Why Concierge? Is it worth it?

[Mister Disney]

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).

HOLY SMOKES....it must be something in the water where you live....

4 sets of triplets and 2 sets of twins at one party??

 

[VAgal76]

I don't think IPO would mind doing a few non-concierge days - didn't mean to start a ruckus - LOL! I just wouldn't spend 2-3 nights at concierge and try to get them to do like 10 days worth of dining and stuff for you. I hope that's a little more clearer.

Triplefigs - Wow - What darlings! Hopefully GF RPC will open up for you. You never know what might happen.

Regarding special gifts, this is a personal shopping type service they offer (which I use A LOT). They'll arrange to have the gifts/floral arrangements put in your room upon arrival or whenever you'd like them delivered. Just have your credit card handy. I've done the Mickey Ears thing, starter pin/lanyard sets, autographed posters, food, etc.

 

[YCFAN]

Mister Disney: I agree. I'd rather spend a shorter trip in concierge than a longer one in non-concierge. Service and relaxation is what I pay the extra for and in my opinion, it's worth it. Everyone has different ideas about what to spend their money on. I like "the experience" concierge gives.

 

[SeaSpray]

In addition to all of the reasons that other people have already mentioned, I chose the concierge at the Polynesian because I wanted a specific building with a specific view.

At the Polynesian, the concierge Hawaii building, lagoon view, faces directly towards the Magic Kingdom and the castle, and it is in a great location on the grounds, not too far from anything.

So one of my many reasons for booking concierge was logistics

As for the Wilderness Lodge, all I know is that we'll be on the 7th floor. You can't book or guarantee a specific view at that resort, but I'm hoping that my request will be met. I'll find out, in a week

 

[Nik's Mom]

The concierge lounge sounds like it might help with a problem we run into at check in. One of our ds's is autistic and needs a quiet place when we arrive, but our room is usually not ready at checkin (we arrive in the morning). Is the concierge lounge quiet and relaxing, or is it basically just a small version of the hotel lobby? I'm curious.
Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

The concierge lounge sounds like it might help with a problem we run into at check in. One of our ds's is autistic and needs a quiet place when we arrive, but our room is usually not ready at checkin (we arrive in the morning). Is the concierge lounge quiet and relaxing, or is it basically just a small version of the hotel lobby? I'm curious.
Thanks!

Well, that depends on what time you arrive. During the morning breakfast time it can get pretty busy around the concirege lounge. But if you come in during the late morning or early afternoon it's pretty quiet.

When we stayed 14th Floor at the CR we hardly saw anybofy the entire time, and taht lounge is huge.

At the BC they actually clsoe the doors to the lounge when they aren't offering any snacks, which is a reason I have no desire to stay there again. I like to sit in the lounge and read the paper some times.

The BWI or AKL have the lounges open all day.

At this point there really is no lounge at the WL. At the GF Lodge it's jsut the lobby of the building.

Where were you thinking about staying?

Anne

 

[susy]

DH and I decided on BWI concierge because of all of the really great things we've read about it. It's our first time, so we will have to wait until Nov to see if it's worth the extra money. So far, the pre-planning service is GREAT!!!!!! I like the idea of the lounge to relax in and the snacks are a nice perk, too. After five nights at the WL I was TIRED of going down to roaring forks twenty times a day for a bag of chips or a drink. We are "grazers" and eat pretty small meals. We do like to have a sit-down lunch in the parks, as it's a nice "break". We also do one night where just DH and I go out alone (we might try Flying Fish) and DS goes to the kids' club. It's so nice that the IPO will take care of all of this for us! The turndown and robes will be nice, too. We are also hoping for a BW view(keeping fingers crossed!!!!!)

 

[Nik's Mom]

We were thinking of staying at Beach Club, but a lot could change (I always change my mind). I guess if the lounge is closed, I wouldn't book concierge there.

 

[Mister Disney]

We were thinking of staying at Beach Club, but a lot could change (I always change my mind). I guess if the lounge is closed, I wouldn't book concierge there.

Hey there.....let me tell you a bit about GF Concierge.

If you book the "Royal Palm Club", the check in area of concierge is TOTALLY seperate from about 95% of the activity. RPC Concierge is on floor 3 of the GF Main Building, with the Concierge Lounge is on the 4th floor.

Alas, "Sugar Loaf" or the "Concierge Light" program, the check in is in the middle of the "lounge area", which is also the very first floor of the Sugar Loaf building and is VERY active.

If you can swing it, I would SO recommend GF RPC, especially after you mentioned your son's autism.

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

Is the concierge lounge quiet and relaxing, or is it basically just a small version of the hotel lobby? I'm curious.

We've done both AKL and RPC concierge and by far like the AKL lounge better (actually, we most everything better). Both lounges are basically extensions off the main lobby so if it's noisy in the main lobby, it's noisy in the lounge (but I find it easy to tune out).

The RPC lounge feels more like a waiting room with a couple couches and a TV surrounded by tables. There's no unique views except perhaps the balcony overlooking the garden pool.

The AKL lounge overlooks the main lobby providing the best view of it. We find this lounge more relaxing as it has both couches and overstuffed chairs (along with some tables and chairs).

A big advantage of AKL is the concierges are located in the lounge and far more accessible. At RPC, you have to go down to the third floor and if they are all busy, you have to just hang around like you're waiting for a loan officer at a bank. At AKL, they're right there in the lounge and if they are busy, you can just make eye contact that you want to talk with them and then go sit down in the lounge. They'll come over and see what you want as soon as they are freed up.

As to cost, we're a family of five and so the saving on breakfast alone pays for half of the upgrade to concierge (at least at AKL). As a family of five, we have to get a deluxe room and concierge is the next rung up the ladder. Since the difference in cost is not as dramatic as say upgrading from standard view, the extra cost is not that painful.

I'll be one to admit the following. I get a certain amount of pleasure getting on the elevator and sticking my room key into the concierge slot. Several years ago (staying off-property), I remember riding the monorail and looking at the Poly thinking how nice it would be to be able to afford to stay there. Now I can.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks to MisterDisney for suggesting GF. I've never considered staying there before, but if their concierge service is great, I'm going to look into it. I do love the monorail resorts. We've stayed at Poly and I know many lover their concierge, but we like a new hotel for each trip. I'll definitely read the GF resort threads!
Superduperbounce, I will also look into AKL concierge. We stayed at AKL on our last trip and loved it. I was so tempted to do concierge, but because I'm not working now, we are on a budget. I'm currently looking for work though, so concierge will be a possibility for our next trip .

 

[DawnCt1]

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.

Both times that I was upgraded, I had been upgraded prior to booking my vacation. (It was to make amends for significant errors on the part of the resort from a previous stay) I did have the opportunity for preplanning and didn't car to use it. I had used the pre planning on the Grand Plan and frankly, I had pretty much done my own planning and I just had to give them the "list". I can do that easily enough by calling Priority Seating and saving my money.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Nik'sMom, the concierge lounge styles vary differently from resort to resort. As you probably noticed, the YC and BC both close their doors in between servings. The CR 14th floor has a very nice lounge which services only a few rooms. This makes for a very quiet surrounding. Like MisterDisney, I'm a fan of the Royal Palm Club at the GF and personally would never describe it as feeling like a waiting room. There's a comfortable seating area with sofas and a tv, plus a seperate area with child sized furniture and a kids size tv. Lots of tables and chairs, a nice garden view (the balcony is actually on the 3rd floor and not the 4th with the lounge), plus, like the AKL, it overlooks the main lobby and in the evenings, the GF orchestra. The lounges do tend to get a bit busy in the morning and then again from 5-7pm. At other times, we've had it almost to ourselves and it's nice to be able to spread out.

I work with Autistic children, so I understand the challenge that you face. If concierge is not in your budget, you might want to consider flying in the night before. It might not be too bad with the time change and you'll be assured that your room is ready for occupancy. Another option if flying in the night before won't work for you, is to book a day room at the Hyatt. It's located right inside the airport and would give you someplace quiet to unwind, shower and maybe cool off in the pool after the plane trip. I believe they rent the rooms from 9 or 10am until 2pm for a pretty good rate.

Tammi

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi Tammi! I didn't know the Hyatt rented rooms like that. I may check in to that! Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Tammi! I didn't know the Hyatt rented rooms like that. I may check in to that! Thanks!

No problem. I've seen the day rooms done mostly by cruisers who are returning from the port, but have late flights home. It would probably work well in your case though as just a quiet spot to unwind and maybe grab a nap before hitting the world in full swing.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

Both times that I was upgraded, I had been upgraded prior to booking my vacation. (It was to make amends for significant errors on the part of the resort from a previous stay) I did have the opportunity for preplanning and didn't car to use it. I had used the pre planning on the Grand Plan and frankly, I had pretty much done my own planning and I just had to give them the "list". I can do that easily enough by calling Priority Seating and saving my money.

Wow. I'm sorry you had a stay that warranted making amends. If I did not have small children, I doubt I'd be spending the money for concierge either. I'm a total control freak, and like taking care of things myself. However, to make sure I get those all-important Princess meals and good PS time, I think it'll really help. And in case something needs changing last minute during our trip, I'm hoping that IPO could help fix it.

 

[LoveWDW]

We are booked at BC for early December. I had thought about concierge, but I read somewhere that somebody observed others taking huge amounts of the food and depleting the supplies and leaving a mess behind. It didn't sound very nice. And now that I hear the lounge is closed part of the time, I am thinking that I really don't want concierge at BC. What do you think?

 

[Cass]

Can someone clue me in?

If you enjoy the finer things in life and don't mind paying for them ~ you will enjoy the extra care, attention, service & convenience of a concierge stay. Much more enjoyable. IMO I don't think I would ever go back to a regular stay at Disney.

You should try it!