Useful Concierge Information

[MissK]

This thread is a godsend, you all are so knowlegable (did I spell that right? Hah)! Currently it looks like I'm going to have enough money for a 3 night (one of the days my birthday, whoo hoo!) stay at the concierge level at either BC, YC or BW since I want to say in the Epcot area.

Is there much of a difference between the BC & YC concierge?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Is there much of a difference between the BC & YC concierge?

There's not much difference at all. The BC is more of a casual beach theme, while the YC is more upscale yacht club theme. Both lounges are fairly small and don't offer much of a view. Personally, I would choose the BWI. A little bit nicer lounge and it has views of Illuminations. The on site staff is also excellent from what I hear. The nice thing about all 3 resorts is that they have the same IPO department. Terrific ladies to work with.

Tammi

 

[VAgal76]

I don't think there is a difference between YC & BC, but you may like BWI better than YC/BC.

 

[MissK]

Thanks TammiMcMan & VAgal76! Another question about the BWI concerige rooms, I know you can get a boardwalk view but does it get TERRIBLY loud at night? I'm from New York City so I can handle some loudness (in fact I get freaked out a bit if I don't hear a car alarm going off somewhere, I'm so weird) but I just want to know if its excessive.

Also, for the Sunrise Safari thing do ALL the members have to be staying at AKL? While there looks to be 5 of us we're all going to be split up in different hotels (the joys of having people with different tastes ) and only my mom will probably be at AKL.

Thanks for being so helpful, I'm in hardcore planning mode so my birthday next year will be princess perfect

 

[penel3]

We have booked a quickie trip first weekend in August (YAHOO!!) Does the Wilderness Lodge Concierge have an espresso machine like the AKL Lodge? We spent two weeks there in January and loved the espresso!! I couldn't get enough of it! How is the rest of the food/coffee?

 

[Angel16]

Also, for the Sunrise Safari thing do ALL the members have to be staying at AKL? While there looks to be 5 of us we're all going to be split up in different hotels (the joys of having people with different tastes ) and only my mom will probably be at AKL.

Hi Miss K. The sunrise safari is only available to those staying conciege level at the AKL. It is a wonderful experience, one I look forward to doing again in September. The evening safari (Wanyama) is even better touring the AKL savanana's, animals and information on the buildings. You go with 7 other people. It is private and so much fun. At the end they have a sundowner (food and beverages) with pictures taken. After eveyone on your safari go to Jiko's, for a gourmet dinner with wine pairings. It is wonderful, but is it also more expensive.

You will have so much fun planning your perfect birthday vacation. I feel part of the fun of the vacation is the planning.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Thank you, this was very helpful!

 

[BethA]

Is the evening safari for adults only?

 

[Angel16]

If I remember correctly it is for 16 and older. But, I don't think anyone would want to take a child as the dinner at Jiko's is about two hours longer. Our group was made up of four couples and we really hit it off. We really enjoyed the food, wine and visited. We were there for 3 1/2 hours. They usually seat you in a private dinning room, the chefs come out and explain each course and interact with each guest.

Ahhh

 

[MissK]

Hi Miss K. The sunrise safari is only available to those staying conciege level at the AKL. It is a wonderful experience, one I look forward to doing again in September. The evening safari (Wanyama) is even better touring the AKL savanana's, animals and information on the buildings. You go with 7 other people. It is private and so much fun. At the end they have a sundowner (food and beverages) with pictures taken. After eveyone on your safari go to Jiko's, for a gourmet dinner with wine pairings. It is wonderful, but is it also more expensive.

Thanks for that info! Well, I'll be a bit sad that I won't be able to do it but I know my mom and her friend will enjoy it much more then I ever would so I don't feel TOO bad. Plus she's more of a wine person then I am so when I told her about this she went "Ooooh! Now I really wanna stay there!"

You will have so much fun planning your perfect birthday vacation. I feel part of the fun of the vacation is the planning.

I agree! I'm having so much fun reading reviews, looking up info and writing things down. I'm a virgo and thrive on great planning. Thanks so much for your reply!

 

[southjerseymom]

Hi - I've posted these questions on a couple other boards - but I am hoping I can get some answers here! I just booked concierge at WL in February for 3 nights after a 4 Day Wonder cruise. I have stayed at the Lodge before and my DS4 still talks about it. I have a couple questions about concierge. Thanks for any replies.

1. We have been to WDW quite a few times lately - so after a cruise, etc we don't expect to do any character meals or probably even any PS. Is is still worth it to do concierge if we won't take advantage of these services?

2. We are really kind of planning on doing most of our "dining" in the concierge lounge. Maybe a counter service lunch in the parks - or room service for DH and I later in the evening if we are hungry. Is the convience of the food worth the extra cost? (DS4 and DD2 would be happy to eat PB&J all the time).

3. I'm reading posts about a renovation in January 2006 starting with floor 7 - do you think they will be done by Feb 9th - or are we going to be in construction central?

4. Are the balconies on the concierge level the solid ones?

Sorry for all the crazy questions. We have never done concierge before and I am ready to spring for the extra cost because it will only be for three nights. But I really want to know if this is a good time to do it - or we should wait. Thanks again for any replies

 

[TammiMcMan]

I can try and answer a few of your questions:

1. We have been to WDW quite a few times lately - so after a cruise, etc we don't expect to do any character meals or probably even any PS. Is is still worth it to do concierge if we won't take advantage of these services?

Personally, I do use the pre-planning service alot. It's a great benefit. I'd have to look at everything, like how much time I was going to spend at the resort, if we were going to need anything special during our trip, etc. We did a quick stay at the GF after our Wonder cruise and decided that because it was such a short amount of time and we would probably be in the parks alot, we just went with a standard room. It worked fine for us.

2. We are really kind of planning on doing most of our "dining" in the concierge lounge. Maybe a counter service lunch in the parks - or room service for DH and I later in the evening if we are hungry. Is the convience of the food worth the extra cost? (DS4 and DD2 would be happy to eat PB&J all the time).

The lounge is definitely not setup to be a meal replacement plan. You could most likely plan on a substantial breakfast if cereal, fruit, yogurt and muffins is what you typically eat. From 11-4pm, it's all snack foods, not anything that would equate to lunch. In the evening, you will typically have at least one hot appetizer and I know some resorts have the PB&J uncrustables for the kids, while others have mini hot dogs. After coming off the Wonder with all that incredible food available all the time, this is not quite the same.

3. I'm reading posts about a renovation in January 2006 starting with floor 7 - do you think they will be done by Feb 9th - or are we going to be in construction central?

There was a concierge lounge recently added on. I believe that opened just two weeks ago. That's a nice improvement. There has been talk of room rehabs starting up, but I haven't seen any dates posted. If the Poly and CR are any indication, then it will take months to complete. Hopefully someone else will have more detailed information for you.

Tammi

 

[psar]

I have a question for those who have stayed concierge at BWI. Need an opinion on regular vs deluxe. Right now I have a regular concierge room booked. It is DH and 2 DS 17 & 13 and myself. All the men are built like football players. Do you think I should upgrade to the deluxe for the extra room or will we be all right where we are?

 

[KerryCM]

I have stayed in both types of rooms and with your family I would say go deluxe! The rooms are a good size with 2tvs and all have a BW view. There are rooms on both the 3rd and 4th floors though. The lounge is located on the 4th floor. If you want to PM me your e-mail adress I can send you the pictures I have of the room.

 

[psar]

KerryCM
Thanks for the quick response. I did pm u. Another question. Can I just call concierge for upgrade or will I need to go through CRO? I did check on line and there is availabilty. Leaving in 3 weeks, nothing like waiting till the last minute

 

[wdwfan]

I too agree that you should definetly stay deluxe. I have stayed deluxe on the fourth floor before and we loved our room. The extra space is so worth it! You have the two queen beds and then the sitting area. It provides plenty of space to spread out and two tv's are great! Go for it! You will not be sorry!

Hi Kerry!!

 

[psar]

Thanks WDWFan. Two TV's sound great especially since one is always on sports channel!

 

[psar]

KerryCM

Thanks for the pictures. Will be calling right away.

 

[Frances999]

I just e-mailed the Polynesian IPO to request some changes to my current ADR's. Amongst those I need changing is Chef Mickey's for Saturday 13th August and 'Ohana Breakfast for 12th August (plus Sci-Fi Dine In at MGM). I guess it might prove difficult to change the ADR's at this late stage....do you think the concierge might be able to swing it for me?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Frances, mainly due to the fact that a few of your changes include character meals, it may be difficult for even concierge to get you in at this late date. Sometimes the best they can do is put you on the waiting list for cancellations. It's worth a try though. At the GF, they were able to get us a princess breakfast in the castle after we arrived on site. Good luck with your requests.