Why Concierge? Is it worth it?

[eaturpasta1]

I am just interested in understanding why people pay so much more for Concierge or Club Level room. Can someone clue me in?

 

[Nik's Mom]

I've never done it, but from what I've read, people love the extra service. They enjoy the lounge, the robes, the concierge making ps's for them, etc.

 

[PRaffen]

I was willing to pay the concierge rates at AKL in order to go on the sunrise safari which was wonderful. Definitely worth the extra $$$ but it was a one time experience. I would not pay to do it again. I will say that being whisked directly from our car to our room at check-in was a great perk.

Most who stay concierge mention the pre-planning services, private check-in, and the lounge with its food offerings.

 

[ducklite]

I love the extra service. I can check in at my liesure while sitting in a comfortable and more private area (the bell services people will take you to your room and you go to check in once you've settled in). While checking in you are offered a refreshing drink. Your room has extra amenities such as upgraded toileties, robes, in some cases DVD players or CD alarm clocks. I've found the concierge rooms are also generally in better repair.

Additionally there's a private lounge only accessible by club level guests to relax, enjoy a snack, or chat with others in.

Before I leave I can e-mail the pre-planning office with all my requests, everything from meals, to activities, to floral arrangements, to room requests, and they take care of it all. No endless waiting on the phone.

Some people like to spend their money on a lot of souveniers, I prefer to spend mine for upgraded service. To each their own.

Anne

 

[VAgal76]

For me it's a spoil me rotten thing. But, yeah, it's also about what the other posters have already said. They make all the ressie's for me including the Grand1 Wishes cruise, Breathless Cruise, CRT Breakfast, among normal AR's, convenience of the lounge, private check-in, arranging special gifts - personal shopping services or even arranging special get togethers. It's definitely an extra-level of service (because I wouldn't pay for it just for a robe and chips). You have to think about if you're really going to take advantage of the services as well as the lounge to really know if this is going to be of value to you. Not everyone thinks concierge is worth the price they pay. It's just a matter of your circumstances and opinion.

If you want to give it a whirl - split your stay between AKL's CL to do Sunrise Safari and either a non-concierge room here or another resort. It'll give you a taste of it while keeping your expenses down.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

If you plan on staying for two or more nights, its definitely worth it! You get snacks/drinks throughout the day at no charge. The planning services are absolutely wonderful! They did everything I asked for and then some!

Your best bet is to figure out what resort you wish to stay at and then read the Concierge Comments on the different websites. For example Allearsnet has a good collection of them.

 

[Mister Disney]

Rather than re-type things.....I fully agree with what ducklite and VAgal76 have had to say.
Additionally,
I would rather shorten the number of days I am going to stay at the RPC at the Grand, then to stay on non-concierge level.

 

[eaturpasta1]

can you stay for a couple of nights concierge and then the rest of your week non concierge? Will they plan the whole week for you or only the "concierge" nights?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Yes, many guests do a split stay. Because concierge rooms are in either a private building or a secured floor, it will most likely mean that you'll have to change rooms. As far as the pre-planning staff goes, as a courtesy they can extend their services to cover other non-concierge dates for you.

 

[VAgal76]

Yes, you can split your stay between concierge and non-concierge. They provide service for just the concierge nights, but I'm sure there are times when they may extend a helping hand for an additional night. I feel it would not be appropriate to have a partial stay in concierge and want them to do the ressies for your remaining evenings at non-concierge level.

 

[Mister Disney]

can you stay for a couple of nights concierge and then the rest of your week non concierge? Will they plan the whole week for you or only the "concierge" nights?

I for one could never do that.

Aside from the fact that I totally unpack everything into the draws and closets, I couldn't go from one level of service to another like that.

I also don't think it would be appropriate to ask the concierge staff to plan things for your non-concierge nights. That is a major part of what you pay for with concierge level service.

con·cierge (kô-syârzh)
n.
1. A staff member of a hotel or apartment complex who assists guests or residents, as by handling the storage of luggage, by providing information or making arrangements, such as for theater tickets or dinner reservations.

 

[eaturpasta1]

ok and the biggie...how much more is it?

 

[DawnCt1]

We have received complimentary upgrades to Concierge twice and while it was all very nice, I personally don't find the extra costs that Disney hotels charge to be worth it. I find that Hilton Concierge (tower) service has so many more perks in terms of room amenities and food in the concierge room that one almost does not have to go to dinner. On check in at many Hiltons we have upgraded for $35. The same with Marriott.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Cost wise, it all depends on which resort you choose and what room type you'd be upgrading from. For instance, the difference between a lagoon view standard room and a garden view concierge room at the Poly is around $25 per night. At the Grand Floridian, the difference can be about $200 more per night. The Wilderness Lodge is about $100 and the Yacht Club $80.

I didn't mean to start an issue with the pre-planning staff assisting on non-concierge days. It is a courtesy and can be done for any number of reasons. It's not meant that they will personalize your entire stay, but circumstances can arise where they will extend their service for you.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

We have received complimentary upgrades to Concierge twice and while it was all very nice, I personally don't find the extra costs that Disney hotels charge to be worth it. I find that Hilton Concierge (tower) service has so many more perks in terms of room amenities and food in the concierge room that one almost does not have to go to dinner. On check in at many Hiltons we have upgraded for $35. The same with Marriott.

Being upgraded at check-in (talk about PD!) would be great for the lounge, food offerings, staff to help you during your stay. BUT, it means you are missing one of the biggest perks (IMHO) of concierge~ the pre-planning! The pre-planning is probably my biggest reason for spending the extra money. I think the food and assistance during our trip will be great, but I'm really excited about someone else having to deal with making all those PS! And, I'm going to utilize them in arranging some special surprises for my family.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Having Concierge help you on your non-concierge days may be frowned upon but Polynesian IPO had no problem helping us plan our first two nights, even though we were staying at a different Disney resort non-concierge.

 

[Mister Disney]

Being upgraded at check-in (talk about PD!) would be great for the lounge, food offerings, staff to help you during your stay. BUT, it means you are missing one of the biggest perks (IMHO) of concierge~ the pre-planning! The pre-planning is probably my biggest reason for spending the extra money. I think the food and assistance during our trip will be great, but I'm really excited about someone else having to deal with making all those PS! And, I'm going to utilize them in arranging some special surprises for my family.

Thats one of my BIGGEST reasons for concierge. The pre-planning and arranging special surprises!

BTW triplefigs, how was your triplet's BD?

 

[mom2febgirls]

What type of surprises do you guys get? We are going with our 3 Dds (9, 4, 1) and sis's family (14yo , 7yo and 9yo ) I would love to surprise all the kids with something special. The youngest 2 I am def. getting mouse ears. But 9yoDd already has some. I'm lost about what to do for the other kids.

Ideas, please :d

Thats one of my BIGGEST reasons for concierge. The pre-planning and arranging special surprises!

BTW triplefigs, how was your triplet's BD?

 

[triplefigs]

Thats one of my BIGGEST reasons for concierge. The pre-planning and arranging special surprises!

BTW triplefigs, how was your triplet's BD?

How sweet of you to remember! It was a BLAST! We had 40 of their friends (including 3 other sets of triplets and 2 sets of twins) for a big celebration. I think having the concierge for the kids will be worth its weight in gold. I wish we were doing RPC, but there is no availability on Dec 3. I didn't want to downgrade to SLC for one day and be moving rooms all the time. Thanks again for asking about my kiddos! Here's the photo we had on the cake table (before and after).

 

[triplefigs]

What type of surprises do you guys get? We are going with our 3 Dds (9, 4, 1) and sis's family (14yo , 7yo and 9yo ) I would love to surprise all the kids with something special. The youngest 2 I am def. getting mouse ears. But 9yoDd already has some. I'm lost about what to do for the other kids.

Ideas, please :d

I'm thinking of sending a small Christmas tree down to have them set up in the room, maybe some pre-shopping (ie costumes for my DD, Buzz and Captain Hook stuff, ears), helping arrange for a b'day cake and anniversary cake, etc. HTH!