What does concierge get you?

[Luv2trav]

I understand what concierge is but what are the benefits of it at a disney resort? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the extra cost.

 

[ducklite]

Preplanning help--they set up your priority seating requests, make suggestions as to where to dine if you need help, they'll also set up activities like spa appointments, fireworks cruises, birthday parties, pretty much anything as long as it's legal and you're willing to pay.

Additionally the rooms are often in better shape, you'll get robes in your room, added toiletries, and dependant on the resort a free mini-fridge.

There is a lounge which can be a nice place to relax during the day or evening. Some but not all offer a childrens craft type activity during the afternoon.

They have a cold buffet breakfast, which is enough for most people. They have snacks during certain times of the day, appetizers and wine in the early evening and desserts and cordials in the later evenings.

Varying by resorts there are also other perks ranging from a private safari ride at the AK to free strolers, to bottled water to take to the parks, to fireworks views from the lounge.

I'm sure others can come up with other ideas, but this is a start. As far as it being "worth it" only you can make that decision.

Anne

 

[deb305]

We just stayed at concierge at GF in Jan (Sugarloaf). We had 1 yr DS and 4.5yr DD with us, and it made all the difference. They were able to get us same day priority seating, we used them to get CRT breakfast (They called instead of us, and got us in no problem). The staff helped us with kid issues (throwing up mess, extra towels, researched pirate cruise etc) and we had a quick and comfortable check in. The buffet was a biggie for us. We knew whenever we got back from the parks we could grab a snack for the kids. (Cheese, fruit, crackers were always available) Saved a lot of whining, crying etc. They had a good size breakfast buffet every morning. We used up the extra $$ it cost on breakfast alone, compared to going to character breakfasts.

In January we got Concierge for $265 per day (Value season + AP discount).

 

[figment95]

Is valet parking included with concierge service? I know it's not much but I'm trying to cost -justify concierge with DH. Thanks.

 

[Pigsty333]

We just got back from our trip. While in our hotel (AKL) we decided to upgrade to concierge level halfway through our stay and it was the best decision we made. My kids are not big breakfast eaters so the buffets were a big wast and expense. We would get up in the AM, head up to concierge and partake of the goodies (hot cereal, assorted cold cereals, assorted fruits (such as apples, oranges, grapes, bananas) and strawberries, melons, etc., yogurt, assorted danishes and pastries, bagels, muffins, assorted juices, and a great coffee/espresso machine. Later on in the morning there were snacks, gummy bears, pretzels, goldfish, chips. At night there was an assortment of appetizers (chicken wings, wonderful spicy shrimp, stuffed zucchini) and an assortment of wines. Later on, until 10PM there was an assortment of cordials and liquours (Kahlua, Courvosier, Cognac, etc) and desserts.

ANytime you wanted water or soda, milk, juice, etc. was all there for the asking. We never bought a drink in the park and had water with us all the time. When we checked out, they had made all the arrangements and arranged bell and valet service for the time we specified. When bell services showed up they came in with a very nice mesh bag attached to the cart with a note and a bottle of water for each person to take with us for the ride to the airport.

It was worth it, we saved lots of money on breakfast (five of us) and there were days when we didn't even have lunch. Great time and would do it again in a heartbeat. My DH got spoiled and said that this is all he wants from now on.

See some of the pics and I will post some more this week when I get the discs back.

http://www.ofoto.com/OrderPhotos.jsp?flow=share_online&collid=98100645205&UV=73734714311_67434745205

 

[Luv2trav]

Wow I never knew it included drinks, breakfast and snacks.... Thank you for the information.

 

[mhelsley]

Which of the hotels has a mini fridge for concierge level people.

 

[Kreid001]

The Polynesian provides the mini-fridge free to concierge guests. They also have sodas and water bottles available in the lounge to stock the fridge.

Read this http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/conciergeservice.html from TikiMan's great site for a full and complete description of Polynesian Concierge Services.

 

[Pigsty333]

MACHEO - Sunrise Offerings 6:30AM -for our early risers coffee and assorted juices.

MIAMKO - Adventurous Awakenings 7AM-10:30AM - Start your adventure with an assortment of fresh fruits, juices, pastries and cereals

VITAFUNIO - Safari Snacks 11:30AM-3:00PM - take a mid-day break and enjoy a selection of African snacks and beverages

CHAI - Afternoon tea - 3:00-4:30PM Sit back and relax with imported loose leaf teas, assorted freshly baked scones, cookies, and biscuits. A daily must in Africa!

KISIKUSIKU - Twilight Offerings 5PM-7PM - After an exciting safari, take pleasure in an array of wines, hors d'oeuvres, and savor African specialty appetizers from our resort restaurants,Jiko and Boma.

REHEMA - Evening Indulgences 8:00PM-10PM Revisit your day's activities, or plan for tomorrow while treating yourself to a sampling of fime desserts and a variety of premium cordials.

This was copied from the Concierge Information Card given to you upon registration.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[dbail2]

How about BWI ?

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by figment95
Is valet parking included with concierge service? I know it's not much but I'm trying to cost -justify concierge with DH. Thanks.

Not in our experineces at AKL, GF, or BWI.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by dbail2
How about BWI ?

If you mean the water to take to the airport, no.

No minifridge, although I want to think a minibar.

If you wanted info on somehting else, not sure what it was.


Anne

 

[dbail2]

What is the Concierge like in the BWI ??
And where are the rooms?

 

[Pienut]

This sounds like a silly question, we are staying at the AKL concierge...is there soda available at the concierge lounge, or just juice and stuff? Trying to decide whether to stop and get some on our way to the hotel. I hate to pay all the money for the concierge and find it just sitting there!

Thanks

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by dbail2
What is the Concierge like in the BWI ??
And where are the rooms?

It's nice. The rooms are on the top floor (5th I think), except some suites are in other parts of the Inn. It seems to cater to adults, the childrens offerings were scarce, and we saw only one family with little ones while we were there.

What specifically did you want to know?

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Pienut
This sounds like a silly question, we are staying at the AKL concierge...is there soda available at the concierge lounge, or just juice and stuff? Trying to decide whether to stop and get some on our way to the hotel. I hate to pay all the money for the concierge and find it just sitting there!

Thanks

There is soda available, if it's not out, ask for it. Same thing with bottled water and juice. They no longer have juice boxes, they are now the cups of juice with the peel off foil lid. If you have little ones, bring the sippy cups, no straws are available.

Anne

 

[Pigsty333]

AKL concierge has juice, sodas, water, milk, chocolate milk for the asking. Don't buy any. They also have yogurt and they are more than accommodating when you make a request for bottles and sodas to go to the parks.

They always gave us extras. The kids also liked the gummi bears, the goldfish, crackers, pretzels and the Smuckers Uncrustable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

 

[dbail2]

ducklite:
What type of snacks do they offer in the BWI and at what times?

 

[ducklite]

It's been a couple years since I was there, but bascially if you can find a listing of the snacks for AKL concierge, it's pretty much exactly the same.

If you can't find it, let me know and I'll see what I can dig out.

Anne

 

[Darian]

deb305 made a very important point - that a Concierge can often get you reservations that on your own you would be unable to make - or only make after many, many long distance phone calls.

The Sunrise Safari at AKL is ONLY available to Concierge guests. Anyone know if other hotels have similar exclusive benefits?

It is rumored that simply being a concierge guest will usually get you a better table in the nicer restaurants. I was told at Chefs d' France that some of the better tables were reserved exclusively for concierge guests. (I had asked to sit at a particular table.) How that would actually play out if the restaurant became full I don't know... but as the saying goes... "money talks..." This is a case where being a concierge guest gives you much more flexibility with your schedule and activities. This way Disney can give such a guest a more rewarding vacation experience, one more free of hassels and disapointments.

Luv2trav, as Anne (aka Ducklite ) said in her very articulate post describing the main benefits of concierge level service, its up to you to decide if all this is worth the money. For those of us with physical limitations or disablities, time, energy and effort are at a premium. So for me, concierge is worth every penny!

Darian