Useful Concierge Information

[Frances999]

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.

Thanks, Tammi I will keep my fingers crossed

PS - I'm glad to hear there is a waiting list. I never knew of this before

 

[Frances999]

Well, I must admit that I am very surprised. They managed to make EVERY change I requested, all for the exact times I requested too!!! I concierge!!

 

[kaceyisme]

Well, I must admit that I am very surprised. They managed to make EVERY change I requested, all for the exact times I requested too!!! I concierge!!

I had the same experience with the CR IPO. I had to change around a few meals, and they were able to get me everything I asked for. I had called myself to change a AR at O'hana and was told they only had a 9 PM reservation, but the concierge was able to get me in at 6:20! That's what they're there for

 

[TammiMcMan]

Good to hear that Frances. They are amazing.

Tammi

 

[Kteacher]

I also had to change some ADR's about 3 weeks out, and the IPO at the Contemporary were wonderful

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Good morning all....

Can I pick your brains this am? I still have been unable to get club at Yacht or the Beach for myself. However... Boardwalk is available with deluxe concierge, 1 room only at the discount. Basically it would be $50 more per night for my Dad. I can either stay waterview or standard at BWI. ANd then take my chances at upgrading at the desk if they will let me at checkin.

I am thinking since Dad is happy with the yacht I should stay put???

Also has any ordered any of the Treasure chest offerings from IN room Dining at the Yacht and Beach? I am looking for some opinions on having somthing in the room for him.

THANKS!!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

On page 32 of this thread, KerryCM talks about the deluxe concierge room at the BWI. From the sounds of it, it's a very large room with 2 tv's and a boardwalk view. Is your dad a people watcher? If so, this might be a good spot for him. I think KerryCM would probably agree that the concierge lounge is nicer at the BWI, you'd be giving up Stormalong Bay though for the kids. Tough choice and I don't know where it's more likely that a concierge room will open between now and your vacation.

Tammi

 

[KerryCM]

Tammi is so right! I would pick the BWI over Yc and BC, and I have done all 3. The BWI lounge is biiger, stays open all day and the cast members there are the best on property.
The deluxe rooms are great. They have a seperate sitting area with a queen size sllep sofa, and tv. The rooms are located right over the BW Bakery and the view is great. The rooms are located on both the 3rd and 4th floor, the lounge is on the 4th. I would stay there!!

 

[jjharts]

I need some expert advice for our December trip. We will be staying LVC at the Poly. We stayed here two years ago but I made all of our priority seating arrangements myself. I received our Personal Vacation Itinerary in the mail the other day and am thinking of having them do all the leg work this time around. Will I be able to get what I want (CRT, Illuminations cruise, etc.) or am I better off doing it myself? Also, I see on here that they can arrange a limo from the airport for you - anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

jjharts, I am usually compulsive when it comes to planning my Disney vacations. The first time I experienced concierge, I found it hard to let go and let them take care of things for me. Now, I wouldn't have it any other way. With one e-mail, I can have all my ADR's, tours, tickets, recreation and everything else I need done. You don't have to sit on pins and needles waiting for that 90 day window either. The IPO department will take your requests at any time and put them in as a pending item, once the reservation window opens up, your pending items become confirmed items. It's as simple as that. As for limo transfers, I did use that service this past December. I believe it's the TrioTrans company that they use. We had a limo that picked up DH, myself and my two younger children and a town car took care of my oldest DD who flew in the day after us. We had no problems with our pickup, but DD got delayed in Atlanta due to weather and they did an excellent job keeping track of her and someone was there waiting for her almost 4 hours after she was due to arrive..

Tammi

 

[Frances999]

I need some expert advice for our December trip. We will be staying LVC at the Poly. We stayed here two years ago but I made all of our priority seating arrangements myself. I received our Personal Vacation Itinerary in the mail the other day and am thinking of having them do all the leg work this time around. Will I be able to get what I want (CRT, Illuminations cruise, etc.) or am I better off doing it myself? Also, I see on here that they can arrange a limo from the airport for you - anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!

I totally agree with Tammi. Let them take care of your requests! The Polynesian IPO cast members are incredible. I am certain that they have had much higher success rate than I would have done if I tried to make the reservations myself.

The Illuminations Cruise is almost impossible to get. The Polynesian IPO got it for me easily, and even helped me when I needed a date change. They also have excellent success at securing the exact time-windows you require for your dining requests. Each time they make an ADR/Reservation for you, or make a change, they will e-mail you and updated itinerary for you to pursue.

Let them do all the work for you

 

[jjharts]

Thanks for the advice! I guess I need to let go of my control issues and let the IPO do their job!!! I'll get my forms filled out and emailed to them and see what kind of pixie dust they can throw my way!!

 

[married@wdw]

I noticed in an article linked in an earlier post on this thread that it says you can do the Sunrise Safari from any resort concierge stay:

"All concierge resorts also offer the new Wildlife Discovery Excursion -- a Disney's Animal Kingdom private safari with an animal expert on board to answer guest questions."

Anyone confirm this or find out it's not true. AKL doesn't seem to have concierge room availability for the Friday & Saturday nights I want to stay (we have DVC, so Friday or Saturday night stays make the most sense -- I don't want to split up the stay mid-week), but if I could stay at another resort CL and still do Sunrise Safari, I'd be thrilled, as that's why I chose AKL.

 

[YCFAN]

It's not the sunrise safari but another one that's taken around 10:00 am but no breakfast included.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Married@wdw, there is in fact a special safari offered exclusively to concierge guests. It's not a sunrise safari, but they do offer two times daily, 10am and 1pm. You ride through the Kilimanjaro Safari in a climate controlled vehicle on a 1 hour tour. There's a naturalist on board to answer questions and it's a great opportunity for picture taking. Reservations need to be made through the IPO department of whichever resort your staying at and the cost is $45 per person. When it was introduced, I recall there was a minimum age, not sure if that's still applicable. If you want to check out this thread , a few of the posters have links to photos of this tour.

Tammi

 

[lovesdumbo]

Here's what Poly IPO sent me. They know I have small kids so I would assume they would have included an age limit if there was one.

Its called the Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour. It is for Concierge guests only, so everyone who attends must be a concierge guest. Disney's Animal Kingdom invites you to venture off the beaten path of theHarambe 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. They can be booked everyday except Sunday and Monday. They have two tours a day, 10:00am and 1:00pm. It is a maximum of 14 people. The tour lasts one hour and is $45.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Here's what Poly IPO sent me. They know I have small kids so I would assume they would have included an age limit if there was one.

You might just want to double check with them. Initially, you had to be at least 12 years old, but I had heard that due to low bookings, they had talked about lowering the minimum age. Not sure if that was a temporary or permanent change.

Tammi

 

[lovesdumbo]

I never did try to book this. I decided it wasn't worth the risk that the girls would get bored or silly and disturb the other passengers paying for the safari. So I'm not sure about the age requirement.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I hear you on that one. I don't think my 9 year old would find it all that exciting either. DH on the other hand has been known to go through 5 rolls of film every time we go on the Kilimanjaro Safari. I can't tell you how many elephant pictures I have in my possession .

 

[goodferry]

I actually have this tour booked for DH and I next month, I will report back then if no one else has any information.