Poly, I remember filling out request forms about dining and things like that.
Does the Beach Club typically get in touch with upcoming guests?

travlnman1... You might want to try contacting them directly either by phone or e-mail (I think the details are listed on pg 1 of this thread). When we went BC CL last summer, we contacted them and they were glad we did, as they had no contact info on our reservation (it had been made through a travel agent). The Epcot IPO Planning Office is top-notch! I'm expecting they'll be very glad you got in touch... Good luck and enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[travlnman1]

Thanks Goofy's Muse..
I'll give them a call.

 

[Janet2k]

I just posted this in another thread but thought I would add it here, too. It's regarding the new Animal Kingdom Theme Park's Wildlife Discovery Excursion that is being offered to Walt Disney World concierge guests. The following information came directly from my favorite WDW Cast Member:

- - - - - - - - - -
For guests over 12 staying in concierge rooms anywhere on property.

DESCRIPTION: Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve for a unique animal observation and photo excursion. Led by a seasoned Safari Guide and an Animal expert, this adventure takes you off the Safari trail, stopping at special observation and photo areas throughout the 110-acre savannah of the reserve.

CAPACITY: 14 Guests

HOURS:
10:00AM (Guests should arrive at check-in by 9:45AM)
1:00PM (Guests should arrive at check-in by 12:45PM)
Tour lasts approximately one (1) Hour.
Same day bookings not allowed.

DAYS OFFERED: Daily

BLACKOUT DATES: None

PRICE: $45.00 per person including tax

** All prices are subject to change without notice **

Capacity is set at 14 guests so it is very personal.
- - - - - - - - - -

My family attended a similar excursion in the Fall of 2003. It was a special tour that was called (for lack of a better name) the Animal Kingdom VIP Safari Tour. I wrote about it in my trip report (click here and look for the post on that page entitled, "Anniversary Celebration, Part One").

At the time, there was talk of that tour becoming something that could be booked by WDW guests (it was not a bookable event when my family experienced it). I am now wondering if that has come true. I certainly hope so because the tour was wonderful.

I am trying to find out what the excursion vehicle looks like. The vehicle (click here) that was used for my tour only seated 8 people, and the new vehicle seats 14. I have seen photos of vehicles that are used for African safaris and I am wondering if Disney has purchased one of those. It will be interesting to find out.

The new excursion sounds wonderful. I am now contemplating adding a concierge stay onto my next WDW vacation so that I can experience it. I can’t wait to hear all about it from those first guests who get to experience it.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the new info, Janet.

It does indeed sound wonderful. We're not booked for concierge for our next stay but maybe this wil entice my DH. We all love KS but have not done any of the special AK tours concierge or not.

I wonder if they had lots of people staying at AKL conciere for just a couple days in order to do the tours offered to those guests. I know we had considered doing that. This sounds like a better option for us.

Thanks again.

 

[janetd]

Hi,

Recently stayed at AKL concierge and YC. The AKL was outstanding. Food and atmoshere perfect. Guests were pleasant and polite. The children were delightful and loved watching the videos provided for them. We had stayed here 3 times before and were not disappointed.Concierge at AKl is just the way it should be.

We always split our stay between AKL and YC. The last time, just after the YC concierge area had enlarged, we were a bit unhappy with the experience but thought it might have been just bad luck and decided to stay again as we love the YC. Any way what a total disappointment. What happened to concierge at this beautiful hotel?

Someone must call soooey (or however you spell the pig call) because you wouldn't believe the types that arrive for breakfast. Even though the posted signs state to arrive dressed, people wander in wearing bathrobes, forage for food, leave with gross amounts and while making selections ignore the tongs and just grab.

I was reading the newspaper waiting for my grand daughter to come in for breakfast. By the time she arrived, there were no bagels to be had. It was 9:30 and the breakfast ends at 10:30. The "guests" had comandeered the bagel supply and there wasn't much of anything else left.

In talking with the CMs they said they were pretty disgusted with the situation. The behavior of many of the guests really grosses them out, but all they can do is smile. They were peeved that guests ignored the posted notice and continue to show up for brakfast in bathrobes.They noted also how guests just grab food with their bare hands.

We asked for concierge to be removed from our bill and did room sewrvice for breakfast instead for the rest of our stay.

Let's not go in to the 5:00 offerings. We stayed briefly for that one. Total gross out.
Janetd

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

Hi,

Recently stayed at AKL concierge and YC. The AKL was outstanding. Food and atmoshere perfect. Guests were pleasant and polite. The children were delightful and loved watching the videos provided for them. We had stayed here 3 times before and were not disappointed.Concierge at AKl is just the way it should be.

We always split our stay between AKL and YC. The last time, just after the YC concierge area had enlarged, we were a bit unhappy with the experience but thought it might have been just bad luck and decided to stay again as we love the YC. Any way what a total disappointment. What happened to concierge at this beautiful hotel?

Someone must call soooey (or however you spell the pig call) because you wouldn't believe the types that arrive for breakfast. Even though the posted signs state to arrive dressed, people wander in wearing bathrobes, forage for food, leave with gross amounts and while making selections ignore the tongs and just grab.

I was reading the newspaper waiting for my grand daughter to come in for breakfast. By the time she arrived, there were no bagels to be had. It was 9:30 and the breakfast ends at 10:30. The "guests" had comandeered the bagel supply and there wasn't much of anything else left.

In talking with the CMs they said they were pretty disgusted with the situation. The behavior of many of the guests really grosses them out, but all they can do is smile. They were peeved that guests ignored the posted notice and continue to show up for brakfast in bathrobes.They noted also how guests just grab food with their bare hands.

We asked for concierge to be removed from our bill and did room sewrvice for breakfast instead for the rest of our stay.

Let's not go in to the 5:00 offerings. We stayed briefly for that one. Total gross out.
Janetd

Mine was opposite, we did a split stay between the YC and the AKL. We went to the YC first. The staff was wonderful or room was perfect and the lounge was excellent. Everyone was very quiet, polite, and I didn't see any robes/bathing suites. The staff at the YC CL were just awesome! The food and evening offerings were perfect and there was plenty of breakfeast offerings, the staff was constantly re-filling things.

Then we went to the AKL. Checked in went up to the concierge, not even a look up/nod from the concierge, or even a hello. We had to go up to them, wait until they finished talking and had to introduce our selves. The lounge was nice, but not that great. They had a lot of strange food, a lot of it, I didn't care for. They didn't have any donuts like the YC did, just mostly gross/hard bagles. The room wasnt that great either. They put us on the 5th floor, so we always had to go up the elevator to get to the lounge. Annoying if you ask me. At the YC we walked a few feet to the lounge from our room. Aftering staying at both, we will not be returning to the AKL and be staying at the YC from now on!

 

[TammiMcMan]

JanetD, sorry you didn't enjoy your stay at the YC cl. I wasn't really over impressed with it myself. Fortunately I didn't encounter any guests who were dressed inappropriately, but it amazed me to see the messes that were left behind. I just think it's common courtesy to remove your dishes and trash if there are people waiting for a seat. We found the lounge to be really crowded and I stopped counting the number of times we were asked to leave because they were changing out food items, or closing for the night. For the life of me, I still can't figure that out. I never thought of myself as a food snob, but for an afternoon treat, I'd like something more than goldfish crackers, beer nuts or a chocolate snack pack pudding. I had a small problem with one of the CM's (Betty), but other than that, they were terrific as was housekeeping. Plus their pre-planners are first rate. Next time we are in that area, I think we are going to try the Boardwalk.

 

[MaMudduck]

Hi, everyone I'm just replying so I can subscribe to this great thread.

This October (2005) will be my 8+ trip to WDW, and a friend is joining me for 4 days of my 2 weeks at WDW. I'm doing all the bookings for her and she wants Concierge at the Poly. , this may be my only trip where someone else is paying and I get Conciegre.

Ok so my questions:
1) I have 2 AP's is there a discounted room rate for Con.level for AP holders
2) If so, what's the usual/historical discounted amount per night for Oct. (regular season)
3) Do I book now and wait for codes and then change rates or do I go through TA such as Dreams Unimited that'll check for me?

Thanks Wendy

 

[steveanddonna]

Hi MaMudduck, and welcome! There are AP discounts available for CL, but they're pretty limited. We have been very lucky recently and gotten a discount on every trip except....October! Actually, we were able to apply the code to the last 3 nights of our Oct. visit by splitting the reservation. We did book that trip before the codes came out and were able to apply the discount later. We paid $90 less than rack rate with the discount, but I can't remember what the actual rate was. At 2005 rack rates for regular season that would be $490 for LVC and $365 for GVC. If you can check in before Oct. 4, you would get value season rates for your whole stay, which would bring it down to $420 or $320, depending on the view. My cousin and I lucked out and are able to do this in February this year, so we check in the day before value changes to peak and are paying value season w/a discount for the whole stay.

I have never used a TA to book, but a lot of other people here have had good luck getting discounts when using one. I think it's just a matter of preference.

 

[Scar/Thumper]

I don't want to sound tacky but dw and I want to stay Concierge for our Anniversary and we usually go for AAA discounts or AP discounts , are these offered for CL or is it just rack only.

Thanks in advance,

Scar

 

[#1hockeymom]

Congrats on your anniversary! I have stayed concierge at AKL for three of my four AKL trips. Each time I used an AP rate. Two of those trips I was calling on a daily basis to add days to my trip, but in the end I had every day I needed at the AP rate.

Our mantra for awhile was "keep calling, calling, calling!"
Debbie

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

Hello everyone! Just wondering if I could take a friendly survey to compare my rates over the years...

What is the *most* you have ever paid per night for concierge?

What is the *least* you have ever paid per night for concierge?

Thanks!

 

[Scar/Thumper]

Thanks Hockeymom - I just didn't know if it was possible - we have done several (7) trips to THE World always staying at the values but wanted to treat DW to a trip of a lifetime staying at her "Dream Resort" AKA "the Beach Club" as it will be our 15th anniversary http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=7413667# so am trying to work out the logistics of it . We as a family will be winging our way to the other coast for our 2nd DisneyLand adventure in just a few weeks , but I am starting to plan our Sept. Adults only trip so any and all help is gladly accepted.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Put Disney on speed dial when the AP rates are out and don't give up! One of my good friends here, as well as myself, have ended up getting our last "day" needed for our particular trips just days before we left! I think concierge for an anniversary present sounds wonderful! I know your wife will love it!

 

[fridayfun]

We booked thru AAA today a 14th floor Concierge room. After explaining to our TA why 14th floor (full Concierge) she got on the phone and came up with a room on that floor.Hurray, right? Well, sitting here, reading the paperwork, after sending info to the correct hotel, I see it says "...in a concierge club floor room, 14th floor, magic kingdom view." I thought 12th floor was club or lite. Am I stressing or right? It is only the 2 of us. Do you have to get a suite to get full concierge service? Thanks in advance

 

[Goofy's Muse]

My understanding is that 14th floor is full concierge... there are only a handful of non-suite rooms on that floor, but they do have full concierge. I guess the use of the word "club" was confusing. You're right that 12th floor is the "light" concierge...

 

[fridayfun]

Thanks. We think the info on the receipt was our TS's notes. They don't print out straight from the website (DH swears!) but shot out an email to her just to check!

 

[fridayfun]

Thanks for all the information regarding concierge in this thread. Emailed our information to the Contemporary, apparently everything's OK on their end and already received a confirmation email telling they had all our pertinent information and would be contacting us again 120 days out! I just can't stand the wait now!