Useful Concierge Information

[Mickey Fliers]

BionicEar Welcome to the DIS! I can't really help you as far as the Meal Plan is concerned. We have AP's and never book a package, we do use our DDE which saves us %20. However, we just returned from our trip to Poly CL a few weeks ago, and it was fabulous. We booked Lagoon View and will probably never be able to go back. It was so nice to wake up and look at the castle right from your patio. One morning, I took a long run and is was so peacefully running around the grounds of the Poly and on the walkway to the GF. The lounge had really nice offerings and was a great place to sit and relax with the kids. I would not hesitate to book Poly CL and I hope you have a great visit next year.

BTW, this is a great group and they always seem to have the answers.

 

[Tess]

Glad to see you feel comfortable with the boards and have jumped right in there! You couldn't have made a better choice for your concierge stay--the Polynesian is our favorite of the lot! Of course, everyone has different opinions on the favorite concierge, but--mine is the correct one!

Like Mickey Fliers, we haven't and won't use the MYW dining plan; but we also will utilize the Disney Dining Experience card. I agree, you have a lot to think about when planning a trip to Disney--all in all though, that's half if not most of the fun!

If you plan to pay the "rack rate" for a room and want to add the dining plan, why not. Something you may wish to consider, however, is the type of admission media you will be using. If you plan on purchasing an AP in hopes of getting a passholder's discount, then the DDE card might be a better value for you. I guess you'd have to run the numbers. Frankly, if you plan to use the MYW dining plan to its fullest (and if you're doing dinner shows, etc. as you indicate), then it's probably a good deal for you. If you head over to the Restaurants board, you will find many posts from those who have used the MYW dining plan and saved a good bit of $$$$ with it.

Best of luck in your planning--and ALOHA!

 

[eddieras]

here's my 2 cents! we just got back from 1 nite concierge and 5 savannah at the AKL. also had the dining plan for the five nites- while i can't speak for the poly concierge, nor for an extended stay- i can say we had enough food our one nite at the AKL that we didn't go out for a dinner!

regarding the dining plan, i tracked what we would have spent out of pocket- it totaled $765 while the plan cost us $450! plus we didn't even use 2 counter and one snack!

personally, i'd really have to think about the plan if staying concierge-but obviously that also depends on how much time you'll be at the resort itself as opposed to the parks....

hope that helps!!

 

[clombardi]

We are staying at the Poly concierge in July. I've gone back and forth with the idea of the dining plan for two months now. I just worried that we were wasting money with the dining plan if the concierge offered food in the evening that we could use as dinner. Anyway, I finally sat down and planned out where we go each day and realized that we really would still be eating two meals a day that would definitely cost more than the dining plan. So...after all this fretting we finally added the dining plan this week!

I will be sure to post about it when we get back and let you know if it really was a wise decision.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Hi Mary! Welcome to our lovely group! It sounds like you have a wonderful trip being planned. Concierge is a lovely way to go, and you'll love having the lounge within steps as an extended area to start off your day and as a place to relax and unwind. I might be the lone dissenter in the do both plan, but I am still in a tizzy over the fact I can't get the plan since I am an AP holder!

You're in good hands here!
Debbie

 

[BCV23]

Welcome to the DIS, Mary.

You've chosen wisely. The Polynesian concierge is great.

We have APs and so feel lucky to be able to buy the DDE card this year. But if we didn't have APs, I would buy the MYW dining addon. With careful choices, I think it is possible to save lots with that plan....more so than DDE actually. 40% savings seems to be reported fairly often on the restaurant board.

We love the appetizers in the lounge but with the exception of the BBQ sandwiches which were full size buns this past week, it would never suffice for dinner for us. The continental breakfast is fine and very convenient but for a longer stay, it is nice to be able to add some variety with a sitdown breakfast (although not a good use of the plan probably) or a character breakfast....or Boma if you will have a car.

Have fun planning!

 

[BionicEar]

Wow, this is a great group! Thanks so much for the replies and your opinions. They helped quite a bit.

We've decided, after a little number crunching, that we would add the dining plan. Especially since this will be our second trip as a family and I'd love to see at least two dinner shows, and I know the kids will want at least one character breakfast. My two youngest sometimes don't like to eat off the kids' menu, and that's fine. We'll just pay out of pocket for them then and save it for the big meal where it will really count.

We do have a question for all you AP'ers. Do you guys go more than once a year to "justify" the AP, or do you still see it as a good deal even if you do only go once a year? Also, when you book, do you get travel insurance? If so, where from? This is pretty important for us. Do you use a TA to book, or do you do it yourself?

Just last night, our oldest was asking when we were going to WDW. We weren't planning to tell them about this upcoming trip until XMAS!!
DH asked when he would like to go to WDW, and he said, "NOW!" We did manage to keep our secret, though.

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I started going more than once a year (DH says WAYYYY more than once) for my sanity! I can't reserve concierge level for these trips, but a trip to Disney really revives my soul and has me all ready to go for work and home! When I bought my first AP during a trip in November when I took my mother, I did know that I would be returning the following Easter. I managed to squeeze in a MLK Disney holiday in there, the Easter (concierge that year) I knew about.....and the following July(concierge again to see friends from the DIS!)... and October... well, it was very useful! Every one of those trips I managed to get the AP rate for the room, also! I have realized that the concierge trips can't happen that often, but the regular trips can!
I will be buying the DDE card as soon as I get at my "Disney suitcase" so I can get the numbers off of my AP card. I forgot to order it last Easter! ACK! We had a few vouchers, which don't exist anymore, left over so we used them last Easter and paid cash for all our other meals.

 

[Angel16]

Welcome Mary. It sounds like you are well on your way to a wonderful WDW trip.

DH and myself went to Disney World last October for the first time since we were married 25 years ago. I did a lot of research on the DIS and we went over to Shades of Green to purchase our AP. My DH is eligible due to his years in the military to stay there or purchase AP’s or tickets there. I don’t know if you or your husband would be eligible? But SOG does give a pretty good discount. We each purchased an AP due to the length of time we were staying in WDW. We stayed 1 night at Pop century (the night we arrived), 6 nights at AKL concierge, and then switched over to SOG for a week. (Not the way to do a trip, we should have put AKL concierge at the end!) Since we were staying 14 nights and planed to go to the park everyday the AP was the way financially to go. I have to admit, when we purchased our AP’s I had deep in the back of my mind that we could come back again before they expired. But I didn’t know how DH would like WDW. It turns out he is as much in love with it as I am. We are returning this September, staying at the Polynesian Concierge for 6 nights, then back to AKL CL for a week. The AP is going to really be worth it for us. We also use the AP discount for purchases at different stores and restaurants. The AP discount has saved us on our rooms last year at AKL and Pop. I am so looking forward to getting an AP discount this year for our trip.

We fly from way out west, so it is a costly trip airfare wise. For some reason, they don’t give super fares from where we live to Orlando. It also is a long flight; we don’t get in until late in the afternoon. I usually do all our bookings and do not use a travel agent for these trips. Part of my reason is I book room-only which can be cancelled up to 5 days before with no penalties. For the same reason stated above I do not use travel insurance. However, that being said, I have taken out travel insurance on an upcoming trip to Hawaii. You have to feel comfortable with your travel plans. If you feel you will have less stress with TI then do so.

I am really glad you posted your question. I am going to have to check out the DDE card, as I don’t know anything about it. I thought it only available to people using packages for their rooms and tickets. My DH and myself like to occasionally eat at some of fancier restaurants. In fact we will be celebrating our anniversary and I hope to get reservations for Victory & Albert’s Chefs table. We also hope to do a character meal, want to try Ohana’s and maybe a show.

Have fun planning and let us know what all you decide on doing and where you will be staying.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I am going to have to check out the DDE card, as I don’t know anything about it. I thought it only available to people using packages for their rooms and tickets. My DH and myself like to occasionally eat at some of fancier restaurants. In fact we will be celebrating our anniversary and I hope to get reservations for Victory & Albert’s Chefs table. We also hope to do a character meal, want to try Ohana’s and maybe a show.

Have fun planning and let us know what all you decide on doing and where you will be staying.

The DDE is available to Fl. residents and now AP holders. The cost for AP holders is $50. The DDE card entitles you to a %20 discount on most (if not all) table service restaurants in WDW. You can also use the card at most of the lounges. If you are going to spend more that $250 in a year on table service dining (and liquour ), than the DDE is the way to go. Just in one week, we were able to save $100 (after subtracting the cost of the card!). Although, I am not sure whether or not it is accepted at V&A Chef's Table.

HTH!!

 

[BCV23]

I believe you are correct that DDE can't be used at the Chef's Table of V&A, mickeyfliers.

However, it can be used at V&A in the main dining room. What a great deal!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I purchased AP's last year to justify last year's trip. I had already planned this October's trip before DD turned 3 so I told DH "well we can buy a pass and go this year too....". So we went last year from 10/21 to 10/28. First day of pass was 10/22/04 good til 10/23/05 and have booked a trip from 10/14 to 10/23. I was able to get the AP discount for room last year so we've already done well on our AP's and hoping for another room discount. I do plan to purchase the DDE because even though kids enjoyed eating in the lounge better than sit down meals it doesn't take many sit down meals to justify the cost of DDE. AND since DDE is good for a year it sounds like a good excuse for a fall 2006 trip which will required new AP's which will be good excuse for a fall 2007 trip.

Will your 9 year old be 10 on your trip? Charged as an adult for the meal plan? Have you crunched the numbers of buying just 1 AP for the possible room discount and DDE? You don't need to have the AP to get the discount-just need it at check-in. When we did character breakfast we would grab a quick "snack" in the CL then have a late sitting at breakfast for more of a brunch. I think you will LOVE the Poly. I can not wait to return in 135 days!

 

[peter1706]

I bought APs one year to save on resort rooms and now we wind up going twice a year. I bought my last AP in October when we went for 4 days knowing we were going this summer. Now in between those two dates we went for 3 days in december and 7 days in february for a total of 27 days.

Having an AP gives you an excuse to go more often. Our tickets are already paid for, honey.

 

[Angel16]

The DDE is available to Fl. residents and now AP holders. The cost for AP holders is $50. The DDE card entitles you to a %20 discount on most (if not all) table service restaurants in WDW. You can also use the card at most of the lounges. If you are going to spend more that $250 in a year on table service dining (and liquour ), than the DDE is the way to go. Just in one week, we were able to save $100 (after subtracting the cost of the card!). Although, I am not sure whether or not it is accepted at V&A Chef's Table.

HTH!!

Thank you all for the information. I will call and order ours right away. Is there a list of which restaurants accept the DDE?

 

[goodferry]

Mary, does your DH know that you booked concierge? I kept that as a surprise from my husband and the last trip as a surprise from everyone, and they were so excited when they found out that we were not only at the Polynesian, but in a concierge longhouse. I had the staff purchase a Cinderella dress for me and they left it on the bed for my DD, along with an autographed picture. She was in seventh heaven! She thought Cinderella had bought her the dress! The next morning she wore it to breakfast and was still in shock! It was so much fun keeping the trip a secret from the kids. When we told them as we were leaving for the airport, they were yelling and screaming and jumping up and down, it was hysterical. We have already told the kids about our December trip, it is good black mail material. Clean your room for two disney dollars, etc!

 

[VAgal76]

I don't think you can get a DDE discount at V & A's, but I'll need to double check my list on that. When you get your letter it will have a list of restaurants you can use it at. Unlike the AP, you don't have a restriction of times to visit or a limited selection of restaurants to get the discount.

BTW, I had a fabulous time at BWI. Has anyone done BWI & BC to be able to compare the two? I'm hoping that BC CL may be a little more enticing....I'd love to try SAB and the resort looks just as plush as BWI. Although, the CM's at BWI were remarkable and personable. I wouldn't want to mess with a good thing you might say.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Has anyone done BWI & BC to be able to compare the two? I'm hoping that BC CL may be a little more enticing....I'd love to try SAB and the resort looks just as plush as BWI. Although, the CM's at BWI were remarkable and personable. I wouldn't want to mess with a good thing you might say.

I've done the YC cl and after many discussions with KerryCM, I think the BWI comes out ahead. I do know that the lounge area was small and BC's is supposedly even smaller. They have this nasty habit of closing up the lounge in between all their food offerings too. I don't know about anyone else, but part of the reason I enjoy concierge is that I can use the lounge like a living room. I love sitting in there, reading park maps and guide books, planning out the day while I sip on a cold drink. For whatever reason, my timing was always off and I was forever being asked to leave the lounge . The BC concierge rooms are slightly larger than standards, so that's a plus and you still get to work with the same great pre-planning staff.

In all my research, people have described the BC as more family friendly, while the YC and BWI are more adult oriented. I take that to mean it has a more casual atmosphere, but my family of 5 was extremely comfortable staying at the YC. Regardless of the theme, they are all Disney.

I know about not wanting to mess with a good thing. It took a lot of trips before I would try anything other than the GF.

Tammi

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

I haven't been to BWI's concierge but I can tell you that BC's lounge is pretty small. I dont remember them closing the lounge at all throughout the day so I can't confirm that, but it seemed it was open the whole time.

 

[VAgal76]

Thanks guys! BWI's lounge doors were closed at times while I was there, but I didn't try to see if the doors would open. I like being able to come in and out of the lounge throughout the day myself. AKL's lounge was set up this way and I'm the same way as you, Tammi, let me get my book and get in a comfy spot. I wonder why they close it completely down during those times? Are they giving CM's breaks, maybe need the space to do the change over, etc? AKL's transition seemed to be pretty smooth so I don't know why they wouldn't offer guests to sit and relax whenever they wanted during operational hours? Oh, well. I didn't have enough time to visit the lounge like I would've on this short trip, but we made up for it in requests which they took all in stride. Overall I was extremely impressed with BWI, I was just wishing to try out SAB while keeping the same feel as the BWI.

 

[BCV23]

VAgal76, unless DDE has changed since we joined in January, it can be used at V&A.....just not Chef's Table.