Using the concierge pre-planning staff; How much is too much??

[SeaSpray]

I'm just wondering how much you've asked the pre-planning staff to do for you, before your trip. I've been in touch with them fairly regularly since I started planning this trip for July.

So far, I have had them make all of my PSs, which is normal. I've also asked them to purchase and have in our room 4 of the new gold Mickey ears hats, embroidered with our names on them. I've had them make the reservation for my DH and I for the Segway Tour at Epcot on the morning of our anniversary. And I've been recently emailing with them to find out what other merchandise I can order from them, to have delivered to our room during our stay. For example, "Darth Tater" for older DS who is a huge Star Wars fan, and a ukelele from the Polynesian resort to replace the one we bought there back in 2001 that got broken by my 5 year old great niece.

I am also considering ordering the tuxedo strawberries for my DH, to be delivered on the day of our anniversary, and they've told me they will pick up the small "wedding" cake that I ordered from the Grand Floridian bakery and will deliver it to us at 'Ohana, on the night of our anniversary.

Am I asking too much by asking them to do all this? Or is this normal for them to get these requests?? As you can probably tell, this is our first time staying concierge, and I love the fact that I can plan these little surprises for my family, with the concierge staff's help!

 

[Traveliz]

I think for some trips that would be normal -- for others not. I generally have them get most of my PS, any special tours, and once my husband had them get a gift for me (but actually that didn't work out as well as if he would have done it himself).

Liz

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

We've exchanged a total of 22 emails in about the span of 5 days...PS, Gifts, Surprises , and general info...

I feel like I haven't done enough!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Seaspray - it sounds like you are going to have a FABULOUS trip!! I have stayed concierge for the past few years at WDW and some trips I basically do everything, including PSs - just use the concierge level for Bfast - and other trips we have taken advantage of their ability to add some magic. It is what they are there to do for you. I would think it is an enjoyable job!!

Just be careful, though, about how much you are counting on them to follow through with your requests. We have had some problems with things we have paid for not showing up/having to make several calls to get the things that were prearranged, etc. I believe the people at the planning center are not the same ones that will be doing the buying and running around for you. You may need to speak to the concierge staff upon check in and remind them of these special things you have planned and ordered.

Have a great time!! I really hope all goes smoothly for you - especially for your anniversary!!! How wonderful.

Lives4Disney

 

[goodferry]

They have made all my dining reservations, gotten me the Breathless Cruise, put me in touch with the Disney photographer, booked the AK tour and the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, gotten us tickets for La Nouba, ordered a small wedding cake for our anniversary dinner and my trip isn't until August! I plan to have something in the room for DH, I just haven't decided what yet! I think you are totally normal!

 

[gepetto]

Am I asking too much by asking them to do all this? Or is this normal for them to get these requests??

I can see maybe asking for the mouse ears in the room and the anniversary surprises...but I think asking them to buy/deliver all the other stuff like the ukelele and "darth tater" over the course of your trip is a little much.

 

[SeaSpray]

We've exchanged a total of 22 emails in about the span of 5 days...PS, Gifts, Surprises , and general info...

I feel like I haven't done enough!

Do you mind sharing with me what your gifts and surprises are? I need some more ideas!

Here's my list so far:

For DH:
*"Wedding cake" from Grand Floridian Bakery, presented to us during dinner at 'Ohana

*Tuxedo Strawberries

*Romance Turndown Package (looking into this right now)

*Autographed photo for all of the Villains (have to ask if this is available or not)

For DSs:
*"Darth Tater" (if concierge can get it delivered)

*ukelele from Polynesian gift shop

*RockNRollerCoaster guitar strap (if available)

*RockNRollerCoaster guitar picks

*RockNRollerCoaster drum sticks


For all of us:
*Gold Mickey Ears embroidered with our names on them

*Our favorite Disney beanies dressed in Wilderness Lodge and/or Polynesian outfits (still waiting to hear back from concierge as to whether they are available or not)


Still trying to come up with some more ideas....

 

[Lives4Disney]

Seaspray Just saw your list!! Wow - you have an awful lot you want them to prepurchase for your family. I just am warning you - one trip, we ordered 18 strawberry tuxedos and had to basically beg them to be delivered!!! My husband spent about $100 on these dumb strawberries to "surprise" us and it took 3 phone calls for them to show up. You have too many things listed that they could goof up on. Be careful.

Good luck - but I would save some of the souveniers for yourselves to have fun purchasing. That is part of the fun, too.

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

I don't think it's too much, but there are a few things that you might really be better off taking care of yourself. The tuxedo strawberries can be easily ordered through private dining once you arrive. By asking the pre-planning staff to do this means adding a few more in between people to the mix and that will increase your chances that a mistake or simply overlooking it can happen. Lives4Disney is right on with that point.

The GF bakery will not deliver to the resort, so that does need to be handled by the concierge staff. I would just double check with the bakery 48 hours prior to your dinner and verify the pick up with the on site CM that day. It never hurts to follow up on these things, especially something so important to you.

I haven't heard of the romance turndown package, only on the Disney cruise. You'll have to let us know about that one.

The ears are cute, will your DS's wear them or are they just a souvenier? I would pick one other special item from the list you gave for your DS's. Just speaking from experience that my DS15 loves to have the money instead to do his own shopping. Maybe one gift each and then Disney dollars instead?

As far as the personal shopping goes, the staff members will pick up whatever is in their own resorts gift shop. The other items are requested through contacts at other resorts and parks, so you're not really asking them to physically run around and shop for you. They are simply making a phone call. It would be the same as anyone calling Disney Merchandising and ordering the ears or any other park merchandise.

It's really easy to go overboard on having things in the room, I'd just take a 2nd look at what you have listed again. Just my opinion though.

Tammi

 

[Feralpeg]

Not to be a downer, but they seem to be out of Darth Taters at the moment. CMs don't know when a new shipment will be in. They may have a hard time doing this one for you.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Im starting to get worried that I might be annoying my planner. His emails seem to be shorter each time and less responsive!

I just keep emailing him asking questions about stuff and ordering whatever I like. Oh well...Here's hoping that they don't mind!

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the replies, everyone

Actually, it was the concierge staff, either Tara or Sarah, who suggested them getting the RockNRollerCoaster items.

On paper, it really does look like a lot, doesn't it?! LOL

Tammi: I just want those gold Mickey ear hats as souvenirs for all of us. None of us have the black Mickey ears, so I thought the gold ones would be nice, especially since they're only for the 50th anniversary celebration.

 

[johnsonet]

Im starting to get worried that I might be annoying my planner. His emails seem to be shorter each time and less responsive!

With 22 emails back and forth in 5 days that's probably a good bet

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Not that it makes it any better, but it is 22 emails back and forth...




...who am i kidding?

 

[SeaSpray]

Not that it makes it any better, but it is 22 emails back and forth...




...who am i kidding?

Now I don't feel so bad!