why concierge?

[busymom_ot]

What is the strong pull towards concierge? It seems like a lot of extra $ for some snacks/light meals. Dining at Disney is part of our family's fun. If you spend the majority of the day away from the resort you can't take advantage of most of it. And as for staff to help w/ PS - I've already done that before we arrive & don't mind arranging those. Am I missing something that I should reconsider re: concierge? or is it maybe just not for our family? Thanks for any insight all you concierge lovers! (p.s. We're staying at Poly the last week of May & concierge is an option.)

 

[susy]

I have yet to stay concierge, but I think that happens to a lot of people (worrying about being at the resort for the snacks and missing meals out). I think it depends on how long you are staying. After five nights at WL, I would have been happy to be able to get a quick breakfast or snack for convenience sake. It is not meant to be a meal replacement, but just more for convenience. I would make all of your regular PS and then just see how you feel on your trip. Concierge will make them for you. You get automatic turndown, a fridge in your room, robes, some have separate check-in, and overall more personal attention. Don't forget that in a regular room you can request turndown service. If you are staying for more than a few days , concierge is probably worth it.

 

[madalex]

We always stay concierge and here is some of the reasons why:

1. Much easier to arrange and change PS. Sure you can do it yourself, but to have someone do it for you is great. Also, since we usually make numerous changes to our plans before arrival, it is nice just to contact the concierge staff and let them handle it for us.

2. If I want some of the more popular PS's (like Cinderella Breakfast). I tell they staff and they usually come through, without me having the hassle of having to call at exactly 7:00 90 days ahead of time for five days until I finally get it (or efforts to that effect).

3. Much easier to use them to arrange special or out-of-the ordinary things. For example, trip in Feb 2003, we were going with a family that had never been to WDW before. Wanted to arrange a special dinner at CG for our first night there. With help from concierge staff, I was able to make some arrangements that would have been more difficult to do on my own.

4. Room requests are made to concierge staff. For our last trip in Feb 2004 to the YC, I was advised several days ahead of our arrival that the room location we had requested would be available to us. Knowing this ahead of time was a great thing.

5. Access to lounge is especially good on first and last day. If you arrive before you can get into your room or leave after you check out, you can still go hang out in the lounge if you need a place to sit and relax.

6. We don't use the lounge as our lunch or dinner place, but it is hugely convenient and a great time saver for breakfast. Rather than having to get everyone ready and then go out for food, I just go down to the lounge, get breakfast and bring it back to the room. That way, we can all eat and get ready at the same time, so that once we leave room for morning, we are good to go and don't have to detour to a place for breakfast.

7. Availability of "free" snacks and pop in lounge during the day is a great thing.

8. If you need to change or add plans while there, the concierge can do that for you, which is very convenient.

Yes, it's expensive and for some it may not be worth it. But, it hugely reduces the "hassle factor" of a trip to WDW and, for us, that is worth the price.

 

[ducklite]

It's not for everyone. If you are looking at it as a way to save money, you'll be sorely disappointed.

If you are looking at it as a way to get some extra pampering and privacy, and don't mind paying extra for that, it will be enjoyable for you.

It's not a meal plan. It shouldn't be looked at as such.

We pretty much always stay concierge for a number of reasons.

1. We like not having to stand in line to check in. We are immediately taken to our room, and can check-in at the lounge when we are ready to. We've had times where we've arrived, unpacked, gone to dinner, and checked in after dinner while enjoying dessert in the lounge.

2. We like to have a comfortable place to sit and relax, read the paper, have a cup of coffee or tea, watch tv, and chat with other guests. The concierge lounge supplies this amenity.

3. Small things like automatic turndown service, robes in the room, complimentary newspapers in the lounge, small welcome gifts (generally some chocolate, although the AKL has something very special for return guests.), just the little touches like that which can add extra magic to your trip.

4. Help with booking PS's, help getting difficult PS's, help changing PS's at the last minute, and it seems that when the concierge team books those PS's for you, you often get the best tables.

5. They will also take care of other requests, ordering flowers or gift baskets, leaving little treats for your children, arranging for fireworks cruises, etc.

If you want to do all of that yourself, and spend most of you days and nights in the parks, and don't care about turndown or other touches like that, then no, concierge is probably not for you. But if you enjoy spending time relaxing at your resort, and don't mind paying for extra service, then it's something to consider.

Anne

 

[stinkerbelle]

We stayed concierge on our Honeymoon - why? Because we were on our honeymoon and decided to blow a huge chunk of change in Disney to celebrate. (but we also had the fairy tale package last year, so that helped.)

But we most recently stayed concierge at AKL...basically just so we could do the tours offered there. (Sunrise/Sunset Safaris)

The food offerings are nice...we really only take advantage of breakfast, coffee all day long, and the wine/cheese hour. (Nice to have a glass or 2 of wine and then go out to dinner...saves money on appetizers/wine at the restaurant! heheh) and then more coffee at night. (we're coffee junkies)

The other good thing is the immediate check-in. You by-pass the front desk and go right to your room...love it. We've waiting close to 45 minutes at CBR to check in on a saturday...WL and AKL concierge was a breeze to check-in.

Honestly, I could live w/o concierge now that we've done both tours at AKL...but it's a nice treat...probably not something we'll do on our next trip...(it can be pricey)...but it's nice as a treat once in a while.

 

[cjsmith]

We usually do concierge when we travel, especially in Europe and Mexico where the food and beverages service given are usually amazing. We've done concierge at the Yacht Club a lot, but I must say that for me, it' just okay. Since I don't plan way ahead of time, most of the time I usually book my own PS prior to them calling. I do like the check in, but I can honestly say that checking in on the main floor of the Yacht Club has never been that bad. I don't use the robes left in the room, nor is there a fridge as one poster put it. I do like my kids being able to run down and get a snack, but I sometimes question whether or not it's really worth the money.
Tomorrow we check in to the Yacht Club for 3 nights and I don't think that I'm on the concierge floor. It was sold out, but I do know the general manager was trying to get us up there, so we'll see. If not, I'll still have a great time and just order breakfast up as room service!

 

[auntpolly]

It's definitely a little frivolous -- but we do it sometimes if we can get a good rate at the Poly. The not standing in line to check in or to ask simple questions is huge for me -- the staff is really nice. We really take advantage of the free drinks, snacks, and breakfasts (and free after dinner drinks and dessert at night! It's a great place to watch the fireworks with a Bailey's on ice!)I see people there that are for sure making whole dinners out of the concierge snack buffet!

I don't know, if you feel like just having everyone be really extra specially nice to you, and want to pamper yourself, give it a try!